We Tell Our Stories ST
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
We Tell our Stories ST. LUKE’S INSIDE-OUT HABITS We Study the Bible and Worship Isaiah 64:1-2 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! Isaiah 65:17-25 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. 19I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. 20No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. 21They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord— and their descendants as well. 24Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord. Joy to the World By Rob Landes I walked into St. Luke’s Sanctuary for the first time in 1957 for my first organ Sermon Notes lesson. That Sanctuary is now our Fellowship Hall. My lesson was on the December 8, 2019 Hammond organ. Bob Bennett was my teacher. That lesson was life-changing. A Saved World, Second in the Series, Savior Playing the organ would become my passion. In 1959, the new Sanctuary was built and a large pipe organ was installed. My first lesson on that organ would be yet another life-changing experience. What a massive instrument it was, and how overwhelmed I was the first time I sat down at that organ. Four keyboards! And • His people, not his persons. another keyboard on the floor played by the feet! I was so excited and wanted to learn everything there was to learn about the organ. Recently, Jim Roman and I presented an organ program to the young people of St. • Hopeful prayer Luke’s, “Pedals, Pipes and Pizza.” My first thought was that the youngsters would come mainly for the pizza, but as we began to explain the workings of the organ, I could see something happening. Something was sparking. We took the kids up to see the pipe chamber and all of the mechanisms of the organ. We also invited • Active waiting some of them up to the console and let them play a few notes on the organ. It was amazing to see the focus, and total fascination that some of them had as they made various sounds come out of the organ. I suddenly had a flash back of myself at that first organ lesson and I thought, “Good grief! This could be life-changing for some of these young people!” Somehow this simple event could change some Possible next steps for you of their lives. • Invite a friend to some event: the cocoa party today or Christmas I include the young people in my annual Christmas concert here at the church. As festival next Sunday or Christmas Eve. it happens, it is this afternoon at 4 p.m. in our Sanctuary! It is fun for me to sit and • Add “prayers for the world" to your daily prayer life. play familiar Christmas carols and pop Christmas songs for everyone. But the real joy of this concert, for me, is having the kids come up and sing with me. I see total joy in their eyes as they “perform” for their friends and families! How lucky I am to be able to make music with these young people. They feed my spirit. They let me Key verse for the week see the true meaning of the season of Christmas. Joy to the World! And Heaven “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the and nature sing! mountains would quake at your presence.” Isaiah 64:1 Questions for Conversation and Reflection #stlukeshouston /stlukeshouston What do you pray that God will do when God breaks in? We have a church app! Search St Lukes UMC Houston to download from the app store. How are you actively waiting for a savior of the world? We pray We make friends Sunday, December 8 learn your ways and to seek a better TODAY! Rob Landes Annual Family Christmas Concert and Cocoa Party Lord, your plan for salvation seems life. Show them the power of your love 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary | 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall so simple but is complicated. It and depth of your grace. Amen. It's your favorite holiday music plus a sing along with Rob and our children’s choirs. seems within reach but hard to Stay for the Christmas cocoa party, and by the way… Santa will be there! grasp, it seems wonderful but hard Thursday, December 12 to believe. Grow us in our faith and Heavenly Father, we pray for the TODAY! The Rotunda Gallery welcomes back painter Maryam Lavaf as Artist of understanding of your love so that we children who are without homes the Month for December. Stop by the gallery, located next to the Fellowship Hall, may be able to share your Good News and in the Foster Care system. Work any time this month to view her work and perhaps find something for your walls! with those who need to hear it. Give through us to provide for their needs Gallery proceeds help St. Luke's build and maintain our permanent art collection. us the right words to say at the right and to share your love and blessings time to plant seeds of faith in others. with them. Help them to experience Women’s Christmas Celebration | December 10 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Chapel Help us to share our stories. Amen. the joy of Christmas and bless them All women of the church are invited to hear an inspirational message from Rev. Michelle Manuel followed by Holy Communion, a traditional carol sing and festive with the gift of forever families. Amen. refreshments. For more information, call Pat Deckert at 713-334-6848. Monday, December 9 Heavenly Father, we confess that we Friday, December 13 Christmas Music Festival - Howard Goodall’s Christmas Cantata oftentimes focus on the things that Heavenly Father, we pray for our Sunday, December 15 | 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. | Sanctuary we lack rather than the blessings that children who are traveling home We welcome renowned composer Howard Goodall as he conducts the world you have given to us. Today, we offer for Christmas. Bless them with safe premiere of his Christmas Cantata, a seven-movement work compiled for the choirs up our hearts to you in gratitude, and travels and good times as they are of St. Luke’s and chamber orchestra. Try the 8:30 service for the most seating. we pray that you would bless us with reunited with family and friends. We opportunities to share your blessings also pray for our children who are Christmas Family Movie Night: The Star | Sunday, December 15 | 5 p.m. with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. unable to come home for Christmas Snack on popcorn, sip cocoa and watch the nativity story told by the animals on Amen. this year. Help us to find ways to the big screen in the Fellowship Hall. connect with them and share the joy Tuesday, December 10 of Christmas. Amen. Christmas Remembered Service | December 18, 7-8 p.m. | Chapel Heavenly Father, we pray for the Remember and cherish your loved one in a special worship service where we renew homeless people of Houston. We pray Saturday, December 14 our hope in Emmanuel. Please email Rev. Thomas Harper at that you would work through us to Dear Heavenly Father, during this [email protected] if you would like to have a picture of your loved one provide for their needs and that you season that we have turned into displayed during the service. would protect them. Help them to feel a busy time, help us to set aside your love and blessings. Amen. moments to remember what Christmas in the Chapel | Friday, December 20 | 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. | Chapel Christmas is really about. Let us recall Enjoy an intimate evening of Christmas music featuring Credo, St. Luke’s Chamber Wednesday, December 11 Christ bringing the love of God into Choir, under the direction of Ryan Jones. Gracious God, we pray for those who this world. Fill us with peace and joy are currently incarcerated. We pray and send us out to share moments of that you would redeem them, and the kindness and love of Christ with all We give ourselves away draw them close to you.