Lent Cross Connection
Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,
During this season of Lent, our Adult Faith Formation class on Sunday mornings is reading and discussing Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Even if you are not participating in this group, I would like to encourage you to read this book.
In the first chapter on Community, Bonhoeffer writes:
It is easily forgotten that the community of Christians is a gift of grace from the kingdom of God, a gift that can be taken from us any day—that the time still separating us from the most profound loneliness may be brief indeed.
Recognizing our individual selves to be part of a larger whole community is, perhaps, something we increasingly take for granted. In our post-pandemic reality, we have grown comfortable settling for easy, yet inadequate, substitutions. Gathering on a regular or even weekly basis in community for worship has become for many a matter of convenience and comfort rather than conviction and commitment. The good news is that we can practice our faith more robustly as a congregation. However, it comes down to each of us taking the time to examine and consider how we could grow in the expression and practice of our faith. The season of Lent is an excellent time for such self-examination and amendment of life.
One of the rich blessings of our life together happening quietly behind the scenes is Stephen Ministry. In anticipation of the one-year anniversary of the commissioning of our Stephen Ministers, several of them will share brief statements in the newsletters in the coming months about their experience and how it has impacted their lives. Thank you for your prayerful support of this ministry in and through our congregation.
Meanwhile, may the peace of God be with you as we continue our Lenten discipline toward the cross of Christ,
In Christ’s love for you,
Pastor Frye
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Worship
Sundays and Special Days
February 18 *1st Sunday in Lent; The baptismal covenant is made with us individually, but the new life we are given in baptism is for the sake of the whole world.
February 25 *2nd Sunday in Lent: Sarah and Abraham receive new names as a sign of the covenant, and we too get new identities in baptism, as we put on Christ.
March 3 *3rd Sunday in Lent; The Ten Commandments are essential to our baptismal call: centered first in God’s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.
March 10 *4th Sunday in Lent; When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross becomes the sign we can look to in faith for healing, for restored relationship to God, for hope when we are dying. 2nd Sunday Fellowship
March 17 *5th Sunday in Lent; We join together in worship, sharing in word, song, and meal, and leave strengthened to share God’s love with all the world.
March 24 *Palm Sunday; We enter this holy week thirsty for the completion of God’s astonishing work.
March 28 *Maundy Thursday; Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.
March 29 *Good Friday; We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.
March 31 *Easter; In word and feast, we celebrate God’s unending love, and depart to share this good news with all the world. Alleluia!
Sunday Worship Services
10 a.m. every Sunday; In-person and online
Wednesday Healing Services
We have a weekly service of Prayer, Healing, and Holy Communion every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesdays in Lent
February 21—Scotland Fellowship; 7:00 p.m.
February 28—St. Luke; 7:00 p.m.
March 6—Mont Alto UMC; 7:00 p.m.
March 13—Calvary UMC; 7:00 p.m.
March 20—St. John’s UCC; 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Prayer Service
Prayer & Share via Zoom meets Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. On hiatus through Lent.
Support
Easter Flowers
Order your Easter flowers, in honor of, or memory of, your loved ones, by March 1. Order forms are available in the Gathering Area.
Stewardship Report
Thank you! We are grateful for your generous giving to support St. Luke’s ministries & mission. Your contributions continue to grow our community.
| January 2024 | YTD 2024 | |
| Total Income | $21,233.30 | $21,233.30 |
| Expenditures | $36,055.06 | $36,055.06 |
| Net Income | -$14,821.76 | -$14,821.76 |
Education
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets EVERY Tuesday of the month, now. Meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Frye leads a study through the verses from the lectionary for the week. Drop in anytime your able—we’d love to have you!
Souper Bowl of Caring
Drum roll please…..we were able to raise $741.12 in our Souper Bowl of Caring!! Thank you for your generosity! The money will be donated to local food banks to help feed the food insecure.
Menno Haven Prayer Service
Did you know that Pastor Frye is now leading a prayer & communion service at Menno Haven every third Thursday of the month? Join him at 1:00 pm in the Arbor Room at Village Square, and feel free to bring your friends!
Adult Faith Formation
During Lent we will study the book Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This class will be co-lead by Carol Angstadt and Pastor Frye.
In April look for some guest speakers:
April 7—Lutheran Camping Coorporation
April 14—Emmanuel –current seminary student in Gettysburg; originally from Tanzania. He will share about his country and the Konde Diocese—our sister synod in Tanzania
April 28—Anne-Marie McCollum-Begley, guidance counselor at Scotland Elementary, will share about the impact of PowerPacks on the students.
Outreach
Easter Celebration
Our yearly celebration and egg hunt for children will take place on Saturday, March 30 at 10:00 a.m. Bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors, etc. to enjoy this time of fun and fellowship. Join us to help with planning on March 5 @ 6:30 p.m., or help by donating bags of individually wrapped candy or filling a dozen plastic eggs with individually wrapped candy. Pick up a dozen at church.
Easter Breakfast
Join us Easter morning, March 31, at 8:30 a.m. to enjoy a delicious breakfast of French toast casserole, an assortment of egg casseroles, fruit, danishes, etc. No need to sign up—just come and eat!
Around the World Dinner
Join us at St. Paul Lutheran, Saturday, April 20 @ 5:00 p.m. for an International dinner. Bring a covered dish to share, something with an international flare. Sign up on the bulletin board at St. Luke starting in April. Dessert will be provided.
Help with Deliveries
Anyone need milk? Or bread? Or Prescriptions? The Outreach committee will find a volunteer to pick up pre-paid orders if any members of the congregation are in a pinch. Please contact Shelly at the church office. This service can be used for emergencies or pre-arranged times, depending on your circumstances. Please don’t hesitate to call. Your church family is ready to help!
Congregation, Council, Committees
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS January 2024
· 2023 giving was 7.57% above 2022
· 2023 deficit ($11,456.09)
· An audit committee will be selected
· Feb 4 – Installation of Council Officers and members
· Feb 17 – Leadership Retreat 9am-12
· Celebrate one year of Stephen Ministry in May
· New Office Assistant was hired – Whitney Waters
· New Stephen Ministry training series starting in August
Stephen Ministry Testimonies
“Bear one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
-Galatians 6:2
I was my husband’s caregiver for ten years. Stephen Ministry training took caregiving in an entirely new direction for me. My faith has deepened and so has my strength. My Care Receiver, God, and I are a team. Our weekly meeting allows me to be a consistent connection to St. Luke. God is the Cure giver. I am the Care giver. Being a Stephen Minister is a blessing for me and our team of leaders and ministers are truly supportive of each other. –Kathy Bookheimer
When I decided to be a Stephen Minister, I thought it was a good way to serve God. My mobility keeps me from doing other things but this I could do. I took the classes, studied and wondered if I could really do it. By the time we reached the end of the lessons, I felt more confident, and I knew God would help me. We graduated and I received my first care receiver. A woman who hated the world. I prayed a lot, and my group prayed for me. This poor soul hated being in a home and hated everyone around her except me. She looked forward to our visits. As I prayed, I also realized something has happened to her to be this way. I would pray with her before I would leave and continue to pray for her during our time apart. God took her home to help her more. I have learned so much more in the field. –Nancy Carson
Benevolent Giving Summary 2023 (click here)
Calendar
Visit our online calendar for the most current updates to meetings, events, and services.
Connect
2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202
717-261-1213
[email protected]