November 2026
St. Luke United Methodist Church
Voices from Our Church Family
How often we forget just how fortunate we are to live where we live. The reaction of visitors to the USA this past summer for the world cup was so gratifying. Many were overwhelmed by the abundance we enjoy in this country. I hope they were also totally aware of what a free, open, hospitable, caring and naturally beautiful country we have.
As we draw closer to the Holiday Season, we celebrate a time of thankfulness that is just prior to celebrating the birth of our Savior. With that in mind, let us consider what this season really means. Thanksgiving is a beautiful time to reflect on the goodness of God, but it is also a powerful moment to remember — and to share — the greatest reason we give thanks: that God sent His Son to redeem us, forgive us, and offer us everlasting life.
For many, Thanksgiving brings thoughts of warm meals, family gatherings, and moments of reflection, and harvest home. Yet in Scripture, thanksgiving is far more than a seasonal tradition, it’s a spiritual discipline. Psalm 116:17 reminds us that giving thanks is not simply a polite response to blessings; it is a sacrifice we intentionally offer to God.
Practicing thanksgiving shapes the soul. It shifts our attention from what appears missing to what God has already provided. In the Christian life, thankfulness is not optional, it’s transformative.
So as the Thanksgiving season approaches, our hearts turn once again to the beautiful reminder the Apostle Paul gives us: “In everything give thanks.” This simple phrase has a lot to say. It calls us not only to give thanks for the blessings we can see, but to always give thanks in life - trusting that God’s hand is at work even when His plan is not yet obvious. And don’t ever forget, just as every Sunday is Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving should be a daily act of worship and not a once-a-year event.
These past few months have brought their share of joys and challenges, yet through it all, we have witnessed the unmistakable evidence of God’s grace in our church. We’ve seen it in the warm fellowship of our gatherings, in the compassion shared with those in need, in the strength offered during times of difficulty, and in the way you continually lift one another in prayer. And not to toot our horn too loudly, we should be truly humbled and grateful in the way everyone has stepped up to keep our Church programs running smoothly. We should be so thankful that God’s presence in our midst is so evident.
This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to thank God for all of the people and things you can think of. Be specific in your gratitude; articulate and enumerate all of the blessings in your life, because, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17a). But I also encourage you this Thanksgiving to thank God for God. Don’t just thank Him for what he’s given you; thank Him for who He is. He is our Father who is in heaven and hallowed is his name. The purpose of all of our earthly blessings is not that we become infatuated with the gift as an end to itself, but rather, to draw our eyes to our greatly respected and revered Lord. He is the one who gave His Son so that you and I could be rescued from sin and restored to a reconciled relationship with Him. God did all of this to reach us. Let us respond by raising our unending song of harvest home.
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving,
Jim Tims
Lay Leader
Lectionary Readings for November
Sunday, November 1 — All Saints Sunday
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12Sunday, November 8 — Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13Sunday, November 15 — Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Judges 4:1-7
Psalm 123 or Psalm 76
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30Sunday, November 22 — Christ the King Sunday
Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24
Psalm 100
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46Sunday, November 29 - First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
The Mission of St. Luke UMC is to be a Place to Belong, Believe, & Become Disciples of Christ
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG
UWFaith Grace Circle will meet on Tuesday, November 3, in the church library. We will have our World Thank Program and offering. The World Thank offering is extra-mile giving to show thanks for our many blessings. The program is titled “Thanks for Every Part.” World Thank offering gifts allow all people to have a place at the table. Through the World Thank Offering we support the total program of mission on behalf of women, children and youth carried on through United Women in Faith’s national office in the U. S and around the world. We will choose up to five persons to receive a Special Mission Recognition pin and certificate and allocate any extra funds that we may have in our account.
NO-BAKE Sale for UWFaith and the Compassion Fund – The No-Bake Sale officially ends on November 1 with a current total of $1,065. THANK YOU for your generosity. Mission projects receive such great support from St. Luke members. If you intended to give and would like to help, it’s not too late. Any amount is acceptable.
Celebrate the season with “Come Let Us Create” — an Advent Art Workshop for Families, hosted by Allyson on Sunday, November 29 at 3:30 p.m. in the art room. All members and children are joyfully invited to participate (a parent must be present with the children). Please RSVP to Allyson.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – All women in the church are invited to attend the UWFaith Christmas party on Saturday, December 12 from 12:30 to 2:30 in the fellowship hall. Members of UWFaith wish to share the joyous Christmas season with all women in the church. Watch for more information in the December newsletter. You will also receive an invitation via email in early December.
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE
"For all the Saints who from their labors rest"
On Sunday, November 1st, we will gather for All Saints Sunday, a special service where we remember and give thanks for the members of our church who have gone before us in the faith this past year. During worship, we will speak each name, ring a bell, and invite a family member or friend to come forward and light a candle in their memory. If you have a loved one—whether they passed away this year or in previous years—and you would like to honor them by lighting a candle, you will have the opportunity to do so during the service.
OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES
Allyson Hardy is putting together a team to feed the youth at The Well on Friday, November 20. She’s crafting a menu that will satisfy a big group of picky teens, and she would love your help. If you’d like to help cook or prefer to contribute financially, please reach out to Allyson. Any help is truly appreciated!
As we prepare our space for the beauty of the Christmas season, we invite everyone to stay after worship on November 22 to help decorate. We’ll put up the trees, hang the greenery, and enjoy working together. Many hands make light — and joyful — work.
Poinsettia orders for our Poinsettia Tree will soon begin. You are invited to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one. These flowers will be placed on the Poinsettia Tree in the sanctuary throughout the Christmas season. Poinsettias order forms will be included in the bulletin on Sunday, November 8, and on the table in the narthex. Completed forms, along with your donation (earmarked “Poinsettia”) may be placed in the offering plate, dropped off at the church office, or mailed to St Luke UMC, 1227 Deering St, Cleveland MS 38732. Deadline to turn in orders is November 29.
The White Christmas Mission Project is in motion! Keep an eye out for the Christmas tree in the narthex, soon decorated with paper ornaments for a few nursing home residents and some local children in need. When you see the tree, take as many ornaments as you can, purchase the gifts listed, and wrap them in white (tissue paper is perfect). Attach the ornament to each gift so it reaches the right recipient. If you’d rather give financially, mark your donation “White Christmas.” Your generosity will help us fulfill every wish on the list. Place your gifts around the tree at any time or bring them on the morning of December 6 for a special ‘Blessing of the Gifts’ during worship. Afterward, we hope you’ll join us for a joyful potluck breakfast brunch. Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share—and feel free to bring a friend or two!
The months of November and December have been designated for the Methodist Children’s Home “This Little Light of Mine” special offering. 100% of the offering will fund programs helping children and families of MCH. Let’s help bring hope and a little light of love into the lives of those children who have been abused and neglected. Deadline to give is December 13.
Worship Greeters are needed for next year! A Greeter is a very important part of welcoming people to our worship service and helps by passing out bulletins, helping people in and out of cars (when needed), directing visitors to pews or various areas of the church, and helps in other capacities of the service. If you feel called to volunteer and would like to sign up, a signup sheet is available in the narthex or you may sign up by contacting the church office.
Don’t forget that 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 by the pastor at their discretion to help those in need.
If you would like to help deliver our Second Sunday mission project food items to Helping Hands in 2026, please contact Lisa in the church office to sign up. Drop off times for Helping Hands are Wednesday or Friday mornings between 9:00 am and noon.
The 2027 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.
Bologna Performing Arts Center: Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Veteran’s Day Program Invitation
An Evening with Zoe:
9th Annual Banquet
Women’s Resource Center: Celebrate Life Banquet
Art w/Allyson
During the week of November 16, and as part of a grant for church outreach, Allyson will be hosting the 5K, 2nd, and 4th grade classes from Parks to do an art project around the theme of “Hope”. If anyone is interested and would be willing to help during the art classes, please reach out to Allyson.
Thank You from The Taylors
DSU Wesley Foundation
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
BBQ Supper
‘United We Boo’ Trunk-or-Treat
Events in November
November 1, Sunday
— All Saints Service, 9:30 a.m.
November 3, Tuesday
— UWFaith Grace Circle, 10:00 a.m. (Church Library)
November 8, Sunday
— Finance Meeting, 11:30 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)
— Poinsettia Order for the Poinsettia Tree Begins
November 9, Monday
— SPRC Meeting, 5:30 p.m. (Church Library)
November 11, Wednesday
— Veteran’s Day Program, 9:00 a.m. (Bayou Academy)
November 13, Friday
— An Evening w/Zoe Banquet, 6:30 p.m. (Zoe Ministries)
November 17, Tuesday
— Celebrate Life Banquet, 6-8:00 p.m. (Our Lady of Victories)
November 20, Friday
— Provide Meal for Youth at The Well
November 22, Sunday
— Decorate St Luke for Christmas -NO Sunday School
November 25, Wednesday
— Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
November 26, Thursday
— Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
November 27, Friday
— Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
November 29, Sunday
— Hanging of the Greens Service, 9:30 a.m.
— Poinsettia Order Deadline
— Art w/Allyson: ‘Come Let Us Create’ -Advent Art Workshop
3:30 p.m. (Art Room)
Events in December
December 3, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)
December 6, Sunday
— White Christmas Potluck Breakfast Brunch, 10:30 a.m.
December 10, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)
December 12, Saturday
— UWFaith Christmas Party, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
December 13, Sunday
— Cantata, 10:55 a.m. (First UMC) -No Service nor SS at St. Luke
December 17, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)
December 19, Saturday
— Fellowship Hall Reserved for Pennington Family Christmas Gathering
December 24, Thursday
— Christmas Eve Service, 5:30 p.m. (First UMC)
December 31, Thursday
— Toddler Playgroup, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Preschool Room)
Memorials and Honorariums
By:
By:
Memorials for:
n/a
Honorarium for:
n/a
Attendance and Offering Report
Oct 4
Oct 11
Oct 18
Oct 25
Monthly Total
Monthly Budget
General Fund
$ 11,928
$ 13,049
$ 548
$ 6,772
$ 32,297
$ 20,834
Special
Fund
$ 0
$ 550
$ 220
$ 0
Sunday
School
0
9
14
12
Worship
35
42
37
33
Online
n/a
84
91
75
Special Offerings:
World Communion
$ 100
November Birthdays
11/02
11/12
11/19
11/21
Al Williams
William Wessel
Sue Givens
Josh Sheets
November Anniversaries
n/a