I recently learned something about myself that I don’t really like. The Michigan District executives met in a fall retreat. Part of the retreat was a personality inventory. One aspect of my personality profile is that I might have a tendency to only follow the rules with which I agree. I mentioned this to my wife, and she said, “It sounds like you.” While I tend to justify myself by thinking everyone thinks the offending rule or law is bad, my attempted justification convicts me of the sin. I confess, I tend to be one of those, “I’ve not killed anyone, so I’m not that bad” kind of people. Paul reminds us that we to submit to our government, not because it is reasonable in its demands, that is not submission that is cooperation. No, we submit to our government because it is the instrument that God chooses to use for our safety and well-being. We can’t forget that Paul penned these words under threat of death by the Jewish rulers and the Roman rulers. Neither government was perfect. Christians were despised by both governments. Yet Paul reminds us to submit to the governing authorities to honor God and keep our conscience clear. To move the concept of submission from the burden of the law to an action of blessing Paul challenges, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” Romans 13:8. Join us this Sunday as we discover the power and privilege of love.
- Pastor Todd Jones
Please continue to pray for the calling of a senior pastor
Father God our Maker we continue our prayers for Pastor Spaulding as You lead him into Your will. Jesus may Your presence permeate the atmosphere at St. Luke this coming Sunday as he comes to visit. May each of us bear Your image as we share our lives with him. And may he relax in Your love as he extends himself to us. Our times are in Your hands so may we surrender to Your will keeping ever vigilant to Your leading giving ear to Your instruction and being obedient in our following. Amen.
Meet Pastor Ben Spaulding!
On Sunday, October 8th, please join us after the 11 a.m. service for an all-congregation lunch, hosted by the fellowship committee, to meet Pastor Ben Spaulding and his family. We recently extended a call to Pastor Ben to serve as our next pastor, and he would welcome the opportunity to engage with the St. Luke community as he prayerfully considers our call. He and his family will join us for worship at both services that day. Please introduce yourself and make them feel welcome!
Pastor Carl DeMeritt's 40th Ordination Anniversary
This Sunday we will be celebrating the 40th ordination anniversary of Carl DeMeritt. Pastor DeMeritt has served at Concordia Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Salem Lutheran, Westland, Trinity Lutheran, Monroe, St. Mark, Brooklyn, St. Thomas, Ann Arbor, Resurrection Lutheran, Sand Lake. In addition to his parish ministry Carl served as the chaplain at Lutheran Home of Monroe, MI and Covenant Hospital. We will give thanks to God for Pastor DeMeritt’s ministry in both services and there will be a reception with cupcakes between the two services.
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.Revelation Study: Pastor Carl DeMeritt will lead a study on the book of Revelation, in room 106. Join Pastor DeMerritt as he guides us through this important book of the Bible.
Nursery: 3-year-olds and younger
Sheepfold: 4-year-olds thru 5th Grade
Youth Group: 6th-12th Grade
The Chosen Watch Party, Season 2
The Chosen is an engaging look at the life of Christ through the eyes of His followers. It doesn’t attempt to recreate the Scriptures verbatim. It does provide one person’s perspective on what it might have been like to follow Jesus. The episodes help us to ponder the life of Christ in new and fresh ways. If you’ve not seen the series or would like to see them with friends in Christ, join us this October as we watch season two of The Chosen. The plan is to start the watch party with the first two episodes of Season 2 at 5:30 p.m. on October 5. We will have some popcorn. Feel free to bring something to drink or snacks to share.
CELEBRATION TIMES TWO - OCTOBER 15!
Did you know the month of October shares two celebrations?
LWML Sunday and Pastor AppreciationThis year we will be celebrating not only 81 years of LWML, but also showing our appreciation for the entire St Luke staff. LWML will be assembling gift bags for staff members. You can help by contributing Thank You cards.Come visit the LWML table in the ministry hall for more information.
We Appreciate Your Help
We are seeking volunteers to assist us with our two worship services. We are in need of volunteers to help with the Sunday services in the following ways:
Singers to assist with the praise service.
Instrumentalist to play in either service.
Computer operators to assist with the in-worship media and livestream technologies.
People who are comfortable with social media and skilled at writing to assist with our social media profiles.
Photographers to assist in our social media accounts and our web presence.
People to assist with the paraments and communion set-up and take down.
If you would like to help, please send an email to the with your name and the areas that you are available to assist. We will connect you to the appropriate person for training.
Office Administrative Assistant Sought
We are seeking an office administrative assistant to work part-time
from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The position will be responsible for answering phones, interacting with the public as they visit the church during the week, and assisting in the clerical duties associated with our communications. Please contact Susan Jones at if you are interested in learning more about the position. Please pass along the information to someone you know who might be a good fit.
How to Create a Tech-Ready Home: Embracing the Tension between Careful, Countercultural, and Confident (Parents and Caring Adults, 14+)
You’re invited to come learn from the internet safety experts at Protect Young Eyes!
St. Paul Lutheran Church (420 West Liberty Street)
Tuesday, October 10, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
55 ALIVE OCTOBER MEETING FEATURES PRESENTATION FROM DISTRICT PRESIDENT REV. DAVID DAVIS
Monday, October 16 // 11:30A-1:30P // St. Luke Ann Arbor (West Wing)
55 Alive is the senior ministry for St Luke and area churches. Though mainly comprised of folks 55 and older, anyone is welcome! October is Pastor Appreciation Month and we have the honor of welcoming Michigan District President Rev. David Davis for a presentation "Engaging Ministry in Our Day" along with about a dozen other pastors as our guests. As a nod to the Reformation, this lunch is German-themed, centered around Sauerbraten and stuffed peppers. The remaining German dishes are potluck style—please bring a German dish to share and let Arthur know you’re coming at .
2024 LWML Epiphany Brunch - Save The Date!
This annual event will take place on Saturday, January 13 from 9:30 a.m. until Noon at St. Luke Ann Arbor. You can look forward to a very special speaker and a delicious brunch meal. Please contact Linda Murdock for more information.
Attend the 2023 Michigan March for Life!
Join us and our partner, Right to Life of Michigan, for the MI March for Life at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on November 8th, 2023.Click here to view the flyer and click here to sign up for the charter bus.
MOPS
Ann Arbor MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets at ULC twice a month for fellowship and to support each other in raising our little ones. Many St. Luke moms have been members over the years! To keep costs down for our moms, we are selling boxes of Paperpie greeting cards for our fall fundraiser. Each themed box is $32 (tax included) for 30 cards (50 cards in the holiday box). Please follow this link to order online through October 31st: https://form.jotform.com/232613640713146
Contact Pam Kamrath at to arrange delivery/pickup of your greeting cards, or with any questions. Thank you for supporting our ministry!
Martin Luther's Evening Supper, Sunday, October 22
St. John’s Lutheran Church of Taylor, MI, is inviting you to celebrate 14 years of Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer (their radio/podcast ministry) at a fund-raising dinner SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, from 5pm to 7pm at St. John’s, 13115 Telegraph Rd., Taylor MI 48180. For more information, click here.
"Moments In Time" Grand Opening
The Concordia Guild of Concordia University Ann Arbor invites you to tour a special art collection celebrating scenes depicting Ann Arbor’s colorful past, early buildings, and familiar landscapes. Join us to celebrate a walk through Ann Arbor history that has been gifted by local businessman, Jim Irwin. Tickets are $50 and fund the Manor Endowment. Click here to register on Eventbrite.For more information, click here.
Church Extension Fund is Hiring!
Please consider this job for yourself or pass it along to someone you know that wants to use their experience and skills to help build God's Kingdom!Mortgage Loan Processor
Church Extension Fund is a ministry-based financial institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with total loans outstanding exceeding $160 Million. CEF seeks qualified candidates for the position of Loan Processor. This position handles all facets of loan processing, post-closing loan functions and monitoring of open loan accounts. The position reports to and assists the CEF Assistant VP-Loan Manager. Opportunities for advancement exist.A complete job description is available on CEF’s website: mi-cef.org/news. Applicants should mail or email a cover letter with resume and any salary requirements no later than October 31, 2023 to: Ms. Kris Nowak – Executive Assistant, Church Extension Fund, 3773 Geddes Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105,
Office Hours
The office doors will be monitored by the staff from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 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 ServiceChurch Office
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Phone: 734.971.0550
Email:
