Rev. Michelle Manuel, Associate Director of Adult Ministries Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Reflection: Even though it’s the end of the month, let’s start at the beginning. I mean, the very beginning. God’s spirit was there, hovering over the dark waters. And then God spoke. These words didn’t simply echo into the darkness and bounce [...]

By Savannah Burch, Student Ministries-Middle School Luke 8:22-33 22 One day Jesus and his disciples boarded a boat. He said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set sail. 23 While they were sailing, he fell asleep. Gale-force winds swept down on the lake. The boat was filling up with water and they were in danger. 24 So they went and woke Jesus, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” But he got up and gave orders to the wind and the violent waves. The storm died down and it was calm. 25 He said to his disciples, “Where is [...]

Michael Shook, Genesis Class Teacher, Member of St. Luke’s since 2014, and Small Group Leader Psalm 145:17 The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. Reflection: For most of my life I have had trouble understanding how God could be both “just” (judge us) and “kind” (forgive, when forgiveness is not justified). It always seemed to me that to be the perfect judge you could not be kind as it would undermine holding people accountable. Wouldn’t it? So how do we know that God is the perfect judge? How do we know that [...]

Pat Deckert - Member since 1987  Matthew 18:21-22, 35 (Read also 23-34) 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”  22“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! 35“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” Luke 17:20-21 20Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See [...]

Amy Kelley, Dir. of Program Ministries, Gethsemane 2 Samuel 7:22-24 22 That is why you are so great, Lord God! No one can compare to you, no god except you, just as we have always heard with our own ears. 23 Who is like your people, like Israel? Is there another nation on earth whose God went to redeem it as a people, and to make a name for himself, doing great and awesome things for them, by driving out before his people nations and their gods? 24 And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your [...]

Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministries, High SchoolActs 24:25“As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”Genesis 18:25“Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”Reflection:Paul is a prisoner, accused of a matter worthy of death by the Jews. So, in Acts 24, we find Paul laying his case before Felix, a Roman Governor with the power to have Paul killed. Instead of defending himself, Paul talks to Felix about faith in Jesus. It [...]