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