Message from the Pastor

As we have been preparing for our time together, Becky and I have been thankful, though not surprised, at your graciousness, generosity of spirit, and hospitality to us as we begin ministry with each other. We have been impressed by your faithfulness in the five years we have lived in Cleveland as we have worked together in ministry with our two churches. You are a fine and loving congregation, and for however long I am your pastor, it is a privilege and joy to serve you.

But, this season is a different sort of season, isn’t it? It is one that is not ordinary for us United Methodists who are used to the rhythm of saying farewell to one pastor and hello to another pastor in short order. That transition comes with sorrow, gratitude, and anticipation all in significant measure, but at least we are familiar with it and generally know what to expect.

I have been through an “out of season” transition once in my ministry as our family moved to a new town one day before school started. We moved into a parsonage we had never seen that morning, and that afternoon the kids went to a school open house before starting school the next day. I won’t go into all of the details of that move, but suffice it to say that with a wife committed to teaching in a school now 35 miles away and children in 5th and 2nd grade in a new school system where they had not even had a chance to meet any kids at church, it was a challenging time. But, what we discovered once again was that God is faithful no matter the season of the church or of our lives.

Why do I share this experience with you? Firstly, I understand the sense of uncertainty and displacement you feel as you have been waiting and continue to wait to receive a full-time pastor. When what has been so familiar is replaced by the unfamiliar, it affects us individually and as a church family. This situation is not ideal.

AND YET! I believe that this time can and will be one of growth spiritually for those who are open to the movement of God’s Spirit, and that is true for this church as a whole. I look forward to learning from you as you learn from me. I look forward to deepening existing relationships and to forming new ones as I get to know you. I look forward to seeing the continued faithfulness of God as God calls us to strengthen existing ministries as well as call us to new ventures in faith. We may be in a time of uncertainty for us, but God’s faithfulness is never uncertain, and God’s call to love Him and love one another continues unabated.

As we begin ministry together and as a new school year starts, let’s not offer or accept any excuses for ignoring the call and work of God in our midst.

9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

Peace in Christ,
Chris

Lectionary Readings for August

Sunday, August 2 — Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
Sunday, August 9 — Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
Sunday, August 16 — Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28
Sunday, August 23 — Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 1:8—2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
Sunday, August 30 — Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

The Mission of St. Luke UMC is to be a Place to Belong, Believe, & Become Disciples of Christ

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG

At 5:30 pm Sunday, August 9, we’ll celebrate the new school year with our annual Back-to-School Cookout. We hope you can join us for friendly fellowship and yummy burgers and hotdogs fresh off the grill. If anyone would like to bring fresh cut-up watermelon, you are welcome to do so. Don’t forget to invite a friend!

UWFaith Grace Circle will not meet in August. The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, September 1 at 10:00 a.m. in the church library. Women who are interested in the work of this wonderful organization and who are not otherwise engaged on September 1 are invited to join us. We are always finished by noon, and sometimes earlier.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE

We will offer a Blessing of the Backpacks during the Children’s Message on Sunday, August 9. Students of every age—children, youth, and college students—as well as teachers are encouraged to bring their backpacks for a prayer of encouragement as a new school year begins.

St. Luke Sunday School has been on summer vacation, but all classes will begin meeting again August 9. Our schedule will be a little different for a while but essentially will occupy the same time slot as before. Since our worship service will begin at 9:30, Sunday School will meet after the service, from 10:45 to 11:30.

For those of us who have been involved in a class, this won’t be much of a change. But if you currently don’t have a class to call your own, we invite you to join us after the worship service. Don’t just go home—wander on down to the Education wing and look for the Coleman Class or the “Young” Adult Class. The Coleman Class usually has a Bible study based on the Revised Common Lectionary. The “Young” Adults sometimes do the same, but also they take up short-term topics, often based on studies available in booklet form or online. Both groups are friendly and supportive and ready to welcome new members!

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES

Worship Greeters are needed for the months of October and November! A Greeter is a very important part of welcoming people to our worship service and helps by passing out bulletins and attendance forms, helping people in and out of cars (when needed), directing visitors to pews or various areas of the church, and helping in other capacities of the service. If you feel called to volunteer and would like to help, a signup sheet is available in the narthex or you may sign up by contacting the church office. If you need more info on what all being a greeter entails, please see Bob Card, Mike Gressett, Jim Shempert, or Al Williams.

Don’t forget on the second Sunday of every month we collect bags of apples, jars of peanut butter, and also canned goods for the Helping Hands Ministry. A blue bin designated for Helping Hands is available in the narthex where you can place your food items.

The second Sunday is also our Dollar Sunday, when you are invited to drop a dollar or two into the small basket in the narthex to help support our Compassion Fund. This fund is used to assist members in need with medical bills, utility expenses, and other urgent needs.

The Flower Calendar is available on the bulletin board in the hallway across from the choir room. If you would like to help provide an altar arrangement sometime during the year, please look over the calendar, choose a date or two, and sign up. Your arrangement doesn’t have to be fresh flowers, it could be a lovely silk arrangement, or even a nice plant. If you sign up for two consecutive Sundays, we have a “flower fridge” where we can store your floral arrangement during the week and re-use them the second Sunday. If ordering fresh flowers from a flower shop, be sure to inform them you would like them to last for two Sundays. Please see Melanie Williams or contact the church office for more info or to sign up.

Back-to-School Cookout

Being a Lay-Led Church

For as long as I’ve been a member of this church—over 55 years—we have prided ourselves on being a lay-led church. We have been known to brag about it. In fact, I am heard bragging about it fairly frequently.

But the reality is that often we rely on our pastor, behind the scenes, to take care of the details. When it became apparent that we might not have a pastor coming in when Rev. Hannah left, Lisa and I started putting together a list of tasks that Hannah had been handling, mostly on her own.

When, at a called Church Council meeting in early July, we began to go over the list, a wonderful thing happened. As we went down the list, people kept saying, “I can do that,” or “I’ll help you do it.” By the time we had reached the end, almost every item had at least one volunteer. Now, the list is bound to grow—we’re an active church, involved in many areas throughout the year, and we’ve just scratched the surface. Still, this was very encouraging and reaffirmed my belief that we truly are who we say we are—lay-led.

The listed responsibilities and volunteers are included here for your information:

Christmas in July—Claire. She actually volunteered in June to head this up and it has been underway this past month.

Order of Worship—Sheryl and Frances. We had already been providing the readings and prayers for our interim period in July. Sheryl will continue to provide the intercessory prayer to be read by a lay member after Rev. Chris Young begins serving.

Children’s Message during morning worship—Wade. He will recruit and schedule volunteers. He has every Sunday through Thanksgiving filled already, but there’s always room for more!

Hymn selection—Tricia and Bev Jacks. We frequently use music from hymnals that 1st UMC does not use.

Compassion Fund—Melanie Williams and Rani. Lisa usually takes the requests by phone and she will forward them to Melanie, who will investigate and consult with Rani.

Newsletter intro—Chris, Wade, Tricia, Jim, and Frances. This is the first section of the newsletter, usually called Message from the Pastor. Chris has written the message for this month’s newsletter and the others will write articles through December. After that, any volunteers are welcome to step forward!

Children’s Activities with 1st UMC—Claire. This includes such things as Trunk or Treat.

Liaison with Parks Elementary—Claire. She will keep abreast of what they need and make clear that we have very few members who are free to work with the children during school hours.

Liaison with Art with Allyson—Wade and his committee of Brittany, Elaine, and Jim. To provide oversight and keep lines of communication open.

White Christmas—no volunteers so far. It seems a long way off but will be here before we know it, so chime in if you’re interested. We may need to change the parameters, as it’s been hard to get info on the children lately.

That’s it for now, but it’s an excellent start. As I said, there will be other things coming up—you may be able to think of some of them yourself, and we’ll be counting on you not to let us slip up and forget anything.

But beyond that, and even more important, is St. Luke’s need for there to be a widespread upwelling of support and action. If you are asked to help with a task, please do your best to join in. Even better, volunteer for an ongoing or as yet “unclaimed” task without waiting for someone to ask you! This is what it means to be the church—to love God, to love one another, and to put that love into action. And now is the time!

Frances Tims

Christmas in July Mission

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Christmas in July mission. Your generosity provided $875 toward purchasing outdoor toys—balls, cones, pickleball racquets and nets, and more—to help the students at Parks Elementary stay active and engaged during recess. We are grateful for your support and your continued care for our neighbors.

DSU Wesley

Spring Newsletter

Employment Opportunities

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is searching for an employee to fill our Music Director position and would welcome help from the congregation in spreading the word.

As you know, Beverly Jacks has served as interim Director for the past couple of years or so. She does a lovely job and has been happy to serve our church with her gifts, but she would like a break if a suitable person can be found to lead the choir. Previous experience in a church setting is preferred but not required. Salary will be negotiable.

Please share this information with any suitable candidates you know who might be interested in working at St. Luke. Any further questions may be directed to Lisa in the church office.

The St. Luke Scene

Events in August

August 4, Tuesday
— UWFaith Grace Circle — CANCELED

August 6, Thursday
— Fellowship Hall Reserved by The Woods, 7-8:00 a.m.

August 7, Friday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

August 9, Sunday
— Second Sunday Mission for Helping Hands
— Blessing of the Backpacks during Children’s Message
— Sunday School Resumes, 10:45-11:30 a.m.
— Back-to-School Cookout, 5:30 p.m.

August 14, Friday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

August 21, Friday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

August 28, Friday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

August 30, Sunday
— Worship Team Meeting, 10:35 a.m. (Church Library)

Events in September

September 1, Tuesday
— UWFaith Grace Circle, 10:00 a.m. (Church Library)

September 3, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

September 7, Monday
— Church Office Closed for Labor Day

September 10, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

September 13, Sunday
— Second Sunday Mission for Helping Hands
— Finance Meeting, 11:35 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)

September 17, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

September 24, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)

September 27, Sunday
— Church Council, 11:30 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)

Memorials and Honorariums

By:
Jackie Pennington

Pat Warrington

By:

Memorials for:
Jimmy Boswell

Beth Jacks

Honorarium for:
n/a

Attendance and Offering Report

Contact Us

Newsletter Blog

August 2026

July 29, 2026St. Luke United Methodist Church

Message from the Pastor

Lectionary Readings for August