From Anne …
Advent is a time of active waiting. We look forward to the mystery of God’s coming among us in a way so humble and tangible that even the most cerebral of us are able to get it: a baby. There’s probably nothing less abstract than a baby. Incarnation, the Church calls it, this odd reality of the Source of Life and the Ground of Being, that which we name God, coming to us in such an ordinary way.
The season of Advent invites us by its very nature to enter into this mystery quietly and humbly. Honestly, it’s not a big consumer event unless we allow it to be. So here at St. Luke’s, we’ll spend Advent helping out with the Grate Patrol, buying special gifts for our Shelter residents and joining them for dinner, preparing for a special service of lessons and carols, and caroling on the Avenue. And we’ll reach out to Farai Chigumbura’s home church, St. Dorcas United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, at a special Christmas market.
There’s a dimension of quietness in Advent waiting, as we make ourselves available to God. There’s also a dimension of opening ourselves to the enormous power of God’s justice and God’s mercy at work throughout the world, as we ready our hearts for the Prince of Peace. The Tuesday night study group will be focusing on Advent readings, and invites anyone who is drawn to this additional experience to come and join them. The choir also invites people to come and sing with them just for the
Advent season, even if you can’t participate the rest of the time. And during Advent we’ll celebrate Holy Communion each Sunday.
In all these ways, Advent helps us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. The prophets teach us what God requires of us: that we do justice, love, mercy, and walk humbly with God. When we practice these things, we are preparing for Christmas.
December Calendar
5 Grate Patrol offering and meal making
7 Grate Patrol delivery, 6:45 p.m.
8 Shelter Christmas letter mailing 7:00 pm
12 Zimbabwe Market after church
19 Service of Lessons and Carols
Neighborhood caroling 3:00 pm
Our turn with Shelter Dinner 6:45 pm
24 Christmas Eve service 5:00 p.m.
*…and coming up in January*
9 Epiphany Observed
16 Baptism of the Lord (Renewal of Baptism)
Poinsettia Orders Begin November 28th
Beginning November 28th, order forms for poinsettias will be available each Sunday. Cost for the poinsettias is $10.00 for each one. Please indicate a preference for red or white. Poinsettias may be purchased in honor or in memory of loved ones. They will be used to decorate the church on Sunday, December 19th, and may be picked up following the service; or please indicate if you would like it delivered to someone unable to attend church.
Grate Patrol Offering December 5th
Our monthly Grate Patrol Offering supports the purchase of groceries and supplies to make 150 bag suppers for people living on the street.
Our next Grate Patrol night is Tuesday, December 7th. Sign up in the Wesley Room or email the church to be part of that night’s Grate Patrol team (6:45-9 pm; meet at the church).
November’s Grate Patrol offering was $170.45
Grate Patrol Cold Weather Needs
It’s that time of year again – cold temperatures, wind chill, snow and ice, can mean only one thing: HYPOTHERMIA SEASON for the homeless.
Help protect the lives of The Salvation Army Grate Patrol’s homeless clients by donating new or very gently used cold weather clothing such as: hats, gloves, scarves, socks & thermal underwear (particularly in larger sizes). We will distribute cold weather gear on Grate Patrol throughout hypothermia season. Please contact Leslye Wooley at 202-250-7706
Leslye_Wooley@uss.salvationarmy.org for more information on what your group can do to help protect the homeless this winter.
Leave donations in the cradle in the Wesley Room.
Christmas at St. Luke’s Shelter
On both Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Shelter remains open all day. The residents, who must leave by 7 am every other day of the year, can sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast and relaxing day. The Thanksgiving meal, with all the trimmings, is generously provided each year by our local Fresh Fields/Whole Foods. Christmas dinner is prepared by June Kress and Dennis Soiberman.
We have asked each resident to name something ($30 and under) he would like for Christmas. The list will be posted on the bulletin board in the Wesley Room. Two or three people could go together to make one of these purchases. Please wrap and tag your gift and bring it to the church office by December 19th.
St. Luke’s Pledges for 2005
We have had a strong response to our pledge campaign for 2005. If you have not yet made a pledge for 2003 and would like to do so, please call or email Rayna Luke at the church office.
*Support St. Luke’s Shelter Through the CFC*
Federal employees can support St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen by designating #7940 as your pledge in this year’s Combined Federal Campaign. If you would like a speaker from St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen for your CFC campaign kick-off, please contact Susan Keenan, susan@nextstepkitchen.org.
Support St. Luke’s Shelter through igive.com
With the holidays right around the corner St. Luke's Shelter and Next Step Kitchen have a convenient way for you to shop that will help us raise funds! igive.com is a great website that offers over 500 stores ranging from Harry and David to Neiman Marcus to Home Depot. Each store in their "mall" will donate a percentage of what you spend to St. Luke's Shelter. For example, if you shop at Petco.com they will donate 3.2% of what you spend. And it isn't just stores- services such as Netflix, FTD and AOL offer donations too. It is so simple to sign up- just go to igive.com and download the igive shopping window on the computer you do your shopping from and designate St. Luke's Shelter- Next Step Kitchen. Now anytime you shop online your computer will know if the store your looking at offers a donation--you don't have to go to a special website to shop. So this year you can be extra generous and buy your loved ones lots of gifts (after you register at igive.com, of course!) – Susan Keenan
Zimbabwe Market on December 12th
During our luncheon on December 12th we’ll have the opportunity to support Farai Chigumbura’s church, St. Dorcas United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, by shopping at a Zimbabwe market in the Wesley Room. The people of St. Dorcas are making wire toys and traditional batik cloth for us to buy, and there will also be a 2005 calendar with the children’s art. Many thanks to Terri Stiffler and Farai for organizing the market.
After church on December 12th we’ll gather in the Wesley Room for an Advent soup and salad potluck. Soup will be provided, but we need people to sign up to bring salad, side dishes and dessert. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Wesley Room.
Directly after the potluck the children and choir are asked to stay and rehearse the Service of Lessons and Carols. Parents and friends are also invited to stay and help the children practice their readings.
If you have any questions about the potluck or rehearsal, please contact Shalom Mulkey at the church office. shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org
Shelter Dinner Opportunity December 19th
A group of church members and friends provides dinner for the Shelter residents on the third Sunday of every month. If you’d like to be a part of this enjoyable and rewarding experience, contact Nikki Parker or Cory Scott at nicoleparker555@hotmail.com and scott@urbanretail.com
What is this Guest House People are Talking About?
In summer 2005 St. Luke’s will begin providing housing accommodations and service-learning opportunities to high school, college and adult groups visiting Washington, D.C. We are in the planning phase for this exciting new ministry and invite you to come hear more about it after church on January 9th. Mark your calendars now!
It is our hope that after the January 9th meeting we will have a core group of 4-5 people willing to form a Guest House Program Committee. If you’re interested in promoting volunteerism, social justice, and spiritual transformation in the lives of young people, then this ministry is perfect for you. If you are interested participating on this committee or would like more information about the guest house, please contact Shalom Mulkey at shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org
--Shalom Mulkey
*MUSIC NOTES*
Advent has begun and the race to Christmas is on! Should it really be that way though? I think I remember hearing that the "getting there" is the really fun part. This wasn't said about advent but maybe it applies. While we certainly don't want to lessen the importance of Jesus' birthday, there is a unique joy in the anticipatory excitement of Christmas. Perhaps we can even be aware of this joyous sensation without spoiling it! Here are three great opportunities to enjoy the enjoying:
December 19th: Lessons and Carols Service Join us for the first of what I hope becomes an annual treasure at St. Luke's. On December 19th, our 11am service will feature Lessons (scripture readings) and Carols (choir anthems and congregational hymns) involving the children, adult choir and congregation. The idea is that the song will enhance the word, providing time for reflection.
Caroling! Caroling! Caroling! Also on December 19th-meet at 3pm for Caroling in the Glover Park neighborhood followed by refreshments in the Fellowship Hall back at St. Luke's. This was a lot of fun last year so don't miss out!
Join the Choir for Advent! Our choir meets at 9:30 on Sunday mornings to rehearse hymns and anthems for the 11:00 service. We are a small and devoted group focused on leading congregational singing and presenting brief but challenging anthems. The time commitment is small compared to many area church choirs but the joy of singing in worship is profound! Advent is a great time to start singing with us.
Interested? Email me at deke@saintlukesmethodist.org
Musically,
-Deke Polifka, Director of Music Ministry
Letters
Dear St. Luke’s Friends,
Thank you so much for the great gift certificate, and baby shower. Joel, Sophia and I had a great time at the party. We can’t wait to introduce all of you to the new baby. We are so happy to be part of the St. Luke’s family.
Much love, Janelle, Joel, Sophia and ?
(ed. note - written before Katie arrived!)
DearAll:
Last winter St. Luke's gave approximately $1200 to The Salvation Army in order to purchase thermal underwear for the Grate Patrol. I am happy to report back that the Grate Patrol distributed 86 pairs (shirt and bottoms) of thermal underwear on October 31, 2004 to prepare our clients for the winter season. The response from our folks on the street was tremendous; there were plenty of thank yous and even more cries of "hey, these are new! And still in the package!" I can't tell you how much it means to our folks to receive new items. It really makes them feel that someone out there cares for them. Thanks to the generosity of St. Luke's congregation, 86 more people know first-hand that someone is looking out for them.
Thank you,
Leslye Wooley on behalf of The Salvation Army Grate Patrol
Church Family News
Welcome to Katherine Xavia Rynes, born on November 12th. Soon Katie will add her unique voice to the lovely baby sounds we are hearing in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, from Eilidh, Reese, Jamie, and big sister Sophie.
On November 30, Earl P. Williams, Jr will receive a Meritorious Service Award from his employer, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), for his work performance in fiscal year 2004.
Address Updates
Kirsty Zulu
364 Ellenham Ct
Severna Park,MD 21146
Julie James
1611 N. Lexington St.
Apt. #1
Arlington, VA 22205
Terri Stiffler
2762 Washington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201
December Birthdays
1 Elliot Trevor
2 Dorothy Preston
11 Arthur Henderson
17 Beth Sworobuk
17 Sarah Sanders
19 Martha Wagner
19 Derek Willis
19 Joel Rynes
Joys and concerns
For Dorothy Preston’s friend Debra in Gary, Indiana
The joy of Vince Meehan’s sister Sarah in worship
For the blessing of Katherine Xavia Rynes, daughter of Janelle and Joel, born on November 12th
For the joy of Ramadan’s conclusion and the celebration of Eid
For the people of Iraq, and the US military there
For the hostages taken in Kabul, and all other hostages
For Karen Westergaard’s safe return from Kabul
For Nikki’s sister Natalie who lost her job
For the birth of Jen’s friend Lisa’s child
For Derrick Wagner’s mother recovering from a stroke
For Molly and Vince as they prepare for their marriage on November 27th in Michigan
For Nedi and his family
For Nancy recovering from knee surgery
For the joyful birth of Madison Richard Pyle, new grandson of Richard and Betty Pyle
For the family of a Peace Corps Volunteer killed in Morocco
Continued prayers for Jeff’s mother
For Dorothy Preston, who fell and was injured at work recently
For Nancy’s friend Beverly, with breast cancer
Continued prayers for Amy and Deke’s grandmother, with lung cancer
For Matthew Scruggs, son of Joyce and Derrick Wagner, being redeployed to Iraq in January, and for the end of the war
For the Pyle’s young friend Eric
For Earl Williams’ cousin Eric, in Iraq
For our military in Iraq and for the people of Iraq, and for our leaders that they may lead with wisdom
For the children and staff of Wings of Hope Orphanage, in Haiti.
For Prince of Peace Methodist Church in Holguin, Cuba
For the community of St. Luke’s Shelter.
For those living with HIV/AIDS
For our members who are unable to attend because of their health: Emma Cox, Jeanne Goss, Lucille Dade, and Margaret Roberts.
Scripture Texts for December
5 Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12
12 Isaiah 35: 1-10, James 5: 7-10
19 Isaiah 40:1-8, Luke 1: 26-33,
Matthew 1:18-24
24 Isaiah 9: 2-7, Psalm 96, Luke 2:1-20
26 Isaiah 63: 7-9, Matthew 2:13-23
Coffee Hour Hosts for December
5
12 Soup & Salad Luncheon
Shalom Mulkey
19
26
Thanks to all who have signed up to host coffee hour this month. The sign-up sheet is posted in the Wesley Room, or you can just contact the church office if you’d like to host next month. If you’ve never hosted and want guidance, contact Nancy Smrynas at 202-965-0084.
Put yourself on the map. We now have a map on the wall in the Wesley Room so that we can see where everyone is from and also the places we all keep in our hearts. Please add your places during coffee hour today.
Missed Church on Sunday?
You can still keep up with the latest prayer concerns and church events by checking the church web site, www.saintlukesmethodist.org. The Weekly Messenger appears there each week to help you stay in touch with your church family. And thanks to Derek Willis the site is always up to date and easy to navigate.