Pastor Scott Shreve is preaching this Sunday, May 11. OTHER NEWS: Everyone is invited to attend the following farewell events for Pastors Scott Shreve and Fred Richart: May 17 farewell roast for Pastor Scott & Marjorie Shreve (reservations required); June 8 farewell reception for Pastor Fred following both worship services; June 22 farewell reception for Pastor Scott following both worship services

St. Luke Teen Basketball & Volleyball League Play, Tournaments, Open Gym

Courier Archives May, 2008 February, 2008 January, 2008 December, 2007 November, 2007 October, 2007 September, 2007 August, 2007 July, 2007 June, 2007 May, 2007 April, 2007 March, 2007 February, 2007 January, 2007 December, 2006 November, 2006 October, 2006 September, 2006 August, 2006 July, 2006 June, 2006 May, 2006 April, 2006 March, 2006 February, 2006 January, 2006

Volume 44, Issue 4
May, 2008

• Pastoral Ponderings
• Worship & Preaching Schedule (Sunday worship services are at 9:00 and 10:15 a.m.)
• Easter Lilies Given
• Recognition of High School Seniors
• Committee Meetings
• Fun at Camp Fontanelle
• Health Kits Collected Through June 1
• Finance Committee Report
• May 17 Farewell Roast for Pastor Scott
• Choirs Scheduled for 10:15 Worship
• Drivers Needed for Home Delivered Meals to Shut-Ins
• We Care...Have You Noticed?
• United Methodist Women
• Book Clubs Meet...Open to All Interested Persons
• Apportionments-A Portion of St.Luke's Giving Beyond Our Walls
• Important Notes About Contributions!!!
• Sermons Available
• Niobrara River Canoe Trip July 18-20
• Blue Flamingo Thrift Store a Ministry of Dietz United Methodist Church
• St. Luke Supports Fair Trade
• Donations Needed for St. Luke's Latchkey
• Notes to the Pastor
• Health and Wellness
• St. Luke Calendar At A Glance

Pastoral Ponderings

Dear Friends,

I just looked at the calendar and realized I've been in the Omaha area since I first was sent to St. Luke in 1991 from Fremont Calvary. A number of years intervened since that time, and it was a joy and an easy transition to respond to Pastor Scott's invitation to supplement my ministry at UNO with some part-time assignments at St. Luke. I've been related to St. Luke for five-and-a-half of the past seventeen years! That time has been a privilege, and I thank God for the relationships which have developed over that time.

As I move on to ministry in Auburn, please remember our times together as events of dynamism and hope. Together we explored wonderful books-Misquoting Jesus, The Faith Club, and Three Cups of Tea among them. Our times together exploring ideas of faith-both new and old-were important in our growth together. I will not forget those books and your open and honest mining of them. Several of you mentioned how your thinking, self-understanding, and behavior shifted somewhat because of our readings and discussions. This was all a blessing as we all heard the gospel of love in new ways.

A special thanks goes to all the staff at St. Luke and to those with whom I worked closely. Pastor Scott, Pastor Stephen, and John Butler have been wonderful colleagues. Our weekly meetings were full of expectation and spirit! Terry Theis invited me to share media for several cantatas and special events. His graciousness and invitational nature were always a welcome part of my life at St. Luke. Sherrie Lindsey and Sue Rood made life easier through excellent and clear communication. Thanks for all that!

Thank you all for your ministry, your thoughtfulness, straightforward responses, and welcoming attitude toward me. I look forward to hearing additional positive words about your future life together under new leadership.

Interim Senior Pastor at St. Luke

Bishop Anne Sherer is assigning Rev. Dr. J. Philip Wogaman to St. Luke beginning July 1, 2008. He is a retired United Methodist pastor and will be serving St. Luke on an interim basis for one year. In the coming year, Bishop Sherer and the Cabinet will continue to search for a pastor who is the right match for a long-term pastorate at St. Luke.

Dr. Wogaman is well known in religious and academic circles. From 1966-1992 he not only taught at Wesley, but also served as dean from 1972-1983. He also taught at the University of the Pacific from 1961-1966. From 1992-2002, he was pastor of the historic Foundry United Methodist Church, a large church in the heart of the nation's capital. He served as president of Iliff School of Theology in Denver from 2002-2004. Now retired as a minister in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, Wogaman was a delegate to the denomination's General Conferences of 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000, as well as a member of the World Methodist Council from 1986-1991. He has published 17 books, including most recently Faith and Fragmentation: Reflections on the Future of Christianity.

Wogaman is active in many professional, denominational, and ecumenical organizations, including The Interfaith Alliance (of which he is past president) and the Society of Christian Ethics (president, 1976-1977). He earned his Doctorate (social ethics) and Master of Divinity degrees from Boston University, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Pacific. Most important, Don and Erica Wogaman (son and daughter-in-law) and Carrie and Ella (granddaughters) are members of St. Luke! We will welcome Phil and his wife, Carolyn, in our midst in July.

Back To Top

Worship & Preaching Schedule (Sunday worship services are at 9:00 and 10:15 a.m.)

• May 4 - Pastor Scott preaching - Communion served in 10:15 worship service
• May 11 - Mother's Day - Pastor Scott preaching
• May 18 - Recognition of High School Seniors - Pastor Scott preaching
• May 25 - Memorial Day weekend - Pastor Stephen preaching
• June 1 - Pastor Scott preaching

Back To Top

Easter Lilies Given

Thanks is expressed for the lilies given to help beautify the St. Luke Sanctuary for Easter Sunday:

By Cynthia Fontenello
By Dr. Tom & Virginia Magruder
in loving memory of their daughter, Ann

Back To Top

Recognition of High School Seniors

High school seniors will be recognized during the 9:00 and 10:15 worship services on Sunday, May 18. There will be an informal reception with cake and punch following each service, so that St. Luke members can greet each senior.

Seniors who have not yet done so need to e-mail the Church Office to: 1) Verify the spelling of their name for the bulletin and Courier; 2) Indicate whether they will be present on May 18 and, if so, what service they will attend that day; 3) Whether they are willing to help in any leadership capacity on May 18. You can mail your responses to churchoffice@stlukeumc.com

Back To Top

Committee Meetings

• BeFrienders-Thursday, May 1, 7:00 p.m.-Staff Lounge
• BeFrienders-Thursday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.-Staff Lounge
• ALL ST. LUKE COMMITTEES (program and administrative)-Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 p.m.- Sanctuary
• ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL-Tuesday, May 20, 8:15 p.m.-Great Room

NOTE: See other listings elsewhere in this Courier for group activities such as UMW, Book Clubs, etc.

Back To Top

Fun at Camp Fontanelle

Camp Fontanelle is pleased to provide movie nights for all interested persons. The movies will be shown outdoors on the camp's 12'x12' screen. Bring lawn chairs and family, friends, or grandkids, and enjoy the outdoors at a "sit-in" movie.

Movies will be shown on the following dates:

• Saturday, May 3
  8:35 p.m.-"Ratatouille" (111 minutes)
• Saturday, May 17
  8:49 p.m.-"Finding Nemo" (100 minutes)
• Saturday, June 14
  9:10 p.m.-"Lord of the Rings" trilogy (all-night marathon - 9½ hours)

Cost is free, though free-will donations will be accepted. No movies will be shown if the weather is rainy.

Camp Fontanelle is located about 40 miles from Omaha. For detailed directions, go to the camp's web site, www.campfontanelle.com Later this Summer, the camp's web site will list movies for the Fall movie nights.

Go out on a limb and try something new! Celebrate your birthday or any other special event with a tree climbing adventure! Check www.campfontanelle.com for details about tree climbing under the "News" link. Climbs are $15/person. Have a slumber party in our tree boats and sleep under the stars for an additional $5/person. Permission and related forms can be downloaded from the web site by clicking on the "Schedule" button. Discover an experience about which few can brag.

Book group outdoor laser tag events. Cost is $20 for two hours. For more details or to make group reservations, go the Camp Fontanelle web site.

Back To Top

Health Kits Collected Through June 1

In conjunction with the 400 United Methodist Churches in Nebraska, St. Luke is asking for members to prepare Health Kits. Pastor Scott will take the Health Kits to Annual Conference, where they will be shipped to Louisiana to be distributed through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). The Health Kits are distributed to persons in need, around the world, in times of crisis, such as a hurricane or tornado. A completed Health Kit contains the following new, specific items:*

• 1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27"...no kitchen towels)
• 1 wash cloth
• 1 wide tooth comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
• 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
• 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
• 1 toothbrush (single brush only in original wrapper; no child-sized brushes)
• 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

Place all items inside a sealed, one-gallon plastic Ziploc bag (then zip it closed). No money, personal notes, religious or political literature, or other items should be placed in the kits.

If you prefer to contribute money, the money will be used to help with shipping costs (from Lincoln to UMCOR). Make your checks payable to St. Luke and mark "Health Kits" on the memo line.

St. Luke will collect completed Health Kits Sunday, May 4, through Sunday, June 11.

Health Kits may be placed in the "Missions Corner" (between the fish aquarium and Staff Lounge).

*Please donate entire Health Kits, rather than individual items. All donated items must be new. Thank you!!!

Back To Top

Finance Committee Report

Income $590,631
Expenses $552,467

Checking account balance on Apr. 3 - $88,843.78

Back To Top

May 17 Farewell Roast for Pastor Scott

Everyone is invited to a Farewell Roast for Pastor Scott and Marjorie Shreve on Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke. Dinner reservations should be made to Pastor Stephen at 333-6886 ext. 313 or stephen@stlukeumc.com. Watch for further details!

Back To Top

Choirs Scheduled for 10:15 Worship

The Adult Chancel Choir (vocal) sings in the 10:15 a.m. worship service every Sunday.

The Adult Chancel Ringers (bells) has recessed for the Summer. Rehearsals will resume in the Fall.

Back To Top

Drivers Needed for Home Delivered Meals to Shut-Ins

Several St. Luke members take turns driving two times monthly on weekdays, delivering meals to the elderly homebound in the general St. Luke area, as part of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging Home Delivered Meals Program. Meals are picked up at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church (93rd & Dodge) at 11:00 a.m. and delivery time usually takes 1½ hours. There is an immediate need for drivers to deliver two times monthly on Mondays. A current church member driver goes with a new driver the first time. Children are welcome to accompany parents. Substitute drivers also are always appreciated. Please call Rita Cushenbery at 333-7531, or the Church Office for more information.

Back To Top

We Care...Have You Noticed?

St. Luke's Health Ministry has made Care Notes pamphlets available on a variety of topics which may be of concern to you, a family member, friend, or acquaintance. These pamphlets provide comfort and helpful suggestions to assist people in coping with difficult situations. Look for them in the following locations:

• Adult-Bell Tower and Canopy entrances
• Youth-Youth Lounge
• Children-By the fish aquarium

Back To Top

United Methodist Women

Activities listed below are open to all women of St. Luke. Please come and bring friends!

Dining Out Group
Will meet Saturday, May 10 at 11:45 a.m. at Kandlelite Occasions (13311 Millard Avenue). RSVP to Elaine Misner at 498-8346 or emmisner2@aol.com

Loving Touch Group
Meets quarterly to make baptism banners and work on craft-related projects for St. Luke programs. Next meeting is Monday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m. at Barb Kasson's home.

Prayer Shawl Group
Will meet Thursday, May 29 at 7:15 p.m. in St. Luke's Great Room. Knitters and crocheters make prayer shawls with love and prayers-the shawls are then delivered by Pastor Scott or Pastor Stephen to persons in need of comfort. The shawl is an easy pattern, so if you would like to learn to knit or crochet, this would be a great opportunity. Yarn is provided, you just supply the needles. For details, contact Kelley Patton at 964-2130 or kellpatt@cox.net

Quilting Group
We will meet Friday, May 9 from 9:00-3:00, in the home of a member. Each quilter brings a sack lunch and the hostess provides beverages. Interested St. Luke women are invited to come-no prior quilting experience is necessary. Quilters may work on a group project (donation quilts) or bring their own work. For details and/or location for the next meeting, call the Church Office at 333-6886 ext. 300.

UMW Book Club
Meets every other month-see Book Club listings elsewhere in this Courier for details.

Walking Group
Meets every Friday, 8:30 a.m.m.-see Health & Wellness page for details.

Back To Top

Book Clubs Meet...Open to All Interested Persons

Daytime Book Club
Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. in the Great Room.

Hospitality Book Club
Our next meeting is Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 p. m. in the Staff Lounge. We will be discussing the book Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards. For details about this book club, contact Jean Lahrs at 397-1061.

UMW Book Club
Our next meeting is Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Staff Lounge. We will be discussing the book The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. For details about this book club, contact Sue Rood at 493-3745 or suzanne@stlukeumc.com

Back To Top

Apportionments-A Portion of St.Luke's Giving Beyond Our Walls

God blesses us with abundant resources and showers us with love. Our mission as United Methodists is to recognize those in need and give generously. In Matthew 10:8b Jesus said, "You received without payment, give without payment." Our gifts transform lives and, in the process, our hearts are changed.

The United Methodist Church is a connectional church, which means among other things that each congregation pools a portion of its resources with all other United Methodist congregations to make a difference on a global scale. We pool our resources in seven areas: Africa University Fund, Episcopal Fund, Black College Fund, World Service Fund, Ministerial Education Fund, General Administration Fund, and the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund.

Each month the Courier will feature a fund and note the amount of money St. Luke will give in 2008 to support this Fund. It is our designated "fair share" portion. As you read these articles, please know that the amount paid is another way that St. Luke is making a difference in our world.

May: Ministerial Education Fund
St. Luke's portion in 2008: $3,100

Men and women choose the ordained ministry because God calls them and the church supports them. The Ministerial Education Fund is United Methodism's way of helping persons to answer that divine call. Our 13 U.S.-based seminaries guide the way in educating leaders that will proclaim God's word in a world that desperately needs that message.

Why give to the Ministerial Education Fund? Because of our generosity, potential pastors are recruited, educated, and nurtured. Existing pastors hone skills through continuing education opportunities. The fund is vital to maintain The United Methodist Church's commitment to theological education in the United States. Non-U.S-based seminaries are funded by other sources such as the Advance for Christ and His Church. Our gifts assure that our clergy are committed to the highest standards and that they are prepared to lead our denomination into a positive, promising future.

Since 1968, the MEF apportionment has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in The United Methodist Church. Critical to the success of countless seminary students is your congregation's 100% support of the MEF.

"Do all the good you can...in all the places you can."

Back To Top

Important Notes About Contributions!!!

1. We receive gifts for both the Operating Budget and the Grow Campaign. When you give/send a check for the Campaign to St. Luke, please be sure to mark each check clearly "Grow Campaign." Gifts that are not marked in this way will be considered Operating Budget.
2. Remember: The Grow Campaign runs through May, 2009. If you made a pledge to the Grow Campaign, it will show as unpaid on your contribution statements until it has been paid in full. Pledges can be paid any time during the 3- year Campaign period.
3. A number of St. Luke families have their pledges (regular and/or Grow Campaign) automatically deducted from their bank accounts. This service is available to all St. Luke members and can be started at

Back To Top

Sermons Available

If you are home-bound and would like copies of sermons mailed to you, please call Sue in the Church Office at 333-6886 ext. 300.

Back To Top

Niobrara River Canoe Trip July 18-20

All singles, couples, and families (kids over 5) are invited to canoe through some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Nebraska. We will gather in Ainsworth on Friday night, stay in a motel, canoe a few hours on Saturday, eat together , then meet for worship on Sunday morning.

Two-person canoes or kayaks are $48 each and must be paid in full by July 1. Motel rooms range from $45- $80 per night and must be reserved by July 1, but can be paid upon arrival. For further details, contact John Heil at jheil@bairdholm.com or 333-3775.

Back To Top

Blue Flamingo Thrift Store a Ministry of Dietz United Methodist Church

Dietz UMC operates the Blue Flamingo Thrift Store located at 1716 South 10th Street. The store is open Tuesday-Friday from 12:00-5:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

If you have items that you are willing to donate, or if you are willing to volunteer to help in the store, call the Blue Flamingo at 964-2740. You can also check out their web site at www.blueflamingo.org

Donation needs: Household goods (dishes, curtains, lamps, etc.), baby items, non-fiction and children's books, toys and games, picture frames and framed art, and clean clothing in good condition (please only donate clothes for the current season). Donations are accepted during hours that the store is open. (For furniture or large items, please call the thrift store to make sure they have a need and space for such items.) All proceeds from the Blue Flamingo go back into programs in the Dietz UMC neighborhood.

Updates! In addition to selling slightly used goods, Blue Flamingo is also proud to sell products from the fair trade organizations Ten Thousand Villages, Equal Exchange, and World of Goods. ALSO, Blue Flamingo now sells their vintage items on eBay. If you want to check out their eBay site, just go on to eBay and search under Blue Flamingo.

Back To Top

St. Luke Supports Fair Trade

Illness, war, and natural disasters have ravaged families in underdeveloped countries. Many children go to bed hungry. Many families do not have access to daily meals, clean drinking water, medical care, or an education. Lacking jobs and a means to improve the situation can be daunting. The problem is massive. Our desire to help can easily be overwhelmed by despair. We can choose to do nothing, or we can be inspired by HOPE and help one family, one village at a time. St. Luke is pleased to support Fair Trade in the following ways:

By serving fair trade coffee & tea
St. Luke serves Fair Trade coffee and tea through the UMCOR Coffee Project. Through the UMCOR Coffee Project, small farmers and their families in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, are supported as they earn a fairer share of income, and they gain a trading partner they can trust, a fair trade organization called Equal Exchange.

By partnering with Blue Summit
Blue Summit Store, located at 4101 South 120th St. supports fair trade artisans from around the world. Blue Summit purchases items through fair trade certified organizations, so that the original artisans earn a fai r wage, have sustainable incomes, and work in a safe environment. Fair Trade artisans do want to support themselves and invest in their communities.

NOTE: One added blessing when you make a purchase at Blue Summit-Our partnership with Blue Summit also results in funds raised for St. Luke. When you shop at BLUE SUMMIT and go up to the cashier to pay for your purchases, please be sure to mention that you are with St. Luke United Methodist Church. When you do this, St. Luke will get back 5% of your purchase total. All money raised through this endeavor will be applied to paying down St. Luke's mortgage. Your purchases will help Fair Trade Artisans and St. Luke!!!

Back To Top

Donations Needed for St. Luke's Latchkey

St. Luke's Latchkey Program for school-age children is in need of the following items, which will be used in our program this Summer. We will have 3 classes this Summer, with a total enrollment of about 50 schoolage children.

Donations would be most welcome! Items do not need to be new-just in good condition.

• Volunteer to sew hems on squares of fabric for our dress-up area
• Vinyl tablecloths, oblong, used or new
• Cheesecloth, at least 15x16-1/2"
• Digital timers for kitchen use
• Easy-clean cutting board for kitchen use
• Rubber bases for teeball/baseball
• Sand timers for games
• Electric card-shufflers
• Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars and trucks
• Skip-Bo card game
• Wooden dual chess/checker board game & pieces
• Rubber horseshoe game
• Barbie dolls and clothes and furniture
• Play wedding dresses or other dress-up clothes for school-age children
• Hard plastic dishes and cups (regular size)
• "Kidz Bop" or "Disneymania" cd's
• Books for children ages 5-12
• Other children's toys or games for children between the ages of 5 and 12

Donated items can be brought to the Church Office any weekday, or you can leave items in the Usher's Closet marked "Donation." If you want a letter of receipt, be sure to leave your name on the donation.

Back To Top

Giving Back to the Community

St. Luke collects the items listed below, on an ongoing basis. Donations are then passed on to various organizations and ministries who can use them. Please leave your donations in the Usher's Closet in the designated bins underneath the counter.

• Campbell's labels
• "Labels for Education"
• Used inkjet cartridges
• Cell phones that are still in good operating condition

Back To Top

Notes to the Pastor

Enjoy these notes from the smallest worshipers...

Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody, but He never met my sister. Arnold, age 8, Nashville

Dear Pastor, I hope to go to heaven some day but later than sooner. Ellen, age 9, Athens

Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher. Alexander, age 10, Raleigh

Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house. Joshua, age 10, South Pasadena

Dear Pastor, Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class. Carla, age 10, Salina

Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, age 11, Akron

Dear Pastor, How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers? Marie, age 9, Lewiston

Back To Top

Health and Wellness

Preventing Misuse of Prescription Drugs

• Keep an accurate count of your pills. Know how many you've taken, and know how many should be left. Count them periodically.
• Dispose of extra pills by flushing them. Do not keep them in case you need them "later."
• Remove the label from your bottle and shred it. The bottle can be picked from the trash, and a "refill" called in by someone claiming to be a doctor.
• Shred the information sheets your pharmacy sends home with you after you finish the prescription. Don't just throw them away. They can be used just like the label on the bottle.
• If you need to take your prescription to work for use during your shift, keep an eye on it. People who are addicted to a substance can and will steal from co-workers.
• If you can't lock up your prescriptions at home, keep them somewhere where they aren't that easy to find.
• Educate your children on the dangers. Prescription drugs are erroneously perceived by many to be "safer" than illegal drugs, because a doctor has prescribed them and they are produced to exacting standards. But they can and do kill. Two people die from a drug overdose every hour. Don't let your child become a statistic.

For more information on preventing misuse and/or prescription poisoning, go to www.drugfree.org or www.pride.org

Walking Group

St. Luke Yoga Classes on Tuesdays

Ways to Add 2,000 Steps

• Invite friends or family members to join you for a walk.
• Take your dog for a walk.
• Start a walking club in your community or at work.
• Walk to a nearby store, post office, or dry cleaners to accomplish errands.

www.AmericaOnTheMove.org

Back To Top

St. Luke Calendar At A Glance

Sundays at 9:00 a.m. - Casual worship in the Great Room, with continental breakfast

Sundays at 10:15 a.m. - Traditional worship in the Sanctuary, with music and liturgy

May

• 1 BeFrienders
• 8 UMW Book Club
• 9 UMW Quilting Group
• 9 Parents Club

• 10 UMW Dining Out Group
• 11 Mother's Day
• 15 BeFrienders
• 17 Dinner/roast for Pastor Scott & Marjorie Shreve
• 18 Recognition of high school seniors
• 20 ALL ST. LUKE COMMITTEES
• 20 ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
• 21 Daytime Book Club
• 22 Hospitality Book Club
• 29 UMW Prayer Shawl Group

June

• 8 Farewell reception for Pastor Fred Richart following both worship services
• 11-14 Annual Conference in Lincoln (pastors absent from Church Office in order to attend)
• 13 Parents Club
• 15 Father's Day
• 15-20 Youth Mission Trip to Loveland, Colorado
• 22 Farewell reception for Pastor Scott & Marjorie Shreve following both worship services

July

• 11 Parents Club
• 11-13 Vacation Bible School
• 18-20 Niobrara River Canoe Trip
• 28 UMW Loving Touch Group
• 29-30 Youth trip to Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun (Kansas City)

* Due to how far in advance these activities are planned, there may be occasional changes to this schedule.

Back To Top