St. Luke Lutheran Church
April 21, 2024
Enews

Prayer: Beyond the Basics

Few questions can make churchgoers squirm more than “How’s your prayer life?”  The question can be ambiguous.  Is the question asking how diligently you pray, or is the questioner asking how effective are your prayers? If the question asks about our diligence, do we respond based on the number of minutes we pray or the frequency with which we pray?  Most Christians readily admit that they do not spend as much time in prayer “as they ought.”  If the question is about effectiveness, we need an agreed-upon response.  What does it mean to be effective in prayer?  Is it measured by the times God answers our prayers as we intended?

We might struggle to answer the question about our prayer life, but we all agree that a consistent practice of prayer is important.  God’s Word clarifies that our life in Christ was to be bathed in prayer.  Paul urges us, “Pray without Ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Jesus encourages us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).  James chastised us, “You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4:2)”

We will begin a new sermon series on the topic of prayer on April 28th.  We will use the Lord’s Prayer as the foundation of our sermon series.  As we examine each petition, we will explore topics related to the petition.  For example, as we focus on the phrase, “Hollowed be thy name,” we will also examine the Scripture’s teaching on the power and purpose of praise.  When we talk about the petition, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we will also dig into our attitudes and practices that may hinder a positive response to our prayers.

Join me on April 28 as we begin the series “Prayer: Beyond the Basics.”

Call Committee Update
We have started interviewing pastors. Please pray for discernment both for us and for the pastors that we are interviewing.

Through the Bible Study: Join us in room 102 for a discussion based on the previous week’s through the Bible readings. If you have a question, or a comment for further discussion, you can send it in for inclusion in the class by using the form located at https://www.stlukeaa.org/bible. God’s Word is powerful and effective. Please join us this Sunday as we continue our one-year journey through the Bible.

Women’s Study: Lynn Corker and Libby Fink are leading a study geared toward women, in room 104/105. This year, we’ are exploring what it means that God is with us now, and we’ll trace this promise of His presence from the lost garden of Genesis to the garden city of Revelation, where we will dwell with the Lord forever. A $20 study guide is available for this class.

New Members Class:  Started on April 14 and runs through May 12th, It is meeting in the pastor’s office during the Bible class hour of 9:45 to 10:45. If you are interested in joining St. Luke’s or would just like a refresher on the basics of the Christian faith, join us for this class.  If you are interested, contact pastor Jones at: .

Married People Discussion Group:  Join us for our Married People discussion in the West Wing, during the discipleship hour.  We’ll help you become your best US by developing some new habits, specifically four core habits – have serious fun; love God first; respect and love; and practice your promise – that come from the Bible that can help every couple become their best US.  We hope you’ll join us!

Nursery: 3-year-olds and younger
Sheepfold: 4-year-olds thru 5th Grade
Youth Group: 6th-12th Grade

Craft & Fellowship Time – Layered Cross Easel Card
Our craft project on May 4th is a beautiful, layered cross card that can be sent to a friend or displayed on a shelf. Our time will be spent cutting out the crosses and assembling the card. The cutting will be fine, detail cutting so please bring your reading glasses if you need them. Also, it you have a favorite pair of detail scissors, you are welcome to bring those as well. However, this is optional since there will be detail scissors to use for all who sign up.

Teens and adults are invited to attend. All supplies will be provided to those who sign up here or who contact Susan Jones at . It is important to get an accurate head count to make sure we have enough card making kits. If you don’t want to make the card, but still want to join us for fellowship, you are welcome to bring your own craft to work on.

Day:        Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time:      10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: St. Luke Lutheran Church – the West Wing
Cost:       Free

Lutheran Choralaires Spring Concert in support of Concordia University Ann Arbor

The Lutheran Choralaires, a men's chorus under the direction of noted Detroit area composer and arranger Terry Herald, will present their annual Spring Concert entitled “What Wondrous Love is This" on Saturday May 18th, 4:00PM at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church (14175 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154). Tickets are not necessary, however there will be a freewill offering. All proceeds will go to support the Concordia University Ann Arbor Music Department and Students In Need funds. For further information email ,or visit www.lutheranchoralaires.org.

Vacation Bible School at St. Paul

The Splendor of Life in a Broken World
A Life Summit from Lutherans for Life of MI

Are you up to speed on life issues from womb  development to ethical issues surrounding the end of one's earthly life? The Life Summit  keynote speaker, Dr. Roni Grad, retired pulmonologist, and LCMS Life Coordinator, will address both. Pastor Paul Clark, LFLMI President, will give an update on "The current state of affairs, especially in MI.

Date:  April 28th, 2-5PM
Location: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fowler, MI,  text:517-420-4826

For more complete information, go to Lutherans for Life table in the ministry hallway that is between the West Wing and the Lobby.

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Office Hours
The office doors will be monitored by the staff from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday. If you wish to enter the building during that window, ring the doorbell to the left of the door and wait for a response. Alternatively, you can call the office and make an appointment with someone on staff.

You can connect with Pastor Todd either by email or cell phone 734-213-4256.

Livestream Worship
There are two different methods for watching our worship livestream. Services are simultaneously streaming on Facebook and YouTube