WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

5: Carol Parrish 12: Brooklynn Hoffner 19: David Arrowood 26: David Parrish ACOLYTE Ryan Garczynski ALTAR GUILD Carol Parrish Mark Parrish David Parrish Gail Kerr Karen Moore Johnny Moore Council Tellers Joe Hampton Micki Karriker USHERS Jeff Poteat Wesley Jones Julie Edwards Sally Morgan CHILDREN’S SERMONS May 5: Deanna Allison 12: Julie Hoffner 19: Jennifer Perrell 26: Gracie Morgan GREETERS May 5: Angie Connelly 12: Leanne Stanley 19: Kaye Sheets 26: Dianne Davis

WORSHIP

ALTAR FLOWERS ($60) May 5 – Charlie Graham Family 12 - M/M Donald Rand 19 – Mrs. Micki Karriker 26— Mrs. Louise Cashion ————————————————————————

VOL 53

EDITION 9

Pastor’s Message

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

The proclamation has been echoed around the world for 2000 years, and been the source of hope and salvation for billions of people.

As we move from Lent, though Holy Week, and now enter the “Season of Easter” we are again reminded that even in the midst of a fallen world, so often filled with struggle, evil and even death, we need not fear or be anxious. “Peace be with you” Jesus shared with those first disciples. They needed that encouragement! So do we. The news of the world can be heartbreaking. It can be confusing. It can make us wonder “where is God?” God is with us, each and every step. And nothing can separate us from God’s love – not even our own mistakes.

God forgave those doubting, denying, confused apostles – and forgives us too. Jesus promised them the presence of the Holy Spirit. And promises us, too. Jesus then gave them the commandment to go and make disciples and share the gospel. And gives us that commission as well.

Well, the path for those first disciples wasn’t always clear, or straight, or encouraging. They had to figure things out, they argued on occasion, they made good decisions and some bad ones. But, overall, they were faithful. They dreamed big, GOD sized big, and went out into the world around them to share the Good News.

That’s good advice and practice for us as well. Dream big. Dream GOD sized big. And ask God to bless that effort, and, if necessary, help us be open and willing to change direction when we need to.

I think that God would much rather have to work on changing our course than getting us started to begin with.

Dream big. See what God does. Pastor Scott

MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST

will be hosted by St. Luke’s Lutheran Men in Mission on May 12, at 9:00 am. Everyone is invited! (There will be NO Sun. School)

MAY

2019

St. Luke’s Blood Drive in Honor of Johnny Moore

Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 1:30pm to 6:00pm in the Fellowship Building To make an appointment, contact the church 704- 278-2710, Robin Hampton 704-880-3572. OR visit online www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: St. Luke’s. Walk-ins are welcome.

Search for a Youth Director

As previously announced, Marian Lytle’s term of ser-vice as youth director is end-ing, and St Luke’s thanks her for the love and leadership she has shown our kids. We are beginning a search for a

new Youth Director. If someone you know may be interested in this part-time position, please encourage them to contact Pastor Scott or council chair Jason Connelly. The job description is available on the church website.

Friends and Relatives on our Prayer List

We thought it might be helpful if all of us know the relationship to our congregation of the people on our

friends and relatives prayer list. We ask that as names need to be added or removed, you contact the church

office. Prayer is a powerful entity and as we pray for ourselves, we strengthen our faith in love and service.

Dorothy Baker sister of Russell Pruett Lennie Cauble sister of Bonnie Russell

Erika Chastain friend of Sandy Arrowood

Liam Clary grandson of Ty & Debbie Clary

Betty Click sister-in-law of Ruth Hodge

Drew Davis brother of Lane Lauder

John Davis cousin of Lane Lauder

Ted Deal nephew of Margaret Morgan

Kim Denning sister of Grover Holt

Todd Getzlaff son of Judy Getzlaff Kay Hammill friend of Sandy Arrowood

Glenn Hester friend of Jason Connelly

Leslie Houston wife of Preston Houston

Coyt Karriker cousin of Joe Hampton

Don Killian cousin of David Arrowood Lisa Lauder daughter of Lane Lauder Darlene Lavin sister of Laurie Klaus

David Lentz relative of Eleanor Ijames

Jennifer McDaniel Mt. Ulla Postal Margaret McDonald niece of Marian Lytle

Marketta McIntosh sister of Tracy Phillips

Pam Miller niece of Nancy Harris

Cindy Morgan dau. of Reid & Margaret

Carol Null sister-in-law of Margaret Morgan

Jerry Overcash cousin of Bonnie Russell

Laurie Parrish sister of Mark Parrish

Tim Peede bro.-in-law of Debbie Clary

Pat Morrison sister of Gerald Graham

Diane Rivers friend of Alice Weaver

Kate Smythe niece of Angie Connelly

Betty Stewart aunt of David Arrowood

Kim Watkins friend of Alice Weaver

April Weaver wife of Jonathan Weaver

Members and Friends Serving in the Military

Eric Corriher husband of Dana Corriher Vince Price nephew of David Arrowood Jon Faust son of Margaret Faust David Terry son of Beverly Terry

SYMPATHY – Our Christian love and com-passion are expressed Micki Karriker and her family at the death of her mother, Mildred Huffman, on April 4.

OFFERINGS and FINANCES Section

Capital Campaign update 2017 “Mortgage Free & A Blessing Be” Cap Campaign had an original goal of raising $150,000. As of Mar. 31, St. Luke’s had received $107,078, pledged and unpledged. The outstanding mortgage was $57,259. The Capital Campaign savings account had a balance of $25,431.

Thank You for all your prayers, calls, and visits during my recent surgery. Also, thanks to the Blanket Ministry for my blanket. Thank you for all for caring. Barry Curlee

Thank You for the prayers, cards, visits, food, and many other deeds of kindness shown during Pam’s illness and death. Your acts of kindness are greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Skip, Christina, and Hannah

OFFERINGS AND ATTENDANCE

Current Benevolence Worship S.S. Mar. 3 $ 3,405.06 $ 108.04 88 34 Mar. 10 2,989.13 46.40 95 37 Mar. 17 2,841.10 59.40 94 36 Mar. 24 2,218.55 95.70 95 31 Mar. 31 1,905.20 37.80 89 31

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Benevolence Restricted Capital

Campaign Total

Beginning Balance 3/1/19 $4,181.24 $0.00 $85,798.90 $25,431.30 $115,411.44

Receipts March 2019 $13,461.04 $347.34 36,206.69 $2,676.02 $52,691.09

Charges/Fees March 2019 ($15.00) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 ($15.00

Transfers March 2019 $ 887.42 ($309.54) ($ 577.88) $0.00 $0.00

Disbursements March 2019 ($19,392.62) $0.00 ($2,044.50) ($2,400.00) ($23,837.12)

Ending Balance 3/31/19 ($ 877.92) $37.80 119,383.21 $25,707.32 $144,250.41

Council and Leadership Section

Activity Building Flooring Plan Our Property team is nearly finished with the review of all the safety-flooring choices, and is preparing a rec-ommendation to Council. A presentation of the vari-ous choices, with pros and cons and prices, is being prepared by Grover Holt and Mark Parrish. Council will make a proposal to the congregation, with discus-sion and votes for approval tentatively scheduled for the annual December congregational meeting, if not before. Congregation Council Meeting Notes

for April 2 8 will be I n June newsletter.

St. Luke’s Groupies, Let’s Go!

We’ve got a few folks already that want to go visit “The Ark Encounter” – the full size replica of Noah’s boat up in William-stown, KY. Sometime this fall, and it would need to be an over-night trip due to distance. Would you join us? Any other ideas of local outings for movie, music, arts, history,

winery, brewery, or something similar? Tell Pastor Scott.

TOGETHER IN FAITH UPCOMING EVENTS

150th Celebration Worship Services

June is packed with special worship services: June 2: Youth Sunday & Founding Skit. Our youth will lead this day with a historical skit about founding of St. Luke’s, combined with celebration and recognition of our graduates. June 9: A “1860s/1870’s” Day. Historical liturgy with special worship and music. Come in costume, if you can! Things were a bit different back then… June 16: Worship Through the Ages, with guest preacher NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith. We will also share our Golden Age Celebration, recognizing our members and couples with longest longevity. June 23: The 150th Homecoming/Anniversary Day. Pre-vious Bishop Leonard Bolick joins us to preach, and after the worship we will have a catered meal and time with special guests that have returned for the celebration.

150th Anniversary – “Gift to the Community”

Our 150th celebration is not just about looking backward.

It is also a milestone of commitment and reminder that we are looking forward to the future as well. Our 150

th team

proposed and Council has endorsed the idea of imagining a “St Luke’s Gift to the Community” in honor and celebra-tion. What that might be is up to ya’ll – start thinking, and praying, about something that we might be able to do for the community around us. Not something for us, but something that supports our neighbors, other charity/community service organizations, etc. Could be a special project to help do or build something that would have last-ing impact. Something for a school? A park? Something for the WR Bible Teachers Association or Helping Minis-tries? Open your imagination.

May 19 – “Dream Big with God” Celebration

of Fellowship/Activity Building & 150th

Have you noticed how much our Fellowship and Activity buildings are being used by our own folks and groups from the community? Education, youth, meals, birthday and anniversary parties, walking, aerobics, bball, square dance, music, local farm & ag groups, and on and on. That was the dream when these buildings were imagined. On Sunday, May 19, our worship will revolve around the theme of celebrating the ministry and good use of these buildings, and the dream and aspiration of expanding their impact in new ways and maybe, just maybe, paying off that mortgage and being unen-cumbered by debt in this our 150th anniversary year.

As of mid April, our outstanding mortgage loan was $55,048. The Capital Campaign savings account had a balance of $25,704. That means we are within about $29,350 of having a ceremonial “burning of the mort-gage” party!

COMPLIMENTS! From you, to you.

We are called to be a blessing to each other. Here’s some of the ways you’ve done that.

Share your “thank yous” in our Compliment Box in the narthex.

Thanks to Sally for helping out while Johnny has been in the hospital. Thanks to Micki for making our delicious Maundy Thursday meal of soups and salads. Thanks to Jason, Angie, and Kim for sharing about Israel during the Lenten Wednesday series. Much appreciation to Jody for serving as Treasurer. Thanks to Pastor Scott for inspirational Holy Week worship. Thanks to Laurie and Choir for great Easter Music.

150th Anniversary Book – Order Yours Soon!

Bev Terry has been researching and writing to create what is becoming a wonderful updated “history book” for our 150

th Anniversary. The book is an update and extension of

the 125th anniversary edition, where Bev has been focusing

on the last 25 years. Pictures, lists, accounts of the many ministry teams and activities, major events and changes, etc. Once the final draft is complete and printing costs are finalized in early May, members will be given the opportuni-ty to order (with pre-pay) their own copies.

A Bit of Help for our Hearing Impaired

Do you struggle a bit with finding it hard to hear? Already use a hearing aid device of some kind? If so, would you consider helping us out? Our Worship & Music team is exploring some devices that might help, and we would like to test one solution here on site. To have a good test we will need a few of you with different levels of hearing loss and differ-ent gadgets you use (or don’t) to share your impres-sions of how well this system seems to work. Once we have a small test team we’ll work to arrange a date in the next few weeks so we can take our time, share thoughts, etc. If you can help, please contact Pastor Scott.

Our Walk in Faith – Together with the wider church

Olive Oil from LWF/Augusta Victoria on the Mount of Olives?

Would you like to join together for a group order?

Every October, the staff and volunteers of the Lutheran World Federation in Jerusalem begin the six-week process of harvesting the 800 olive trees that dot the hillsides around Augusta Victoria Hospital on the LWF’s Mount of Olives campus. For centuries the olive harvest has been a source of sustenance for the people of the Holy Land, and the LWF continues this tradition with its own harvest. Nearly 2 tons of olives are picked each year by local staff and volunteers and the fruit is pressed into olive oil at the Latrun Monastery olive press. The money raised from the LWF olive oil goes towards the LWF Jerusalem Program and Augusta Victoria Hospital’s Fund for the Poor. The Fund for the Poor helps to cover the hospital’s operational costs and the healthcare fees of patients unable to pay. LWF/Augusta Victoria will deliver to the US, but only as part of a bulk order to cover shipping fees, etc.

$300 min total order Individual bottles are: 250ml (~8.5oz) @ $15.00, 750ml (~25oz) @ $35

Interested? If we have enough say “yes” we’ll create a small signup/order form. Pre-payment will be required.

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CHECK THIS NEWSLETTER FOR UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR 150TH CELEBRATION IN JUNE!

DISCIPLESHIP

Prayer & Spiritual Direction Group (1st WED.) Our Prayer and Spiritual Direction group is continuing our discussion of “The Furious Longing of God” by Brennan Manning and short devotions from “Jacob the Baker”. Consider joining us for a time dedicated to growing our spiritual lives, practices to help us listen for the voice of God, and sharing how we see God working in and around us. Join Pastor Scott on first Wednesdays of the month, at 2 pm. Thursday Study Group: Our 10 am study group’s topic is the book of Esther. (No meeting on May 2) Disciple Explorers (2nd/4th Thurs. PM) Very different than a Bible study, this small discus-sion/study group is exploring what it means to be and making disciples of Christ. We meet 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 7 pm, (but not on May 9). The core of our conversation this year is talking and walking through the short chapters of “Growing in Jesus – From Disciples to Disciplers” by Carl Simmons. —————————————————————- CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM RESOURCES First, a short article introduction to the idea, theology, History found at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/an-faq-on-mysticism-and-the-christian-life/ Second, a very short video intro from Columbia Theological Seminary- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D6xRd0anmE

Meals on Wheels Volunteer Schedule for May

May 2: Joan Kennerly 17: Ted Holt 3: Jeff Poteat 21: Alice Weaver 7: Sally Morgan 22: Micki Karriker 8: Dianne Davis 24: Ted Holt 10: Nancy Harris 28: Dianne Davis 14: Sally Morgan 29: Alice Weaver 16: Joan Kennerly 31 Linda Clodfelter

Discipleship/Christian Ed Resources for All

Have you wondered what it means to dream step beyond from the bounds of “religion” toward a walk of life one-ness (“communion”) with God? That’s what is known as Christian Mysticism. D. D. Martin offers a good working definition of the key elements involved in such practice: “Christian mysticism seeks to describe an experienced, direct, nonabstract, unmediat-ed, loving knowledge of God, a knowing or seeing so direct as to be called union with God.

There is a long, wonderful, colorful and uplifting history of ancient and modern “mystics” in our Christian faith. No, not spoon-benders, clair-voyants or other such things. These are folks that have and do yearn for and share their path of relationship with our divine Lord that goes beyond words and doctrines and typical faith practices. Men and women from the early centuries, sharing their wisdom and experience. Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, Thomas Merton and so many, many more.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

MAY 2019

1 8-10:30 am

Walking in Gym 2:00 pm

Prayer/Spir.Dir. 7:00 pm

Chancel Choir

2

7:00 pm WELCA

3 8-10:30 am Walking in

Gym

4

3rd Sunday of Easter 5 9:15 am – Sunday School 10:30 am – Worship/Communion 6:00 pm – Property Committee

8-10:30 am 6 Walking in Gym

6:30-7:30 pm Aerobics Exercise

7

8-10:30 am 8 Walking in Gym 1:30-6:00 pm

Blood Drive at St. Luke’s

NO Choir

9 10:00 am

Pastor’s Study Group

10 8-10:30 am Walking in

Gym

11

4th Sunday of Easter 12 9:00 am – Mother’s Day Breakfast NO Sunday School 10:30 am – Worship

13 8-10:30 am

Walking in Gym 6:30-7:30 pm

Aerobics Exercise

14 7:00 pm

Lutheran Home Birthday Party

15 8-10:30 am

Walking in Gym

NO Choir

16 10:00 am

Pastor’s Study Group

17 8-10:30 am Walking in

Gym

18

5th Sunday of Easter 19 7:30 am – Congregation Council 9:15 am – Sunday School 10:30 am – Worship/Communion “Dream Big with God” Celebration 5:00 pm – Handbell Choir

20 8-10:30 am

Walking in Gym 6:30-7:30 pm Aerobics Exercise

21

Newsletter article deadline

22 8-10:30 am

Walking in Gym 7:00 pm

Chancel Choir

23 10:00 am

Pastor’s Study Group

7:00 pm Discipleship Explorers

24 8-10:30 am Walking in

Gym

25

6th Sunday of Easter 26 9:15 am – Sunday School 10:30 am – Worship 5:00 pm – Handbell Choir

27 8-10:30 am

Walking in Gym 6:30-7:30 pm

Aerobics Exercise Church Office

closed Memorial Day

28

29 8-10:30 am

Walking in Gym .

7:00 pm Chancel Choir

30 10:00 am

Pastor’s Study Group

31 8-10:30 am Walking in

Gym

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Rachel Presley 1 Ken Goforth 3 James Rollans 3 Skip Clough 5 Mary Ann Hansen 8 Ernestine Hoffner 11 Ty Clary 11 Micki Karriker 15 Eli Presley 15 Marian Lytle 16 Eric Corriher 16 Will Lytle 23 Russell Pruett 25

Karley Clawson 27 Lauren Hood 29 Wayne Kluttz 30 David Arrowood 30 Ricky Hoffner 31

BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES

Grace Hodge 5 Julie Poteat 18 Elizabeth Applewhite 7 Eleanor Ijames 19 Hannah Allison 11 Terry Hoffner 23 Payton Holt 13 Mark Parrish 26 Matt Karriker 14 Paula Owen 28