The episTleMay 8, 2017

Volume 52 Number 15

480 S. HighlandMemphis, TN 38111-4302

901.452.6262www.stlukesumc.orgUnited Methodist Church

“We are becoming a faithful community of disciples striving to share the heart, mind, and hands of Jesus Christ with ALL people.”Mission Statement

Worship at St. Luke’sAll are Welcome

Worship on Sundays8:30 & 10:50 a.m.

Sanctuary

Sunday School Classes For all ages - 9:30 a.m.

Contents:- Graduates page 2- Forward in Faith page 2- Upcoming Events pages 2/3- Ministry News pages 4/5- Congregational Care page 6- Calendar page 7- Church information page 8

St. Luke’s StaffJim McKinney, PastorHarry Colter, Pastoral AssistantS.C. Toe, Music DirectorWes Kirkpatrick, OrganistBeth Ryan, Youth/Young AdultsMegan Warren, Children & Community ConnectionsAmy Turman, Day School/PDOAmy McDonald, ChallengersDavid Day, CLC/RecreationCarla Taylor, CommunicationsTim Taylor, FacilitiesVickey Hobbs, Finance

A Message from our PastorCompassionSome years ago, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote these powerful words.

Listen...“How do you measure success?To laugh often and much;To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;To earn the appreciation of honest criticsand endure the betrayal of false friends;To appreciate beauty;To find the best in others;To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child,a redeemed social condition,or a job well done;To know that even one life has breathed because you lived...that is to have succeeded.”I love that. It’s a beautiful statement...but, somehow I want to add

one more ingredient to the mix, namely compassion! The spirit of compassion... The touch of compassion.Without that special Christian quality in our lives... our lives cannot

really be successful! We can be highly educated, we can rise to places of prominence in this world, we can accumulate lots of wealth, we can even win numerous awards... but even after we have done all those things if we are not loving, compassionate people our lives are failures, empty shells... because we have missed the key component in life and God’s most important lesson...namely...“Loving compassion”... Jesus called it “the most significant sign of

discipleship.In John’s Gospel, He said it like this:“A new commandment I give you that you love one another as I have

loved you. By this, all will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35)Jesus not only taught compassion---He lived it!Faithfully,

-2-

For those who were unable to attend the April 30, Church Council Meeting, please see the Forward in Faith Report. Walk the Neighborhood – April 1; hand-delivered approximately 1,000 door hangers to our neighbors in East Buntyn and High Point Terrace advertising the Community Easter Egg Hunt and Holy Week events.Food Truck Night – February 28; 4 food trucks participated; estimated 200+ people in attendance. Communication – 2 quarterly newsletters have been produced and were part of the Epistle on January 23 and April 3.

TV Monitors - are up and running! We have 2 installed (Hospitality Hall and Gallery Hallway) and 2 more to come (CLC area and Children’s Building entry). Thank you to our anonymous donor for their tremendous donation.New visitor cards in the bulletin – they are wonderful and have provided us with the information to meaning-fully connect with our guests. An article outlining the benefits and associated costs can be found in the March 6, 2017 Epistle or at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/st.lukes-epistle-newsletter/2017/20170306_epistle.pdf.Connection Committee and new Welcome cards - (Megan, Virginia Wages, Susan Dacus, and Roland Bullock) I input visitor information onto a shareable Google document which Roland, Virginia, and Susan have access to for viewing and editing. We rotate responsibility weekly in reaching out to visitors and all parties are equipped with new St. Luke’s welcome cards and stamps. Not only does this share the responsibility of con-necting with visitors but it also provides an opportunity for variety and genuine connections.Ministry SHAKE-UP – As a leader in your ministry, be thinking about how YOUR ministry - the one you love, the one you invest your valuable time into – can be improved and made into the BEST ministry it can be. What is your dream for your ministry? If you can do ANYTHING to enhance attendance, improve involvement, bolster the impact, what would that look like? Who/How do you want others to connect to your ministry? What kind of help do you need to make your vision a reality? How can Forward in Faith help you?“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

High School:Jeffrey CargileJamill FisherHuey GrahamSam GreenRachel GriffinSarah HeadrickLarry KalerSpencer MassieFaith Marshall

College:Jamie ArenaUziel ContrerasRyan FesmireMichael HensleySarah Jenkins (Masters)James RogersSarah Wages

HONORING GRADUATES

Sunday, May 14 at the 10:50 worship service, we will honor our graduates and have a blessing for them. We are so proud of your accomplishments and pray God's blessing on your bright futures!

*If there are others you know of, please notify Beth Ryan so we can acknowledge them.

-3-

UPCOMING EVENTS

There will be a variety of dishes from all food groups (including dessert) for you to sample.Cookbooks will be available to purchase with all the delicious recipes.

Tickets are available to purchase in Hospitality Hall on Sunday or at the door.

Calling all Cooks!If you would like to prepare a dish for this event please contact Pat Anderson-901-489-3757

Mary Sanford MyattMaster Work Concert

Handel’s Messiah Sing-a-longFriday, May 19, 2017

6:30 p.m.St. Luke’s Sanctuary

This concert will be a unique event inviting the audience to sing along with portions of Handel’s

Messiah backed by an orchestra!Free and open to the public.

Invite your friends and neighbors!

“A Taste of St. Luke’s” Sunday, May 21, 12:00 noon,

Fellowship HallTickets - $6.00 ($20 Family Max)

Sponsored by St. Luke’s United Methodist WomenAll proceeds go to support local Missions

Golden Cross • Reelfoot Rural Ministries • Grace Place UM Neighborhood Centers • St. Luke’s Food Ministries

GOOD FOOD PLUS GOOD DEEDS

-4-

YOUTH NEWSChildren’s NewsHello everyone! Here’s what we have coming up:Sun., May 14 - 9:30 - Senior Breakfast in the Lounge (all youth should attend to honor our graduates!)

No Evening ActivitiesSun., May 21 - 9:30 - Sunday School

5:00-7:00 - Dinner and Youth ActivitiesPeace, Beth

PRAYERS FOR STUDENTS & YOUNG ADULTS Please be in prayer for our College Students, especially remember Mary Page Pearson, Madison Petri, and James Rogers. I know they would love to hear from you as well. You may contact me for addresses or drop a note in my box and I will be happy to mail it! I know they all appreciate your prayers and your notes! --Beth

Registration is open and all rising 1st through 6th graders are invited! We offer dynamic camp programming by combining field trips, in-house activities and various visits from professionals. We provide engaging and unique experiences that will challenge your child to make new, exciting memories. We’re partnering with a variety of local venues to bring the best of Memphis to St. Luke’s! You can register and check out our full summer camp guide at www.stlukesumc.org/challengers.

VOLUNTEER DRIVER OPPORTUNITIES• The Food Pantry is looking for a kind soul with a pickup truck that could drive to the Food Bank occa-sionally on Tuesday mornings to pick up food. The important word here is pickup truck! Contact Caro-lyn Galloway if you and your pick-up truck can help.• Recruiting for a Sunday bus driver. Choose be-tween Sunday pick up, Sunday take home from late service or both. Contact Mary Lou Cushing or Warren Morrison.

"The Road to ASP" Fundraiser!

Help us get to Appalachia Service Project (and back) by sponsoring a few miles!

Our estimated cost for gas is $1.75 per mile. Would you consider sponsoring some miles for our group? Sponsorship forms are available in Hospitality Hall or from Beth Ryan. This fundraiser is in place of our Stock sale. If you cannot make a monetary donation, we also need donations of individually wrapped snacks for our trip. Thanks in advance for your support!

St. Luke’s Library UpdateWe are doing an inventory of the books in the library. If you have a book, please return it to the library unless you are still reading it and want to keep it. If that is the case, please let us know that you have it and the title and author. Send the information to Ruth Morrison at love2quilt03@yahoo.com or leave a note at the Hospitality Desk.

The Cub Scouts are selling Camp Cards to help raise money for summer camp. Look for their table in the CLC Hallway on Sunday.

-5-

MUSIC NOTES Sports Shorts from the CLC

MANNA BAGSThe United Methodist Men prepare 40 Manna Bags every week for our Outreach Ministry. We would appreciate your help with donations of items or money.Vienna Sausage, Breadsticks w/cheeseHI C juice boxes, Cookies-4per packTwinkies, Raisins, PB Crackers

Donations of cash are very helpful. Remember to pick up a bag as you leave each Sunday. For more information contact Steve Ragsdale or David Day.

Join us for our Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. On the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays we will meet in Fellowship Hall - full breakfast is only $3.00 . The 2nd and 4th Wednes-days of each month we will meet at Perkins Restaurant on Park Ave.

Have you ever sung in the shower or in the car with the radio? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get the chance to blend your voice with an orchestra? Well, this is your chance! Join us Friday May 19th at 6:30pm for the Mary Sanford Myatt Master Work this year as we present Handel’s Messiah as a sing-a-long. This family friendly time of music making will be filled with laughter, fellowship, and yes… stops and start. Mark your calendars to come and sing one of the most well-known works in the repertoire.June 9 at 6:30pm we will have the re-dedication of our organ for worship. Joined by former St. Luke’s organist, Diane Meredith Belcher, we will commission our 2008 rebuilt Casabant sanctuary organ for the leading of worship with glorious music! S.C.Toe, Director of St. Luke’s Music Ministries samson.toe@stlukesumc.org

Pickleball: Tuesdays 12N-2pm.Your fitness room is OPENRemember HIM Always,Coach Day, david.day@stlukesumc.org

UMW NEWS ...On May 20th, the Metro District Social Action Day will be held at Mullins UMC from 10am to 12pm. All are invited to attend and

reservations are not necessary. Come hear about the work being done by Hannah's Hope, World Relief, and Restore Corps. Please come with an open mind and heart to gain insight of the issues facing our area.

FRIENDSHIP SINGERS REUNIONMake plans to attend the upcoming Friendship singers Reunion on Aug.11-13. Visit the link on “St. Luke’s UMC,Memphis” Facebook page or contact Steve Ragsdale for reservations and information. Merlin Johnson, Gary Allen Smith, and Daniel Craig will all be back to direct at the service. We look forward to seeing YOU there!

It’s time again to start planning for our summer mission project - Project Transformation!Reading: We all had such a positive experience last year so I hope that you share that experience with others and plan to sign up for a morning reading session. Our week for reading this year is July 3-6(not July 4). Spend a summer morning, 9:00am - 12:30pm, reading with the summer camp children. We need 10-12 volun-teers each day. Sign-ups will be available in mid May.

Intern Dinners: We also have responsibility for Intern dinners on June 6 and July 6. This can be just a small group of 4-6 people who prepare a meal for 17 college students. Dinners are served at Christian Brothers University. This is a great opportunity to get to know young people who are really making a dif-ference.Supplies: If you would like to donate supplies please go to the website: pttennessee.org/wish-list for a complete list. They can be brought to St. Luke’s.We are so excited to be hosting the offices for the Memphis Director, Rev. Renee Dillard. Be sure to welcome Renee and her team if you are here during the week.For more information contact Carla Taylor, carla.taylor@stlukesumc.org

LIFEBlood will be here on June 4, 8:00am - 12:00pmCall Shirley Robinson, 901-827-9511 to schedule a time to give.

-6-

The radio broadcast of Sunday Worship is on WREC 600 AM, 8:00am each Sunday.

Congregational Support

prayer ConCerns of our sT. luke’s family

Help St. Luke’s minister not only to our homebound community but also to the entire Memphis area. Our weekly radio broadcasts are heard by many people in our community. For $225 each week you or a group of people can help by sponsoring a broadcast in memory or in honor of someone special. Contact Vickey Hobbs for more information.

Sympathy to to the family of Howard Holmes who died April 25to the family of Betty Douglas who died May 2to the family of Roy Hornsby who died May 7

GiftS received in memory:Lewis O’Kelly from UofM Department of Physics and Materials ScienceBlanche Miller from Mr. & Mrs. William RogersHarlan Bowsher from Catherine BowsherSusan Rose from Dot Dickey

John Wofford, Heather Al-Chokhachi, Danny Hobbs, Vic Feisal, Don Day, Sam & Jean McHugh, Nan Smith, Kate Blount, Patricia Gore, Beverly Poletti, Ann & Akil Al-Chokhachi, Bobby Mason, Bill & Nancy Morris, Jim Burch, Jr., Kammie Montague, Ken & Barbara Phillips, Gil Herren, Andre Jones, Laura Soult

Hospice Care: Milton Anderson, Suzanne Liles

Those dealing with cancer: Thomas Barber, Bill Bell, Brenda Blackwell, Bob Dunham, Herbert Montgomery, Shirley Palmer, David Smith, Mike Smith, Fred Thompson.

Homebound Members: Avis Foreman, Louise Gearin, William Howick, Deloris Jones, Emma Lee Mauldin, Mary McKinley.

Our Schools, Teachers and StudentsBishop Bill McAlillyInterim District Superintendent Harry DurbinMissionaries Eric and Liz Soard

To add, change or remove a prayer concern please email: prayer.request@stlukesumc.org or fill out a yellow prayer request card located in the sanctuary pew and place it in the offering plate during worship.

This calendar on page 7 is an abbreviated listing of activities.For a full listing of the most current calendar information

visit our website: stlukesumc.org/google-calendar/Facebook: St. Luke’s UMC, Memphis;

Instagram: stlukesmemphis; Twitter: @stlukesmemphis

Greeter Ministry schedule:May 14: Lisa Farrell, Carolyn Galloway, Alice Roberts, Tom PolettiMay 21: Glenda Turner, Patty Burkett, Kevin Talley, David TurnerMay 28: Ruth Sanford, Sue Whitt, Judy Green, Bob HendrixJune 4: Shirley Robinson, Barbara Caldwell, Diane Hayne

Flower DedicationsIf you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary on Sunday in memory or to honor someone, contact Marilyn Sadler, 901-452-1347. Open dates are 7/9, 7/23, 7/30.

Christian Homebuilders Class at St. Luke’s offers these speakers for the coming weeks:• May 14: Dixon Williams, St. Jude Children’s Hospital• May 21: Memphis Theological Seminary speaker• May 28: Memorial Day ProgramWe meet in Room 108 on the ramp beneath the Sanctuary each Sunday at 9:30 AM. Visitors (and new members) are always welcome!!

Thank YouWe would like to again thank everyone who shared in the Cel-ebration of our recent marriage in the Sanctuary. We felt the love of St Lukes's at the service. Special thanks to Renee Day for planning our wedding and the AWESOME reception in the CLC.We Love youSteve & Debbie

Sherwood Elementary News

Many thanks for your outstand-ing response by buying, sewing, or providing money for Easter clothes. You provided 36 dresses and 16 boy outfits plus other cloth-ing. The students were very ex-cited to receive their new clothes. Thanks again for your generosity.

-7-

St. Luke’s CalendarWednesday, May 10, 2017 - Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Wednesday May 10 6:30am – 7:30am Morning Basketball - CLC GYM 7:15am – 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - Perkins on Park Ave. 8:00am – 9:00am Day School Muffins with Mom - DS Hall 1:00pm – 4:00pm VBS Work Group - MB 303 6:30pm – 8:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 6:35pm – 7:35pm Zumba Fitness with David Q - CLC GYM 7:40pm – 9:10pm Young Adult Basketball - CLC GYMThursday May 11 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 9:30am – 12:00pm Food Pantry - CLC 108 10:00am – 11:00am Al-anon prayer group - MB 213 (Newman) 10:00am – 12:00pm Small Group 1 - MB 211 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 6:00pm – 9:00pm Young Adult Dinner - 3rd Floor 6:30pm – 7:30pm Oak Ridge Neighborhood Assoc. - Lounge 7:15pm – 10:15pm Fisher of Men - Gym Friday May 12 6:30am – 8:00am Morning Basketball - CLC GYM 6:15pm – 8:15pm Cub Scouts Banquet - FHSaturday May 13 10:00am – 12:00pm Sewing Guild Meeting - Lounge 12:00pm – 5:00pm Sit & Sew - Lounge 2:00pm – 4:00pm Magnolia Prayer Group - MB 304 4:30pm – 5:30pm Saturday Supper - FH Sunday May 14 Mother’s Day 7:45am – 8:15am Breakfast and Sunshine Service - FH 8:30am – 9:30am Worship - Sanctuary 9:00am – 10:00am Blood Pressure Check - CLC, 104 9:30am – 10:30am Senior Breakfast - Lounge 9:30am – 10:30am Sunday School 10:50am – 12:00pm Worship - Sanctuary 1:00pm – 3:00pm Under 12 BB Practice- Coop - CLC GYM 3:30pm – 5:00pm Youth Basketball/Sanford - CLC GymMonday May 15 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 12:30pm – 2:30pm Staff Meeting - 311 5:30pm – 7:30pm Glad Helpers Prayer Group - MB 304 7:00pm – 9:00pm Coin Club - Lounge 7:15pm – 10:15pm Jesus is Lord Basketball - Gym Tuesday May 16 6:30am – 8:00am Morning Basketball - CLC GYM 10:30am – 12:00pm Mary Rachel Circle - Lounge 12:00pm – 2:00pm Pickleball - CLC Gym 6:00pm – 7:00pm Defender Captains meeting - CLC 103 7:00pm – 8:45pm Boy Scouts - Scout Hut Wednesday May 17 6:30am – 7:30am Morning Basketball - CLC GYM 7:15am – 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - FH 12:00pm – 1:30pm Young @ Heart Committee meeting - CLC 103 1:00pm – 4:00pm VBS Work Group - 3rd Fl. workroom 5:30pm – 6:30pm Forward in Faith - Lounge 6:30pm – 8:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 6:35pm – 7:35pm Zumba Fitness with David Q - CLC GYM 7:40pm – 9:10pm Young Adult Basketball - CLC GYM

Thursday May 18 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 9:30am – 12:00pm Food Pantry - CLC 108 10:00am – 11:00am Al-anon prayer group - MB 213 (Newman) 10:00am – 12:00pm Small Group 1 - MB 211 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 6:00pm – 7:00pm Campus Art Show - FH 6:00pm – 9:00pm Young Adult Dinner - 3rd FloorFriday May 19 7:30am – 5:30pm Life- Line Screening - CLC/Gym Area 6:00pm – 10:00pm Game Night - 3rd Floor 6:30pm – 8:30pm Handel’s Messiah - SanctuarySaturday May 20 9:00am – 6:00pm Finance Workshop - Lounge 9:30am – 11:00am St Luke’s T-Ball - Greenspace 10:00am – 2:00pm Elite Level Prep Training - CLC gym/103 2:00pm – 4:00pm Magnolia Prayer Group - MB 304 3:00pm – 5:00pm Medtronic Charity Game - CLC GYM 4:30pm – 5:30pm Saturday Supper - FH Sunday May 21 7:45am – 8:15am Breakfast and Sunshine Service - FH 8:30am – 9:30am Worship - Sanctuary 9:30am – 10:30am Sunday School 10:50am – 12:00pm Worship - Sanctuary 12:00pm – 2:00pm UMW - Taste of St. Luke’s - FH 1:00pm - 2:00pm Communications Team Mtg - Lounge 1:00pm – 3:00pm Under 12 BB Practice- Coop - CLC GYM 3:30pm – 5:00pm Youth Basketball/Sanford - CLC Gym 5:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner & Youth Activities Monday May 22 9:00am The Epistle newsletter deadline 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 10:30am – 1:00pm Bingo - Lounge 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 7:15pm – 10:15pm Jesus is Lord Basketball - GymTuesday May 23 6:30am – 8:00am Morning Basketball - CLC GYM 12:00pm – 2:00pm Pickleball - CLC Gym 7:00pm – 8:45pm Boy Scouts - Scout Hut Wednesday May 24 6:30am – 8:00am Morning Basketball - CLC GYM 7:15am – 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - Perkins on Park Ave 8:30am – 11:30am Day School Program - Sanctuary/HH 1:00pm – 4:00pm VBS Work Group - MB 303 6:30pm – 8:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 6:35pm – 7:35pm Zumba Fitness with David Q - CLC GYM 7:40pm – 9:10pm Young Adult Basketball - CLC GYM

Calendar Room KeyMB-Main Building, FH-Fellowship Hall,

HH - Hospitality Hall, CLC-Christian Life Center, CB-Children’s Building

The episTleSt. Luke’s United Methodist Church480 So. Highland StreetMemphis, Tennessee 38111-4302

The EPISTLE (USPS #569-280) is published twice monthlyPOSTMASTER send address changes to: by ST. LUKE’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 480 So. Highland, Memphis TN 38111-4302.

PERIODICALSPOSTAGE PDMEMPHIS, TN

-8-

RECORD OF LOYALTY

Sunday School 4/30 133 5/7 145

Worship Attendance - April 30 Sunshine breakfast 68 8:30 worship 29 10:50 worship 161 258Worship Attendance - May 7 Sunshine breakfast 89 No 8:30 worship -- 10:50 worship 234 323Gifts & Tithes ReceivedApril 30 $8,756.00May 7 (includes e-giving) $20,711.00

The deadline to submit events and articles for the next Epistle will be

Monday, May 22, 9:00 a.m.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTThe Finance Committee is requesting questions and concerns from the congregation that will be addressed in the Epistle. Direct your questions to the Finance Committee and send to the church business office. Question 1: What ways are pledged and non-pledged gifts given to St. Luke’s?As we approach the planning of St. Luke’s next Stewardship Campaign, this is a good start. We begin our series with a review of the different ways to give donations. (The percentages are estimated based on January 2017 figures. These percentages could change slightly when figures have been available for a year to analyze.)For the first quarter in 2017, January through March, pledged and non-pledged gifts are over the budget needs by $11,508. Not surprising, the majority of members give by check, approximately 84 percent with 1 percent giving by cash. If giving by cash you must complete a giving envelope with complete information filled out on the front so that the business office can record your gift. Some members giving by check will give in one lump sum to cover the entire year. This helps explain the change in gifts when compared monthly. The remaining approximately 15 percent give by bank transfers. The vast majority are E-Giving members. On the first Wednesday of each month, money is transferred from the member’s bank account to St. Luke’s account. A smaller number of members initiate their bank to transfer money from their account to St. Luke’s on a weekly or monthly basis. You may learn more about E-Giving by calling Vickey at 452-6262.Just when you think you covered everything you learn more! Some members are requesting to upgrade the offering plate and bring technology into the church! This new technology for St. Luke’s might include: • Online Giving • Mobile App • Text GivingMore information is coming describing how we will bring technology into the church!What else is the Finance Committee working on:• Preparing for the 2016 Audit. The Finance Committee is working with the audit firm of Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC to do a compilation audit for 2016. • The Stewardship Campaign planning has started. The Finance Committee is seeking volunteers for the campaign and defining “God’s Goals for Giving” that represent St. Luke’s ministry.

804,084 770,466 775,633 744,537 719,736

0

125,000

250,000

375,000

500,000

625,000

750,000

875,000

1,000,000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Pledged&Non-pledgedGi/s

Amount