September 2016

  From Your Rector:

Lex Orandi, Lex Credenda

My brothers and sisters in Christ:

The acclamation in Latin, Lex Orandi, Lex Credenda, lies at the heart of who we are as Episcopalians and as members of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. It literally means “As we pray, we believe.” Since Archbishop Thomas Cramner penned the first Book of Common Prayer in 1549, the Church of England and her children around the world have used a Book of Common Prayer to guide the personal participation of the Laity in the worship of God.

Beginning September 11th, and throughout the Month of October, I will be lead-ing a rediscovery of the Book of Common Prayer during the Adult Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45). As Anglicans, we have no library of “Dogma”, no volumes of what we believe, other than the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. Come learn how we shape our faith and affirm our beliefs. We will take a close look at the different liturgies, their history and application today.

Since 1789, we as Americans have continued a long tradition of participation by the Laity, we will explore that participation, as well as the roles of Deacons, Priests and Bishops. We will discover that the Episcopal Church is a BIG TENT, with room in it for lots of different opinions and customs. These sessions will be interactive, with lots of time for questions and discussion. Come join us, learn with us as we rediscover the Book of Common Prayer.

In Christ,
Fr. George+

We know how to interpret current day issues. We're techno-savvy.  We have scientific theories and precise machines of all sorts.  We can communicate around the world in nano-seconds -
But why do we not know how to bring the Kingdom of God to our fractured world?
—Susanna Metz.

DEACON’S CORNER

A VERY BIG THANK YOU goes to all who worked so hard to provide a good meal and a fine welcome to Bishop Griselda on August 20!  

We had a great celebration because we were able to raise from all the Diocese $8600+ to give to Bishop Griselda for salaries of priests, in Cuba. There is still more to come in and by the time it is all in, we should have well over $9000! That is $3000 over the goal!! Bishop Griselda was so happy because now she will also be able to pay the semi-narians who are helping in churches where there is no priest.

Thank you, St. Luke’s, for all you have done to make this such a great success. We thank God, and may He bless you!!

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) classes began August 29th. They will continue every Monday and Thursday until Thanksgiving from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. If you know anyone who would benefit from these classes, please send them our way.

We also still need one or two people who can help the hostesses provide snacks for the students and to help with the clean up afterwards. Please let me know if you could serve one day a week or on an “as needed” basis.

Thanks,

Phyllis

Children's Sunday School Pool Party

There will be a pool party and cook out for all Sunday School children 9/10/16, Saturday, from 12-3 pm at Sherri and Ryan Felknor's house. Come join the fun! Please sign up in the parish hall so we will know how many to expect. Call Kay or Sherri for directions: Kay-208-3876, Sherri- 352-318-8797.

Special Series

Beginning September 11th at 9:55, Father George will be leading the Adult Sunday School in an exploration of the Book of Common Prayer. As member of the worldwide  Anglican Communion, we are heirs to the great heritage we call the Book of Common Prayer and to the tradition of Lex orandi, Lex credenda, which means “we believe what we pray”. Come join in as we explore the origins of our faith and our BCP.

We will spend time examining the liturgy and its embedded meaning. This is an opportunity for us to explore and learn together.  If you should have questions please see Father George.

 FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION

The next scheduled Food Pantry collection day is scheduled for September 18th. We are especially in need of spaghetti sauce, dry pasta, soups, canned vegetables, canned fruits, rice. We also now have a refrigerator and freezer to store cold goods. Your generosity and help is appreciated!

COFFEE HOUR following the 11am service has been a tradition at St. Luke’s for many years. It is a great way to get a chance to visit with each other and to meet and greet those visiting and potential members. The menu can be very simple such as coffee, lemonade, and cookies.  It is not meant to be a meal or heavy finger foods, just a light treat. Things are looking pretty bleak. We hope you will think about hosting an upcoming Sunday. You can call Ellen to sign up or check the bulletin board schedule in the Parish hall.

In Need of Lectors

Volunteers will be scheduled four or five times a year to read on a rotating schedule.  Please see or call Ellen if you can fill this important need in our services.



CHRISTENING

On September 11th at the 11am Service, little Isabelle Jean and Angela Marie Bemis will be Baptized and become members of Christ's Holy Church. Isabelle (age 2 months) and Angela (age 18 months) are the children of Timothy and Tracie Bemis. Come and join in the celebration as these two children are marked as Christ's own forever!

The Cuba Committee is putting together a cruise to Cuba from December 30, 2016 to January 7, 2017. Check the bulletin board for the cover letter and cruise brochure.

Youth Trip To Cuba

The youth are working to raise money through T-Shirt sales, car washes and other activities to pay for their trip to Cuba. An anonymous parishioner has pledged a matching gift of up to $1,600 for new donations to the trip fund. If you have questions about the trip, youth fund raising, or giving toward this effort, please see Hal or Janet Airth.

BUSY HANDS will meet on Saturday, September 3rd,

9:30 - 11:00 am

Social Movement

A new fitness class, led by Denise Watson, for beginners and seniors is meeting on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10am-10:45am in the parish hall. Bring light hand weights (1-3 pounds) and a bottle of water. Call Denise for more info at 352-239-3772. 

  Daughters of the King 

The Daughters of the King will be meeting Tuesday, September at 6:00pm.

Please, all women of St. Luke's feel free to join us. We would love to have you there. You don't need to
bring anything - just bring yourself!  If questions, call Maureen Menosky, 386-776-1817.

      Men’s Night Out

The Men’s Group will meet on Tuesday, September 27th at 6pm. All men are invited for good food and fellowship. It’s very informal, so bring your own meat and beverage.  Salad will be provided.

The Shepherd’s Hands Clinic continues to thrive and meet the needs of our community. During April, May and June the Clinic provided medical care valued at $32,249 by the Department of Health.

This included 139 hours volunteered by licensed medical professionals and 238 hours by non medical volunteers. Since that time the clinic has had 23 additional patients in the clinic and 32 children at an outreach in Jennings, FL.

On Saturday, July 30, Shepherd's Hands Clinic took the free clinic on the road to Hamilton County Florida, one of the poorest counties in Florida. The Shepherd’s Hands volunteers and medical staff joined nineteen other public, private and faith based organi-zations in Jennings, Florida to help migrant children prepare for school. Shepherd’s Hands physicians Dr. Edwin Moore and Dr. James Hurm provided physical examinations and treatment to 32 children and their families. The physicians were supported by nurses Gail Kraynak and Kate Kelly, pharmacist Joey Chamberlain, with Nita Mathis and Deacon Phyllis Doty providing translation services. Connie Alford and Mary Moore also assisted the nurses and physicians.

Shepherd’s Hands volunteers also distributed over 1,500 pounds of groceries from the St. Luke’s Food Pan-try to 47 families in need. St. Luke’s parishioners Marie Brian, Anne Doswell, Sharon Chamberlain, Lydia Bush, along with Fr. George Hinchliffe distributed food and provided logistical support.

A special recognition is offered to Hamilton County resident Dianna McNeal and the “His Hands Extended” group for organizing the event and including the Shepherd’s Hands Clinic and St. Luke’s Live Oak.

Thanks be to God for His continued presence and guidance with the
Shepherd’s Hands clinic and its volunteers.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Madison, led by Fr. Joe Boyles, is in the process of completing required train-ing and certification of lay volunteers and recruitment of Medical professionals. St. Mary’s Madison will be joining Shepherd’s Hands and expanding free medical services to Madison County in the near future.

GODLY GAZETTE BY EMAIL

We are currently experiencing significant costs in the printing of the Gazette in color and sending it through the U.S. Mail. If you would be willing to receive an electronic copy of the Gazette through your e-mail
please let Ellen know.   This will allow us to better stewards of our resources. If you are already receiving the Gazette through Email, thank you for using the electronic copy.

 GODLY GAZETTE NOW AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL

If you would like to receive your gazette by email, please notify the church office and we will remove your name from the snail mail list and add it to the email list. Thanks for your help in helping manage our budget. Don’t forget to visit our website. Most, if not all, of the newsletter is posted online. You may let Ellen know @ ellen@stlukesliveoak.org or go to  http://www.stlukesliveoak.org.