St.
Luke's Episcopal Church
224 Northwest D Street
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
(541) 476-2493
April 2007 Luke's Log
_____________________________________________________________________________
My dear friends,
One of my favorite Easter hymns begins, “The strife is o’er, the battle done, the victory of life is won, the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!” It reminds me that, however much I may feel surrounded by strife and sorrow, God has already won the victory. The conclusion is certain. The promises of God are already fulfilled.
Recently I read of a man who builds his devotional life each week around reading and reflecting on the hymns sung in his parish church the previous Sunday. One could do worse. Our hymns are packed with profound prayers, insights, teaching and doctrine. They encourage, challenge and build up. You might want to buy yourself a hymnal, and try it. They are available both in the version we have in our pews, and as a book poetry, without the music.
We do well to encourage ourselves and one another on our journeys. Sometimes the going gets tough, and a word, a song, a scripture verse, or a hug can fuel us for another day… or more. Sometimes I have had an encouraging word, or heard a great song, and been lifted up for over a week.
As we enter into Easter, I encourage you to make the whole fifty days of this season special. Give yourself, or someone else, a treat each day. This is time to especially overlook faults and problems and celebrate victories, our own, one another’s, and, most of all, God’s.
Beginning one or two Sundays into Easter season we will welcome Don Corbett as our new organist. He is a superb and highly experienced Episcopal Church musician. We can expect a new level of excitement in the preludes and postludes, and in the other musical accompaniment to our worship. He promises it will get even better as he explores the many resources of our organ. An organ is like an orchestra. Many different sets of pipes can be blended to make varied sounds. The art of the organist is to make creative and varied sounds using the many “stops” available on the organ console. Most important, the organist chooses the right sounds to support congregational singing. I think you will be impressed by what Don can do with our instrument.
Each of us has many “stops” available to us in our own lives. We can set different tones for different situations. We can express ourselves in many different volumes, tempos, rhythms, and sounds, depending on the situations in which we find ourselves. I pray for joyful, melodious sounds this Easter season, and all your lives, sounds that are grounded in faith and expressed with love, and filled with hope… in our Lord Jesus Christ…. and in one another.
Much love,
FROM OUR PARISH NURSE
Frances Osborne
DISTRACTIONS
One of the leading causes of traffic accidents is distractions. A large number of people drive while eating breakfast or lunch, drinking coffee or sodas, putting on makeup, and worst of all, talking on cell phones. There is yet another distraction that probably causes more accidents than all the others put together is that of daydreaming.
How many times have you heard someone say “I didn’t see the other car”? They were probably distracted. Traffic safety experts say that it is not the car you see that will kill you but it is the car that you don’t see that can kill you. Do you ever find yourself thinking about something you have to do or you are worried about? Suddenly you are aware that you have missed a turn or failed to heed a stop sign. Everyone does and at different ages we have different distractions. So if you find yourself saying “I missed my turn” frequently, you are probably driving in an inattentive unsafe manner. Assess when this happens to you and take conscious steps to correct your behavior before it is too late.
Healing Ministry
Our healing prayer team offers prayers for individuals and families each Sunday in the baptistery at the conclusion of both the 8:30 and 10:30 church services. Many have already found this renewed prayer resource a blessing. Just approach them and ask.
If you are interested in joining the Prayer team, contact Lynn Hughes at 476-4671 or the Church office.
8:30 AM Blessing of Palms and Eucharist.
10:30 AM Palm Procession and Eucharist.
The service begins in the Parish Hall.
Holy Monday, April 2
7:00 PM Stations of the Cross
Holy Tuesday, April 3
11:00 AM Holy Tuesday Eucharist
Holy Wednesday, April 4
5:00 PM Stations of the Cross
Maundy Thursday, April 5
12:15 PM Holy Eucharist
5:30 PM Biblical Supper and Eucharist;
followed by the stripping of the Altar
and the Watch at the Altar of Repose
Good Friday, April 6
10:00 AM Good Friday Liturgy,
with Communion
12:00 PM Ecumenical Good Friday Service
at Newman United Methodist Church
7:00 PM Good Friday Liturgy and Tenebrae (The Good Friday Offering supports the work of the Episcopal Churches of Jerusalem and the Holy Land)
Holy Saturday, April 7
10:00 AM Holy Saturday Liturgy
Easter Sunday, April 8
Bring bells to ring at the singing of the Gloria!
10:30 AM Festival Eucharist
Bring bells to ring at the singing of the Gloria!
THE EASTER VIGIL SERVICE
The Easter vigil service is the first Easter service, and takes place in the night of Holy Saturday. The idea behind the service is for faithful Christians to wait and watch, hopeful and confident that Christ will rise.
The Easter, or paschal, candle is lit during this service. The service traditionally begins outside the church, where the minister and some worshippers gather around a fire – a charcoal brazier is common.
The service begins with these words:
Dear friend in Christ, on this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which by hearing his word and celebrating his sacraments we share in his victory over death.
The Paschal candle is lit from the fire. The lit candle is now a symbol of Christ, risen as the light of the world, and comes into the midst of the people. The candle is carried into the church, where most of the worshippers are waiting in darkness, which symbolizes the darkness of Christ’s tomb. The candles held by the congregation are lit from the Paschal candle. The Deacon sings an ancient hymn, the Exsultet, celebrating God’s victory over darkness, slavery, sin, and death.
The symbolism of the candle is made clear by words like:
Grants that this Easter candle make our darkness light; for Christ the morning star has risen, never again to set, and is alive and reigns for ever and ever.
The readings are followed by Baptisms, as new believers are reborn into Christ or by the renewal of Baptismal vows.
Easter is then announced with the words “Alleluia, alleluia, Christ is risen” Bells sound, the organ rings out, the Altar candles are lit, and the congregation sings “Glory be to God on High!”
The people share in Holy Communion and the triumphant hymns of Jesus’ resurrection.
EASTER FLOWERS
Envelopes for offerings for Easter Flowers are already in the pews. We fell short on funding our flowers for Easter and Christmas in 2006, and hope to do better this year. We will acknowledge all donors (unless anonymous) and all memorial and thanksgiving designations in May’s Luke’s Log. Thank you.
BIBLE STUDIES FOR ADULTS:
Isaiah
The Monday 4 pm Bible Study is beginning a study of the high points of Isaiah. Isaiah, the son of Amoz, wrote to a society which had become corrupt. People were proud of their possessions and neglected the poor. Many parallels can be found between the people of his time and our time. You are invited to come and explore Isaiah’s relevance in the Guild Room.
Psalms
Deacon Joani’s Wednesday morning Bible study is will be meeting at 10:00am in the Guild Room. All are welcome. Please make note of the time change.
Genesis
The Wednesday night Bible study group has completed the study of the book of Revelation. Caroline Pitts led this study and she did a wonderful job.
There will no meeting on Wednesday, April 4th because of Holy Week.
We will begin a study of the book of Genesis on Wednesday, April 11th at 7:00pm. This study will be led by Joe and Starr Hungate. The group will meet at Al and Lucille Fitchell’s home at 1258 Ironwood. New comers are welcome. Call Dan and Joan Collins at 476-6169 if you have any questions or need directions to the Fitchell’s.
ST. LUKE’S GUILD
We are going to start concentrating on smaller parish events that our personal schedules can accommodate. We will be discussing the Guild’s new direction at the Gold Miner Café at the corner of 7th and “M” Streets on Wednesday, April 11th at 9:00am. Please join us for breakfast and brainstorming. For more information please call Crista at 659-9208. Remember that all women of St. Luke’s are Guild members, see you then.
---Crista Yilek, President
ST. LUKE’S SCHOLARSHP
St. Luke’s offers a scholarship each year to parishioners who are pursuing education beyond high school. As an attempt to encourage people to receive training at the college level or at a trade or technical school scholarships are given. Awards may be renewed for a total of 3 years. Parishioners who wish to apply must contact Jean in the church office or Lynn Hughes for an application. All applications must be submitted no later than May 15th. Eligibility requirements include being a St. Luke’s communicant on a regular basis.
MUSIC NOTES
Choir
The Choir rehearses Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 6:30. Please come and sing with us. We hope to be able to do some a cappella pieces, as well as things incorporating other instruments, such as handbells, drums, strings, praise band, flutes, guitars, etc. Please be encouraged to come join us. Our new organist, Don Corbett arrives after Easter. Give him and his wife a warm welcome.
Bell Choir
The Handbell Choir will continue to meet on Wednesday from 4:30 – 5:15 with new members being added on a continuing basis. We hope to get bigger and better. Children are encouraged to join us. We have a lot of fun. Call Dr. Edla Stephenson at 761-6490 to learn more.
Praise and Worship Musicians
If you are interested in participating, please contact Ulf Bjorklund at 476-5012 for practice times.
Choir Festival
Here is a comment from an e-mail received from Pastor Wes Winn of First Christian Church about the Choir Festival on March 11, 2007 at Bethany Presbyterian Church.
I want to say to all of you how wonderful the choir/Christian Unity celebration went yesterday. A special THANK YOU to all of you who gave of your time, talents, prayers, voices and monetary gifts to make this a very blessed event in our community. I wish I could thank each of you personally but I am sure I will leave someone out so just copy this e-mail and send it to everyone that you know that was a part of this great celebration and pass along “WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS!” Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Wes Winn
Children Choir
Our Children’s Choir has been learning together after the 10:30 service. New singers are welcome.
INFORMATION ON SOME UP COMING HAPPENINGS!
Taize Services at St. Make’s in Medford
Sunday, April 1 @ 8:00pm Holy Week
These are quiet service of meditation, reflection, readings, silence, prayer, candlelight, and musical chants from the Taize tradition, focusing on themes of each season.
May 3 : National Day of Prayer
May 5 : 16th Annual ECW Spirituality Day @ Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Coos Bay, Oregon
May 17 : Ascension
May 17-20 : 2007 Women’s Cursillo @ Church of the Good Shepherd
Vancouver, Washington
May 26 & 27 : Sisters of the Transfiguration @ St. Luke’s
May 27 : Pentecost
May 28 : Memorial Day Office will be closed
MEN’S MONDAY MORNING BREAKFAST
The Men’s breakfast meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month and occasionally on a 5th Monday. Breakfast is at the Gold Miner Cafe on the corner of 7th and “M” streets at 8:15. If you have any questions, you can call the office at 476-2493.
LANDSCAPING GIFTS AND MEMORIALS ARE STILL NEEDED!
Everyone is delighted with the beautiful landscaping installed as part of our new front entrance. But, the landscaping was not included in the original budget for our new handicap access. The Vestry can borrow funds internally for the time being, but is eager to encourage special gifts. One tree and a number of bushes are still available as memorials, as are the irrigation system, the front lawn, the lawns on either side to the walk from the kitchen porch to D Street, the landscaping under the large stained glass windows of the nave, and the renewed landscaping along 4th Street. Gifts have been given in memory of Bob DeFreitas, whose artistic gifts have blessed St. Luke’s, and in memory of former rector Fr. Chet Shulda, and others. More are welcome. Don Kane is keeping track of gifts. Drop your gift in the offering plate, clearly labeled, or call the church or Don (955-9897) for more information.
THE STEPHEN’S MINISTRY
A new program may be offered at St. Luke’s in the near future, The Stephen’s Ministry. Stephen Ministers are lay people of the Church who are specially trained to care and comfort individuals within our flock who are not able to attend the regular services, who are hurting or are in need of a special friend. An introductory session will be offered on Sunday, April 22nd at 2:00pm. Kathy Stewart will be our guest speaker. Kathy is a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church and has successfully led a Stephen’s Ministry program at Bethany for the past ten years. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or just want to learn more, please join us at this introductory meeting. You can also call Dan & Joan Collins at 476-6169
VESTRY NOTES
At the regular Vestry meeting on Thursday, March 15, 2007, Dennis James was appointed Senior Warden by Fr. Jim. Delegates and Alternates for the Diocesan Convention in November were chosen. They are Theron Middleton, Ulf Bjorklund, and Bev Kane as delegates and Pamela Boston, Mike Dawson and Jean Middleton as alternates. Plans were reviewed for Fr. Jim’s upcoming sabbatical, and partial support from a special gift. The Vestry also discussed getting additional bids for grounds maintenance. At a special meeting on Sunday, March 25th, the contract was awarded to Mountain View Landscaping.
Vestry meetings are held on the Parish Hall on the 3rd Thursday of the month beginning at 7:00pm, members of St. Luke’s are welcome.
DEREK SEALS
Please continue to keep Derek Seals in your prayers was he prepares for surgery at Dornbecker Children’s Hospital in Portland. If you would like to help the Seals family, an account has been set-up at US Bank in Derek’s name.
Help Wanted:
Visitors for the youth prison.
Helpers for the Park Ministry
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Lucy Roberts 4/7 Olivia Huber 4/16 Collin Fuller 4/22
If during the past year we have missed any child’s birthday, we apologize. However, we do need to update our birthday list. So, please call the office with the child’s name and birth date. Thank you.
DR. EDLA STEPHENSON ON THE MEND
Our wonderful choir director, and interim organist, is recovering from a series of mild strokes and surgery. She was hospitalized in the early hours of March 12, after having helped lead a marvelous multi-choir service for our community. After surgery to clean out one of her carotid arteries, she had a rough time, followed by another significant stroke. Then she made miraculous progress. Prayer is powerful and many were praying hard. Rather than needing to go to a nursing home she was released on March 23 to go home. She is still weak, and will be getting outpatient therapy to continue her recovery. We hope to see her in church, and directing the choir, in just a few weeks.
Dr. Stephenson has had to resign her part time teaching position with the Medford School District, and has been unable to teach her regular private students for the last two weeks. She will resume private lessons as soon as possible. She will also start receiving Social Security in a few months. In the meantime, she has major financial problems. St. Luke’s is starting a special account to help her through this difficult time. Donations are welcome and should be make out to “St. Luke’s Church” with a notation in the corner: “Choir Emergency”. Thanks very much to all who can help. Any one wanting to discuss help for her is invited to call the rector. Edla is able to receive visits and phone calls. Her address is 1316 Summit Loop and her phone is 761-6490.
CURSILLO
Up coming Cursillo:
April 19 – 22 : Men’s Spring Cursillo Salem, Oregon
May 17 – 20 : Women’s Spring Cursillo Vancouver, Washington
October 4 – 7 : Co-ed Weekend Cursillo Eugene, Oregon
If you are interested in any of these, please contact the office at 476-2493.
It’s not too early to begin planning for the 2007 Women’s Cursillo, May 17 – 20 at Church of the Good Shepherd, Vancouver, Washington.
If you are planning on sponsoring a candidate, please get the applications in soon, as spaces are filling up fast.
Applications can be found at www.oregoncursillo.org for additional information, please contact Tracy Esquerre tracyesg@aol.com Communications Chair 2007 Women’s Cursillo.
PARK MINISTRY
Teams from St. Luke’s donate a few hours several Saturdays a month to provide this ministry. A team headed up by Bob and Flo Graham do the first Saturday of the month and our second team headed is by Fran Turney and give of their time on the 4th Saturday. This ministry serves a full meal to all comers each Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm at the gazebo in Riverside Park. If you would like to help you can call Bob Graham at 862-2520, Fran Turney at 474-9613 or Dave Pylant at 476-1439. They will be happy to give more information.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Daughters of the King met on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00pm at the home of Marlies Wilson, 119 Briarwood Way. All women of the church are welcome. For more information, please contact Marlies at 474-1090.
On Sunday, April 22nd at the 10:30am service, Caroline Pitts will be taking vows of prayer and service as well as a new personal “rule of life”. Please pray for Caroline as she begins a new step in her journey of faith.
HOLY WEEK BEGINS SUNDAY, APRIL 1st
PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, April 1st, the 10:30 service begins in the parish Hall with the blessing of palm crosses and the reading of the Palm Gospel. We then sing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” as we go in procession out through the library door and down the sidewalk into the church. After this joyous parade for Jesus, the rest of the service moves us into Holy Week, as we sing the Passion Chorale (“O Sacred Head Now Wounded”) and participate in the scripture reading of Luke’s account of the Passion Story.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
All are invited to come at 7:00pm on Holy Monday, April 2nd, and Holy Wednesday, April 4th at 5:00pm, to reflect on our Lord’s journey from the place of condemnation, to Golgotha, to the Tomb. This observance is one more way to make the events of that first Holy Week more real to us, so that, by fully participating in them, we can more deeply experience the joy of Easter.
MAUNDY THURSDAY: THE LAST SUPPER
From at least the 4th Century the Church has celebrated the instituting of the Eucharist on this day. On Maundy Thursday, April 5, we continue that tradition. We gather at 5:30pm for a simple meal in the Parish Hall, after which we will celebrate Holy Communion around our tables. Families are especially encouraged to bring their children to participate in this service.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES
The Good Friday Liturgy will be offered at 10:00am and 7:00pm. The morning service includes Communion from the reserved Sacrament that was placed on the Altar of Repose on Maundy Thursday. The evening service includes Tenebrae. The community Ecumenical Service, sponsored by St. Luke’s and other churches, will be at Newman United Methodist Church at 12:00 noon.
GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING
Each year for many years the Episcopal Church has gathered a Good Friday Offering for the work of the Church in the Holy Land. Today that offering is shared with all the dioceses of Jerusalem and the Middle East. It supports parish programs and outreach, schools, hospitals, workshops and more. We will have the Good Friday offering envelopes in the pews from March 25th through Good Friday, April 6th, but gifts may be given at any time. Thank you.
16th Annual Diocesan Episcopal Church Women Spirituality Day 2007
‘One in the Spirit’
When? Saturday, May 5th 8:30 – 3:00 Where? Emmanuel Episcopal Church,
400 Highland, Coos Bay
Cost? $20 for early registration; $25 at the door. Scholarships are available.
Event schedule includes:
Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Esme Jo Culver
Spiritual Faith Practices: Daughters of Abraham
Celtic Holy Eucharist
Lunch
Marketplace
Workshops (Information attached)
Hosted by the Women of the South Coast Convocation Congregations
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REGISTRATION FORM
Please detach and return this Registration Form & Fee by April 25th. Make $20 check payable to:
Emmanuel ECW and send to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 400 Highland Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420.
For questions or further information, please call Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 541-269-5829.
You may also register on line at www.diocese-oregon.org
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________ Email: ________________________________
Home Church & City________________________________________________________
Lunch: Vegetarian: Yes_____ No_____
Workshops: Participation is limited to 25 persons per workshop based on receipt of registration.
Please give 1st & 2nd choice for each session.
Session A Session B
____ Spiritual Companionship ____ Knitting as a Spiritual Practice
____ Hawaiian Spiritual Hula ____ Herbs of the Bible & Beyond
____ American Indian Spiritual ____ History of Women Clergy in the
Practices Church
Workshops:
Session A (1:00 pm)
1. Spiritual Companionship: The Who, What, Where, Why & How of Spiritual Direction.
Led by The Rev. Jo Miller, Vicar, St. John's Bandon and Anne Abdy, Emmanuel Coos Bay.
Anne is a 1st year Spiritual Direction Student at The Shalom Prayer Center, Mount Angel's, OR.
Spiritual Direction is a practice that can enhance your spirituality by noticing more fully our
Lord's role in every day life, from the mundane to "aha" experiences. This will be a 101 course
overview with a reading of selected session scripts that will illustrate this process.
2. Hawaiian Spiritual Hula *E noho pu ka Haku me "oukou. (The Lord be with you) As
missionaries arrived in the Hawaiian Islands and Christianity was introduced, the Hula dance went underground as not thought to be appropriate or socially proper in dress and movement. The dance later emerged and was modernized. Juanette Baysa had lived in Hawaii for many years studying both ancient and modern hula. She came to Oregon’s south coast to pursue another art form of wood carving but maintains her skill of the hula through teaching the dance in Coquille. She shares this beautiful expression with community groups. She is here to share with us the interpretation of movement and hand gestures.
3. American Indian Spiritual Practices Wind, Fire, Water and Earth. In different forms the
American Indian worships to the same purpose of Nature, Life, and Destiny that is significant in
many Christian doctrines. As time has passed these various cultures have interwoven to a
common goal of living a caring existence in the eyes of one God. Rachelle Smith has studied the
development of American Indian spiritual devotion from the 1800's to their present spiritual
practices. Here is a view from her eyes into American Indian worship.
Session B (2:00 pm)
1. Knitting as a Spiritual Practice. Led by Ann Larmer, Emmanuel Church, Coos Bay. This will be a discussion about making a beautiful, useful object with two hands, two sticks, and some
string to give some balance and order and thoughtfulness to the maker.
2. Herbs of the Bible and Beyond. Led by Cathy Gibson, St. James, Coquille. This workshop will be a discussion of the plants (primarily herbs) that are mentioned in the Bible. How they were used in ancient times, down through history and today. Many of the verses in the Old and New Testaments mention more than a hundred kinds of plants. Some of which are grown in your
gardens today. “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.” Proverbs 7:17
3. History of Women Clergy in the Church. Led by the Rev. Barbara Mudge, a "re-retired" priest living in Bandon. One of the "Philadelphia 11” was a former student and member of her youth group in South Pasadena. Barbara has served as the Ecumenical Officer for Oregon and was part of the delegation of the Companion Diocese Commission that went to India in 2005. Currently Barbara is involved in several outreach ministries and serving as a supply priest to congregations on the South Coast. Barbara is a native Californian who loves the rainy Northwest.