Week of June 29, 2014
Transitions
The Opposite of Faith
Sunday Lectionary Readings
A sermon preached by the Rev. Stephen DeGweck on
Sunday, June 22, 2014 and based on Matthew 10:24-39.
Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 29, 2014
Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42
Almighty God, you have built your Church
upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together
in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we
may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Please Note:
The church offices will be closed
on Friday, July 4 in
celebration of
Independence Day.
St. John Chrysostom was bishop of Constantinople in the fourth century and
one of the most famous Christian preachers of the ancient church. Chrysostom
means “golden-mouthed.” He was known as a fearless firebrand, one who
inspired thousands with his preaching, a forceful personality who unfortunately
lacked the gift of diplomacy and had a knack of making powerful enemies, both
inside and outside of the church. The Roman emperor Arcadius had him arrested
and threatened him severely because of his outspokenness against corruption.
Chrysostom was told to denounce his faith and told that if he did not, he would
be punished by banishment from the empire. Chrysostom responded to the
threat by saying that the emperor could not do so, “because the whole world
is my Father’s kingdom.” “Then,” replied the emperor, “I will take away your
life.” To which Chrysostom is supposed to have said, “You cannot, for my life is
hid with Christ in God.” Next threatened with the loss of his worldly goods, this
saint replied, “You cannot, for my treasure is in heaven where my heart is.” The
emperor made one last effort: “Then I will drive you away from here and you
shall have no friend left.” But again Chrysostom responded, “You cannot, for I
have one Friend from whom you can never separate me. I defy you, for you can
do me no harm.”
Click HERE to access sermon page to read more or to listen.
Click HERE to view online Calendar of Event
Saint Luke’s Mission Statement
To be an open, inviting, and serving community in which Jesus Christ
is the center of our life and the gospel is modeled and proclaimed
in Word and Sacrament.
Announcements
School Uniform Drive For Girls, Inc.
JULY OUTREACH COLLECTION
During the month of July, we are collecting money for school uniforms for low income girls and boys in the public school
systems in the Birmingham area. Please make your check ($25 per uniform) payable to Saint Luke’s and mark “school
uniforms” in the memo line. Or mail your check (payable to Saint Luke’s, with “School Uniforms” in the memo line) to:
Mark LaGory, Saint Luke’s Church, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham, 35213. This has been a very successful drive in the
past, and we hope to continue to duplicate that success! For questions, contact Mark LaGory: mlagory@saint-lukes.com or
802-6205.
Would You Like to Welcome Visitors
With a Fresh Loaf of Bread?
We are looking for
volunteers to join
our Bread Ministry.
It involves dropping
off a loaf of bread on
Sunday afternoons to
the homes of those
who have visited
our church. No
visit is necessary—just a knock at the door and a smile.
To learn more, please contact:
Debra Atchison: datchi@bellsouth.net or
Susan Alison: Susan_alison@timeinc.com
Have You Been to Cursillo?
We are checking to be sure our list is complete, so if you
have been to Cursillo (in our diocese or elsewhere) and are
NOT receiving the Saint Luke’s Rooster Talk email or other Cursillo emails, please let us know by sending an email
to stlukescursillo@gmail.com.
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Please Tell Us If You Are in the Hospital
Let us know if you or a loved one will be in the hospital,
so we can support you during your time of need. Our priests
visit local hospitals on a daily basis, and Holy Eucharist is
available upon request. Unfortunately, due to HIPPA laws,
hospitals will not inform us if you are in the hospital.
Please assist us in this ministry by informing Sandy Porter
(802-6207 or sporter@saint-lukes.com) or the Rev. Steve
DeGweck (802-6203 or sdegweck@saint-lukes.com) when
you or someone you love is to be hospitalized or is scheduled
for a medical procedure. For emergencies that occur outside
of normal office hours, please contact the priest-on-call
(999-9867).
Check Out Church in the Park
Wednesdays at Noon in Linn Park
Join young clergy from around the Diocese
in celebrating the Eucharist in a non-traditional setting!
Announcements
Notes to Loved Ones Serving in the Military
Every Sunday we pray for our family members serving in the
military. In addition to including these faithful men and women
in our prayers, we want to give all of our members an opportunity
to write notes of appreciation and encouragement to our service
members. We hope to begin this project in the fall. We plan to set
up a table in Claypool Commons with note cards and the names,
addresses and pictures of our service members. You might write
something as simple as, “I prayed for you in church this Sunday”
or perhaps write a longer message. If you have a relative serving
in the military who is not on our prayer list, please contact Sandy
Porter with their name and mailing address: sporter@saint-lukes.
com or call her at 802-6207. Also, if you are interested in helping
at the table on Sundays, contact Emmy McGowin: 324-1629 or
emcgowin@yahoo.com.
Something New!
Refreshments after Church
Come talk with friends and newcomers after the 10:30
am and 5:00 pm services. Join the Connections Team in
Claypool Commons for refreshments, conversation, and
information. All are welcome, especially if you’re new or
interested in being more involved at Saint Luke’s.
Bible 101 for Adults
on Sunday Mornings
9:15 am - Founders Room
The Rev. Stephen DeGweck
All are welcome - drop in when you can!
A Summer Brown Bag Bible Study
Beginning Thursday, July 24
Noon ~ Small Dining Room
Sandy Porter invites you to a six-week Brown Bag Bible
Study, beginning Thursday, July 24. We will spend some
time unpacking the rich truths contained in the book of
Ephesians and hopefully learn to see ourselves as God sees
us.
Feel free to bring your lunch, and if you cannot come every
week, drop in when you can. For questions, please contact
Sandy: sporter@saint-lukes.com or 802-6207.
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Summer Events
Ice Cream & Bingo
Wednesday, July 9
6:30 pm • Graham Hall
Summer Pizza & Play
Saint Luke’s Meadow & Playground
Join us for two casual Wednesday gatherings this
summer: July 16 and August 6. Pizza will be served at 5:30.
Afterward, children can romp on the playground, and adults
can enjoy conversation with one another.
An Opportunity to Advertise in the
Saint Luke’s Guide Book
Fun for ALL ages!
Enjoy some ice cream with all the fixings,
and play a little bingo.
Bingo cards are $1 each, and prizes will be awarded to
winners. Come and bring a friend.
We are putting together our 2014-2015 Parish Guide
Book and Directory. The Guide contains a current listing
of parishioners’ names, addresses, and phone numbers, and
an information section with a yearly calendar of events,
Christian Education offerings, and descriptions about
our various ministries. Once again, we have contracted
with Guide Book Publishing for this project. The book is
provided at no cost to Saint Luke’s, including the mailing to
each family, and again is being subsidized by local businesses
that advertise in it. If you own or manage a business and
would like to find out about advertising in our book, please
contact Sandy Porter (sporter@saint-lukes.com or 8026207), and she will give your information to the Guide
Book advertising representative.
Family Promise of Birmingham
(formerly Birmingham Hospitality Network)
Silent Auction
Thursday, July 17
6:00 pm - Workplay
500 23rd Street South
Birmingham, Al 35233
* FOOD * DRINKS * LIVE MUSIC *
Tickets can be purchased during the week in Sandy Porter’s office or by calling Family Promise Director Rana
Cowan: 918-0246. Tickets also will be sold at Saint Luke’s before and after services on Sunday, July 13.
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Youth Ministry
HONDURAS MISSION
July 12-20
In a few weeks, Saint Luke’s will take a fantastic group
of senior high and college students on a church-building,
relationship-forming, culture-crossing, Christ-seeking
mission trip to Honduras. This group of seventeen
adventurous evangelists will teach Vacation Bible School
and work on the construction of a sanctuary at a church
in Santa Barbara, Honduras. We ask your prayers for
this life changing experience. Participants are: Elizabeth
Clutton, Elise Nesbitt, Perry Martin, Baily Martin, Morgan
Crumbaugh, Meghan Beck, Maddie Sheffield, Carolyn
Whalheim, Maggie Baker, Brandon Cole, Parker Garrett, Josiah
Rengers, Annie Sheffield, Mary Virginia Adams, Richmond
Adams, Betsy Cobb, and Matthew Briggs. If you are interested
in donating to help support this incredible mission,
make checks to Saint Luke’s with “Honduras Mission”
in the memo line or contact the Rev. Josiah Rengers at
jrengers@saint-lukes.com.
Parents Of Graduating Seniors,
Share Your News With Us!
As a parish family, we
would like to recognize
your son or daughter and
note in the Dialogue where
they will attend college
in the fall. Please email
a head shot of your child
along with the name of
their college or university
to: Sandy Porter (sporter@
saint-lukes.com or 8026207). Be sure to include:
• your son or daughter’s full name,
• parents’ names,
• college/university they will attend,
• picture (head shot)
Please submit this information no later than July 1.
Saint Luke’s Youth Assessment
Thursday, August 21
Big things are coming our way!
Join the conversation for an assessment of our youth ministry led by our consultants, Youth Ministry Architects. We’ll
dig deep as a church family to develop a youth ministry
uniquely suited for Saint Luke’s. Youth, parents of youth,
and youth volunteers are welcome to join the conversation.
Check out more information at www.saint-lukes.com. Check
out the schedule below and please RSVP by contacting Claire at
ccotten@saint-lukes.com.
11:00 am to 12:15 pm - for Youth Volunteers
12:30 pm to 1:45 pm - for Jr. High Parents
2:00 pm to 3:15 pm - for Sr. High Parents
3:30- 4:45--- Renovation Team
5:00 pm to 6:15 pm - for Jr. High students
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm - for Sr. High students
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm - Saint Luke’s Vestry
Acolyte Ministry
Are You the Parent of a Future Acolyte?
Our young people are encouraged to participate in our
Sunday worship services through the Acolyte Ministry.
Boys and girls, rising seventh through twelfth grades, are
invited to serve. If your son and/or daughter is interested in
becoming an acolyte, please do the following:
• Email your child’s name and contact information AND
your name and contact information to the Rev. Josiah
Rengers: jrengers@saint-lukes.com or call 802-6204.
• Attend the Acolyte Training on Sunday, August 17,
following the 10:30 am service.
Interested in Becoming an Acolyte Leader?
We need a few more adults to add to our team of Acolyte
Leaders. This is a very meaningful ministry and does NOT
involve a large time commitment. To learn more, please
contact the Rev. Josiah Rengers: jrengers@saint-lukes.com
or 802-6204.
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