480 S. HighlandMemphis, TN 38111-4302

901-452-6262 • www.stlukesumc.orgRev. Jim McKinney, Pastor

A Message from our Pastor

December 2018, Volume 53, Issue 18

Matthew 3:1-2; 10-12:In those days John the Baptist appeared in the

wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

John’s call to repentance carried a warning• He said, “Even now the ax is lying at the root of

the trees; every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

• He said of Jesus, the one who was to come, “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and . . . the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

That’s a word of judgment, and we don’t like to hear it. We prefer affirmation to warning. We want to hear about God’s love, and we close our ears to God’s judgment. We want to hear words of praise, and we resent calls to repentance.

But we must hear this word of judgment in the same way that we would hear a warning from our doctor. A doctor’s warning to lose weight is a

call to reinvigorate our lives. A doctor’s warning to quit smoking is a call to live longer. A doctor’s warning to start exercising is a call to feel better. So also John’s call to repentance is a call to move from death to life.

John’s preaching was not all judgment. He also sounded a note of hope

• He said that the one who would come would, “baptize (them) with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

• He said, “He will gather his wheat into the granary,” meaning that Jesus would gather his people into a safe place, a sheltered place, a place where they could weather the storms of life.

St. Luke’s family, in this Advent season, as we prepare for the coming again of the Christ into our world and our hearts, let us hear the call to repentance as a life-giving call from a loving Savior. Let us examine ourselves and cleanse our lives. Let us repent, “for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” It is here in our midst. Let us choose full-fledged citizenship in that kingdom.

Faithfully,

Jim

“Repent, because the kingdom of Heaven comes near.”

United Methodist Church480 S Highland, Memphis, TN 38111

The episTle

Celebrate Advent With UsCelebrate Advent With UsWednesday Night Fellowship and CarolingWednesdays, December 5, 12, 19 5:45-6:30 p.m.Join us for a light supper followed by the singing of Christmas carols and a brief devotional by Rev. Jim McKinney. Cost is $5 each. Call church office for reservations.

Hanging of the GreenSunday, December 2 • 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.On this first Sunday in Advent, our children and youth choirs will be singing, and the symbols of Advent will be brought to the altar table.

The MessiahSunday, December 9 • 4:00 p.m.Our Chancel Choir and Chamber Orchestra will perform selections of Handel’s Messiah with featured soloists.

Lessons & Carols (one service)Sunday, December 16 • 11:00 a.m. The story of Christmas told through scripture and music foretelling us of the birth of our Savior.

Christmas Eve CandlelightMonday, December 24 • 5:00 p.m.

T h e M a n g e r a w a i T sT h e M a n g e r a w a i T s

Music Ministry News Terri Theil, terri.theil@stlukesumc.org • 452-6262, ext. 103

In 1818, a roving band of actors was performing the story of Christ’s birth in the small Church of St. Nicholas. Unfortunately, the St. Nicholas’ church organ wasn’t working and would not be repaired before Christmas. Because the church organ was out of

commission, the actors presented their Christmas drama in a private home. That Christmas presentation of the events in the first chapters of Matthew and Luke put assistant pastor Josef Mohr in a meditative mood. Instead of walking straight to his house that night, Mohr took a longer way home. The longer path took him up over a hill overlooking the village.

From that hilltop, Mohr looked down on the peaceful snow-covered village. Reveling in majestic silence of the wintry night, his thoughts about the Christmas play he had just seen made him remember a poem he had written a couple of years before. That poem was about the night when angels announced the birth of the long-awaited Messiah to

The first night with Room In The Inn was a great success. We had six ladies that spent the night in a safe and warm place. Thanks to Jeanne and Jim Debo, Judy and Cody Green, Denise and David Hensley, Sarah Lawrence and Coach Day for making this first night happen.

Thanks to all the wonderful people at St. Luke’s that offered help in many, many ways.

We are in need of the following:• Volunteers to set up on Saturday night and take

down on Sunday morning and get the room ready for Sunday School

• Volunteers to spend the night• Someone to prepare the dinner meal and

provide/cook breakfast.

The dates are December 8, January 12, February 9 and March 9.

We will set up at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and take down at 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Dinner meal should be ready to serve at 6:00 p.m. Breakfast is served 5:45-6:00 a.m.

Volunteers spending the night need to be at the church no later than 5:30 p.m. and can leave when our guests are transported back to the Carpenter House on Sunday morning.

A signup sheet is available at Hospitality Hall desk in the notebook.

For further information contact Jim and Jeanne Debo at jwdebo1@aol.com, Denise and David Hensley at thehensleys421@gmail.com, or Pat Anderson at panderson105@hotmail.com.

Thanks to All Who Made Our First Night a Great Success!

shepherds on a hillside.Mohr decided those words might make a good

carol for his congregation the following evening at their Christmas Eve service. The next day Mohr went to see the church organist, Franz Xaver Gruber. Gruber only had a few hours to come up with a melody which could be sung with a guitar.

On Christmas Eve, the little Oberndorf congregation heard Gruber and Mohr sing their new composition to the accompaniment of Gruber’s guitar.

This simple melody, Silent Night, sung by millions around the world at Christmas, particularly Christmas Eve, touches even the smallest of hearts. My hope for you, this Christmas, is to take time to be silent and still and to remember the simple birth of our wonderful Savior!

Chancel ChoirDecember 24: Meet at 4:15 p.m. in Choir Room to

prepare for the Christmas Eve service at 5:00 p.m.December 26: No rehearsal.January 2: 6:30 p.m. rehearsals resume.

Saturday, December 1UMW Dining for $$$: 8 a.m.-1:00 p.m., FHSoccer Shots: 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.“Sip and See” for Hendrickson Baby:

2:00-4:00 p.m., ParlorMagnolia Meditation Group: 2:00-4:00 p.m., MB 213Young Adults/Wesley Foundation Bonfire:

3:00-9:00 p.m., Wofford’s barnSaturday Supper: 4:30-5:30 p.m., FHSunday, December 2Community Breakfast: 8:00-8:30 a.m., FHWorship Services: 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.Under 12/Under 16 Basketball: 1:00-3:00 p.m., GymWesley Bells Rehearsal: 3:30-4:30 p.m., Bell RoomYouth Activities: 5:00-7:00 p.m.Monday, December 3Sit & Be Fit: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., CLC 103Soccer Shots, Day School: 2:00-3:30 p.m., GymUnder 16 Basketball: 5:00-7:15 p.m., GymGlad Helpers Prayer Group: 5:30-7:30 p.m., ParlorJesus is Lord Basketball: 7:15-10:15 p.m., GymTuesday, December 4Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymUMW Meeting: 9:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m., MB 104UMW Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., FHPickleball: 12:00-2:00 p.m., GymUnder 10 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymTrustees Meeting: 6:00-7:30 p.m., LoungeBoy Scouts: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Scout HutCub Scouts: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Chapel/2nd floorWednesday, December 5Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymYoga With Ann: 5:15-6:15 p.m., ParlorAdvent Fellowship and Caroling: 5:45-6:30 p.m., FHUnder 18 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymChancel Choir: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Choir RoomYoung Adult Basketball: 7:20-8:50 p.m., GymThursday, December 6Day School STEM Class: 8:30-11:30 a.m., LoungeSit & Be Fit: 8:45-9:45 a.m., GymFood Pantry: 9:30-12:00 p.m., CLC 108Small Group Study: 10:00 a.m.-noon, LibraryCraft Club: 12:00-4:00 p.m., CLC 103Under 8 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymFisher of Men: 7:15-10:15 p.m., GymFriday, December 7Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymDay School Movie Day: 9:30 a.m.-noon, LoungeSaturday, December 8Church Work Day: 7:30 a.m.-noon

ESCRA Youth Basketball: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., GymSoccer Shots: 8:30 a.m.-noonAmerican Sewing Guild: 10 a.m.-noon, LoungeSit & Sew: 1:00-4:00 p.m., LoungeMagnolia Meditation Group: 2:00-4:00 p.m.,

MB 213Saturday Supper: 4:30-5:30 p.m., FHSunday, December 9Community Breakfast: 8:00-8:30 a.m., FHWorship Services: 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.CHB Bakesale: 9:00 a.m.-noon, CLC HallwayUnder 12/Under 16 Basketball:

1:00-3:00 p.m., GymThe Messiah: 4:00-5:30 p.m., SanctuaryMonday, December 10Day School Sleigh Rides: 9:00 a.m.-noon, Upper Sit & Be Fit: 9:00-10:00 a.m., CLC 103Soccer Shots, Day School: 2:00-3:30 p.m., GymGirl Scout Troup 10682: 5:00-6:00 p.m., CLC 103Under 16 Basketball: 5:00-7:15 p.m., GymSPRC Meeting: 6:30-7:30 p.m., LibraryJesus is Lord Basketball: 7:15-10:15 p.m., GymTuesday, December 11Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymWorship Meeting: 9:30-10:30 a.m., MB 203Pickleball: 12:00-2:00 p.m., GymBrownie Troop 13308: 4:30-5:45 p.m., CLC 103Under 10 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymBoy Scouts: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Scout HutCub Scouts: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Chapel/2nd floor UMW Naomi Circle: 6:30-8:00 p.m., LoungeWednesday, December 12Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymUMM Prayer Breakfast: 7:15-8:00 a.m.,

Perkins, 5112 Park Ave.Yoga With Ann: 5:15-6:15 p.m., ParlorAdvent Fellowship & Caroling: 5:45-6:30 p.m., FHUnder 18 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymChancel Choir: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Choir RoomYoung Adult Basketball: 7:20-8:50 p.m., GymThursday, December 13Day School STEM Class: 8:30-11:30 a.m., LoungeSit & Be Fit: 8:45-9:45 a.m., GymFood Pantry: 9:30-12:00 p.m., CLC 108Small Group Study: 10:00 a.m.-noon, LibraryCraft Club: 12:00-4:00 p.m., CLC 103Under 8 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymFisher of Men: 7:15-10:15 p.m., Gym

December 2018 Calendar of Events

Friday, December 14Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymGame Night: 6:00-10:00 p.m., MB 309/310/311Saturday, December 15ESCRA Youth Basketball: 8:00 a.m.-5 p.m.Soccer Shots: 8:30 a.m.-noonMagnolia Meditation Group: 2:00-4:00 p.m., MB 213Saturday Supper: 4:30-5:30 p.m., FHSunday, December 16Community Breakfast: 8:00-8:30 a.m., FHLessons & Carols: 11:00 a.m. (one service only)Under 12/Under 16 Basketball: 1:00-3:00 p.m., GymYouth Progressive Dinner: 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, December 17Sit & Be Fit: 9:00-10:00 a.m., CLC 103Soccer Shots, Day School: 2:00-3:30 p.m., GymUnder 16 Basketball: 5:00-7:15 p.m., GymGlad Helpers Prayer Group: 5:30-7:30 p.m., ParlorJesus is Lord Basketball: 7:15-10:15 p.m., GymTuesday, December 18Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymUMW Mary-Rachel Circle: 10:30 a.m.-noon,

Highland TerracePickleball: 12:00-2:00 p.m., GymUnder 10 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymBoy Scouts: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Scout HutCub Scouts: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Chapel/2nd floorWednesday, December 19Morning Basketball: 6:30-8:00 a.m., GymDay School Christmas Program: 9:30-10:30 a.m.,

SanctuaryDay School Cookie Party: 10:30-11:30 a.m., FHYoga With Ann: 5:15-6:15 p.m., ParlorAdvent Fellowship and Caroling: 5:45-6:30 p.m., FH

Under 18 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymChancel Choir: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Choir RoomYoung Adult Basketball: 7:20-8:50 p.m., GymThursday, December 20Challengers Camp: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.Sit & Be Fit: 8:45-9:45 a.m., GymFood Pantry: 9:30-12:00 p.m., CLC 108Craft Club: 12:00-4:00 p.m., CLC 103Under 8 Basketball: 5:45-7:15 p.m., GymYoung Adult Gathering: 6:00-9:00 p.m., LoungeFriday, December 21Challengers Camp: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.Saturday, December 22Saturday Supper: 4:30-5:30 p.m., FHSunday, December 23Community Breakfast: 8:00-8:30 a.m., FHWorship Services: 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.Monday, December 24Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 p.m., Sanctuary

Offices Closed December 25-28

Saturday, December 29Magnolia Meditation Group: 3:00-5:00 p.m., MB 213Saturday Supper: 4:30-5:30 p.m., FHSunday, December 30Community Breakfast: 8:00-8:30 a.m., FH

Offices Closed December 31-January 1

The UMW General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 4, at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Les Johnson will be our guest speaker. Sign up at the Hospitality desk for lunch. The cost is $6 per person. Everyone is invited.

Special Announcement! Everyone at St. Luke’s is invited to join us on Tuesday, December 18, at 1:30 p.m. at Sherwood Elementary School for their Christmas program. Let’s show our support for our neighborhood school! Sherwood Elementary is located at 1156 Robin Hood Lane.

The Methodist Hospital Auxiliary is in immediate need of t-shirts and socks. Bring any donations to the UMW Room (MB 104).

In December, the UMW social action project is supporting the St. Luke’s Food Pantry. Let’s fill up the shelves to start the new year!

Pat Anderson, panderson105@hotmail.com • 489-3757United Methodist Women

Last month in Kid’s Konnect, we decorated special containers for our December devotional cards and special Christmas items. We were also able to provide for each of the families a tabletop advent wreath and candles so that they can enjoy advent at home. We have a special advent table set up just around the

Children’s Ministrycorner from Hospitality Hall. Please feel free to take some Advent items for your family. Involving children in preparing our homes and hearts for Advent is one of the greatest gifts of Christmas. Bring Advent home!

Children’s church will NOT meet on December 2. Kid’s Konnect will resume on Sunday, January 6 in the lounge from 5:00-6:15 p.m.

Terri Theil, terri.theil@stlukesumc.org • 452-6262, ext. 103

Our Members!Brooke and Barrett

Parten got married July 1, 2017 and began attending St. Luke’s shortly after, where they sing in the choir. Barrett is a DMA candidate in saxophone performance at the University of Memphis.

Brooke teaches music with Shelby County Schools. They enjoy spending time with their two fur children, Minerva, a tabby cat, and Remy, a West Highland Terrier.

Reg McGrath was born in Nova Scotia and moved to Texas in 1996 and became a U.S. citizen in 2008. He is a Registered Nurse and graduated with a Bachelors of Nursing, Chemistry and Math from Dalhousie University. He currently works for a

small company that places PIC lines into patients throughout Tennessee.

Kim (Moore) McGrath was born in Memphis and attended Christ United Methodist Church until graduating Briarcrest High School. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelors of Industrial and Systems Engineering and University of Memphis with Masters of Business Administration. She currently works as a Manufacturing Engineer for Mitsubishi

The Methodist Hospital Auxiliary is in immediate need of t-shirts and socks. Bring any donations to the UMW Room (MB 104).

In December, the UMW social action project is supporting the St. Luke’s Food Pantry. Let’s fill up the shelves to start the new year!

Electric Power Products Inc. She is the daughter of St. Luke’s member Shirley Moore and the granddaughter of Hunt and Patricia Moore (who were long time members until their deaths).

They were married in 2007. Reg has a son from his previous marriage, Collin age 15, who lives in Keller, TX with his mom and they have a daughter Megan, age 6 that goes to the University of Memphis Campus School and attends the St. Luke’s Challengers After School and Summer programs. Megan also graduated from St. Luke’s Day School in 2018. They moved to Memphis in 2016 from Texas and joined St. Luke’s in August 2017 and Megan was also baptized at that time.

About Our Food Pantry Located at St. Luke’s, the food pantry

is sponsored by the University Council of Congregations, which includes seven churches, representing five denominations. It provides a three-day supply of food to each person in a family, serving 50+ families per week. The food pantry is open Thursdays (9:30-12:00 noon) to residents of three zip codes close to St. Luke’s and to MIFA clients. Ten to 12 volunteers work on Tuesdays and Thursdays to stock and run the pantry. Sunday School classes from St. Luke’s and other churches contribute food to the pantry; further, monetary donations are accepted, with seven cents paying for a pound of food at the Mid-South Food Bank. To volunteer or for more information, contact Carolyn Galloway, carolyn.galloway@att.net.

Youth Ministry will be slowing down a bit for the holidays in December. Our Sunday School classes will continue to meet every Sunday, but our Sunday night schedule will be different. We will meet for Sunday nights on December 2 for a special Advent activity and on December 16 for our Progressive Dinner Christmas Party.

Young Adults will have a bonfire outing to the Wofford’s barn along with our friends from the Wesley Foundation on Saturday, December 1 from 3:00-9:00 p.m. Young Adults will also have a Potluck Christmas Gathering at church on Thursday, December 20 at 6 p.m.

Our Young Adult Sunday School class continues to meet in the Lounge and is currently studying Unafraid by Adam Hamilton and will begin

Youth and Young Adults Beth Ryan, beth.ryan@stlukesumc.org • 452-6262, ext. 119

A Different Kind of Christmas on December 2, both taught by Rob Kaler. Other leaders for this group are Amber and Mark Wofford and Melinda Kaler.

If you know someone who may be interested in Youth or Young Adult activities, contact Beth Ryan for more information!

Mission Trip to Puerto Rico UpdateOur team is set and we met for the first time in

November. We will begin our monthly preparation meetings on Sunday, January 27. Our Puerto Rico folks are working hard to raise funds through the Serve-a-thon and raised $1,204 in October to go directly toward participant’s trip cost. We will be finishing projects already scheduled in December. Thank you so much for your support!

Wesley Senior Ministries FoundationThe Wesley Senior Ministries Foundation is

committed to provide for the enhancement of the day to day living and general well-being of the elderly residents of the Wesley Senior Living Communities. Christmas is an all-important time to fulfill that mission. The Foundation provides a Christmas dinner and a gift for all the over 2,000 dear people we serve in the 30 communities spread across West Tennessee, Jonesboro, Arkansas and Murray, Kentucky. For many, this will be the only Christmas meal and gift they would receive. A donation of $10 provides a senior with a meal and gift for Christmas. For more information see wesleyliving.com.

Golden Cross Ministries (one man’s story)Mr. B lost his home in the woods to a catastrophic

fire. His cancer diagnosis left him with little financial recourse for adequate housing. Splitting his time between homeless shelters and couches of benevolent friends began to take a toll on his health and peace of mind. He made his way to a Wesley Living community with a mattress, box springs and a few personal possessions. Golden Cross stepped in providing the necessary household items needed to turn his new found shelter into sanctuary. For the first time in years, Mr. B was able to sleep in his

own bed, sit on his own chair in the quiet of his own home, place his clothing in his own private chest of drawers and choose what he wanted to eat prepared in his own kitchen. He expressed that he felt safe for the first time in a long time. His son also expressed to the housing staff that this was the first time he had seen his father smile in a long time. That is what happens when you support the ministry of Golden Cross Senior Ministries! Simply text “Seniors” to 44321.

Sit & Sew MinistryAs we continue celebrating the 10th year of this

ministry, four students are learning how to sew by making pillows for the homeless and preemie baby clothes. Sewing is not only an art, but a life skill that everyone should consider learning. With donated fabrics and machines, St. Luke’s is making a difference in the lives of many. We have already made over 150 pillows for the homeless with a goal of 200 for the year. We do need stuffing for the pillows and appreciate all donations.

Thank youThanks to everyone who picked up an angel

from our Christmas tree that contained the names of our homebound members! —Marty Cobb, martystitches@aol.com

Gifts in MemoryKathy Bogle from Bob and Janie Hendrix, Mary

Lou CushingJames Edwards from Dorothy Ham, Dr. and Mrs.

Randy Prince, Bob and Janie Hendrix, Maxine Turner, Mary Lou Cushing, Ed and Nita Barlow, Mrs. Mary Cockrill, Loyal Stewards Sunday School Class, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Plyler

Avis Foreman from Rorie Read, Mary E. Goodwin, Bob and Janie Hendrix, Hal and Betty Padgett, Loyal Stewards Sunday School Class, Mary Rachel Circle

Sam McHugh from Deborah “Deb” Ann SandersJeanette Nunis from Deborah “Deb” Ann Sanders,

Rorie Read, Dorothy HamCullen Weeden from Art Weeden

Sunday School TopicsThe Red Letter Class will be studying a unit

entitled “Prepare the Way” during December. The class will focus on ways to have a holy and blessed holiday. All are invited. The Christian Home Builders Class will study James Moore’s book Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break.

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

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

Gifts in HonorAzucena Luciana Biller Hendrickson from

Marcy MittelstadtCarolyn Galloway from St. Luke’s UMWLynne McAlexander from Deborah “Deb”

Ann SandersBeth Ryan from Jim and Jeanne DeboRick Sieger from Marcia MittelstadtTerri Theil and Choir from Doey Barrar

With SympathyWe extend our deepest sympathy to the family of

Dan Goodwin, who passed away November 26.

Prayer RequestsTo submit or update a prayer request please fill

out the yellow prayer card in the pew pocket and place it in the offering plate or send an email to Janie Hendrix at prayer.request@stlukesumc.org.

Total Giving of Tithes and offeringsFor October 28 – November 25, 2018: $67,285.87