“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect”
– Romans 12:2

Welcome to the first of three New Year’s celebrated at St. Luke’s.

January 1st – Happy Societal New Year! As much as we would like to live out Paul’s statement, we need to conform in sharing our tithes and offerings. It is the start of a new tax year, thus December 31 becomes the deadline for making a year-end contribution. You can drop it off at the office by 4:30 PM, Thursday, December 30, or mail it with a postmark of December 31.

One of my New Year’s resolutions I make is increasing my annual gift to St. Luke’s. In addition I also make a year-end gift. I would invite you to prayerfully consider joining me.

• Make an additional Year-end gift; maybe a 13th month or 53rd week offering.
• And with the close of the tax year, consider a gift of stock. Stewardship Member Mick Thorsland wrote a blog early this year describing the benefits of doing so> (https://www.stlukesbloomington.org/blog/stewardship)

 February 1st – Happy St. Luke’s Leadership New Year! St. Luke’s is blessed to have dedicated and faithful members who share in leadership. The Council is voted in by the Congregational Meeting which is the last Sunday of January. Please put on your 2022 Calendar Sunday, January 30, for the St. Luke’s Annual Meeting, following the 10 AM worship. Please pray for our leaders and prayerfully consider your leadership at St. Luke’s in the year ahead.

November 27– Happy Church New Year! The Church Seasons begins with Advent, the four Sundays prior to Christmas. We hear the story again for the first time. It begins listening to the prophets announcing the messiah. We then walk through the life of Jesus beginning with his birth on Christmas Day through his resurrection on Easter morning.

A New Year’s Resolution for me is to read through the Gospel of John. Prayerfully consider joining me. Simply by attending church every Sunday, between January 2 – February 20, you will have not missed a verse. The will be daily readings and a weekly study available on Wednesday nights from 6-7 pm. If you would like to be a part of a small group determining a day and time that works best for you, simply contact the church office@stlukesbloomington.org / 952-881-5801 or me.

May you be transformed in the year ahead celebrating not only the New Years, but each and every New Day renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
                                                                                 
Blessings to you and yours in the New Year, Rob

​“The more the merrier.” This phrase is Gospel, “Good News of Great Joy for All People.” All people – that is who Jesus came to save and we are called to be his witnesses, “Go to all nations…”

What follows is a post from NewSpring Church used with permisssion:

“At this point in the Christmas season, most of us are scrambling to buy and wrap last-minute gifts. We’re up to our ears in cookies, we’ve got stockings to stuff, and parties to attend. 

But what if the most important thing that happens this Christmas isn’t something we do, but a question we ask? 
Three Reasons Christmas Is the Perfect Time to Invite Someone to Church

1. The Christmas spirit already has people doing things they wouldn’t normally do. 

Only at Christmas do we see penny-pinchers digging in their pockets for change to give to the man merrily ringing the bell outside the store. For the sake of Christmas, even our most dysfunctional family members will gather around the table. And even if we aren’t sure we like eggnog, we’ll give it a try because, well, it’s Christmas. 

Research shows most people would come to church if someone they knew just asked, and people are more receptive to going to church at Christmas than other times of year (via LifeWay Research).  

Blame it on the infectious amounts of holiday cheer, but more than any other time of year people are willing to try something new, making it one of the best opportunities to invite someone to church. 
2. By nature, people are curious. 

Around the world, people will flock to churches on Christmas leaving others to wonder, “What’s all the hype about?” Never underestimate the amount of desire a little curiosity can spark.

Luke 2:15-16 says that when the shepherds heard about Jesus’ birth they said to one another, “‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened…’ so they hurried off and found Mary, Joseph and the baby who was lying in a manger.”
 
Curiosity is what led the shepherds to meet Jesus, and curiosity could be what leads the people you invite to meet Jesus as well. 
3. Many are in desperate need of good news and great joy. 

Every day people are faced with staggering circumstances, and Christmastime is no exception. Marriages end, loved ones pass away, and devastating test results come back. For many, the future seems bleak and hearts are broken.

Often, people who are hurting feel like church isn’t for them. Yet on the first Christmas, those who were frightened and in desperate need of good news and great joy were addressed directly.

In Luke 2:10-11 the angel responded, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born…”.

This Christmas, we have the opportunity to introduce those who are hurting to the same Savior. We can invite people to a place where they can meet the God who acknowledges their greatest fears, sees their deepest longings and sent His Son to save us.  

Whether someone comes to church out of curiosity, a willingness to try something new, or desperation for a Savior, it could be your invitation that leads someone to meet Jesus! At the very least, you’ll provide that person with a much-needed break from all the small talk and Christmas movies. 

The hope we give away at Christmas is sure to outlast the cookies and the lights on the tree.
Making Christmas plans? Join us for Christmas At NewSpring. 
Christmas Eve at St. Luke’s – December 24 we will have three worships. Gather in person or online (link on our homepage www.stlukesbloomington.org 

Each one is led by each of our music groups.
2:00 PM – Bells of Praise       
4:00 PM – Jubilee
10:00 PM – Choir
 
Follow up from last week’s blog…
Favorite Christmas Carol – O Holy Night was the only response in the comments. A second one was Carol of the Bells (Jesus is King). Another chance to share your favorite in the comments.
Last, but not least….
Jubilee Praise Team live at Mall of America December 23, Thursday at 5 PM - Join to sing Christmas music, praising God, and giving shoppers a taste of St. Luke's in East Rotunda. Come join in the fun!