CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CORNER Even with days off to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s, work is moving forward to finish our renovation. The new post and rail fence is installed on the walkway to the of-fice and education wing, the final shipment of new doors has been received and is being installed, and programming of the elevator smoke detector, phone, etc., is in process. Not only is the renovation moving forward during the holidays, your generosity and commitment has moved our Campaign Fund up significantly to an astounding $659,383! This is an exciting beginning to a New Year at St. Luke’s

Preparing the Present to Transform the Future!

YOUR ST. LUKE’S STAFF THANKS YOU Your St. Luke’s staff would like to say, “Thank you so very

much for your generous and thought-ful gifts!” Your caring generosity brightened our holiday and made it more joyful. You are truly appreciated by each one of us, and we eagerly look

forward to serving the Lord and St. Luke’s in the New Year. Your Staff Parish Relations Committee also wishes to express their thanks for your kind and giving support.

FLOWER POWER

2015 Sanctuary Flower Calendar The 2015 Flower Calendar is posted outside the library

for you to sign up to place flowers in memory, or in honor of loved ones. To place arrangements, simply put your name on the date you choose and com-plete one of the forms found beside the calendar to let us know to whom and

how you want your flowers designated in the bulletin. You are welcome to take your arrangements after wor-ship, or you may choose to give them to homebound members unable to attend church. Total cost for both arrangements is $60.00. Contact the church if you wish more information.

DATES AT-A-GLANCE Thu., Jan. 01 New Year’s Day – Church Closed New Year’s Holiday Fri., Jan. 02 Thrift Shop Closed – New Year’s Holiday Sat., Jan. 03 Thrift Shop Closed – New Year’s Holiday Sun., Jan., 04 Morning Prayer Time in the Chapel 8:30 am Sun., Jan., 04 Sunday School, 9:00 am Sun., Jan., 04 Fellowship Time, 9:50 am Sun., Jan., 04 Worship with Communion in the Sanctuary, 10:15 am Mon., Jan. 05 ECLC Resumes Tue., Jan. 06 UMW Circle 4 Meets, 6:30 pm Wed., Jan. 07 Prayer Shawl Ministry Meets, 2:00-4:00 pm Wed., Jan. 07 Youth Bible Study, 6:00 pm Wed., Jan. 07 Choir Practice, 6:30 pm Thu., Jan. 08 Staff Meeting, l:00 pm Sun., Jan. 11 Morning Prayer, Holy Communion in the Chapel 8:30 am Sun., Jan. 11 Sunday School, 9:00 am Sun., Jan. 11 Fellowship Time, 9:50 am Sun., Jan. 11 Worship in the Sanctuary, 10:15 am Sun., Jan. 11 At-Home Communion Meeting in the Chapel, 2:00 pm

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

This year marks the fifth year in a row that we were able to

pay 100% of our mission shares. These mission funds help to

support missions like the children's home, campus ministers,

global missionaries, disaster relief, and seminary students in

our country and around the world. Our total share this year

was nearly $85,000. This is in addition to the support you

have given to other missions, such as Stewpot, Habitat for

Humanity, the Honduras Mission, and the Phoenix Initiative

(which all totals to well over $40,000). St. Luke's is a church

that values our mission partners and celebrates our ability to

support their work of sharing God's love around the world.

Also, we have met and exceeded our yearly giving goal to

support the general operations budget of the church. This will

help us to move into the New Year with a sound financial

footing and the ability to reach out to more people with the

love of Jesus Christ. The generosity of our church is amazing

and this is a reason to celebrate!

Thank you for the gifts you give, the love for others you

show, and the light of God which so brightly shines in each

of your lives.

Grace and Peace,

Ricky

Loving, Learning, Living in the Heart of Fondren

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St. Luke’s

United Methodist Church

621 Duling Ave. Jackson, MS 39216

(601) 362-6381

info@stlukesjackson.org

www.stlukesjackson.org

Rev. Ricky James, Pastor

January 1, 2015

THRIFT SHOP NEWS Our St. Luke's Thrift Shop is thriving, with a wonderful supply of great donations, faithful customers, and several dedicated volunteers. However, it would be very helpful to have a few people (ladies or gentlemen) who would be willing to serve as "substitutes" to help in the shop when some of the regular workers have to be absent due to travel or illness. (There are always two workers and a security guard on hand when the shop is open.) If you would be willing to be placed on the list of substitute workers, please contact Vicki Holland, Priscilla Gaby, or the church office to let them know. You might only be need-

ed once or twice a year, but your service in this ministry would be greatly appreciated.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Our children enjoyed celebrating Jesus' birthday! They read the Christmas story, built a nativity, and decorated cookies!

Pictured from left: Jon Foster Batson,

Emma Batson, Lorelei Torrey,

Henry James, and Ethan Upchurch

WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES RESUME JANUARY 7, 2014 Adult Bible Study will begin Wednesday, January 14.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

Worship10:15 A.M

Matthew 2:1-12

THIS WEEK’S JOYS AND CONCERNS

~ Prayer Concerns ~

~ Births ~

~ Deaths ~

ATTENDANCE AND STEWARDSHIP

WEEKLY REPORT

12/21/14 12/28/14

Sunday School 67

Worship 151 113

Tithes/Offerings Needed in 2014 $420,000.00 $420,000.00

Tithes/Offerings Needed Weekly $8,077.00 $8,077.00

Tithes/Offerings Received $42,258.00 $12,389.00

Tithes/Offerings Needed to Date $411,927.00 $420,004.00

Tithes/Offerings Received to Date $427,504.00 $439,893.00

Tithes/Offerings Difference to Date +$15,577.00 +$19,889.00

THANKS FOR WORSHIPING WITH US

12/21/14 12/28//14

Liz Barnett Kyle Newton

Anna Freundt H. Paul & Addis Theil

Ricky Griffin Taylor Harvey

Vaughan Holland & Sam

Taylor Harvey

Peggy Moore

Ray & Millie Dodson

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Our sanctuary glowed with warm candlelight, rang with the singing of carols, and was blessed with the sacrament of Holy Communion as 198 members and friends gathered to celebrate the eve of the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.