The words above are how we highlighted St. Luke's May 1 worship service and Harvest luncheon to our invited guests. Truly, that was the case!
Despite the veritable chill in the air from the storms all around, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm that filled St. Luke's parish family and the warmth of God's loving Spirit that was completely present. Our parish family welcomed 17 visitors at the 10:00am worship service; 15 of those neighbors stayed for a beautifully prepared lunch.
So how does one adequately describe the Harvest experience and its culmination on May 1?
Multiple parishioners' comments such as these provide an example:
"Our worship and music were so beautiful on Sunday that they were my moments closest to Christ last week."
"Our guests were delightful and so appreciative; and they stayed and talked for a long time after lunch!"
"We have experienced a 'culture change' in our parish; we have embraced an outward focus for our prayers and actions."
"I am so proud of how we all came together for this activity - how much love and commitment was shown."
Thinking back on this four month initiative, two selections from scripture are the most salient in my mind about the Harvest. One is captured in 1 Corinthians 1, verses 10-18, and specifically verses 17 & 18. We are commissioned and called to preach the gospel - not with wisdom and eloquence, relying on our own talents, but with complete focus on the power of the love of the cross of Christ. To do this, we must think and act from our hearts, not our heads.
The other is from Matthew 11: 28-30, specifically verse 30. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." There was a lot of work in Harvest. What blessings for us all to experience the joy and lightness of every plan, preparation, meeting, call, prayer, note, list, agreement, discussion, step, hour and minute of Harvest, with Almighty God on the other side of the yoke!
From the Harvest Leader team, THANK YOU for all your support. Isn't it exciting to anticipate how God will continue to work through all the efforts of each of us for His purpose?!
Anne Lucas
Harvest Coordinator
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
SPECIAL SUNDAY CELEBRATION
PRAISE HIM
As Lent is coming to a close, so has one big part of our parish family's Harvest outreach, the "invitational calling." The planning and coordinating and calling and praying and addressing and mailing that many have been so diligent and faithful to offer as part of their Lenten commitment to honor our Lord will soon bloom, like Easter, in anticipation and celebration as we call our neighbors to confirm their acceptance to join us for worship and Sunday lunch on May 1!
Our "Harvest Sunday" (or "Special Sunday Celebration," as we have called it to our neighbors) includes a luncheon that is being hosted for those families who have accepted our invitation to worship with us that day and who would like to stay for lunch.Each guest table will have volunteer parish members who will be hosts - to welcome our neighbors on behalf of the larger parish family. For those of you who have volunteered to help in this capacity, you will be contacted very soon with specific details about the luncheon and your role.
For the whole parish, please hold the date of June 5th to attend a presentation about our Harvest results. You will see some amazing numbers about how many calls were made and prayer requests accepted; you will hear some inspirational testimonials about how the Holy Spirit has worked in and through our parish family. We will discuss our plans for intentional follow-up actions and next steps as part of the Harvest program (we're not through just yet - like Easter, this is the gift that keeps giving!); and we will share a few nibbles and beverages in celebration of our first evangelism outreach! We will meet in Harman Hall following the 10am service. Please join us!
This next week, please continue to hold our neighbors in your prayers: that as we call them to confirm, and as they prepare to come to St. Luke's, the Holy Spirit will draw them to Christ. And please pray specifically that all who have indicated their interest or desire to visit will not forget, not procrastinate, or let fear or hesitancy stop them from coming.
Thank you! Wishing you all the joyous blessings of Easter,
Anne Lucas
Harvest Coordinator
Our "Harvest Sunday" (or "Special Sunday Celebration," as we have called it to our neighbors) includes a luncheon that is being hosted for those families who have accepted our invitation to worship with us that day and who would like to stay for lunch.Each guest table will have volunteer parish members who will be hosts - to welcome our neighbors on behalf of the larger parish family. For those of you who have volunteered to help in this capacity, you will be contacted very soon with specific details about the luncheon and your role.
For the whole parish, please hold the date of June 5th to attend a presentation about our Harvest results. You will see some amazing numbers about how many calls were made and prayer requests accepted; you will hear some inspirational testimonials about how the Holy Spirit has worked in and through our parish family. We will discuss our plans for intentional follow-up actions and next steps as part of the Harvest program (we're not through just yet - like Easter, this is the gift that keeps giving!); and we will share a few nibbles and beverages in celebration of our first evangelism outreach! We will meet in Harman Hall following the 10am service. Please join us!
This next week, please continue to hold our neighbors in your prayers: that as we call them to confirm, and as they prepare to come to St. Luke's, the Holy Spirit will draw them to Christ. And please pray specifically that all who have indicated their interest or desire to visit will not forget, not procrastinate, or let fear or hesitancy stop them from coming.
Thank you! Wishing you all the joyous blessings of Easter,
Anne Lucas
Harvest Coordinator
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