T HE E PISTLE 480 S. Highland Memphis, TN 38111-4302 901-452-6262 • www.stlukesumc.org Rev. Jim McKinney, Pastor August 18, 2021, Volume 56, Issue 8 United Methodist Church 480 S Highland, Memphis, TN 38111 The Gospel of Luke describes how Jesus grew up in the synagogue (in church). Luke tells us that this twelve- year-old boy grew up in wisdom—and he grew in stature— and he grew in his relationship with God—and he grew in his relationship with other people. Even as a very bright twelve- year-old, Jesus had lots of growing yet to do. And he did that growing in a family that went to worship every week. He did his growing in a family that honored God. He did his growing in a family that helped him to develop strong ties to his heavenly Father. Life in that kind of family made Jesus strong. It prepared him for life. It prepared him for death. It prepared him for whatever he might face. St. Luke’s, do you remember when Jesus began his ministry? Do you remember what happened? Jesus began his ministry with the temptation in the wilderness! There, Satan tried to get the best of Jesus. But Jesus deflected every temptation. He countered every temptation with scripture. Where did he learn those scriptures? He learned them from Mary and Joseph in their home. He learned them in the synagogue (in church), where Mary and Joseph took him to worship and to learn weekly. So when the test came—Satan’s temptations—Jesus was ready. When the test came, Jesus passed it with flying colors. He was able to pass the test because he had grown strong in a family that worshipped in the synagogue (in church) every Sabbath—in a family that gave thanks at the dinner table—in a family that prayed together—in a family that told and retold the great stories from the scriptures. St. Luke’s and St. Luke’s parents of children and adolescents, what does any of this have to do with us? Quite a bit! Quite a bit! It gives us a model of a family for raising kids. It give us a model for growing strong kids. It gives us a model for growing kids who can handle temptation. Please reflect on these thoughts and remember, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Faithfully, Pastor Jim
Transcript
The episTle
480 S. HighlandMemphis, TN 38111-4302
901-452-6262 • www.stlukesumc.orgRev. Jim McKinney, Pastor
August 18, 2021, Volume 56, Issue 8
United Methodist Church480 S Highland, Memphis, TN 38111
The Gospel of Luke describes how Jesus grew up in the synagogue (in church). Luke tells us that this twelve-year-old boy grew up in wisdom—and he grew in stature—and he grew in his relationship with God—and he grew in his relationship with other people. Even as a very bright twelve-year-old, Jesus had lots of growing yet to do.
And he did that growing in a family that went to worship every week. He did his growing in a family that honored God. He did his growing in a family that helped him to develop strong ties to his heavenly Father. Life in that kind of family made Jesus strong. It prepared him for life. It prepared him for death. It prepared him for whatever he might face.
St. Luke’s, do you remember when Jesus began his ministry? Do you remember what happened? Jesus began his ministry with the temptation in the wilderness! There, Satan tried to get the best of Jesus. But Jesus deflected every temptation. He countered every temptation with scripture. Where did he learn those scriptures? He learned them from Mary and Joseph in their home. He learned them in the synagogue (in church), where Mary and Joseph
took him to worship and to learn weekly.
So when the test came—Satan’s temptations—Jesus was ready. When the test came, Jesus passed it with flying colors. He was able to pass the test because he had grown strong in a family that worshipped in the synagogue (in church) every Sabbath—in a family that gave thanks at the dinner table—in a family that prayed together—in a family that told and retold
the great stories from the scriptures.St. Luke’s and St. Luke’s parents of children and
adolescents, what does any of this have to do with us? Quite a bit! Quite a bit! It gives us a model of a family for raising kids. It give us a model for growing strong kids. It gives us a model for growing kids who can handle temptation. Please reflect on these thoughts and remember, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Faithfully,
Pastor Jim
Boy Scout Troop 40 had a great week at Scout camp at Kia Kima in Hardy, Arkansas, this summer. Scouts worked hard to earn numerous merit badges and had a great time meeting fellow scouts from all over.
Scouts from Troop 40 and Pack 40 participated in the 74th Annual High Point Terrace Independence Day Parade!
Sit & SewIn Room 103 of the CLC,
Sit & Sew continues to meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is where “creativity knows no boundaries.” A huge thank
you to Raymond Scott for the new White board and dry-ease markers. With the TV and DVD player, we are able to watch videos to enhance the lessons on how to sew. Currently, we are studying fit and are making tops to wear. Anyone who loves to sew is welcome to come and work on your own project with fellowship, laughter and fun. Preemie baby gowns are still being made as well as the Angel ministry of contacting those in need of prayer. I am doing limited alterations. Sit & Sew has been blessed with donations of sewing machines, sergers and even a coverstitch machine so it is not necessary to bring one. However, if you prefer to use your own machine, feel free to bring it.
We have lots of fabric from which to choose as well as patterns and supplies. Also, we have had lots of donations of fabrics especially from groups that made masks that we can share with the Challengers and Day School should they need some for craft projects. So come, check us out, and discover this wonderful ministry. For more into contact: Marty Cobb, 901-277-4345 or [email protected].
As previously reported, Golden Cross depends completely on donations to be successful. If you cannot provide a Move-In kit, please consider purchasing one or more of the following items.
There will be a collection bin in the Hallway near the stairs to the sanctuary. All items must be brand new: Puzzles, Card games, Cross Word and Word Search books, Board games, Coloring books and Coloring pencils
We will be collecting these during the months of August and September.
The mission of Golden Cross Ministries is to enhance quality of life for all seniors served by Wesley Living.—Marty Cobb
If you would like to help provide flowers for the sanctuary on Sundays,
please contact Marilyn Sadler at 901-268-9860.
Our Youth had many fun activities this summer. We tie-dyed, served at Room In The Inn and Appalachia Service Project, Swam/Cooked out, had a Nerf Battle and some fun “Olympic” Games. Sunday School for all youth has explored our commitments through the vows we take at our Confirmation. We are exciting about making plans for the fall and the beginning of a new school year!
APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT Back Row (L to R): Beth Ryan, Brian Campbell, Liam Campbell, Zachary Paris, Luke Goebel, Reed Goebel, Huey Graham, Tim Taylor, Mark Wofford, Michael Wofford, Kevin Schnadelbach, Emma Kaler, Martha Eubank, Carson Blount, Madison Yarbrough; Front Row (L to R): Elizabeth Hensley, Sophia Carpenter, Kelly Blount.
OLYMPIC GAMES!NERF BATTLE!
SWIM PARTY!
TIE-DYING T-SHIRTS!
SERVING AT ROOM IN THE INN!
S U M M E R 2 0 2 1
Prayer is a vital act of worship, and Paul exhorts us to pray without ceasing. But at times I want to tell the esteemed apostle that I have “ceased” before I even start. I found help recently when I recalled and started using a method I learned some years ago: The ACTS Prayer Model. Most Methodists and other Christians probably know this model:
Adoration and Thanksgiving come easily. I’m often in awe of God’s creation, whether it’s a magnificent vista, or feeling my heart warmed by a happy memory, or simply being grateful for a good meal and a wonderful friend.
Confession is a little harder, simply because it can take awhile. Throughout the day I realize I am guilty of a thought or deed that hurts the Creator. When I confess these sins, I probably don’t cover them all, but I trust God to know my heart and accept my remorse.
Supplication is defined as “begging for something earnestly and humbly.” I have done
Making Our Requests Knownjust this especially for loved ones who are ill and sometimes near death; for people and animals
in countries under brutal regimes, where the starvation and cruelty are unrelenting; for those devastated by wildfires and floods, child abuse and gun violence….the list is endless. It hurts when I don’t see relief for these victims, but I know God works through many channels to show mercy and grant comfort.
A few years ago I was in the habit of praying as I drove to work. That may sound disrespectful, but I did, at times, feel God listening and even—briefly—assuring me that he heard and understood. I think we can believe that God hears us no matter
when or where we seek him, and bear in mind the following verse:
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
—Marilyn Sadler
In MemoryLucinda Biller from Mary Lou Cushing, Janie HendrixBen Wages from Carolyn Galloway, Vickey Hobbs,
Barbara Caldwell, Mary Evelyn Goodwin, George and Betty Green, The Christian Homebuilders Sunday School Class, Mary Lou Cushing, Vic and Carole Feisal, Warren and Ruth Morrison, David, April, Nelson and Sophia Carpenter, Janie Hendrix, Pat Anderson
Jerry Whitt from Warren and Ruth MorrisonParker Harness from The Juice Plus Company,
Rob and Darlene Williamson, Mr. and Mrs. Gary O. Giles
Bob Hendrix from The Goodin FamilyTom Himes from Jodi and Edward Hecker, Carol JacksDoris Hyman from Warren and Ruth MorrisonMr. and Mrs. J.P. Reed from John, Judy and Reed
Rossetti
In HonorRev. Harry Colter from Sarah Jane TiceRev. Jack Henton from Sarah Jane TiceOpal Hill’s Birthday from Deborah “Deb” Sanders,
Pat AndersonRev. Harry Matthewson from Sarah Jane TiceKeaton Morris from Vicki SwordsGeorge Mullins from Marcy MittelstadtBettye Jo Masters and Warren Morrison for teaching
The Seekers Sunday School ClassRev. Martha Wagley from Sarah Jane Tice
Children’s Ministry and St. Luke’s Day School Amy Pearson, [email protected]
VBS Wonder Wednesdays!Our “Wonder Wednesdays” were lots of fun in a
very different summer. Kids took time to “wonder” about God’s amazing creation and our place in it. We explored STEM activities with science experiments and “Play Stations” each week. Youth helpers Sophie and Brady presented a fun skit to help kids see the amazing things God does in our lives.
Themes included, “I Wonder What Makes Me Unique,” “I Wonder What Gifts I Have,” “I Wonder What I Can Learn from Others,” and “I Wonder How I Can Spend Time with God.”
Thank you, faithful volunteers for showing up to love on these kids each week. Thank you, Beth Ryan, for offering to make our VBS video to be shown during worship.
Promotion SundaySunday, August 22, is Promotion Sunday. Third
graders will receive Bibles, and all students will move up to their new Sunday School classes. This is a great Sunday to get back in the swing of fall and regular schedules, including Sunday School!
Day School NewsSummer Camp finished with a bang on July
23! Students were artists, scientists, farmers and explorers all summer with engaging activities. Our teachers are so wonderful.
After a week of In-Service, the new school year began August 9! Classes are full and we are working to return to normal. Please pray that our school will be protected from the virus and all can remain healthy.
“Wonder Wednesdays”
was held each Wednesday in
July. This was a great alternative to having a daily VBS.
One of the duties I had with Wesley was writing a “To Your Health” article for the monthly newsletter. It is a pondering, literally written to promote physical, spiritual, and mental health for our residents and staff. This “To Your Health” article is now provided for the St. Luke’s Family. Some will be rated “R” — repeats already circulated! Others will be newly written.—Pastor Dennis Neenan
There is a conversation style I call “shooting the breeze kind.” It’s when family and friends are sharing family and neighborhood memories of good and wholesome days past. Normally, a lot of good hearted embellishment occurs with the stories with no one stopping the other to say that isn’t right. And, of course, story topping or out doing another’s story, where no one is offended.
Casual conversations are very common too. It’s a time where parties are expressing all sorts of thoughts on topics governed by chance. Two or three or four matters of interest are addressed, some weighty by nature and others bordering on silly. I was recently involved in a casual conversation with some friends about the topic of what was good and bad.
One of the group said that helping others was a good thing to do. Another reinforced that with the often spoken phrase, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Someone else said it’s bad to be a taker as it verges on being “a Freddy, the free-loader” — a memory of a Red Skelton skit. All the rest agreed but one and that was me. My friends were surprised, so I explained myself.
I’ve been with too many so dedicated to giving, that when life straits like illness, fulfilling family duties, or in the grips of despair, beat themselves up. They see themselves when out of commission as “takers” as others try to help them. That’s being a casualty of casual conversation.
A Casualty of Casual ConversationNow we can say in response to them, “Don’t feel
that way,” after all you are down. But that is how strong and dominating this teaching is about “Others Lord yes others let this my motto be.”
All of us, I’m sure, have been casualties of our casual conversations or victims of our own condemnation which we previously stated. Can you think of any moments like this? In other words, what we share in casual conversations can come back to bite
us.I remember my
mom telling me how she shared with her friends as they talked about family heartaches like divorce. Mom said none of our children have divorced, feeling a little smug. Well, that changed. Mom became a casualty of her own words.
To Mom’s credit, she apologized to her friends for being smug. This is when I learned to eat crow, too, when I’ve seen myself out of line for something said or an act committed.
What can we do to not become casualties or victims? Think twice about what we are about to express. Reason it out to the very end as there are circumstances to take into consideration or account. Life has a way of throwing us curve balls. As with bikes, “look twice, save a life,” but here it is “think twice, safe a life.” It may well be our own as well as our neighbors.
If we don’t, it ranks up there as filthy conversation associated with gossiping, slandering, and word bullying, as it steals life. Certainly unintended, but still crushing.
Of course, a way to end being casualties is to top talking—now there is an idea to consider. Just kidding, because healthy conversing is what spices up life. If our sharing builds up then it is of Christ. Otherwise, words can quickly kill or eventually catch up with us making a troubling time even more troubling.
The episTleSt. Luke’s United Methodist Church480 S. Highland StreetMemphis, Tennessee 38111-4302
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church • 480 S. Highland St.
Sunday School for all ages continues to meet at 9:00 a.m. with worship to follow at our new time of 10:30 a.m. This will give everyone more time for study and fellowship before we gather for worship!
