St. Luke’s Episcopal Church June, 2017Seeking to …s3.amazonaws.com/dfc_attachments/public/documents/... · Louis is organizing special music for summer services while the choir

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

178 South Main Street—P.O. Box 909

Buffalo, WY 82834

June, 2017

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 :

‘Growing through Giving

2

Words from the Senior Warden

3

Meals on Wheels 4

Treasurer’s Report 4

St. Christopher’s Chapel

6

Volunteers Needed for Special Music

6

2017 Wilderness Trip w/Jill Smylie

7

Blessing Book Page 9

“God brings the good out of evil, regardless of the intent of the evildoer.”

- Kevin J. Wetmore

I know that this quote seems strange and even out of place. However,

given the current events of the world, news feeds that populate on news sites,

and other social media feeds, it seems to me that the world is increasingly

becoming a threatening and unsafe place to live. At every injustice, there is

yet another call for somebody or some organization to be held accountable

and brought to justice. I read another quote that says this – “My desire to be

well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.” My point is

this: it is hard to remain hopeful and optimistic... or is it?

I see the world as more powerful than I am. My natural way of being is

to adjust and work within the circumstances in which I live. This also shapes

and informs how I see God. Without fully realizing it, I have pulled back from

believing that God is really that strong and that nothing can stop God from

loving and redeeming the world. I have accepted that life is what it is and that

my best hope is to do my best and don’t have high expectations that God will

do much.

That is why I found Mr. Wetmore’s statement so powerful. I do see God

working in the world, always seeking and offering an alternative view to what I

see every day. The threats and unsettling events continue to take place and I

find myself turning to Jesus, seeking ways to listen and respond to his voice

and direction. God is bigger than my expectations and hopes. When I see

despair, I seek Jesus and I find hope.

When I become willing to open my eyes, ears, and heart to this mysteri-

ous and at times elusive gift of Jesus’ love, I am surprised. I become more

aware of the blessings that surround me every day. The sunshine during my

walks. The smiling faces at the rail when they received the Body of Christ.

The playful conversations I have with people throughout Buffalo. I heard that

people do move from fear to hope when they are reminded that they are

capable of loving and being gracious to one another. Jesus never gave up on

his followers. That promise still continues today. This promise becomes real

when it is shared with others.

Summer is that period of time in which the focus of activities takes on

(Continued on page 2)

The Seekers Page 2

(“Thoughts from Fr. Doug” - continued from page 1)

more of a recreational spirit. A time to re-create our hopes and dreams. We will continue to celebrate

all the wonders and gifts of God’s blessings for the world. It is also a time to be reminded that we are

beloved and cherished by Jesus. Armed with this insight, we can seek and participate in the beauty of

the world, and find strength to build a powerful kingdom through fellowship and prayer.

Have a wonderful and meaningful June!

Fr. Doug +

GROWING THROUGH GIVING

Why Giving is Such a Big Deal

From time to time churches get criticized for talking too much about money. Statis-

tics and research have proven that churches actually don’t talk that much about money, not nearly

as much as some think. One sermon a year on giving is one too many for most people.

If you are in that category you would have struggled listening to the preaching and teaching of

Jesus. Jesus talked more about money than any other subject. Consider that the New Testament has

about … 500 verses of faith, 500 verses on prayer, over 1,000 verses on giving, 19 of 38 of Jesus’

parables deal with giving, and 1/10 of the book of Matthew deals with stewardship and giving!

Why is it that the Bible talks so much about money and giving? In part, the answer is because

money has so much power upon our lives. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters.

Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will devoted to the one and despise the other. You

cannot serve both God and money.” Jesus recognized that money battles for your heart.

One way we can win this struggle is by living a generous life. We weekly take up an offering here.

Sure it helps us pay our bills and continue our ministry. It also helps you. It gives you an opportunity to

establish who you serve and who will be in control of your heart. Giving is the best way to set you free

from the entanglements of the world. – Mark Brooks

Ministry Coordination Committee

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, from this day henceforth the Worship and Music Committee will be known

as The Ministry Coordination Committee. Duties will remain the same but the new name

more accurately reflects what the Committee actually does.

Persons present: Fr. Doug, Nancy Straight, Nancy Bartlett, Karen Walker, Emily Whipple, Louise Ander-

son, Elaine Walker and Linda Clark.

Fr. Doug asked us, “Where is the celebration in our service for you”? A lively discussion followed. Fr.

Doug suggested and the committee agreed to change the committee name from Worship and Music to

Ministry Coordination.

Louis is organizing special music for summer services while the choir takes the summer off.

We discussed parishioners who are ill and in need of prayer.

Linda Clark

The Seekers Page 3

PRESSING ON

Words from the Senior Warden

I love Wyoming in June. It is my favorite summer month. I feel a sense of anticipation as gardens are planted and we await the first sprouts of new life. The mountain meadows explode into carpets of lupine and black eyed susan. The air takes on a softness with the subtle scent of earth and rain. Time seems to pause a bit as we settle into the rhythm of summer. June goes by fast though. Before you know it will be gone for another year. I hope you all will schedule some moments in your busy calendar to enjoy the beauty and majesty that God has created. It is so easy to take for granted what is in our own back yard. We get caught up in our every day lives and forget to smell the roses. Through some prayer and contemplation I have come up with the following bucket list for June 2017.

walk in the rain watch the sun rise reflect on the mountains plant a new flower stare at the moon and stars from a lawn chair sit on the shore and listen to the rhythm of the lake picnic by a stream lay in the grass and look at the sky drink fresh lemonade eat strawberries voyage to mountain to see flowers at least twice.

I challenge you to come up with your own list and enjoy June.

Yours in Prayer, Bettina

NEED TO CONTACT THE VESTRY?

Name: Phone: e-mail:

Bettina Nimick Wood – Senior Warden 307-620-9985 [email protected]

Wes Killian – Junior Warden 307-620-5720 [email protected]

Nick Norris – Clerk of the Vestry 307-460-8530 [email protected]

Jerry Eastwood 684-0961 [email protected]

Elaine Walker 307-217-0288 [email protected]

Dr. Geoff Sherman 307-620-5232 [email protected]

Sue Shambaugh – Church Treasurer 307-217-1131 [email protected]

Dr. Tom Berry 684-5848 [email protected]

Barbara Ward 307-278-0770 [email protected]

NEED TO CONTACT FR. DOUG?

Office Hours:

Tuesday—Friday

9:30 A.M.—Noon

Address: 513 E. Hart Street

Cell/Text: 307-620-0061

Day Off: Monday

Please feel free to use this number!

JUNE IS “OUR MONTH” FOR MEALS ON WHEELS!

This month St. Luke’s will deliver Meals on Wheels, an incredibly important out-

reach to the elderly and shut-ins in our community. Those who volunteer to deliver find

themselves delivering so much more than meals alone; they also deliver a friendly greeting

and provide needed contact with the “outside world.” They become the face and voice of

God’s caring and concern. This is just one of the many ministries in which St. Luke's and

our parishioners serve out Christ's admonition to care for the poor, homeless, and ill, as well as the

downtrodden and those denied justice.

As this is being written (mid-May), there are a number of people who have already signed up, and

many have volunteered for more than just one day of delivery. With heartfelt gratitude, we say Thank you

to each of them. You bless us by your service and example! That being said, we still have a number of

vacant slots to fill. We need YOUR help. Please check the sign-up sheet in Onderdonk Hall or call Linda

Clark at 684-2141. You will find yourself blessed while you’re being a blessing to others!

IMPORTANT NOTE: GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS are now posted below the Meals On Wheels

sign-up sheet in Onderdonk Hall. Volunteers are encouraged to take a copy and check it over.

WELCOMING

THE TRAVELERS

AND VACATIONERS!

SERVICES

at ST. CHRISTOPHER’S

CHAPEL in-the-Big Horns

will begin

SUNDAY, JULY 2nd,

AT 11 A.M.

(St. Christopher’s Chapel is located

approximately 2 miles east of

Meadowlark, on Hwy. 16 W.)

The Seekers Page 4

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

REPORT OF INCOME/EXPENSE

Our financial status as of the end of April, 2017, is as

follows:

Income: $14,090.37

Expenses: -11,198.78

Gain/loss $ 2,198.59

Questions?

Contact Treasurer

Sue Shambaugh

at 217-1131..

The Seekers Page 5

Donna Mortensen

shows the ladies of

St. Luke’s ECW

the way it’s done,

as she demonstrates

how to

paint with fabric

at the May 10th

ECW Meeting.

The beautiful

finished product

is shown below.

Thank you, Donna!

The Seekers Page 6

COMMUNITY VACATION bIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 5—8 **** 6:00—8:00 P.M.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME Big Horn Baptist Church

(For ages 4 years through 5th Grade).

Register at: goo.gl/MeaSGg

or find registration forms posted in Onderdonk Hall.

VOLUNTEERS ARE

REALLY NEEDED!

Director Louise Anderson

is busy lining up special music

for the 10 A.M. Services this summer. Do you

sing? Play? Know someone who does? Please

share your talent for the glory of God! (Groups are

welcome!) A sign-up sheet will be posted in

Onderdonk Hall.

If you (or a friend or relative) would like to

volunteer, or if you have questions, just contact

Louise Anderson at 684-7907

or e-mail her at

[email protected]

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday—Friday: 8:30 A.M.—Noon

Telephone: 684-7529

email: [email protected]

THANK YOU,

MEN OF ST. LUKE’S!

Our St. Luke’s women would

like to extend their sincere thanks to

the men of our parish for the deli-

cious brunch that was served to them

on Mother’s Day. It was such an

enjoyable occasion, and your thought-

fulness was deeply appreciated.

Our St. Luke’s men are the BEST!

FR. DOUG WILL BE ON VACATION

JUNE 1-8.

In cases of emergency or church

business, please contact:

Sr. Warden Bettina Nimick-Wood

307-620-9985

The Seekers Page 7

DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?

If so, your church needs you!

St. Luke’s offers a number of different ministries, all of which are happy to welcome new members.

Among those are: 1. Food Pantry Volunteers 4. Lay Readers 7. Holy Folders

2. Altar Guild 5. Lectors 8. Acolytes

3. Ushers/Greeters 6. Lay Eucharistic Visitors 9. Choir

If you feel that God is speaking to your heart about becoming more involved in your church,

please pray about these opportunities. For more information about these positions, or to offer yourself

in service, please contact the Church Office at 684-7529 or email [email protected]

Don’t see an area for which you feel suited? Visit with Fr. Doug. There’s a place at St. Luke’s for

the gifts you have to offer. Together, we’ll find it!

“BE STILL”

2017 Wilderness Trip with Jill Smylie Calling all women, in the spirit of being still, to join us in the

Bishop’s Wife’s Backpacking Trip.

Monday, August 14th through Wednesday, August 16th, 2017.

The trip will be limited to 20 hikers. Expect to carry a 15-20 pound backpack on five miles of

wilderness trail and camp in a rugged mountain setting. We will spend the night before the trip, Sunday,

August 13th, at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, in Dubois.

We will divide our group into two halves at the trailhead: the first half will be made up of those

who would like to hike fairly quickly so as to arrive at the camp before noon. The second half of the

group will be made up of those who would like to hike at a more leisurely pace, so as to eat lunch on the

trail and arrive at camp later in the afternoon. There will be multiple wilderness options for Tuesday’s

activities and two options for the hike out on Wednesday.

Please know we will make time to pray, worship, and fellowship with one another, especially

around the campfire each night. Press will have his backpacker guitar. We want to emphasize time to

have fun, and also to be still; to have, at time, silence to be the only sound.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46

Registration information available at www.wyomingdiocese.org

Please contact Genie at 307-265-5200 or email at [email protected] for more info or questions.

The Seekers Page 8

NEVER BE MANIPULATIVE Scripture: Isaiah 40

from The Champion’s 31-Day Devotional on the Holy Spirit

by J. Konrad Hole, 1997.

Used with permission—borrowed from Gentle Doves.

Since June 4th is the Day of Pentecost, we felt this piece would be appropriate.

We also think you will find it excellent reading!

He doesn’t come because He’s needed. He comes because He is wanted. He doesn’t need an

introduction. He only needs an invitation. One discovery you will quickly make as you get to know the

Holy Spirit is… “He does not respond to hype.”

He operates through your surrender, not your formulas. He moves by your sincerity, not your

methodology. He reacts to your obedience, not your good intentions. He is not a “Deaf Mute Introvert,”

standing around waiting for us to put Him into His place.

Something you must understand about Him is, He is going to do what God the Father sent Him to

do, not what we attempt to “corner” Him to do! When He is manipulated, He is grieved!

The only time the Holy Spirit can be moved by what we ask, is when we ask something according

to God’s purpose (1 John 5:14), and God’s purpose cannot be manipulated.

When we pray, “God send the Holy Spirit to do this,” or “send the Holy Spirit to do that,” we are

praying wrong.

What should we pray? “God, we thank you for sending the Holy Spirit, and we yield ourselves to

the operation of what you have sent Him to do by your predetermined purpose.” It works!

TODAY’S CHAMPION DEVOTION KEYS:

*Welcome Him, don’t work Him up! There is only one thing He hates more than a hidden agenda,

and that is a person who thinks they can manipulate Him with one.

*Don’t fear honesty. Even when it means confessing your flaws. He can only be involved with what

you confess. Innocence goes much further than pride.

*Be respectful. He responds when He is asked, not when He is commanded.

The Seekers Page 9

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God

while I have my being.” ...Psalm 104:33

Elliot Mead (6/1), Zachary Jerry (6/1), Kevin Skaggs (6/1),

Pitchie Gammon (6/3), Jerry Eastwood (6/4), Rosi Schroth (6/4),

Fr. John Meyer (6/5), Terri Joy (6/6), Debbie Millhouse (6/6), Adam Ratcliff (6/7),

Carter Millhouse (6/11), Lilian Axt (6/13), Leishaan Crane (6/13),

Tracey Ostheimer (6/14), Richie Griffith (6/14), Karen Walker (6/15),

Hazel Eklund (6/15), Jack Killian (6/16), Kerri Pope (6/17),

Marian Sarantha (6/17), Jeff Philpott (6/18), Lexie Shambaugh (6/18),

Kohen Money (6/18), David Anderson (6/19), Chris Boggs (6/19),

Aaron Wuerker (6/20), Doug Ratcliff (6/21), Joshua Gray (6/21),

Tobiah de la Fuente (6/21), Tyler Atwill (6/22), Houston Eli Marso (6/24),

Bart Green (6/25), Verna Walker (6/25), Jerad Anderson (6/25),

John Thom IV (6/26), Haley Odenbach (6/26), Kevin Rubottom (6/26),

Mark Jones (6/27), Dominic Sarantha (6/27), Drew Drury (6/28),

Seanna Walker (6/28), Dirk Millhouse (6/29), Nicky Carpenter (6/29),

John Griffith (6/30), & David Palmerlee (6/30).

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

“Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and

acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness and

yours.” ...BCP page 429

Mr. & Mrs. Rob Benjamin (6/1) Mr. & Mrs. Bill Ostheimer (6/23)

Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hanson (6/4) Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Rogers (6/27)

Dr. & Mrs. Bill Novotny (6/9) Mr. & Mrs. Chris Odell (6/28)

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kessler (6/9) Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ross (6/29)

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Monk (6/12)

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

(The following folks were baptized during the month of June.)

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

Dr. Geoffrey Sherman (1979) Ed Burnett (6/8)

Lauren Money (6/3) Ray Holt (6/18)

Chris Joy (6/5) McKinley Jo Kessler (6/21)

Megan Boggs (6/6) Jenna Anderson (6/25)

Chris Goddard (6/8)

“Memories

are

one gift

of

God

that

death cannot

destroy.”

...borrowed

St. Luke’s Says

“Farewell”

REX BARTLETT

SIMMS

August 5, 1930—April 30, 2017

In Atlanta, GA

Condolences may be offered

online.

********

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

June, 2017

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

Sunday, June 4

8 & 10 A.M. Morning Prayer

9 A.M. Adult Bible Study

Sunday, June 11

8 & 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist

9 A.M. Adult Bible Study

Sunday, June 18

Father’s Day

8 & 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist

9 A.M. Adult Bible Study

Sunday, June 25

8 & 10 A.M. Morning Prayer

9 A.M. Adult Bible Study

Each Wednesday

7 A.M. Worship Service