SEPTEMBER 2020 the Symbol of St

SEPTEMBER 2020 The Symbol of St. Luke

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SCHEDULE CONTINUES FOR ALL 3 SERVICES 4pm Saturday 9am Sunday 10:30 am Sunday Livestreamed at www.facebook.com/StLucasLutheranChurch HOLY COMMUNION PROCEDURE At each weekend service you have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament. You are invited to have a small amount of bread and a small amount of wine (enough to consume at once) prepared for the conse- cration. Bread only suffices if you don’t wish to receive the wine. Please do not substitute anything for the bread and wine. Jesus promised to be present in bread and wine, not any substitute. We take him at his word and receive by faith. You do not need a Facebook account to bring up our page online and view services.

THANK YOU JOYCE In about serving in the thrift shop ministry? June Joyce Mason made Joyce: Helping the people who came in to the shop. We the decision to retire from know we were providing a service for our low income leading the Thrift Shop neighbors. You know, they could come into the shop ministry at St. Lucas. and then have lunch here (at Cindy’s Corner Café). Joyce has been directing the thrift shop since Octo- AOSL: What has been the most challenging part of ber of 2004, so she directing the thrift shop? served for sixteen years. Joyce: Nothing really. Our volunteers were always won- The thrift shop was derful. Maybe dealing with the pastor (laughs). Some- formed in what was the “Vintage Shop” of the rummage times getting so many donations that it was hard to sort, sale on the second floor of the Sunday School building. and also when some donations would come in with dirty At some point it was moved to the first floor in the main clothes. [St. Lucas stopped taking anonymous dona- rummage sale room. Pastor Billmieier had the idea that tions at the door for this reason]. It also got challenging since we had rummage being donated year round for our when my back began to bother me. I couldn’t do the rummage sales, it might be a good service to our neigh- standing it required. bors in need to offer low cost clothing and household AOSL: How do you see the thrift shop in relation to goods year-round. We interviewed Joyce regarding her the gospel of Jesus Christ? years of service with the thrift shop: Joyce: I think it’s been a very important ministry. We AOSL: What made you say “yes” when asked to di- have met people who have become church members rect the thrift shop at St. Lucas? because of the thrift shop. I think the Lord is very happy Joyce: I had worked for many years with Mary Frances we have done this to help people. Berger and Ruth Smeltzer in the Vintage Shop of the spring and fall rummage sales. When Ruth turned you Yvonne Reed has taken over as thrift shop director. down for running a thrift shop, I thought, “That’s some- For an interview of Yvonne see page….. thing I would like to do.” I thought I had the skills and would enjoy doing it. AOSL: What has been the most rewarding thing

Pastoral Acts Pastor Martin E. Billmeier

Dear St. Lucas Faith Community,

A number of years ago my partner, John, put the message to the left on our sign out front. “Come celebrate with God.” Is it still an appropriate message today? What do we have to celebrate at such a time as this? Much. We always have Jesus Christ to celebrate. He is our Savior. His mercy and steadfast love endure forever. We have the first article of the Creed to celebrate as well, “I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” God created this world in love and will not abandon us. God’s steadfast love endures forever. While we are at it, let’s also celebrate the Holy Spirit, who as Luther put it in the Small Cate- chism, “calls, gathers and enlightens” the whole Christian church on earth. Holy Spirit is why we are here at St. Lucas, why anyone who contributes in some way to this faith community is here. The Holy Spirit’s steadfast love endures forever and shows up in the church, as the Spirit witnesses to the Christ within us.

We also have other things to celebrate. In spite of a pandemic that has precluded in person worship, we have the technology to continue worshiping together via Facebook live stream. Not too long ago that would have been impossible. Holy communion is still being offered in various ways, whether via live stream worship or Zoom meeting. People who couldn’t worship with us before are now worshiping with us because we are on the internet. Something to celebrate.

We also have all the volunteers to celebrate, who come in during the week . We still serve lunch at our door and give out pantry food thanks to our volunteers who feel called to serve. We have reopened the thrift shop through sidewalk sales. Ministry is happening. That’s something to celebrate. Cindy’s Corner got a new stove for the kitchen. Something to celebrate. The community garden is producing food for our neighbors and members. Volunteers are coming in to work the garden. Something to celebrate.

The St. Lucas leadership team comprised of church council also is able to meet thanks to us having the Zoom technology to do it online. Leaders are seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance as they also seek to plan our way through these unusual times. Something to celebrate.

We have a rich variety of people at St. Lucas. Some like to work in the kitchen. Some in the garden. Some in the thrift shop. Some like to be on church council. Some have gifts of music. Some are good at liturgical arts. Some enjoy serving in the scrip program. Some have gifts for finance. Some like to serve in the worship space. Some have gifts for property maintenance. Some are good at prayer for this community. Some are very generous in giving to support the mission. All are reason to celebrate and all are celebrating with God the joy of knowing Jesus, whom we continue to serve unusual times or not.

It’s still appropriate to say, “Come celebrate with God.” Whether you come to the community virtually or in person you are invited to celebrate with God our salvation in Jesus Christ and all that God is doing in the community of faith called St. Lucas.

In Person Worship Policy at St. Lucas During Covid-19 Pandemic  When we are in a level one (yellow) risk we will have in person worship every Sunday with all advised protocols followed.  If we are at a level 2 (orange) risk we will have in person worship every other Sunday with all advised protocols followed.  For levels 3 & 4 (red or purple) risk we will have live stream worship only, no in person worship. Right now Lucas County is at a level 3 (red) risk, so we will have live stream only. In the event that we move from the current level red to a level orange or yellow in the middle of a week, we will wait one Sunday before re-instituting in person worship. If you are in a high risk group due to age or health condition we encourage you to stay home and watch the live stream worship, which will continue even if we are offering in person worship.

2 Acts of Education by Sharon Schaefer, Sunday School Correspondent Love, Learn, and Serve God

Surprise Surprise Surprise For those of you who are younger than I am, you may not hear Jim Nabors in his overly orchestrated Southern accent when you hear those words. For the rest of us, well . . . . In the Surprise Department, Joyce Mason handed over the reins of the Thrift Shop to Yvonne Reed. Although the Thrift Shop hasn’t been open for months because of COVID-19, limited work goes on. Hilde, as she is affectionately known, continues to sort, sort, sort with lots of sanitizer, masks and careful handling. A few weeks ago, a Sidewalk Sale was envisioned and happened very soon after, scheduled every Thursday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 until the weather no longer permits it. Only 1s, 5s and 10s can be used for purchases – no change please. Yvonne is well known at St. Lucas for her many, many contributions. She was baptized at St Lucas, the only child of George and Dorothea Etue, was confirmed here and has attended St Lucas her entire life except for the period of time her husband was transferred to Cleveland. Yvonne is a talented cook. A big part of the contributions she has made have been in that area. She was making homemade brownies yesterday to be included in the to go bags for Cindy’s Corner lunches. She orchestrated the publication of a St Lucas cook- book. She participated in countless Vacation Bible Schools and Sunday School picnics. She has been a Sun- day School teacher, has shared crafts with children, listened to children, been a friend to children, fed children. She has children and grandchildren. She has been active in WELCA and all the programs and events that are sponsored by WELCA and is the current Treasurer. She has been an Elder and a Visiting Elder. She has worked in the Thrift Shop for years, she cannot say how many, and has made many friends among the volunteers and the shoppers. Her relationship with Joyce Mason has grown throughout all of those years volunteering in the Thrift Shop. If Yvonne says she will do something, she will. You know how you get repeated messages re- minding you of upcoming appointments? Yvonne has never needed a reminder about her activities at St Lucas. Please pray for Yvonne as she transitions into this important new endeavor. The top slot of her wish list in big capital letters is to be able to reopen the Thrift Shop safely with some major modifications in terms of number of people allowed in, sanitizing surfaces, and protecting all the volunteers and shoppers. Yvonne’s cell 419-450-1211. ****************************************************************************** A Garden Surprise! We had to put on our weird Sherlock Holmes hats to figure this one out. Below is a photo of what we now know is a sorghum plant. It looked like corn had volunteered to grow on our mound. We could not tell what it was until the top colorful part appeared with what looks like hundreds of carefully placed beads. In the meantime an entire patch of these corn plants had appeared close to the first one. The !bird food! we use apparently has sorghum seeds. An unexpected but welcome Garden Surprise! Rudolf received a seed packet of Cali- fornia poppies many years ago on his May birthday from our sister, Julianne. We thought California poppies were annuals. Surprise! These grow every year, some years more vigorously than others. Their bloom cycle includes opening up golden flowers to the sun and light. When it starts to get dark, their flowers fold in on themselves. *****************************************************************************

A couple quotes to consider: Georgia’s night devotions on 8/20/20 included the words “Help us to seek the help we need.” Bruce in the FB broadcast of Equality Toledo on 8/27/20, “Some people in the faith community have not welcomed the stranger.”

3 cially our Lord Jesus!

Our new stove has finally arrived! It is beautiful and Angie loves it! Bob Alley from our church, hooked up the stove which saved us quite a bit of money. GOD IS GOOD!!! Everything is News going great at Cindy’s Corner. We average about 45 meals by volunteer Joy Huener given out daily and 10 boxes a week. We have an awesome crew and the Lord has been with us every step of the way!

Welcome to Autumn…this past summer has been very un- Trying to choose who will be the volunteer of the month is comfortable and HOT!!! I know some of you love the heat, but an exceedingly difficult task, because everyone here is so not this gal! awesome! But I have overlooked the most important member of our ministry, our Lord God! At the time of this writing, school is still in the works, but who knows for how long? The new coronavirus has come back with a vengeance, especially in the southern states The authorities in the know say we may never experience “normal” for a long time. That is a sobering thought. But enough of the bad news. How about some good news?

Cindy’s Corner is finally going back to normal, except we are still providing services to our community outside. But, we are back to our regular schedule of Monday thru Thursday. We show an empty picture because we do not know what We are taking the temps of all volunteers when they come in God looks like. We do know that without God, Cindy’s Corner each morning. EVERYONE is required to wear a mask. We would not exist, St. John’s God Squad would not exist. Even are taking this pandemic very seriously! We also placed white Cindy would not be here. God has given her the strength to tape on the sidewalk 6 feet apart. Majority of our community continue to do His work. He has provided everything Cindy does take this seriously. However, there are always some has needed for her ministry. He is truly providing for all of us. people who will not abide by the rules. He has given us Cindy’s Corner, St. John’s God Squad and now, St. Paul’s Cindy’s Uptown Café! When Cindy had a As you may know, Cindy opened another ministry at need, God provided for her. Praise be to God!!! St. John’s Lutheran Church (Cindy’s God Squad) on S. Erie several months ago. At first it was only on Wednesday, but We need to keep our children in our prayers. As school is now she is open on Monday as well! The response has been to reopen sometime in the future, (we are not to sure when) overwhelming and wonderful! Cindy is in the process of open- we not only have to pray for their safety but also their educa- ing another ministry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on N. Erie tion. E-learning is fine, but will they continue to study? Are the St. downtown. Keep her in your prayers that God will bless this parents’ home to enforce the schooling? We just lift our chil- start up at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. We will be there on dren to Jesus for safety and to protect their future. We need Friday’s only to serve lunch. St. Paul’s is a gorgeous church in more prayers for our communities. the heart of downtown. We hope to cater to the homeless, the runaways and the children. UPDATE ON St. Paul’s—Pastor Pete from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church tells us St. Paul’s has accepted Cindy’s program of Cindy’s Uptown Cafe! Cindy, Joy, Dottie (our cook), Norma Ramos and Savannah will be working there on Fridays starting on September 4. Again, God has answered Cindy’s prayer!

Cindy, Joy, Anna, Lavonda, George, Chris, Norma, and Dottie along with JFS placement supervisors, Louella and Laurie met with Pastor Pete Bowmer on August 14. It was a wonderful meeting! We again toured the facility and looked for places to place our desks. We are so excited to start this new chapter of

Cindy’s Corner. The Lord has blessed all of us and we are so grateful to be able to help our neighbors and honor God with Cindy is all smiles in front of the new stove for the kitchen provided our ministry. Thank you to all who made this possible, espe- by a generous grant from Zion Lutheran in Waterville. 4 St Lucas Community Garden News

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home; All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin; God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied; Come to God’s own Garden, come, raise the song of harvest home.

Good Things from The Garden ~in quantity! We have tomatoes ripening daily. The cherry tomatoes and the little yellow pear tomatoes are plentiful, while the larger ones are ripening in twos and threes. The basil is sending its wonderful scent all over the garden, and the eggplant and okra are outdo- ing themselves. are picking cucumbers, summer squash, peppers, and the first of the green beans. The green beans, purple beans, and yellow wax beans are starting to get big and tough – Pepper plants ripening they’ll be making dried beans for winter stews. The Kentucky Wonder climbers are still small and tender. In the middle rearmost bed we have a tomatillo plant, blooming its head off and growing lots of those tart green veggies that make great salsa, tasty salads, or add zest to guacamole! Just peel them out of their husks and use your imagination.

The zucchini and summer squash have fallen prey to their perennial enemy, Tomatoes on the vine the downy mildew. That has cut their production, but they put out a lot of squash while they were producing. There’s a lot of dill seed ripened and ready to harvest, and the parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme are Sunflower beauty plentiful, ready to flavor your fall cooking.

A Garden Thank You to Cody Bridenstine and Steve Junge who spent part of Sat- urday weeding our beds while I watered. I challenged them to tackle the growth on our hugelmound, which has gotten out of hand while I’m counting people for the census.

Call me at 419-244-2243 with garden questions or to offer help.

Seasonally,

Mike Biscay

5 Do You Remember This Puzzler? It appeared in the June Acts. Did you try to find all 30 Bible books? For the last 2 months Adolf Ruelke has been working away at solving this puzzler. On Aug 13 Hildegard delivered his complete answers. HE DID IT! Congratulations, Adolf. If you are stuck on this one, we might be persuaded to send you the answer key that we now have thanks to Adolf. ;)

THIS LITTLE PUZZLER COMES FROM THE “CONFERENCE CALL” NEWSLETTER PUT OUT BY REV. KURT MEYERS ON BEHALF OF THE ELCA CHURCHES OF THE TOLEDO CONFERENCE. ENJOY! CAN YOU FIND THEM ALL? There are thirty books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle, It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He en- joyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph, During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record, The local paper, The Chroni- cle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Hu- mana humbly puts it, “the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight.” Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper atti- tude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember that there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

FAREWELL & GODSPEED We wish farewell and godspeek to Russel Brohl. Russell informed us that he is moving to Columbus to take a job with the Post Office there. Russell is a liturgical arts artisan. Two of Pastor Billmeier’s chasubles were his crea- tions (a green one and a rose colored one for Gaudete and Laetare Sundays Russell Brohl,, left, with John in Advent and Lent). Pastor also Mensing at his moving sale picked up another blue chasuble at

his moving sale. Russell arranged for the donation of a tabernacle from (Episcopal) Church of the Good Shepherd in East Chicago, Indiana upon its closing. He made a new lining for the tabernacle Thank you for your response! Sue White-Johnson, as and procured a new finial cross, as well as cleaning it well as Pete & Peggie Morrison informed us this is Donated tabernacle sits to the left of the altar up Now we will be able to Phlox Paniculata. We are glad to have the mystery reserve consecrated Communion elements in the sanctuary instead solved. of in a cupboard in the sacristy and shallow shelf on the altar. Thanks & blessings in your new calling at the post office, Russell! 6

Yvonne Reed, Thrift Shop Director & Hildegard Ruelke, faithful worker

Our Thrift Shop is Back! Well, at least on Thursdays. They held their first sidewalk sale Thurs. Aug 13 in the Frank St. parking lot. And it was a big success. We will continue sidewalk sales on Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 when the weather permits. Thanks to Hildegard Ruelke, Jan Huffman, Su- san Lang and Yvonne Reed who helped and George Canady who helped set up tables in the parking lot. We have now had three Thursdays of sidewalk sales.

Ken Sikorski & Yvonne Reed serve as clerks on Aug. 27

7 OLD STOVE OUT, NEW STOVE IN

On Friday, August 28, we received delivery of the long awaited new stove for the kitchen, replacing what we think was the original stove when the Sunday School building was put up in 1956. We are grateful to Zion in Waterville which gave us a $5100 grant toward the project. Torrence Sound also donated $1,000 and the St. Lucas WELCA contributed another $1000 to complete the project. Our thanks to Torrence and the WELCA as well. We also thank Bob Alley and his property crew who hooked the stove up for us. We are guessing that this stove is more energy efficient and easier to use than the old one. Word is that Angie and Barb love it.

This project will not only help Cindy’s Corner Café at St. Lucas. It will also ben- efit all groups who use the kitchen for church events. When asked for comment, Cindy Kirk responded, "Praise the Lord! God is good!”

PEWS READY FOR IN PERSON WORSHIP WITH DISTANCING Our thanks to Jill Hojnacki, council viec-president, who spent hours in the sanctuary putting up gold patterned ribbon for our physical distancing requirements for in person worship. We are all ready as soon as the state of Ohio tells us Lucas County is no longer at a level 3 risk. There are spaces marked off for parties of 1 all the way up to six. Below left, Jill hard at work. Below right, the finished product.

8 A BLAST FROM THE PAST! The following is a message from Rick Charchol that appeared in the June 2006 edition of the Acts of St. Lucas when he was president of church council. We found it when looking for the thrift shop opening date going through old Acts. The message is still (and maybe especially) relevant today. A Message From Church Council President Rick Charchol (from Acts of St. Lucas June 2006) I recently read a book entitled, Real Faith for Real Life, by Michael Foss. He is the same author who wrote, Power Surge, the book from which Pastor Billmeier has so many times quoted, and who inspired Pastor’s “Six Marks of Dis- cipleship” homily series. In Real Faith for Real Life, Foss explains each mark of discipleship in detail. In explaining his first mark, daily prayer, Foss suggests a prayer format that I now use. Prior to reading his book, I always felt that my prayers were inappropriate and ineffectual. It seemed to me that I tended to ramble on and on and that God had more important things to attend to than to listen to me try and get to the point. I suspect that I am not alone in feel- ing this way. For that reason, I would like to share Foss’s prayer model with you. Foss says that daily prayer is a special time with God and that it ushers us consciously into the presence of the Crea- tor who promises to be with us always. He suggests that when we pray, we should; Take time to thank God for your blessings. Mention some blessings specifically. Next, talk about yesterday’s mistakes or today’s shortcomings. This part of the prayer is called confession. Whenever you confess, conclude your confession by giving thanks that God’s forgiving love has sought you out like a sheep gone astray and that you know heaven rejoices at the new beginning you have received by God’s grace. Tell God what you desire or need. Be honest. Share with God those things that are most important to you. Pray for others. Mention them by name and tell God your deepest hope and desire for them and their lives. Acknowledge that your vision is not as big as God’s so give those you are praying for into the care of God, who loves them more than any of us can imagine. At the end of your prayer, sit in silence. Ask God if there is something that you need to hear or think about. Let your soul listen. Foss challenges us to a thirty-day experiment. Pray daily for 30 days and take note of what happens with you – your response to stress, your outlook, your response to others. See what has happened in response to those for whom you have prayed and for those things you have asked for yourself. Ask God to help you see the working of God’s will. Then be spiritually alert. I printed these six prayer pointers on cardstock and at first, I held them as I prayed so that I was sure to include all six parts every time. Mention my blessings specifically Confess my sins Thank God for His forgiveness Tell God what I need Pray for others and put them in God’s hands Sit in silence and let my soul listen Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

9 ST. LUCAS PRAYER LIST Happy September Birthday Please remember these people in your pray- Say a prayer for each of these on their special ers: George Brasel, Phil Chambers, Carmen day. Ball, Georgia’s nephew Josh Barnes who has cancer, Ron and Peggy Ramm after his cancer Fritz Bloedow 3 diagnosis, Dan Markley’s cousin Kevin Parker Ann Hunter 5 Carl Hischka 6 who has cancer, our shut-ins: Bill Granger, Cher- DelAnna Coffman 7 yl Jones, Carl Hischka Tim Teague 9 Tyler Woody 12 WITH CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Bruce Taylor 15

OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS for Sally Sharon Schaefer 15 Wing at the death of her husband Jim Bob Alley 15 Sally Ortiz 16 Wing. Sally and Jim had been married Danny Wolfram Sr 17 16 years. A private graveside burial was Steve Tandler 18 being planned at the time we went ot press. Carmen Ball 20 Our sympathy and prayers also for Jan Hoffman at the death Joyce Mease 20 of her stepson Matthew in May. Pastor Billmeier conducted a Jill Hojnacki 21 Cheryl Jones 21 memorial service in Monroe, Michigan on August 8. Phil Chambers 25 Our sympathy and prayers for Ken Sikorski and family at the Georgia Steele 29 death of his uncle Stanley Sikorski.

St. Lucas Cindy’s Corner Report HAPPY SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY! Beginning Balance $10,053.30 Say a prayer for each of these cou- Received in July 3,460.50 ples on their special day. Disbursements (9,028.09) * Balance July 31 4,598.48 Rick and Annette Mason 13 *Includes payment for the new kitchen stove to be in- Rudolf & Sharon Schaefer 27 stalled soon! GENERAL FUND REPORT

SUNDAY SCHOOL WINDOW FUND Loan Amount $56,000 JULY 1 BALANCE $(1,265.94) Donations to dat 50,859.82 RECEIPTS 31,091.50 DISBURSEMENTS (18,843.01) Remaining Goal 5,141.18 JULY 31 BALANCE 10,982.55 BAL. LAST YEAR (22,247.10) PASTOR’S SUMMER APPEAL WE GIVE THANKS to the Lord who provides for St. Lu- AS OF 08/31/2020 cas through our members and friends. For the first Total rec’d to date $5,370.00 month since February we find ourselves in a deficit situ- The Summer Appeal is designated to capital improve- ation, but a much smaller deficit than last year at this ments for roof and outside stone work for the church. time. Please continue to pray for the stewardship and evangelism of our congregation, that the Lord will bless us with the Holy Spirit’s power in both of those areas.

10 Applying Bible Principles Stewardship Message

God wants us to ask for material possessions and other things we need.

“ . . . ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Luke 11:9).

God has a wonderful “system” by which we as God’s children are to get our needs met. It’s a very simple “system,” but somehow, we fail to utilize it as we should. Here’s the plan: God says we are to ask Him. Is that simple or what? We are to call unto God, to cry out our needs before God, to bring our petitions before God’s throne. But somehow, we must think God’s plan is too complex, for with most of us, asking God is the last thing we do when we have needs.

Oh, we’ll tell our friends. We’ll discuss our needs with any and all who have the patience and courtesy to listen. We’ll frequently complain about our problems, even to the extent of sometimes holding God responsible for God’s seeming failure to provide for us. But ask God? Usually we’ll do that only The result is a sad state of affairs among Christians. “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3). So our needs go unmet because either we do not ask or we ask with wrong motives.

J. Irvin Overholtzer was a pastor who was greatly used by God as the founder of Child Evangelism Fellowship. His philosophy of providing for the financial needs of this world-wide organization was this: “Ask God . . . and tell His people.” Yes, we need to share our needs with others. We ought to make others aware of opportunities for them to get involved in being used of God to meet those needs. But the first step in the entire process is this: “Ask God.”

And when we do, we can claim His promise stated so clearly in Jeremiah 33:3 — “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Say, do you have needs in your life today? Why not “ask God”? Why not come boldly to His throne? Why not take Him at His Word and “call” unto Him? That’s God’s plan for His children: “ . . . ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Luke 11:9).

Or as Eliza Hickock wrote a century ago, “I know not by what methods rare, but this I know: God answers prayer!”

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church 745 Walbridge Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43609 419-243-8189

Address Service Requested Time Sensitive Material Please Handle Promptly

September 2020 The Acts of St. Lucas Newsletter

Parish Staff Worship & Sunday School Times Martin E. Billmeier, Pastor Georgia Steele, Office Manager Saturdays: 4:00 p.m. Jamie Dauel, Organist Sundays: 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Ron Lang, Choirmaster Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Sept. to May ……., Custodian Wednesdays: 11:45 a.m.—Wednesday Chapel Church Council The Sacrament of Holy Communion and healing rite Brian Hoch, President; Jill Hojnacki, Vice-president, Jason Slough, Treasur- are offered at all services. er; Sharon Stofan, Secretary; Mike Biscay, Fritz Bloedow, Randy Hyter, David Jerman, John Kern, Cindy Kirk, Sally Ortiz, Diane Porter, LaVonda Mission and Vision Rodgers, Steve Seaton, Lorraine Willoughby, Pastor Billmeier ST. LUCAS PURPOSE STATEMENT: Parish Office Information Tuesday-Friday—9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The people of St. Lucas Lutheran Church invite and welcome everyone to enter and feel God’s presence. Phone: 419-243-8189 Fax: 419-243-8180 Secretary Email: [email protected] GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Pastor Email: [email protected] Cindy’s Corner: [email protected] 1. We believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Website: www.stlucastoledo.org 2. We embrace diversity and welcome all unconditionally. 3. We commit to live God’s Word and share the Good News. Northwest Ohio Synod 4. We strive for closer relationship with God and each other. Evangelical Lutheran Church In America 5. We demonstrate compassion and forgiveness through open 621 Bright Road, Findlay, Ohio 45840 hearts and open minds. 1-419-423-3664 Bishop: Rev. Daniel Beaudoin **Handicap Accessible Building** Website: www.nwos-elca.org Elevator Next to Handicap Parking on Walbridge Ave. Please come dressed as you are…ALL ARE WELCOME

AFFIRMATION OF WELCOME - adopted 1999 In accord with the gospel of Jesus Christ St. Lucas welcomes all. By this we mean we extend the radical welcome of Jesus Christ to people of every age, race, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic level, mental health diagnosis, recovery status, education level, or previous religious experience to participate in the sacramental life and work of our congregation.