Easter Cross Connection
Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,
+ Grace and Peace.
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. Acts 2:38-41
Over the past year or so, the Bible Study group that has met twice a month at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fayetteville has been studying Acts of the Apostles. Considered a continuation or follow-up of Luke’s gospel, Acts of the Apostles recounts the activity of the Holy Spirit in the beginnings of the Church.
What strikes me as I read the passage cited above is the clarity of purpose that seems to characterize our early days. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him. The promise that this verse speaks of is the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In these weeks of Easter as we rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ, we also anticipate the celebration of Pentecost and are reminded of the gift of the Holy Spirit that continues still to animate the body of Christ that we are. What is striking sometimes in our local experience in this congregation is how few children and younger people comprise our assembly. It’s not that there isn’t a core group that are members of the congregation. What is notable is how infrequently we assemble with one another.
I invite us all to pray about this and remind ourselves of the promises we have made when we baptize. We all have a responsibility to encourage one another in our discipleship and faith journey. Being open and receptive to new ideas and different perspectives is not meant to be a burden. Rather, it is an essential part of our calling to welcome all people.
May the gift of the Holy Spirit be for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls.
In Christ’s love for you,
Pastor Frye
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Worship
Wednesday of Holy Week
April 1 at 11:00 AM
Holy Communion and Rite of Healing
Maundy Thursday
April 2 at 6:30 PM
Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal.
Good Friday
April 3 at 6:30 PM
Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday.
In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death.
Support
What are “Rogation Days?”
Background Stewardship of creation is an ongoing ministry in the church. The creation, which God declared good, is entrusted to the care of humankind. Exercising that care is one dimension of daily Christian discipleship. Rogation Days are a way for the church to honor God for the gift of creation and to pray for the land, the gift of labor, and the needs of all people.
Rogation Days were traditionally celebrated during the fifty days of Easter on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. The word, Rogation, has its roots in the Latin word “rogare” which means to ask or petition and it comes from the ancient introit for the Sunday preceding the Ascension. In some places, the celebrations of Rogation Days were quite elaborate and included processions from the church to and around fields while asking for God’s blessing.
Churches that have maintained the practice of celebrating Rogation Days in our time now no longer mark these days specifically before Ascension. Instead, Rogation Days are celebrated at times and places that meet local needs. With an increased awareness of the need for the stewardship of creation both within the church and within contemporary culture, the themes of thanksgiving for the land and petitions for a fruitful earth may be adapted around broader cultural celebrations of Earth Day or at other times.
Although Rogation Days are agricultural celebrations, they are not solely for rural congregations. These days underscore the dependence of all people, urban and rural, on the fruitfulness of the earth and human labor. The themes of Rogation Days may be highlighted in a special worship service or in prayers of intercession in the Sunday assembly during the spring.
Come to the Wednesday 11:00 AM service on Wednesday, May 13 for a celebration of Rogation Days.
Prayer Resources in a Time of War
As the United States has begun military combat operations in Iran, we are called to pray and ask for God’s mercy.
Below are three prayers from the resource Prayer Book for the Armed Services.
Time of war
Eternal God, whose steadfast love never ends, we ask that you look upon the nations now engaged in war and hasten the day of peace. Look in mercy on those exposed to peril, conflict, sickness and death; and show compassion to the dying. In your good providence, remove all causes and occasions of war. Incline the hearts of all people to follow the path to peace and concord, that war may cease and the day of reconciliation may come quickly, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Those Who Suffer from War
Merciful God, you grieve amid the pain, fear and suffering of your children. Look with compassion on all who endure the miseries of war. Be mindful, too, of those who day and night face peril in defense of our nation. Guide them in their duties as they seek justice for those subjected to tyranny and liberty for those who are oppressed. Eternal Protector of the helpless, hear the cry of the distressed and grant speedy deliverance in a new day of peace and concord. Amen
Those in the country’s service in a time of war
Almighty God, let your protection be upon all those who are in the service of our nation. Guard them from all danger and harm; sustain and comfort those at home, especially in hours of anxiety, loneliness, and sorrow. Prepare the dying for death and the living for your service. Uphold those who bear arms on land and sea and in the air; and grant unto us and all nations a speedy, just and lasting peace, the glory of your holy name. Amen
Congregation, Council, and Committee Highlights – March 30th 2026
- Council approved Michael Peter’s resignation from council.
- February Actual Surplus/Deficit ($30,070.89)
- Purchase of new photocopier was approved
- Souper bowl collection of $425.00 went to Salvation Army
- Loren Gillings was hired to replace Whitney Waters starting May 1
- Decorating the Church Saturday, April 4
- Easter Breakfast, Sunday, April 5
- Council/Leadership retreat – Saturday, April 1
Outreach
- Powerpacks On Thursdays in April at 9am we meet in the fellowship hall to pack lunches for 73 children. If you are interested in helping, please contact Cheryl Vorhauer.
- Stephen Ministry celebrates 3 years of service in May!
- Luncheon for St Luke and Luther Ridge Community Wednesday May 13 @ 11:30am.
- “Joshua” at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster– Call Eleanor Ostrasky @ 717-263-1028 – Thursday August 6th 2026 – Cost is $180 due by June 26th 2026
Education
- There will be no Faith Formation class on Easter, instead join us for breakfast!
- Summer Camp at Kirchenwald & Nawakwa, If interested in going to camp reach out to Heather Goetz!
- Adult Faith Formation All are welcome! Faith Formation: The Wird Word A new Faith Formation topic each Sunday at 8:45AM Discussion to follow.
Whitney’s Goodbye
Dear St. Luke family,
Please do not look at this as a goodbye, look at it as a see you soon. Connor and I have decided to move to York, Pa. We didn’t think it would be this soon, but as you all know when you raise a child, “it takes a village,” we’ve had our church village but not our family village. This wasn’t any easy choice for us to make. It weighed heavily on the both of us, as we just underwent a change here at St. Luke. But we were reminded change is good, it’s not always bad. We prayed about it for weeks.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for my family over the past two years. We’re truly grateful that we had such a big support system while Sadie was in the NICU for four months. We don’t know what we would’ve done without this amazing support system. We’re so grateful that everyone here adores her so much, we know it will be hard not seeing her weekly. We wanted to thank Sadie’s God parents, Cheryl and Rodger, we will miss you two dearly.
I know this may seem very unexpected for most, feel free to ask questions, feel free to stop in and get one last Sadie hug before we go.
With love,
Connor, Whitney, and Sadie Marie
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]