My father wanted me to be a basketball player. He wanted me to love sports. He even put-up a basketball hoop at our house. He encouraged me to practice dribbling and shooting baskets. I wanted my father to be proud of my playing, so I spent hours practicing dribbling and shooting basketballs. Unfortunately, no matter how many hours I spent practicing lay-ups or jumb shots, my playing failed to improve. Eventually, after a few years of spending a great deal of time on the court, I gave up. As an adult I have found the flaw in my formula for improvement. Practice does not make perfect, practicing the right thing or performing the right way leads to improvement. In the absence of guidance, I made up my own way of shooting the ball, my own technique for lay-ups and shooting hoops. Though I was diligent to practice, I was practicing the wrong thing.
This happens in faith as well. In Romans 10:2-3 Paul wrote, “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” Notice that the Jews were diligent and sincere. Unfortunately, because their efforts were guided by their own understanding of God and not the truth they missed the precious gift of life that was theirs in the Christ. We can be diligent and faith but to no benefit when our faith is not based on Christ’s sacrifice. This Sunday we will continue our study of Romans 10. In the sermon we will explore the faith that truly sets us free. Please join us.
- Pastor Todd Jones
Please continue to pray for the calling of a senior pastor
Let us be in continual prayer for the pastor we have called as he seeks his Father’s will, how he will serve in this life given to him.
Thank You Father for Your servant. Holy Spirit quicken his heart that he can hear clearly. Remember his family, congregation and lead pastor as they consider possible change in the near future. We pray Thy will be done for all of them and for all of us at St. Luke that we may serve You according to Your purposes. We want what You want so we pray You would work in us a delight in You that our hearts align with Yours. Remove from us any wayward thoughts that take us down paths that stray us away from desiring and seeking You alone. Jesus, Your love is so complete. Fill us with the awareness of Your presence in our midst that we receive that love by which, we pray, the world would know us. And may that love bind us together in unity, desire and purpose. It is in Your Holy Name we humbly, reverently pray. Amen
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.
St. Luke Membership Class
Pastor Jones will be leading a series of membership classes starting this September 10 and running through October 1. The classes will be held in the Pastor's Office during the Sunday morning Bible class hour. Those who have not been confirmed in the Lutheran Church need to complete the class before they are eligible to be received into membership at St. Luke.
Nursery: 3-year-olds and younger
Sheepfold: 4-year-olds thru 5th Grade
Youth Group: 6th-12th Grade
What’s Next?
I am very grateful for the members, volunteer staff, and our paid staff who have been working with an even greater intensity to cover the gaps from the recent staff transition. We are very blessed to have Amy Duncan to assist us with the second service. Amy will be here at least through the month of September. Ryan Rosenau is a first-year music student at CUAA. He is helping us out with the organ music for the interim. I am in conversations with some church musicians to explore ways that we can strengthen, and by God’s grace, grow our music program over the next year. As the plan begins to solidify, I will be able to share them with you. For now, please keep the Greunke family in your prayers that God will open doors for Jeff to use his gifts for the kingdom of God and keep St. Luke in your prayers that we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus during this time of transition. The path is challenging and the outcome lacks clarity, but God is with us. If God is with us, who can be against us.-Pastor Todd Jones
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.
“In the margin of life is grace... In the margin is connection... In the margin is laughter.” - Ted Lowe
Have you ever wished you and your spouse had this “margin” in your marriage? Or wondered how the two of you could create Time for Your US?
Then you are invited to come and enjoy an evening out with other couples who are looking for answers to those exact same questions. Your evening includes hors d'oeuvres, desserts, games, fun and laughter, prizes, and a guest speaker who will share insights on how to create Time for Your US. So be sure to save the date:
Married People Fall Event
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
All married couples, friends, co-workers, relatives, and neighbors are invited, so spread the word!
To register and purchase your ticket ($15/couple) for this wonderful one-night event, click here to sign up.
*Partial babysitting cost reimbursement is also an option upon request on the registration form.* If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Darragh at (734) 904-8580 or Rick Darragh at (734) 904-8581.
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
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.
LWML Fall Rally - “Taste and See”????
Lutheran Women In Mission will meet at Living Water Church on Saturday, September 30 for a Fall Rally featuring Mary Moro, Director of Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST), as guest speaker. The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. with registration and coffee/pastries served at 8:30 a.m. You can look forward to dynamic worship and insight into the wonderful world of short-term mission trips! Please bring pairs of non-prescription sunglasses as an Ingathering for MOST Ministries. Noon lunch is included. Suggested donation at the door is $5.00 per person. Living Water is located at 200 Barker Road, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189. RSVP to Linda Murdock.
“What does the word ‘abortion’ really mean? A Medical Perspective"
Dr. Donna Harrison
Teens and Adults are cordially invited to a special presentation on Saturday, September 23 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Chapel at Concordia, 4090 Geddes Rd, Ann Arbor. Dr. Donna Harrison is the former CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and a member of the group who asked the federal court to stop the unrestricted dissemination of chemical abortion pills. Click here to view the flyer for this event.The event is free with no registration necessary!
LIFE CHAIN 2023
Sunday, October 1, from 2:00-3:30 PM
Intersection of Washtenaw and Huron Parkway
Be the Connection Between Crisis and Care
Life Chain is a positive, public pro-life demonstration promoting the value of all human life. We'll line the intersection, holding positive pro-life signs.
Join us to help women dealing with crisis pregnancies discover the great support available locally.
Be a witness: Pro-Life people are here to help!
Positive signs available on site. Donations deeply appreciated.
Please don't park in the lots of open businesses.
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.
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.
