September 2019 | St. Luke's United Methodist Church

27 09, 2019

Impact Sunday- God at work in me

Suzi Pitts2019-09-27T09:22:32-05:00September 27th, 2019|Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of possibilities, Sometimes, because I am afraid I cannot do enough, I choose instead to do nothing. Because I count on my own power, my own strength, my own wisdom, my own know-how, I wither in the face of the challenges of the world, and hunker down to stay in my comfortable world. But you remind me that it is your power, your strength, your wisdom, your know-how that are available to use for your purposes, and that it is you who is at work in me and through me. I sell you short, God. You [...]

26 09, 2019

It Started with a Small Group, By Amanda Kirkham

Suzi Pitts2019-09-26T17:02:00-05:00September 26th, 2019|We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

I am currently a part-time student in my fourth semester (1st year) of seminary at Perkins School of Theology. I chose to answer a quiet calling into seminary with the support of my extended family at St. Luke's. After attending as a visitor to St. Luke's for a few months, I jumped in and signed up for Disciple Bible Study nearly a decade ago. I was introduced to a group of warm, inquisitive, and supportive people open to conversations about the Bible and its context in our lives today. I met many spiritual allies and mentors from this first Bible [...]

26 09, 2019

Love: the residue of the Christian life

Suzi Pitts2019-09-26T16:52:32-05:00September 26th, 2019|Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

I hope all of you are safe from the storms and floods, and that your homes are not damaged. Would you let us know if you are not? We would love to be praying for you and help however we can. Go to our website, stlukesmethodist.org, where there are three buttons: one, to give us information on your damage, another to volunteer with the Restoration Team, and a third button to contribute funds dedicated to Imelda relief. A PERSONAL PRAYER Loving God, I spend my time and energy on so many things that, at the end of the day, I know [...]

15 09, 2019

A Pastoral Conversation Regarding Same-Sex Marriage and the Church

Sally Penning2019-09-19T15:53:28-05:00September 15th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|7 Comments

In my sermon on 9/15/19, I mention having substantive conversations with others regarding difficult issues in a way that is respectful, focuses on issues rather than demonization, and helps us learn about how those who disagree with us come to their points of view. In publishing this paper together, Chap Temple and I have sought to model that process. I hope you can learn something about how people with two different perspectives view same-sex marriage in the church. Tom Pace A Pastoral Conversation Regarding Same-Sex Marriage and the Church

13 09, 2019

Why I Joined a Small Group, by Kelly Phelan

Sally Penning2019-09-13T09:26:12-05:00September 13th, 2019|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

When I was asked to write about my reasons for joining a small group, and what I have gotten out of the experience, I started to think about my journey at St. Luke’s. After an invitation from friends, I began my journey the weekend following Hurricane Harvey. Without that invitation, I would not have recognized how much I wanted to find a community in which my faith would grow and strengthen. I had been attending different churches throughout the Houston area for years, and not finding what I was looking for. I wanted a church community with [...]

13 09, 2019

We need one another

Sally Penning2019-09-13T09:11:43-05:00September 13th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, As always, I need your help. Holy Spirit, fill my whole self and guide me. Give me a courageous voice to speak the truth as I see it, and the wisdom to know when to keep silent. Give me ears to hear, and a mind that is truly open to listen. Give me a heart that feels, and honest empathy for others. Give me eyes to see the world through the eyes of my brother or sister. Give me hands that serve both friend and enemy, and the commitment to make a difference rather [...]

6 09, 2019

Spending Time with the Llamas, By Caitlin Reynolds

Sally Penning2019-09-06T09:33:05-05:00September 6th, 2019|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

Last year my husband Jamey and I were looking for a way to get involved with St. Luke’s, and we found the Children’s Ministry. We have two small children and thought that teaching Sunday school was the perfect way for our family to serve the church. We had the pleasure of teaching one of the two-year-old Sunday school classes, the Llama class, and enjoyed every minute of it. Jamey and I are happy to share our wonderful memories of the Llama class with our church family. One of our students welcomed her baby sister while she was in [...]

6 09, 2019

I hear there are divisions among you

Sally Penning2019-09-06T09:16:10-05:00September 6th, 2019|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love, When I read the papers, watch the news, read and hear the comments, it seems that the animosity towards others is overwhelming. It appears folks have all chosen a team, and have little good to say about anyone on another team. I would like to believe that it is only the people on the fringe, but it seems deeper than that. You know, God, how hard I try to bring people together, to unite people around our mission, to share your truth as I understand it in a way that people can [...]