Gratitude

November 22, 2022

Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,

As you anticipate observing our national day of Thanksgiving on Thursday, there are likely traditions and practices for which you prepare. Something I like to do is compile a gratitude list. The more attention I devote to this list, the less I feel it necessary to assemble another list — a  list of complaints and grievances about things that are out of my direct control (and that is most things!).  

Reflecting on the life of our congregation, I give thanks for the many hands and hearts that are committed to serving and simply doing the things that need doing.  Just the other evening when I arrived at the church, I encountered a team of folks assembling our new photo directories for distribution on Sunday. Others were setting up a Christmas tree in the gathering area for the Advent Good Giving ministry. Down the hall, others were gathering to continue work on developing the proposed 2023 Spending Plan/Budget. In the library, a newly appointed task force was preparing to discuss our memorial gift policy and begin work on revising the memorial garden/collumbarium brochure and guidelines.

I don’t mean to paint a picture that depicts busyness as being the ideal. What that brief snapshot into the life of our congregation outside of Sunday morning helped me to recognize is how faithful the stewardship of time and talent is within the church. For that, I am thankful.

And more than that, in all those activities was a committment to the ministry and outreach that is enabled and supported by all that work. We clearly don’t exist for ourselves, but in order to be a blessing to others.  For that, God is thankful!

Now, you know much is happening this week.  Tomorrow evening, Thanksgiving Eve, the Conococheague Mission Cooperative is having a Thanksgiving Worship Service at Calvary United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. Just two days after Thanksgiving, there is an Advent Retreat on Saturday morning featuring a presentation by Sister Thelma of the Tau Hermitage. On Sunday morning, the First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new liturgical year and a season of preparation for the coming of Christ. On Sunday evening, our annual Begin the Blessed Season gathering will be held in the fellowship hall.  

I hope you are able and willing to participate in these events and gatherings as we begin a new year together. You will be blessed in order that we may continue to be a blessing to others.

Again, thank you for your ongoing support of and engagement in the ministry we share. It continues to be my great pleasure to serve as your pastor. I ask for your prayers for me and for one another as we continue the good work to which God calls us.

In Christ’s love for you,

Pastor Christopher Frye

Mutual Ministry

Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,

+ Grace and Peace to you.

In anticipation of the months ahead, may we all take a moment to consider two possibilities? The first is a more intentional mutual ministry with one another in this congregation? If we are waiting for things to get back to the way they were before Covid, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. I realize we live in a difficult time. There is much uncertainty and understandable anxiety. Yet, because we are the church, we are the Body of Christ that lives in the power of Resurrection. We are given new life! It is time to rise up!

Secondly, may we also open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and the opportunity of continuing collaboration with our friends and the family of faith of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fayetteville?  

Historically and recently, our congregations have worked together as good neighbors and faith communities entrusted with the care of shared territory and people. Cooperation is so much more befitting to the Body of Christ than competition. As has been previously reported, in the last year or so, significant attention has been given to working together and considering ways in which we might collaborate more effectively in the years ahead. It’s time to continue this conversation in a broader and more intentional way.

Toward that end, the church councils of both St. Paul and St. Luke have met together for an informal social time over breakfast. Together the councils have decided to plan a picnic and time of combined worship.  On Saturday evening, September 10, we are all invited and encouraged to gather together in the Outreach Center of St. Paul in Fayetteville for a picnic and conversation followed by Vespers.

The vitality and sustainability of both congregations would benefit from some sort of ongoing collaboration and intentional organization. Most importantly, our shared witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in this community would be a step closer to the oneness for which Christ prayed. I believe we are all being called to a renewed openness and willingness. Let us explore together avenues of faithfulness. The only thing that may stand in the way is pride.

May we continue to hold one another and the community we serve in prayer, that God’s grace would continue to give life, boldness, and hope to the Church and its ministry in the world that God so loves.

In Christ’s love for you,

Pastor Christopher Frye

Holy Week 2022

 Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,

+  Grace and Peace to you.

With so much beyond our ability to control, it should come as no surprise that we are frequently overwhelmed. The rate of change in our world is quickening, and the consequences of our behavior seem to grow in both seriousness and severity. You may wonder what are we to do? I suggest that we take the opportunity that the next several weeks present to ground ourselves in the central story of God’s victory in Christ over sin, death, and the devil. Read on.

Sunday, April 10 is Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday. At 10:00 AM we will gather for worship in the midst of shouts of Hosanna! and Crucify Him! At the beginning of the week we call Holy, this Sunday prepares us for the days ahead as we experience the dissonance of which we are capable in our lives of Christian discipleship.  

Thursday, April 14 is Maundy Thursday.  Our Lenten observance comes to an end as we will gather for worship this evening at 7:00 PM with Christians around the world to begin the celebration of the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This night we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment (Mandate, Mandatum) that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.

Friday, April 15 is Good Friday. At 12:00 Noon there will be a service called The Way of the Cross.  Our Good Friday Liturgy (Tenebrae Service) will be at 7:00 PM.

Sunday, April 17 is The Resurrection of Our Lord/Easter Sunday. Our Festival Service of Worship and Praise will be held at 10:00 AM. This year we will welcome an ensemble of musicians from the Cumberland Valley School of Music. They will offer special music as well as robust accompaniment to our singing of hymns.

I’m looking forward to the days ahead with you. Please take advantage of this occasion to invite someone to come to worship with you. For healing, for hope, for a home in turbulent times, what better place to be than in the midst of the Body of Christ?

In Christ’s love for you,

Pastor Frye

PS:

I am deeply grateful for the thoughtful, caring, and generous gift presented to me on the occasion of my 25th ordination anniversary.  While I am aware that our bishop notifies the congregation of these milestones, I had originally requested that no fuss be made on my account. However, it occured to me that the celebration is equally yours as it signifies the healing, vitality, and faithfulness of this congregation in being a good partner in ministry.  May God continue to bless our sharing in the Gospel. On behalf of Heidi and myself, THANK YOU!

Routine

 

Do you have routines in your life?  Are there activities or interests that you schedule on a regular basis?

Sometime during the season of Lent I added a new activity to my weekly schedule. On Thursday mornings at 8:00 I meet with about twelve to sixteen other people (mostly pastors and ministry leaders from Chambersburg area churches). I’m the only Lutheran. We get together for what is called a Prayer Walk.  Each month we meet in the parking lot of an area church, take some time to check-in with one another and pray together. Then we walk the neighborhood and pray for and sometimes with the residents we encounter.

It occurred to me that we all come from various perspectives and traditions. We don’t focus on doctrine or the theology of worship or denominational branding. We gather as friends in Christ and pray for one another and the communities we are called to serve. 

I’m telling you this, not to solicit merits, but to witness to the basic, simple, and fundamental power of prayer.  Our whole time together is bathed in prayer -- prayers of praise, lament, intercession, petition, gratitude, discernment, etc.  We all pray a little differently. Some are silent, many involve arms uplifted or heads bowed. This weekly gathering has become part of my routine. It’s not just one more activity to check off my weekly list, but rather it has become a central and much anticipated part of my own devotional life.  Honestly, I can’t imagine not being part of this small group of friends sharing life together.

As we all anticipate slowing resuming some sort of less secluded life, I invite you to consider becoming part of a small group. Consider hosting a small group gathering at your home or in your driveway. Join a group that already exists and invite your friends or our new members or someone else in your life to join you. We all would benefit from making routine the central act of prayer and being blessed by the love and support of friendship with one another and fellowship with Jesus. 

Letter to Family and Friends of St. Luke

 Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,

+ Grace and Peace

We have had a difficult year in so many ways. You know how it has been. Quarantined, restricted, limited — everyone has had challenges living in the midst of the pandemic of Covid-19. We have experienced collective grief as we’ve mourned the death of loved ones and as we’ve had to let go of many routines and familiar practices. Certainly this has had an impact on our life-together as a congregation as well. 

However, I just want to rejoice at the ways God has revealed strength, purpose, and grace in so many and unexpected circumstances. You have surpassed expectations in the ways in which you cooperated, contributed, and conspired to let your light shine even in the midst of a dark time. It is a joy to be your pastor and partner in the ministry and mission we share. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and faithfulness this past year!

Looking ahead, we anticipate slowly being able to resume many of our activities and ministries. The days are surely coming! But, as Dr. Fauci says, it’s no time to spike the ball in the end-zone.  Re-engaging will be a process and we will be unable to “return” to normal. Our faith is necessary. The future that God is preparing for us will call on our best efforts to practice patience, acceptance, and willingness to do things differently in many respects.

While much has changed, both dramatically and by degree, please know that the basic things, the central things, the essential things will remain constant. We will continue to be a people sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. We will continue to gather together around Word and Sacrament to worship and glorify God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We will continue to be a supportive and giving community of faith — intentionally welcoming others and speaking out because of God’s justice and mercy. 

The return to a newsletter is part of an ongoing strategy to strengthen communication and call forth for the engagement and participation of each and every member and friend of our congregation. Please continue to know that the love of Christ that binds us together is the same love that sends us out to serve our neighbor in Christ’s name.  Again, thank you for your partnership in this mutual ministry.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Frye

Christmas Eve 2020

St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Merry Christmas!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
Chambersburg, Pennylvania

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Amen

Advent Kyrie (for whole season)

Restore us, O God of hosts. 

Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Give us peace and strength in our days.  

Come, Christ Jesus.

 

Be present with us, and we shall be saved.  

Come, Lord Jesus, and do not be slow.

Let us pray.
A brief silence is kept before the prayer.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may bear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First Reading:  2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16  

Psalmody: Luke 1:46b-55

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

Gospel:  Luke 1:26-38 

Sermon

Creed and Confession

Apostles’ Creed

Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen

Confession and Forgiveness

The Lord of Advent tells us to be watchful for his coming, keeping our lamps lighted, and our hearts clean. Therefore let us confess to the Lord.

 

Silence for reflection.

 

God and Father of all:

We prepare our hearts for the coming of your Son, confessing our sins, confessing our attraction to a godless world that does not know Christ.  Forgive our sins, cleanse our hearts, and keep us faithful for the promised coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Almighty God have mercy on you,

forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ,

strengthen you in all goodness,

and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.  Amen

Prayers  

Offertory

Let us pray.
A brief silence is kept before the prayer.

Holy God,
the Beginning and the Ending, our Hope as we wait,
we praise you for joining us to your people of old.
We bless you for your prophets who call us to righteousness
and promise a new earth with peace for all.
For the Word of your covenant, we thank you, O God.
We thank you, O God.

We praise you for the coming of Jesus our Lord,
who lifts up the lowly, heals the suffering world,
and proclaims your way of mercy and truth.
For your Word who is Christ, we magnify you, O God.
We magnify you, O God.

Send your Spirit on all who receive your Word.
Nurture our faith with your grace,
accompany us with your might,
and empower our zeal for your justice and joy.
For your Word through the church, we praise you, O God.
We praise you, O God.

All praise to you, holy God,
today, tomorrow, and forever.  Amen
Amen

Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us now and forever.  Amen

Be at Peace, Christ is with you.  Thanks be to God! 

Daily Prayer Resources are available, including simple forms of Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer; Responsive Prayer; and prayers for mealtimes and other occasions.

Portions from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and sundaysandseasons.com, © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress.