Simple question — are you satisfied?

A PERSONAL PRAYER              

God,

You are the bread that sustains me on my journey. You are the river of life that revives me when I falter. You are the very breath that I breathe, that animates my body, mind and soul for the work to which you call me. When I taste your presence, it satisfies my hungry heart. And it makes me want more. More of you. More of your joy. More of your peace. More serving you. More loving my neighbor.  

God, on those times when I forget what I am searching for, give me just a taste of you to remind me, so that I might seek you and find you.

In the name of Jesus, who seeks me as well,

Amen

KEY VERSE FOR THE WEEK
“For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”–John 6:33-34

QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION AND REFLECTION
Do you ever find yourself groping for something? Can you identify moments of real fulfillment? Is there still a desire within you to have more, to grow?

SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
Impact Sunday was great!

We heard stories of how God is working in and through the lives of people at St. Luke’s. One of our members shared with me that his basic response was “all sorts of things are going on that we all have no idea about.” God keeps working, no matter what.

All In!

If you are a St. Luke’s Member, you should have received a packet in the mail this week with information about our 2018 generosity campaign, and a commitment card. We have some really significant plans for 2018, as we take real steps forward on our five–year plan. It will take an “all in” effort (as opposed to an all-out effort…  get it?) for us to achieve these. Additional worship services at the Story Houston, a new approach to engaging our members and visitors, expanded support of our outreach partners, and ongoing efforts to respond to Hurricane Harvey are just a few of them that we are dreaming about. We would love to have you help us. Commitment Sunday is October 22, and I hope you will plan to be present. 

 

New Sermon Series: Changed! No, it isn’t the sermon series that is changed; the title of the new series is Changed! God is at work changing us, transforming us, recreating us as the people God intends us to be. Do you sense that change God is working in your life? We will discuss that movement that God brings to us, and how we might move forward on the journeys God has planned for us. This week: “That hit the spot.”

Scripture+Shared

I have been working hard over the past weeks preparing for our Fall Scripture+Shared Bible Study. I am learning so much, and I am really eager to share it with you. We will be learning together about Paul’s letter to the Galatians in an eight week study called “Freedom: Life in the Spirit.” The study will run the week of October 1 through November 19. You can download the materials on your Scripture+Shared app. And you can sign up here: https://stlukesmethodist.org/bible/

Storm Response
There is still much work going on to respond to the storm, and there will be for some time. You can find out more about that work on our website here https://stlukesmethodist.org/houston-flood-relief/

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

PRAYER CALENDAR

Sunday, October 1

Dear Lord, open our hearts to feel the generosity inside each of us. Please provide guidance as we consider what we can give to our church in terms of money, time, and prayer. Let us see all the good this generosity provides in our church, in our community and in ourselves. Thank you for all our many blessings. Please allow us to bless others as you have blessed us. Open us up to providing for others and spreading your love and your word in many important ways. In His name we pray, Amen.

Monday, October 2

Dear God, amid the chaos and busyness of our lives, help us to see the goodness and grace of your love and all of life’s blessings. Inspire us to give generously of ourselves, to hold nothing back and to never leave undone the work you have given us to do. Amen. -Prayer by Mike Palmer

Tuesday, October 3

Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this day, its beauty, and its challenges. Fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit and guide us to do your will, not ours. Help us to see you in all that we do and in those we meet. Make our day make a difference! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Wednesday, October 4

Dear Lord, I pray that I think “big,” not “small,” about so many things in my life; how our church can face outwards to our community, how our families can do more for others and how I can make many of life’s “ordinary” moments have consequence. Amen. -Prayer by Collin

Thursday, October 5

God of grace and mercy, I am so grateful to you for your myriad blessings. Let me show my gratitude through generosity first to your church then to others. Amen. -Prayer by Richard Domercq

Friday, October 6

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Amen.

Saturday, October 7

Lord, I pray that people will be set free from the idolatries of money, security, control, and self-sufficiency. Amen.

 

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