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: Rev. Jamail Watson

Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Topic: "Why the Manna Runs Out"

Scripture: Joshua 5:10-12 

Scripture Reading - Joshua 5: 10-12

10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after[a] they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

Sermon Summary  

In Joshua we find the children of Israel in the doorway of their destiny, after years of wandering and wondering if they would ever grab hold of a 500 year old promise that many of their ancestors died hoping to one day see. Throughout their journey in the wilderness God proves himself trustworthy and faithful day in and day out. For 40 years He provides them what they need in miraculous fashion, water from a rock and food from heaven they call manna, however as they are preparing to enter into what God promised, He cuts off the things that they had become dependent on and accustomed to. Like the children of Israel we too can become some accustomed to and familiar with one specific way in which God blesses us that we can become so rigid in our thinking that we close our minds to any notion of God moving in way He wants and also bless us in a multitude of new ways if we release our control and allow Him to be God. Much like the children of Israel when we place our confidence in one concrete construct of How God blesses and what God blesses us with, rather than the God who blesses us, God will often cut off what we have grown accustomed to so that we can learn how to acquire a deeper dependence on Him.

Reason 1. To Give Us a New Appetite. Their appetite was linked to their desire, and God was trying to change the things that they hungered for. So often we as God's children grow so accustomed and comfortable with familiar forms in which God blesses us that we can become unable to pivot in order to pursue something new and fresh that God may be trying to introduce into our lives.

Reason 2. To Place a New Demand on Our Faith. The higher we aspire to go and grow in God the more our faith is stretched and tested. Just as a weightlifter has to increase weights to build bigger muscles, more resistance must be placed upon our faith in order for it to grow bigger and stronger.

Reason 3. To Place a New Desire in Our Hearts. So often the things that bring delight us the most are when things we want most are attained, however Psalms 37 reminds us to Delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts, this is appropriate reminder to us that if  we shift our desires from the things we want to the One who is the giver of every good and perfect gift, the things we want will be a come as a by product of seeking the blessor rather than the blessing. 

Be Blessed,

Rev. Jamail Watson

Pain Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the needs of the millions of people with chronic pain and to celebrate the research that aims to better prevent and treat it. Chronic pain is highly persistent, with almost two-thirds of those who reported chronic pain still experiencing it a year later. There are more new cases of chronic pain in the United States per year than new cases of hypertension, depression, or diabetes. The NIH supports a comprehensive research portfolio to address this pressing need, and the NIH Pain Consortium hosts a symposium to highlight NIH-funded research related to pain.

The Mommy Matters ministry is hosting a "Gracefully Fit" Zumba Class. This free event is open to all the ladies of St. Luke and will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10:00am - 11:00am in the Clifford Chunn Multipurpose Building.

Mid-Week Connect and Noon Day Bible Study are every Wednesday at 12pm Noon & 6pm. Join us in-person and via our YouTube page as we explore the word of God together.

The Simeon Tribe will have a meet and greet after church September 14, 2025 in the Clifford Chunn Multi-Purpose Building (gym). All members please make every effort to join us. Thanks in advance Deacon Robert and Delois Williams Tribal Leaders

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.

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. Please submit prayer requests to members@stlukecchsv.org.

Happy Birthday September 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  

Bold and Fierce Boutique

11041 Hwy 231-431N, Suite K 

Meridianville,  AL 35759

Website: www.shopboldandfierce.com 

Social Media: @boldandfierceboutique on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok 

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