Hello, Friends!

Please enjoy this poem (next page) for the season, and take note of these announcements. We'll have a regular Epistle delivered electronically and by regular mail next week.

I look forward to seeing you next Sunday, and all our days to come!

O come, let us adore Him!

Peace,

Sarah

Let the Star of Morning Rise

Lord God,

in the deepest night

there rises the star of morning,

of birth,

the herald of a new day you are making,

a day of great joy dawning

in yet faint shafts

of light and love.

I hear whispers of peace in the stillness,

fresh breezes of promise

stirring,

winter sparrows

chirping of life,

a baby’s cry

of need

and hope –

Christmas!

In the darkness I see the light

and find in it comfort,

confidence,

cause for celebration,

for the darkness cannot overcome it;

and I rejoice to nourish it

in myself,

in other people,

in the world

for the sake of him

in whom it was born

and shines forever,

even Jesus the Christ.

Ted Loder, from Guerillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please make note of these upcoming events and activities:

Sunday, January 4 – Feast of the Epiphany—Holy Communion, 10:50 am

Monday, January 5 – Church office reopens

Wednesday, January 7 – Disciple Bible Study resumes, 9:30 am - noon

Choir practice resumes, 7 pm

Sunday, January 11 – Administrative Board and New Church Officers training,

4 – 7:30 pm (Meal provided—childcare available upon request)

Monday, January 12 – SuzukiMusicAcademy begins, Shana Essma, director

Contact her at 608-7211

Thursday, January 15 – Trustees, 7 pm

Friday-Saturday, January 16-17 – HolyBoldnessAcademy (anyone welcome to join Gale, Dianna and Sarah – contact Gale Houston (257-1395)

Sunday, January 18 - Human Relations Sunday—Celebration of Unity, 10:50 am

Concert by Sara Hickman and friends in the sanctuary, 7 pm

(tickets are $15—a percentage benefits St. Luke’s ministries)

Monday, January 19 - MLK Day walk and celebration

10 am meet at the capital for a program—then march to Huston Tillotson

Bridge Builders group will detour to Wesley UMC for a free box lunch and short discussion, facilitated by Rev. Sylvester Chase, pastor of Wesley.

Contact Karol McMahan for more info (217-2282).

St. Luke participates in Bridge Builders with Wesley, St. Peter’s, Berkeley, and University UMC’s. The purpose is to build bridges of understanding and Christian love with our brothers and sisters of different ethnicities in the UnitedMethodistChurch.

Tuesday, January 20 – Denim Dames (and Dudes) will meet at 7 pm to plan 2009 activities. Everyone is welcome. With questions contact Lisa Adkins (217-8076)