April 2018 | St. Luke's United Methodist Church

27 04, 2018

Come Grow With Us

Sally Penning2018-04-27T11:01:05-05:00April 27th, 2018|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

A few years ago, my husband Eric and I made an on-going commitment to teach Sunday School for elementary aged children. The commitment was originally intended as a way to honor a St. Luke’s member who was very dear to our family. What originally started as a way to pay forward the incredible love, kindness, and guidance we received from him grew into us receiving just as much in return. From girls who remind me a lot of me when I was their age to boys who help us visualize the futures of our own boys, these kids [...]

27 04, 2018

Nobody’s Perfect

Sally Penning2018-04-27T09:34:52-05:00April 27th, 2018|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

Our inside-out habits: We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. God of mercy, I confess… I say that to you often. I confess… Do you get tired of hearing it? Do you get tired of hearing about the same old sins, over and over? Do you grow weary of my weakness, annoyed by my failures at real repentance, worn out by my words imploring you to come in and save me from myself? You know, when my kids come to me and tell me they need [...]

20 04, 2018

In Awe of You

Sally Penning2018-04-27T09:07:37-05:00April 20th, 2018|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

Our inside-out habits: We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. A PERSONAL PRAYER God, I am so thankful that I was blessed with parents who believe in me. They taught me that I was special, that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to, that my potential was unlimited. Thank you for that. I am so grateful. It has led me to always want to grow, to be better, to aspire to be used for a greater purpose. It has formed my perceptions of what you expect [...]

19 04, 2018

Life-Changing, by Parker Davis

Sally Penning2018-04-19T10:54:38-05:00April 19th, 2018|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

Hi, my name is Parker Davis and I’m a graduating senior this year. I have been a part of St. Luke’s Student Ministries since the beginning of 7th grade. Being a part of this ministry has shaped me into the person I am today, and I couldn’t thank them enough for all they have done for me. Back in 7th grade, I couldn’t go on a retreat, and I was so bummed. It would have been my first church retreat and all my friends were there. It was disappointing, but God brought some good out of it. Once [...]

13 04, 2018

Scouting: From Boys to Men, by Geoff Zimmerman

Sally Penning2018-04-13T09:47:04-05:00April 13th, 2018|All blogs, We Tell Our Stories|0 Comments

Personally, Scouting has had a profound effect on me, and I have watched as Scouting has influenced every boy that passes through our troop. As one of the oldest Scouts in the troop, I have the ability to step back and watch the development of boys into young men as they progress through the ranks of Scouting. From Tenderfoot to Eagle, every new rank signifies a vast increase in the Scout’s knowledge and experience. I know this because I have experienced it firsthand. When I first entered Troop 46, I was just a young, and probably quite annoying, [...]

13 04, 2018

The Smile of God

Sally Penning2018-04-13T08:57:32-05:00April 13th, 2018|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, I read all my old prayers to you, God, and recognize how often they are filled with contrition and confession. I continually remind you of how far short I fall. I try to be honest before you, approaching you with humility. And I know that such contrition and confession is appropriate – my sin is real. But I also can see how unbalanced that prayer life is, and how weary you must get of hearing me apologize to you. It is as if your attitude toward me is primarily disappointment. When I read your Bible, I see [...]

6 04, 2018

Come to the River…

Sally Penning2018-04-06T09:08:06-05:00April 6th, 2018|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, I am so thankful for this last Sunday. You did indeed breathe new life into me. I felt a resurrection of the heart. I felt my bones come together and form life again. I was lifted up. Thank you, God, for new life, abundant life, everlasting life. God, I pray that I would be able to continue to receive this amazing life you give me each and every day. But what shall I do with it? It needs to come out of me, to pour into the lives of others. It makes me want [...]