St. Luke Lutheran Church

How did you learn to pray? Often, we learn from the examples of people around us. Some of us can remember our earliest childhood memories and the simple prayers our parents used at the table and at the bedside. Others have learned from examples they heard at church or school (if they happened to go to a Christian school)—or even radio or television. Others were taught to pray their first prayer by the person who brought them to faith, who may have led them in a simple prayer. Still, others may have learned by trial and error as they read God’s Word and applied it to their daily lives. In addition, many good books on the subject can teach a person the basics of prayer. Many devotional materials contain fine examples of prayer, which helps learn to pray. I suspect that for many who pray, many, if not all, of these things have influenced their prayer lives.

Why does a person want to learn to pray? One of the things that motivated the disciples to ask Jesus was that they saw Him pray often. He prayed on everyday occasions. As He was ministering to the crowds by teaching, preaching, and healing, He would frequently go off by Himself afterward and spend hours talking with His Father. He also prayed on special occasions. The disciples wanted to pray because they saw how important it was to Jesus—how much a part of his life it was.

However, there was a deeper longing than to imitate or identify with Jesus. We all have a part that longs to know God intimately and fully, even as He knows us. We want to be able to “walk with Him and talk with Him.” It is a sad longing that has been shared by humanity ever since we lost the ability to commune with him as our first parents did in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve could talk to God whenever they wanted to, and He could also speak to them directly. They didn’t have to be taught to pray back then—it just came naturally. There was nothing in the way that hindered communication. What a tragedy that the last words ever spoken to God that way were words of blame that attempted to hide our guilt for disobeying and rebelling against Him! Yet, somehow, Jesus demonstrated a closeness to God that the disciples had never seen before, and they wanted this for their lives.

Over the years, we’ve learned to hide our longing to return to that kind of relationship with God. We either pretend it isn’t there or mistake it for something else. But it’s a longing that can’t be satisfied any other way, and it’s a longing that most people—unless their hearts have been completely hardened—still have. Our cry goes out, still today: Lord, teach us to pray! The good news is that Jesus was glad to answer their—and our—request! He did three things for them: He gave them a pattern for prayer, a promise for prayer, and a partner in prayer.  That three-fold framework will guide us as we spend the next few weeks with the Lord’s Prayer.

(Portions of this devotional thought are based on a sermon written by Pastor Daryl Bahn of St. John Lutheran Church, Black River Falls, WI)

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

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

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.

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.