Hey Church Family,

Welcome to another week filled with blessings and opportunities to grow in faith and fellowship! As we gather together, united in spirit and purpose, we're excited to share the latest news and updates with you. From upcoming events to meaningful reflections, our weekly announcements serve as a beacon of guidance and connection in our journey of faith. Join us as we embark on this enriching adventure together!

In faith and community,

Your Social Media Team

St. Luke Christian Church

www.stlukecchsv.org

Speaker: Pastor T.C. Johnson

Date: Sunday, March  23,2025

Topic: "We Have Come This Far By Faith"

Scripture:  Habakkuk 2:4 & Habakkuk 3:17-19

From the desk of Pastor T.C. Johnson

Scripture Reading 

Habakkuk 2:4 (TLB)

 4  "Note this: Wicked men trust themselves alone [as these Chaldeans do], and fail; but the righteous man trusts in me and lives!

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (TLB)

17  Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit; though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty,
18  yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation.
19  The Lord God is my strength; he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.

Sermon Summary

After King Josiah died things turned for the worst for Israel, God’s people.  Under King Josiah’s leadership, living was good with both prosperity and safety being enjoyed and perhaps to a fault.  Because and as usual, when people enjoy God’s blessings over time they forget and begin to neglect the Blesser and act as if the blessing comes by their own ingenuity and ability.  We must be careful as God’ people to always remember that we have come this far by Faith. It will serve us well to remember that the bad days which potentially lay ahead of us will be the same kind of days that our ancestors survived and conquered by calling upon the Lord and staying faithful while God Himself directs our path.  Some little man may cancel a department that causes jobs to be lost; or cancel programs that provided help for people to negotiate some difficulty in life; or freeze that small stipend that was meant to make life socially secure: food sources may rise so much that they become scarce; but I will rejoice in the God of my salvation because even though those things were made available on the journey they were not the source of the journey. We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. 

Be Blessed,

Pastor T.C. Johnson

Adult Class 1 &2 - Accountability for leading Justly

Adult Class #3 - Christ’s Love as the Rule - 1 John 3:1-10

Teens Series - Attitudes, Friends & Struggles

Middle School Series - True Love, Choices, Set Apart & Lead

Pre-School & Elementary - Life Group Activity Night

St. Luke’s annual Spring Festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 11am-2pm. There will be food, music, fun, prizes and of course the annual easter egg hunt. In preparation for this event, we kindly ask that the members of St. Luke begin bringing their easter egg donations. Please ensure that the eggs are plastic and are already filled with candy when you donate them. We also ask that you not bring any loose candy such as jelly beans. This will be a fun-filled event for the children of St. Luke so bring them out to have a fun-filled time.

Hey family! This Holy Week on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, we will be having a Bible Bowl Game Night! The fun-filled event will be held in the Clifford Chunn Multipurpose Building. Stay tuned for additional information.

Hey family! We are actively looking to grow our media team and need your support. If you have any experience with audio engineering, social media management, photography, videography or have an interest in developing your skills in any of these areas, please contact the social media team at socialmedia@stlukecchsv.org or see Brother Bradley Davis for more information.

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, our photographers will be taking head shots of ministers, deaconate and ministry leaders immediately following service. The photos will be taken in the computer lab so please come prepared to have your photo taken.

Please follow the links below to find additional information regarding requirements, deadlines, etc. necessary to apply. Many scholarship deadlines are fast approaching so please have your students apply soon to secure their financial support.

Self-Harm Awarness

• Definition and Prevalence:
  • Self-harm is the intentional act of hurting oneself, a symptom of severe emotional distress.
  • It's prevalent, especially among teenage girls, with rates significantly increasing in recent years.
• Forms of Self-Harm:
  • Various methods are described, including cutting, scratching, burning, and self-hitting.
• Reasons for Self-Harm:
  • It stems from poor coping skills and difficulty managing emotions.
  • Individuals may use it to regulate emotions, seek control, or express internal pain.
• Risk Factors and Warning Signs:
  • Adolescence, peer influence, trauma, mental health issues, and substance use are identified as risk factors.
  • Physical signs (scars, wounds) and behavioral/emotional changes are listed as warning signs.
• Suicide Risk:
  • While not always a suicide attempt, self-harm increases the risk of suicide.
• Prevention and Intervention:
  • Strategies for prevention include fostering healthy coping skills, promoting social connection, and raising awareness.
  • Guidance is provided on how to help someone who self-harms, emphasizing support and professional help.
• Emergency Help:
  • Instructions are given for when to seek immediate medical or mental health assistance, including suicide hotline numbers.

For more information check out this link: https://youtu.be/8tE4RMXx-lY

Contribution statements are available for pick up from the church office after Sunday, January 26th by calling 256-721-1294 to request a copy

St. Luke will begin offering tutor sessions beginning January 14th – May 15th 2025. Tutoring sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursdays from 4pm-6pm. Please scan the QR code and provide the requested information so that we can provide the best service possible. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 256-721-1294

We kindly request that you remember and include in your prayers those individuals who are part of our SLCC family. Life can sometimes present us with unexpected challenges and it is during these times that our thoughts and prayers can provide comfort and strength. So, please take a moment to send positive thoughts and pray for our SLCC family members.

Happy Birthday March Babies!

We are seeking assistance in the church nursery. If you have a love for children and want to volunteer your time in this ministry, please stop by the nursey and speak with Sister Monica Gray

Hey family. We want to introduce the St. Luke photo gallery which is available on our new flickr page. Photos of worship services, baptisms and other church events will be displayed on this site. From the site you will be able to view, download and share moments captured by our incredible photographers. Please scan the QR code to be directed to this collection of photos and we hope enjoy these memories for years to come. There will also be link to access this photo gallery on the church website.

The food pantry hours have changed to Monday - Wednesday from 9:30am - 2:00pm to serve our community. Donations to the pantry are always appreciated so if you would like to donate, feel free to bring those donations during pantry hours and one of our volunteers will be happy to receive them.

Calling all St. Luke business owners! Join the St. Luke Business Network to showcase your talents to our community. Submit your business info, headshot and services to socialmedia@stlukecchsv.org (see examples below). Let's connect and uplift each other.

Love Zone Group - Offering temporary housing solutions through corporate leasing. For additional information, please contact us at 256-384-5085 and/or felicia@lovezoneprop.com  

Follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming events! Also, check out our NEW flickr page to see photos of previous events and church services! 

If you have any inquiries or wish to have your announcement featured in next week's newsletter, please feel free to reach out to us at socialmedia@stlukecchsv.org