THE OUTLOOK
St. Luke's United Church of Christ
727 N. Main Street, Independence, MO 64050, Phone: 461461-0302
e-mail: [email protected]
Rev. James “Buck” Firth, Interim Pastor
www.stlukesuccindep.org
Boyd Ahrens, Music Director
Director
David Lyon & Ralph Koch, Pastor Emeriti
Nanette Moore, Administrative Assistant/Director of Christian Education
June 29, 2014
July is a time for sunburns, swimming, camping, bug bites and trips. So, please don’t forget the
sunscreen, bug spray, and to buckle seatbelts! In addition, please plan to be at church on July 13 for two
important events—Polka Sunday and Commissioning our Youth Mission Team. It will be a time of
celebration, best wishes, and just plain fun! And why does St. Luke’s always have good attendance on
Polka Sunday? Because we all need to laugh—it is good medicine for all of us. I also believe we can
have fun in worship and not feel guilty about it. The Jesus I know had to laugh to keep his sanity. He
knew, long before modern medicine proved it, that laughter triggered healthy physical changes which
helped combat stress. Jesus also knew that the more laughter there was, the more bonding occurred with his disciples
and with those who found his parables entertaining—parables which usually challenged those in power. Now, I am not
saying that all worship must be a time to party. There must be a balance. I know if I laugh too much, I get worn out and
if worship is always serious, I don't feel uplifted. "All work and no play, makes Jack (or Julie) a dull boy (or girl)."
Dull is sad and lifeless.
So, worship must be a mix because it is healthy for both the body and the soul.
With this in mind, just imagine Jesus standing beside you this Polka Sunday, July 13, laughing, singing and cheering
for the Youth Mission Team.
I also want to extend my appreciation to all of you who have worked on getting St. Luke’s ready for a new, called
pastor. The Search Committee is interviewing pastor candidates and most of the “Five Developmental Tasks” which
needed to be done are nearing completion. The Church By-Laws and Constitution have been updated; a new Church
Organizational Chart has been developed; new Committees have been formed; Committee and Staff Job Descriptions
have been written; and Policies and Procedures are being reviewed and updated.
The Spirit Team completed its work on May 18, with a “Passing of the Torch” ceremony during worship and a
successful Committee Fair followed in Fellowship Hall.
Just take a moment to reflect upon where St. Luke’s was and where St. Luke’s is now—an amazing and wonder-filled
transition has taken place. As I mentioned in one of my sermons, following Jesus is not easy, but the eventual outcome
will be worth all the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, grumblings and mumblings. As with John the Baptist, the best
is yet to come!
Thanks, again, for allowing me to be your Supply and Interim Pastor. Blessings, peace, and almost there, Pastor B.
Trudy Thomas
Bill Boeger
Joanne Pasley
Randy Todd
Juanita Clemens
Faith Wildschuetz
Anna Lou Porter
Peace for our World
Mike Puhr
Robbie Parker
Wes Darneal
Stephanie Parker
Alberta Franciskato
Shannon Humphrey
Kirk Moore
Ken Bergman
Bev England
Aryanna Taylor
Harvie Mock
Jim Earhart
Gabe Huffman
Jeremy Brozovich
Janice Sullivan
Loretta Beverlin
Saundra Burk
Jim Dillie
Esther Cheney
The Search Committee
May it be understood that any pictures/videos taken during any church event may be used for promotion.
If you are not in agreement with this notify the church office.
The deadline for the next Outlook will be July22, 2014.
Twinkies and God
Adapted by Jim Nasium, Original Version by Judith Prueitt
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He really wanted to meet God a lot and so he did some
research on the subject of where God lives, and he thought that he knew just where God lived. The little boy
made plans to go to where he thought God lived. He knew it was gonna be a long trip to where God lived, so
he packed his book bag with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started off on his journey to find out
if he did know where God lived, or not.
When he had walked about thirty blocks, he was tired…he needed a rest, and so he walked over to the park,
across the street and he sat down on a park bench. Then he met an old woman who was aimlessly walking
round the park. She sat down on the bench next to him and started staring at some pigeons. The boy sat there
next to her and opened his book bag. He was about to take a drink of his root beer and eat a Twinkie when he
noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie.
She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he
offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him.
The boy was delighted that the woman was very happy now... They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling,
and chit chatting... just watching the squirrels and birds and eating Twinkies, drinking root beer...
The Twinkies and root beer were gone and as it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was, and how late it
had become, and so he got up to leave and said his good-byes .Before he had gone more than a few steps, he
turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy got back home and opened the door to his house a short time later, his mother was surprised by
the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's
got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of
peace on her face, and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate
Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger
than I expected."
So now do you know where God lives? END
I think this was originally written by "Judith Prueitt" <[email protected]> but I just changed a few lines around a
bit... In her version of this the two never spoke, so I made it read that the boy and old lady did talk... I like my
version better https://www.squidge.org/peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=39828
Throughout the Bible we hear stories of people meeting God in a number of ways. Moses met God in a
burning bush. God has been described as a Comforter, Healer, Shepherd, Mother Hen, a Rock, a Father, a
Refuge, a Shield, and even a Righteous Judge. Have you ever had an experience where you walked away and
said, "I have looked into the face of God?" Because we are human we try to describe God with human
qualities and often forget that God can be found in an action just like the story says: a touch, a smile, a kind
word, etc. So think back and remember those times that God was probably right there beside you and you just
didn't recognize the great "I Am". Pack up your Twinkies and root beer and be ready to share them. You don't
know who might join you!
Peace,
Pastor Karen Aitkens
Bethel UCC, Kansas City, Missouri
http://www.bethelucckc.com/thelinkjuly.htm
The 13th Annual Polka Service at St. Luke’s!
The second Sunday of July, the 13th, promises to be a joyful time for
us! Our traveling troop of gypsy musicians is from Hungary this
year. They have traveled all over central Europe enthralling audiences
everywhere! Tella Pathik, the band leader, claims they have performed
with such groups as Rock, Paper, Scissors!
Be prepared for music at its finest, and don’t be afraid to enjoy the
music and hymns they have prepared - just for St. Luke’s!
Our band hails from the capital city of Hungary, and they call
themselves: (drum roll….please!)
The Budapest’s Pest Polka Players!
A Prayer for a Hard-Hearted Friend
Adapted from Psalm 119
Gracious and Loving God, teach me the way of your decrees. Give me
understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
Help my friend to turn away from anger and fear. May your unfailing love
and salvation free her/his hard heart from the torments and sufferings of
the past, so that peace may calm her/his troubled soul. Amen.
LADIES
DAY OUT
July 15,
11:30 am
Café Verona
206 W Lexington, Independence,
MO
RSVP
Frances Heman
816-650-5186
NEW MEMBER
On June 8, 2014,
we welcomed
Kylie Whitesel
as a new member of
St. Luke’s.
Her address is:
2401 SW Keystone Dr
Blue Springs, MO 64014
And phone number is 816-920-1007
Please extend a warm welcome to Kylie.
I am apologizing for my actions
in church and afterwards! This
is especially for our friends
Rev. Dick and Mrs. Deloda
Hempenius. I was out of order but was surprised
by the congratulations I heard during meet &
greet! Winnie Gertz
Thank you kindly for all your
good thoughts and prayers for
baby Noah. He continues to
get better each day. We could
not have gotten through this struggle
without all the support we received. Tom
& Wendy & Baby Noah Shay
Thank you letters/notes
have been received from
the following
organizations after
receiving donations
from our Mission Fund:
Faith Wildschuetz family
Emmaus Homes
Micah Ministry
I-Can
Steppingstone
Independence School District Caring for Kids Fund
Habitat for Humanity
Community Services League/I-Share
Blue Springs Terrace
All thank you letters/cards are posted in the hallway.
Current Expense Income
July 1, 2013 - May 31, 2014
Accumulated
Shortfall
$16,134
Offering
$103,206
Knapheide/
Twiehaus
Earnings
$17,867
$137,207 Required
Vacation Bible School was held
at St. Luke’s on June 22,
2014. The expenses for VBS are
paid from the earnings of the
Memorial Fund for Church
Program. Currently, $500 is
included in our annual budget for
this program. VBS expenses
were first paid from this fund in
1985. Since then, $7,125 of
earnings from this fund have
been used to provide for this
wonderful program held yearly
at St. Luke’s.
Our deficit through May is $16,134. The
total amount of our deficit will be
deducted from the Multhaupt earnings
(projected to be about $14,000) at the end
of our fiscal year (June 30). It is very
likely that there will not be enough
earnings to cover this deficit, so principal
will be taken from the Multhaupt Fund
and Steppingstone will receive nothing.
Please help us improve this financial
situation through your offerings to our
Current Expense budget. Thank you for
your support of St. Luke's.