Author: Doug

I have been pondering the question of the value of our biblical stories. We have varying degrees of familiarity with these stories. Some of us who call ourselves Christians read scripture every day and study it regularly. Others know what we have heard or been told in a Sunday School class or a sermon. And still others of us have a rather distant connection with scripture….a vague familiarity. And within the broad range of knowledge, there is also a broad range of how we value it. For some of us it is critical to understand and live by while others don’t see it as particularly important.
I do find it rather interesting that we can sometimes be rather unaware of how much of scripture is woven into the tapestry of life in this world. There are so many references to it on a daily basis in the secular world those unfamiliar with scripture are likely to miss. Even the most secular may speak of “the patience of Job” or a “David and Goliath” match up. Many of our laws and contracts from real estate transactions to marriages are grounded in biblical principles.
Biblical scholars debate endlessly about the historical significance of biblical stories. Did they really happen the way they are recorded? Are they real or made up? Sometimes scholars determine that a biblical story is a common legend that runs across many cultures. For example, in most of the major religions of the world there is a creation story and a flood story. Does the fact that we find these stories in a multitude of religious histories make them more or less likely to be actual historical events?
Perhaps the greater question is not whether the stories are actual historical events, but what is their significance? Maybe part of the answer lies in a line I recently heard from the movie “Jackie” that “the characters we read on the page end up being more real than the people standing next to us.”
I recently returned from Europe. Throughout Western Europe there are stories of great heroes…people who stood up for freedom and justice through two great World Wars. The stories are captured in memorials and statues and parks and exhibitions. Are these depictions real in every detail? I can’t know for sure.
But, I believe this: We need heroes. We need stories of people who stood for love and justice and compassion. We need stories, even stories of great detail that tell us how someone risked their own life and sometimes gave their own lives to protect and save innocent lives. We need stories of people who kept faith when times got tough.
We read the stories of people of faith throughout our Judeo-Christian story. These stories inspire us, comfort us, and yes, sometimes confuse us. But, they can help us rise to our best – our most faithful, our most compassionate, and our most self-giving selves.
As we remember the stories of the faithful followers of Jesus and the selfless heroes around the world who stood for the Judeo-Christian values of love, kindness, gentleness and self-control, let them inspire us to survive… more than survive. Let them inspire us to live fully, graciously, and lovingly. Let then our stories live on. Perhaps someone will recall a story one day of a conversation or a moment in which we were examples of the faith we profess and perhaps the world will be a bit better for our having been here.

I am so incredibly proud of St. Luke’s Youth! They helped with VBS, and did a great job while having fun. At the end of each evening, we had our own version of VBS!
Sunday’s scripture was Psalm 139, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” We also studied “created in His image,” in Genesis 1:26. We celebrated our uniqueness by creating new hair styles for our two wonderful volunteers! We witnessed a very creative use of shaving cream, fruit loops, and cheetos. We created our own personal pizzas which were unique and delicious. We ended the night by playing a new version of hide-and-go-seek. Monday, we explored the consequences of bottled up anger and what happens when you mix two very harmless ingredients– diet coke and Mentos. Just like the Diet Coke that exploded when we added the Mentos , it is impossible to take back our words when our anger explodes. The last day of VBS, we celebrated Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed.” And we had a great ending to VBS week by a night at the movies. Of course, we saw “Transformers, the last Knight.”

We will be working on our own St. Luke’s WOC during July. Those that signed up to to have chores done at your home will be receiving a call to schedule a time.
May the peace of Christ fall upon you!

Every Thursday at 8:00am in the Seeker Cassroom. Led by Rev. Rachel McConnell-Switzer

Wednesdays 10:00am

Tuesday
Afternoons
5:45 - 6:45 pm

UMW
Thursday, July 20th
12:00pm

Upper Third
Thursday, July 13th
11:30 am

UMM Tuesday, July 25th 6:30pm

Sunday July 9 July 23 at 2:00 pm

Crafters every Thursday morning at 10:00am

Crafters 4 Mission Thursday, July 27th
5:30pm

Missions Meeting
Tuesday, July10th
5:30pm

Koinonia meets every Wednesday morning at 7:00 am for Breakfast and Bible Study.

If you have something to submit for the August newsletter or calendar, please contact Michelle Gaharan at michellegaharan@gmail.com or 318-451-0373. Our monthly newsletter can be viewed on our website at stlukesumc.community. If you would like to have a newsletter mailed to your home, please contact Hannah in the church office.

St. Luke’s Book Club The Book Club is on Summer break and will resume meeting on Sunday September 17th, at 3:00 pm. Join us as we share the individual readings we enjoyed during the summer. At that time, we will select our books for the remainder of the year.

The staff of St. Luke’s expresses our thanks to all those who helped with VBS! It was a great week! So many people helped decorate, teach, lead, and clean up. We thank you all!

MEMORIALS/HONORARIUMS
General Fund
In Memory of Allen Gillispie from Gerrie Grant
In Memory of Gene Grant from Gerrie Grant
In Memory of Frank Gordon from Evelyn Miller

July 2017
6012 Youree Drive
Shreveport, LA 71105
Phone: 318-868-3613
Fax: 318-868-3614
www.stlukesumc.community
admin@stlukesumc.community
Facebook.com/stlukesshreveport
Staff
Rev. Betsy Eaves
Pastor
Hannah Rachal
Director of Music Ministry Office Administrator
Laura Hirsch
Music Accompanist
Momma T (Tania Lang)
Spiritual Director of Youth
Michelle Gaharan
Children’s Ministry Director
Brittany Richardson
Nursery Coordinator
Matt Harris
Low Key Music Coordinator
Worship Hours
10:45am
Traditional Service
9:30am
Sunday School

Spiritual Formation Opportunities
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
We are fortunate at St. Luke’s to have so many opportunities beyond shared worship to grow in faith. We hope you will explore something that will fit your schedule and interests.
Sunday mornings 9:30 am – Sunday School Classes for all ages. Children, youth and four adult classes provide something for everyone.
Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 9:00 am – Common Prayer Liturgy. Using The Book of Common Prayer: a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, a small group gathers to read the scripture and liturgy and pray together.
Wednesday morning 7:00 am – Koinonia Bible Study. The longest running group at St. Luke’s this small group meets for breakfast and then digs into scripture together as we explore the meaning of the scripture for each of us.
Wednesday morning 10:00 am – Centering Prayer. We gather in the sanctuary for a twenty minute shared time of contemplative prayer. For anyone new to centering prayer there is always a brief explanation. This time is wonderfully calming.
Thursday morning 8:00 am – 8:30 am – Lectio Divina. Led by local pastor Rachel McConnell Switzer, a small group meets to listen to the sacred reading of scripture with moments of quiet reflection. Don’t let the odd name scare you away! It doesn’t matter if you have never participated in Lectio Divina, you will be made to feel welcome.
Labyrinth Walk: Any day dawn to dusk, the labyrinth in the prayer garden behind the church is open for anyone to walk. Walk the labyrinth path in silence as you listen to the birds sing, bring your troubles, your questions, your gratitude and find a joyful time of peace and restoration. Come whenever your schedule permits. If you want guidance on walking the labyrinth, Pastor Betsy or Momma T can offer assistance.
Proverbs 6:21-22
Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.