REPORTER

The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14th. We will have one service this year at 7 p.m. This will be a full service with communion and the imposi-tion of ashes.

Some of our members prefer to attend a day-time Ash Wednesday service. Since we are not having one during the day, here are some options at other Richardson churches.

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 421 Custer Rd (between W. Arapaho and W. Beltline) 972-690-0095 Ash Wednesday service 12:10-1:10 pm

First United Methodist Richardson 503 N. Central Expy (just south of Richardson Civic Center and Li-brary) 972-235-8385 Ash Wednesday service 6:30 am and noon

Midweek Services

The following 5 Wednesdays we will have a short vesper service at 6:45 p.m. A soup supper will precede the services at 6 p.m. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for you to sign up to make soup, so get your group together and pick the date you prefer.

The theme for our Wednesday services is “Change in Our Lives.” February 21: Change of Season February 28: Change of Habit March 7: Change of Circumstances March 15: Change of Heart March 21: Change of Plans

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During this Lenten Season we will gather with the theme “Change in Our Lives”. Both on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings we will explore change as it occurs in scrip-ture and impacts our lives.

I would like to share with you these words from Sundays and Seasons:

Change is a constant in our lives. Some changes mark gradual transi-tions, as when daytime shifts toward twilight or winter turns to spring. Others happen in the blink of an eye, separating time into “before” and “after”. We choose to undergo some changes after carefully consider-ing our options, while others are forced upon us. In the weeks, days, and hours before Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples also experienced change: a change of venue as the gates of Jerusalem approached; a change of plans as their long-awaited. Messiah was arrested and tried; a change of circumstance as the crowds shouted “Crucify!”

Change is hard. We long for the expected and familiar, but all too often find ourselves in the midst of uncertainty and the unknown. We cannot predict how things will turn out. The hymnwriter Joachim Neander pro-claimed God’s steadfast love in the midst of life’s inevitable changes: “All my hope on God is founded who will all my trust renew, who through change and chance will guide me, only good and only true. God unknown, God alone, call my heart to be thine own” (ELW 757).

Let us continue to worship together as we go on this Lenten journey.

Pastor Mary

Council Members Elected

At our Annual Congregational meeting on Sunday, January 28, the fol-lowing people were elected to church council: Congregational Life: Jerold Plumb Evangelism: Carol Rizzo Service Outreach: David Tate

Two members were also elected to be voting members at the Synod Assembly in April. They are: Eileen Larsen and Dianne Plumb.

We thank these people for their service to our church.

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The men’s breakfast will be held on February 24th at the Hilton Garden Inn on 190 just east of Waterview Drive at 8:30 a.m.

Social Seniors. We invite you to our Social Seniors Game Day at the home of Ursula Peters on Friday, Febru-ary 16 beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Join us for fellowship and fun with some Valentine goodies included. Sign up on the bulletin board. For question call Ursula or Shirley Brouilette.

Two people are needed to deliver Meals on Wheels the first Tues-day of every month. The route is in Richardson between Arapaho and Campbell and Coit and Central and takes about 1 hour to complete. Please contact Anne Eckholm at 972-971-8238 or anne@eckholm.net with questions or to volunteer.

SeniorFest event planned for February 24

The North Texas SeniorFest 2018 will take place on February 24 at Res-urrection Lutheran Church in Plano. “Caring for God’s Creation” is the theme for this year’s program. The Rev. Dr. Tim Robinson, profes-sor at Brite Divinity School/TCU, will be the main speaker. In addition, participants may choose three of seven workshops to attend dealing with various educational and inspirational topics that address the theme. Registration is $25 per person. All Lutherans age 50+ are invited to at-tend. Registration brochures and information about the workshops are available on the bulletin board. For additional information, contact Rev. Dennis D. Schurter at 940-565-8372 or email at aloasfdallas@gmail.com.

The North Texas Senior Fest is sponsored by ALOA – Adult Lutherans

Organized for Action, an inter-Lutheran movement that provides re-sources for older adult ministry of the LCMS and ELCA. ALOA’s mis-sion is to equip mature adults to celebrate and serve.

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Women of St. Luke’s The February Bible study for Mary Ruth and Rebekah circles is the sec-ond lesson from the winter Bible study entitled “Prepare the Way of the Lord (Luke 3:3-17)” by Mark Allan Powell, a professor of New Testa-ment at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. In this session, the focus will be on meaning as both message and effect. The study may be found on page 30 of the January/February Gather magazine or may be downloaded at gathermagazine.org. The Leader’s guide follows the les-son.

FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES

February 7: Activity Day, 9:00am in the Gather ing Area. Come join in as we work on items for Lutheran World Relief. There is work for women able to stand, and work for those who need to sit.

February 10: 9:30am - Sarah Circle meets in the Church Conference Room. Study Leader is Brenda Milner. The lesson will be “Ash Wednesday and Lent” from The Thoughtful Christian.

February 13: 10:00am - Mary Ruth Circle will meet at church in the adult classroom. Study Leader: Martha Eastwood. 1:30pm - Rebekah Circle members will meet at the church in the adult classroom. Hostess: Rita Humphrey, Study Leader: Shirley Sigler. **These two Circles use the Bible study found in the Gather magazine.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, February 24: Time for our spring “Quilting Bee,” 9:00am Please bring a salad to share for the luncheon. All women are invited for great fun and fellowship as work is done on items for Luther-an World Relief. A quilt dedication will be held on Sunday, February 25.

All women of St. Luke’s are invited and encouraged to come.

Please feel free to join any of the circles at any time.

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Booksome Ladies

The Booksome Ladies will meet on Wednesday, February 21st at 9:30 a.m. in the Adult Classroom.

Our book for discussion is One Man’s Wilderness by Sam Keith. Originally scheduled for our cancelled Jan-uary meeting, this is the remarkable true story of Rich-ard Proenneke’s solitary life in Alaska, and how he carved his master-piece from his dream to live in a remote and beautiful part of Alaska and be content with his own thoughts and company. Proenneke found the perfect spot by a pristine lake, built a cabin by himself using trees he had cut down, and often working with tools he had made. This book is a simple account of the day-to-day explorations and activities Pro-enneke carried out alone, and the constant chain of nature’s events that kept him company. This award-winning book was made into a beauti-ful documentary, “Alone in the Wilderness,” by PBS-TV. We will see parts of that documentary and be amazed at Proenneke’s accomplish-ment and by God’s wondrous creation.

Since we will be choosing books for the coming months, please bring along your suggestions.

Valentine hugs, Martha Eastwood

The theme for our 2018 NT-NL Synod Assembly is “Under Construc-tion: Transforming in Christ.” The Heart of Texas (HOT) Conference is pleased to host this event in Temple on April 27-28. As a conference, we are well aware that God continues to transform us into a new creation. God is transforming our families and our communities and our Synod. As a way to mark this Assembly, the planning team would like to use the image and process of quilting to do something special. Quilting has a long history in many of our congregations. Lutheran World Relief quilts are know the world over as tangible signs of God’s love. They are asking every NT-NL congregation to send them piece of quilt fabric that they will piece together to make two quilts. St. Luke’s talented Activity Day leader, Brenda Milner, has already sent a piece of quilt fabric as our con-tribution to the quilt. As usual, St. Luke’s will be sending two voting members to the assem-bly.

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The members of St. Luke’s and their families that are being prayed for during the month are listed below.

Betty Kennedy, Prayer Chain Chairperson 972-235-6309 972-774-2002

CORINNE PERKINS BEA ORGISH MARGARET FREEMAN HOWARD SCHEIB BEN HONG DICK MINER PHIL HOUSTON MILDRED PLISKAL RITA HUMPHREY ROSE LITTLE & FAMILY EMILY EASTWOOD DAVID REED SCOTT REEDY

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from my fears.” Psalm 34:4

We welcome prayers for all. However, please let us know when your name should be removed from our list. Thank you. Our appreciation to the members of St. Luke’s Prayer Chain for their constant and faithful prayers.

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Sam Sherrod 2-10 Natalie Sherrod 2-10 Tom Petersen 2-11 Teri Kennedy 2-12 Barbara Tate 2-17

Gary Sloan 2-21 Louise Rambadt 2-25 Barbara Stiles 2-25 Andrew Thomas 2-27

Note: If you have an anniversary or birthday this month and your name is not on our list, please call the church office and give us the infor-mation for our records. Thank you.

Faith in Texas is a multi-racial, faith movement for social justice. It is an affiliate of the PICO National Network, the nation's largest network developing civic leadership in low-and-moderate income faith communities for economic and racial justice. PICO stands for People Improving Communities through Organizing.

Bringing new voices into Texas public life Faith in Texas trains teams of lay leaders in local churches, mosques and synagogues, serving low and moderate-income people. These Jus-tice Teams identify systemic problems that affect their community, and move entire congregations to action through powerful policy campaigns. In our divided state, Faith in Texas creates space for: ❖ Empathy ❖ Storytelling ❖ Shared action across the boundaries of race, religion, and economics.

If you are interested in learning more about Faith in Texas, you may contact Emily Hoffman, 972-669-0125.

There are still devotional booklets available for the January through March quarter on the table in the Narthex. There are also new devotional booklets for Lent on the same table. We only have 25 of them, so if you want one, better get it soon!

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St. Luke’s Lutheran Church

Interim Pastor Rev. Mary Kaiser Administrative Assistant Gail Johnson Director of Music Ministries…………………. Dale Dietert

Council Members

President, Shirley Sigler 2/272-7458 Vice President, Tim Wegener.. . . . . . . . . . .612/859-4500 Secretary, Anne Eckholm 9/231-6121 Treasurer, Tom Petersen 9/866-0619 Financial Sec., Carol Lysen. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..9/233/6585 Christian Ed.. Emily Hoffman. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/669-0125 Evangelism, Carol Rizzo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9/231-3269 Congregational Life, Jerold Plumb…………....9/231-4214 Congregational Resources, Gail Johnson .9/231-3361 Indoor Property, Jerry Zimmerman. . . . . . . . . 2-207-0771 Outdoor Property, Ralph Rizzo. . . . . . . . . . . . 9/231-3269 Worship & Music, Frieda Chyn . . . . . . . . . . . .2/514-8426 Service Outreach, open Youth, Emily Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9/669-0125

Contact Us:

marykaiser82@yahoo.com gail@stlukeslutheranchurch.org ddietert@mail.smu.edu www.stlukeslutheranchurch.org Phone: 972-234-8804

The Reporter Published for and by St. Luke’s Lutheran Church

Next deadline—Feb. 15 gail@stlukeslutheranchurch.org All members of St. Luke’s are invited to submit arti-cles of interest for publica-tion in THE REPORTER. Articles may be submitted in written form using WORD format or electron-ic form. Please include your name and phone number. Articles should be no longer than 250 words. Those over 250 may need to be edited.

Sunday Schedule

Worship at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School at 8:45 a.m.

Phone number: 972-234-8804 www.stlukeslutheranchurch.org

NETWORK OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES Ingathering days are the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Items always needed are: peanut butter, jelly, canned meats and vegetables, canned fruit, soups, paper products, personal hygiene products. Please place items in the cart marked Network in the Gathering Area.