St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church

~Our Mission Statement~ St. Luke is called to proclaim the gospel, transform lives and make disciples for Jesus Christ.

~ Our Vision Statement~

Through the Holy Spirit, God is calling us to ministries of excellence which embrace and nurture children, youth, adults, and families to reach their God-given potential; to be advocates and prophetic voices in the “Community” for all oppressed peoples.

~ Our Core Values ~

We Celebrate Our African American Heritage and Culture

Dynamic, transformational, spirit-filled Praise and Worship

We Embrace Diversity and Inclusiveness

The caring and nurturing of “The Village”

We Educate Through Reflective Study of the Scriptures

Supporting Academic Excellence & Higher Education

We Dedicate Ourselves To Community Involvement

The Struggle for Liberation & Social Justice A Lifestyle of Stewardship, Prayer, and Spiritual Discipline

The Making of Disciples for Jesus Christ A Ministry of Excellence

St. Luke Church Hours of Operation

Office hours are 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday.

The church office is closed on Friday.

If you have suggestions on what you’d like to see in future issues of this newsletter, please email Minister Yvette R. Blair, at yrblair@gmail.com or Monya Logan at mlogan@slcumc.org. We welcome your ideas and feedback!

February is National Heart Month . We will spotlight two heart disease survivors in an effort to raise awareness

about the serious threat of heart disease, especially in women. Heart disease is the number one cause of death of

all Americans and claims the lives of nearly 400,000 women each year. Learn the risk factors and warning signs!

In Next Month’s Issue...

The St. Luke Newsletter is published monthly and is

available for members and visitors. Members can

receive copies electronically by registering at the

website, www.slcumc.org.

A limited number of printed copies are available at the

church.

Editor/Writer/Designer: Minister Yvette R. Blair

Managing Editor: Monya Logan, Minister of Music

Proofreaders: Carolyn Howard, Ellen Martin

St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church

Rev. Tyrone Gordon, Senior Pastor * 5710 East R. L. Thornton Freeway * Dallas, TX 75223 Rev. Derek Jacobs, Campus Pastor, South Campus * 1615 N. Hampton Road Suite 140 * De Soto, TX 75115

Office Phone: 214. 821. 2970 * Fax: 214. 821. 3791 * Website: www.slcumc.org

Worship Celebrations 8:00 am * 11:00 am

Central Campus 10:00 am

South Campus * De Soto Pastoral Staff :

Rev. Tyrone Gordon Senior Pastor

Associate Pastors: Rev. Derek Jacobs Rev. Cottrell King

Dr. Michael Greene Rev. Bob Davis

Rev. L. Charles Stovall

Pastor Emeritus Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes

A New People for a New Year Reflections from Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Tyrone D. Gordon

“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’ “ (Joshua 3:5) A New Year brings with it the excitement of the possibilities that can be ours. It is God’s way of giving us another chance to start fresh, put the past behind us and move forward to our new future. It is my prayer that as a church, we will approach 2011 with an appetite and longing for what God will do, and can do through us as we continue our faith walk toward our destiny. This is an opportunity for us to reflect on where we’ve been and to look toward what God has in store for us. Let’s

approach this New Year with open minds to see how God will lead and direct us. God has so much waiting in the wings for those who are faithful. I don’t know about you, but I’m going into 2011 with a sense of added anticipation because I still believe that God is able to accomplish more than we can imagine, ask or even plan. I pray God’s blessings upon your New Year and God’s favor on St. Luke! I am asking every member to join me in a period of Consecration during the month of January, from the 3rd through the 30th. This will be a period of prayer, fasting and consecration to what God would have for us as a church. I’m asking those who are able to join me in a weekly fast on Wednesdays during the month of January, from 6:00 am - 6:00 pm. We will have a Consecration Service on Wednesday, January 12 at 6:30 pm.

Joshua 3:5 says, “Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’ “ Let’s stand on the edge of hope, expecting God to do amazing things in 2011! I believe God! Be blessed and have a happy New Year! Pastor G

January 2011 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not

to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Join St. Luke for our weekly fast on Wednesdays throughout January.

We will fast from 6:00 am - 6:00 pm as we consecrate ourselves before the Lord.

Photo: www.johncolsonphotos.com

Lay Leadership Workshop

A Workshop for All Church Leaders

Saturday, January 8, 2011 * 8:30 am - Noon

Leaders - these are the people who are committed to serving, equipped with the gifts of

leadership and dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of others, all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. At St. Luke, we are blessed to have a talented group of leaders, lay and clergy, whose first priority is being a disciple of Jesus Christ and doing the important work that He has called us to do. As we plan for the New Year and await all that God has for us in 2011, we are inviting all church leaders to attend the Lay Leadership Workshop on Saturday, January 8, 2011. The workshop will be held at the Community Life Center, located on East Grand, and is for all leaders - Associate Pastors, Church Council members, Ministry Area leaders, Ministry Chairs, etc. Registration begins at 8:30 am. The workshop ends at Noon. For more information, contact Michael Anderson, the Vice Chair of the Lay Leadership Ministry or call the church Office at 214. 821. 2970.

Installation of Officers

On Sunday, January 9, 2011, we will install our church officers.

Let us come together on one accord, praying for our officers and praying

that their leadership will glorify God!

Youth Lock-In ~ Jan. 15 Calling all youth! The Youth Lock-In begins on Saturday, January 15, 2011. Here’s what’s happening: 12:00 am (Midnight) at Celebration Station in Mesquite; we will have Praise Service, breakout sessions, games, food and fun 6:00 am ~ “A Grand Slam Breakfast” at St. Luke’s Central Campus 9:00 am ~ “Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade” at Dallas City Hall 12:00 pm (Noon) ~ Parents pick up youth Registration is $30 for each youth and takes place after the Worship Celebration. For more information, email Wynona Harris at hunter21@swbell.net

Photographer John Colson captured the experience at our Annual Hanging of the Greens and at the Married Couples’ Christmas Soiree. You can view more of his photos at www.johncolsonphotos.com.

Annual Hanging of the Greens * December 2010

Married Couples Christmas Soiree * December 2010

photos: John Colson, www.johncolsonphotos.com

a look back at 2010...

Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. African Heritage Lecture Series

January 31 - February 2, 2011 ~ 7:00 PM

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?

YOU SHOULD. Rev. James Lawson is truly one of the invisible giants of the civil rights movement. For more than 50 years, Rev. Lawson has provided leadership and been instrumental in organizing many of the pivotal events of the movement: 1960 – Nashville sit-ins; 1961 – Freedom Rides; 1966 --James Meredith March Against Fear; 1968—Memphis Sani-tation Workers Strike; and many others. He has been cited as the leading theoretician of nonviolent direct action as a tool of resistance in the modern day civil rights movement. Rev. Lawson continues to this day to organize, train, and teach the power of organizing and nonviolent direct action in creating justice for all. He is prominently featured in the upcoming PBS American Experience Documentary, Freedom Riders which will premiere in May, 2011. In 1999, Rev. Lawson retired from Holman United Methodist Church after serving as pastor for 25 years. The Sankofa African Heritage Ministry is honored that Rev. Lawson will be the guest lecturer for the annual Zan W. Holmes, Jr. African Heritage Lecture Series, January 31 – February 2, 2011 at 7:00 pm. Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to hear from a true civil rights movement veteran. In this month of celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and as we approach Black History Month, we encourage you to visit the links provided below for more information on Rev. Lawson. The Zan W. Holmes, Jr. African Heritage Lecture Series, established in 1987 by Pastor Emeritus Zan W. Holmes, Jr. is a time of learning, celebration and reflection on ‘who we are and whose we are’. In the words of Dr. Holmes, “the lecture series is for those who aren’t afraid to have their minds stretched.” Throughout the years, brilliant scholars, theologians and preachers have shared their scholarship, their insight, and their knowledge. Beginning with inaugural speaker Dr. Henry H. Mitchell, presenters have included Drs. Charles Copher, Randall Bailey, Renita J. Weems, Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Cain Hope Felder, Carolyn Ann Knight, and Stacey Floyd-Thomas representing the best and the brightest of academia and the church. In 2004, upon the recommendation of St. Luke senior pastor, Rev. Tyrone D. Gordon, the lecture series was renamed the Zan W. Holmes, Jr. African Heritage Lecture Series and continues to bring speakers to address our heritage and our hope. Each night following the lec-ture series the African Marketplace will be open with vendors selling culturally specific items. If you are interested in obtaining booth space, please email sankofa_stluke@yahoo.com . We look forward to your joining us on January 31-Feb 1 as Rev. Lawson leads us in three nights of critical examination of our history, our faith, and our responsi-bility in the continuing struggle. For more information, call the church office at 214.821.2970. Links for information on Rev. James Lawson: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/people/james-lawson

http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/witnesses/james_lawson.html

http://www.crmvet.org/riders/11mslet.htm

* Photo above- Police ‘mug shot’, Freedom Rides, Jackson, Mississippi, May 24, 1961

Consecration Service ~

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

6:30 PM

Each Wednesday in January, we are fasting from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm as

we pray and anticipate the

amazing things that God will do

for St. Luke!

African American Pastors Coalition - MLK Worship Celebration Monday ~ January 17, 2011 ~ 11:00 AM

featuring Guest Speaker, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

MICHAEL ERIC DYSON has been hailed as one of the nation’s most

inspiring African Americans . He has won the NAACP Image Award

twice and Ebony Magazine named his as one of the most influential 100

black Americans. He has been credited with revitalizing the role of the

public intellectual with the fervor of an ordained Baptist preacher.

He is the author of nearly 20 books, most of which concentrate on

significant commentary about modern social and intellectual thought.

He does this by weaving in strands of cultural criticism, race theory,

religion, philosophical reflection and gender studies. He is a professor

of sociology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC and he hosts

the Michael Eric Dyson show on WEAA 88.9 FM in Baltimore, MD.

Photo: www.johncolsonphotos.com

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of the most iconic leaders in world history. A renowned preacher, author, civil rights leader and champion for social justice, Dr. King ‘s “March on Washington” in 1963 was one of the largest demonstrations of people of all races coming together for social change. It is where King, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech as more than 25,000 supporters joined him on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

It is in the spirit of that march, and of remembering King who was assassinated in 1968, that St. Luke will gather with others at the Martin Luther King, Jr. March at Dallas City Hall on Saturday, January 15, 2011.

Oh Baby! New Birth Recognition, Sunday, January 16, 2011

Babies are a gift from God and at St. Luke we want to recognize the precious gift that God has given to you. If you had a new birth in 2010 and did not register your child, please call the church office to do so. The deadline for your baby to be included in the New Birth Recognition is Wednesday, January 12. We will recognize and offer prayer for all babies during the Worship Celebration on Sunday, January 16. For more information, call the church office at 214. 821. 2970.

Martin Luther King, Jr. March at Dallas City Hall

Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 * 9:00 AM

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one of the most iconic leaders in world history. A renowned preacher, author, civil rights leader and champion for social justice, Dr. King ‘s “March on Washington” in 1963 was one of the largest demonstrations of people of all races coming together for social change. It is where King, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech as more than 25,000 supporters joined him on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

It is in the spirit of that march, and of remembering King who was assassinated in 1968, that St. Luke will gather with others at the Martin Luther King, Jr. March at Dallas City Hall on Saturday, January 15, 2011.

Oh Baby! New Birth Recognition, Sunday, January 16, 2011

Babies are a gift from God and at St. Luke we want to recognize the precious gift that God has given to you. If you had a new birth in 2010 and did not register your child, please call the church office to do so. The deadline for your baby to be included in the New Birth Recognition is Wednesday, January 12. We will recognize and offer prayer for all babies during the Worship Celebration on Sunday, January 16. For more information, call the church office at 214. 821. 2970.

Rev. Dr. Renita Weems

Guest Preacher Sunday, January 30, 2011

Rev. Dr. Renita Weems is a biblical scholar, a

writer, an ordained minister, a public thinker,

and a full-time blogger whose scholarly insights

into modern faith, biblical texts, and the role of

spirituality in everyday lives make her a much

sought after writer and speaker. Dr. Weems,

formerly a member of the faculty of Vanderbilt

University and former William & Camille Cosby

Visiting Professor at Spelman College, was

named by Ebony Magazine as one of America’s

top 15 preachers.

Dr. Weems is a popular radio and television

personality, regularly providing expert com-

mentary on religion, gender, race, and sexuality.

A contributing writer to Essence Magazine in

the 1990s, Dr. Weems is the author of several

widely-acclaimed books on women’s spirituality

and wholeness: “Just a Sister Away” (1987 &

2005), “I Asked for Intimacy” (1993), “Showing

Mary: How Women Can Share Prayers, Wis-

dom and the Blessings of God” (2003), and

“What Matters Most: Ten Passionate Lessons

from the Song of Solomon” (2004).

An ordained elder in the AME Church since

1984, Dr. Weems has written about the waxing

and waning of faith all believers endure on the

spiritual journey. Her 1999 book, “Listening for

God: A Minister’s Journey Through Silence and

Doubt,” won the Religious Communicators’

Council’s prestigious Wilbur Award for

“excellence in communicating spiritual values to

the secular media.”

In 2008, Yale University invited her to give

the prestigious Lyman Beecher Lecture, making

her the first African American woman to do so.

Dr. Weems earned her undergraduate degree

from Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA, and her

Master and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton

Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ.

Her graduation in 1989 with a Ph. D. in Old

Testament studies from Princeton, made her the

first African American woman to earn a Ph. D. in

Old Testament.

When she is not travelling and guest lecturing,

Dr. Weems is at home writing and serving in

ministry with her husband, Rev. Martin L.

Espinosa at the Ray of Hope Community Church

in Nashville, TN, which they founded in 1997.

She is a regular blogger for such sites as

Beliefnet.com and her own site, Somethingwith-

in.com. Dr. Weems lives in Nashville with her

husband and daughter.