MUSIC MINISTRY

Hello to my St. Luke's Family from my home stu-dio!! I miss making music with all of you, so let's get together virtually and make music together, while also taking some time simply to visit with one another as a group! I have set up two hymn sing/visit times per week, until the middle of May, via Zoom (zoom.us). I would love to have you join us -- and feel free to give the meeting numbers and pass-words to family members and friends. Up to 100 of us can sing together at a time -- what a glorious sound that will be! I'll be playing at my piano. I have the organist books from our current hymnal, the green hym-nal, and the red hymnal at my house, as well as hymnals from various denominations. If there are hymns you would like to sing that we can't find, I can research online to see if I can find them.

Hymn sing times are:

Thursdays, 7:00-7:30, meeting number 945-216-190.

Password: 605852. Sundays, 3:00-3:30,

meeting number 764-275-965. Password is 361943.

All hymns will be chosen by you, the congregation, so think about what you would like to sing. We don't have to sing entire hymns; we can sing simply first verses or the best known.

I miss you all! I love you all! I can't wait to sing with you all, and visit a bit, too!!!

Laurie

VOL 54

EDITION 8

Pastor’s Message

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase: “May you live in interesting times” It’s an ancient Chinese curse, actually. Turmoil, upheaval, things changing around you.

Well, we’ve got some interesting times. But interesting times come and go. If you’re younger, ask any of the older folks about that. In some ways, ups and downs and times of trouble are normal, actually.

So here we are. Nasty virus that causes trouble for all of us. School, work, worship, family, sports, arts, … all are messed up.

But, then again, we are reminded that whatever is going on in life, God is with us and there is opportunity for ministry in new ways to new people and new ways for long time friends and members and in that way it is also a bit of an adventure. Hopefully, just mostly a temporary inconvenience and not too scary.

Joe Hampton shared good advice and gospel the other day – “our ministry continues” – just with lots of adjust-ments. The rest of the newsletter covers lots of topics – some mundane, mostly normal, some are “what’s stopped” and others “what’s started” and some are the “we are trying to figure that out”

Please check our website (www.stlukesmtulla.org) for up-to-date news, Zoom conference links, etc. If internet isn’t your thing, please check with a family/friend who can, or call Pastor Scott or Becky with any questions. We ask you to be generous with grace and mercy for family, friends, employers, care workers, church folks and everyone else, even the person that grabs that last pack of toilet paper. Maybe they actually are totally out and it’s the first they’ve found in days. What Would Jesus Do is still a good question at all times. One thing Jesus would do, I am sure, is repeat what he said so often. “Fear not.” I leave you with this wonderful verse: Romans 8:31-32, 35-39 If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will separate us from the love of Christ?

Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are be-ing killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in

Christ Jesus our Lord. Pastor Scott

APRIL

2020

Status of Stuff (subject to change at any time…)

Activities Suspended or Cancelled: Following guidance from national, state and NC Synod, is not holding any events at which more than 10 people would participate. We do not anticipate that worship services or other large events will resume prior to mid-May. We live in hope, though, as always. There are no in-person Sunday Worship, Lenten Wednesday services. We do not expect to hold live in-person any Holy Week, or Easter ser-vices or activities FishFry/Yard Sale has been postponed. Blanket ministry is NOT meeting until further notice. “Passion of the Christ” movie event and Mother-Daughter banquet event are both bumped to next year. Things Continuing, Often with Changes: Office hours continue as normal (Mon.-Fri., 9 am-noon) General: Small groups (10 or less), committee and teams are continuing to meet as normal, or changing their own schedules as desired. Thurs Morning Study Group: We are continuing to gather “in person" with a few, and adding a Zoom conference option for others. Ark Encounter/Creation Museum Trip - Is NOT cancelled (yet). All dead-lines have been extended. No need for final payments. We’ll see what is up in mid-April and go from there. Pastoral visitation is limited to phone calls except in critical situa-tions. We are working to expand our pastoral and Shepherds’ team calling and contact ministries. Our council members are joining the effort to maintain contact and engage in prayer with/for our members. The Disciplers’ Group as well as Prayer and Spiritual Direction session are continuing, with online option and some schedule flexibility. New Things: We are ZOOMing. See separate article for details. Pastor Scott is sharing short "Meditation Minute" videos, available via youtube, facebook and the website. The sanctuary is open for prayer and meditation during office hours. Pastor will gladly join you on request, if available. Laurie is starting online Zoom group Hymnsing on Thursdays at 7-7:30pm and Sundays 3-3:30pm Choir is practicing via Zoom on Wednesday nights, 7-7:30pm. Youth Group has started a weekly JrHi/SrHi game night (game, movie, etc), 6-7:30pm while we can do so safely within guidance. Also hoping to have a few online Zoom group sessions for fun, devotion and discussion.

Friends and Relatives on our Prayer List

We thought it might be helpful if all of us know the relationship to our congregation of the people on our friends and relatives prayer list. We ask that as names need to be added or removed, you contact the church office. Prayer is a powerful entity and as we pray for ourselves, we strengthen our faith in love and service.

Joy Barnette friend of Betty Massey Martha A.Barringer friend of Sandy Arrowood Wilma Davis aunt of Gail Kerr&Linda Pruett Glenn Hester friend of Jason Connelly Leslie Houston wife of Preston Houston Don Killian cousin of David Arrowood David Lentz relative of Eleanor Ijames

Tim Peede bro-in-law of Debbie Clary Diane Rivers friend of Alice Weaver Crystal Smith dau-in-law of Faye Peeler Doris Strickland mother of Debbie Clary Michael Walker cousin of David Arrowood Kim Watkins friend of Alice Weaver April Weaver wife of Jonathan Weaver Cindy Webb sister of Kathy Webb

Members and Friends Serving in the Military

Eric Corriher husband of Dana Corriher Vince Price nephew of David Arrowood Jon Faust son of Margaret Faust David Terry son of Beverly Terry

OFFERINGS and FINANCES Section

Lutheran Men Service Day

On Saturday, March 14, the Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) walked Hall and Graham roads picking up roadside trash. Then a great lunch. Made the world a slightly better place and some good fellowship while we did it.

Offerings and Attendance for February

Current Benevolence Worship S.S. Feb. 2 $ 2,375.36 $ 32.24 89 22 Feb. 9 3,617.80 146.20 89 24 Feb. 16 3,443.91 31.94 91 26 Feb. 23 4,163.85 73.48 117 32

TREASURER’S REPORT Current Benevolence Restricted Total

Beginning Balance 2/1/20 ($ 6,970.97) $ 564.42 $ 135,172.23 $128,765.68

Receipts February 2020 $ 25,179.00 $ 283.86 $ 1,639.00 $ 27,101.86

Charges/Fees February 2020 ($5.35) $0.00 $0.00 ($ 5.35)

Transfers February 2020 $ 729.32 $ 1,651.72 ($ 2,381.04) $ 0.00

Disbursements February 2020 ($13,726.28) ($ 2,500.00) ($ 3,621.58) ($ 19,847.86)

Ending Balance 2/29/20 $ 5,205.72 $ 0.00 $ 130,808.61 $ 136,014.33

Danny Marsh father of Angie Connelly Dorothy McCloud mother of Kathy Webb Jennifer McDaniel Mt. Ulla Postal Pam Miller niece of Nancy Harris Cindy Morgan dau. of Reid & Margaret Jeanette Morris sister of Gerald Graham Jerry Overcash cousin of Bonnie Russell Laurie Parrish sister of Mark Parrish

Sympathy – Our Christian love and compassion are expressed to the family of Warren Myers who passed away on March 12. Warren was the husband of Patsy and father of Deanna. --Our sympathy is also expressed to Debbie & Andy Gardner family at the death of their sister-in-law, Miriam Bailey Gardner, on March 6.

Thank You for the calls, cards, prayers, and other deeds of kindness shown during my recuperation from surgery. Larry Sheets Thank You for the cards, calls, prayers, flowers, and many other deeds of kindness shown in recent months. Rose Bolick

Receipts includes $10,000 gift received. Parsonage Utilities balance from restricted fund transferred tp current.

ORDER YOUR EASTER FLOWERS BY APRIL 1! Easter Flowers will be available to order, even though they will not be displayed in the church. Orders and payment are due at the church office by April 1: Easter Lilies (single stem) $11.50 Gerber daisies $7.50 Geraniums $10.50 Hydrangeas $24.00

These flowers will be available for pickup from the narthex on Easter Sunday, April 12.

Our Mission Continues…

And we thank you for your continued prayer and financial support during this time of congregational, family and com-munity uncertainty. We thank all who are sending in offer-ings by mail or dropping them off, and all who are continuing or changing to electronic giving.

Caring for Community We welcome you to share

creative ideas regarding how we can live out our priorities

of caring for others during this time. Do you need help?

Know how we could help others? Please let us know.

ZOOM – A way to connect when we are apart

So we can’t meet in the same real room, but we can in a virtual one. We have obtained a license for the Zoom conferencing app, and encourage members to consider installing the app on their smartphone, computer, or tablet. Zoom is similar to other conferencing/team applications, and allows folks to “be together” with video and audio, to see and hear each other, text chat, ask questions, etc. There is a voice-phone only option as well, and folks with computers or smart phones can choose to use their video, or not. Yes, you can participate in your pajamas and no-one will ever know. We will begin using Zoom for council, Thursday morning study group, Pastor’s Word & Prayer Services, Laurie’s Hymnsings and Choir, etc.

To use Zoom: It really is pretty simple

For some of our sessions, you can call in with any normal phone – landline or mobile. You’ll be able hear and talk, but won’t have any video. Pastor Scott’s session will support phone in option.

OR – you can use a PC or Mac or smartphone (Apple or Android). If you want to others to see you, you’ll need a camera - laptops and phones have one already. For PC or Mac, visit www.zoom.com and download their application. For iphone, visit Apple store. For Android, the Google Play Store.

Then….you might want to join a zoom session for just a bit of prac-tice. Pastor Scott will be hosting a couple of Zoom test/tutorial ses-sions (Thurs. afternoon 3/26 and Sunday 3/29, more if needed) Visit our website (www.stlukesmtulla.org) to get the exact times and Zoom session link or phone number to call. Phone calls need the session ID.

Pastor Scott will cover the basics – audio and video control (including muting, so other folks don’t hear the dog barking or kids in the background, etc), text chatting for questions and answers, etc.

COMPLIMENTS! From you, to you.

We are called to be a blessing to each other.

Thank you to ALL of you who are helping, car-

ing, calling, being patient, trying to adjust, not

losing tempers, encouraging others to “carry

on” as best we can, accepting calls and so much

more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES

Audrey Weaver 2 Margie Karriker 2 Wade Jones 2 Margaret Faust 2 Jayden Kerr 3 Ted Holt 3 Paula Owen 3 Kathy Holt 5 Claire Hodge 5 Ruth Hodge 5 Mary Harkey 5 Clyde Harkey 5 Bonnie Russell 5 Peggy Curlee 10 Helen McNeely 6 Amber Owen-Kennerly 14 Grey Braddy 8 James Applewhite 17 Barry Curlee 8 Lisa Burns 18 Andrew McBride 9 Karen Moore 20 Abigail Cameron 10 Ashlie Ceips 22 Matt Karriker 12 Larry Sheets 25 Joe Hampton 17 Debra Cress 21 Thomas Perrell 24 Shana Putnam 26 Charlotte Presley 26 Anna McBride 26 Jack Weaver 29

Council and Leadership Section

Council Meeting Notes

March 16 Called+Planned Council Meeting, infor-mation and actions of council. Full minutes are availa-ble through the office. And a reminder – all Council meetings are open for all to attend, except for rare le-gal, personnel or similar matters.

Received medical issues/concerns/recommendations briefing from Dr Jason Connelly

Much discussion on changing situation, what we can/cannot/should/should not do and what that changes. Much discussion on options and alternatives, decisions regarding worship, etc. All accepted as subject to change.

Treasurer’s report approved. We have adequate funds, for now, to keep going but there are obvious concerns about how long this may last, level of offer-ings, expenses that must be continued and others that could be reduced, etc.

Adopted modifications to Sunday worship offering/teller/counting process, to be used when worship re-starts.

Approved at Myers Family love offering, date TBD.

Property notes: stair/ramp rails are being powder coated, still awaiting sanctuary fire alarm quotes, fire dept knox-box to be installed. Carillon tower platform needs repair.

Professional inspection of parsonage condition and needs was completed, A full renovation needed to serve as an acceptably up-to-code residence is very expensive.

Commissioned Pastor and Council Chair to draft a letter to the congregation

Next meeting is April 19. ——————————————————————-

The Parsonage – Vision, Needs and Discernment

We had originally intended to begin the discernment pro-

cess of “what to do with the Parsonage?” during our Len-

ten Wednesday evening sessions. That plan has, unfortu-

nately, been turned upside down and delayed.

So we request that you prayerfully start considering that

conversation yourselves, for now. We have a building

that is filled with wonderful memories and history, and

which is 100 years old and struggling with many effects

of its age. What is/should be its mission (residence, mu-

seum, community building, etc., etc.)? What would be

needed to be done to fulfill that mission? Who would use

it? How would that fit into our congregational mission?

There are many ideas out there. Once we are able to

gather together again we will begin this conversation as a

congregation, including sharing the details of the property

inspection and the estimated costs of renovation.

.

St. Luke’s Blood Drive Wednesday, May 6, 2020 from 1:30pm to 6:00pm in the Fellowship Building To make an appointment, con-tact the church 704-278-2710, Robin Hampton 704-880-3572, OR visit online www.redcrossblood.org and use spon-sor code: St. Luke’s. Healthy eligible donors are strongly urged to donate amidst rising coronavirus concerns. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood products.

DISCIPLESHIP Thursday Study Group – “Revelation” New Topic: Book of Revelation. Pastor Scott lead this study. Join us Thursdays at 10am. Drop in as you can. This one will run for a while… Zoom conference link is. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/894039884

Adventure! Exploration! An “OT/Archaeology” Theme Escape Room

Well, we had a lot of fun exploring what the escapees from the Baby-

lonian invasion may have traveled to and left behind… Old Testa-

ment theme, puzzles to solve, cooperation required.

Once we are back up to sort of normal, I (Pastor Scott) am happy to

work out some additional dates for some groups of adults to run

through the same adventure. 6 adults in a group, 60-90 minutes esti-

mated time to complete. Definitely needs advance planning for set-

up. Uses both classrooms, hall and parlor in the Fellowship/Office

building. Let me know if you and a group would like to make a plan

for an adventure…

MEALS ON WHEELS are being delivered on Mondays, giving recipients a weekly supply.

As soon as possible, we will have information on

CATHERINE HOFFNER SCHOLARSHIP applications

for the 2020-2021 school year .

Youth Group News & Events

Lots of things are changing….

Weekly game/fellowship nights. Some live. Some maybe Zoom

online. We’ll see.