St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 178 South Main Street P.O. Box 909 … · 2020-05-01 · St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 178 South Main Street—P.O. Box 909 Buffalo, WY 82834 May, 2020Seeking

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

178 South Main Street—P.O. Box 909

Buffalo, WY 82834

May, 2020

THE SEEKERS

Seeking to know and

grow in Christ

through education,

dedication, and service.

T H O U G H T S F R O M F R . D O U G

“Keep alert, stand firm in

your faith, be courageous, be

strong. Let all that you do be

done in love.”

...1 Cor. 16:13

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Neighbors Caring for Neighbors

3

ECW Update

4

Honoring Our GRADUATES

5

Treasurer’s Report

5

TAKING A MOMENT FOR MISSIONS

6

Vestry Minutes

8-9

Growing Through Giving

10

The Episcopal Church is now in Easter Season. This year this part of our church life is

in a different place from anything I have ever experienced. In some ways I find myself

being forced to change. Some changes are welcomed and in other areas, no. Prayer

and day-to-day life is taking on a new dimension.

A question that is on everyone’s mind is, When will we reopen? The answer is, I don’t

know. This decision rests with the Bishop’s office and he is working closely with the

Presiding Bishop, health officials and other community leaders to best determine how

and when we will gather face to face at Church. I recommend, If possible, to sign up

for the eSpirit https://www.diowy.org/News/espirit-archive.html or give the office a

call, provide an email address and we will sign you up for the most up-to-date infor-

mation. The quick answer about “When will the church will be opened?” is a cut and

paste from the eSpirit:

“Churches have the opportunity to lead by example in the path forward as we slowly

begin to reopen and find our new normal. Bishop Smylie encourages Wyoming

Episcopalians to model the protocols to stop the spread, by practicing physical dis-

tancing, staying at home and wearing masks in public. We can be the calm in the

midst of this storm of increasingly divisive opinions over economic, political and health

-related priorities.

The Rev. Canon Joel Dingman has been in communication with County Public Health

officers, who reiterate that counties will follow CDC and Department of Health guide-

lines in determining when and how reopening occurs.

There will be phased re-openings while carefully monitoring new cases, the downward

trend of the curve and other data-driven metrics. Public health officials reiterate that

nothing changes in phases I or II of any reopening as it relates to recommendations

for vulnerable individuals, who should continue to shelter in place. Vulnerable individu-

als include:

Individuals 65 years of age and older

Individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood

pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose

immune system is compromised.

The County Health Officer Joel spoke with indicated that masks will probably be en-

couraged for everyone attending a service when we do reopen and that churches

should be prepared to provide masks or coverings to those who come in without one.

Congregations should be prepared to continue offering online service options for the

foreseeable service, even if we are able to gather in limited demographic groups.

Bishop Smylie will be releasing his Phased Plan for Re-gathering. This document, and

the expectation that it will be communicated widely throughout the Diocese of Wyo-

ming, will answer many of the questions everyone has. The only certainty we have is

(Continued on page 2)

The Seekers Page 2

NEED TO CONTACT FR. DOUG?

Office Hours: Day Off: FRIDAY

Monday—Thursday 9:30 A.M.—Noon

Address: 513 E. Hart Street

Cell/Text: 307-620-0061

Please feel free to use this number!

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL

COMES TO A CLOSE.

Sunday School is done for

the 2019-20 year. Be watching during the

summer for details about Fall 2020. In the mean-

time, we wish our St. Luke’s youngsters and their

families a blessed summer, and we look forward

to having them back with us in September!

We wish to express our gratitude to

Lisa Killian, Pam McFadden, and Kellie Wasinger

for their work with our youngsters. We appreciate

each of you ladies, and we thank you!

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday—Friday: 8:30 A.M.—Noon

Telephone: 684-7529

email: [email protected]

JUST

WHEN ARE THOSE DEADLINES?

The Sunday Bulletin:

NOON

EACH WEDNESDAY

The June Newsletter:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Thoughts from Fr. Doug

(Continued from page 1)

that the world in front of us is nothing like the world behind us. Let us move forward with hope, confidence, grace,

courage, compassion and most of all, love!”

As for me personally I am still amazed and deeply moved by what I witness day-to-day around Buffalo, Wyoming.

This community is generous in spirit and willingness to adjust to the challenges we are facing. The Bread of Life

Food Pantry continues to be a source of food for those who have a difficult time securing their daily needs. I will

continue to host services online which people can join through a computer or by phone.

What I am discovering, or perhaps rediscovering, is a resilient strength of the faith community at St. Luke’s. I ask

myself if I am up for the task of leading in the uncharted waters of COVID-19, and then I look around and see that

we are all working together to make the best of what we have. I realize that we are not alone and it is our size and

commitment to one another and to the Risen Christ that comes through.

Jesus’ disciples had to figure out their next steps after Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus continued to work with

them, equipping them, teaching them, inspiring them to continue to act in faith. The Kingdom that Jesus estab-

lished provided hope in dark times of human history and this hope is still with us today. Keep the faith, share your

love, and keep praying. The COVID-19 crisis will come to an end and the church will be stronger and deeper be-

cause of it. I am counting on you and Jesus to carry one another when we cannot do it ourselves.

Fr. Doug +

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NEED TO CONTACT YOUR VESTRY?

Denise Heitler— Senior Warden 620-0539 [email protected]

Gary Goins – Junior Warden 307-680-6383 [email protected]

Amy Irene —Clerk of the Vestry 307-351-5372 [email protected]

Mark Bentley 505-690-5858 [email protected]

Linda Clark 684-2141 [email protected]

Marsha Parker 684-5186 [email protected]

Les Babin 307-620-9786 [email protected]

NEIGHBORS

CARING FOR NEIGHBORS

Bread of Life Food Pantry update:

We have a new sign on the corner to help

guide those in need to our location! Special

thank you to Board Member Wes Killian for

his craftsmanship in making such a beauti-

ful sign.

We continue to provide a drive thru service

to our patrons. Patrons stay in their vehi-

cles and fill out their orders, volunteers fill

the orders inside the pantry, and then bring

the food to patron's vehicles. This reduces

the exposure for everyone. We still have temporary hours during this time: Monday, Wednesday, Fridays

5 - 7pm and will be open the first Saturday of the month, May 2nd from 9:00 - 10:30 AM.

We served more patrons and families in March compared to February. We averaged 187 people and

71 families per week.

We would like to thank St Luke's church for providing assistance through grant funding from the Episco-

pal Diocese of Wyoming and all members for their encouragement and support over this uncertain time.

God Bless you all!

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad,

and a soul that never loses faith in God.

...Shared by Beth Hensley.

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ECW MONTHLY GATHERING—AN UPDATE

A Note From ECW:

Because of the uncertainty of what is happening in May because of the

Coronavirus, ECW will not have a meeting on May 14. Since it was to be the last

meeting for the year we were going to have John Jenkins present his talk on his

trip to McKinley. Now instead, we have asked him to do his presentation in September, for our first

meeting. We will order in prepared trays for our luncheon that day.

For the start of the new fall season for ECW, we are asking everyone to have the Surprise You

Sale in mind and to be thinking of what you would like to bring for the sale.

The Board will be meeting later in the summer to start plans for the new fall season.

In light of the coronavirus, ECW responded in small ways to the need for gowns and masks and

money for more materials for more gowns and masks. The John and Amie Holt Auxiliary had put out

a plea for materials for gowns and masks because of the need for those items for the hospital. ECW

sent over materials, sheets and some money to help with that need. Nancy Straight

Chair

THANK YOU, ST. LUKE’S CHOIR, JUDY GOINS, & LOUISE ANDERSON!

As this uncertain choir year draws to a close, we offer a heartfelt “Thank

you” to the members of our faithful and devoted St. Luke’s Choir. We have

missed hearing your voices each Sunday as we worship, and we look forward to

your return next fall. Your willingness to serve through the challenges that life

has thrown at St. Luke’s has provided a firm foundation for our worship ministry.

You are an example for us all.

And we offer a very special word of thanks to Judy Goins, our ever-so-talented organist and

Head of Music Ministry. You have blessed us with your talent and leadership, Judy, and we are so

grateful.

Last, but most certainly not least, we offer a whole bouquet of thanks to Louise Anderson, who

has graciously stepped in to serve as our Interim Choir Director. What a blessing she has been!

MAY GOD REWARD EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

PASTORAL CARE

Many times it’s the “folks in the pews” who are the first to learn

about those who can use pastoral care. Please help us to not overlook

people who need us. If you know of someone we can serve in this way,

please contact:

Karen Walker 620-1789 The Church Office 684-7529

Fr. Doug Wasinger 620-0061

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J U N E I S S T . L U K E ’ S M O N T H T O D E L I V E R

M E A L S O N W H E E L S !

The time is drawing closer for St. Luke’s to deliver Meals on

Wheels during the month of June. Volunteers will be needed

each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the month. It is

recommended that you do this as a team, with one person

driving and the other delivering the food. (Besides, it is more fun

to do it this way!) A sign-up sheet/schedule is already posted in

the Onderdonk, so all you have to do is get together with some-

one, check out the dates, and VOLUNTEER.

Again, we urge each person who is able, to consider offering

themselves in support of this extremely important ministry to our

elderly and shut-in’s in this community. This is an opportunity to

truly be “His hands and feet” in Buffalo, Wyoming.

The Senior Center now has four routes and averages 50-60

Home-Delivered Meals a day, 6 days a week. In past years,

volunteers delivered over 18,000 Home-Delivered Meals in

Johnson County. Come and be a part of this urgently needed

service to the ill and home-bound in our community. If you are

new to this ministry or need a partner or have questions, please

call Linda Clark at 684-2141.

ST. LUKE’S

OFFERS HER CONGRATULATIONS

AND BEST WISHES TO THIS YEAR’S

GRADUATES!

The weekend of May 24th is

“Graduation Weekend” in Johnson

County! We at St. Luke’s join the

rest of our friends and neighbors in

offering congratulations and best

wishes to these young people for

this major academic accomplish-

ment. We also say, “Well done!” to

the parents and families whose

guidance and support have

contributed so much to the

success of these students.

Please plan to be with us on

Sunday, May 24th, as we

recognize our St. Luke’s graduates,

Alexis Wasinger and Seth Kovar, at

a reception following the 10 A.M.

Service. We invite you to join us in

honoring them.

THESE PLANS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE,

DEPENDING ON THE COVID-19 STATUS

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

REPORT OF INCOME/EXPENSE

Our financial status as of the end of March, 2020, is as follows:

Income: $12,898.23

Expenses: -17,426.99

Gain/Loss <$ -4,528.76>

Questions? Contact Treasurer Wes Killian at 620-5720.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTESS

MONTHLY REMINDER FOR MAY

Committee #1 is scheduled to host Coffee Hours during the month

of May. The following ladies are members of this committee:

Nancy Straight *

Janice Anderson Margo Mader

Allison Bodan Mildred Johnson

Karen Boggs Lisa Killian

Kathy Born Kellie Wasinger

Martha Killian Christy Kessler

DID WE MISS SOMEONE?

If we have missed a St. Luke’s

graduate, we didn’t mean to!

Please forgive us and share their

name with us ASAP, by calling

684-7529 or emailing us at

[email protected] We don’t

want to leave anyone out!

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TAKING A MOMENT FOR MISSIONS

with Joan Smith

“Am I ready to die? Am I ready for eternity?” I had never asked myself those questions very seriously until after I

went to Ethiopia. I knew that I believed in God and the truth of his salvation, but was I ready for eternity. I assumed

I was –until God highlighted my fear and uncertainty regarding heaven and things eternal and brought me face to

face with my convulsive grip on this world and its securities. Then I began to seriously ask the question, “Am I really

ready?”

During the first year that I was teaching overseas, Ethiopia and Eritrea went to war. My school was under the fly

pattern for the fighter jets as they flew from the Ethiopian Air Force Base south of Addis Ababa toward their targets

in the north. Initially I didn’t think too much about it until I watched all of our Ethiopian workers stop their work and

gaze at the sky as they anticipated the retaliatory strikes. Then some of our students began to go missing- they

just disappeared with no advance warning as their families shuttled them to safer places. We were no longer al-

lowed to go outside the compound for anything. Food staples and gasoline were in short supply. Each day one of

our Ethiopian workers went out to buy necessities and to fill up the cars so we would be able to evacuate if need-

ed. All of us had to have a bag with our documents -passports, visas and other critical paperwork- along with our

American cash and one set of clothes packed and ready to go.

Those of us who were new to the country depended on the several families on the compound who had been

through the famine of 1970’s, the Red Terror and political upheavals before. They provided seasoned and calming

advice, as well as, solid spiritual counsel. But even with all of their assurances I was confined and had to confront

those eternal questions for myself, “Do I know with a surety that heaven with Jesus will be my home? Is my hope in

eternity or is my hope in the here and now?” During the first couple of weeks of the conflict those questions were

always in my thoughts, but as the conflict stabilized the questions were pushed into the background.

But they didn’t go away. They were front and center once again eight years later when Ethiopia’s highly contested

election erupted into violence. The morning the riots began I was on my way across town in a taxi. Every road that

we turned onto was blocked by policemen and in some cases soldiers. As we entered the Mercado, a large market

area, a crowd of people came running down the street that was already littered with broken glass and stones which

had been hurled at the police. They streamed around the car fleeing the chaos behind them. One of the young

men pounded on the car and yelled at the driver, “Turn around! Soldiers are coming!”. Immediately the driver made

a u-turn and sped down the road to SIM headquarters and dropped me. As I went into the compound the sound of

the pop of bullets increased. Not long thereafter our director sent all of the Ethiopian workers home and told all of

the missionaries who lived in Addis to gather their children and family and return to their home compounds.

Later in the day a car bomb exploded just over the hill and that night another bomb blew up at the entrance of the

hospital directly across the street from my apartment. The explosion and the subsequent gunfire awakened me

from a dead sleep. The blast, which shook our building, blew out the transformer so there was no light anyplace in

the building or in our part of the city. The total blackness and silence inside and the random rounds of bullets and

conflict outside were completely disorienting. Totally disconnected from others in the building I asked, “Lord do I

trust you even in this?”

Morning and light brought comfort even though the streets were lined with the ‘red beret’ soldiers, the govern-

ment’s elite troops, along with a lot of tanks that enforced the government’s “stay-at-home” order. Quickly food

became an issue and gasoline was non-existent: cars couldn’t travel, trucks couldn’t resupply the gas stations and

the souks, and people couldn’t flee to safer areas. Then people ran out of money. Credit and debit cards were an

unknown thing in Ethiopia at that time. It was cash only.

Fearful of vandalism, the banks closed. Several days later the banks would reopen briefly but because of the

general uncertainty the banks feared a ‘bank run’ so they closed again and stayed that way for a number of weeks.

This time the confinement had a new wrinkle, “How do you get by when there is no money

available? And equally important, “How completely do I trust God to meet all of my needs?”

Ultimately the crisis died down, life resumed and I went down-country to Langano. The questions I had wrestled

with during the crisis moments faded into the background as my life found a new normal. Then, ten years later,

that sense of the normal was shattered when civil unrest surfaced again. This time it was between the federal

(Continued on the following page)

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(Continued from page 6)

government and the Oromo people among whom I lived. The Oromo attempted to disrupt the financial control

exerted by the federal government over lands that they felt belonged to them. They attacked and burned govern-

ment check points, government buildings and establishments of various kinds. Eventually they began to burn

businesses whose proprietors had worked with the federal government or those establishments that were owned

or managed by foreigners which included SIM mission properties.

When I first began to hear the rumors of riots and the burnings I was at Langano by myself- meaning that I was the

only non-Ethiopian on the compound. All of the other missionaries and their families had gone to Addis for a medi-

cal conference. It was silent as I waited for one of the Ethiopian staff to come and update me about the situation.

Nobody came by my house until late in the afternoon when the school director came to tell me rioters had burned

the establishments across the lake, overturned buses in a neighboring town and had blockaded the alternative

road to Addis. He then explained that since the government had shut down the schools and the clinics our teach-

ers and nurses were evacuating their families to safer places. He told me, “Stay inside. It’s not safe for you to be

outside.” And then he left.

Later, that night there was a lot of noise on the road near my house. Before I could get to the road to see what was

the problem, our compound guard intercepted me. He said, “Stay inside! The shiftas have burned the government

check point on the Red Road.” I returned to the house and waited, but it was a long night as I listened to angry

voices, small fire cracker-like explosions, yelling and running. That night- the silence and the dark- reminded me of

the night years before in Addis.

By the next morning I realized that the SIM compound was cut off. The roads were blocked. The phone lines and

email access were cut or experiencing interruptions by the government, so there was no way to communicate with

the mission headquarters. Most of the Ethiopian staff had left the night before. Those who had remained were

huddled together listening to Oromo radio broadcasts. As a result, I spent the next several days at my house by

myself without communication with another human being-- in a sort of silent limbo – except for God himself.

In that space of time I began to ask the hard questions once again. Am I ready? I didn’t ask the question, “Am I

without fear? Or will I die well?” I only asked the question, “Am I ready?” I had to face the eternal questions for

myself, “Am I ready to die? Do I really believe that Jesus will be with me in that most isolated of moments- death-

and that he will carry me through the process?”

The answer was yes, but that ‘Yes’ had come in waves over a sixteen- year period.

Over the years, as I wrestled with my questions, I discovered that my previous religious experiences weren’t

enough. It wasn’t enough that I had prayed a prayer to receive Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Baptism and confirmation

weren’t enough. Reading, studying and teaching the Bible weren’t sufficient. Even praying sometimes seemed

empty. Being involved with social outreach or doing mission work weren’t enough. They were all part of the

process but individually or collectively they didn’t provide the assurance of eternity with God; Father, Son and Holy

Spirit. I already believed in Him and tried to follow his commandments but now I needed Him.

I asked for God’s real presence, his warmth, his deep and unfathomable love. He answered. He came. His presence

was there. His presence stood with me in the dark and warmed the silence. I could lay my head on his shoulder

and let him carry me.

The Psalmist says it this way;

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

And in his word I hope;

My soul waits for the Lord

More than the watchman for the morning

More than the watchman for the morning.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

Like a weaned child with its mother,

Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

And Paul tells us to encourage one another with the hope of eternity:

“We will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be

with the Lord. Therefore let us encourage one another with these words.”

Are we ready for eternity?

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St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Vestry Meeting, Sunday, March 23, 2020

Meeting called to order by Sr. Warden Denise Heitler at 11:30 A.M. In addition to Denise, those in attendance were:

Gary Goins, Amy Irene, Mark Bentley, Linda Clark, Marsha Parker, Church Treasurer Wes Killian and ex-officio Father

Doug Wasinger. Absent was Les Babin. Due to COVID-19 and the call for social distancing, this meeting was conducted

with some members at St. Lukes and some members joining via Zoom.

Opening Prayer was led by Fr. Doug.

Minutes

Marsha Moved to accept the minutes as presented. Linda 2nd the motion which carried.

Treasurer’s Report

The sink was replaced in Jubilee Hall. This is a capital expense and funds will need to be transferred to cover the cost

of the plumber’s charges. Linda moved to transfer $1,100 from the Cetera account to the Bank of Buffalo account

(336). Marsha 2nd the motion which carried.

After discussion it was determined that all bank statements for Church business should be mailed directly to the

church. This will be communicated with all treasurers of the accounts.

All treasurer’s reports will be emailed to the vestry members for review.

Due to COVID-19 church services are being broadcast via Zoom and posted on the church Facebook page. There is a

concern that since parishioners are not physically attending church, tithing may decrease significantly, while expenses

of the church will continue as usual.

Doug has been looking at electronic methods for people to make donations. Mark will draft a letter to the congregation

encouraging their continued support of the church and give to Doug.

Committee Reports

Linda moved that we dispense with committee report, Amy 2nd the motion which carried.

Correspondence

Amy read a thank you card received from Nancy B. thanking the vestry for the pay raise that she received.

Bread of Life Food Pantry

Kelly Norris gave an update about activities at the Bread of Life Food Pantry.

Noon distribution has been canceled. Open evening hours.

Distribution methods have been changed so clients will not be entering the building and getting their food, but will

check off a list of items they need and their order will be filled by a Pantry worker and then taken outside and

given to them.

Expecting need to increase as closure of businesses and schools continues.

Have raised nearly $5,000 for Easter Dinner meals.

The Pantry will become a distribution site for more goods like toiletry items.

YMCA director is having his employees work for the Food Pantry while the YMCA is closed. This has been a huge

help!

New Business

Staying connected with the congregation and serving the needs of our parish during this time of social isolation was

discussed. Fr. Doug will have Nancy B. distribute a call list of Church members, to the vestry. Vestry members will call

their designated people to see how they are doing and if there is anything that the vestry can do to assist them.

Denise asked Fr. Doug to be aware of the need for him to rest. We need him to be a healthy spiritual leader.

Hearing no other new business, the vestry meeting was adjourned at 12:20 P.M. Fr. Doug led us in a closing prayer.

Respectfully Submitted

Amy Irene, Clerk of Vestry

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LET’S GO CAMPING!

A DECISION WILL BE MADE ABOUT CAMP FOR 2020 SOMETIME IN MAY.

Every child should have a relationship with God, and what better place for your child to begin or deepen that relationship than in God’s great outdoors?

The Diocese of Wyoming offers four great camping experiences:

THUNDERHEAD EPISCOPAL CENTER Grades 9th-10th Grades 11th—12th

Grades 5th-6th Grades 5th-6th

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – Buffalo

Vestry Meeting – April 5, 2020

Senior Warden Denise Heitler called the meeting to order. In addition to Denise those in attendance were Linda Clark, Amy Irene, Marsha Parker, Gary Goins and ex-officio Fr. Doug Wasinger. Absent were Les Babin and Mark Bentley. Due to social distancing the meeting was held via Zoom.

Fr. Doug led the group in prayer.

Minutes of the March 22, 2020 meeting had been distributed through email. Denise asked if there were corrections to the minutes. Hearing none the minutes were accepted as read.

St. Luke’s will be receiving $10,000 for the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming to be used for community relief during the COVID-19 Epidemic. Marsha moved that the funds be transferred to the Bread of Life Food Pantry. Gary 2nd the motion which carried.

There was a discussion as to how additional funds (if made available) could be used for the benefit of the congregation and the community. Linda asked how would we discover who was in need, who in the congregation had businesses that had been adversely affected? Amy suggested possibly giving parishioners Chamber Bucks which would help them purchase needed goods, but also benefit Buffalo businesses. It was decided that before our next meeting a survey would be sent to the church congregation, asking their thoughts about the need for additional assistance and avenues to distribute funds. Vestry members while making calls to congregants should mention that we want their input.

Doug gave a report on the Bread of Life Food Pantry. YMCA employees will continue serving at the Pantry through April.

Next Vestry meeting will be held Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 11:30 AM.

Fr. Doug led the group in prayer and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Amy Irene, Clerk of the Vestry

ARE YOU IN OUR BLESSING BOOK?

We’d love to add you!

Please share your birthday, anniversary, and

baptismal dates by calling 684-7529

or emailing us at [email protected]

DO YOU HAVE A REQUEST

FOR OUR PRAYER CHAIN?

To initiate a prayer request, please contact:

JO ANN MCKENZIE

Email: [email protected]

Call or text: 620-0779

GROWING THROUGH GIVING

During this COVID-19 crisis, there is an aspect of the church’s income that has

been removed: the weekly plate offerings. This way of giving is important, because it

was a practice to give and to give thanks to God for all that has been provided for the

church from week-to-week. Now that we cannot gather face-to-face, it becomes diffi-

cult to keep this weekly practice alive. So we, as a church, are being driven to find new ways to give.

St. Luke’s has jumped into the world of online giving. The Diocese of Wyoming Diocesan Office did research

and found the choice of our online giving platform was an effective and smart choice. See? God was leading,

and I was catching up! There are three ways to give:

Mail in your contribution to PO Box 909 Buffalo, WY 82834 and make note that this is your PLATE OFFER-

ING or pledge.

Go to the church website at https://stlukes.diowy.org/ and, in the middle of the page, you will see a

“button” that says “New Online Giving is Now Available” – [click] on that button and it will take you to

a secure location to put in your information and make a contribution.

For the adventurous ones, there is an app called Tithely. Download the app, set up an account and you

can give right from your phone or tablet.

St. Luke’s continues to host worship services, our secretary is still available to answer questions during our

regular business hours, and the Rector is available by phone and text. The social distancing has created new

challenges and opportunities to grow in our faith and trust in Jesus. We are finding new ways, along with

proven methods, to continue to provide the resources for St. Luke’s to continue to share the Good News of the

Risen Christ. Borrowing from a quote that I saw on Facebook – The church is not empty; IT IS DEPLOYED. I

pray that this Easter Season be a blessing to you all.

Fr. Doug +

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ST. LUKE’S SAYS “FAREWELL”

VICTORIA LEE MARTINI

August 5, 1946—March 26, 2020

(Service held April 4, 2020)

Expressions of sympathy can be

sent to:

Cherri Martini

608 Sourdough

Buffalo, WY 82834

ST. LUKE’S SAYS “FAREWELL”

CORA PEARL WILLIAMS

February 13, 1925—April 7, 2020

(Service held April 13, 2020)

Expressions of sympathy can be

sent to:

Sandy Todd

2144 US HWY. 14E

Banner, WY 82832

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

“Posterity will serve him; future generations wil be told about the Lord, and

proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.”

…..Psalm 22:30-31

Fr. Cliff Moore (5/1), Shannon Kessler (5/1), Cherri Martini (5/3),

Ray Holt (5/4), Rick Newton (5/4), Jim Shambaugh (5/4), Dana Fowler (5/4),

Piper Anne Jerry (5/4), Lindsay Duncan (5/5), Val Davies (5/6),

Jim Curry (5/7), Sophie Gruntmeir (5/7), Nick Norris (5/7),

Connie Goddard (5/8), Michaela Flint (5/8), Karen Cross (5/9),

Craig Walker (5/9), Mark Ellis (5/10), Kari Hanson (5/10),

Jennifer Lompe (5/11), Jenna Anderson (5/11), Augustine Hanson (5/11),

Lucas Todd (5/12), Claire Greer (5/12), Heather O’Brien (5/13),

Dee Griffith (5/13), Charles Wonka (5/13), Nate Holt (5/14),

Tammy Driskill (5/14), Mary B. Nimick (5/15), Tad Seney (5/16),

Trevor Chesbro (5/16), Maddy Killian (5/16), Norman Sanford (5/17),

Brayzen Goodson (5/17), Lexie Nimick (5/19), Rick Clouser (5/19),

Christy Kessler (5/20), Katie Kughn (5/20), Janina Crain (5/21),

Irene Monk (5/22), Max Kessler (5/23), Sky Thong Ye O’Brien (5/23),

Donna Strickland (5/24), Bill Walker (5/25), Amy Palmerlee (5/25),

Guy Gripp (5/25), Sid Seney (5/27), & Kati Harvey (5/28).

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

“Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits

in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another

all the days of their life. Amen.” ...BCP page 429

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Walker (5/3) Mr. & Mrs. Garry Griffith (5/22)

Johnnie Pond & Pam McFadden (5/11) Bp. & Mrs. Vernon Strickland (5/22)

Mr. & Mrs. John Griffith (5/17) Mr. & Mrs. Raynard McKenzie (5/24)

Dr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Sherman (5/19) Mr. & Mrs. Craig Anderson (5/25)

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

(The following folks were baptized during the month of May)

“One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; one God and Father of all.” ...BCP p. 299

Bob Walker (5/10)

Amanda Walker (5/10)

Rowan Wasinger (5/13)

Suzanne Cork (5/16)

Bart Green (5/24)

Orion Ostheimer (5/30)

A PRAYER FOR

MY CHURCH

O God,

make the door

of this house

wide enough

to receive

all who need

human love

and fellowship,

narrow enough

to shut out

all envy pride,

and strife.

Make its threshold

smooth enough

to be

no stumbling block

to children,

nor to straying feet,

but

rugged and

strong enough

to turn back

the tempter’s power.

God,

make the door

of this house

the gateway

to

thine eternal kingdom.

Amen.

...Inscription over the door of

St. Stephen’s Church, London.

k St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

178 South Main Street

P.O. Box 909

Buffalo, WY 82834

307-684-7529

[email protected]

www.stlukes.diowy.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID BUFFALO, WY

PERMIT #8

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

May, 2020

PRAYER FOR

ST. LUKE’S

Almighty and everliving

God, ruler of all things in

heaven and earth, hear our

prayers for this parish family.

Strengthen the faithful,

arouse the careless, and re-

store the penitent. Grant us

all things necessary for our

common life, and bring us all

to be of one heart and mind

within your holy Church;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Fr. Doug Wasinger

This schedule is subject to

change, depending on the

COVID-19 regulations in

effect at the time.

Sunday, May 3

8 & 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist

Mother’s Day,

Sunday, May 10

8 & 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist

Sunday, May 17

8 & 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist

Sunday, May 24

8 & 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist

(Graduation Sunday)

Sunday, May 31

8 & 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist

Each Wednesday,

7 A.M. Holy Eucharist

A Mother’s Day Prayer I thank you, Creator of us all, for my mother.

I thank you that she gave me life and nurtured me all those years. She gave me my faith, helping me to know you and to know Jesus and his ways. She taught me how to

love and how to sacrifice for others. She taught me that it was okay to cry and that I should always tell the truth.

Bless her with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today. Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her. Give her strength and courage, compassion and peace.

Bless her this day with your love. Amen.

…...Borrowed