CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CORNER If you would like an idea of how the welcome area and eleva-

tor lobby of the main floor will look after renovation, take a

minute to check out the renderings added to the plan draw-

ings posted on the wall outside of Ricky’s office. Images of

the redesigned open space have been placed on the plans with

directional arrows to help show the location for each image.

Remember, these are renderings and not photos, so wall and

floor colors are only representations. The architects are in

consultation with our Campaign Committee on color and

decorating selections. It is exciting to report that our cam-

paign fund total continues to grow each week. Our new total

is $449,482! Thank you seems inadequate to fully express

our gratitude for your faithful commitment and generosity.

Preparing the Present to Transform the Future.

* * SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE * *

Carols, Candlelight and Communion 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 24

Pastor

The Reverend Ricky James

YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS REMINDER A Very Important Reminder: For financial gifts to be tax

deductible in 2013, they must be received by

December 31st, 2013. Your gift can be given

in the regular offering on Sunday, in person

at the church office, or mailed with a post-

mark on or before December 31, 2013. The church office will

close at 12:00 Noon on December 31st for those wishing to

deliver their gift in person. Of course, your gift on Sunday,

December 29th

, will be considered a 2013 charitable gift for

tax purposes.

DATES AT-A-GLANCE Thu., Dec. 19 ECLC Christmas & New Year’s Holidays Begin Thu., Dec. 19 NO Office Staff Meeting Sun., Dec. 22 Morning Prayer Time with Communion in Chapel, 8:30 am Sun., Dec. 22 Sunday School, 9:00 am Sun., Dec. 22 Fellowship Time, 9:45 am Sun., Dec. 22 Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:15 am Tue., Dec. 24 CHRISTMAS EVE Candlelight Communion, 5:30 pm Wed., Dec. 25 Christmas Day, Church Closed Thu., Dec. 26 Christmas Holiday Church Closed, Thrift Shop Closed Fri., Dec. 27 Christmas Holiday Church Closed, Thrift Shop Closed Sat. Dec. 28 Christmas Holiday, Thrift Shop Closed Sun., Dec. 29 Morning Prayer Time with Communion in Chapel, 8:30 am Sun., Dec. 29 Sunday School, 9:00 am Sun., Dec. 29 Fellowship Time, 9:45 am Sun., Dec. 29 Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:15 am Tue., Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve – Church Closed at Noon Wed., Jan. 01 New Year’s Day, Church Closed, ECLC Closed

Dear Friends,

We had a wonderful service of worship and song this past

Sunday as the Choir led us in their magnificent cantata. If

you see a member of the choir give them a special thanks for

their dedication in leading us so faithfully in worship.

I hope you will join us for worship this Sunday, December

22, and then on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 5:30 p.m.,

for Carols, Candlelight and Holy Communion. This is always

a beautiful and meaningful service as we welcome the Christ

Child into our hearts once again. Please invite any family or

friends looking for a place to celebrate Christmas. There will

be nursery available but children are certainly welcome to

worship with the whole family.

Don’t forget that if you need a gift for that hard to shop for

person, you can always honor them through a donation to one

of our Mission Share Partners found listed on the bulletin

board of our church. Simply mark on your gift which minis-

try you’d like to support.

Also, if you need to complete your 2013 pledge you may

place your gift in the offering plate the next two Sundays, on

Christmas Eve, or mail it to the church office postmarked by

December 31st.

Grace and Peace,

Ricky

Loving, Learning, Living in the Heart of Fondren

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St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

621 Duling Ave. Jackson, MS 39216

(601) 362-6381

info@stlukesjackson.org

www.stlukesjackson.org

Rev. Ricky James, Pastor

December 19, 2013

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Please join us this week in Sunday school as we continue to

discuss the true Christmas story, focusing on the importance

of giving. We will also have a birthday celebration to honor

baby Jesus! Also, parents, please remember the Cherub Choir

will perform THIS Sunday during service. We hope you can

all attend. If you are interested in getting your child more in-

volved in our program, please email Leah Batson at leahbat-

son@yahoo.com.

∞ YOUTH GROUP NEWS ∞ Today, Thursday, December 19, we are going on our annual

road trip to see the Canton Christmas Lights.

THIS WEDNESDAY IS CHRISTMAS DAY! We will, of course, have no church activities today

or next Wednesday, New Year’s Day.

Wednesday activities will resume on January 8, 2014.

POINSETTIA’S DELIVERED TO HOMEBOUND MEMBERS

In the giving spirit of the Christmas Season Your thoughtful generosity and the caring dedication of St.

Luke’s Pastor of Visitation Rev. Ben Lewis and Ella and Bill

Bruner, made it possible to bring a bright touch of Christmas

to our homebound members. Many of you placed poinsetties

in the sanctuary in memory and honor of your famiy and

friends and chose to share them with our homebound

members after the recognition in our worship service. Ben,

Ella and Bill graciously volunteered to deliver them to our

members who are unable to attend church. Another way our

St. Luke’s family shares the giving spirit of Christmas.

by Deborah Westbrook

Read Luke 2:1-7. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because ther was no place for them in the guestroom. —Luke 2:7

One Christmas Eve I shared in the most meaningful Holy Communion I have ever enjoyed.

Communion was to be given at the altar rail. The pastor explained that he would like each person there to take a few moments to prepare himself or herself while in the pew – a silent prayer, a time of communing with God, a preparation of the heart. When we felt we were “ready,” we were to come to the altar rail. But he asked that we take another moment to pray, asking God to fully come into our lives.

OK, we had our instructions, and we knew what was expected of us. But then something unusual happened.

Our pastor blessed the elements, then turned to the young acolyte who was assisting him with Communion, and handed him the loaf of bread. The young man was about ten years old. Although he did his acolyte duties just fine, I must confess at the time I wasn’t sure this was appropriate. Once again, God taught me a lesson.

The organist played, we prayed, we rose, we went forward, we knelt at the rail. In my mind I was thinking, Some Christmas…I want the first-class service: I want the pastor to offer Communion, not some kid.

It was an atmospheric kind of Christmas Eve. The stage was perfectly set—or so I thought. And then, love came down.

As I raised my head to look across the chancel, I opened my hands, palms up, waiting to receive the elements. And then, in a moment, I looked up into the sweet eyes of a young man of God to see an incredible sight. There were tears running down his cheeks. He looked down at me, then down at the loaf, and with utmost reverence, very slowly broke off a piece of bread. He did not give it to me immediately. Instead, he looked at it, looked at me, and I saw new tears welling up in his eyes. In an emotion-laden voice, he whispered, “This is God’s gift to you. A part of him. When you take it, do it in remembrance of God’s gift to each of us.” With that, he laid the bread in my hands, and then physically closed my fingers around it. He again looked a me and said two more words: Merry Christmas.

It was a minute or two before I could actually put the bread in my mouth. This child of God had taught me a great lesson, and perhaps a reminder of why God loves the children especially. This young man realized the great gift of love that came to the world that first Christmas. He knew, and I was blessed to share in that great gift. May you share in the gift too. Merry Christmas!

Prayer: Dear God, I offer my unending thanks for the gracious gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. On this blessed day, fill me with your love and surround me in your love. Amen.

DECEMBER 22ND, 2013 ~ Worship, 10:15 A.M.

34TH SUNDAY AFTER ADVENT

Special Prayer Concerns this Week: Montie Moore is recover-

ing from surgery.

Ongoing Prayer Concerns: Tom Mallette (Gale Purser’s father)

Kay Harrell, Marjorie Talkington, Lyn McCool, Lamar Kemp,

Katie Westerfield, Joe Perry Williams, Ross Barnett, Kip Lytle

(Laurie Courtney’s brother-in-law), Marcia Williams and her

nephew, Edward Williams, Ralph Higginbotham (Wilena Stark’s

brother), Bea Prescott, Louis Baine, Beth Pearson (Martha Pear-

son’s daughter), Eva McDonald, John Baltar, Carolyn Gaby, Jan

Williams, Lucille Robbins, David Wells (Susan Burrow’s brother),

Lavelle Mayfield, Sarah Rogers, Jerrie Lynn Mitchell (Rebecca

Henley’s sister), Marshall, Donna, Mason and Chloe Wallace

(Wanda Laseter’s niece, Donna, & family), Anne Bowlus, Kirk &

Pam Harpole, Lori & Eric Stringer, Joann Smith, Wynon Pearson,

Joanne D. Smith, Jeff Wheeler’s Mother, Cayleigh Durr, caregivers

and homebound.

ATTENDANCE AND STEWARDSHIP REPORTS

12/15/13

Sunday School 105

Worship 212

Offerings Needed $418,000.00

Offerings Needed Weekly $8,038.00

*Offerings Received 12/15/13 $10,106.00

Offerings Needed to date $401,900.00

Offerings Received to Date $350,790.00

Offering Balance to Date (short) -$51,110.00 *Permanent Endowment $10.00

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THANKS FOR WORSHIPING WITH US

Sara Burns Lisa Russ

Erik Olson Jack Murray

Jo Hinton Janie Robbins

Harley Davis Susan Head

Mitch Carr & Donna Carr

Gregg & Teresa Logan

Joanne & Lindsley Keeton

Rebekah & Ryan McGaughey

Patti & Steve Pollack

Kevin & Nicole Akers, Brodie Akers

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