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ACT 29 E-NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 26, 2008

 

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 27                                                                                                                    September 26,  2008
Sunday Worship  10:00am                                                                                 Wednesday Bible Study  7:00pm

Farewell Wishes to Norma Bishop
Norma Bishop will be leaving us to relocate with her family in California. As part of her 'family' here in Jacksonville, you cordially invited to a potluck celebration in her honor this Sunday. Please bring a covered dish and join in fun and fellowship as we wish Ms. Norma our best!

 A Night With Friends Logo
A Nite With Friends Fundraiser Dinner


The annual  'A Nite With Friends' Fundraiser Dinner will be held at 7:00pm on Saturday, October 11, 2008 in Twar Hall. The proceeds of this year's Dinner will go to St. Luke's Building Fund for repairs and maintenance for our buildings and grounds. Come join the fun and enjoy a delicious prepared meal and stay for the silent auction!  $12 Tickets are on sale now! The ticket price includes admission to the dinner, beverage, dessert and the silent auction. If you would like to sell tickets, have items to donate for the silent auction or help with the event see Stephen Jones or Ray Kelly.



By-Laws Team Formed


We have volunteers for a By-laws Team in place to look at possible ammendments to our by-laws. The team will consist of 2 Board members, 2 St. Luke's members at large(not on the Board), and Rev. Harvey. The team is as follows: Stephen Jones, Bil Detore, Robbie Roberts, Nancy Bernal, & Rev. Harvey. The team will be meeting to have amendments to present to the Board before the 30 day deadline prior to the Congregational Meeting.
ANY St. Luke's member may also submit a by-law amendment by following the procedures in our by-laws under the Amendment section. They must be submitted in writing to the Board at least 30 days before the Congregational Meeting and include the rationale.
We follow our by-laws because they are put in place by St. Luke's members at our congregational meeting. Our by-laws are the voice of the people and can only be changed by a vote of the congregation.



The Quilt Project Moves To St. Luke's


The Quilt Project's NE Florida Chapter is relocating to St. Luke's! The local chapter stores and cares for a certain number of panels which are part of the AIDS Quilt Project. Their new home will be one of the offices upstairs. Call the church office if you like to sew and would like to volunteer for this organization.



St. Luke's in 'Out In The City' newspaper


Have you seen our ad and article in the latest issue of  "Out in the City"?  If not, pick up a copy of the paper after service on Sunday. The newspaper rack is on the sidewalk in the courtyard.  We want to keep our ad in the paper so that we are keeping our church in the minds of those seeking a church home.  The ad costs $110 per month.  The most recent ad was donated.  If you would like to assist with any portion of the cost of the ad each month, please see Rev. Harvey.



Visit Our New WEB SITE


Work is underway to continue building St. Luke's Community Church's new web site. You can view it now at www.stlukescommunitychurch.org   A special thank you to James Creekmore for all his work on this.



Information Available


At the Forum and our November Congregational Meeting we will be discussing what path St. Luke's will take since we are no longer a part of MCC. We have booklets on UCC and info on ICCC available in Twar Hall on the side table. Take time to read about these options.




-REMINDERS-



Blessing of the Pets- Saturday, Oct. 4, 3:00pm in the courtyard.


A Nite With Friends Fundraiser Dinner- Saturday, October 11, 7:00pm in Twar Hall. Benefit for the St. Luke's building fund to cover some needed repairs around our church home.


Board Meeting-  2nd Sunday each month in Twar Hall.


Bingo Night- Each month on 1st & 3rd Fridays at 7:00pm @ Twar Hall. 20 Games with $5 donation for all 20 cards. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be available for $1 each.


Wednesday evenings- Join us at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. Don Green is leading a Bible study on the Book of Acts. PLEASE join us and bring your Bible.


Choir Practice Every Sunday 9:15am and 12:00pm. See any choir member or Rev. Harvey to join up!

RISEN CHRIST BOOKSTORE- Open every Sunday following Worship.

Congregational Meeting- Our annual meeting is coming Sunday, November 23.

Check out our new web site for a Calendar of Events:  www.stlukescommunitychurch.org




CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TEAM MEETING


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 the children.
We need Children's Bible Story DVD's for this ministry, like "Veggie Tales" that are available at Wal-Mart.



PRAYER LIST


Remember them in your prayers.
Bill Kimak (West Jax Rehabilitation)
Jean Levy (Heartland on Wells Rd.)
Don Green (St. Vincents)
Carmen Santos (St. Vincents) knee replacement
Valencia, Alice's partner (Memorial) knee replacement
Connie & Soundra
Don's father
Prudencia's Aunt with cancer
Rick
Bill Solomon
Rev. Lee Carlton- cancer
Ruth Hightower - cancer
Barbara Stafford- cancer
PJ Britt- Follicular Lymphoma & upper respiratory infection
James Creekmore
Howard Ettlinger
Should you, or you know of any of our congregants or friends of the church who are hospitalized, please email 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(H), 318-4187(C)
Don Green- Call Tue., Thurs.-Sat. after 7:00pm, Sundays- afternoon & evenings 772-8466(H), 881-5922(C)
Angela Moody- 861-7533
Rev. Jack Inman- 771-2200




FUNDRAISING AND RISEN CHRIST BOOKSTORE NEWS


Drop in the Bookstore (located on the far side of the courtyard)- home crafted bath salts are available, as well as books, devotions, rainbow stickers, and other items.
Name the COOKBOOK CONTEST has been decided!!  The name for the cookbook has been chosen! St. Luke's Family Favorites.  Robert Woodward will help design the cover on his return. We hope to have it completed by the holidays. Ernestine is also collecting your recipes, especially Vegetable recipes are still needed. Make sure your favorites are included!!


CHRISTMAS   CANTATA


This year's Christmas Eve service will feature the Christmas Cantata "Ring the Bells."  We are inviting anyone, male and female, who wishes to sing in the cantata to join us for the presentation.  Rehearsals have already begun at 11:45 every Sunday in the sanctuary.  We will also need some dramatic readers --Zacharias, Mary, One of the Shepherds, Simeon, One of the Wise Ones.  All readings are very short, but will need to be memorized and spoken in dramatic manner.  Please see Rev. Harvey if you wish to participate as a singer or a reader. Other churches are also being invited to join us for this special Service.


CHANCEL CHOIR


The Chancel Choir is still looking for more members, especially female voices.  We rehearse at 9:15 AM and 11:45 AM on Sundays.  See Rev. Harvey or any choir member for more information.



FOOD PANTRY NEWS


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.  Be a blessing to someone in need!
WE ALWAYS NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH THE FOOD PANTRY ON TUESDAYS from 10:00am to Noon. The Food Pantry may also begin opening on Fridays and Saturdays. 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.
The food pantry is in need of toilet tissue, disposable razors, bar soap, bottled water, canned vegetables, canned meat, cereal, etc.



-RECYCLE ALUMINUM CANS-


Bring them to the barrels in the courtyard under the stairs. 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.


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.

+ First Aid Kit
+ 2 or 3 100ft extension cords
+ commercial cooktop/oven
+ new faucets (need 2)
+ A/C unit for kitchen (currently no ventilation)  prefer 200 volt unit due to size of kitchen
+ need donated commercial refrigerator repaired
+ supplies to build a pantry wall like 2x4's, sheet rock and concrete screws, etc.




COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS


HIV Testing- 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month @ St. Luke's Sacristy 1:00-3:00pm


AA- Meetings held in the "Freedom Ministries" room (2nd floor) every Tue. & Fri. at 7:00pm


SLAA- (Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous) Meets every Mon. and 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


PFLAG- Meetings held the 3rd Thurs. of the month, 7:00pm @ CCOP



SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES


9/07    Michael Vetrano
9/10    Renee King
9/10    Robert Woodward
9/10    Renee & Les Spooner (Anniversary)
9/12    Bernadette Stephens
9/13    Dot Simmons
9/14    Bryan McGaughey
9/17    Renee Bryan
If your special day isn't listed above, please email Stephen Jones at sjonesjax@aol.com


Want to add something in our web site's calendar of events?
Email: stlukescc@bellsouth.net  




DEVOTIONAL-  Stop Worrying!


"It begins and ends with faith...those who are right with God...live by faith."- Romans 1:17

A man who maintained he'd swallowed a horse was referred to a psychiatrist who recommended surgery. The surgeon agreed to bring a horse into the operating room so that when the man woke up he'd know the operation was a success. But after regaining consciousness the man opened his eyes and announced, "That's the wrong horse. It's white. The one I swallowed was black!" Too much anxiety and not enough reality - that's why Christ talks to us so much about worry (which means to be divided or distracted). Understand this.  Worry: (1) Wastes your time and energy. Jesus said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? (Matt. 6:27). It's a medically proven fact that worry won't lengthen or enrich your life, but it can shorten it. (2) Stops you from enjoying what you have. How? By creating burdens God never intended you to carry - because they are God's. (3) Makes you feel less-than. Jesus pointed out that you're worth much more than the birds of the air, and they don't worry or die from hunger; they simply enjoy life. Come on, if God takes care of them, don't you think God will take care of you too?  (4) Makes you overlook God's promises. "If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line...by sending God's Son, is there anything else God wouldn't...do for us?" (Ro 8:32)  Note the word "anything". That covers whatever you're going through right now, plus whatever comes up in the future. So stop worrying.
-taken from 'The Word For You Today' devotional.


To submit something for the ACT 29 e-Newsletter email sjonesjax@aol.com
or call Stephen Jones at 350-9188

++ Interpretation for the deaf available during Sunday Worship Service.
++ Children's Ministry available during Sunday Worship Service.


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 Samaritions.
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.