This Sunday we will remember those who have gone before us; those who have entered into the “Great Cloud of Witnesses” (Hebrews 12). We give thanks for their lives.

We share this belief each and every week when we pray the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in…the communion of saints.” The communion of saints includes all who place their hope in Jesus Christ – the living and the dead.

One of my favorite quotations is from Saint Teresa of Calcutta, ‘holiness is not the luxury of a few people, but a simple duty for you and me.’ We are all called to become saints, and we can accomplish that by striving to follow God’s commands and be united within God’s love. To be holy, to be a saint, means allowing God ‘to live Jesus’ life in us’ as Mother Teresa taught.”

Please join us this Sunday, November 1 at either or both worship times – 8:30 and 10:00 AM, when we will lift up those for whom we will celebrate their life and resurrection, from All Saints 2024 to All Saints 2025, here at St. Luke’s; both members and nonmembers alike.

We will say their name, show a picture, light a candle, and toll a bell for each one.
 
There will also be a candle table in the lobby for you to remember your loved ones.

As we remember those who have died, may we offer ongoing prayers and blessings for their family and friends:
 
Judy Dahlen, Rita Minsaas, Kathryn Nave, Laura Bodger, Gerald Boyle, John McWilliams, Karol Schmidt, Donald Kappers, and Nancy Dagen   
​

Isaiah 58:10
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
​
VEAP is experiencing an unprecedented need for pantry items due to ongoing inflationary pressures, the government shutdown and the anticipated loss of funding for SNAP benefits.   VEAP provides a critical service, serving over 250,000 people and distributing almost 5 million pounds of food each year.  VEAP is requesting non-perishable, unexpired items and/or monetary donations. Every dollar donated and every pound of food counts!  
 
Through the month of November, St. Luke’s will be collecting non-perishable food items.   Monetary donations may also be made along with your offering – just designate the funds to VEAP.  If you work for or are retired from a company that offers to match employee donations to 501c3 organizations, we encourage you to make a donation now.  A donation of $30 will feed an individual 3 meals a day for 30 days.

And at the Thanksgiving Eve Worship, Wednesday, November 26 at 7 PM, it is our hope that we can fill the chancel with a special food offering.

Blessings,
Bev Brosam
Missions
 

This Sunday we will gather like many protestant churches to remember the life and work of Theologian Reverend Martin Luther. Luther was influenced by Augustine (340–430) who emphasized the Bible rather than Church officials as the ultimate religious authority. He also believed that humans could not reach salvation by their own acts, but that only God’s grace made known through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection could offer salvation.​

This is the reason that baptism is welcomed at any age. It is not what we do, but what God has done. The theologian Karl Barth, when asked when he was saved, famously replied, "I was saved at 3 o'clock on a Friday afternoon, on a hill outside the city of Jerusalem, in the year 33 A.D.

It is fitting that on Reformation Sunday; three students will affirm their baptisms at the 10 AM Worship. I invite you to consider these promises today:

“You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
…to live among God’s faithful people.
…to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper
…to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed.
…to serve all people following the example of Jesus.
…and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

If so, please respond: ‘I do and I ask God to help and guide me.’”

This will be followed by an invitation to those gathered in worship,

“People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life in Christ?”

They will be invited to respond, “We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.”

In all of this let us prayer without ceasing:

“We give you thanks O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit, you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.

Also, don't forget...

Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 26th

Join us on October 26th from 4:30-6:00pm for a safe and fun trick-or-treating event. Come in your costumes and trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk in our church parking lot.

We could always use more trunks! If you are interested in decorating your own trunk and participating in Trunk or Treat please contact Andrea Griner at [email protected]

The best decorated trunk will be the recipient of the St. Luke’s Trunk or Treat Traveling Trophy--The Golden Troll!

Come and enjoy cider, popcorn, and a bonfire! 

Saturday, October 18th
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Help make our congregational community event a success. There is something for everyone and you won't want to miss it! Bring the whole family and all your friends. We will have 3 Food Trucks here: Hasta La Pasta, Ironman Sandwiches and Hot Box Foods.
Local Artists will be presenting their…

• Olive wood items from the Holy Land
• Arts & crafts, dried flowers
• Quilts, rugs, table runners & hot pads
• Hand knit hats, mittens and scarves, crocheted items
• Purses, bags & soaps
• Cards & holiday wrap, decorations
• Stocking stuffers to fit every budget
• NorthStar Scrollers - scroll saw woodworking items
• Foozy Socks
• Dog and cat items
• Pillows
• Aprons
• Personalized clay ornaments
• Free standing lace items
• Clothesline Rope Bowls
• Fresh baked goods from a micro bakery & preserves & maple syrup
  

​Never too soon to shop for Christmas presents. Come and enjoy.