Lent Cross Connection
Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,
+ Grace and Peace to you.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? -Psalm 27:1
Psalm 27 is the appointed Psalm for the Second Sunday in Lent this year. I appreciate the confidence with which the Psalmist begins. Grounded in confession and conviction, both lines end with a rhetorical question. The implied answer to each is nobody. Yet, because of our persistence, we frequently find ourselves operating from a posture of fear – even suspicion of the other and the unknown.
The season of Lent can be a period for us to move deeper. More than just weeks of preparation for Easter, Lent’s wilderness begs us to strip away the clutter and confusion that competes for our attention. This can be uncomfortable, I know. Without risking our comfort, however — without setting aside the unnecessary, we would be challenged to move below the surface and engage the rich marrow of God’s will and purpose for our lives.
I would like to invite you (I really want to urge you!) to embrace this year’s discipline of Lent for your own wellbeing and for the vitality of our life together as the body of Christ and God’s household. Take time to examine your schedule and the list of commitments competing for your time and attention. Do you see reflected there evidence of a life that is Christ-centered and Spirit-led?
Time for daily devotions and prayer, regular participation in corporate worship, and sacrificial giving can serve to organize the rhythm of your life. In fact, it is what enables us to remain grounded in confession, conviction, and confidence even in the face of life’s struggles, trials, and temptations.
I am looking forward to engaging this season of Lent with you. May we all be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading as we set out on this annual journey in the way of the Cross of Christ.
In Christ’s love for you,
Pastor Christopher Frye
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Worship
Sundays and Special Days
March 5 *Ash Wednesday; On Ash Wednesday we begin our forty-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting and repentance.
March 9 *1st Sunday in Lent; These forty days called Lent are like no other. 2nd Sunday Fellowship
March 12 *CMC Wednesdays in Lent: Worship Through the Senses: Sight, 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s UCC
March 16 *2nd Sunday in Lent; Though we sometimes doubt and often resist God’s desire to protect and save us, our God persists.
March 19 CMC Wednesdays in Lent: Worship Through the Senses: Sound, 7:00 p.m. at Quincy United Methodist Church
March 23 *3rd Sunday in Lent; The warnings are plentiful and blunt on the third Sunday in Lent.
March 26 CMC Wednesdays in Lent: Worship Through the Senses: Scent, 7:00 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church
March 30 *4th Sunday in Lent; The psalm sets the tone this day: “Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!”
April 2 CMC Wednesdays in Lent: Worship Through the Senses: Touch, 7:00 p.m. at Scotland Fellowship Church
April 6 *5th Sunday in Lent; Our God makes all things new.
April 9 CMC Wednesdays in Lent: Worship Through the Senses: Taste, 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke
April 13 *Palm Sunday; We enter this holy week accompanying Jesus to the cross with both grief and thanksgiving in our hearts, trusting in God’s redeeming love.
April 20 *Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Sunday; Let us rejoice: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
April 27 *1st Sunday After Easter; In spite of all we have heard and all we have seen, it is often hard to believe.
Sunday Worship Services
10a.m. every Sunday; In-person and online
Wednesday Healing Services
We have a weekly service of Prayer, Healing, and Holy Communion every Wednesday at 11a.m.
Tuesday Bible Study
Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month at 1:00pm at St. Paul Lutheran in Fayetteville.
Church Records
Deaths
March 4-Bob Nitterhouse
The LSS and a New Bishop
This year, the Lower Susquehanna Synod (LSS) is in the process of calling a new Bishop. Please be in prayer for the process. A new Bishop will be elected the first weekend of June and start officially in September.
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 2025 | YTD 2025 | |
| Total Income | $41,118.95 | $41,118.95 |
| Total Expenditures | $32,316.91 | $32,316.91 |
| Net Income | +$8,802.04 | +$8,802.04 |
Education
Adult Faith Formation
Join us starting March 9 for a 5-week study:
Living Your Baptism
5 Faith Practices/Gifts of Discipleship, led by Pastor Frye
1. Live among God’s faithful people
2. Hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper
3. Proclaim the good news of God in Christ
4. Serve all people, following the example of Jesus
5. Strive for justice and peace in all the earth
Join us each Sunday at 8:45am in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!
There will be no Faith Formation class on Easter, instead join us for breakfast!
Youth Group
March 9—Ice Skating
April 5—Hiking
See the weekly announcements for more information!
Outreach
Mbeya Hospital in Tanzania
To learn more about this appeal, please read what Bishop Dunlap has to say, “In Tanzania, churches are a primary source of health care. The Konde Diocese operates two hospitals and several clinics, striving to provide life-saving care in a region where medical resources are limited. Now, the Diocese is expanding their reach and impact by building a third hospital near Mbeya, an ambitious and much-needed effort that will transform lives by making health care more accessible to thousands. We are called to accompany our global companions in their work of healing and hope. As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to partner with the Konde Diocese in this significant endeavor.”
At this point, the $60,000 originally needed to build the hospital has been raised. Now, we are looking to help provide the hospital with electricity, plumbing, and supplies to outfit the hospital. During the season of Lent, consider donating to this project.
To donate, please make your check out to St. Luke Lutheran and note for ‘Mbeya Hospital’ in the memo or on your offering envelope.
Easter Egg Hunt & Celebration
Join us Saturday, April 19 @ 10:00am for our egg hunt and Easter activities. Children of all ages are invited. Bring your grandkids, nieces, nephews, and neighbors.
Easter Breakfast
Join us Sunday morning for breakfast before Easter worship. Come to the Fellowship Hall at 8:30am and join us for a continental breakfast including sticky buns, bagels, cream cheese, fruit, juice, & coffee.
Council Highlights
January 2025
-Council Officers were elected. Brad Bolinger: President, Dick Foster: Vice President, JoAnn Wildeson: Secretary, Brian Corwell: Treasurer.
-Council Members were installed at worship on February 2.
February 2025
-We did not have quorum at the February 24th meeting to approve reports. They were reviewed and will be approved in March.
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]