The Spire - St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Awaken Embrace 2Train MoveContinued from CoverJonah and the GodWho SavesWe all know the story…or, at least, we think we do:Jonah disobeys God, gets swallowed up by a big fish,lives there for a while until he’s sufficiently sorry, andthen gets spit back out again.But is there more?Dr. Roy Heller, Associate Professor of Old Testamentat Perkins School of Theology at SMU, says thereis. And at St. Luke’s, we will journey with him in ourLenten video curriculum as he unveils the depth andcomplexity of this deceptively short and simple book.Together, we will explore its warnings against trying torun from God, its insights about what evil really is, itsradical call to really love our neighbors, and its beckonto always…above all else…remain in relationship withGod.We hope you will join us as we courageously take onthe challenge hearing this story anew—and honestlylistening to what it’s saying to us.Each Sunday during worship, on both our Westheimerand Gethsemane campuses, we will consider Jonah’sstruggle with God. Simultaneously, several of ouradult Embracing Communities will consider even moreabout the attitude change God wants from Jonah—and from us! (see page 4 for details). Finally, if you’vebeen considering joining a LIFT team, now would bea great time, as they will be practicing this attitudechange, and living out its implications in their day-todaylives (details below).So come join us, and see Jonah’s story like you’venever seen it before. Who knows—maybe you’ll evenbegin to see your own story like you’ve never seen itbefore…Story Continued on Page 4L.I.F.T TeamsJoin a LIFT Team now, and work on Living In FaithTogether throughout 2012. You will meet weeklywith your team to encourage one another, then you’llgo out into your life with tools to help you actuallyembody what Jesus models in the Gospel.And by next year you will be well on your way toliving as Jesus lived, just as you imagined it;returning no evil for evil (Thess. 5:15), treating yourbody as a temple (1 Cor. 6:19), clothing yourself inkindness and gentleness (Col. 3:12), loving the Lordyour God with all your heart and loving yourneighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37,39)....New LIFT Teams are forming now.Sign up today at www.stlukesmethodist.org/pages/lift-teams.Get to KnowStLukesMethodist.orgGetting SocialChris Brogan, a popular blogger at www.chrisbrogan.com,is quoted as saying, Every day is someone’sfirst day. This is a great reminder that everydaysomebody is having a first experience with ourchurch community.You can help influence their first experience.So often communications from the church are heardas shouting through a megaphone from the top ofthe mountain. It feels less like a conversation andmore like a broadcast. You can read the words inThe SPIRE, but if you talk back to the paper in publicpeople might look at you a little funny. You canhear a message on the TV screen, but no matterhow hard you try you just can’t get Dr. Pace tointerrupt his sermon to answer your question.Take an active role in influencing positive firstexperiences:Help us build a trustworthy andinformative web presenceSpend time on our website as if you’re new toSt. Luke’sShare your experiences with us so together wecan build the best resource possibleShare our website with friends & familyActively participate in our onlinecommunities via various Social Media channelsStory Continued on Page 7wherenoonewalksaloneA place to share our storiesand picturesIf you have a story, poem or picture to share,please send it to Sally Penning atspenning@stlukesmethodist.orgOutreachreaching out to our communityand the worldOpportunities to Serve:Breakdancing Ministry: Join us as we establishrelationships with young women and men in the Gulfton/Sharpstown area. The Holy Spirit is at work as we see Godusing this ministry of dance to change lives. The volunteerparticipation opportunities are simple. Bring and servea quick, easy meal while getting to know the dancers.Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to set up. Stay for dinner, fellowshipand cleanup around 8 p.m., or serve and leave as yourschedule permits. Monday and Wednesday eveningsat the Gethsemane Campus, 6856 Bellaire Blvd 77074,Canterbury Hall, park in east lot.If you’d like to visit, observe or serve please contact AliceKing at aking@stlukesmethodist.org.St. Luke’s Woodworkers Ministry, a friendlygroup of men and women making classic-style woodentoys year ‘round (over 11,000 in 2010) for children atagencies and orphanages, locally and abroad. These folksalso repair and build furniture, plus help with specialprojects for many nonprofits. Across from the church onEdloe, the Woodshop is equipped with all the moderntools to build most anything from wood.Contact: Alice King at aking@stlukesmethodist.org or713-402-5067.Gethsemane Rummage Sale: Join in the fun,March 31, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. for the annual rummage salebenefiting missions and providing nice items at veryaffordable prices to the community. To volunteer sorting,pricing and displaying items, contact Alice at 713-402-5067 or aking@stlukesmethodist.org.Rummage Sale to Benefit GethsemaneMinistries: The annual Gethsemane Rummage Saleto benefit missions will take place March 31. Please bringdonated items to the Gethsemane Campus from March25-29. To obtain a booth, for possible truck pick up, or forquestions, please contact Bob Harrison at 713-771-5585.Westheimer Campus: 3471 Westheimer | Houston, Texas 77027Gethsemane Campus: 6856 Bellaire Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77074StLukesMethodist.org713-622-5710

Awaken Embrace 6Train MoveContinued from Page 4(2nd Floor in the Activities Center wing).Common Ground – A vibrant class consisting ofparents with young children that promotes frequentsocial gatherings and service projects. Find them inB227 (2nd Floor in Youth Hallway).Fellowship – A growing, friendly class consistingof married couples in their 30’s and 40’s, all withyoung children. You can find them in R22 (2nd Floorabove Rotunda).BaptismsErni Daniel Salguero,son of Eleuterio Sanchezand Bertha Lopez onJanuary 22.Horizons – Primarily made up of couples in theirlate 30’s through early 50’s, this engaging class oftenengages in service projects and social events. You canfind them in R23 (2nd Floor above Rotunda).Gene Decker Study Class – A large, socially activeclass of couples and singles 45+. They meet in C263(2nd Floor above the Choir Room).Open Arms – A small, friendly class open to allages, married or single. You can find them in C167(1st Floor near church offices).Covenant –This welcoming class of all agesparticipates in round table discussion each Sunday inC262 (2nd Floor above Choir Room).Charles Wesley – Open to all adults, this concentrated,30-minute class is organized to best meet theneeds of our choir members and meets in the ChoirRoom each Sunday.Friendship – This small, engaging class is opento all ages, discussing each week’s lesson in a roundtablesetting. Look for them in R11 (1st Floor nearRotunda).– Gethsemane Campus—Questers – A friendly group of 50+ adults questingfor Christian answers to today’s problems. Theymeet in Room 1115 (Main Wing).Challengers – A large, lively class of all ages,married or single that meets in Room 11 (Children’sWing).Spanish Sunday School – This lively group ofSpanish-speaking Adults meets in the ConferenceRoom.Interested? If you’d like more information onthese or other Embracing Communities at St. Luke’s,please visit the Connections Center or contactAdrianne McGee at either 713-402-5031 oramcgee@stlukesmethodist.org.I am a MentorLeslie CreelWorking as a Kid’s Hope mentor has been a very rewardingexperience. In January 2010, I was matchedwith an energetic kindergarten boy. I soon foundthat being outside shooting the basketball or tryingto fly a kite was the best way to expend someof that energy during our times together! My levelof expertise in both of these activities is somewhatmarginal but neither of us is too concerned aboutthat. This school year, we have spent a good deal ofeffort working on reading skills. Amir is so pleasedto report to me when he has moved to the next levelin reading. It is not an easy process for him, so I amhappy to experience his joy in accomplishing a goal.We also assemble puzzles and build with blocks.He takes great delight in winning at board games!The activities require only an hour of my week butthe gains are many. We share in a friendship. I lookforward to the sparkle in his eyes when I arrive onThursday mornings, as we head out for our timetogether.Come Serve withSingles on March 10Singles at St. Luke’s will stuff Easter eggs to bedistributed at Easter at the Park and Palm SundayEaster Egg Hunts at the Gethsemane andWestheimer Campuses. We will stuff the plastic eggson March 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in R23.Following the project, those who are available are invitedto go to lunch. For more information or to signup, contact Susan Silvus, ssilvus@stlukesmethodist.org.Not PicturedAnnabelle SawyerBowden, daughter ofBrandtCogdell Bowden andMary Kay HowardBowden on February 5.Gabriel Scott Fleming,son of Carrie Threatt onFebruary 12.Jonathan Paul Eldiyar Clites, Jr.,son of Jonathan Paul Clites andVictoria Phillips Clites onFebruary 5.Guinevere Jacqueline Alvey-Henderson,daughter of Chad LucasAlvey-Henderson and JacquelineAnn Alvey-Henderson onFebruary 5.Westheimer Campus: 3471 Westheimer | Houston, Texas 77027Gethsemane Campus: 6856 Bellaire Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77074StLukesMethodist.org713-622-5710

Awaken Embrace 7Train MoveDid You Know?(Pew Internet / ColumnGive)Almost 80% of Americans use the Internet92% use email78% look for information on a product / service76% get general news online71% watch video on YouTube or Vimeo65% use social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,etc.)37% rate / review a product / service32% look for religious / spiritual information32% post comments to a news group, website,blog or photo siteStLukesMethodist.org and our Social Mediachannels provide opportunities like these tointeract with our community.Get Social with St. Luke’s UMCFind Us Through Social Media ChannelsFacebookwww.facebook.com/StLukesHoustonwww.facebook.com/StLukesGethsemaneTwitterwww.twitter.com/StLukesHoustonFind links to other St. Luke’s Social Media spaces at:www.StLukesMethodist.org/social-mediaShare St. Luke’s UMC with Others from StLukes-Methodist.org(Look for these features on the sidebar across ourwebsite)Email a page to a friendSend a link to a page, along with a personalizedmessage, to a friend or family memberFacebookSend a link to a page to your friends & family onyour Facebook WallSend a link to a page directly to a friend, group oremail addressTwitterShare a link, and a message, to a page with yourfollowersGoogle +1Publicly recommend a page across the webthrough Google.com and with your Circles onGoogle+Check in at St. Luke’s Campuses & RecommendYour Church to OthersFacebookCheck in through your smartphone or tablet whenyou’re on one of our campusesWrite a recommendation:www.facebook.com/StLukesHoustonwww.facebook.com/StLukesGethsemaneFoursquareYelpYou have a great opportunity through personal relationshipsand connections to have more genuineconversations about your church. We invite you to helpspread the word about St. Luke’s and how our communityis helping you as you journey along your Christianpathway.So whether online, or face-to-face, go live into our webstrategy of “Our St. Luke’s is Your St. Luke’s” and helpmake St. Luke’s a place “Where No One Walks Alone.”We encourage your participation in making StLukes-Methodist.org the best possible resource for you andour community. Tell us how we’re doing at www.StLukesMethodist.org/web-feedback.Volunteers Neededfor Easter at the ParkSt Luke’s Friends:Believe it or not, Easter is just around the corner andour Contemporary Worship Ministry will be leadingEaster at the Park. The Encounter worship servicewill be held at Discovery Green this year in downtownHouston on Sunday, April 8 at 10 a.m.Thanks to the efforts of our amazing volunteers, ourlast Easter at the Park was a huge success. I amcoordinating the volunteers for this year’s event andwant to invite each of you to come out and helpmake Easter at the Park an even bigger success thisyear.Please let me know if you can join us this year and ifyou have a job preference! We have volunteer opportunitiesfor the day of the event as well as volunteeropportunities in the weeks leading up to Eastermorning. I’ve included a short list below of the jobswe will be filling:• Greeters• Ushers• Refreshment Servers• Roadies• Transportation• Photographers• Egg Hunt• Children’s Craft TablesPlease email me at loulee888@gmail.com with questionsor to volunteer.With blessings,Louise McEvoyLent and EasterCalendar for 2012February 22, Ash WednesdayWestheimer: Services at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. in theChapel and 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.Gethsemane: 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.March 25, Shamblin Lecturer Dr. Tom LongDr. Long will preach at all Sunday morning services atWestheimer. He will also speak at 6 p.m.Sunday night and Monday morning.Holy Week Series UprisingPerhaps this is the year for an uprising in your life, atime in which you choose to take hold of the futureGod has in mind. Maybe it is time to RISE UP!April 1, Palm Sunday, Rise Up and ShoutWestheimer: All-church picnic and egg hunt at10:30 a.m.Gethsemane: All-church picnic and egg hunt at12 p.m.April 5, Maundy Thursday, Rise Up and ServeGethsemane: A Last Supper Experience with HolyCommunion at 5 p.m.Westheimer: Worship service with Holy Communionat 7 p.m.April 6, Good Friday, Rise Up and SeeWestheimer: Service of the Tenebrae, a combinedservice for both campuses at 7 p.m.April 7, Anticipation of EasterWestheimer: Music and meditation with Rob Landes;11 a.m. in the Chapel.April 8, Easter Sunday, Rise Up and LiveWestheimer: 8, 9, 10, 11 a.m. Tom Pace preaching.Gethsemane: 9 a.m. Justin Coleman preaching.Easter at the Park: 10 a.m. at Discovery Green withthe Encounter Band and Justin Coleman preaching.This worship service will be followed by an egg hunt.In case of rain-10:15 and 11:15 a.m. services will bein the Fellowship Hall at Westheimer. No SundaySchool.Childcare Information available online: www.StLukesMethodist.org/lentWestheimer: Lenten Concert Series-Thursdays at12 p.m. in the Chapel. For a complete schedule ofconcerts log on to: www.StLukesMethodist.org/lentWestheimer Campus: 3471 Westheimer | Houston, Texas 77027Gethsemane Campus: 6856 Bellaire Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77074StLukesMethodist.org713-622-5710

Awaken Embrace 8Train MoveNew MembersJessica Kirkpatrick joinsSt. Luke’s by professionof faith. She is Directorof Development forJosephine’s.We welcome Charlesand Catherine Reavis,who transfer to ourcongregation fromanother United Methodistchurch. Charles is aretired professor andCatherine is a professor/nurse practitioner at U.T.Health Science Center.Kayla-Ann Schwarzbachjoins the St. Luke’sGethsemane campusby transfer from anotherUnited Methodistchurch.Paul and Kris Woldyunite with our congregationby transferfrom another UnitedMethodist church. Paulis a senior staff engineerwith Chevron and Kris isa self-employed musician.They are membersof the Chancel Choir.Patrick Bates andJennifer Stabe join ourcongregation, he byprofession of faith andshe by transfer fromanother United Methodistchurch. Patrick is anassociate attorney withWalters, Balido & Crainand Jennifer is an assistantdistrict attorney forGalveston County.Westheimer Campus 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.in the Chapel, 6:30 p.m. in the SanctuaryGethsemane Campus7 p.m. in the SanctuaryWestheimer Campus8:30 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worshipwith Holy Communion*8:45 a.m. Sunday – Encounter Worship, Fellowship Hall9:45 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship*12 p.m. Holy Communion, Chapel* SanctuaryGethsemane Campus8:30 a.m. Sunday – Blended Communion service9:45 a.m. Sunday – Servicio en Español – Spanish Worship10:55 a.m. Sunday Traditional WorshipSermon videos, podcasts and corresponding study guides areavailable online at:StlukesMethodist.org/SermonsFebruary19Paul and TimothySecond in the Mini-Series MentorshipDr. Tom PaceWestheimer CampusRev. Justin ColemanGethsemane CampusThe altar flowers are dedicatedto the glory of God and given in loving memory of JamesHenry Smith by Mrs. James Henry Smith and Mr. and Mrs.Martin Christopher Luff and James Benser Luffandare given in celebration of the baptism of Parker Dodsonson of Carolyn and Chris Dodson byHelen and Danny MaxonFebruary26Anywhere but NinevahFirst in the Series Jonah and the God Who SavesLent 2012 - Attitude ChangeDr. Tom PaceWestheimer CampusRev. Justin ColemanGethsemane CampusThe altar flowers are dedicatedto the glory of God and given in in loving memory ofGeorgia and T. J. Arnold, W. Buck Arnold andTom Arnold by Beverly and Dan Arnold, Grace Arnoldand Lucy Arnoldandin loving memory of Dale Mabry by Monte andMonte Mabry, Monica and Kade King andCourtney and Kyle Stiles.Scan the code to read the Spire in colorWestheimer Campus: 3471 Westheimer | Houston, Texas 77027Gethsemane Campus: 6856 Bellaire Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77074StLukesMethodist.org713-622-5710