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St. Luke United Methodist Church seeks to be an open minded church

guiding its members to Live purposefully, to intentionally

Grow in faith and to significantly Serve God and their communities.

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A monthly newsletter of what is happening

in your church

May, 2019

Volume 55, Issue 5

On Easter we celebrated the unexpectedness of God’s presence in our lives

and remembered that in Jesus’ death and resurrection we know that we are

fully accepted by that which is divine. Our everyday experiences as human

beings are sacred. As mundane as we think they are, we believe God

experienced them also—even death.

I still continue to play with the idea that Love, Acceptance and Generosity

describe the three parts of our Trinitarian understanding of God. Love has ever

been present. In Christ we experience our full acceptance by God. And now to

the generosity…..

Pentecost is the next major holiday in the church year. It corresponds to the

Jewish holiday of Shavuot which comes fifty days after Passover. Shavuot is a

celebration not only of the first grain harvest of early summer, but also the

giving of the Torah. It is the day that as Christians we celebrate the presence of

the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.

Pentecost is a day of unlimited generosity. The story is told that those present

in Jerusalem on Pentecost each heard the love of God spoken in their own

language. They understood God in a unique and personal way. It is this radical

notion that we are not disciples formed by a spiritual cookie cutter, rather we

are those formed by the generous touch of love and acceptance. Our lives are

sacred to God.

Between now and Pentecost I invite you to celebrate the small, everyday

sacred moments of God’s love in your life. Take a walk. Visit a friend. Find

someone interesting and have a conversation. Give yourself permission to slow

down. Take the courage to get out of your house. And listen for the voice of

God speaking to you in your own language.

—Grace & peace, Marshall

From Pastor Marshall

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Worship Service Times

Sundays at 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

Confirmation Sunday, May 5 Rev. Marshall Johnson preaching

Communion will be served and the Chancel Choir will sing in the 10:30 service.

Mother’s Day/Graduation Sunday, May 12 Rev. Marshall Johnson preaching

The Children’s Choir will sing in both services and the Chancel Choir will sing in the 10:30 service.

Sunday, May 19 Rev. Marshall Johnson preaching

The Chancel Ringers will perform in the 10:30 worship service.

Sunday, May 26 Rev. Marshall Johnson preaching

Schedule on Sunday mornings Nursery is available in the Education Wing for infants-age 3 from 8:45-11:30 a.m. Parents may drop off and pick up their infant anytime.

9:00—First Worship Service

Children age 4-Grade 6 start out in the worship service. At approximately 9:20 children through Grade 6 are taken by a designated teacher to the appropriate Sunday School classroom in the Education Wing.

Youth Grades 7-12 attend the entire worship service (see details below about Youth Sunday School).

9:20-10:25—Sunday School classes for children in Education Wing

Sunday School classes begin with 40 minutes of curriculum time, followed by music time for all of the classes together. (Parents who do not wish their children to participate in music time may pick them up from their classrooms at 10:00.)

9:45-10:25—Sunday School classes for youth and adults

After the first worship service ends Jr. High Youth (Grades 7-8), Sr. High Youth (Grades 9-12), and adults go to their classes. (All classes end at 10:25.)

10:30—Second Worship Service

Children age 4-Grade 6 start out in the worship service. At approximately 10:50 children through Grade 6 are taken by a designated teacher to the appropriate Sunday School classroom in the Education Wing.

Youth Grades 7-12 attend the entire worship service.

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Thank You for

Providing Lilies

for Easter!

By Barb Bradley

By Jason Brasch, in Honor of Nancy Ott

By John & Amy Deardorff

By the Deardorff Family, in Memory of Dorothy Tyler and Virginia & Joe Deardorff

By Cynthia Fontenello, in Memory of Loved Ones

By Lynn & Sherry Hansen

By Dana & Cheryl Henricksen, in Memory of Our Mothers, Judy Traudt & Opal Henricksen

By Ron & Margaret Kohler, in Memory of Loved Ones

By Curtis & Linda Johnson

By Marshall & Cindy Johnson, in Memory of Loved Ones

By Virginia Magruder, in Memory of My Husband, Tom and My Daughter, Ann

By Denny & Sherry McDonnell, in Memory of Our Parents

By Randy & Darlene Mueller, in Memory of Robert Mueller

By Al & Kelley Patton, for Pauletta Kleese

By Shirley Petersen, in Memory of Bud Petersen

By Kai & Sheri Uno

St. Luke Chancel Choir Part of Omaha Festival of Music May 5

Everyone is invited to come to the Omaha Festival of Music on Sunday, May 5 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church (15050 West Maple Road). St. Luke’s Chancel Choir will be part of the Community Choir that will be performing, in addition to the Nebraska Brass Band. The festival program includes a wide range of music that can be enjoyed by all.

Tickets are free but tickets are needed for admittance. For tickets go to www.nebraskabrassband.com. At the performance, there will be a free-will offering to support Nebraska Spina Bifida.

Confirmation Sunday May 5

Confirmands will have a rehearsal on Sunday, April 28, in the Sunday School hour. Please be in attendance!

Confirmation will be Sunday, May 5. The Confirmation ceremony will be during the 10:30 a.m. service only.

All new confirmands and their families need to meet that day in the Sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. to check in.

The confirmands will go as a group to be introduced in the 9:00 worship service, then will then go back to the Sanctuary with their families for individual, family and group photos. They will also receive final instructions for the Confirmation ceremony.

At the close of the 9:00 service, there will be a reception for the confirmands in the Great Room with cake and refreshments.

The Confirmands will sit together up in front of the Sanctuary as a group in the 10:30 service. There will also be reserved seating in the front of the Sanctuary for the confirmands’ families.

We welcome all the 7th Grade confirmands to come celebrate with us!

If you have any questions, contact Chris Archer at chris@stlukeumc.com or 402-333-6886 ext. 318.

Welcome to Arianna Martinez

We are pleased to introduce Arianna Martinez, the new Administrative Assistant in our front Church Office. If/when you are in the Church Office, please stop by and welcome Arianna and introduce yourself. Below is a paragraph of introduction by Arianna.

“I am Adventurous! Love the outdoors & play all sports; my favorite is volleyball. I am a people, kids and dog lover! I like all kinds/types of music. I always have music playing in the background from the moment I open my eyes. I love to sing! I am outgoing and love challenge. I tend to find the best in people. I have four beautiful children: males, Diamond 22 and Joseph 14 & females Michelle, 20 and Arianna, 13 (only child I did not have to fill out paperwork for and nurses knew her name before I did, lol!). I always say, God gave me a bodyguard for each gal! I love God and love being in His Presence! Right now I am living one of my dreams, to be able to work for a church and I thank St Luke United Methodist Church for this awesome opportunity; I look forward to meeting all of you!”

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No Breakfast Club in May

Due to the Memorial Day weekend, the Breakfast Club will not meet in May. We will resume in June. For information about the Breakfast Club, contact Craig Howell at wchowell@mac.com

May 5 Deadline for Donations for Teen Center Gift Baskets

All donations need to be received at St. Luke by Sunday, May 5. You can place your donations on the table in the Missions Corner.

Items needed (new, not used):

Comforters (XL Twin)

Sheets (XL Twin)

Blankets

Pillows

Towels

Basic dishes/flatware (dorm friendly)

Reusable water bottles

Laundry baskets

Laundry soap & dryer sheets

Shower totes

Clothes hangers

Desk lamps

Cleaning wipes

Planners

Mini sewing kits

Mini tool kits

Mini first aid kits

The above is an incomplete list. If you have questions or want to know the other items needed, contact Abbey at abbey@stlukeumc.com

Or if you want to shop from the comfort of your own home, we have set up a list on Amazon.

1) Go to our Amazon list: http://bit.ly/TCgradgifts

2) Choose your item(s) and put them in your cart, then check out as usual. You can have the items shipped directly to St. Luke or to your home.

3) If shipping to St. Luke, use the address: St. Luke Teen Center, 11810 Burke Street, Omaha, NE 68154

Changes in Sunday School for Summer

As we approach the end of the school year, our regular Sunday School for children, youth, and adults will be ending (and will resume in the fall). Note the changes below:

Children (beginning June 2)

Beginning June 2 we will begin our summer schedule for children, as follows:

Nursery care for infants-age 3 will continue to be offered every Sunday from 8:45-11:30 a.m.

Children Pre-K through Grade 2 (grade child is going into) will start out in the 9:00 worship service, then following the children’s sermon in the service, they will be taken to their “summer activity class” in the Education Wing, where they can be picked up after the 9:00 worship service is done.

Children Grades 3-6 (grade child is going into) will attend and remain in the 9:00 or 10:30 worship service with their parents.

Youth (beginning May 5)

April 28 will be the last day this school year for youth Sunday School. Beginning May 5, Jr. and Sr. High Youth will attend the 9:00 or 10:30 a.m. worship service with their parents.

Adult Classes (beginning May 26)

May 19 will be the last day this school year for the adult Sunday School classes. There will be no Sunday School options for adults during the summer but as always everyone is invited to visit over coffee and donuts between worship services.

Does St. Luke Make a Good First Impression?

We think there is room for improvement and a group has been looking at how we present our church visually. We have started in the Bell Tower entryway and will eventually move to other areas of the church building. For the Bell Tower entrance we would like to add a TV screen, a couple of fabric covered chairs, an end table, a console to hold pamphlets and maybe a few other items to spruce things up. Of course, all this will cost money and nothing has been budgeted, so we are asking for donations toward this project. The planned changes to the Bell Tower entrance will cost about $5,000 but there will be other costs as we move to other areas of the church. If you are interested in contributing to this fund, make your check payable to St. Luke and write “Visual Arts” in the memo line of your check and drop it in the offering plate or send it to the Church Office.

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Everyone is Invited to the Teen Center Graduation Party May 16!

It’s that time again in our Teen Center! Acceptance letters are rolling in. Scholarships are being applied for. Plans for the future are being made. It is such an exciting time for our young people (and our staff).

As many of you know, we celebrate our seniors with a Grad-uation Party and gift basket for college. For many, this may be their only graduation celebration.

Please mark the date of our party on your calendar: Thursday, May 16, 3:30-5:30 p.m. This is a celebration of all the hard work that our young people have invested in their future.

Please attend the celebration—we want a full crowd! The kids are always blown away to see a sea of people there to support THEM!

If you are interested in supporting this celebration, you can do so in the following ways:

1) Pray for our young people as they receive news, make decisions and finish their high school career.

2) Donate items from the list on Page4. We are pleased to present each graduate with a gift basket that will help them as they head off to college.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with the graduation party, please contact Abbey Jackson at abbey@stlukeumc.com or 402-333-6886 ext. 328

Give to St. Luke Teen

Center Through “Omaha

Gives!” on May 22

“Omaha Gives!” is an annual 24-hour charitable challenge to benefit metro-area nonprofits. This community “give-together” begins at 12:01 a.m. on May 22 with a minimum gift of only $10 per donor.

Although we will always take donations to the Teen Center that are made payable to St. Luke, for this event it is more helpful to make your donations through the Omaha Gives web site because that helps us be-come eligible for additional community prize dollars.

Want to donate but can’t wait until May 22? SCHED-ULED-GIVING to Omaha Gives is open now. Don’t wait to participate—show your support for the Teen Center and schedule your donation now.

Link to give:

http://www.OmahaGives.org/TeenCenter

All donations made to the Teen Center via Omaha Gives will go toward day-to-day operating expenses of the St. Luke Teen Center.

Committee Meetings This Month

Below are the committees scheduled to meet this month. Committee meetings are always listed in the monthly Courier.

Trustees—Tues, May 14, 5:30 p.m.—Conference Room

RMN Team—Tues, May 14, 6:30 p.m.—Great Room

Children & Youth Ministry Team—Mon, May 20, 7:00 p.m.—CE Meeting Room

Finance Committee—Tues, May 21, 6:00 p.m.—Conference Room

St. Luke Cookbook Coming Soon! Recipes Needed by June 30!

Are you always looking for new ideas in the kitchen? Look no further! St. Luke’s “Church Event Team” is going to be publishing a brand new St. Luke church cookbook in 2019, but first we need your help!

We are in need of recipes from you and your family or friends. Please think about your “tried and true” recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anything in between. Any and all recipes are welcome, and feel free to submit as many as you like!

Recipes should be emailed by June 30 to Rachel Jensen at racheljensen330@gmail.com

If you would like to serve on the cookbook committee, contact Rachel for details! All help is welcome!!!

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The United Methodist Church is a church with a long heritage with many disagreements, splits and re-unions. The role of laity in governance, slavery and fundamentalists/modernists are some of the issues that have caused discord in the church. The many denominations that have come from Methodism have handled social issues differently. One such issue is the ordination of women.

John Wesley ordained women and did not see it as an issue. After Wesley’s death there were differing opinions in the church and The Methodist Episcopal Church (the largest Wesleyan denomination in America) would not ordain women and gave several reasons including:

1) Theological objections that interpreted I Corinthians 14:34–35 to mean that women should be silent in church.

2) Socio-cultural objections including the status of both white women and women of color in Western society, the home and workplace

3) Church politics, when Bishop Edward G. Andrews of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal

Church of New England said ordination of women was "unlawful." In his opinion, the law of the church did not authorize the ordination of women.

The Methodist Episcopal Church did not move fast but in 1924 women were finally given the right to be ordained as local deacons and elders.

Other Methodist denominations gave and took away the right of women to be clergy. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ started ordaining women with full clergy rights in 1889; but when they merged in 1946 with the Evangelical Church there was an agreement to not ordain women in the new church. By the time of the merger to form the United Methodist Church, the ordination of women was not an issue and women were ordained in the new church with full rights and privileges.

Throughout history Methodists have not always agreed and in some cases it has caused splits in the church. History has shown that the church does change. What past Method-ists thought were key issues of disagreement, people today have a hard time understanding. We should keep in mind our descendants will most likely think the same about us.

From St. Luke Reconciling Ministries Team...

St. Luke United Methodist Church seeks to be an

open-minded church guiding its members to live

purposefully, to intentionally grow in faith, and to

significantly serve God and their communities.

We celebrate diversity by embracing people of

all races, ages, cultures, religious backgrounds,

marital/social/economic statuses, physical/mental

abilities, sexual orientation, and gender identities.

St. Luke UMC invites YOU to join us on this faith

journey. Everyone is worthy of God’s love and grace!

Volunteers Needed in our Children’s Ministry

Summer Volunteer Teachers Needed for Sunday School

Summer teachers are needed to teach Sunday School for just one Sunday, from 9:15-9:45 a.m. between June 2 and August 18. The class is Pre-K through Grade 2 children. The curriculum is very easy and material and helpers are provided. Please sign up for a Sunday on the sign-up sheet on the table at the back of the Great Room. For more information, contact Sarah at 402-333-6886 ext. 313 or sarah@stlukeumc.com

Sunday School teachers & helpers for next school year

We are beginning now to line up our Sunday School teachers and helpers for the upcoming 2019-20 school year (starting in September). We need teachers and helpers for various age classes. You can help make a difference for St. Luke children! For more information or to volunteer, contact Sarah at 402-333-6886 ext. 313 or sarah@stlukeumc.com

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Bring Your Mug to Church!

You can help the environment by bringing your own mug to church with you every Sunday. Using your own mug means one fewer Styrofoam cup that will go to the landfill. Even small choices like this can accumulate and make a big impact.

We do not have room to store everyone’s mugs, so our intent is that you will bring your mug each time and take it home each time.

Disclaimer: Our coffee and donut area remains a “judgment free zone,” regardless of what you choose to eat and drink or whether you bring your own mug.

Camp Fontanelle Offers Great Camp Options

for Children & Youth This Summer

Check out Camp Fontanelle for Children and Youth this summer! Information and registration forms are located on the table at the back of the Great Room, or you can go to their web site www.campfontanelle.com. Contact Chris Archer at chris@stlukeumc.com for more information, including possible scholarship help if needed.

Donations for Flood Relief Efforts

Thank you, St. Luke, for your generosity to flood victims!

Below are the ways you can still respond to help those who

have lost their homes and belongings in the flood:

Monetary gifts for United Methodist flood relief efforts. Make your check payable to St. Luke and write “Flood” on the memo line.

Bedding is still a high priority for people affected by the flood, so St. Luke is now collecting bed sheet sets till May 5. Please provide complete sheet sets that are tied together with tape or string and labeled with the size for quick distribution. Sheets can be any size, new or gently used. Please label your donations “Flood Relief” and put them on the Missions Table.

Music in Worship This Summer

During June and July when the Chancel Choir takes a break from worship, music in the 10:30 service is provided by St. Luke members and special groups. If you would like to offer to share your music talent in one of the worship services, please contact Dr. Jennifer Jensen at jenniferashley21@yahoo.com, or you can sign up on the sheet at the back of the Sanctuary.

St. Luke United Methodist Women

Women of all ages are invited and welcome to attend all UMW activities…and feel free to invite friends!

Dining Out Group Saturday, May 18 at 11:30 a.m. at Charlie’s on the Lake (4150 South 144th). To RSVP or for details about the Dining Out Group, contact Elaine Misner at 402-498-8346 or emmisner2@aol.com

Quilting Group Friday, May 10 from 9:00-3:00, in the home of a member—Each quilter brings a sack lunch and the hostess provides beverages. Interested St. Luke women are invited to come—no prior quilting experience is necessary. Quilters may work on a group project (donation quilts) or bring their own work. For details and/or location for the next meeting, call the Church Office at 402-333-6886 ext. 300.

Book Club Thursday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. at Schlotzky’s (2782 South 129th Avenue). We will discuss “Dream Daughter” by Diane Chamberlain. The UMW Book Club is open to all women. The books we discuss are chosen by members in the group, and we all enjoy talking about what we have read and how it impacted us. This is a great way to get to know others at St. Luke! We would love to have you come! For details about this book club, contact Suzanne Rood at suzanne.beachbum@gmail.com

Resources Available Online

Upper Room devotionals

Upper Room devotional magazines are always available at St. Luke (in regular size and large print). The Upper Room is also available on www.UpperRoom.org (you can read the devotional for the day or set up a subscription).

Scripture readings for the week

Each weekly mass email includes scripture readings for the coming Sunday, for those who want to read them in preparation for Sunday. There are numerous places online to read the Bible but a good resource is biblegateway.com, as you can read the text in any version of the Bible.

Typically we follow the lectionary when posting the scripture for any given Sunday. If you want to follow the lectionary for reading through the Bible, go to:

http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

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Mission Kids (Grades 3-6)...Next Meeting May 1 Mission Kids is a hands-on program that gives kids (Grades 3-6) the opportunity to serve others and make a difference in their world by doing mission/service work for our local community. Mission Kids meets the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Great Room (please use only the west bell tower entrance when dropping off or picking up). Please plan to pick up your child at 6:30, as supper will not be provided for Mission Kids. For more information about Mission Kids, contact Sarah Sorensen at sarah@stlukeumc.com or 402-333-6886 ext. 313.

Wednesday, May 1, is our next Mission Kids night. We will be making eco-friendly birdfeeders made of pine cones, sun butter and seeds. We will also have our “end of year” party before we part for summer. This will be our last Mission Kids till fall.

Children to Sing in Both Worship Services May 12 (Mother’s Day) On May 28 the Children’s Choir will sing for us in both worship services. In the 9:00 service, the children will sing during the children’s sermon. Parents, if you do not usually attend at 10:30, we encourage you to sit in the back of the service until after the children sing and then you may leave (the children will sing early in the 10:30 service).

Special Upcoming Dates May 1—Last Mission Kids for this school year

May 12, Mother’s Day—Children’s Choir sings in both worship services

May 19—Last Sunday School for this school year (nursery will still be available every Sunday)

May 26, Memorial Day weekend—Children & youth attend worship with parents

Sundays June 2-August 18—Summer Sunday morning schedule for children

June 17-21—Fine Arts Camp for ages 5-12 who are registered, performance will be Friday evening, June 21

July 7-12—Vacation Bible School at Hanscom Park UMC

Summer Sunday School Begins June 2 for Children Beginning June 2 we will begin our summer schedule for children, as follows:

Nursery care for infants-age 3 will continue to be offered every Sunday from 8:45-11:30 a.m.

Children Pre-K through Grade 2 (grade child is going into) will start out in the 9:00 worship service, then following the children’s ser-mon in the service, they will be taken to their “summer activity class” in the Education Wing, where they can be picked up after the 9:00 worship service is done.

Children Grades 3-6 (grade child is going into) will attend and remain in the 9:00 or 10:30 worship service with their parents.

Vacation Bible School We are teaming up again this year with Hanscom Park United Methodist Church for Vacation Bible School. VBS will be held July 7-12 at Hanscom Park UMC (4444 Frances Street) for children age 4 through Grade 6. Supper will be provided at St. Luke Monday through Thursday evening from 4:45-5:15, then the St. Luke van will depart at 5:20 for Hanscom Park. We will arrive back at St. Luke at 9:00 p.m. VBS registration forms are available on the table at the back of the Great Room, from the Church Office, or in the weekly mass email.

Summer Camps for Children at Camp Fontanelle Check out Camp Fontanelle for children this summer! Information and registration forms are located on the table at the back of the Great Room, or you can go to their web site www.campfontanelle.com. Contact Chris Archer at chris@stlukeumc.com for more information, including possible scholarship help if needed.

St. Luke’s Children’s Ministry is for kids from birth through Grade 6, providing a safe place for kids

to start their faith journey and grow closer to God and each other. For more information about

Children’s Ministry, contact Sarah Sorensen at sarah@stlukeumc.com or 402-333-6886 ext. 313.

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We have two active and ener-

getic Youth Groups where our

youth build strong relationships

with each other, with their

church family and with God. For

more information about our

Youth Ministry, contact Chris

Archer at chris@stlukeumc.com

or 402-333-6886 ext. 318.

Chris Corner: The future...A boy and his tree I love my son! That's a given. But I also really like him. There are so many things to like. But just to name one, I love watching him climb trees. I see the adventure in his eyes as he sets out to climb and conquer that tree. And the trees seem to get taller over time. I know what my son is thinking. I was like him once.... Aidan wants to test the strength of the branches, test himself and his abilities, and get a better and higher perspective from a perch he has not been to before. I don't blame him at all. As I watch him climb something in me resonates deep inside. I remember what he's feeling..... But of course even as he is climbing my parental instincts are also kicking in. "Be careful Aidan" "Hold on tight with both hands to each branch before you go to the next one", "make sure you have a good foot hold." etc....

I sometimes feel torn when I watch my son climb. I soooo bad want him to experience it fully for himself, the thrill, the sense of ad-venture, the connection to the tree. The beauty and perspective and sense of accomplishment that awaits, and yet a part of me does NOT want him to climb that tree at all! He could get hurt or something even worse could happen. What if he takes risks that I would not have taken as a boy? What if he explores and goes out on a limb or branch I would not have? Risk is involved!

Climbing a tree reminds me of my own faith journey. It definitely takes faith to climb. Trusting in the strength of the tree trunk and the branches to hold and sustain you. Believing that further up we will see and understand more and experience a fuller perspective. Believing in yourself and your abilities to climb....And yet.....

I know that MY faith experience will not be my sons. Oh sure there will be some similarities but oh so many more differences too. And I am ok with that! You see I don't want my son to inherit my faith in God. Yes, you read that right. I want him instead to inhabit his own faith. And those are very different ways of thinking. I DONT want him to think, believe, practice and engage the world in exactly the same way I do. Why not? Because he's not me! He will not live in the exact same world that I grew up and developed faith within. He will live in his. And his world is and will be a very different one than mine. The issues, questions, struggles and joys of my experience with God will not be his. My faith has helped me to grow and become the follower of Jesus I am. And his will help him do the same.

So why am I saying this? Here's why. Because I am hopeful! I am hopeful that this next generation of young people will go beyond where we have come. I think of those who will finish their Confirmation program and those seniors in high school who will graduate later this month. I am hopeful that the next generation of Christ followers will spend even more time looking and walking forward to see what God is doing in the future and not simply be consumed with looking backwards to what God has done in the past. Or maybe another way to say it is the best way to be faithful to the past is to trail blaze new paths into the future. Just like our founder John Wesley. Just like many others before him. Just like Jesus. The past has some lessons to teach for sure and some resources that they will want to bring forward with them. But there are just as many NEW treasures and riches to be discovered as this next generation climbs new trees of faith.

May Youth Group Calendar

State Track Meet Parking Fundraiser Youth, we need your help on Saturday, May 18 from 7:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Contact Youth Coordinator, Chris Archer, to sign up.

May 1: Jr. High mission team meeting & Sr. High outing May 5: Confirmation Sunday & first Sunday of Summer schedule May 8: Jr. High outing & Sr. High mission team meeting May 12: Graduation Sunday & Mother’s Day May 15: Youth vs. adults trivia night

May 17-18: State Track Meet parking fundraiser May 19: Volunteer Appreciation Sunday May 22: Youth Group end of year party

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Abbey Jackson, Teen Center Director ▪ JaLisa Sanford, Teen Center Assistant Director

402-333-6886 ext. 328 ▪ abbey@stlukeumc.com or jalisa@stlukeumc.com

Check out our Facebook page: StLuke TeenCenter

We have a huge interest in music this year so our students were very excited to participate in a DJ and music recording workshop. We also welcomed well known wordsmith Ms. Felicia in for a series of lessons on the

foundations of poetry and rap. All participating students received a journal to continue their writing.

We were able to take a group of young ladies on a campus visit to College of St. Mary where they were able to tour the campus, have dinner, hear from a student panel (pictured), and watch a volleyball game! While

the girls were at CSM, we also took a small group of young men to visit the HVAC and construction management programs at Metro Community College.

Our Annual junior and senior retreat was full of exciting challenges. Students learned about leadership, the importance or reading instructions, how to dress professionally, how to prepare meals using only a microwave, and the importance of mental health / self-care. This is always one of our favorite events

of the year!