Linda Burch: Member since 1972, Good Will Class, former Stephen Minister  Acts 2:1-11 (NIV) 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in [...]

Joseph Patty, Associate Director of Student Ministry, Scavenger Hunt Designer Extraordinaire Acts 1:23-25 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 6:1-8 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained […] because their widows were [...]

Brittney Ford, member since 2007, Children’s Ministries Hospitality Lead, Children’s Council Acts 1:8 “...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  I grew up in a denomination where the idea of witnessing to others was drilled into our heads from an early age. I wore the salvation bracelet and could tell you what the color of each bead represented (black represented sin, red was blood, blue baptism...you get the idea). [...]

Louise McEvoy, Women’s Ministry Coordinator Acts 1:2b-9 2 Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. 4 While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me: 5 John baptized with water, but in only a [...]

Charity Autry, Member since 2008, Families in Faith Sunday School Leader, Starting Point Leader, VBS Chair (Children’s Ministry Council) Acts 9:36-43 (NIV Life Application Study Bible) 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Reflection: [...]

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 [...]