Sunday 8:00 a.m.  & 10:00 a.m. Services:

We have two Sunday services which provide different ways to express our faith.  The 8:00 a.m. service is a time of quiet reflection; the 10:00 a.m. service is a family-oriented celebration.  The banquet table in this church belongs to Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Everyone is invited to receive Him at this table in His sacramental Presence.  Sunday school and nursery care are available during our 10:00 a.m. service. The older children join our service for communion. Nursery care for very young children continues through the service.  A coffee hour also follows the 10:00 a.m. service.

Open for Prayer:

The church is open for prayer and rest Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (These hours are subject to change if the Rector is away.)

Concerning the Rites of the Church:

Baptism (for child or adult): is the sacrament that makes us Christians; and preparation for baptism is the beginning of our formation in Christ. At St. Luke's we believe that the whole congregation shares this responsibility. Adults who have not been baptized, but wish to be should speak with the rector to begin their preparation. Parents who seek baptism for their child should consult the rector at their earliest opportunity.  Baptisms at St. Luke's take place in the context of the parish Eucharist at the appropriate feasts.  It is not appropriate for baptisms to take place in a location other than the church, except in cases of extreme emergency.  Adults, parents and godparents (sponsors) of children will be guided in the process of preparation by the rector and other adult leaders in the congregation.

First Communion (for child or adult): All Baptized persons of any age are welcome to begin receiving Communion at St. Luke's.  The Rector is happy to answer any questions and offer guidance, especially to parents and their children.

Confirmation: For any Baptized Episcopalian age 16 or older or for those adults who were baptized in a denomination that does not confirm baptismal vows by the laying on of hands from a bishop (eg- Baptist, Presbyterian or Congregationalist). Participation in the Youth Confirmation Program is a requirement for any teen who wishes to be confirmed.  Adults follow a separate program.  Please speak with the Rector if you wish to begin Confirmation preparation.

Reception: For all adults who have received the laying on of hands from a bishop in another tradition to confirm their vows of baptism (eg - Roman Catholic or Lutheran), and who would now like to be received into the world Anglican Communion.  Please speak with the Rector.

Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows:  For those baptized persons whose growth toward Christ leads them to reaffirm the vows they took at baptism.  This is different from Confirmation, and may be done by any Christian person whether confirmed or not.  Personal circumstances will vary. Please confer with the Rector if you think of Reaffirmation may be right for you.

Transfer of Membership:  For those who have belonged to an Episcopal Church elsewhere and wish to join St. Luke's.  Please call the parish office or speak with the Rector.

Marriage: Couples contemplating marriage in the Church should notify the Rector of their plans as early as possible.  The Rector will expect to meet with them at least three times before the wedding.  Under no circumstances will a marriage be solemnized on less than thirty days notice.  All couples newly married at St. Luke's should look upon their wedding as an opportunity to enter more fully into the fellowship of Our Lord through regular attendance at worship services and participation in the program and activities of the parish.

The Laying On Of Hands and Anointing for Healing: Is offered periodically during the Sunday Eucharist.  It is always available on request at other times.  While not everyone at any given time is in need of the specific rite of healing that the Prayer book provided, the rite is intended for more than just physical ailments.  Many of us from times to time feel anxious or troubled about something, however vague, we may feel stressed or unable to rest, we may be grieving a loss of some kind or have conflict with another person, or perhaps feel a sadness that we cannot shake off; each of these is reason enough to seek healing.  Sometimes we are unaware of a specific need for healing, but sense that this is something we need to do.  Only as time passes afterward do we realize that healing has taken place in an area that my surprise us. The point is: if coming for healing feels right for you, then it probably is.

The Reconciliations of a Penitent:  "The ministry of reconciliation which has been committed by Christ to His Church is exercised through the care each Christian has for others through the common prayer of Christians assembled for public worship, and through the priesthood of the Church and its ministers declaring absolution: (BCP p.446).  In addition to the General Confession which we use during the Sunday Eucharist, the Prayer Book provides two forms for private confession, beginning on p. 447.  Private confession is available for all who desire it, but it is not compulsory.  The Anglican attitude has been summarized: "All can; some should, none must."  The Church traditionally has taught that Reconciliations can be especially helpful to anyone whose troubled conscience prevents him or her from knowing God.  If you're curious about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and would like to know more about it or if you already suspect that it could be a helpful step on the way to spiritual health and wholeness, please let the Rector know.  The Rector is available to administer this sacrament by appointment.

Christian Burial:  When a person is believed to be near death, friends or immediate family should notify a priest, who may then properly provide the ministrations of the Church.  "The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to the Rector, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with the Minister of the Congregation.  Baptized persons are properly buried from the church.  The service should be held at a time when the congregation has opportunity to be present." (Prayer Book, p 468).  The Episcopal Church has not objection to cremation of the decreased, but where cremation occurs it is desirable that is should take place after the service, and not before.

Illness: If you or a member of your family are hospitalized or homebound and would like to receive the Laying of Hands and Anointing for Healing, the Sacrament of Holy Communion, or simply a visit from the clergy, please notify the Rector.