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ACT 29 E-NEWSLETTER!! December 24, 2008 |
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St. Luke’s Community Church 1140 S. McDuff Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 389-7726 www.stlukescommunitychurch.org
ACT 29 E-NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Issue 40 December 24, 2008 Sunday Worship 10:00 am Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 pm
The Church Office will be closed December 25, 26, and 27 January 1, 2, and 3.
Our annual Christmas Eve Celebration service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, in our sanctuary. Clergy, congregants and/or choirs from St. Anthony’s National Catholic Church and Sovereign Ministry will be joining with us in this service of celebration. The service will include carols, scriptures and communion with the presentation of “Ring the Bells,” a Christmas cantata featuring combined choirs, soli, and dramatic readings. Our annual Christmas Eve Offering this year will be taken for St. John’s Horizon House, our local Supportive Living Housing for people with HIV/AIDS. We encourage you to invite your friends and families to join us as we celebrate the birth of Christ, Our Savior.
“Reflection” from Rev. Harvey An Advent Reflection During the Season of Advent, those 4 weeks preceding the celebration of Christmas, we have lit the 4 Advent candles, one each Sunday. Candle #1 represented Hope; candle #2 represented Peace; candle #3 represented Joy; and candle #4 represented Love. Four candles, four promises continually offered to us by God, and all of them manifest in the candle we light on Christmas Eve – the Christ candle. In Christ we find the hope of transformation, the peace that follows justice, the joy of self-fulfillment in community, and the love that encompasses us in all our diversity, empowering us to make our own unique contribution to this world. In Christ we find light and life, and the courage to be like Him, answering His call and following in His footsteps. We rejoice in God’s steadfast presence in our lives, and in God’s unique presence in the life of Jesus of Nazareth – born of Mary, growing through childhood into an adult ministry, in all His life manifesting the peace, love, and justice of God; His voice undimmed by the centuries, His call and His promise as clear to us as it was to His disciples so long ago.
PRAYER: Come to us, Lord Jesus. Be born in us this Christmas, in our hearts, our minds, our lives. May the light of your life be kindled in us, and lead us to the shining truth of God with us, God for us, God in us. Amen.
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, you have added a special touch to our sanctuary’s decorations by sponsoring poinsettia plants. Poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary through December 28. Following the Christmas Eve service, you may take the plant(s) home to enjoy. Any plants still in the sanctuary following the December 28 service will be distributed to friends and members of St. Luke’s who are unable o attend services.
Our Kwanza (African spelling) service will be held on Sunday, December 28, during our morning worship. Please join us as we celebrate the heritage of our African brothers and sisters and the diversity in God’s Family.
HUMAN RELATIONS SUNDAY – JANUARY 18, 2009 Sunday, January 18, 2009 is internationally known as Human Relations Sunday (formerly Race Relations Sunday) in many denominations. We will be honoring this event in our morning worship service. Bishop Valerie Williams of Sovereign Ministry will be our guest speaker. A drama group from Sovereign Ministry will also minister to us through a dramatic skit during the service.
Hug-a-Bear Missions Outreach Program Our Hug-a-Bear Missions Outreach program for those less fortunate at Shultzbacher Homeless Shelter and at nursing homes begins in January and continues until February 14 when we will distribute the teddy bears as gifts. Please bring your gift teddy bears and place them on a pew to be hugged and filled with love. When you sit on a pew and discover a cuddly teddy bear there beside you, give it a big bear hug, whisper a prayer for those less fortunate and/or ill who will receive the bear, and fill that teddy bear with lots of love.
Worship Through Music
presents
Danny Riddle Christian Recording Artist
Saturday, January 24, Danny Riddle will be featured in private concert at a catered banquet honoring our Chancel Choir and Media Team. Sunday, January 25, 7:00 PM, Danny will be featured in a service of music in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s Community Church.
“Don’t go to church……” That’s right – “Don’t go to Church; Be the Church.” Drawing on the scripture found in James 1:22, “..be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…” St. Luke’s will devote the entire month of February 2009 to learning to be a better witness as a church through a Faith in Action Program entitled “Don’t Go to Church; Be the Church.” The program will focus on the early church as established by the apostles in the Gospel of St. Luke. Our entire church will be studying together the Gospel of St. Luke as we strive to be better Christians and better witnesses. All sermons during February will be drawn from St. Luke. Our Wednesday evenings will be devoted to spiritual development as a Christian Community Church. We will begin every Wednesday evening with a fixed price dinner at 6:00 PM, so you will not have to go home after work, but just come to Twar Hall for a prepared meal. Following dinner we will remain in Twar Hall, and Bil Detore will lead an in-depth study of the founding of the Christian church and the responsibilities of the church. All attendees will have participant study kits available. The study will be interactive, not lecture, and designed to strengthen your spiritual life individually and collectively. On Saturday, February 28, we will be “the church in action” when we host a health fair with healthcare providers, counselors, advisors, free health screening, and much more. This will be our February Outreach to the Community to demonstrate our Christian concern for our neighbors.
FREE STUFF IN THE BOOKSTORE!!!! Thanks to everyone for making our clearance sale a success! If anyone would like MCC memorabilia from past years it is available free of charge at the bookstore. Please stop in at the Risen Christ Bookstore after services in December and take a look at our stocking stuffers! The magic gloves sold quite well last Sunday. See Bernadette or Ernestine with questions.
OUT IN THE CITY ADS The cost for the ¼-page St. Luke's advertisement in “Out In The City” is donated each month by one of our members, leaving no cost for the church for this monthly advertising. We did place a full-page color ad for the holiday season. If you have not seen it, grab a copy of the paper and look! We were the only church to place such an ad and only one other entity, University of North Florida, placed such an ad. The normal cost for that ad would have been $568, but because of our monthly ads, we were able to purchase the full-page color ad for $289. If you would like to help defray the cost of this one-time ad, please mark an envelope as your contribution being for advertising.
HOSPITALITY TEAM WISH LIST If you can donate or help with any of these items, see Jerry Gardner or any Board Member. Please help out with any of these items needed to improve our kitchen area. Commercial Cook top/Oven New Faucets (needed 2) A/C Unit for Kitchen (currently NO VENTILATION) prefer 200 volt unit due to size of kitchen
FUN AND FELLOWSHIP The first and third Friday night of each month we gather for BINGO, FUN, FELLOWSHP and PRIZES !! For a $5 donation you will get to play from 7 to 9 p.m.! The cash grand prize continues to grow until won. Hotdogs and soft drinks are available for $1 each.
HIV TESTING CLASSES We are working to greatly improve and expand our HIV Testing and Counseling Ministry in January. Presently, we are in need of more counselors who can assist in this ministry. Training requires attendance of 3 days of classes (24 hours total). Because you will be working with the church test site, the normal fee for the classes is waived. If you are interested to assisting us, please speak with Herb Smith (891-2082) or Rev. Harvey so that we can get you registered.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS HIV Testing – 1ST and 3RD Sundays of each month @ St. Luke’s Sacristy 1:00pm – 3:00pm AA – Meetings held in the “Freedom Ministries” room (2nd floor) every Tue. & Fri. at 7:00pm SLAA – (Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous) Meets every Mon. & Thurs. evening at 7:00pm in the “Freedom Ministries” room (2ND floor) Retired & Plus 60 Club – Meets the 2ND Thurs. every month at 2:00pm in Twar Hall PFLAG – Meetings held 3RD Thurs. of the month 7:00pm @ CCOP
RECYCLE ALUMINUM CANS Bring them to the barrels in the courtyard under the stair. Drink cans, vegetable cans, etc. are all great to bring, but please rinse them out so they don’t attract ants. Proceeds go to help our Hospitality Team provide refreshments and supplies to run our kitchen. Many thanks to all who contribute cans.
If you wish to be added to our prayer list, or know of anyone we should add to our prayer list, please call the church office or Rev. Harvey. Bill Kimak – (West Jax Rehabilitation) Jean Levy – (Heartland on Wells Rd.) John Ferguson Connie & Saundra Don’s Father Prudencia’s Aunt – with Cancer Rick Bill Solomon Rev. Lee Carlton – Cancer Ruth Hightower – Cancer Barbara Stafford – Cancer P.J. Britt – Follicular Lymphoma Robert Ford Lora Leatham – Incurable Brain Cancer Chris Brevaldo – Employment Terri Satterwhite – Strept Throat and Influenza Rich Goicoechea – Emphysema
Should you, or you know of any of our congregants or friends of the church who are hospitalized, please e-mail or phone the church office so that we can properly arrange for prayer and visitation.
St. Luke’s Prayer Warriors (Available to provide you prayer and support) Barbara Stump – Call Anytime. 272-6256 (Home), 318-4187 (Cell) Don Green – Call Tue., Thurs. – Sat. After 7:00pm, Sundays – afternoon & evening, 772-8466 (Home), 881-5922 (Cell) Angela Moody – 861-7533 Rev. Jack Inman – 672-9868
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Paul Bickerstaff Quasha Brown
If your special day is not listed above, please e-mail stlukescommunitychurch@gmail.com Want to add something to in our web site’s calendar of events?? E-mail stlukescommunitychurch@gmail.com
FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY Help St. Luke's do our part! PLEASE bring food items to donate and place them in the red bucket in the narthex or the shopping cart in Twar Hall. The food pantry is in need of toilet tissue, disposable razors, bar soap, bottled water, canned vegetables, canned meat, cereal, etc. Food given out on December 23: 70 bags (70 families, 120 people), 48 holiday bags, and 28 new clients were served. WE ALWAYS NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH THE FOOD PANTRY ON TUESDAYS from 10:00am to Noon. St. Luke's co-sponsors with Trinity Lutheran Church @ the corner of McDuff and Park. St. Luke's also has volunteers that work at the food pantry. If you can help, see Michael Vetrano or call the church office. As we celebrate this Holiday Season, we wish to say, “Thank you and have a very blessed Christmas” to all those who so faithfully serve or church and Christ through our Food Pantry Ministry.
REMINDERS
Bingo Night- Each month on 1st & 3rd Fridays at 7:00pm @ Twar Hall. $5 donation for all cards played 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be available for $1 each. Wednesday Bible Study- Join us at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. PLEASE join us and bring your Bible. Choir Practice Every Sunday 9:15am. See any choir member or Rev. Harvey to join! Board Meeting- 2nd Sunday each month at noon in Twar Hall. RISEN CHRIST BOOKSTORE- Open every Sunday following Worship. Potluck – Every fourth Sunday. In Twar Hall, bring a dish to share…
Check out our new web site for a Calendar of Events: www.stlukescommunitychurch.org
A very special “thank you” to Miguel Portillo and Saul Eck for the beautiful flowers placed on the dais each Sunday. If you would like to provide flowers for services, you may call one of our members, Robert Wheeler at American Beauty Florist, 388-0094, or you may call the florist of your choice.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Monique Baker is heading up our Children’s Ministry. Parents should bring their children to the Children’s room off the courtyard and sign them in before going to the Worship Service. We need more adults on the Children’s Ministry Team. If you can take a Sunday to help out with the children please let Monique know. Two adults will be present at all times with children. We still need Children’s Bible Story DVD’s for this ministry, like “Veggie Tales” that are available at Wal-Mart.
What’s in a name? St. Luke’s – The name “St. Luke’s” was chosen as our name in 1984 because Saint Luke was the only Gentile writer of the Bible. He was a physician and patron saint of healing. St. Luke’s Gospel is the Gospel of women, gentiles, prodigals, and Samaritans. Act 29 Newsletter - Saint Luke also wrote the book of Acts, and it’s the New Testament book that records the history of the birth and growth of the church. The Book of Acts ends rather abruptly in the 28th chapter, but the history and growth of the church continues. Our e-newsletter strives to tell that continuing story of church growth and so the name Act 29 was chosen. St. Luke’s Community Church might be considered the 29th act in the drama of God’s redemption. -Reprinted from Act 29 Newsletter November 1985-
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