Lutherans up North

Lutherans Up North

April - June 2015

ST. LUKE’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

9 Alma Road, Headingley LS6 2AH

Tel: 01132 759042

stlukeslutheranchurch.org.uk

Pastor Libby Toomsalu: 01274 615 365

Mobile:0778 099 7532

Pastor Mark Hardy: 0779 552 2229

Deacon Seija Frears: 01904 705 238

Chair of the Congregation:

Katrina Kay:0790 8191 595

Organist: Nev Mosey: 01132 632578

Church Warden: Eon Michaelides

Do not fear little flock

Some excerpts from Pastor Libby’s sermon for the AGM

As Conrad asked us a couple of years ago –

are we still viable? We’re a very small congregation, with limited financial resources -so what are the implications this might have for our future? …..

In one of his sermons, Luther asked a very pertinent question,

“It requires an effort to hear the Gospel and to live according to it. God be praised, we have the Gospel; that no one can deny, but what do we do with it? We are concerned only about learning and knowing it, and nothing more.”

Of course, there should be more, and so I want to reflect on Jesus’ message, which begins:

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

and contains that wonderfully loving verse:

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Do not worry. Do not be afraid.

How do we live according to these words?

When Jesus used such a term as “little flock” when talking to his disciples, he knew their numbers were small, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t planning on still doing something great through them.

Our numbers may be small, but I’m sure we still have a part to play in God’s plan. I can’t prove this - I can only sense God’s presence among us, guiding and supporting us. Our hope, trust and faith as Christians is, that we don’t have to worry because God is with us.

Look again at our reading from Joshua, which tells us:

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God’s constant presence is with us no matter what the future holds.

So, the question I want us to ask ourselves today is how do we, as the community of St; Luke’s,

live out the Gospel message that we should not fear for our future, but rejoice in God’s faithfulness to us…..

As another of our readings taught us, we should:

“Live such good lives ,,, that, ….. they may see your good deeds and glorify God.”

And that meansworshiping and praying, sharing and giving, and lovingand serving so that God may be known.

We are in God’s hands, and can look forward without worrying to our future journey with him,

wherever it may take us.

A Prayer for our church

God our Father,

we give thanks for those who first had a vision of a church in this place to worship and serve you.

we also give thanks for our present and to our future with hope.

We pray that in the goodness of your love,your guidance will always be present.

Fill us with a vision for what we could be.

In times of uncertainty when we fall into fear and worry, show us the opportunities we have, and remind us of our priorities in relationship with you.

God of our future, may we walk boldly into what may come, and as a people of faith and hope, be found faithful in the world in which we live.

Amen

Before our AGM began, everyone was asked to complete a short questionnaire, to help us to reflect on St. Luke’s life and to make some plans for our future.

The responses were very positive and encouraging and contained some interesting suggestions which I hope we will be able to pursue. These included:

Visit other local churches and invitations for them to visit us
More Prayer Days
Retreat at St. Luke’s Day
Visits to other Lutheran congregations, and invitations to them to visit us
Closer contact with other congregations using the church
New financial strategies, including encouraging bequests, a ‘Hymn Sing”, another Vintage Tea Party, and a Garden Party

If you have any other suggestions to develop our spiritual and social life, develop local ecumenical involvement, or to help improve our financial situation, please let me know.

If you would like a copy of the questionnaire just let me know and I will send one to you.

A vote was taken to adopt the Articles of Association in order to proceed with applying to become a registered charity, which is now a legal requirement for churches. With one abstention, the vote to do this was unanimous. The Trustees will now explore the next stage of the procedure.

Reports were received from Bishop Walter, Pastors Libby and Mark, Deacon Seija, and Peter Sandeman (on behalf of the House Trust.) Copies of these will be available from the church office.

There was no financial report due to Conrad Volkerrecovering from the operation he underwent recently. He sent apologies and asked that all members of St. Luke’s should be thanked for their kindness and good wishes. I am very grateful for all that he does as our Treasurer, and thank God that his recovery is progressing well. Please continue to keep him and Penny in your prayers.

As we work on preparing a budget for the coming year, I would ask everyone to consider regular giving to the church by standing order each month, and completing a Gift Aid form which, as you know increases your donation by 25%. The average contribution to St. Luke’s by this method is £22.00 per person each month, and I would like to thank everyone taking part for their generous support of our church.

Approximately 30% of our members donate in this way, so I would ask again, that those of you who have not yet completed a standing order form to please do so to ensure St. Luke’s a regular “income” and a more secure financial future.

We are so pleased to offer our congratulations to Kevin and Lahya on the birth of their daughter, Lilac Penehafo, (There is Happiness), onFebruary 8th, a sister for Franklin.

Lilac will be baptised during our Easter Day Communion Service on Sunday April 5th at 10.30 am. Please come and share this joyful occasion with them.

There will also be an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden after the service.

Peter Sandeman has promised to provide us with his famous pancakes, so do come and join us.

As April and May have various social events taking place, it seems sensible to wait until June for our next Parish Dinner. To celebrate Midsummer Day, the dinner will be held on Saturday June 20th.

An attendance list will be put on the notice board outside the office nearer the date, but please put the date in your diary now.

The Annual Synod of the LCiGB will take place at the International Students’ Centre in London on Saturday April 25th. Pastors Libby and Mark will be attending, and Annette Higgins will also be going as St. Luke’s representative.

Twinning

with Harare South Parish

Pastor Libby with ElimosMsekiwa after signing a Twinning Agreement between our two churches in which we agree “to work towards a better understanding of each other’s life and a sharing of our faith; rejoice with each other and support each other in our joys and sorrows; inform each about what is happening in our churches and in our wider communities; and to exchange messages, written or spoken, photographs and other media between our two churches.”

Pastor Libby gave Elimos a 400thAnniversary Edition of the King James Version of the Bible to take back to his congregation as a gift from St. Luke’s.

We look forward to receiving news from them very soon.

Pastor Libby will be on holiday at Northallertonfrom April 14th – 21st, but can be contacted on her mobile phone at any time.

A Message for those of you who still receive “Lutherans Up North” by post

If you now have an e-mail address, would you please inform Pastor Libby, so that your copy can be sent electronically in order save on our ever increasing postage costs.