Chronicle

Greetings Saints at Saint Lukes: By the time you read this, we would have heard Matthew 18: 15-22 in the I Love the 70s sermon on March 30. Whereas that message focused on the Fruit of the Spirit known as self-control and healthy steps for reconciliation amongst Chris-tians, the points Jesus makes about forgiveness in relation to reconciliation cannot be over-emphasized. As we prayerfully approach the Good Friday cross upon which Jesus, an inno-cent man, was killed, and joyfully celebrate the empty tomb from which he arose on Easter Sunday, we need to ponder the depth and healing power of forgiveness. Indeed, in to-days world, forgiveness is often cited as a key to overcoming chaos. Unfortunately, the worlds definition and application

of forgiveness is sometimes quite different than the kind Je-sus prescribed, lived, and equips us to apply for ourselves and all people. Below are six wonderful, challenging thoughts on for-giveness. First, there is given a myth about forgiveness with an explanation. Then, a Biblical perspective is offered. I pray we will read through these and ask God to help us reconsider and differently apply forgiveness as needed. In fact, here is a challenge for us: Beginning on the Monday of Holy Week (April 14), reconsider #1 and ask God to help you apply the Biblical version of forgiveness for that myth for one person or situation in your life. On Tuesday, April 15, go to #2 (its Tax Day, so finding somebody or some organization we need to forgive should be rather easy), and so on ending with #6 on Saturday, April 19. Lets see if embracing and applying

Gods forgiveness doesnt deeply affect how we worship on Easter Sunday. My prediction: the joy and love of Christ will be all the more powerful and meaningful not only on Easter Sunday, but every day. Why Forgiveness Is a Gift You Give Yourself Is a Dangerous Myth by Leslie Leyland Fields 1. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. So said a mega church pastor on CBS This Morning a few weeks ago. Hes one of a parade of Christian and secular writers and speakers in the last decade, including Fred Lus-kin, the founder and director of the Stanford Forgiveness

Projects, who states outright that forgiveness is for you and not for anyone else. Biblical forgiveness is a gift to the offender. We release another persons debts for their sake and for

Christs sake. Forgiveness enables us to care about the good of the other rather than just ourselves. This is the gospel: loving our neighbors and our enemies. Yes, the forgiver often heals through forgiveness as well, but as a consequence of loving their neighbor. Its not all about us. 2. Forgiveness is about letting go of the past. Secularized forgiveness, emphasizing self-empowerment and letting go, focuses mostly on the future, giving insufficient attention to what happened in the past. In biblical forgiveness, God redeems and heals the past rather than erases it. God continually admonishes us to remember Him and to remember the events of the past, both the triumphs and the disasters. When we turn from the past entirely, we will miss the wisdom and compassion that we can learn from our wounds. As Dr. Dan Allendar has written, Every tragedy in the past is an opportunity for redemption. And each time we forget, we lose another moment to experience Gods mysteri-ous redemption in our lives. 3. Forgiveness is entirely your choice. Dr. Robert Enright, one of the foremost authorities on for-giveness, emphasizes this in his book Forgiveness Is a Choice. Even in churches, forgiveness is made more appealing by pitching it as a choice. Which means not forgiving is an equally valid choice, particularly if it doesnt meet our needs and expectations. Biblical forgiveness is required. We are repeatedly commanded by Jesus to forgive as weve been forgiven. Our forgiveness of others is to be a natural outworking of Gods forgiveness of us. It is never presented

as an option. In the parable of the unmerciful servant, the man who was forgiven by God and who then refused to for-give anothers much lesser debts was thrown into prison until he could repay.

A monthly chronicle to your home bringing you the news from St. Lukes United Methodist Church

St.Lukes

Vol. 10 6325 West Main Street, Maryville, IL 62062 April No. 2 6 21 Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven

times? 22 Jesus said to him, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Matthew 18: 21-22 (NRSV)

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Discipleship The XP3 youth schedule: April: April 2: finish the Flipped series and April 2 thru 23: Easter series called Amplify. April 27: Jr. & Sr. High youth and their counselors will be preparing the meal. Please be here at 5:00 PM for set up and meal preparation. May: May 7 thru 21: we will get back to our regular Wednesday schedule for XP3 6:00 PM game, meal, video and small groups. Our series is on Change and how it can help Gods kingdom. May 25: meal and a fun night. June 4: Graduation party for our seniors. The seniors will get to pick the meal and of course there will be cake! Everyone be sure to be there to send them off with Gods bless-ings and our love. Ladies Bible Study will be doing a 3 week study on Easter beginning Wednesday, April 9 at 9:30 AM. In May we will begin a new study on the Holy Spirit by John Maxwell and all ladies are invited to join us. Alpha for Parents will begin a class in the Sunday school hour on May 11 if we have 10 participators sign up. You can do that on line at ourstlukes.org or at the welcome center by May 4. VBS Meeting Thursday, April 24, 6-8:30 PM. Fifteen minute breakouts, please contact Karen Vollmar (345-9911) for your time. VBS is June 9 thru 13. We are in need of empty baby food jars. Please leave the empty jars in the office. We are also in need of nursery wing helpers for the week. Please contact Karen Vollmar (345-8881 or 345-9911) or email Karen at karenvillmar@ourstlukes.org if you can help.

Continued... 4. Forgiveness will lift you up and advance your career. Many purveyors of forgiveness promise success and advancement. One pastor writes in his new book on forgiveness, "Reading this book may be the most important step you can take right now toward ... professional advancement." Biblical forgiveness humbles the forgiver. The act of forgiving an offender requires and fosters humility. The parable of the un-merciful servant makes it clear that whatever debts others owe us, we have been cleared of far greater debts by God. The goal of forgiveness is not professional ad-vancement or exultation, but identification with and compassion for the guilty: There but for the grace of God go I. 5. Forgiveness frees you from obligation to the offender. Secular forgiveness brings freedom by releasing the victim from all obligation to the offender. Dr. Phil urges his followers to forgive as a means of reaching emotional closure. But he advises us to find the easiest thing you can do to resolve your pain. When the focus is on self-healing, the hurt person is often advised to end their rela-tionship with the offender. Biblical forgiveness frees you to love the offender. Forgiveness does indeed free us: It frees us from our self-focus. It frees us from hate; it opens our hearts with empathy; it frees us to love even the enemy. Forgiveness frees and strengthens us to bring us close to the offender. (Its important to recognize, how-ever, that some people are so dangerous and destructive that separation is necessary.) 6. Forgiveness is primarily about making you happier and healthier. Many pastors, authors and psychologists maintain that forgiveness is primarily about our happiness and health, citing the hundreds of studies demonstrating the benefits of forgiveness to mental, physical and spiritual health. Biblical forgiveness is concerned with the well-being of all people, particularly the guilty and needy. Forgiveness is far more than a means of personal happiness and health. God is con-cerned with the well-being of the whole world. Believers, who have experienced Gods own forgiveness, are to be concerned with the welfare of others as well, especially those who are most in need of forgiveness and sent out then into the world as agents of reconciliation wherever there is brokenness and pain.

Pastor Will

Pray For Our Church Family Healing for Jeremy Blair, Joel Catlin, Shirley Clark, Cougar Clifford, Brenda Cook, Dan Cooper, George Cowgill, John Cowgill, Joshlyn Davis, Kevin Davis, Carol Day, Angela Dyer, Lesley Easton, John Fagala, Carol Falkenbury,Walter Filliam, Karen, Fletcher,Chris Fultz, Leea Gelarden, Michelle Gelarden,Walter Gilliam, Tracy Grasch, Nikki Green, Linda Hunsche, Laura Kapp, Terrie Kruse, Kelley Liljegren, Verka Lind-ner, Livie Little, Landon Miller, Nancy Miller, Ray Miller, Bob Morgan, Jim Payne, Richard Peckover, Jeff Perry, Laura Quattlander, Lynn Robben, Shari Russell, JoAnne Spencer, Jack Umbraugh, Mary Webb, Ed Wentz, Sue Williams. Our Homebound Maxine Gulledge, Charmaine Shadwick. Our MilitaryDavid Balint (Africa), Russell Blattner, Rob Brickner, Nate Brown, Will Campbell, Matthew Clark, Daniel Cremer, Brandon Cunningham, Dan Eads, Dale Eads, Jim Eads, Todd Evans, Justin Griesbaum, Ken Hartung, Tim Heaton, Brian Jamison, Eli Logan (Afghanistan), James Long, Adam Luebbert, Brad Mayhew, James Mosher (Okinawa), Nick Muller, J.P. Snapp (Middle East), Jeramiah Stewart, Luke Till-man, Jerico Witz, and others serving around the world.

Every Week at St. Lukes

Sunday 7:15 AM Prayer Time 8:00 AM Worship (Traditional) 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship (Contemporary) Monday 5:30 PM Low-Impact Aerobics Tuesday 8:30 AM Low-Impact Aerobics 10:00 AM Staff Meeting 6:00 PM Praise Team Study & Rehearsal 6:00 PM Hands Held High 7:30 PM Prayer and Share Wednesday 9:30 AM W.O.W. Bible Study (9, 16, 23, 30) 6:15 PM Youth Group Meal 6:15 PM Alpha Meal 7:00 PM Youth Group XP3 7:00 PM Alpha Thursday 5:30 PM Low-Impact Aerobics (3,10,24) Friday 8:30 AM Low-Impact Aerobics (4, 11, 18)

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Prayers continue... Sympathy for Mike, Dawn, & Travis Birch, on the death of their son & brother, Drew Birch, February 23. Dawn and Al Peters, on the death of their father, George Peters, March 19. Dawayne & Sharen Sanders, on death of his mother, June Sanders, March 23. Shari Russell, on the death of her father, Richard Peckover, March 28.

Mission News The United Methodist Men are hosting a Men's Community Breakfast on Satur-day morning, April 5, at 8:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. The catered breakfast will fea-ture Mark Mestemacher as the guest speaker. Mark is the co-owner of Cerres Corpora-tion, and will talk about the impact of Jesus Christ on his life and business. Tickets are $7.00 and must be purchased in advanced from any of the Methodist Men, or by contact-ing John Ashbrook (314-374-8919).

Feed The Hungry at New Life Evangelistic Center On Saturday, April 12 at 11:00 AM, we will be serving a meal to the homeless at the New Life Evangelistic Center. Before we go and serve the meal, we need to prepare it. So, we need two teams: One team will come to St Luke's at 9 AM and prepare the meal. The second team will leave at 10 AM to go and serve the meal. This is a family event and everyone needs to fill out a release form. Please join us as we feed the hungrySign up at the guest center and online.

St. Lukes will participate in the Community Easter Egg Hunt on April 19, at 11:00 AM. Volunteers are needed to help hide the eggs at 9:45 AM. If you would like to donate candy, please drop it off at the Maryville Pharmacy by Saturday, April 12. We are set-ting up a table at 10:30 AM and providing cookies, drinks, and wristbands for the kids. Volunteers are needed to help with this. Please sign up on line and in the narthex.

Maryville Food Pantry is in need of the following items: cleaning products, personal hygiene items, and paper products, as well as non-canned food items like sugar, peanut butter, coffee, flour, vegetable oil and cereal. Please place items on the cart in the nar-thex.

Grandmas Attic needs items to sell. They can take clothing, books, toys, and small household items. They do not accept electronics. Please be sure to drop off items only when the Center is open.

Fall Mission Trip The Mission Team has planned an adult mission trip to Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Ky. Sept. 7, 2014 thru September 13, 2014. We hope to take 8-12 people. The cost is $215 per person for room and board, which we plan to raise through fund raisers. A non - refundable $50 fee is required with your application. This amount will be deducted from the total cost. Sign up is April 1 thru April 20 in the narthex and on line. Our first group planning meeting will be May 4 at 1 PM.

The Missions Ministry Team stocks ice-cold cans of soda and bottled water in the refrigerator in the kitchen. The cost is fifty cents for water and seventy-five cents for soda, and the proceeds go towards our mission work in Liberia. Put your money in the cup in the refrigerator. Thanks! Mark the Dates The Mayors Prayer Dinner Thursday, May 1 at 6:30 PM Cost: $10 for adults (children 12 and under free). Tickets are available in the office. Please see one of the staff to purchase. Make checks payable to Maryville Ministerial Alliance. St. Lukes former Pastor, Sig Bjorklund, is being honored as this years recipi-ent of the Fred Winters Award.

Water Distribution at Drost Park Saturday, May 24. Rain date May 31. Contact Ann Hale if you can help. Watch for information in the May Bulletins.

Tailgate Tuesday May 27 at 6:00 PM.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday Thursday 9:00 AM 4:00 PM

Closed Friday

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Cribs for Christ 6 Karen Phelps & Madelyn Reay 13 Angie & Natalie Malawy 20 Robin Fischer & Joseph Jackstadt 27 Maria & Lauren Matthews

Joy Jumpers 6 Meghan & Matt Dittman 13 Shari Russell & Erin Tillman 20 Denny Vollmar & Camryn Lee 27 Kim Morris & Joel Cluphf Preschool Praisers 6 Laurel & Kaila Juenger 13 Tiffani & Luke Tillman 20 Renee & Nathaniel Jackstadt 27 Nancy Gulledge & Anna Hunsche Kings Kids 6 Mark Cook & Hanna Beck 13 Parker & Breanna Robertson 20 Karen Vollmar & Logan Green 27 Bekey Zawada & Lois McLain Childrens Message:

6 Karen Vollmar 13 Karen Vollmar & Tom Beck 20 Puppets 27 Terri Green

Liturgists: 8:00 AM 10:30 AM

6 Roxanne Patrylak John Ashbrook 13 Charles Dye Shellie Lee 20 Roxanne Patrylak Mary Harris 27 Charles Dye Dannette McKellar

Counters:

6 Denny Vollmar & Stan Clark 13 Tom Beck & Jeremy Pfeffer 20 Wes Harris & Barb Anderson 27 Marc Mayhew & TBD Connectors: 10:30 AM

6 Kathy Hall 13 Terri Green 21 Marlene Fagala 27 Hanna Beck

Acolytes: 10:30 AM 6 Lauryn Lee & Maggie Fitzgerald 13 Brock Luebbert & Pearl Tillman 20 Brady ONeill & Gavin Zawada 27 Elly Harris & Kaidynn Green

Ushers:

8:00 AM

6 George Cowgill, Terry Hale, Don Sexton 13 George Cowgill, Dawayne Sanders, Don Sexton 20 George Cowgill, Denise Foutch, Don Sexton 27 George Cowgill, John Eads, Don Sexton 10:30 AM 6 Todd Bell, Cindy Clark, Larry Clark 13 Mark Cook, Matt Dittman, Meghan Dittman 20 Chris & Lynn Kusnerick, Glen Weeks 27 Julie Clark, Stan Clark, Nancy Gulledge

Greeters

8:00 AM

6 Ann Hale & Betty Tomic 13 Charles Dye & John Eads 20 Ann & Terry Hale 27 Denise Foutch & Betty Tomic 10:30 AM

6 Jeremy & Monica Pfeffer 13 Jamie & Bekey Zawada 20 Sue Gonterman & Kim Morris 27 Tiffany Tillman & Karen Whitchurch

Tech Team: 8:00 AM 10:30 AM

6 Terri & Steve Green Steve Green & Monica Pfeffer 13 Denny Vollmar & Jeff Allen Steve Green & Sarah Stone 20 Terri & Steve Green Steve Green & Bekey Zawada 27 Denny Vollmar & Jeff Allen TBD & Jenn Oberkfell If you cant serve it is your responsibility to get a sub for that day and call the office (345-9911) by Wednesday morning with the cor-rection for the bulletin.

April Servants: Please note! If you are unable to fulfill any of the responsibilities, please call to switch with someone on another week and then call the church office (345-9911) by Wednesday morning so we can update

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April Special Events

3 6:45 PM Cub Scouts Committee Meeting 5 8:00 AM Mens Community Breakfast 8 8:00 AM Clergy Covenant Group

11 6:00 PM Puppet Competition in Ferguson, MO.

12 9:00 AM Preparing food for the Homeless 12 10:00 AM Leaving to Serve Meal to Homeless 13 Palm Sunday

13 5:00 PM Ad Board

17 6:30 PM Maundy Thursday Service

18 7:00 PM Good Friday Services @ The Assembly of God Church

19 11:00 AM Maryville Community Easter Egg Hunt

20 Easter Sunday

22 8:00 AM Clergy Covenant Group

24 6:00 PM VBS Meeting

26 Carlson & Jefferson Wedding

Anniversaries: 11 Barb & Keith Anderson 24 Meghan & Matt Dittman

April Celebrations

Birthdays: 1 Shellie Lee

Chad Weeks 2 Terri Dyson 3 Luke Tillman 5 Erin Tillman 7 George Patrylak

John Wright 12 Isaac Cluphf 16 Jeff Allen

Kim Flaugher Danielle Foley

19 Daniel Cluphf

20 Denny Vollmar Carol West

21 Harper Stone 23 Dianna Bickel

Tyler Oberkfell 25 Don Buck

Barb Schillinger

Staff Email Addresses Will Campbell willcampbell@ourstlukes.org Jeff Allen jeffallen@ourstlukes.org Terri Green terrigreen@ourstlukes.org Karen Vollmar karenvollmar@ourstlukes.org

St. Lukes Chronicle

St. Lukes United Methodist Church 6325 West Main Street Maryville, IL 62062 (618) 345-9911

Who We Are At St. Lukes Mission: We exist to make and grow disciples of Jesus Christ.

Purpose: 1. Support: the Saint Lukes mission. 2. Enhance: clarity in communications 3. Improve: consistency & excellence in ministry practices.

Finance Report: "How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people." Psalm 116:12-14

Giving to Budget: 79,444.73

Expenses: 78,234.99

Facts & Figures

Attendance:

DATE Mar 2

8:00 AM Church

10:30 AM Cancelled

TOTAL SS Giving

Mar 9 41 141 182 81 11,427.61

Mar 16 36 156 192 64 7,409.00

Mar 23 63 114 177 78 7,659.00

Mar 30 55 114 169 70 5,741.24