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| St. Luke UMC Services Sermons Newsletter Children Youth Teen Center Child Care Staff Pastor Emeritus Employment Contact Us Links & Ministries Map |
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Pastor Scott Shreve is preaching this Sunday, May 18. 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
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St. Luke Teen Basketball & Volleyball
League Play, Tournaments, Open Gym |
Sunday Worship
St. Luke offers two distinctly different worship services:
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Education
Sunday
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Wednesday
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Sunday School
Children age 4-Grade 5 participate in Sunday School classes held in the Education Wing during both the 9:00 and 10:15 worship services. Sunday School is carefully orchestrated to enable children to experience--not just learn about--God. Music, telling of carefully selected Bible stories using beautifully hand-crafted props, creative response time to the story, and prayer comprise each morning. The quiet, unhurried atmosphere which the children enter each Sunday morning truly transforms an ordinary room into a "special place." Children age 3 and younger are lovingly cared for in age-appropriate rooms during both worship services.
Sunday Morning Nursery Care
Nursery care is provided in the Education Wing at 9:00 and 10:15 a.m. each Sunday. A staff of adults provides excellent care in rooms that are equipped to meet the needs of that age child. The infant nursery is staffed with a paid professional. Use of the nursery for all infants and toddlers ensures that other persons attending the services are not disturbed in their worship. St. Luke is pleased to have available to parents of babies in the nursery a vibrating pager so that the nursery attendants can page parents during the service if necessary. It is hoped that parents will feel more at ease, knowing that they can be easily and quickly reached.Confirmation
Confirmation (concentrated training for church membership) is offered for all youth Grade 6 and older each year from September through April (Wednesday evenings). Additional field trips also are scheduled. Parents wishing to have youth enrolled in the class should make their wishes known to the Church Office prior to August 1."Wednesday Evening Program for Children
On Wednesday nights, September-March, the time of 6:00-7:30 offers children a dynamic mid-week program. Children age 4-Grade 5 break up into grade-divided classes and throughout the evening will experience childrens' choir rehearsals; fun activities; circle time that allows children to deal openly with issues they are facing in their daily lives; and time spent exploring Bible characters, mission ministry, Bible skills, religions around us, and healthy Christian attitudes.Membership Cultivation
Persons interested in joining St. Luke should contact Rev. Shreve at the Church Office. New members are encouraged to nurture their spirit through participation in worship and educational offerings, share their gifts and talents through various mission and ministry opportunities in the life of the church, and support the church through financial gifts along with other expressions of stewardship.
In an effort to help members become better acquainted and draw them closer together (thus nurturing care and concern for one another), we are constantly seeking to form new groups.
Baptism
Baptisms at St. Luke are conducted during the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday mornings. Sponsors or godparents are welcome but not required.Following are some understandings of baptism at St. Luke United Methodist Church.
Baptism celebrates that the infant, child, youth, or adult being baptized is a gift from God. We thank God for the one being baptized and their God-given potential. We understand that life in the church will help a person understand and develop their potential. Baptism acknowledges that we all have a call from God in life. A call to ministry is for all, lay and clergy. Our gifts and talents are called by God for the betterment of the global family and the whole of God’s creation.
Baptism of an infant or child is a very special service of commitment and worship in which the parent(s) publicly commit to the spiritual nurture of their child with a sense of responsibility equal to their commitment for the physical, intellectual, and emotional health of that child. The parent(s)--with support from family, friends, and the church community--make a commitment to teach the child being baptized of God’s love as understood through the life and teachings of Jesus.
Baptism is an acknowledgement of God’s grace and love that is actively present in all of life and specifically in the life of the child being baptized.
God’s grace is with us, with or without baptism. Baptism acknowledges the divine grace and love that is already present in the life of the one being baptized.
During baptism at St. Luke, the baptized are carried or escorted down the center aisle of the sanctuary, following the Sacrament, as the congregation sings. This is done for practical and symbolic reasons. The practical reason is so everyone in the congregation can see the baptized one up close. The symbolic reason is to walk them into the midst of the body of Christ, as is represented at St. Luke.
Baptism also provides a time for the congregation to reaffirm their own baptismal vows as they commit to be supportive of the one being baptized.
Persons wishing further information, or wanting to schedule a baptism, should call or e-mail Rev. Scott Shreve.
Community Counselor On Staff
We are pleased to announce that Jill Eckerman, Community Counselor, has an office at St. Luke. Jill is an employee of Methodist Hospital's Community Counseling Program. She has offices at both Burke High School and St. Luke. Funding for this ministry is provided by Methodist Foundation. Jill is available to provide a wide range of counseling to/for persons and families in the community. Persons do not need to be a member of St. Luke to take advantage of her services. Jill's office is located on St. Luke’s upper level, by the pastors' offices, utilizing the west bell tower doors. Persons desiring to set an appointment to talk with Jill should call her private line at 333-8962.Other Educational Opportunities
- Adult study and Bible study groups
- Sermons (educational and inspirational)
- Vacation Bible School (Summer)
Music Opportunities
- Bell Choir (youth and adults)
- Chancel Choir (choral choir for youth and adults)
- Children's Choir (age 4-Grade 5)
- Praise/Worship Band
Fellowship/Recreation Programs
- Camps
- Fellowship groups
- Ladies Annual Fall Boutique
- Annual Advent Fair for families
- Men's golf
- Summer canoe trip on the Niobrara River
- Annual ice cream social
- United Methodist Men's group
- United Methodist Women's activites
- Wellness activities including Yoga
- Book Clubs
- New groups formed as needed
Program Development
St. Luke provides an unlimited opportunity for program development and growth. The door is always open for innovative programs designed for individuals, the church membership, the community, and any targeted age group. We depend on input as we seek ways to further support the family and home. As you become aware of programs helpful in strengthening the family and home, please do not hesitate to discuss ideas with Rev. Shreve or with St. Luke staff. We will be glad to give all submissions consideration.Weddings
If you are considering St. Luke for your wedding, please click here first and read our information pages and Wedding Agreement.