The Peace of God Guard Your Hearts and Minds- Romans 12:18
Peace and unity are connected in the community of believers. Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is the presence of unity. Unity describes the bond of commitment we have for each other. Our sinful nature seeks to divide and isolate us from one another. The Christian church is more often known for its divisions rather than its commitment to unity.
To some extent, divisions will happen. We talked about that in the first sermon. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul reminded us that some divisions are needed to show who is walking in God’s favor. In Romans 12 Paul qualifies his admonition to live peacefully with others with the phrase, “so far as it depends on you.” Paul acknowledges that we do not have the ability to bring about peace without the collaboration of all the people involved.
Nonetheless, Paul challenges us to make a peaceful coexistence with our brothers and sisters in Christ our aim. We are to dig deep into the toolbox and use the tools that God has given to us to live in peace. This Sunday we will explore the tools we have been given to build bonds of peace. The first step in the process is the recognition that we need to make a conscience commitment to the practice of peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Be Joyful!
Paul writes: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer Romans 12:12
May his words find a place in our hearts as we await our coming pastor. It is all too easy to become disheartened as time stretches on, as our calls have been returned three times now, as we pray, it seems, to no avail….. But wait!
Job lost everything and look at his response: he ‘arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell to the ground and WORSHIPPED‘ Job 1:20
Isaiah - when the people lamented: “My way is hidden from the LORD and my right is disregarded by my God” He extended words of reassurance: ‘Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength’ Isaiah 40:27ff
Our Lord Jesus….
Inviting us to take upon ourselves His yoke when weary and heavy laden - Matthew 11:28ff
Affirming over and over the power of faith. To name a few:
the Canaanite woman in her persistence - Matthew 15:22ff
the woman who knew if “I only touch His garment” she would be made well - Matthew 9:20ff
the centurion who knew Jesus had to “only say the word” for his servant to be healed - Matthew 8:5ff
Let us not lose heart nor become weary. instead, clinging to hope, being steady in patience, let us continue in and remain a people of prayer proclaiming in our hearts and in our lives: Holy holy holy is the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come. May glory, honor and power be His from now and until forever more. Amen
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Please plan to join us this November 22 at 7:00 p.m. for our Thanksgiving Eve service. The service will use traditional hymns and Scripture responses to remind us of the blessings given to us in Christ Jesus. The service will include the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Wednesday Night Advent Worship and Soup Suppers
Join us on December 6th, 13th, and 20th for Wednesday Night Advent Worship and Soup Suppers. Dinner will take place in the West Wing each week at 6pm, followed by worship in the West Wing at 7pm. This annual tradition is a great way to grow relationships and prepare your heart for Christmas. We’re asking you to help out by bringing soup, bread, salad, or a dessert. If you are providing food please drop it off no later than 6 PM. We hope to see you there! Click hereto sign up.
Leader Nominations
St. Luke Church is undertaking our annual process of nominating and affirming our church leaders. Our bylaws require that congregational officers, the SLC, and the Elders stand for affirmation by the congregation each year. The four congregational officers are the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The SLC consists of the four congregational officers, three at-large members, and the senior pastor (a non-voting member). The SLC oversees the general ministry of the congregation. The Board of Elders oversees the pastoral care of congregational members.
We are asking our current leaders for their intention to continue in their roles. We are also seeking nominations from the congregation for these positions. Position descriptions are available in the church office. You may nominate yourself or anyone else in the congregation. If you are nominating someone else, please check with that person first to confirm that they are interested in serving.
Here is the link to the electronic form to submit nominations. Paper forms are also available in the church office. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, November 19. The elections will be conducted on 2 Sundays in December.
Please pray for discernment and wisdom for all our current leaders and for those considering lay leadership positions at St. Luke.
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jones or any of the members of the Nominating Committee: Andy VanEgmond, Karla Chapman, Sherrill Derksen, and John Nees. Since this is an annual process, please feel free to reach out to any members of the SLC or Board of Elders if you think of other good candidates during the course of the year.
Fall 2023 Bible Studies Sept. 10 - Dec. 10 West Wing Study: We’ll be utilizing a number of studies from Lutheran Hour Ministries. The topics include: Life Together, Martin Luther, Forgiveness, and God in Worship. This study will be led by a variety of people including Pastor Todd and our elders.
Women’s Study: Lynn Corker and Libby Fink will be leading a study geared toward women, in room 104/105. This year, we’ll explore 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.
Parent’s Study: Andy VanEgmond will lead a study for all parents with children in the congregation, in room 101/102. We’ll discuss the Sheepfold lesson for the week and work to build a strong community of parents here at St. Luke, as we all navigate the tricky task of raising kids in the faith.
Nursery: 3-year-olds and younger
Sheepfold: 4-year-olds thru 5th Grade
Youth Group: 6th-12th Grade
Christmas Giving Tree 2023
This year we will be supporting 3 organizations:
Wellspring Lutheran Services is a merger of Lutheran Child and Family Services, Lutheran Homes (for Seniors), and Lutheran Refugee Services with offices and residential facilities throughout Michigan.Sign-up Genius
Hope Clinic is a Christian agency in Ypsilanti that provides free medical and dental services, a food bank, and other services for low-income people in our community.
Circles Program is having a dramatic impact on moving families out of poverty. It matches a person in poverty with middle or upper-income partners for at least 18 months. These relationships help break the cycle of generational poverty by assisting families to create their own personal paths out of poverty and achieve economic independence.
Due to the success of last year’s program, Wellspring Lutheran Service is again asking for monetary gifts that they will then use to buy gift cards to give to buy gift cards to give to families for their own Christmas shopping. Hope Clinic is asking for monetary gifts to help support their ongoing services to the community plus Christmas gift bags with candy canes and other items (see details below). The Circles Program is asking for monetary gifts to purchase gingerbread house kits to be used at their Christmas party (see details below).
Monetary Gifts
To make a monetary gift through St. Luke, bring or mail a check to church that is made out to St. Luke and indicate on the memo “Giving Tree”. Or online – use the fund called “Christmas Giving Tree” on the St. Luke website and the St. Luke app under “Give”. No amount is too small, and together, St. Luke will make this Christmas special for so many families! We will split the monetary gifts received between these organizations. Please have all monetary gifts to St. Luke byDecember 3..
The ornaments on the Christmas Giving Tree will be changed from red to silver to reflect the amount received each week.
Hope Clinic Gift Bags
Hope Clinic is asking for small Christmas gift bags with the following items:
-One Christmas microwavable mug
-12 candy canes
-One box of non-caffeinated tea bags
-Pocket-sized tissues or hand sanitizer
Due to the generosity of the entire community last year, the Hope Clinic was overwhelmed with gift bags. So, this year they are restricting the number of gift bags to be delivered and have asked people and organizations to commit in advance to the number they will bring. We have set up a Sign-up Genius for our members to indicate how many they will provide. Just click on the link in the e-news announcement to sign up. Please bring the gift bags to St. Luke by December 3.
Circles Families Gifts
The Circles program is planning a Christmas party that will include assembling and decorating gingerbread houses by each of the 19 families currently involved in the program. So that each family will have the same “building materials,” we will purchase the kits plus extra “materials” for decorating. You can simply make a monetary donation as described previously.
Through the Giving Tree last year, we provided over $5000 to these organizations to make Christmas special for the families they work with. This year, the need is just as great – let’s surpass what we gave last year as we come together as the body of Christ to shine His light in this world! Any amount you can give will make that light shine even brighter this Christmas! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Rotating Homeless Shelter Program Update
St. Luke will once again be hosting the rotating homeless shelter program ran by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. Our weeks begin December 25, 2023 and January 15, 2024.
We will need volunteers for the following areas:
Meals for the men each night
Overnight hosts - Sign up here to be an overnight host
Towel laundry
Allen and Sharon Morgan have coordinated/managed St. Luke’s participation with the rotating homeless shelter for many years and are looking for a person, couple, or group who would be willing to shadow them this year and then take the reins for the 2024/2025 season.
See here for more information. Please contact Allen with any questions or to volunteer for meals, towel laundry, or if you are interested in coordinating the rotating homeless shelter next season.
Daughters on Mission fundraiser
We are doing a fundraiser for mites and registration expenses for our delegate for the Michigan district convention. Aubree’s has agreed to donate 20% of receipts to our LWML group for all who show flyer or mention fundraiser at both the Whittaker road and Cross street on Dec 3, 2023. Hope you can join in at Aubree’s! View flyer for more information.
Homes For The Holidays
A very special event is being planned for Saturday night, December 9 from 4:00 - 10:00pm It’s called: Homes For The Holidays. An opportunity for St Lukers to get to know each other better while enjoying appetizers and dessert in the homes of several of our members who have decorated for Christmas. This event is for adults only age 18+.. Cost is each person or couple will bring an appetizer, or dessert to share. How to register: a table will be available In the lobby at church after each service on Sundays November 19 and November 26 or you can email Lynn Wrightson.
You don’t want to miss this fun, enjoyable evening. Questions? Contact Lynn Wrightson.
Poinsettia Orders Due December 5
We are taking orders for fresh poinsettia plants that will be used to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. Please consider offering a plant as a Memorial or to give thanks to God. Order forms are available at the Welcome Center or online. Orders are due December 5!
Lutheran Witness Subscription
It is time to re-subscribe or subscribe to The Lutheran Witness at a discounted rate. The Lutheran Witness is the official periodical of The Lutheran Church¬¬—Missouri Synod and is published 11 times a year. It provides Missouri Synod laypeople with stories and information that complement congregational life, foster personal growth in faith, and help interpret the contemporary world from a Lutheran Christian perspective. Subscriptions ordered through St. Luke will include the Michigan In Touch supplement. The new subscription year doesn’t begin until March 2024, but orders need to be in the church office by December 10, 2023, to take advantage of a discounted district rate of $19.00/year. Payment for subscriptions can be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor. Please be sure your payment is designated for The Lutheran Witness and include the mailing address that the magazine should be sent to. Please contact Susan Jones or if you have any questions.
Craft Time It is time for another Iris folding class. If you have not done it before, this is a good class to start with. We will be creating Christmas cards. The event will be on Saturday, December 2, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the West Wing. For more information contact Susan Jones:
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
Sunday Morning Worship Times
8:30 a.m. Living Heritage Service
9:45 a.m. Bible Study / Sunday School Hour
11:00 a.m. Living Praise Service
Church Office
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Daughters on Mission fundraiser
es For The Holidays
Poinsettia Orders Due December 5 
It is time for another Iris folding class. If you have not done it before, this is a good class to start with. We will be creating Christmas cards. The event will be on Saturday, December 2, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the West Wing. For more information contact Susan Jones: 
