Ann Pierce Arnett, member of the Gene Decker Sunday School Class Philippians 4:4-9 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is [...]

Betty Owens Geary, Member Gene Decker Study Class, former Executive Committee Chair John 16:33, CEB “I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.” Reflection: Peace seems hard to come by this season.  We are divided as a country.  Our lives have been turned upside down by a pandemic that has taken us all by surprise.  Too many have been ill or have lost loved ones.  Even those of us who have escaped the virus are grieving for other losses—plans [...]

Ann Pierce Arnett This piece was originally written by Ann Pierce Arnett on December 21, 2010. Isaiah 42:16 NRSV I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them. Reflection: Tonight is the winter solstice. The longest night of the year. There is also a lunar eclipse - the first one since 1642 that coincides with the winter solstice. [...]

Meghan and Asher Kazmann, Member, Lay Leadership Committee John 14: 26-27 (NIV) 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Reflection: My family recently experienced the sudden and unexpected loss of my brother-in-law. In the days that immediately followed, I remember waves of [...]

Becky Kidd, member of St. Luke’s since 1979, a founding member of Genesis Class John 13:34-35 (NRSV) I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Reflection: The verse above is one that is well-known and often referenced in our Christian faith. How wonderful that God’s commandment is all about love! It is never too late to remember God’s commandments and to strive every day to live as [...]

Lavonne Baker, member since 1984, TLC Team, Prayer Ministry, Outreach Council John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  Reflection: During this year’s Advent season not many of us will have our “traditional” Christmas with big gatherings of family and friends. That has made me nostalgic about Christmases from my past.  One of them takes place in the little Dutch Reformed, country church of my childhood. Almost everyone in the church was related to me in some fashion [...]

Lori Fahrbach, Children’s Ministries Program Coordinator and Member 1 John 4:7-9 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Reflection: God is love. If we love God, his love flows through us so we love others. Seems simple enough, but understanding love is no easy task. I [...]

Cynthia Wier, Member of the Gene Decker Study Class, St. Luke’s Member since 1975 Psalm 143:8  (RSV) Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me in the way I should go, for to thee I lift my soul. Reflection:  I love the morning! I love sitting just before dawn, watching the pink and orange streaks of light as I gaze out the window toward the eastern sky. It's a time of quiet for me, and as I wake up slowly, sip my first cup of coffee, I'm grateful. [...]

Rev. David Horton Colossians 3:12-15 12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.  Reflection: Pastors love to tell stories. It’s what we do. And [...]