CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CORNER

Last week we promised to show you the new Choir Suite that occupies a previously uninhabitable space on the third floor of the church. Walls and floors were in a crumbling state of disrepair due to years of water damage resulting from a leaky roof. Above is a photo of our beautiful, bright, spacious, main rehearsal room. In addition to this area, there is a small group rehearsal room, and the choir direc-tor’s office; plus there is elevator access. Pictures do not do it justice. We invite you to come up and take tour to see in person what your commitment and generosity made possi-ble. We are deeply grateful! Your faithful dedication and generous giving for Preparing the Present to Transform the Future! of St. Luke’s is clear again this week; you in-creased our Campaign fund total to a new high of $735,876!

FONDREN’S FIRST THURSDAY

5:00 p.m., next Thursday, October 1 As always, we need volunteers to monitor the children’s space jump and hospitality helpers to serve lemonade and water to those passing by our church at this month-ly, Fondren open house. This event offers fun and interesting activities for all ages.

Please contact the church if you can help share St. Luke’s Christian hospitality with our community and visitors.

DATES AT-A-GLANCE Thu., Sept., 24 Staff Meeting, 1:00 pm Sat., Sept. 26 Laity & Clergy Collaborative Leadership Conference at

Christ United Methodist Church, Sun., Sept. 27 Morning Prayer Time, Communion in the Chapel, 8:30 am Sun., Sept. 27 Sunday School, 9:00 am Sun., Sept. 27 Fellowship Time, 9:50 am Sun., Sept. 27 Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:15 am Mon., Sept. 28 Mississippi GirlChoir Rehearsal, 4:15 pm Tue., Sept. 29 NARFE Meets in Recreation Building, 1:00 pm Tue., Sept. 29 Mississippi GirlChoir Rehearsal, 4:15 pm Wed., Sept. 30 Rotary Club Meeting, 7:30 am Wed., Sept. 30 Adult Bible Study, 10:00 am Wed., Sept. 30 Prayer Shawl Ministry Meets, 2:00-4:00 pm Wed., Sept. 30 Choir Practice, 6:30 pm Thu., Oct. 01 Staff Meeting, 1:00 pm Sat., Oct. 03 Church Cookout and Blessing of the Pets, Sun., Oct. 04 Morning Prayer Time in the Chapel, 8:30 am Sun., Oct. 04 Sunday School, 9:00 am Sun., Oct. 04 Fellowship Time, 9:50 am Sun., Oct. 04 Worship, Holy Communion in the Sanctuary, 10:15 am Mon., Oct. 05 Mississippi GirlChoir Rehearsal, 4:15 pm Mon., Oct. 05 Trustees’ Meeting, 5:45 pm Tue., Oct. 06 Mississippi GirlChoir Rehearsal, 4:15 pm Tue., Oct. 06 UMW Circle 4 Meets, 6:30 pm

Dear Friends,

At the beginning of 2015, St. Luke’s began an intentional

process of discernment in order to develop new vision and

mission statements to guide the strategic work of the church

for the next five years. This process, led by the church’s Ex-

ecutive Committee, included small group gatherings, a

church-wide survey, and many informal times of conversa-

tion. This work has been undergirded by prayer and reflection

on Holy Scripture.

I’m very excited that starting in October we will offer a ser-

mon series focusing on the new vision of St. Luke’s. For the

next five years of ministry together we will focus on the spir-

itual gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love as we seek to grow more

fully into the people God has called us to be.

In fact, the sermons for the rest of 2015 will be based on this

vision as each month we focus on a particular theme:

October: A Season of Faith

November: A Season of Hope

December: A Season of Love

In order to prepare for this series, I encourage you to read 1

Corinthians 13:1-13, particularly verse 13. This will be a

guiding scripture for our work these next years as we look

forward to Growing Faith, Sharing Hope, and Abiding Love!

Grace and Peace,

Ricky

Loving, Learning, Living in the Heart of Fondren

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St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

621 Duling Ave. Jackson, MS 39216

(601) 362-6381

info@stlukesjackson.org

www.stlukesjackson.org

Rev. Ricky James, Pastor

September 24, 2015

UMW CIRCLE 4 SEEKING NEW MEMBERS On Tuesday night, October 6, this group of ladies will meet to fold boxes, decorate water bottles, and pack small plastic bags of candy for the shoe boxes that will be shipped in No-vember. This group is made up of women of various ages who love this worthwhile mission project and enjoy meet-ing together each month to study God's Word. Beginning in January they are going to focus on FAITH and what it means to our walk with Christ, and anyone who is inter-ested in being a part of the Bible Study should contact Priscilla Gaby so that the correct number of books can be ordered. Her email address is prisgaby@aol.com, or you can call her at (769)251-5383. This is a wonderful way to grow in wisdom and in our love of each other!

MISSION OF THE MONTH – THE BETHLEHEM CENTER

Staff Appreciation Lunch Thanks to everyone who signed up to contribute a dish for The Bethlehem Center Staff Appreciation Lunch tomorrow, September 25. We are grateful for the opportunity to ex-press our appreciation and support for the dedicated Beth-lehem Center staff that helps provide affordable childcare, after school care, and other community services offered for lower-to-middle income families in our city. We would also like to thank those of you who made a monetary contribu-tion to help support this important United Methodist com-munity mission.

CHURCH COOKOUT & BLESSING OF THE PETS Saturday, October 3, 12:00-1:30 p.m. Cliff Duncan, our resident chef, has gracious-ly volunteered to be our chief griller and food coordinator again this year. If you can help grill, set up, serve, or clean up, please email Cliff at cduncan@cerner.com, or con-

tact the church. We’ll have ‘burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill, at noon, and a Service of Pet Blessing at 1:00 p.m., with St. Francis medals, for God’s creatures who bless our lives. CARA is invited to bring pets for adoption. Pet food, supplies and monetary donations for CARA will be accepted. We’ll also have a space jump for children. Join us and bring family, friends, neighbors, and their pets for lunch and family, pet-friendly fellowship.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VBS 2016 needs you!!

We are still looking for one more chairperson for VBS 2016! This person will have lots of help and support. If you are interested, please email Leah at leahbat-son@yahoo.com. It may seem too early to be thinking about VBS for the summer of 2016, but planning will begin soon! St. Luke's expects to host its own VBS in con-junction with the ECLC summer program. We will also of-fer a program for elementary age children.

THIS WEDNESDAY AT ST. LUKE’S ►2:00-4:00 p.m., Prayer Shawl Ministry Meets: Please contact Dot Jaubert if you know of a member who needs a prayer shawl, or if you are interested in joining our minis-try. ►6:30 p.m. Choir Practice: Remember, our Choir Di-rector, Helen Bowen would love to talk with anyone in-terested in becoming a part of our St. Luke’s choir. See her after worship, at choir practice, or email singasongjdka@yahoo.com.

Mississippi Conference of

The United Methodist Church

It’s not too late to attend the 2nd Annual

LAITY AND LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

WHEN: This Saturday, September 26, 2015: 10:00 a.m.

On-site registration: 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Closing worship begins at 3:30 p.m.,

Led by Bishop Swanson.

WHERE: Christ United Methodist Church, 6000 Old Canton

Road, Jackson, MS 39211

THEME: "Abiding in Faith, Abounding in Fruit:

Loving, Learning and Leading Together"

SCRIPTURE: John 15:5

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Clergy, laity and leadership of the

church (including young adults 18 and up)

COST: $15 per layperson; $25 per clergy person (5 CEUs)

A boxed lunch will be provided

For more information on this event visit http://layclergyevent.weebly.com/

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

Mark 9:38-50

THIS WEEK’S JOYS AND CONCERNS

~ Prayer Concerns ~

~ Births ~ Bennett Harrison Bailey, September 21

~ Deaths ~

ATTENDANCE AND STEWARDSHIP WEEKLY REPORT

9/20/15 Sunday School 86 Sunday Worship 143 Tithes/Offerings Needed in 2015 $450,665.00 Tithes/Offerings Needed Weekly $8,667.00 Tithes/Offerings Received 9/20/15 $4,602.00 Tithes/Offerings Needed to Date $329,346.00 Tithes/Offerings Received to Date $283,217.00 Tithes/Offerings Difference to Date -$41,129.00

MONTHLY BUDGET UPDATE

Through August 2015 Total 2015 Budget (from all sources*) $554,565.00 Amount Needed Monthly $46,213.00 Amount Received in August $39,945.00 Total Received to Date $329,339.00

*Includes estimated income from tithes, offerings, investments, interest, Fondren Building, and other planned and unplanned sources.

THANKS FOR WORSHIPING WITH US

9/20/15

Hannah Prater Elaine Styron David Long