As another Christmas approaches there is always the temptation to see it as yet another date in the year when we have to do things. Who will we see? Where will we celebrate? Have we enough presents for everybody? When do we send the cards? What are we going to eat? Where are we going to put everyone? It is easy to let all this get on top of us so that when we actually get to the real event of Christmas we are either exhausted or flustered. Yet it is part of the miracle of Christmas that when we reach it all these things seem to drop away and we find ourselves once again hearing the sound of the angels and joining with the simple adoration of the shepherds.

Christmas touches our hearts in a way that no other time of the year can do. It is a reminder that amid the business and turmoil of the world and all the distractions of our lives there are simple basic truths. We can read all the theology we want and discuss all the deep philosophical issues we like, we can argue and debate the state of the world and the future of our country, but confronted with the child in the manger it somehow seems less important. Lo within a manger lies he who built the starry skies. It’s true, and we know in our hearts it is true, and we wonder at the amazing love of God that he should come to us as one of us.

The very helplessness of that baby tells us more about God than all the sermons in the world. God does not force himself upon us. He does not demand and compel our response. He does not make us other than we are. He comes instead and touches us with his self-giving. The power of love is nowhere more demonstrated than in that child of Bethlehem. It is the power to reach out and melt the heart, to move us at a level so deep that we do not have words for it. We adore, and that is the only possible response.

Like the shepherds we come in awe and wonder, bringing ourselves as we are. We don’t know anything about those shepherds. We don’t know if they were good people or bad people, young, old, single, married, or anything else about them. All we know is that like us they were human beings. Such is God’s way that he came not to the famously good, or the eminently wise, not to those with the most, not to the powerful and mighty, but to people like you and me. And he still comes to us every Christmas when we lay aside our worldly selves and for a time enter once more into the cry of the shepherds.

Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, Mary, and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger.

May this Christmas be a time of blessing for all of us.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael +

Women of the Episcopal Church from all over the United States collect coins put aside by parishioners in order to help churches in need of funds. Funds to be used for outreach projects or for repairs. In our own church, Jim Stringfellow, has in the past, sent in a request that brought the money we needed to make our bathroom next to the kitchen handicap accessible. It was so very much appreciated.

Now, we have another chance to contribute to this fund. Please bring along your coins or checks to the fall ingathering on December 7. Checks should be made out to UTO.

Thanks.

Joan Luetzow

Stay warm and see you at the African Team Ministry tables.

Peace,

Marge

DEATH VALLEY

Without the help of all the wonderful friends, family, and strangers who supported me in the Ride for the Cure, my goal would never have been met. I had great summer training with various groups learning about distance riding. We had coaches assigned to the group to help with training. So to say the least, this was a real commitment on my part and also on the part of my family (thanks guys). We got out to Death Valley on a Thursday, meeting on Friday along with a tune-up ride. Saturday at 6:30 am we lined up in the dark to shove off around 7 am. The first part of the ride seemed pretty easy as it we down hill but we had to remember we were coming back the same way to finish. There were rest stops with food, drinks, and medical help, if needed, about every 17 miles. Once the sun came over the mountains it turned into survival riding 100 degrees. I took in about 20 bottles of fluids throughout the ride along with snacks. I met up with one of my coaches and a small group. The key to this kind of ride is to stay in a group so we stayed together to the finish. When I finally made it to the end, the tears flowed and happiness was overwhelming. I did it!

The most amazing part of this ride as those 288 riders raised 1.2 million dollars for the fight to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Thank you for the support, as I could not have done this without you. If you would like to see more pictures e-mail me at timmer1003@yahoo.com or go to www.flickr.com log on timmer1003 password ryan12jack9

For those interested in the outcome of the DEATH VALLEY ride for JDRF.

My grandson Ryan was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes Type 1, two years ago and has struggled with daily living of this disease. He is doing well but has a life long battle ahead of him.

Maybe some of you remember my son Tim, who spent his early life here at St. Luke’s. The kindness and generosity of those who contributed to this ride will have a hand in the cure which will be coming soon, I hope, to free this young boy of this burden. I am very proud of Tim for this challenge in his life, and he did well, they all did well, we all did well.

Marge Lower

The women of St. Lukes met in the GuildHall in October to learn a few things about flower arranging from Mr. Paul Kohlbeck, a retired teacher from Fernwood Grade School and retired florist. We decorated a wreath with dried flowers to be hung the fall season. The meeting was well attended and a good time was had by all.

We look forward to an ECW spring gathering. Any ideas for a new learning experience?

Submitted by Sue Doornek

Are you a senior looking for good conversation and meet new people? It is time to get out of the house and "Share the Wisdom". Join this incredible group of active and informed people and engage in the Lively Art of Conversation. The group meets every Thursday at the Bay View Community Center, 1320 E. Oklahoma Avenue, from 1-2:30 pm. New people are welcome at any time. You don’t have to come every week – only when it fits your schedule. Come to talk and share your ideas or come to listen and think. You can come alone or with another person. There is just one rule: Only 1 person can talk at a time! This group will make you laugh, make you think and introduce you to new people and ideas. We are waiting for you. There is no cost for this group; we just need you to fill out a registration form.

The Bay View Community Center sponsors a monthly luncheon and entertainment for people 50 & Over called "Senior Selebrations". Our December "Holiday Selebration" is Wednesday, December 10 with lunch at 12 noon followed by a Christmas concert featuring Roger Boll, accordionist. The cost of the Selebration is $5.99 and advance registration by November 26 is required. Call the Center at 482-1000 with questions and complete program description. In January the "Senior Selebration" is "Luncheon and a Movie" and will be held on January 7 from 12 noon to 2:40 pm. More information will follow.

The upcoming months are busy ones for Outreach and St. Luke’s Church. Here are a few things to look for in the near future:

December Bake Sale: We will be having a Bake Sale to benefit Kid’s Kloset on Sunday, December 21st in conjunction with the Christmas pageant and carol program. Please bring your yummy baked goods to church on the 21^st, and maybe you can also pick up some tasty treats for your house as well. The pageant and bake sale will also be publicized to the community.

Newcomer Materials: Committee members are working with church groups to develop a folder-style packet of information for new church members to welcome them to our parish. This folder will include descriptions of all church groups and programs, and we hope to complete it sometime in early 2009.

New church logo development: The committee is having a contest to choose a new logo for our church to replace the existing etching sketch of the St. Luke’s building on all of our materials. The committee will start accepting proposed designs in December and will offer the winner a prize of a $30 gift certificate to Tenuto’s Italian Restaurant. The deadline for submitting designs is December 31. A small subcommittee will review designs that are submitted, and we hope to decide the new logo in early 2009. The Church’s motto, "To Know Christ; To Make Christ Known," will remain the same. Please talk to Dana Washburn or Marge Lower if you have questions about the contest.

Soup Kitchen: St Luke’s is designated to work at the Gathering soup kitchen on Monday, January 5, 2009, 3:45pm – 6:30pm. The Gathering needs 10 people. The location is 724 S. Layton Blvd. Look for our sign-up sheet, and please talk to Dana Washburn with any questions.

In closing, thank you all for your continued support of the Outreach Committee and have a blessed Christmas!

Respectfully Submitted by Dana Washburn

St Luke’s Church has volunteered to work at the Gathering soup kitchen on Monday, January 5, 2009, 3:45pm – 6:30pm. They need 10 people from our parish to serve dinner. The location is 724 S. Layton Blvd. Look for our sign-up sheet, and please talk to Dana Washburn to volunteer at 327-0949. See you there!

We will be having a Bake Sale on Sunday, December 21^st to benefit Kid’s Kloset in conjunction with the Christmas pageant and carol program. So bakers, please bring your yummy baked goods to church on the 21^st and package them for individual sale if possible. Then come and enjoy the culinary talents of all of our fine St. Luke’s members and grab a variety of treats for your own enjoyment during the Christmas season. See you there!

Doris Holaday