 St. Luke’s Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices Learning Cohort will be hosting a neighborhood block party on Sunday, August 25 at 11:30 am. We are excited to invite all neighbors and members of St Luke’s to gather for food, fellowship, and fun for all ages!
The goal of the event is getting to know our neighbors! Some ways to do that include: 1. Asking Questions: How long have you lived in the neighborhood? What’s your favorite thing about the neighborhood? What is a skill you know so well you could teach others? 2. Practice listening more than talking. 3. Find the people you know the least! You can learn more about ways to engage with neighbors before the Neighborhood Block Party by joining the Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices members on Sunday 8/11 and Sunday 8/18 between services. If you have any questions reach out the Leah DeSchepper at [email protected]
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 Site of the 2024 American Guild of Organists (AGO) National Convention!
I, along with over 1000 other organists from the US and around the world, descended on the City by the Bay for a week of concerts, worship services and workshops. It’s always an exciting time as attendees meet and catch up with their colleagues, hear and see magnificent organs and performances, and get educated on hymn leading, new technologies for both instruments and performance, and musicians’ health and wellbeing, among other interesting topics. It’s also a chance to hear and see the many wonderfully talented new organists coming up who will keep the organ relevant and vibrant in the future. Thank you to St. Luke’s Foundation for their financial support that allowed me to attend the convention this year. Also, many thanks to all of you who support me with your encouragement and kind comments. I am truly grateful to be able to share my musical gift with you every week in worship. Lori Murray  A couple of weeks ago, after undergoing major surgery, I encountered something very profound and special that I’d like to share with you. As I woke up in the ICU, I felt a distinct calm amid the normal disorientation. I realized that my nurse was holding my hand and was present to address my every need. I thanked her for that healing touch. She then told me she notices that same sense of calmness in most of her post-op patients each time she provides that touch. It was a human touch, yet it truly was a touch of God. What an angel!
Someone once said, "Of all the gifts we can give to people, the gift of our touch is one of the most priceless. Through our hands we convey a kind of radiance. A warmth seeps out from our inner fire, a wrap for someone's chill, a light for another's dark." “The touch of God, in essence, is God’s power contacting us to influence or change our lives. He could touch our bodies, hearts, or even circumstances; this divine touch can occur as we receive the Word, pray or when someone ministers to us.” I love hugs and have come to love prayers said with laying on of hands – the TOUCH. But not everyone likes to be touched or hugged. I like to think that they still feel and share God’s touch and presence in other ways. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” - Leo Buscaglia I’ve been on the St. Luke’s prayer list since my first cancer diagnosis in April. THANK YOU! I have felt your touch. I have felt your prayers. I have felt God’s presence. I have received many blessings of love, friendships, care and healing. The power of prayer. The power of the human touch. The power and healing of God the Almighty. Thanks be to God. Let us all continue to share the gift of the human touch in whatever form that it is. Alanna Teragawa, Bells of Praise Director  We have had a wonderful start to St. Luke’s week at Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp in Amery, Wisconsin. Thank you for your prayers! In a world marked by constant change, the Camp Wapo theme “ALWAYS” serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering love for us. We hold fast to the promise that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) As we live out called and claimed lives, together we’ll discover ways to connect to our ever present God. Inspired by 1 Thessalonians we’ll find those connections points by learning to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). We are doing that at camp through Chapel, Bible Study, Campfire Worship, Evening Devotions, along with games, post-high school age counselors sharing their faith, and meeting new friends from other churches. Decades of a close partnership between churches and Bible Camps, raise up new church leaders who are passionate about sharing the love of God in Christ through innovation, fun, and engaging activities. Camp experiences among ELCA ministers are widespread and impactful. Two-thirds (64%) of survey respondents attended overnight Christian summer camp at least once, and a third (34%) served on summer camp staff. All told, nearly half (49%) of all ELCA rostered ministers agreed that their camp experiences were instrumental in their call to rostered ministry. I am one of them. No wonder positive views of camp are so widespread! Below are responses and pictures from the five St. Luke’s students and a post-high school counselor enjoying Youth Camp (4th-8th Grade) this week. There are three more students coming for Seeds camp (1st -3rd Grade) this weekend, and St. Luke’s also has a Grandparent coming with her two grandchildren, Sunday – Tuesday next week, to Grandparents’ Camp. Name of Student: Favorite Song – Favorite Canteen Item – Favorite Game - Best part of Camp - How many years at Camp. Alexus: Always - Lemonade slushy – Zookeeper - The people - 13 years. 1st year counselor. Chris: Always – Firework Faygo – 9 square – Chapel – 3 years Aubrey: Always – Lemonlime slushy – Chip noodle – Felt homesick, but cabinmates sang songs which made me feel better – I worship more here – 4 years. Levi: Always – Maltcup – Gagaball or 9-Square – Biblestudy, campfire and Chapel – 8 years. Skyler: Radical God – Cookie ice cream sandwich – Paddleboarding – Bible study – 2 years. Danica: Always – Malt cup – Chip noodle - Bible Study and singing – First year. Rob: This is Holy Time – Cookie ice cream sandwich – Exploding Enchiladas – Love watching campers grow in their faith - 43 years. A special thanks to those who took a card to send to one of our campers. Special request, Allie Erickson, who is a summer counselor would love some mail. She is here until August 16. Send to: Alexus Erickson – Counselor Camp Wapo 1204 74th Ave Amery, WI 54001 Prayers and blessings back to all of St. Luke’s! In Christ, Rob  Click on picture to watch video  Vacation Bible School was a great week this year at Camp Firelight. This year we had around 50 kids (more than last year) and many volunteers including many of our youth volunteers who will be going to NYC for our mission trip. It was so fun to see the world of VBS through the eyes of the children through the crafts, games, science, bible time, and even snack. Some of the highlights from VBS included- wanting VBS to last all summer long, the “dirt cup” snack made out of pudding and Oreos and making new friends. One of our songs from VBS, had a verse that keeps coming to mind: “I’m not alone, you're not alone, and we're not alone.” I keep thinking how powerful God’s love is and that we can do anything with God. I am so thankful for everyone who helped with VBS, including those who brought supplies, who volunteered, and for our wonderful families. For VBS this year for our mission project we did a book drive and collected over 100 books to use in our St. Luke’s Little Free Library. Jesus Loves You S’more Than You Know!
Click here to see the fun we had during VBS! |
