The Acts of St. Lucas

February 2014

For with God, Nothing will be Impossible. (Luke 1:37)

Joni Myers-Crothers Offering Free Laundry Day and

Extreme Couponing Class

FREE LAUNDRY DAY IN THE ST. LUCAS NEIGHBORHOOD

This comes from Joni Myers-Crothers, a friend of St. Lucas. She's from Sylvania and has been featured on the TLC

television program, "Extreme Couponing". Her website is www.freetastesgood.com. She often donates many of her

items to her church and other worthy groups. On Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., she will

provide a FREE laundry day at the All Wash Laundromat, located at 1504 Broadway in Toledo. Many people,

who are struggling in this economy, have a very difficult time finding the funds to do their laundry; this will be a

blessing to those who join Joni on Saturday, February 8th! Please pass the word on to anyone who will benefit!

EXTREME COUPONING CLASS AT ST. LUCAS

Joni Myers-Crothers will be at St. Lucas on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Lucas Gym following the Cindy’s Corner Café lunch to explain successful Extreme Couponing! We received this description

from Joni about the Couponing Class: Learn how to coupon and save at least 50% (WOW!!!!!!!!!) on your bill includ-

ing hygienic and cleaning supplies. The seminar usually lasts about one hour and then Joni has a Q&A session after-

wards. She will try to have some coupons available for sharing that day so people can actually leave the seminar and try EXTREME COUPONING for their first time! Everyone is welcome! This event is FREE! Please be sure to in-

vite your friends and neighbors! Let’s have a great turnout for this! No reservations needed!

Ash Wednesday is March 5, 2014! Please bring in your Palm Leaves from

Palm Sunday 2013 by March 2, 2014 so Pastor can burn them for Ash Wednesday.

Gourmet Dinner

Raffle Tickets for

Valentine’s Day!

Would you and a special someone like to have a delicious

Valentine’s Day Gourmet Meal prepared just for you?

If so, please be sure to see Theresa Johnson or Lorraine

Willoughby for raffle tickets! Theresa, Lorraine, and the

St. Lucas/ Cindy’s Corner Café folks will prepare the

winners a Valentine’s Gourmet Meal sure to delight any-

one’s tastes, deliver it to wherever you would like to eat,

and take care of all the clean-up afterwards! Proceeds

from this raffle will go to the St. Lucas WELCA as a way

of saying thank you for all of the help that WELCA pro-

vides for Cindy’s Corner Café. Tickets are $5.00 and are

available from Theresa Johnson and/or Lorraine

Willoughby—please see either of them or e-mail/call

cindyscorneroutreach@gmail.com/419-724-5280 to get

your tickets. Tickets will be on sale through Friday,

February 7, 2014!

The Winter Weather

Has Everything

Turned

Upside-Down! The Pastor’s Winter Healthy Congregations Retreat has

been rescheduled due to the snowy, windy, and ultra-cold

weather we have been having in Toledo. Originally

scheduled for January 26, 2014, the Retreat has been

postponed/re-scheduled to Sunday, March 9, 2014

from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the home of Jeannie & Bill

Dennler (2803 River Road in Maumee).

The good news is that you can still sign up to join in

this enlightening seminar about practical ways to make

positive adjustments for life in general and in church life

specifically. Make your reservations today (if you re-

served for the previous date—please reserve again) by

using the back of your “I’m Here Today” card and

put it in the offering plate or contact the St. Lucas Of-

fice at stlucasoffice@gmail.com or 419-243-8189. Be

sure to sign up and take part in this informative retreat!

Pastoral Acts by Pastor Martin Billmeier

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Please go check out the St. Lucas Website:

www.stlucastoledo.org

This year, unlike most others, we get a whole extra month of the ‘season of light’, Epiphany. Since Ash

Wednesday doesn’t fall until March 5, 2014 due to Easter being late (April 20th), we have an extended Epiphany sea-

son. The gospel lessons in Epiphany reflect Jesus as the light of the world and Son of God. So, in the Epiphany gos-

pel lessons we see and hear miracles, healings, profound teachings and supernatural happenings (as at Jesus’ baptism

and transfiguration, which bookend this season).

The entire month of February is devoted to the first part of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel.

Over four weeks, we will read the entirety of chapter five of Matthew’s gospel. (Interestingly, the Ash Wednesday

gospel will continue this trend as it comes from the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 6). I encourage

you to make February a time of meditation on the Sermon on the Mount, since we will be encountering it in church

each Sunday. Try reading chapters five through seven of Matthew’s gospel every day in February and see if anything

new opens up for you spiritually.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus confounds those who hold to a traditional religion with strict rules de-

signed to keep people afraid and thus malleable to the religious leaders’ control. He confounds us as we desire to

make religion serve our purpose and reinforce our prejudices. He confounds those who adhere to a strict interpretation

of the law in regard to others, while ignoring their own hypocrisy and transgression.

Most importantly in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus calls for a standard of mercy, justice and love to apply, ra-

ther than casuistry in the religious community. Mercy, justice and love. Treating others as we would like to be treat-

ed. Even if they are our enemies. Mercy, justice and love. Refraining from judging others. Because we should be

more concerned with working out our own issues. Mercy, justice and love. Building on a foundation of God’s love

for us, which cannot but help us to look with mercy, justice and love on the other.

See if reading the Sermon on the Mount every day in February begins to influence the way you carry out your

day. See if it helps you to discern Jesus’ call for mercy, justice and love to lead the way in your life.

The gospel lessons in Epiphany reflect Jesus

as the light of the world and Son of God…

Chapel Inside ELCA Offices

Donated Artwork at ELCA Offices

Stained Glass Art at ELCA Offices

Love,

Learn

and

Serve

God

Acts of Education

by Sharon Schaefer, Sunday School Correspondent

Everyone is welcome at St Lucas Sunday School. There are classes for all ages from 3 through Adult.

Please give Sharon a call at 419-351-5804 for more information or, if you prefer e-mail, please e-mail the St. Lucas

office at stlucasoffice@gmail.com and put “Sunday School” in the heading.

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"Not everything that can be counted counts and

Not everything that counts can be counted." Albert Einstein

Let’s talk about St. Lucas, Blessed By God Beyond Measure (BBGBM) for just a bit…

BBGBM—The children and youth of St. Lucas have been attending in larger numbers. They're out there, live all over

the area, and often are not able to attend for any number of reasons. A few regulars have been bringing their friends.

With the exception of one young one, who loves to sleep in if she has a chance, our kids seem sincerely happy to be

here. Pat Bair and Yvonne Reed are the teachers for the Elementary, Sandy Harden for the K & Pre-K, Katina

Werner for the Youth, and Mark Storer for the Adults. Joe Carriel, in his first year as Sunday School Superinten-

dent, is doing a great job.

BBGBM—A young man happened into the Gym one Sunday morning and asked if he could have some breakfast. We

offered him what we were having, cereal, milk and bananas, and he also enjoyed a stage show by one of the smallest

children.

Brrrr…Can we talk about the weather for a couple minutes?

Brrrr…Tell me whether or not you have enjoyed these weather phenomenon of January 2014: Snow dancers whirling

across a frozen field, ground blizzards, Sun dogs, snowdrift art, weird Maumee River ice art, animal and bird tracks in

the snow…God has blessed us with so much variety and beauty this winter.

Can we talk about Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day) for a couple minutes?

MLK Day—Until a few years ago, Glenwood Lutheran had a MLK Day worship service. It was very well attended

and on a cold Sunday in January, was a bright and shining, light-filled, and music-filled afternoon. The multi-faith

choir sang a song that reverberates within me still. See if you like the words as much as I do:

"Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on till victory is won."

James Weldon Johnson wrote the poem and his brother John then wrote the music in 1899-1900. Since we're Luther-

ans , you may want to check out all three verses. You can find them on the internet by putting Lift Every Voice and

Sing into Google. The words are certainly a blessing of hope.

Can we go back to talking about St. Lucas, Blessed By God Beyond Measure,

for a couple more minutes?

BBGBM—Our General Fund deficit was $1,880.00 at the end of 2013, down from $27,615.00 in August 2013.

BBGBM—Betty Schmidt, who has been taking care of the WELCA Accounts for many years, is planning to turn that

task over to someone else. Thank you, Betty, for your unfailing service to St. Lucas and WELCA in so many ways for

all these years. You are a blessing to St. Lucas!

Thanks be to God for all of these children, adults, happenings, and His Blessings Beyond Measure!

St. Lucas Scrip Gift Cards New Year’s Challenge

We would like to ask all, who are able, to choose/pick a

scrip gift card that you will buy every week. If that is too

ambitious for you, choose/pick one for once a month. We

will order it and have it reserved for you. You might pur-

chase (for instance) a gas card, a Kroger card used as a

gas card, Starbucks or Tim Horton’s for your morning

coffee, Walmart or Meijers for groceries. How about a

scrip card for your monthly Kohl’s credit card payment or

a drug store card for your medical needs? And there is

always date night with “your someone special.”

We have several people who are currently “Sunday regu-

lars”. Thank you! These folks use a gift card every week

(usually a gas or restaurant card). The question came up,

“What if I don’t need my scrip card or I am not in

church one week?” That is no problem, we will just hold

on to it for the next week. That way you are assured of

your card being there when you need it.

We also want to say Thank You to everyone who used

the scrip program this last quarter—SCRIP was

able to donate $1,500 to the Window

Fund! You see, it really does add up.

Please see Carmen Bell or Georgia Steele (419-

215-4150) for all your scrip gift cards.

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FOOLISHNESS AND FREEDOM

by Mark Storer

Adult Sunday School Teacher

Paul’s Letter to the Galatians deals with two issues – The

first issue has to do with authority. Although Paul had

founded the church, some other missionary has convinced

the Galatians to abandon Paul’s teachings. In Paul’s let-

ter to them, he is clearly aggravated by this. Paul asks the

Galatians, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched

you?” There is nothing subtle about Paul’s words. He

tells them, “… if anyone proclaims to you a gospel con-

trary to what you received, let that one be accursed!”

How are we to know whether our beliefs are just foolish-

ness? Paul tells us why we should listen to him. “For I

want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel

that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I

did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught

it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s authority comes directly from the source – Jesus

Christ. We can trust that Paul’s gospel is the ‘real deal,’

because it comes directly from God.

The second issue dealt with in Galatians is the relation-

ship between works and Christian freedom. We are

saved by Christ, yet it is hard to trust in this, and so we

tend to exert control over our salvation by trying to ‘earn’

our way into God’s favor, through works. As Martin Lu-

ther sums it up in his commentary on Galatians, “There is

no middle ground between the righteousness of the law

and Christian righteousness. Anyone who strays from

Christian righteousness must fall into the righteousness

of the law; in other words, when people lose Christ, they

slip back into reliance on their own works.” We are free

to be - freed from the demands of the law - yet bonded as

slaves to each other out of Christian love. Paul tells the

Galatians, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and

sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity

for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to

one another.”

We can rest assured that we are not fools for listening to

Paul, because he only tells us what God told him. And

God – through Paul - tells us we are free and no longer

obligated to help others in some vain attempt to save our-

selves. Instead, we are asked to joyfully help others as an

expression of Christian love – an outpouring of God’s

love for us. Come and join the adult Sunday school class

as we study one of Luther’s favorite Epistles - Galatians.

Loan Amount $56,000.00

Donations to Date 5,942.00

Remaining Goal $50,058.00

Proceeds from the purchase of SCRIP Cards go toward

the retirement of this debt. For other donations made to-

ward this project, please mark your checks or envelopes

with: “Window Project.” Thank you!

SCRIP Gas Cards, Kroger Cards,

Restaurant Cards, Valentine’s Day Night Out, and MUCH, MUCH MORE

WITH SCRIP

The Next WELCA Meeting Is:

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until Noon in

the Community Room of the Sunday School Building. All

Women of St. Lucas are welcome to attend!

E-mail: cindyscorneroutreach@gmail.com

St. Lucas/Cindy's Corner Cafe

Donations Requested

Now that cold weather has set in, the St. Lucas/ Cin-dy's Corner Cafe (SLCCC) is even busier! There are approximately 60 places set in the dining area, and

most of them are filled each and every week day; sometimes with multiple guests (someone filling the chair again after a previous guest has finished). This kind of sharing with others creates additional food

requirements. With that in mind, SLCCC is requesting donations of the following items: Tomato Soup, Cream

of Mushroom Soup, Small Paper Plates, and Napkins.

Thank you!

St. Lucas/Cindy’s Corner

Café Requests:

Volunteer(s) to make cake or cookies once a month.

Volunteer(s) to decorate the gym at the beginning of

each month.

Driver(s) to go to the Seagate Food Bank to pick up our

food order once a week.

St. Lucas/Cindy’s Corner

Outreach Requests:

Someone to answer phones and take messages—

whenever you are able to volunteer—a few hours a week

or one day a week. Hours that need filled are Mon-

day—Friday between 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. Please contact

Theresa Johnson at 419-724-5280 from 9:00 to 11:30

a.m. or 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

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Want To Get Rid of Those Pesky

Plastic Shopping Bags? St. Lucas/Cindy’s Corner Café has a great idea

for getting rid of the never ending, pesky, plastic

grocery bags: Bring them in to the St. Lucas

kitchen so the Cindy’s Corner Café folks can re-

use them to help people with “carry out” food.

We all have “zillions” of bags around the house,

please bring ‘em in so they can be useful again!

Natural Church Development Conference Report by Georgia Steele

Nine ELCA churches, including St. Lucas (with Pastor Billmeier and Georgia Steele attending), were selected

to visit the ELCA Lutheran Center in Chicago, Illinois on January 10-11, 2014. The purpose of the meeting was to

report and discuss progress made by churches which have been successful in applying the Natural Church Develop-

ment (NCD) Principles during the past five years.

In 2007 - 2009 St. Lucas participated in the NCD program. It (the NCD) was designed to define, through sur-

vey, the strengths and weaknesses of participating churches. The information derived from this survey would then lead

the congregation to a better understanding of itself. Through analysis, it could then be determined what areas needed

improvement. At St. Lucas this process lead to a team being formed to write a Purpose Statement. You can see this

statement and the Guiding Principles on the back of your worship folders at Saturday/Sunday services. A five year

plan was also written based on: Physical Needs, Mental Needs, Community Needs, and Spiritual Needs. The goal of

all this hard work was church growth. And we have grown here at St. Lucas. We have met many Physical, Mental, and

Community needs. We continue to minister to each other and to our greater community.

At this recent NCD meeting in Chicago, we also learned new things. For example: Congregations need three

(3) things to become successful—To know who they are and their mission, to have a willingness to change, and to

have a partnership between the Pastor and Lay Leaders. That sounds like us, don’t you think? We broke out into small

groups for discussions and there I learned about some interesting things going on in other churches. One that I found

fascinating was a program called “New Life For Old Bags” from United in Faith Lutheran Church in Chicago. They

have a Facebook page which I linked to our Facebook page. They crochet sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic

grocery bags. Trust me… Google it and check it out! It is amazing and something that is totally doable. Another rea-

son to check out Facebook is to see the many photos Pastor Billmeier took of all the art work that has been donated

from around the world. It is displayed in the hallways and in the chapel at the ELCA offices. Beautiful. Oh, and by the

way, we met our new Bishop, Pastor Elizabeth Eaton (and she is a big Ohio State Fan…just saying).

The most important thing I learned was this: The way to church growth is to listen to God, listen to each oth-

er, and listen to our neighbors. We want to know new people, not because they will bring in additional revenue or we

can fill pews with lots of people…but because we want to know them and have a relationship with them. We want

them to see what we see in Jesus Christ.

St. Lucas "Oxen" Dartball Schedule and News

February 3 Dartball Tournament at St. John’s

7:00 p.m. Start Time!

February 17 St. Lucas @ 1st St. Marks (Away)

March 3 St. Lucas @ Good Shepherd (Away)

March 17 Messiah at St. Lucas (H)

March 31 St. John #1 at St. Lucas (H)

April 7 St. Mark at St. Lucas (H) Last night of the season

Start time is 7:30pm.

Come Out and Watch The Oxen play!

Facebook News

Pastor Billmeier’s sermons continue to be a popular stopping

place on the St. Lucas Facebook page! If you are out of town, it

is a great way to hear what the Pastor had to say about the Bible

lessons and teachings of Jesus. An attempt is made to have ser-

mons posted each Tuesday (assuming that there are no computer

glitches and/or the sermon recording is the correct length for Fa-

cebook). Due to recurring technical issues with the current

equipment, the Facebook Administrator is looking at updating the

camera and recording machinery so that a better picture and

sound will be published on Facebook. More information soon!

It is also a delight to post pictures of our folks, both past

and present! Great to see younger versions of everyone

and to share pictures of the current younger ones thanks

to the magic of (digital) cameras! Send in your pictures

for inclusion on the St. Lucas Facebook page.

Go to Facebook.com.

Do a “Search” for St. Lucas!

“Like” St. Lucas!

“Follow” St. Lucas!

Visit St. Lucas Facebook often!

Make comments!

Babygate St. Lucas/Cindy's Corner Babygate program is in need of diapers,

gently used clean baby clothes. used cribs, strollers, wipes, lo-

tions, etc. (anything for babies). You know how babies are, there

is a continual need. And the need is great these days. Smaller

items may be placed in the box in the narthex. For larger items,

please arrange for delivery to Cindy's Corner room. Please see

Loraine Willoughby or contact Cindy's Corner (cindyscornerout-

reach@gmail.com or 419-724-5280). Special/Urgent Babygate

Requests: “Butt-Paste” Moisture Barrier Cream, Size 0 and 1

Diapers, and Size 5 and Under Hats, Mittens, and Scarves for the

little ones. Thank you!

Healing Ministry The St. Lucas Healing Ministry is available for those who wish to experience God’s peace, com-fort, and healing presence on the third Tuesday of each month. Upcoming dates:

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the St. Lucas Sanctuary.

Please join the Healing Ministry for a peaceful time of God’s encouragement, renewal, and spir-itual healing. Come by yourself or invite someone to join you and come/go as you wish.

Members of the Healing Ministry may be availa-ble to make hospital or home visits and/or may be able to help arrange transportation to one of the healing times. Please contact Jeannie Dennler at drjeannie1@aol.com/419-343-4003 or the St. Lucas Office at 419-243-8189/ stlucasof-fice@gmail.com for more information!

Matthew 8:14-17 14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on Him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

6

South End Seniors News

The South End Seniors will gather for lunch at the Genesis Vil-

lage on Reynolds Road at Heatherdowns on February 13, 2014 at

Noon. The Luncheon is being provided to us free of cost provid-

ing at least some of us are willing to take a short tour of a sample

apartment and check out the community areas. After the tour,

Judy Pfaffenberger will present a short video (in the Genesis Vil-

lage 35 seat theater) titled Sizzling and Sacred Singapore from

her recent trip to Southeast Asia! The video includes a visit to

the Bedok Lutheran Church and is sure to be interesting. Please,

because reservations are necessary, contact Marie and let her

know that you are planning on attending.

February Worship Leaders

Acolyte: Jessalyn Miller

Lector: Marc Smith

Ushers: Head—Jason Slough & Sally Ortiz

Offering—Craig Lammers & Morgan Adkins

Elder(s)—Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. Janice Lydic

Elders—Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Carmen Ball & Larry Reed

Elders—Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Carole Mack, Phil Chambers,

Joe Carriel, and Rick Charchol

Thrift Shop Volunteer Schedule

Wednesday, February 05—Betty & Jan

Thursday, February 06—Angie & Hildegard

Wednesday, February 12—Sue & Rose

Thursday, February 13—Carol & Marie

Wednesday, February 19—Betty & Jan

Thursday, February 20—Angie & Gina

Wednesday, February 26—Sue & Rose

Thursday, February 27—Carol & Marie

Wednesday, March 05—Betty & Jan

Thursday, March 06—Angie & Hildegard

Wednesday, March 12—Sue & Rose

Thursday, March 13—Carol & Marie

Wednesday, March 19—Betty & Jan

Thursday, March 20—Angie & Gina

Wednesday, March 26—Sue & Rose

Thursday, March 27—Carol & Marie

Thank you to all who continue to provide

dedicated service to help those in need!

Please pray for the people and situations noted in this

section of the Acts, for those about whom/which you

know there are needs, and for the financial well-being of

St. Lucas so that we, as a congregation, may continue to

do God’s work with our hands. Also, please remember to

give God thanks for the blessings which He has provided.

Angie Basilius, Lois Bening, Joe Carriel, Bill Cottle,

Ruth Fox, Bryan & Pat Goeble, Mary Good, Bill

Granger, Carl & Judy Hischka, James Hoch, Harold &

Ellamay Jerman, Cheryl Jones, Cindy Kirk, Ray

Klekamp, Adam Lang, The Michalak Family, Helen Nos-

trant, Carol Petoskey, Marilyn Pockmire, Alice Ritter,

Kathy Ruhm, Betty Schmidt, Jody Steuer, and Deanna

Thomas.

A year of God’s blessings in 2013!

For the Lord’s provision concerning the 2013 St. Lu-

cas budget and overall positive financial reports!

Life’s Crosses through which we grow!

Jesus’ call for us to serve!

For the response of so many at St. Lucas who answer

Jesus’ call to serve one another!

For the blessings of many friends of St. Lucas such as

Joni Myers-Crothers (the Extreme Couponing Lady)!

St. Lucas Financial Report: Balance Forward—12-1-13 $ (22,632.23)

Receipts + 24,671.79

Fund Transfers (55.00)

Disbursements (16,208.25)

Balance—12-31-13 $ ( 1,880.78)

Year End Adjustment 4,400.00

Adjusted Balance 2,519.32

Balance Last Year $ ( 807.45)

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Four of the regular Thursday morning Panera Bread Day

customers from the neighborhood. Bread Day is a happy

time of sharing and caring. Thursdays 10 a.m. to 11:30

a.m. Come and join us! (Thanks to Joyce Mease!)

Sympathy and Prayers

The St. Lucas faith community extends sympathy and

prayers to the family and friends of the following:

Ossie Meador whose services were held on Monday,

December 23, 2013 at Bersticker-Scott Funeral Home

with Pastor Billmeier officiating.

William Brown whose memorial service was held at

the Chapel of Memories mausoleum at Toledo Memorial

Park on Friday, December 27, 2013 with Pastor Billmeier

officiating.

Judith Smith whose services were held on Saturday,

December 28, 2013 at Bersticker-Scott Funeral Home

with interment at Toledo Memorial Park. Pastor Bill-

meier officiated.

Hip Sik Lee whose funeral was held at the Bersticker-

Scott Funeral Home with Pastor Billmeier officiating.

Interment was at the Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.

Deborah Ann Koring Holland whose funeral

was held in the St. Lucas sanctuary on Saturday, January

25, 2014 with Pastor Billmeier officiating. Deborah was

a former member of St. Lucas.

Deby and Tim Teague at the death of Deby’s fa-

ther on January 26, 2014.

In the face of their grief, may our Lord

give peace, comfort, strength, and hope to

all those who knew these people.

May the hope of the resurrection sustain

them and all who mourn.

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He

maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me

beside the still waters. 3. He restoreth my soul; He

leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s

sake. 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with

me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

Easter Breakfast!

By Dave Jerman

The annual Easter Breakfast is fast approaching with

Easter falling on Sunday, April 20, 2014. I am writing to

ask for some problem solving help and to ask for volun-

teer workers. In regards to problem solving, there are

many smart people at St. Lucas—Your ideas are needed!

In regards to volunteering your help with the Easter

Breakfast—There are many extremely hardworking peo-

ple at St. Lucas—Please volunteer to help with this year’s

breakfast! To everyone who has volunteered in any way

in the past—THANK YOU!

On Easter Sunday last year (and maybe/also in other pri-

or years), cleaning up the kitchen, washing dishes, put-

ting the chairs and tables away, re-setting the gym for the

St. Lucas/Cindy’s Corner Café AND being able to get to

the 10:30 a.m. service was not possible for some who

stayed until the work was finished. Set-up the day before

went well, serving food and finishing all the details the

day of went well, but cleanup was, shall we say, dysfunc-

tional. A cleanup crew had volunteered and things would

have been (at the least, a bit more) manageable had the

dishwasher been usable (the dishwasher volunteer was

unable to be there due to an emergency).

Here’s the question: Are there other ways to do the

annual Easter Breakfast and cleanup? Suggestions so

far (in random order): 1) Do what needs to be done on

Easter Sunday to get things somewhat in order and finish

kitchen/gym cleanup on Monday following Easter (this

would mean that Cindy’s Corner Café will be closed on

“Easter Monday”). 2) Don’t have an Easter Breakfast. 3)

Ask guests to put chairs and tables away (which, thank-

fully, many guests did last year). 4) Have the food ca-

tered/served (the breakfast has long been a fundraiser for

the St. Lucas Sunday School. Catering could/will be ex-

pensive and could cause the Sunday School to be short of

funds for curriculum, activities, supplies, etc.). What

are your ideas, St. Lucas?

There are many ways to help out: 1) Planning Com-

mittee. 2) Purchasing of food, serving, and decoration

supplies. 3) Gym tables/chairs setup/decorating and pre-

cooking/preparation the day before Easter. 4) Final setup

on Easter morning. 5) Serving food starting at 9:00 a.m.

(ish). 6) Donation of baked goods (coffee cakes, sweet

rolls, etc.). 7) Donation of “raw” supplies (eggs, sausage,

bread, milk, etc.). And many other jobs that need doing!

Please contact me, Dave Jerman, at 419-351-4723

(texting is OK) or steamloco80@hotmail.com with

your ideas and/or to volunteer.

Thank you!

8

Lutheran Homes Society

Delegates Needed

The Lutheran Homes Society annual meeting will be held

on Monday, April 7, 2014 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Zoar

Lutheran Church in Perrysburg. St. Lucas is allowed two

delegates to represent our congregation. If you are inter-

ested in attending and representing St. Lucas, please con-

tact Pastor Billmeier at pastorstlucas@gmail.com or 419-

243-8189. Thank you!

The notice above came from St. Lucas Parishioner, Steve Seaton and is a notifica-

tion of recent changes made in Ohio’s Medicaid System. If you, or someone you

know, would be able to benefit from these new rules for coverage, please apply or

pass the information on so that those who need health care assistance will be able

to get it. Additionally, information and/or assistance with the application process

may be available through the St. Lucas/Cindy’s Corner Outreach Ministry.

Please contact the Cindy’s Corner Office at cindyscorneroutreach@gmail.com or

419-724-5280.

Long Range

Planning Team

Meeting

February 20, 2014

6:00 p.m. in the

Community Room

Ordination Announcement

Cindy Ritter, who has, in the past, assisted at the 4:00 p.m. service at St. Lucas, was ordained at

St. Mark Lutheran Church, Woodville Road, Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, January 18, 2014.

Installation Announcement

From the Northwest Ohio Synod Office

Dear Pastors, Rostered Lay Leaders, and Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are pleased to announce that on Sunday, February 9, 2014 the

Reverend Cindy Ritter will be installed

as Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church—Findlay, Ohio

The service will be at 9:30 a.m.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

1701 Tiffin Avenue—Findlay, Ohio 45840

If you would like to send Cindy an e-mail to wish her well, please use: ctcindy1959@yahoo.com

Alter Flower Sign-Up

Open Dates on the Flower Chart for 2014: March 2, April 27, May 11, June 29, August 2, 17, & 31, September 21,

and November 2, 9, & 16. The chart is in the St. Lucas Narthex. Thank you!

9

2014 Offering Envelopes

Offering envelopes for 2014 are ready

to be picked up. They are on the

Narthex tables. Please look for the

box with your name on it! If you

don’t find a box with your name on

it and would like to have envelopes,

please let the St. Lucas office know

by making a note on the back of the

“I’m Here Today” card or contact the

St. Lucas Office at 419-243-8189 or

stlucasoffice@gmail.com for more

information.

My View of the Church By Guenther the St. Lucas Church Mouse

Guenthianna, my lovely wife, and I would like to

wish EVERYONE a HAPPY VALENTINE’S

DAY!!

We will be going out to have a lovely and romantic din-

ner at Olive Garden on Reynolds Road (we know some

of the workers there and they give us really big portions

of yummy Italian dishes!!). We hope you will be spend-

ing at least part of your day with someone you love. Al-

so, if you have a chance, do something kind for a stranger

to demonstrate the love of Jesus! We’re thinking of get-

ting an Olive Garden take-out lasagna dish and bringing

it back to our friend Gretchen, the St. Lucas Squirrel!

Until next time, that’s my view of the church!

It's Tax Season Again! from Steve Seaton

There are some GREAT resources that friends or members of

St. Lucas can use for FREE to reduce the burden of tax season.

If your total household income is under $58,000 annually, you can file your taxes for FREE

from the comfort of your own home using H&R Block software by going to:

www.myfreetaxes.com/unitedway211 .

If you want to do your own taxes, but would like an IRS certified tax preparer to be available

in person to assist you ($52,000 annual income limit), you can go to either the University of

Toledo or Owens Community College. They have times available for taxpayers from the

community to utilize these FREE services which will be facilitated by an IRS certified tax

preparer.

University of Toledo Dates, Location, and Hours:

February 3rd - April 15th (excluding Spring Break and President's Day)

In Stranahan South 119

Mondays and Tuesdays: 11:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m.

Wednesdays and Thursdays: 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Owens Community College Dates, Location, and Hours:

February 3rd - April 15th (excluding Spring Break and President's Day)

College Hall 207 - Mondays: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

College Hall 207 - Tuesday and Thursday: 1:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m.

College Hall 209 - Wednesdays: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

If you would like an IRS certified tax preparer to prepare your tax return at one of the eleven

(11) locations in Lucas, Wood, and Ottawa Counties, please dial 2-1-1

to schedule an appointment.

“Thrivent Choice” Supports

Our Ministry

In December, St. Lucas heard from Thrivent Financial

for Lutherans that a deposit of $204 was made into the

church bank account. This represents the additional

amount of grant dollars that Thrivent Financial gave our

church based on member participation in the campaign.

Currently, there are three members of St. Lucas partici-

pating in this program. (Thank you!)

By directing Choice Dollars to our congregation, you can

recommend how to distribute Thrivent Financial chari-

table funds. Member eligibility and the Choice Dollars

designated are based on annual premiums of qualifying

insurance products or the contract value on qualifying

products. So, if you are a Thrivent member, you can help

direct funds to St. Lucas. You can do so by visiting

Thrivent.com/thriventchoice, or by calling 800-847-4836

and say “Thrivent Choice” when prompted. If you would

like help in registering with Thrivent Choice, please call

the St. Lucas office at 419-243-8189 and help will be

provided.

10

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to One and All

Happy Anniversary!

Please let the St. Lucas Office know if your birthday or anni-

versary has been missed or listed incorrectly.

(stlucasoffice@gmail.com or 419-243-8189)

March

Kelsey Pritchard—1

Beckie Kincaid—3

William Adkins—4

Kathleen Jones—5

Hope Cairl—7

Mason Adkins—8

Melva Nelson—11

Jeannie Dennler—17

Frank Nelson—19

Ralph Cairl—20

Jamie Dauel—21

Jennifer Kasee—22

Alan Langevin—24

Amy Gallagher—26

Deby Teague—30

11

February

Carlos Lucio—1

Katelyn Burns—5

Robin Whittier—5

Gabriella Carver—6

Marc Smith—6

Matt Rodnicki—7

EricaRae Herrick—7

Judy Hischka—8

Dave Jerman—9

Bill Reddington-10

Harold Petoskey—11

Pat Bair—11

Theresa Johnson—13

Karen Biscay—15

Emily Kasee—17

Carol Gallagher—18

Carl Ritter—21

George Brasel—22

Joan McNutt—26

Rick Charchol & Jason Slough—January 15 (Editor’s Note: This was unintentionally left off of the

January 2014 Anniversary Announcements. Sorry!)

Ernest & Joyce Mease—February 14

Gary & Robin Walton—February 14

George & Gina Brasel—February 21

Scott & Amy Gallagher—March 17

Robert & Lee Jagodzinski—March 19

St. Lucas—March 21

Recent Comments from the

Backs of the

“I’m Here Today” Cards

These are some of the comments that have been shared

by visitors, guests, and members during the past several

weeks:

“I LOVE St. Lucas!! I LOVE my Brother Jesus!!

Peace to ALL!!” (accompanied by 15 drawings of small

sized hearts and one big picture of a “heart smiley-face”)

“It’s a beautiful service! A beautiful place of wor-

ship!”

“I feel ‘at home’ here.”

“Love the songs/hymns the choir sang. Appreciate the

truth Pastor spoke. Was blessed by the entire service.”

Pictures of

Artwork

at the

ELCA Home

Offices Thank you to Pastor

Billmeier and Georgia

Steele for taking these

pictures of donated

artwork at the ELCA

Offices in Chicago!

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church

745 Walbridge Avenue

Toledo, Ohio 43609

419-243-8189

Address Service Requested

Time Sensitive Material

Please Handle Promptly

February 2014

The Acts of St. Lucas Newsletter

Non-profit

U.S. Postage

PAID

Toledo, Ohio

Permit # 987

AFFIRMATION OF WELCOME

All people are welcome within our membership and are encouraged to participate in the sacramental life and work of our

congregation, including those of all sexual orientations, gender identities, ages,

races, abilities, economic levels, and previous religious experiences.

Come dressed as you are…All are Welcome!

Parish Staff

Martin E. Billmeier, Pastor

Sharon Jordan, Secretary

Jamie Dauel, Organist

Ron Lang, Choir Director

Vernon Williams, Custodian

Church Council

Phil Chambers, President; Lee Jagodzinski, Vice-President; Mike

Biscay, Joe Carriel, Bill Dennler, Amy Herrick, Brian Hoch, Randy

Hyter, David Jerman, Theresa Johnson, Cindy Kirk, Sharon Schaefer,

Steve Seaton, and Lorraine Willoughby

Parish Office Information

Tuesday-Friday—9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Phone: 419-243-8189 Fax: 419-243-8180

Secretary Email: stlucasoffice@gmail.com

Pastor Email: pastorstlucas@gmail.com

ACTS Newsletter: steamloco80@hotmail.com /419-351-4723

Website: www.stlucastoledo.org

Northwest Ohio Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church In America 621 Bright Road, Findlay, Ohio 45840

1-419-423-3664

Rev. Marcus Lohrmann, Bishop

Website: www.nwos-elca.org

Worship & Sunday School Times

Saturdays: 4:00 p.m.—Service with Healing Rite.

Sundays: 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Services.

Sunday School: 9:15 a.m.—Classes for ages 3 through Adults Wednesdays: 11:45 a.m.—Wednesday Prayer Circle

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is offered at all services.

Mission and Vision

ST. LUCAS PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The people of St. Lucas Lutheran Church invite and welcome every-

one to enter and feel God’s presence.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

1. We believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

2. We embrace diversity and welcome all unconditionally.

3. We commit to live God’s Word and share the Good News.

4. We strive for closer relationship with God and each other.

5. We demonstrate compassion and forgiveness through open

hearts and open minds.