<p> ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH</p><p>JULY 2008 </p><p>CYPRESS MILL, TEXAS</p><p>WORSHIP SERVICES : WEDNESDAY 11 a.m.</p><p>SUNDAY 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.</p><p>The Rev. Tommy Bye, Vicar Liz Manning, Bishop’s Warden </p><p>Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:</p><p>Our call or our mission as a part of the Body of Christ at St. Luke’s, Cypress Mill, is certainly multi-level. However, our primary purpose as “the assembly of God’s people,” the church, must not be lost sight of. In other words, we must not lose the vision of ourselves as a missionary church. St. Luke’s is currently officially classified as a “mission” church in the Diocese of West Texas. While that is an institution classification, it begs the question, are we really a mission church?</p><p>I would assume that the difference between a parish church and a mission church originally had to do with the religious ministrations that were the right of all the inhabitants of a specific district. Such a district was originally known in the Church of England as a parish or a “cure of souls.” The ministrations of the church would specifically include Baptism, Holy Communion and Holy Matrimony. The ministry of the church would also be expected at the time of death. To some extent this understanding of a parish church speaks to maintaining the spiritual lives of those who are already Christians. On the other hand, the designation of “mission” would indicate the planting and growing of a church.</p><p>When considering parish life versus mission life, one might become confused about what we are called to do. However, we must not fall into the error of seeing ourselves as one or the other. It has been said that the purpose of the church is to worship God and that the mission of the church is to bring people to Christ. It stands to reason then that one cannot exist without the other. As Christians, we cannot worship God if people do not become disciples of Christ, but people will not be disciples of Christ if they do not worship God through the sacraments. The commandments of Jesus are that we believe in Him, repent of our sins, be baptized and that we receive His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. Finally, He calls us to make disciples of all nations, the Great Commission, thereby giving us the “mission” of the church.</p><p>I recently heard some parishioner say that they liked the idea of being a “mission” church. I believe that all Christian churches must always consider themselves “mission” churches and understand exactly what that means. The mission of the church is to restore all persons to unity with God through Jesus Christ. If we do this by planting and growing (making disciples), then St. Luke’s has accomplished the first part (planting), and to some degree, some of the other part (growing). However, if we are to see ourselves as mission, as all churches must, then it is incumbent on us to continue the second with it foremost in our minds. We must never lose our sense of mission or our willingness to be a missionary church. In all that we do, we must be about the mission of the church. We must always be about making disciples of Christ.</p><p>Yours in Christ, Fr. Bye +</p><p>A LETTER FROM BOB AND FRANA</p><p>Dear Family at St. Luke’s:</p><p>Impelled by the Spirit of Jesus Christ at Cursillo in March 1990 and with the robust support of our St. Luke’s community, we began mission trips to Siguatepeque, Honduras, Central America. We’ve been a dozen times and are still involved in the building of a birthing center for the indigent women of that growing community.</p><p>We have also been on three similar trips to existing missions in the Diocese of Southeast Mexico. We have not as assiduously sought the support of our St. Luke’s fellowship; and our efforts in Mexico have not been as fruitful.</p><p>We’re off again to far flung parts of the world! This time it is not so much for our own education or pleasure as it is for Jesus’ sake that we go. On July 15th, we will fly from Austin to Houston, to London, to Nairobi, Kenya to Lusaka in the southeastern African country of Zambia.</p><p>This is an E3 Mission trip. “E3 Partners” is an organization of over 20 years which organizes and teaches ordinary folks like us to go on short Christian missions the world over. We will be with a Medical and Church Planting group and are being taught how to go out into the bush to tell the gospel story to people, many of whom have never heard the name of Jesus! We are both overwhelmed!</p><p>We have been sent all manner of literature from the E3 Mission Organization, which, incidentally stands for Equip, Evangelize, and Establish. They teach or equip us to do mission work, to tell the good news of Jesus Christ, and to help establish new churches. Prayer is the groundwork and basis of this mission. Prayer for God to be in charge of the whole mission trip, for preparation of the hearts of the people with whom we will go and whom we will serve; prayer for safety; prayer for all medicines and team travel expenses and for reading glasses to be donated.</p><p>Not each of us is called to go out into the field, but we are each called to the Great Commission, so please join our team by prayer, donating good used or new reading glasses, or in any other way you feel called to participate.</p><p>With God’s Love, Bob and Frana</p><p>DISCOVERING ST. LUKE’S</p><p>“My St. Luke’s Story”</p><p>I saw it for the first time when I was 4 or 5 years old, back around 1958 or so. Dad was friends with Corky Cox and B.W. Fuchs, and we often went to their ranches in Cypress Mill. It was a beautifully simple little church, out in the middle of nowhere. It looked so different than any other church I had ever seen. Sometimes we’d stop at the store across the street and I’d sit on the store’s porch drinking a Coke of some sort while focused on the beauty of the church (every brand of soft drink was a Coke back then in my vocabulary). Then back to one of the ranches for hopefully a swim in the Pedernales or in Cypress Creek.</p><p>One day in the 60’s, a new church was built in Westlake Hills, my boyhood stomping grounds. Dad said it was an Episcopal church, like the one in Cypress Mill. We started attending the new church and liked it. Mom and Dad were very active in the church, and I enjoyed serving my church as acolyte. Later, Dad started a Boy Scout troop and our troop met at that church.</p><p>When I reached driving age, I’d always take the Cypress Mill route when driving from Austin through Johnson City. The route was sure to give me the pleasure of seeing plenty of deer, and sometimes turkey. I’d pass the church heading west and enjoy the caliche road all the way to Highway 281, where I’d either turn south toward Johnson City or continue west through Sandy. I always paused a second at the church, remembering it from earliest days. Sometimes, in my early 20’s, I’d head to Cypress Mill after a hectic day in Austin just to drive the roads and watch deer and get a glimpse of the serenity of Cypress Creek where it crosses RR 962. I always paused at the church, but never checked to see if the door was open.</p><p>I married at age 25. She had been my high school sweetheart, but we had not seen much of each other since then. As we were reunited, I began attending an Episcopal church once more with her family. As I fell in love with her, I sensed that God had brought her back into my life to care for her as “His daughter” until she returned to Him. Sadly, she returned to Him all too soon, only 9 months after our marriage. But through the suffering I experienced after her death here, it became so apparent that God was with me every second in my pain, and soon I began to even see that He had been so closely with us in the weeks prior to her death, giving us blessings before her sudden and unexpected death that would later hasten my recovery. I discovered a real talent for being able to recognize His blessings all around me. I figured that God and I had sort of a bond in that He had experienced suffering when His Son was nailed to the cross by man. That bond soon grew into a much deeper “Father/son” relationship.</p><p>I later remarried. Twenty-four years later that marriage ended in divorce. Caught me totally by surprise and dropped me to my knees on the way to the wallowing in pity on the ground. I was fortunate at that time to be invited to care for a small ranch near Spicewood, as I needed a place to live and recover. The ranch at Spicewood was just another of thousands of blessings I have been able to see, as the day I received the ranch invitation I was ready to move into a 500 square foot cabin near Johnson City that had no plumbing.</p><p>While in Spicewood, I got back in the habit of driving to Cypress Mill around dusk to watch deer. Of course, these drives included passing the little church there. Once I stopped and checked the lock, only to find that they had “forgotten” to add one to the door (figured the church must have budget problems). As I opened the door, the west sun was pouring light through the small window at the top of the west wall. It was a beautiful sight. The kneeler at the front was a warm and welcome sight, and I knelt and thanked God for putting me on the path that returned me to Cypress Mill.</p><p>I returned the following Sunday and felt like I was at a family reunion. They were all new to me, but they did not come across as “strangers”. I’ll never forget the friendly smile that Mike Kelley gave me as I sat down for the first time. Sure didn’t take long to meet everyone, either. Of course, folks asked where I lived and I told them “Spicewood”. Some asked what led me to Spicewood. I struggled to say “divorce” without revealing my shame. But most everyone I said that to just kind of matter-of-factly smiled and replied, “Yep, I’ve been there, too” (and they weren’t talking just about Spicewood). I was amazed at how many nice people at this church had been through divorce. They held their heads high, were full of faith, and helped me deal with my divorce shame just by being “them”. Many had even remarried and seemed wonderfully in love, like they had been married to each other and deeply in love forever. They were a needed breath of fresh air to my spirit. Just another blessing from God. - one of millions by this point in life. And so many more to come!</p><p>“Lord’s Peace” to all my “family” at St. Luke’s. Your presence at St. Luke’s about 2 years ago was another blessing in my life from God. And you’re a blessing still to this day and for years to come, I pray. Since I view you as family, you are welcome to take a look at my photo website located at http://dongrayphotos.site.shutterfly.com./ Be sure and see the “My Church” page. Great photos of St. Luke’s, the stained glass, and the people.</p><p>Don Gray</p><p>KEEPING IN PRAYER….. Cynthia, Peggy, Lee Paul, Jeannie, Lila Gene, Patti, Betty, Sandy, Harrison, Buddy, Steve, Rebecca, Carrie, Trevor, Danny, Margaret, Bob, Ethan, Eleanor, Merry Nell</p><p>WEBSITE PRAYER LIST A prayer list page has been added to the St. Luke’s website. The church’s website address is: http://www.stlukes-cm.org/. This website prayer list will not replace the separate “hard copy” list maintained at the church. The prayer list is empty at the moment, so please submit names now. To view the prayer list, click on “Prayer List” in the left-hand column on the church website’s “Home Page”.</p><p>To add or delete someone from the website prayer list, send an e-mail to: [email protected] Don Gray has volunteered to monitor this address and to submit changes to the website manager (George Cofran). To keep the prayer list current, every few weeks Don will contact those who submitted names and ask if the name should be continued or removed (unless they contact him first). God answers prayer in His own way, so there will not be a time limit imposed on how long someone’s name remains on the list.</p><p>You can submit first name, first and last name, initials, or whatever you desire. You can also submit yourself, groups or places, such as “our troops in the Middle East,” or “for precious rain in Central Texas.” If desired, the need for the prayer can be included. Just remember that any private information should not be submitted unless the person for whom the prayer is requested has agreed. Feel free to add friends and family to the website prayer list as needed.</p><p>BISHOP’S COMMITTEE The next Bishop’s Committee meeting will be held on Monday, July 28th, at 6 p.m. in Swope Hall.</p><p>NEW GROUP FORMING A small group meeting for women will take place each Wednesday morning at 9:15 a.m. in Swope Hall. Small group ministries consist of a group of friends who meet weekly and share their life in Christ together.</p><p>Many of us have given much thought to making spiritual commitments consisting of prayer, personal devotions, Holy Communion, reading and study, to only discover weeks or months have passed and we have not started our new spiritual commitments or missed them for weeks without realizing it. Meeting weekly to share our experiences of the previous week with our friends concerning our spiritual journey is helpful in our focus of that pursuit.</p><p>Wonderful by-products are the close friendships that develop, and the encouragement we give to each other in our spiritual journey. In a fun and casual setting, we share our serious intentions to grow closer to Christ and serve Him better. More information will be provided on any Wednesday you would like to join us. If you have questions, please call either Connie Bye (830-693-4577), or Sally Smith (414-801-8022).</p><p>MORNING PRAYER Father Bye is now holding Morning Prayer services each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. These are in addition to the weekly Wednesday 11 a.m. Holy Communion services.</p><p>ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday, July 13th, will be the beginning of a new series of classes that will be led by Father Bye. They will take place each Sunday for 12 weeks, at 9:15 a.m., in Swope Hall. “Practice of the Christian Faith” is the name of the series, and Father Bye said the instruction is designed for not only those who desire to be confirmed, but also for those who want to renew their commitment to Christ. The Adult Sunday School group will be participating in this learning experience. Please come and join us!</p><p>ANNIVERSARIES 7/6 Thomas and Paula Sumners 7/13 Owen and Stella Smith</p><p>LAY READERS 8 a.m. service: 7/6 John Stephenson 7/13 Frana Keith 7/20 Amy Keith 7/27 David Greene</p><p>10:15 a.m. service: 7/6 Pat Burleson 7/13 Mike Kelley 7/20 Thomas Sumners 7/27 Monique Ragsdale</p><p>ACOLYTES 10:15 a.m. service: 7/6 Quentin Jameson 7/13 Joseph Stephenson 7/20 Ian Stephenson 7/27 Christie Schroeter</p><p>ALTAR GUILD 7/6 Gail Moreman 7/13 Paula Sumners and Sandi Burleson 7/20 Sandy Hodges and Sue Peterson 7/27 Rita Reiner and Connie Bye</p><p>GREETERS AND USHERS 10:15 a.m. service: 7/6 Pat Burleson 7/13 Don Gray 7/20 Rick Schroeter 7/27 Ann Bond 8 a.m. service: Fielding Reiner (if available)</p><p>TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY The 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Bible study group is now studying Mark. They will continue throughout the summer. For more information, please contact Ann Walton, (830) 825-3474.</p><p>MEN’S PRAYER GROUP The men of the church still hold a regular Wednesday morning prayer meeting at 6 a.m. in Swope Hall. Anyone who would like to join them is welcome. Please contact Mike Kelley for further information at (830) 825-3490.</p><p>ST. LUKE’S ONLINE If you would like to go online to view information and upcoming events at St. Luke’s, please go to our website: www.stlukes-cm.org</p><p>NEWSLETTER INFO</p><p>IF AN ANNIVERSARY, BIRTHDAY OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL DAY HAS BEEN INADVERTENTLY LEFT OUT, PLEASE LET US KNOW.</p><p>PLEASE SUBMIT ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE FOR THE NEWSLETTER AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH. CONTACT CHRISTIE SCHROETER AT (830) 825-2102.</p>