April 2024
St. Luke United Methodist Church
Message from the Pastor
Here we are in the season of Easter. We have moved from 40 days of fasting to 50 days of feasting as we celebrate that we are an Easter people. I hope you will join us this Sunday, April 7th for Holy Humor Sunday as we carry on an old tradition of what is referred to as the Easter laugh. I invite you to wear bright colors or a silly hat or socks and come join in a service that is meant to encourage laughter before the Lord.
Next week, I will be leaving to attend the final retreat of the Thriving in Ministry cohort that I am part of. I have spent the last 15 months connecting with other clergywomen and focusing together on what it means to seek joy and thrive in ministry, especially from the lens of female leadership. Our time together will end with a trip to Italy April 10th-20th. We will spend time in Rome and Umbria and also take a pilgrimage to Assisi to visit some of the sites in which St. Francis served. Rev. Susannah Grubbs Carr will be traveling with us and leading our sessions during the retreat. In the book Chasing Francis, pilgrimage is defined as "a way of praying with your feet." Ian Morgan Cron says "when a pilgrim visits a sacred place and hears the story of what happened there, something mystical happens. The spiritual energy from that past event is released and speaks to the heart of the pilgrim." I am tremendously grateful for the chance to travel and retreat with this group of women who have become dear friends over this past year. I look forward to returning ready to celebrate Bluegrass Mass with you on the 21st at Dockery Farms. While I am away, Rev. Chris Young and Rev. Les Hegwood have kindly agreed to be present for any pastoral emergencies.
During the month of April, we have a few items that I would like to highlight and invite you to in the hopes that you will join us for worship and fellowship. It is truly a joy when we gather and share in life together.
On Sunday, April 14th, we will have a guest preacher, Rev. Frank Newell. Frank is an Elder in the UMC who currently serves as the Associate Director for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) for the MS Conference.
On April 21st, we will gather together at 10:30 at Dockery Farms to join Calvary Episcopal in the celebration of a Bluegrass Mass.
On April 24th, the UMW Lunch Bunch will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 12.
On April 27th, you are invited to join us at the Delta State baseball game at 2pm. Please call the office to secure your tickets.
On April 30th, Erin Mulligan will be leading a meditative yoga class in the Fellowship Hall at 6pm. The class is free, but you are invited to bring your own mat if you have one.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Hannah
Lectionary Readings for April
Sunday, April 7 — Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1 - 2:2
John 20:19-31Sunday, April 14 — Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48Sunday, April 21 — Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18Sunday, April 28 — Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
The Mission of St. Luke UMC is to be a Place to Belong, Believe, & Become Disciples of Christ
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG
This year we have four St. Luke high school graduates who will be honored at a Graduate Reception/Potluck on May 5. They are Lindsey Mae Givens, Kolby Horton, Marianne Powell, and Patrick Wessel. If you wish to give these four a graduation gift or card, there will be gift tables set up in the Fellowship Hall for each graduate. All graduates (college and high school) will be recognized during the worship service on May 5. If you have a child or grandchild who will be graduating this year, please contact the church office with their name, school, degree (if applicable), and future plans (for high school graduates). Please turn in names by Tuesday, April 30.
We have a delicious opportunity to support the students at DSU Wesley and demonstrate that we are a connectional church. Wesley is partnering with Larry’s Fish House in Belzoni to host a Catfish Fundraiser on Monday, April 9. Plates are $15 and will consist of 4 pieces of catfish, french fries, and hushpuppies. They may be picked up at 1st UMC from 11 am - 2 pm and 4 pm - 7 pm. Tickets are available in the church office or via Venmo@DSU-Wesley or CashApp $DSUWesley2.
UWFaith Lunch Bunch will meet at noon on Wednesday, April 24. All women are invited for a brief devotion and fellowship. Please bring your lunch and drink, dessert will be provided.
If it’s spring, it must be baseball! Put on your St. Luke t-shirt and come out to support the DSU team on Saturday, April 27, at 2 pm when they play Mississippi College. Cade and Wade and the rest of the Outreach Team will be there, and we need YOU in the bleachers!
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE
Once again we will join with our friends of Calvary Episcopal Church for a Bluegrass Mass at Dockery Farms on Sunday, April 21. The Episcopalians are hosting this time around, so all you have to do is bring your lawn chair and something to contribute to the potluck picnic. There will be singing and fiddling, maybe even a flute or a dulcimer or a drum. There’s room for the children to roam. It’s a great time of fellowship on the lawn of a beautiful historic property—and just a few miles away! Put this on your calendar!
OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES
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. That day is also our Dollar Sunday, when you are invited to drop a dollar or two into the basket in the narthex to help support our Compassion Fund, which the pastor uses at their discretion to help those in need.
Worship Greeters are still needed for June, July, and October. 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 want to sign up, please contact Al Williams or the church office. A sign-up sheet will also be available in the narthex.
The new 2024 Flower Calendar is available on the bulletin board 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. We also have a “flower fridge” so you can sign up for two consecutive Sundays, store your arrangement in the fridge during the week and re-use them the second Sunday. Please contact Sandi Melton (Flower Steward) or the church office to sign up or for more info.
Bunny Bingo at Parks Elementary
I believe most would agree that there are few things in this world that have stood the test of time. First and foremost is our Lord and Savior Jesus. A close second would have to be the game of Bingo! We had over 90 students at Parks Elementary meet their Accelerated Reading goal, and St. Luke UMC treated them to a Bunny Bingo Party! We played 3 rounds of bingo and used Sweet Tarts as markers. Prizes were chocolate bunnies. We did have an instance where two students had Bingo at the same time. The tie breaker was that they had to guess my age. The students looked worried, and I told them that I have thick skin so they could be honest. One student guessed 57, and the other guessed 64! I am 51, and I learned that my skin is not as thick as I thought it was. A fun time was had by all, and we are gearing up for our last party of the year, which will be an ice cream sundae party!
-Susannah Wessel
Check out pics of the Bingo at The St. Luke Scene below.
UMM Scholarship
United Methodist Men of St. Luke and 1st UMC are taking applications for their college scholarship for the 2024-25 school year. Current high school seniors through current college juniors are eligible to apply. Applications can be picked up from the church office at either church. Applications must be turned in to the office at 1st UMC no later than Friday, April 15.
Holy Humor Sunday
April 7, 10:30 A.M.
Bridal Shower Invitation
Bluegrass Mass & Picnic
Please bring a side dish and/or dessert, if able!
A Day at the Ballfield Invitation
Meditative Yoga Class
Freedom Trail Revival Tour
You are invited to come and worship during the 2024 Freedom Trail Revival Tour! The Mississippi Annual Conference's End Racism For Good Committee is excited to announce a series of Spirit-filled worship gatherings in 2024 involving five local communities that will inspire all who long to end the sin of racism in our churches, our communities, and our state. We will worship together, deepen our connection with United Methodists and others across racial lines, and honor the pain and hopes of each community. It is our desire to listen to the Spirit together and go back to our communities with renewed energy and hope! Through worship, we aspire to awaken to our calling to be communities of courage and love that can bind us together as One. We hope you can attend one of the worship events nearest you - all events begin at 2pm: February 3 (Greenwood UMC); March 2 (Rust College); April 6 (Jackson); May 4 (St Paul UMC in Hattiesburg); and June 15 (Gulfside Assembly w/Bishop Lewis preaching).
Big Green Event
The Student Government Association is hosting a service project on Saturday, April 13. Student volunteers will be out in the community doing what needs doing, and if you need help with something in your yard or house, you can ask them to come. Please pick up a flyer from the table in the narthex for more information and for info on who to contact.
The St Luke Scene
Upcoming Dates
for your Calendar
April 7, Sunday
— Youth, 5-6:30 p.m. (First Presbyterian)
April 9, Tuesday
— United Methodist Men, 6:00 p.m. (First UMC)
April 14, Sunday
— Second Sunday Helping Hands Food Ministry Project
— Bridal Shower for Hart Rogers, 2:00 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
April 21, Sunday
— Blue Grass Mass hosted by Calvary Episcopal (Dockery Farms)
April 24, Wednesday
— UWFaith Lunch Bunch, 12:00 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
April 27, Saturday
— DSU Baseball Game, 2:00 p.m. (Ferris Field)
April 28, Sunday
— SPRC Committee meeting, 11:35 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)
— Youth Service Project, 5:00 p.m. (location: TBA)
April 30, Tuesday
— Meditative Yoga Class, 6:00 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
May 5, Sunday
— Graduates Reception/Potluck, 11:35 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)
May 7, Tuesday
— UWFaith Grace Circle, 10:00 a.m. (Church Library)
May 12, Sunday
— Second Sunday Mission Project for Helping Hands
May 14, Tuesday
— United Methodist Men, 6:00 p.m. (First UMC)
May 16, Thursday
— AR Party at Parks Elementary
May 19, Sunday
— Finance Meeting, 11:35 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)
May 21, Tuesday
— Meditative Yoga Class, 6:00 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
May 27, Monday
— Church Office Closed for Memorial Day
Memorials and Honorariums
By:
Pat & Stella Corley; Louis & Marilou Leyens;
Mrs. Lawrence Long; Harry & Patricia Lott;
Edward & Nancy McKnight; Ronny & Sue Robertson; Dennis & Sammy Short; Linda Smith; Margaret Ferris White
Linda Smith
Memorials for:
Bette Simpson
Bobby Horton
Attendance and Offering Report
Mar 3
Mar 10
Mar 17
Mar 24
Mar 31
Monthly Total
Monthly Budget
General Fund
$ 11,368
$ 1,838
$ 2,922
$ 5,805
$ 1,502
$ 23,435
$ 20,854
Special
Fund
$ 0
$ 1,258
$65
$ 50
$ 0
Sunday
School
32
22
25
18
0
Worship
41
48
53
59
95
Online
65
116
96
74
125
Special Offerings:
Camp Lake Stephens (Virtual Lilies)
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Kairos Outside
$ 405
$ 100
$ 120
April Birthdays
4/12
4/16
4/19
4/26
Dillard Melton
Carlie Rogers
Steve Lewis
Mike Gressett
April Anniversaries
4/09
4/13
4/18
4/20
4/27
Bertha & Glynn Neal
Sheryl Stump & Rick Torgerson
Billy & Laura Bassie
Bev & Bob Card
Elaine & Larry Lambert
Brittany & Will Dean