With God you will always get another chance if you turn back toward God. Turn to God at St. Luke’s this Sunday as we worship at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00am and then for evening prayer at 5:00pm (During all of Lent).

Other programming Sunday will be the next installment of Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent as the The Rev. Peter Savastano leads us in the practice of Learning about God at 11:30. Parents of middle and High School youth will meet to discuss Youth Group and Martin Cowart will lead a Financial Healing Workshop.

Join us and invite a friend!

Life Transformed
The Way of Love Lenten Adult Forums
Sundays during Lent at 11:30 in the Davis Room

The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption. Please join us on Sunday, March 24 at 11:30a for the third part of Life Transformed: The Way of Love as Rev. Peter Savastano leads our workshop with a focus on “learn” as in “learn wisdom and live.” Please reach out to Chris in the parish office for more information at info@slechurch.org.

Teen Homeless Awareness St. Luke’s will participate in Teen Homeless awareness Day in Montclair on March 30. After a a performance at First Congregational Church at 9:00p, several teens will sleep out on the lawn at St. Luke’s as an act of solidarity with the estimated 4.2 million young people who find themselves homeless each year. The effort is raising funds and awareness for Covenant House, a shelter for kids experiencing homelessness and trafficking. For more information, please visit sleepout.org.

Nominating Committee As we approach the St. Luke’s Annual Meeting on May 5 we will be electing new leaders to serve on the Vestry and as representatives to the Diocesan Convention. If you feel called to one of these ministries or have suggestions of good candidates, please contact one of the members of the Nominating Committee – Roxie Zeek (Chair), Stuart Christie, Wendy Drake-Schneider, Andy McBride or Molly Williams at nominating@slechurch.org

Church Clean Up Day Saturday, April 6 at 9:00a In anticipation of our Holy Week and Easter celebrations, everyone is encouraged to come help us deep clean the church on April 6. We’ve got lots and lots of dusting, polishing, sweeping, vacuuming, and tidying to do. Contact the Rev. John Mennell, mennell@slechurch.org for questions or more information.

The Contemplative Path: Everyday Mystics Wednesdays beginning March 13 at 6:00p Join us during Lent in expanding our Contemplative Prayer Practices, on Wednesday evenings in the All Souls Chapel inside St. Luke’s Church Sanctuary. During the hour we will be reading from Thomas Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, praying in silence, and sharing from our hearts. This series will be led by Martin Cowart (financialheartspace@gmail.com), MollyAnn Williams (mawill63@gmail.com), and others.

Youth Group Parent Meeting March 24 at 11:45a in the Rectory Calling all middle and high school parents! Please join us for an informal dialogue to discuss upcoming and future programming for our youth. We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas and to hear about the events the youth have proposed previously and what we would like to accomplish. For more info, please contact Jaewoo Lee, Denise Price or Wendy Drake-Schneider.

Financial Healing Workshop: Love, Joy, Abundance & Money Sunday, March 24 at 11:30a Join us in the Choir Room from 11:30a to 3:30p on Sunday, March 24, for a workshop exploring a Christ-Centered experiential “hero’s journey” to examine how we look at money. The goal of this workshop is to transform our fears and worry about money and finances into authentic power and freedom. This workshop will be led by Martin Cowart (financialheartspace@gmail.com) and MollyAnn Williams (mawill63@gmail.com).

If you have found the St. Luke’s community in the last year or so, join us for a Newcomer Reception on Sunday, March 31 after worship in the Rectory (next door across the great lawn). This is an informal opportunity to meet other newcomers, ask questions you have about the congregation, chat with ministry leaders, and enjoy good food. Childcare will be available. RSVP to Denise Price, Membership Committee at price@slechurch.org

Women’s Retreat
October 4-6
Please mark your calendar for our Fall Women’s Retreat. The dates are October 4 to October 6, 2019, and the retreat will be held at Holy Cross Monastery, West Park NY.  Please contact Martha Thalheimer (martha.thalheimer@gmail.com) or Steph Borsi (borsi@slechurch.org) with any questions or for more information.

Spiritual Explorers Book Club Monday, April 1 at 7:00p in the Rectory Join us each month for an informed discussion about books that shape our understanding of faith. For April we return to the world as it is, broken, hurting and in need of love all of the time. In this challenging exploration we will be guided by the late, great Henri Nouwen, as we read and reflect on his classic book The Wounded Healer. It’s an exploration of how we can all use the pain that we’ve experienced in life to bring healing to ourselves, our neighbors and our world. Nouwen’s book is available for purchase online, including through Watchung Booksellers. For more information about this program contact Walter Booker via email at booker@slechurch.org

Training for Licensed Eucharistic Visitors Tuesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 16, 7:00-9:00p Topics will include personal preparation for a home visit, administering and care of the Sacrament, and communication skills. Trainees make a supervised home visit between the 1st and 2nd classes. Classes will be taught by the Rev. Audrey Hasselbrook and the Rev. Pamela Bakal, and will take place at Grace Church in Nutley. Attendance at both sessions is required, as well as independent Safe Church Training. To register or for info, email Rev. John Mennell at Mennell@slechurch.org.

Baptisms During the season of Easter we began by celebrating the sacrament of baptism at the Easter Vigil and we look forward to the upcoming baptisms on April 28 and June 9 during the 10:00a worship service. If you are interested in celebrating baptism in the future, please contact The Rev. John Mennell, St. Luke’s Rector, at Mennell@slechurch.org.

Youth Mission Trip Dates Set for July Forms are now available for youth who would like to participate in a Mission Trip to Grace House on the Mountain in St. Paul, VA. This year’s trip will take place during the week of July 14-20 and we will once again be partnering with our friends at Holy Spirit in Verona. The cost for the trip is $500, and a deposit of $200 is due May 15 to reserve your spot. You may download a copy of the form from the St. Luke’s website, or contact Chris in the Parish Office to have one sent to you or for more information (info@slechurch.org). Mission Trip 2019 FormDownload

Transforming Generosity – Pledge Envelopes Giving to God in thanksgiving for our blessings is an important part of our commitment to follow Christ.  Each week we take a collection of these gifts. Electronic giving is encouraged or you may put an offering in the plate that is passed at Sunday services. If you would like envelopes for your pledge or weekly gift, please email our bookkeeper Arline Amaducci at amaducci@slechurch.org.

Join us for Holy Week Worship!

Tuesday, April 16 – Tenabrae at 7:00p
Tenebrae, a service of shadows that is left unfinished as we grieve for the suffering of Christ.

Wednesday, April 17 – Eucharist and Healing Service at 7:00p
Receive the laying on of hands for healing and Communion during this service.

Maundy Thursday, April 18 – Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar – 7:00p
Come hear Jesus’ mandate to love one another, share in foot washing and keep vigil.

Good Friday, April 19 – Services 7:00a, 12 Noon, and 7:00p
Participate in the solemn liturgy of Jesus death, hearing the Passion Story from John’s Gospel

Holy Saturday, April 20 – Great Vigil of Easter at 8:00p
Celebrate as we light the Easter Fire & exclaim, “Alleluia!” A Bread & Bubbly reception will follow.

Easter Sunday – April 21

Join the celebration of the risen Christ! St. Luke’s holds Easter worship at 8:00a Eucharist with Organ, 9:00a Children’s Celebrate! Service, 10:00a Eucharist with Choir. All are welcome!