Volume XXXVI • Number 1St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, ELCAJanuary 2019

To Know Christ and To Make Him Known

Connecting to God > Connecting to Each Other > Connecting to Our World

By Jan Barclay, Council president St. Luke’s congregational annual Meeting will take place immedi-ately following the service on Sunday, January 27. a potluck meal willbe served. Please watch for more specifics and sign-ups in the narthexand on the attendance card. The annual Meeting is a time for the congregation to recap the pastyear and to vote on Council members for two-year terms, representa-tives to the annual Synod meeting and servants for our NominatingCommittee. This is an important event in the governance of our churchand a wonderful time for fellowship. all are encouraged to attend.

Annual Meeting celebrates past year andlooks ahead to new ministry opportunitiesJoin us on Sunday, January 27 for meal, elections, fellowship

Adult Forums“Sharing the Light” January 6 – March 3 an Epiphany-focused study, facilitated by PastorMarcy.Where: Gathering Room @ 11aM-new time!

“The Prodigal God” March 10 – april 14 a DVD-based discussion of the book by TimothyKeller, facilitated by Paula Gaylord.Where: Gathering Room @ 11aM-new time!

Contemplative Prayer Practices This co-ed offering is for those who seek a spaceto slow down on a Sunday morning. Each sessionstands alone and prevents those unable to attendweekly from feeling as though they are “missingsomething” and getting behind. This is not an aca-demic or scholarly experience, nor is it a program insome “otherworldly” sense. Each session begins and

ends with prayer and scripture. Time is provided forsilence, dialogue, and careful listening. Facilitated bySharon Ross, Minister of Spiritual Formation.Where: Celebration Center in Room 126 @ 11aM-newtime!

Join a Sunday morning adult Faith Formation class in January at 11am

Important Faith Formation Dates 2019

JANUARY 6: Classes resume; new time 11am

MARCH 10: Catechism classes begin withPastor Marcy

APRIL 7: No Faith Formation – SpringBreak

APRIL 21: No Faith Formation – EasterMAY 5: Last class with church-wide

Picnic/Potluck

ote

St. Luke’s congregationpassed the proposed 2019church budget during ser-vides on December 1 & 2.Vote results: 78-Yes; 14-No.

2019ChurchBudget

On Sunday,January 6, rightafter the 9:30aM

service, we willhave a special cel-ebration ofEpiphany. We usu-

ally remember Epiphany as thetime when the wise men followed astar until it revealed to themwhere the infant Jesus lay. The Good News team is provid-ing King’s Cake for everyone thatday (and coffee or milk too)! Thespecial thing about King’s Cake isthat there is a small plastic “babyJesus” inone pieceof thecake! Ifyou find it like the wise men did,then you become the king (orqueen) for the next year. Please plan to join us immedi-ately following worship in the Cele-bration Center for a little fun.Faith Formation for all ages willfollow.

A message from the Associate Pastor

Season of Invitation

Epiphany is the church seasonof invitation. The word Epiphanymeans to “shine forth” or “mani-fest.” The star revealed a light topeople far away so that they couldlearn about Jesus, their Savior. Inour Scripture lessons thisEpiphany season we hear howChrist’s light is revealed throughHis first miracle at the wedding atCana. Then the light is revealed asJesus calls His disciples. It is

sharedthroughoutthe townsand villages

as Jesus teaches and heals. You have seen the Light ofChrist! You are a reflection of it!During the Epiphany season wewill set aside a little time in eachservice to tell where we have seenChrist’s light in our everyday lives.We will be watching for “Jesus sit-ings!” In the adult forum each

week we will talk about why it isimportant to share the Good Newsof God’s love and how we can learnto do that in comfortable wayswith people we know. You are al-ready sharing Christ’s light; youjust might not know it. also, this season, we will prayfor those who have not seen thelight of Christ and might need aninvitation to come to church. Wecan have fun doing this…it doesn’thave to be intimidating. God callseach one of us to make His loveknown to the world. “Let your light so shine beforeothers that they may see your goodworks and glorify your Father inheaven.” (Baptismal liturgy)Matthew 5:16 “The people who lived in dark-ness have seen a great Light!”Isaiah 9:2

Pastor Marcy

Join us for King’s Cake after theworship service on January 6

It was a cold evening in December. a couple hundred people gatheredunder a huge tent. The crowd was made up of people from a variety of GrandRapids churches and businesses. White Christmas lights surrounded them.a few people stood up and began thanking everyone for participating in a 10year vision for a safe home for women and children who are survivors of do-

mestic abuse. The ribbon was cut and the crowd applauded. It was wonderful to be part of the communitycelebrating the Grand Opening of Safe Haven Ministries new residence at 2627 Birchcrest Dr. My thanks to Paula Gaylord for joining me. We took a tour of the 20,000 square foot residential facilityfamily bedrooms with private bathrooms, meeting rooms, playroom, laundry and offices. The new building willbe able to accommodate double the number of people (58 total) as the old safe house. and offices are on site.Safe Haven aids about 1,000 families per year who are experiencing domestic violence. It provides both resi-dential and non-residential support and counseling. Thank you for your support through the reverse offering

in November and the blanket do-nations last January. If youwould like to do more to help fur-nish the new facility please go toshmgr.org. a new brochure is onthe Welcome Center at church.

Safe Haven Ministriesopens new facility

By Pastor marcy miller

Begin your new year by getting connected to a Small Group at St.Luke’s. We are offering two types of small group opportunities:

Lenten Small Group Time Commitment: 5 weekly gatherings throughout Lent Dates: Begins the week of March 10; ends the week of april 7 Enrollment: Look for sign-ups in February

Home Church Small Group Time Commitment: weekly or bi-weekly gatherings as determined by each Home Church group Dates: Begins January 27 through the end of april Enrollment: January 13 – January 20 on the attendance Card or email Sharon Ross: sross@stlk.org

Not familiar with Home Church? Here are some answers to fre-quently asked questions:

What is the purpose of a HomeChurch? To help peoplefind/make meaningful connec-tions with others in the church.

Are there restrictions on who canparticipate? No! Home Churchesare open to members and non-members of St. Luke’s.

What is the role of a groupleader? Proactive shepherd.

Are there things we MUST do tobe considered a group? We hopethe Home Churches will includea service component, be invita-tional, and provide intentionalcare for each other.

What about the structure? HomeChurches will meet in a hosthome, have a leader as well as anapprentice leader, share highsand lows, pray and study to-gether, and have 8-10 people in agroup. The group will meet for1.5 hours, preferably once aweek, or bi-weekly if necessary.

Home Church FAQs

Boost your faith formation and join a small groupGroups are forming now; some later in February

Get a copy of the Winter/Spring 2019 Spiritual FormationHappenings booklet from theWelcome Center or the informa-tion table across form thechurch office. We provide a space and op-portunities where you can beformed in the Gospel of Christ,formed in relationship with Godand for God’s Mission. Share this booklet withothers. Opportunities are opento all. 

open your invitation.Be transformed.

Studies. Workshops. Retreats

Spiritual FormationHappenings

as St. Luke’s prepares tohost Family Promise familiesduring the week of March 24, weare in need of a few particularitems:• extra long twin bed sheets(need 15)

• blankets for twin or doublesized beds For more information, pleasecontact Pastor Marcy at thechurch office 363-2381.

Family Promise donationsare needed

HoME CHURCH

Epiphany – Greekword meaning: “to re-veal,” “appearance.”

The day ofEpiphany is observedby the ChristianChurch on January 6.

We recall the storyof the Wise Men inthe Gospel of Matthewwho recognize Jesusas king (Matthew 2).

The season of theEpiphany centers onevangelism – tellingthe Good News storyof Jesus to the world.

Pastor Dave

The season of the Epiphany reveals a Great LightA message from the Senior Pastor

An Epiphany Song Long ago in Bethlehem, the Son of God was bornIn a manger cold and crude early on Christmas morn.A weary world is roused from sleep during winter’s night.Emanuel, God with us – our darkness turns to light.

Chorus:Shine, shine on us, gracious Lord, almighty God.Let your light of Christ burn bright.Those who’ve walked in darkness now have seen a great light…Now have seen a great light.

In the stillness of the eve, the heavenly chorus sing:“Peace on earth, good will to all. Praise to the newborn king.”Shepherd in the fields that night seek where the Christ child layAnd God’s glory shown about in midst of beasts and hay.

Enter in the wise men three who traveled from afar.Sight fixed firmly on the sky, led by a shining star.The Wise Men’s eye were opened, they worshiped and adoredNow before the child they knelt and there they met the Lord.

The star brightly shines tonight for all who suffer loss.God’s love is revealed through Christ who died upon the cross.on the third day, death’s no more, He rose in victory!Joy to the world, Christ is King – new life for you and me.

Written by David M. Blank ©1983

Northview School’s VarsityVoices performed for St. Luke’sMonthly Fellowship’s Decembergathering. Under the direction of

Jack Philipson, the group sangtraditional carols such as “Deckthe Halls” and “Joy to the World.”at the request of fellowship mem-bers they reprised an enjoyableselection from last year called,“Fruit Cake.” St. Luke’s members can hearone of the selections on St. Luke‘sFacebook page. It is a compositionby William Byrd entitled, “aveVerum Corpus.” Before their performance, thestudents joined Fellowship partici-

pants for lunch. This is the secondyear the Varsity Voices broughttheir amazing talent to St. Luke’s.We hope to make this an annualoccurrence.January’s Monthly Fellowship The next event will take placeon Tuesday, January 8, 11aM-2PM.Pastor Jay Schrimpf of BethlehemLutheran Church in Grand Rapidswill present Bethlehem’s outreachto the Heartside community andthe ever present need to providefor the homeless in Grand Rapids.

Monthly Fellowship enjoys concert by Varsity Voices of Northview High School

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

• Supper House at St. alphonsusChurch on Thursday, January 10at 4:30PM.

• Dégagé Ministries in down-town Grand Rapids on Friday,January 11 at 6:00PM.

This study is open to all per-sons whether new to Bible Studyor a long time Bible Study at-tendee. Our study centers on theassigned readings (Lectionary) forthe upcoming Sunday. This is agreat opportunity to spend time inthe Word and fellowship with oth-ers.

The class is facilitated byPastor Dave and meets eachTuesday from 1:30-2:30PM inthe Gathering Room. If you have any questions,contact Pastor Dave at thechurch office (616-363-2381) orby email to pastordave@stlk.org

Lectionary Study with Pastor Dave resumes Jan. 15

How does one actually grow and mature into somebody who islike Jesus in their inner being? James Wilhoit in “Spiritual Formationas if the Church Mattered; Growing Christ in Community” capturesthe process very well. This coed gathering will focus on enabling participants to slowdown and to practice listening to God. Intentional sacred space willbe made for the Holy Spirit’s work of transformation through Scrip-ture and through the wisdom of spiritual writers such as RichardRohr, Henri Nouwen, St. Benedict and others. Class takes place on Monday evening from 6:00 – 8:00PM in Room126 of the Celebration Center, January 7 – February 25. The class isopen to both men and women. Please email Sharon Ross, Minister ofSpiritual Formation, at sharonstlk@gmail.com to sign up or for moreinformation.

Join the monday evening Spiritual Formation classSessions begin January 7 through February 25

Giving envelopes for 2019 canbe found on tables in the narthexarranged alphabetically. If you donot currently have offering en-velopes and would like them, con-tact the church office; those whogive online may also request en-velopes (363-2381;stlukes@stlk.org). Final 2018 giving statementsare being prepared and will bemailed by January 31. If you needa statement sooner, please con-tact the church office.

2019 giving envelopes areavailable in the narthex

Habitat for Humanity of KentCounty is offering a special volun-teer opportunity on Saturday,January 19, 8:30aM to 4:00PM.Volunteers will help a local familyin need by framing a house IN-DOORS, in Habitat’s new wallpanel factory. St. Luke’s Habitat team islooking for your help for a fewhours or all day. The panel factoryis located at 1701 Clyde Park SWin Wyoming. Please contact Bill Merrill(616-916-1422) or Fred Reyelts(616-560-2861) for more informa-tion or to let them know you’reinterested.

Habitat/Thrivent BuildDay on January 19

Members and friends are welcome to join us for an abbreviated,informal service of Word and Sacrament that includes one reading, ahomily (brief sermon) and Holy Communion. Service takes place in the Sanctuary Nave from 6:30 – 7:00PM

each Wednesday year-round (except during Lent and advent). Serviceis alternately led by Pastor Dave and Pastor Marcy.

Wednesday Service of Word and Sacrament

Stephen Ministry is a systemthrough which members of St.Luke’s Lutheran Church aretrained and organized to help pro-vide Christian caregiving to mem-bers of our congregation andcommunity. This ministry multiplies theamount of caring ministry St.Luke’s can provide by giving us awhole team of skilled caregivers

who are equipped to bringChrist’s healing love to peoplewho are grieving, in crisis, orexperiencing other stresses inlife. If you are aware of someonewho is experiencing changes intheir life, having difficulty andcould benefit by having aStephen Minister, please speakto one of our pastors.

What is Stephen Ministry? Who can benefit from it?

ChurchCouncil

DecemberHighlights

• Council begins preparations for th presentation for upcomingannual Meeting of the congregation on January 27.• Council approved Elisa Standridge for confirmation.• Social Justice recommended designating the quiet offering for CY2019 to augusta Victoria (a Lutheran hospital in East Jerusalem thatspecializes in treatment for Palestinian children), Wedgewood, Samar-itas Refugee Services, and Inner City Christian Federation. Complete minutes are available in the church office.

Elisa Standridge (center) was confirmed on December22. Celebrating with her are mentor Carol Bodbyl (right)and Pastor Marcy.

CancellationPolicy

Due to inclement weather

When Northview School activi-ties are cancelled, youth andchildren’s activities are can-celled at St. Luke’s.

For all other meetings, activi-ties, or services, please contactthe group leader to determineif they are still being held (e.g.Adult Choir, Small Groups,Wednesday Services).

Cancellations may also beposted on the church websitewww.stlk.org, the church officeanswering machine, and onWOOD TV8, WZZM 13, andFacebook.

In Our Prayers

CURRENT PRaYERS

Ed & familyGeorge & CindyRalphRosalind

CONTINUING PRaYERS

ashleighBetsyBurtChrisCottrell familyDan & familyDorothyEric C.JanJordanLoganLynetteMiriamNikki & Karl & familyRay S.Riak FamilyRichSarah B.Tammy V.

PRaYER FOCUS

Church council, pastors,staff, leadership

Bishop Elizabeth EatonBishop Craig SatterleeSt. andrew’s EpiscopalChurch & Bishop WhayneHougland

Lutheran World ReliefHome Church groups andtheir leaders

HOME BOUND

al Bea FranJoyce June Tudy

BIRTH: Klara Lin, daughter ofJeff & Stacey Nowak, onDecember 19. Grandparentsare Ray & Susan Dells.

MaRRIaGE: Peyton & Madeline(Baker) Berce, December 21

DEaTHS: anne Billings, sisterof Lynn Bardo, November 19;Maggie Bilby, sister of PatClouse, November 30;Timothy Ryan, brother of JoeRyan, December 9;Helen, grandmother ofJonathan Lonsway. Decem-ber 10;Hans Rasmussen, brother ofElse Sorensen

MILITaRY

Jordan adams, MarinesTaylor ahn, armyMax angel, armyalex Bickel, air ForceMatthew Crawford, armyBlaine Hughes, air ForceNathaniel & RachelMitcavish, army

Dan Morris, air ForceMelissa & David Valentino,air Force

Kelli Walker, air Forcealex Yurush, army

By C. J. Clark, Executive Director, Living WaterMinistries I was recently traveling home from an outdoorministry conference and had a considerable amountof time to spend sitting in an airport. While thereare many things I’d rather do than spend hourswaiting to board a plane, I also enjoy the opportu-nity to do some people watching. On this particularday the airport was teeming with individuals arriv-ing from and departing to unknown locales. as Imarveled at the choreography of all their comingsand goings, I took special note of the extremely di-verse population of people functionally sharingspace together in a relatively peaceful manner. Unlike social media, there weren’t fierce debatesabout which lives mattered, walls, or gun violencebreaking out in the concourse. Gate B4 wasn’t onlyfor people that wanted universal health care, andGate C6 wasn’t only for individuals who supportedPresident Trump. Many of us were buried in ourphones, likely immersed in digitally divided commu-nities, yet we were simultaneously co-existing withone another in real time. In its own way it was athing of beauty. There was almost a harmony to it.It brought me joy to perceive the way people unwit-tingly collaborate, and sadness to know that peopleare generally unaware of the way they belong toeach other. as I sat there feeling all the feels about howclose and yet distant people are to one another, Igave thanks to God for the work I get to be a part ofat Living Water Ministries. at Living Water Min-istries, I have the honor of sharing in God’s workbringing together diverse communities of peoplecentered in Christ. It’s in these communities thatwe don’t just unwittingly co-exist with one another,but rather we authentically make room for eachother’s stories to be heard. Participants from a vari-ety of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic back-grounds are immersed in community, grow in faithalongside one another, obliterate stereotypes, andlearn to see Christ in the face of each of their neigh-bors. In the midst of the seemingly divisive times in

which we live, God’s work in these sacred communi-ties formed through our programs feels like a coolbreeze on a sweltering hot day. Our 2018 summer season has been wrapped upfor a couple months now, and it was again an oasisof love in the midst of a world filled with chaos. Ourintentional outreach approach allowed us to awardover $50,000 in scholarship funds in order that wemight share life with 164 campers otherwise unableto attend our programs. Since 2015, the LWMScholarship Fund has awarded over $161,000 to498 campers! When combined with the good workour ministry partners at Samaritas (who fund ourFoster Care and Family Camp programs throughtheir own fundraising efforts) we have togetherawarded over $245,000 in scholarships to 751campers since 2015! In these seemingly divisive times, it can be ex-tremely tricky work bringing together all of God’schildren to share life with one another. When we areimmersed in community with people different fromourselves our preconceived notions of the other be-come challenged. Letting go of what we thought tobe true in order to receive what God reveals to betrue can be difficult. In communities like the oneswe strive to form at Living Water Ministries, the veilthat shrouds our daily interactions with each othervanishes and we are able to perceive the Spiritdrawing us together in harmony with all of human-ity. We come to understand that we belong not onlyto God, but also to each other. We laugh together,we sing together, we listen, we learn, and we loveone another because there is simply no other suit-able response to what God has done for us inChrist’s life, death and resurrection. I invite you to be part of the work God is doingthrough Living Water Ministries. Through our out-reach approach and our emphasis on diversity weare creating sacred space where people can findeach other under the umbrella of love and grace re-ceived in Christ. It’s powerful work to witness, itchanges lives, and it changes the world.

(article is reprinted with permission; “Living Water”newsletter, Winter 2018)

We Belong Together

Pastor Marcy is willing to take any 3rd – 8th grader to Stony Lake camp this summer. A dis-counted price is available if you register by February 28. St. Luke’s helps sponsor all kids for

camp. Please talk to her to work out dates. Camp is a wonderful experience of faith formation!

St. Luke’scarolers

sharedsome

Christmasjoy at a

member’shome in

December

THE EPISTLE is published monthly as a min-istry of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of GrandRapids, Michigan. The congregation is invitedto submit articles to the Editorial Staff. Articlesare due by the second Sunday of each month.Support Staff: Jackie McGee and LindaReyelts.

Church StaffMinisters ......................................All MembersSenior Pastor ...............................David BlankAssociate Pastor ..........................Marcy MillerMinister of SpiritualFormation ...............................Sharon Ross

Minister of Worship and Music ......................Jonathan Lonsway

Treasurer .................................Marcie SchaabAdministrative Assistant ...........Jackie McGeeCoord. of Worship Tech ...............Josh CrystalCoord. of Early ChildhoodMinistry .........................Susan VanderLaan

Custodian......................................Eric GlazierMaintenance .........................Mike FessendenPhone Number: ........................616-363-2381Fax Number: ............................616-363-5713Website: www.stlk.orgE-mail: stlukes@stlk.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/stlukesgrAddress: 3215 Four Mile Rd.

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Congregational Council

President ......................................Jan Barclay

Vice President..............................Scott Stapel

Secretary ............................Christine Crandell

Faith Formation liaison ..............Linda Reyelts

Finance liaison.............Caleb Uecker-Herman

Good News liaison ...................Mike Crawford

Growth & Property liaison .............Lynn Bardo

Hospitality liaison ...........................Amy Eagle

Social Justice liaison ..................Chris Magley

Stewardship liaison.............Richard Notestine

Worship liaison ...........................Deb Granger

Youth Advisory Board ......................................

Youth representative..................Nate Bollman

We are a

congregationsteohen

MINISTRY

Christian recording artist Mark Smeby provided an entertainingevening of music, sing-alongs, dancing, laughter and hope on Wednes-day, December 12. St. Luke’s choir accompanied Mark on a few songsand some good sports volunteered to play Mark's wacky "instruments"for another tune.

Celebrate the Hope of Christmas concert

“For I know the plans I have for you,”says the LORD.

“They are plans for GOOD andnot for disaster,

to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE.”Jeremiah 29:11