Celtic Christmas
The Park Ridge Chorale brings you a Celtic Christmas at St. Lukes on Saturday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets available online. For more information contact Kyle Cartwright.
Remembering Carol-And All the Saints
During Summer, 2022, Carol Becker offered to be my coach and mentor as I transitioned our front lawn from grass (and weeds) to a shade garden. This year under her supervision we planted a variety of yews, hostas, ferns, wild geraniums, bergenia, and viburnum, including a blackhaw viburnum tree she chose to replace the serviceberry tree in our parkway which had died last year. It was fun to work with Carol, to experience her enthusiasm, and to see the energy she seemed to draw from this project. Carol was very much alive, despite the challenge of living with metastatic disease.
Good Gifts Fair
Join us December 10 and 17 for the Christmas ELCA Good Gifts Fair before and after worship. Learn about the many ways your donation can support life-changing projects such as the purchase of a farm animal, school supplies, vaccinations, health care, micro loans, as well as access to clean water and improved sanitation. Your gift will help break the cycle of hunger and poverty.
If you are unable to attend, your donation may be made in cash or by check, payable to St. Luke’s. Note that it’s for “ELCA Good Gifts Fair” on the memo line. Donations may also be mailed to the church or made online. Thank you.
84th Candlelight Service
St. Lukes 84th Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols is held on Sunday, December 3 at 4:00 p.m. The adult and youth choirs, together with a variety of instrumental ensembles and chamber orchestra will lead this traditional seasonal service of word, prayer, and song. Plan now to attend and to bring family, friends, and neighbors.
UW-Oshkosh Chamber Choir
As part of our Third Thursday offerings, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chamber Choir will present a concert at St. Luke’s on Thursday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.
“Shema” “Mezuzah” “Giving From the heart”
In a Jewish home you will notice a kind of bump on the door post. It is a small container affixed to the lintel of the door and is called a Mezuzah. Inside, written in Hebrew on a tiny piece of paper are some words from Deuteronomy which is called the Shema. As a person leaves the house and enters the house they touch the Mezuzah. These are the words: “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord. You Shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your might and all your soul, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This is the chief law of God in Hebrew Scriptures. Every time a devout believer touches the Shema it is a reminder of the place of God in the person’s life. On leaving the house, upon return, love the Lord. Love your neighbor. Stay in touch with your faith.
How Do You Make a Saint?
Have you tried to row a boat across a lake? The rowing takes work, to be sure. But I think rowing is the easiest part. The hard part is staying on course so that the boat does not drift this way and that, all over the lake. To row hard, and in the right direction, so that the destination is reached, that is what rowing is all about. And the interesting thing is this: In order to find your future direction, you must look back. Rowing is accomplished by facing backward and keeping your eyes on a fixed point of the receding shoreline as you steadily pull forward. That is the spirit of All Saints Day.
Trim a Brookfield Zoo Tree
The Outreach Cabinet invites you to join us at Brookfield Zoo on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1 PM to decorate a Christmas tree for display during the Brookfield Zoo’s ‘Holiday Magic’ Light Festival. Ornaments will be supplied by various St. Luke’s groups including Sunday School, Confirmation, and the Card Ministry. We have a limited number of free admission and free parking passes that will be distributed in a first come, first served basis. Please contact Julie Rooney with questions.
Men’s Breakfast
Please join us for tasty pancakes, sausages and coffee. Following breakfast, we will have an informative presentation, with photos, about negotiations between two world powers — Iran and USA. Our speaker is the Rev. Stephen Bouman, who was part of the United States and Iranian negotiations in Iran, concerning peace and nuclear war. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 7th at 8:30 a.m.!
All are welcome! Questions? Contact John Nommensen.
Migrant Ministry
Last Saturday a truckload of generosity from St. Luke’s was delivered to Christ Lutheran Church in the pouring rain…
111 tied blankets, 100 Kindness Kits, 25 cases of bottled water, a generous check and BAGS and BAGS full of needed items to help support the migrants living at Christ Church as well as those sleeping in tents, on the street and in the 17th Precinct Police Station. Pastor Tom Terrel was extremely grateful for all of our support and generosity.