The Spire - St. Luke's United Methodist Church

Two Sections, Section A • 076510 • Vol. 158 • No. 28 • November 27, 2011 

An Edition Of The United Methodist Reporter 

2 

3 

Thank You for 

Prayer Walking In the season of Advent there 

are those things we must do: 

Bless Friday 

Susan Silvus 

Announces 

Retirement 

5 

the lists, the gifts, the family 

gatherings, the housecleaning 

and decorating. 

How might we instill the 

sacred in these common, every 

year tasks? 

More on Page 2 

Westheimer Campus: 3471 Westheimer | Houston, Texas 77227 

Gethsemane Campus: 6856 Bellaire Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77074 

StLukesMethodist.org 

713-622-5710 

Barbara Brown Taylor, in 

her book Leaving Church, 

talks about the Christian as “a 

lightning rod.” She means it in 

a positive way. The 

follower of Jesus is the one 

who conducts all the heat and 

light from heaven to earth. 

We are to lift our hearts to 

heaven, and pray that God 

will pour his love and power 

into us. Then, we are to carry 

that force of love to the earth, 

so that the kingdom of God 

will be awakened around us. 

Sometimes, this lightning rod 

work is pleasant, rewarding, 

and deeply fulfilling. Sometimes, 

serving God is tedious 

or even painful. The scripture 

A Lightning 

Rod 

bears witness to both sorts of experiences for the servant. 

The most important thing to 

remember, however, is that it isn’t up to us to make it 

happen. We are simply conduits. We open ourselves up to 

the sky, right out in the open, and wait for God to do God’s 

thing. 

My favorite part of our Sunday Encounter worship service 

is at the very end. As a benediction response, we sing “and 

with our hands lifted high…, ” and the whole congregation 

lifts hands to sky. Even those tame worshippers, who only 

sort of sing the words and are prone to self-consciousness, 

will often raise at least one hand halfway up. It is a 

remarkable sight to see, if you are the pastor standing 

looking out. We are like Ben Franklin with his kite in the 

midst of the thunder and lightning. It is as if we are saying 

as a community, “here are our hands God. Take a shot.” 

So God, here is St. Luke’s church. We lift up our lives to you, 

in the midst of the storm. Hit us with your best shot. 

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas Texas 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional mailing offices. 

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Awaken Embrace 2 

Train Move 

THANK YOU for Prayer 

Walking with St. Luke’s program, we have drawn closer to God through 

Thanks to all of you who made Commitment Sunday 

a great success! Our church has been in prayer during 

the past weeks supporting our ministries to Children, 

to students, for outreach at the Gethsemane campus, 

to expand a caring network within our congregation, 

and to encourage us to deepen our spiritual journey by 

joining a training team. Our congregation has responded 

generously as we recommitted ourselves to Christ and 

to St. Luke’s and as we brought our gifts to the altar for 

dedication. As of November 14, we received 735 commitments 

for $4,225,167 and gifts continue to come in. 

We believe God has big plans in store for St. Luke’s, 

but we need your help. During the Prayer Walking 

wherenoonewalksalone 

A place to share our stories and pictures 

If you have a story, poem or picture to share, please send it to 

Sally Penning at spenning@stlukesmethodist.org 

I received an email the other day from a mom that was interested in getting 

her son connected in our student ministry. This is the sort of email that, as a 

youth minister, I get all the time, but this message was different than all the 

others. The words that followed were of a mother that was craving a sense of 

belonging for herself and her son, and from her story, I learned that they had 



Advent Edevotional 

Begins November 28, the weekday email 

Advent Devotionals will begin. The first two 

will be sent to everyone with a link to “opt in”. 

Thereafter only those who have opted in will 

receive them. 

It’s a Wonderful Life! 

Come enjoy this unique and beloved holiday 

classic presented as a “live” radio show at 7 pm 

on Saturday, December 3 in the Rotunda Theater. 

Our presentation is the same great, familiar 

story but set in a small radio station in Montclaire, 

New Jersey. Awaiting the arrival of the 

stars to re-create the movie for radio, the staff 

of the station discover that Jimmy Stewart and 

Donna Reed are stuck in a snow bank in Philadelphia 

and won’t make it. 

Scrambling like crazy, these small-time radio 

actors find themselves called upon to deliver the 

story themselves and rise above their own fears 

and inadequacies to fulfill the mandate: The 

show must go on! 

Calling upon the audience members for help 

to pull it off, the team of five actors, piano, and 

sound team portray all 30+ roles in the script. 

There is no charge for admission; doors open 

30 minutes prior to show time. Come early for a 

good seat! 

prayer. There is no better way to say “thank you” 

for the many blessings we have been given than by 

giving back to God a portion of what is given to us. 

Giving is not something we have to do, rather, it is 

something we are privileged to do because we are 

blessed. Every gift really does make a difference, 

for the giver as well as the receiver. 

If you haven’t yet made your commitment 

for 2012, you can still do so by bringing or mailing 

in your completed gift card, or even easier, make 

your gift commitment online by visiting www. 

stlukesmethodist.org/stewardship. Thank you for 

your commitment to our church and its ministry 

for Christ. 

tried to find that community in several places to no avail. In my reply, I told her 

about our programming and the opportunities for her son to get connected and 

let her know that I would be available to meet on Sunday. 

As Sunday morning approached and I made my way to St. Luke’s, I went through 

my normal routine and headed down the stairs to the Fellowship Hall. As I sat 

down with my wife, I realized how many people were in the chairs all around me, 

and as I scanned the faces of the crowd, I realized … “It’s going to be very hard for 

me to meet this family.” Right when I said that to myself the attendance pad fell 

in my lap, I opened it up, and you would not believe who was sitting three chairs 

from me. It’s awesome how God works in the little things like that. After the 

Continued on page 6 


713-622-5710 

Outreach 

reaching out to our community 

and the world 

Opportunities to Serve: 

CCSC’s Jingle Bell Express: Just show up on 

December 5, 6 and 7 from 6 – 8 p.m. to Sort & Set-up 

(Prepare toys and food for distribution) and December 9 

and 10 from 7:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for Distribution (Assist 

clients as they gather toys, books & food) Location: 

Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd. 

Life House Houston, a Christ-centered ministry 

providing housing, healing and hope for those touched 

by an unplanned pregnancy, has a vast array of volunteer 

opportunities. Please contact Amanda Butler at 713-623- 

2120 or email info@lifehousehouston.org. You can also 

go to www.lifehousehouston.org. 

Apollo Mixed Martial Arts Club, AMMAC, 

greatly needs volunteers on Mondays and/or Wednesdays 

from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Sharpstown High School to help 

youth with after school activities. If you have a heart for 

youth and interest in sports, show-up in sneakers ready to 

build relationships with teens. Please call Jasmine Young, 

Associate Director of Student Ministries at 832-922-9215 

or email jyoung@StLukesMethodist.org. 

Small Steps Nurturing Center has a great need 

for volunteers to help with its “Thursday Night Support 

Group” program. There are opportunities to share Bible 

stories, light meals, conversation and prayers. Please 

contact Verna at vnoack@ssnc.org. 

Woodworkers Ministry: Looking for a way 

to serve? Consider joining the St. Luke’s Woodworkers 

Ministry, a friendly group of men and women making 

classic-style wooden toys year ‘round (over 11,000 in 

2010) for children at agencies and orphanages, locally and 

abroad. These folks also repair and build furniture, plus 

help with special projects for many nonprofits. Across 

from the church on Edloe, the Woodshop is equipped with 

all the modern tools to build most anything from wood. 

Please contact Alice at aking@stlukesmethodist.org for 

more information about volunteering on Monday and 

Tuesday mornings.


Train Move 

This Christmas St. Luke’s will partner with 

Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center to provide 

gifts for deserving families. Your cash donation 

assures that families will receive a toy for each 

child, a gift for each teenager, female and male 

adults and a family gift basket. You can be 

involved in many ways: join the wrapping 

party on Wednesday, November 30 at 6 p.m. 

at Gethsemane campus, help at Angel Tree 

event on December 4 from 

12:30–2:30 p.m. at Gethsemane and donate 

money for the gifts. Please contact Lynda at 

lisensee@stlukesmethodist.org or Alice at 

aking@stlukesmethodist.org. 

A Special Encounter 

Contemporary Worship Service–December 4, 

2011, 8:45 a.m. 

Sometimes we receive the most 

unexpected gifts! 

In this special Encounter service on Sunday, 

December 4, the Encounter Band, led by Faith 

Ayers, along with some of the city’s finest 

string players will join in a musical celebration 

of the coming of the greatest gift of all, the 

birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. After worship, 

you are invited to join us for brunch in the 

Activity Center. 

The angel Gabriel came to announce the arrival 

of that Gift and his message changed the world 

and surprised a very young Mary! Dr. Pace will 

have us thinking about the unexpected gifts 

in our lives as he continues preaching on our 

Advent sermon series It’s Beginning to Look a 

Lot Like…. 

As a part of your journey through Advent, 

come to Encounter on December 4 and let your 

hearts be opened and your spirits lifted by song 

and sermon as we remind ourselves what The 

Gift of Christmas truly is. 

Tom Pace, preaching 

Special music from our own 

Encounter Band 

accompanied by our city’s 

finest string players. 

Bless Friday 

This year instead of participating in the frenzied 

Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, 

come to the Gethsemane Campus, 

6856 Bellaire Blvd., and make blessing bags 

of non-perishable food items for distribution 

to Houston’s homeless who we see on street 

corners. The event will begin at 10:00 am and 

end with lunch. Please bring a dish to share 

with our community as we share our blessings 

serving others. For further information, contact 

Mireya Ottaviano, 832-242-8176. 

All-Church 

Christmas Brunch 

The All-Church Christmas Brunch, December 4, 

10 a.m.-1 p.m., Activities Center 

Sponsored by Children’s Ministries 

The wonderful Advent season is almost here! 

Come join us for our long-standing holiday 

tradition, the All-Church Christmas Brunch. We 

are featuring some of our favorite events and a 

NEW brunch menu: 

•Advent Workshop – crafts for children of 

all ages; 

•Friends at Home Gift – make a gift for one 

of our Friends at Home members. Our 

pastoral staff will deliver them in mid 

December; 

•Visit with Santa – bring your camera; 

•Sing-a-long with Rob Landes – a favorite 

holiday tradition; and 

•Brunch menu includes scrambled eggs, 

bacon, tortillas, roasted potatoes, fruit, 

cinnamon rolls and pancakes…delicious! 

The Advent Workshop is offered through the 

support of Sunday School teachers, Sunday 

School classes, our Woodshop friends, and 

several dedicated adult and youth volunteers. 

This event is a great time for fellowship, food 

and fun. Won’t you consider inviting a friend or 

neighbor to join you? 

Purchase your tickets in advance online at 

www.stlukesmethodist.org/Advent or the day 

of the event beginning at 9am. Prices are $10 

for adults and $5 for children. 



When reaching out into 

the community 

surrounding Gethsemane, it 

doesn’t take long to figure 

out that the families we 

have to pull from are diverse. 

The rainbow of ethnicities is 

immediately apparent when 

you step out the front door 

and into the community. 

That diversity has also 

become a big part of our 

church community. In line 

with that growth, it is 

exciting to share that this 

December Gethsemane will host what is probably our first 

Quinceañera service in history. This will also be my first 

experience officiating at such a service, and I feel 

honored to be a part of such a culturally rich tradition. 

How powerful to be a place where a young girl would 

choose to come of age. 

Blessings, 


713-622-5710 

A Place to 

Come of Age


Train Move 

Caring Ministries 

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace 

as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13 

As Christians, we are called to care and pray for one 

another. 

Cares and Concerns: 

Methodist Hospital 

Steve Croft 

Memorial City 

Daphne Raitz 

Recently Discharged: 

Daphne Raitz 

Jan Cottage 

Congratulations to: 

Bo and Cassie Ford on the birth of their daughter, Alice Jane 

Ford, on June 14. Proud older sister is Caroline Ford and proud 

grandparents are Ken and Jaunea Ford. 

John Larkin “Jack” Matthews and Marla Renae Frederick, who 

were united in marriage on November 11. 

Kenneth Roy Koenig and Sondra Mary Sullivan, who were 

united in marriage on November 11. 

Travis David Sartain and Catherine Patricia Dallas, who were 


Mark and Courtney Teshoian on the birth of their daughter, 

Katherine Hart “Kate” Teshoian, on November 14. 

Chris and Carrie Davidson on the birth of their daughter, Sarah 

Elizabeth Davidson, on November 16. 

Kelly Beth Thacker and Michael Jason Greene, who were united 

in marriage on November 19. 

Crystal Renee Smith and Adam Richard Ratliff, who were 


Our Sympathy to: 

Julie Goodman 

Susan Garver 

Tricia Gow 

Nelda Mayes 

Lynnda Paukune 

Ernest Shick 

Dan Smith 

Bonnie Stroman 

Don and Karen Eldridge, and David Eldridge on the death of 

Don’s sister, Barbara Eldridge Patterson, on November 9. 

Junico and Tracy Velarde and Remy, Jade and Noah Velarde on 

the death of Junico’s uncle, Raul Torrelio, on November 9. 

Family and friends of Betty Mitchell Benson, who died on 

November 21. 

If you know of a concern or a joy that the church 

should know about, please contact Caring Ministries at 

713-402-5086 or 5156. 



Celebrating Lives 

CHANCEL CHOIR 

In Memory of: 

Mildred D. Daniels & 

Walter J. McCaine, Jr. by 

Joanie & Don Haley 

EDLOE WOODSHOP 

In Memory of: 

Al Buescher 

Johnnie Hardin 

Roberta Howard 

Dale Miller & 

Norman Toellner by 

Paul Renner 

In Honor of: 

Tuesday’s Sanding Crew by 

Don D. Ford, Jr. 

FRIENDS OF MUSIC 

In Memory of: 

Gracene Kennedy by 

Cathy Andrews 

LivHOME 

GENE DECKER OUTREACH ENDOWMENT 

In Memory Of: 

Carol Newton Brown by 

St. Luke’s Study Class 

Thomas Harold Craig by 

Bob & Betty Geary 

Mary Bain Pearson 

Bain & John Pitts 

Robert N. Tipps by 

Bob & Betty Geary 

In Honor of: 

Jane Szalkowski on her Birthday!! by 

Judy Bolling 

ST LUKE’S METHODIST CHURCH FOUNDATION 

In Memory of: 

Terry Dalton by 

Mr. & Mrs. W. M. Wheless III 

Dottie Ann Goodloe by 

Ron Brewer 

Walter J. McCaine, Jr. 

Don & Joyce Lynn Childs 

Danny Sudduth by 

Don & Joyce Lynn Childs 

United Methodist 

Women’s Annual 

Christmas Celebration 

Love Came Down at Christmas, December 6 with 

Beverly Laubach and BB Bamberg, and a message 

from Dr. Linda Christians is in the Chapel at 

10:30 a.m. Brunch to follow. 


713-622-5710 

How To Beat The 

Holiday Blues 

‘Tis the season for red and green, but 

some people experience the holidays in 

shades of blue. Sadness, anxiety and even 

depression during this time of year are known 

as the “holiday blues.” 

Grief is the most common cause of 

holiday blues according to Nick Finnegan 

Counseling Center (NFCC) counselor Derek 

Prins, LPC. At a time when loved ones are top 

of mind, missing those no longer with us and 

seeing holiday traditions change can increase 

sadness and grief. 

“Holiday blues are often triggered by 

grief, loss and loneliness,” said Prins. “Even if 

you’re in a family, you can still feel lonely if 

relationships are not where you want them 

to be.” 

To help keep the holiday blues at bay, 

Prins recommends: 

•Setting aside 15-20 minutes daily for 

quiet reflection, prayer, relaxation or 

exercise. 

•Having friends for coffee sans a gift 

exchange. Emotional connections are 

key, not presents. 

•Acknowledging the absence of a lost 

loved one by experiencing the hurt (i.e. 

crying, reminiscing) can be a healing 

experience for everyone impacted by 

the loss. 

•Being with those closest to you; time 

spent with loved ones can do wonders 

to lift your spirits. 

If the holiday blues are too much to bear 

alone, talking to a professional counselor 

can help. NFCC clinical staff has experience 

caring for children and adults impacted by 

anxiety, depression and grief. Confidential 

appointments can be made by calling 

713-402-5046. Affordable rates are $40 for 

SLUMC members, $80 for non-members; 

an income-based sliding scale is available as 

needed. 

March to the 

Manger 

Children’s Sunday School classes at the 

Westheimer campus participate in a special 

annual event called March to the Manger on 

Sunday, December 4, at 9:45 a.m. Each child, age 2 

through 5th grade, brings one new, unwrapped toy 

to donate to Jingle Bell Express. Children present 

their gifts to baby Jesus by way of a live Nativity 

in the Children’s Chapel (3s-5th grade). Two year 

olds receive a special visit from Mary, Joseph and 

baby Jesus in their classroom.


Train Move 

Susan Silvus 

announces Retirement 

After 25 years of service to St. Luke’s, Director of 

Outreach Susan Silvus is retiring. It is with a great 

deal of appreciation that we thank Susan for her 

contributions to our church, to the Methodist 

Church and to the Kingdom of God. 

Susan first joined St. Luke’s staff in August of 1986 

as a full-time as secretary. Shortly there after, she 

went on her first mission trip and now says, “that 

trip changed the direction of the rest of my life.” 

Discovering her passion for mission work in Houston 

and beyond, she moved into the newly formed 

Outreach Department as Assistant Director in 1989, 

becoming Director in mid-1990. During her time 

in this role Susan has lead local projects as well as 

mission trips to Russia, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Belize, 

Costa Rica, Bolivia, West Indies, El Salvador, the 

Bahamas, Tomsk, Siberia, and Alaska. 

Personal highlights for Susan include being part of 

the team that set up the Astrodome to receive Katrina 

evacuees, delivering 800,000 mosquito nets to 

Africa through Nothing But Nets, spearheading the 

campaign to provide an x-ray machine for the hospital 

in the Mara Maui, constructing AIDS orphans’ 

homes; building the Methodist Eye Clinic in Corazal, 

Belize; and helping establish the Methodist Church 

in Tomsk, Siberia. 

Susan has also helped the global community by 

working with St. Luke’s Outreach Council to select 

worthy organizations as recipients of St. Luke’s 

Christmas and Easter offerings and leading the 

Houston Project which has given thousands of 

dollars to local non-profits. Susan has established 

St. Luke’s 

Day School 

Book Fair 

Susan Silvus is a remarkable woman. She has a 

contagious passion for missions, a bright and cheerful 

positive attitude in every circumstance, and a willingness 

to exert whatever elbow grease is necessary 

to make something happen. St. Luke’s can be only 

grateful to Susan Silvus for all she has done for the 

kingdom. -Tom Pace, Senior Pastor 

lasting relationships and beneficial partnerships 

with countless organizations including Living Water 

International, Kids Meals, Zoe Ministries, and 

Youth Advocates. The future of St. Luke’s outreach 

ministry is based on many of the partnerships 

Susan Silvus formed on behalf of the church. 

Please join us in celebrating Susan and her 

worldwide ministry on Sunday, December 11 at 

noon in the Fellowship Hall. 

All aboard the Christmas Express! The annual SLDS Book Fair is just around the corner and the 

Fellowship Hall will be transformed into a magical train station with books, activities and special 

events for all ages. Please come and join the holiday shopping fun on Tuesday, November 29, from 

9 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 30, from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Thursday, December 1, from 

9 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Ride the rails to the Fellowship Hall and enjoy these special events and activities: 

• Santa Portraits: all three days beginning at 2 p.m. 

• Breakfast concert with Rob Landes: Tuesday 

• Alumni Afternoon: Wednesday 

• Bring a Friend Night: Wednesday 

• Latin Flavors Cookbook Tasting: Thursday 

Visit www.stlukesdayschool.org for more details. Don’t miss the train on the best selection of handpicked 

children’s books in town! 




713-622-5710 

senior adults 

Fellowship of Older Adult 

Ministries Fall Festival Luncheon, 

October 28, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the 

Fellowship Hall at the Westheimber Campus 

with entertainment by Jay Stailey, nationally 

known storyteller, educator and author. 

Contact Marlys Barry, 713-402-5008 or 

mbarry@stlukesmethodist.org. 

Mainstreamer Day 

December 8, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Fellowship Hall at 

the Westheimer Campus. Our program will be 

presented by tenor Charlie Mellor and Pianist/ 

coach Patrick Harvey. They are presented 

by the Houston Grand Opera Guild, which 

sponsors the Artists In Residence Informance 

program. These talented young artists will 

perform, and inform about HGO, the Artists in 

Residence program, and about themselves. 

Invite a friend to enjoy this 

special program of music and to 

meet these talented young 

musicians. 

Holiday Buffet lunch at 12 p.m. 

$10.00 

Call Kathy Neely, 713-402-5139 for 

reservations. Even if you don’t plan to stay for 

lunch, please let us know you are coming so we 

are sure to have enough seats for everyone to 

enjoy the program. 

Watch for details about the 

Annual Christmas Lights Tour 

and Dinner planned for 

December 15. Space will be 

limited, so make your plans now.


Train Move 

wherenoonewalksalone continued from page 2 

Encounter service, the young man decided that he wanted to check out the Sr. High class and afterward 

his mom emailed me this message, “I just wanted to say thanks for making my son feel so welcomed on 

Sunday. He enjoyed the class and had no complaints; he even wants to sign up for small groups that meet 

on Wednesday nights.” As I read that message, I couldn’t help but think of the picture that this young man 

had of church, and all of a sudden after so many failed attempts, he not only wants to come to Sunday 

morning but also wants to be involved in small groups! 

This is a pretty cool story, right? Well, it gets even better. I was sitting down with a couple of students for 

breakfast and we were discussing how to take our Sr. High ministry to the next level. We talked through 

programming and cool events, but the students kept coming back to this word, “belonging.” One of the 

students began to share her experience on Sunday morning about connecting with a young man. She said, 

“I could tell that he was new just by his body language and the fact that he wasn’t sitting with the rest of 

the group. So, I went over to him and just simply said, ‘hello.’” She paused for a moment and starred down 

at her plate of bacon and eggs, and said, “I knew that wasn’t all I was supposed to do, so I invited him over 

to our group and introduced him to all my friends. We learned all about him; where he was from, how old 

he was, and where he went to school. Then one of the guys got up and brought back the small group leader 

for this boys Midweek group that meets on Wednesday nights… You know, I think that’s what we need 

to be about. We need to be a student ministry that cares for each other, and ensures that no one walks 

alone.” 

Sitting in my chair at breakfast that morning, I was absolutely amazed at how powerful the sense of belonging 

really can be in the life of a young person. This is exactly what student ministry strives to be about, 

truly a place where no one walks alone. 

Artist of the Month for 

December 

Our Artist of the Month for December is painter, 

Dave Collins. As a young child, Dave says he remembers 

his fascination with being able to reproduce an 

image. Today he finds himself drawn to the majesty and 

intricate design of nature, especially the way that light 

and color interact. He wants to capture the exquisite 

beauty of places he’s been, capture the way the sun 

works on the rocks or water, put down the variety of 

colors in every place. 

Dave is often surprised by the peace that comes 

with just sitting in a quiet place, staring at the clouds or 

a sunset, or listening to water bubble and tumble along 

its way. He says that peace is the feeling he most often 

tries to capture on canvas. 

Out in nature Dave is always drawn around the 

next corner wanting to see what is over the next rise. 

He doesn’t want to miss anything! And he wants the 

viewer to imagine what might be just out of sight, to 

be drawn to a beautiful place and wish they could see 

more. 

David’s work will be on display in the Rotunda 

Gallery through the month of December. If you are 

interested in purchasing one of his paintings, contact 

Monica Griffin at mgriffin@stlukesmethodist.org. 



Looking for a gift idea? St. Luke’s logo 

charms are available in sterling silver for $25 

at the Church Offices on both campuses. 


713-622-5710 

Baptisms 

Miles Jack Green, son of 

David John Green and 

Cheryl Anne Cross Green 

on November 20. 

Javier Andoni Iglesias, son 

of Jesus Andres Iglesias 

and Lisa Rimmer Iglesias 

on November 20. 

Ashley Reese Koehne, 

daughter of Jason Todd 

Koehne and Mindy Welch 

Koehne on November 20. 

Pray for One Another 

Advent Prayer Calendars 

To enhance the meaning of the season, St. Luke’s 

members will once again have the opportunity to 

pray for one another. Throughout the Advent 

season each member of our entire congregation will 

beprayed for by name by another member. Carolyn 

Meyer, chairperson of St. Luke’s Prayer Ministry, and 

her team have created beautiful hand cut and 

assembled calendars with a different member’s name 

behind individual windows. The calendars, designed 

to be opened daily from November 27 until 

Christmas Day, give those who pray an opportunity 

to focus their prayers on one person at a time. If you 

would like to be part of this effort to pray for every 

member of St. Luke’s your commitment would be 

to pray for one different person each day beginning 

November 27 thru Christmas Day. To reserve your 

calendar and list of names, contact Anona at 

713-402-5003 or akarnaky@stlukesmethodist.org.


Train Move 

New Members 

Ivonne Chiok unites with our 

congregation by transfer from 

another United Methodist 

church. She is an investment 

banker/vice president with 

Duff and Phelps. Ivonne and 

her husband are the parents 

of Grace Elizabeth Chiok age 

7 months. 

Charlotte Fruge’ joins St. 

Luke’s by transfer from 

another denomination. 

Phoebe Cuthbert joins St. 

Luke’s by profession of 

faith and baptism. She is a 

member of the Joy Class. 

Westheimer Campus 

8:30 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship 

with Holy Communion* 

8:45 a.m. Sunday – Encounter Worship, Fellowship Hall 

9:45 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship* 

12 p.m. Holy Communion, Chapel 

* Sanctuary 

Gethsemane Campus 

8:30 a.m. Blended Communion service 

9:45 a.m. Servicio en Español – Spanish Worship 

10:55 a.m. Traditional Worship 

Sermon videos, podcasts and corresponding study guides are 

available online at: 

StlukesMethodist.org/Sermons 

Scan the code to read the eSpire 



We welcome David 

Sawyer, who transfers to 

our congregation from 


He is a law student and 

member of Men’s Life. 

Brenden and Carissa 

Phillips-Garrett unite 

with St. Luke’s by transfer 

from another denomination. 

He is in financial 

services operations and 

she is a graduate student. 

Brenden and Carissa are 

members of the Compass 

Class. 

Edward Elms transfers to 

our congregation from 


He is a post-doctorate fellow 

at U.T Health Science 

Center/T.I.R.R. Memorial 

Hermann and a member 

of the Good Will Class. 

November 

27 

Preparations 

First in the Series, It’s Beginning 

To Look a lot Like... 

Luke 3:1-6 

Dr. Tom Pace 


Rev. Justin Coleman 


The altar flowers are dedicated to the 

glory of God and given in loving memory 

of Neva & Pick Pickens by their children 

and in loving memory of Lori Beth and 

Alan Brian Wimmer by DeLois Wimmer and 

Stephen Wimmer and 

in loving memory of Jerry Eckles by the 

Eckles family. 


713-622-5710 

Will and Justine Klinke 

transfer to St. Luke’s, he 

from another denomination 

and she from 

another United Methodist 

church. Will is a 

financial advisor with 

Merrill Lynch and Justine 

is development director 

for Forestar Group, Inc. 

We welcome Kenny 

and Britton Durio, who 

transfer to our congregation 

from other 

denominations. Kenny is 

a scheduler for El Paso 

Corporation and Britton 

is a staff auditor for 

Ernst & Young, LLP. 

December 

4 Gifts 

Third in the Series, Prayer Walking 

Luke 1:26-38 

Dr. Tom Pace 


Rev. Justin Coleman 


Kristin Crum and Ryan 

Midgett join St. Luke’s, 

she by profession of 

faith and baptism and he 

by transfer from another 

denomination. Kristin is 

in community relations 

and communications 

with Linn Energy and 

Ryan is assistant treasurer 

for Vanguard Natural 

Resources. Kristin has a 

daughter, Camryn Crum, 

who is in the fifth grade.

The Spire - St. Luke's United Methodist Church

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