THE LAMPLIGHTER 
The Newsletter of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Conover NC
February 2019
FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Peter Marty is the Publisher of the Christian Century. He is also a Pastor. He wrote recently about birds, Starlings, flying in formation and changing direction together. “Thousands of these tiny birds flock together, swooping, dipping and climbing in graceful uniformity…Birders refer to these amazing shape-shifting flight maneuvers as murmuration.” (Christian Century, May 23, 2018, page 3; emphasis in original). And if you have not witnessed this, if you can’t simply close your eyes and see it; I invite you to look it up on the internet. There are all kinds of pictures and videos of murmurations.
From nature comes an invitation for us. At root of the word murmuration is the idea of grumbling or complaining—to murmur. It is suggested that the word was used with a flock of Starlings because of the sound a large flock makes at dusk. But, the invitation from observing nature is not to gather and complain, but instead to move together. Pastor Marty, among other things, speaks of “order within spontaneity,” of not obsessing over rules, and of the work of building community. St. Luke’s Congregational Council will gather in February to do some planning. First steps? Yes! But, then what? How can the flock move together? Do we hear the fluttering wings of the Spirit?
Can we, as part of God’s church, change direction together? I invite you to think about it. Pray about it.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Russell Makant
CALENDAR
Feb. 4 *Life Worth Living at LRU (7 PM)
Feb. 5 *Evangelism/Social Min. mtg. (6:30 PM)
Feb. 11 Church Council meeting (6:30 PM)
Feb. 13 *Senior’s Luncheon (11:45 AM)
Feb. 20 January Newsletter info DEADLINE
Feb. 23 Council Planning Day
Mar. 6 Ash Wednesday
*See Notes for More Information
PARISH NOTES
New Council Officers
The Church Council had their first meeting of the new year on January 14. New officers were elected at that meeting. They are Joyce Baker, Council President and Dot Hawn, Council Vice President.
Seniors Group News
The Seniors Group will be having their monthly luncheon in the fellowship center Wednesday, February 13 at 11:45 AM. A free-will offering will be taken to cover the expenses of the meal. All members of the congregation 60 years of age and older, and their guests, are invited to attend. Please RSVP by Sunday, February 10.
Evangelism/Social Ministry News
There will be a combined meeting of the Evangelism and Social Ministry committees on Tuesday February 5 at 6:30. For more information, contact Joyce Baker or Janie Dellinger.
Guest Speaker at LRU
Marlon F. Hall, a storyteller and anthropologist, will be at Grace Chapel on the Lenoir Rhyne campus at 7 PM on February 4 to speak on Lives Worth Living as one of the opening presenters at the Living Well Center for Vocation and Purpose. He uses film to look at beauty in brokenness. The series is free and open to the public.
Information Update
If any of your personal information has changed, or your birthday or anniversary has never been listed in the bulletin or newsletter, please get a form from the basket in the Narthex by the back door of the sanctuary, fill out any changes or additions, and place it in the offering plate.
It's more than money!
The stewardship team works very hard for our church. We are responsible for helping our members learn that stewardship and Christian living is a lot more than what we give in the offering plate on Sunday mornings. We keep members informed of church finances and of our support to special ministries of the community. Giving of our time, our talents, and our treasures show that members of St. Luke's take being disciples of Christ very seriously. If you would like to give a gift of your time and talents along with your treasures, contact Allen Hefner, chairman of stewardship or see him at church.
MEMBERS BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH
2/1 - Joyce Hefner 2/3 - Kathy Keller
2/4 - Mary Keller 2/6 - Emily Sigmon
2/8 - Gary Hefner 2/9 - Dawn Barger
2/11 – Joyce Bolick 2/12 - Carol Davis
2/13 - Doug Hefner 2/14 - Dianne Aaron
2/16 - Andrew Henson 2/19 - Deb Johnson
2/22 - Aubree Taylor
MEMBERS anniversaries THIS MONTH
2/12 - Dean & Jan Knight 2/26 - Barry & Jodie Kanipe
Serving This Month (February)
Ushers – Darrell Allen, Jerry Shook, JJ Taylor, Kaylyn Taylor
Reader– Joyce Baker
Offering Counters – Dot Hawn, Anita Huffman
Flowers – 2/3 – Amy Sigmon, 2/10- Mr. & Mrs. Gary Hefner,
2/17 – Mr. & Mrs. Dean Knight, 2/24 – OPEN
Bucket Money
The money taken up in the buckets during this quarter (January-March) will be donated to ELCA World Hunger.
.
**DON’T FORGET TO BRING CANNED GOODS
AND MEDICINE BOTTLES FOR CCM **
Also note that you can now find the newsletter on our website www.stlukesconover.org
