The Winged Ox

The W inged Ox is the Ancient Sym bol of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician

A Newsletter for the People of The Memorial Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician January 2012 Issue 133

The Memorial Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician 150 Years of Ministry 1861-2011 1946 W elsh Road Philadelphia, PA 19115 215.969.3645 (office)
stlukesbustleton@ yahoo.com www.stlukesbustleton.webs.com

Shopping for God

he seasons of Christmas and Epiphany are upon us, so you might think it is a little late to be talking about shopping. Thats typically something we do during the Advent season as we make our preparations for Christmas Day. But once Christmas Day is over, we no longer give much thought to shopping. It may be time for returns or exchanges, but not for shopping. W ell, maybe; but then again there are twelve days of Christmaswe tend to forget that nowadays, preferring to focus on the day rather than the season and the Epiphany is actually the occasion when gifts were brought to Christ by the Magi. So it is a good season to look for something to give to God, that is, after all, what the Magi were doing bringing gifts to God who is appearing in the form of the Christ child.

SERVICES Sundays: 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with music Followed immediately by refreshments and fellowship in the parish hall. Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m. Healing Eucharist ACTIVITIES: Contemplative Prayer W ednesdays 6:45 p.m . in the church office Inside this issue: Birthdays............................... 4 Calendar................................9 Maze......................................7 News...................................3,4 Rectors Message................1,2 Reminders.............................2 Rising Star.............................5 Take Note!.............................6 Those Who Serve..................3 Well Done!.............................8 Word Puzzle..........................8 Welcome Visitors.................. 2

The season of Epiphany is also the season during which we emphasize the manifestation of Christ to the world; that is, the manifestation of the Incarnation God assuming the form of a human person. Now shopping for God may also be understood as seeking or looking for God just as one who is shopping for a job is seeking or looking for a job. And Epiphany is a good time to go shopping for God in this sense, too, because, as we just noted, Epiphany is the time when God is manifest in and to the world in the human form of Jesus the Christ. So since God is manifest, it is a good time to seek after or look for God; its a good time to go shopping for God. So lets begin with the first sense of shopping for God, namely the sense of looking for something to give to God. Now this may seem to be a very tough assignment. W hat can you get for the creator and ruler of the universe? God is really hard to buy for! It seems like God has everything. And if there is something that God does not have, then there is no way I can have it either. W orse yet, if there is some new thing that I could think of to give to God, I would be in the embarrassing position of having to ask God to create it for me. There is one thing, however, that our tradition tells us that we can give to God. And whats more, this gift is so unique, so one of a kind, that each of us can give it without fear that God already has one just like it

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W hat is this unique, one-of-a-kind gift? W hat else but our very self. This is obvious if we think about it. W e know that we are created in the image of God, and that means, among other things, that we are free and autonomous beings, capable of reason and love. Our freedom and autonomy means that we can choose to love and serve God or we can choose to turn away from God. In other words, we can enter into a relationship with God or we can reject God. Of course, there are many gradations between these extremes and most of us fall in somewhere between total dedicating our life to God and totally rejecting God. That is to say, most of us want to commit our life to God but not all the way. W e all hold back to some degree, refusing to totally surrender to God and wrongly believing that I am the center of the universe. Of course, we never say that in so many words, but our actions belie our belief. Its a BIG mistake but it is also the human condition. So the bottom line is, there is something that we can give to God that God does not already have. W e can give more and more of our self. Now here is the fascinating thing: W hen we surrender more of our self to God in this way, we discover something very important. W e discover that we receive in return more of God. And, of course, that resolves the issue raised by shopping for God in the second sense of the phrase that we identified above. W hat I mean to say is that when we give more of our self to God, we find that God is present to us, and we no longer have to seek after God or look for God. God becomes apparent to us. It is like we have made an exchange I give more of myself to God and in exchange I get more of God in return. So this is the ultimate win-win situation; I am not only able to give a unique gift to God but in the very act of giving, I get what Ive been seeking after, namely a closer relationship to God. W ell, I have made this sound quite easy, and of course it is not. In my experience this is the unending, ongoing work of the Christian life. I give more of myself to God, and I get more of God in return, but then for one reason or another I fall back and when I do, I reclaim that gift I had given to God, and in doing so I push God more to the periphery of my life. Then I turn back to God and the cycle repeats. But nonetheless I find that with each effort I reclaim less of myself and my experience of and relationship with God becomes deeper and more enduring. I suppose for the glass-empty types among us that sounds frustrating and lets be honest it is sometimes because we never finally give the gift we want or totally receive what we are looking for in this life. But on the other hand, the glass is more than half-full because we have been assured that we have all eternity to give ourselves to God and receive God in return. So I hope you will take the opportunity during these seasons of Christmas and Epiphany to do some shopping for God! May you all have blessed Christm as and Epiphany seasons! Father Tim

WELCOME VISITORS! Are

you a new reader? Come visit us! Were so glad that you picked up this publication; we hope you will find it interesting and worth your time and we hope you will take the next step and worship with us sometime. If you are worshiping with us, we welcome you! Whatever your religious background, and however you have come to be here, we welcome you to St. Lukes. Please let us know who you are by signing our guest book (by the door) or filling out a card found in the pews. You can hand your card to an usher, or put it in the collection plate when it comes later.

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NEWS

REMINDERS:
The deadline for the February Winged Ox will be January 22

Those Who Serve Sunday, January 1 Chalice Bearer: J Brambilla Readers: C Rodriquez, S Carmody Ushers: J Litzke, J Oxenford Altar Guild: L Carter, R Fischer No Coffee Hour Counters: C. Rodriguez, A. Thorpe Sunday, January 8 Chalice Bearer : S Carmody Readers: C Martino, L Carter Ushers :T Truesdale J. Brambilla Altar Guild: K Kenny, S Nesbitt Coffee Hour: LWoods-Kriss, G. Woods, K. Kenny, S Nesbitt

Church School / Nursery

The church school children were excited about dressing up and participating in the Christmas Eve pageant. We are especially grateful to Miah and Jeremiah Shahene for their help and participation. The church school parents, grandparents, and teachers supported the children and assisted that evening as well. January will begin the season of the Epiphany. The children will be learning about the wise men and the baptism of Jesus. They will celebrate with stories, art and song. You may find the following facts about Epiphany interesting: (Continued on Page 4)

Outreach St. Luke's is supporting two outreach programs, each vital to the community. They are the Somerton Food Bank and area shelters. We need your continued support to continue these worthy projects. The Food Bank is always in need of cereal and cash donations to buy meats and maintain operating expenses. The shelters look forward to the Wawa gift cards provided by your donations!

Counters: See schedule Sunday, January 15 Chalice Bearer: L Carter Readers: M Geiger,K Gibson Ushers: J. Litzke, T Truesdale Altar Guild: J Oxenford, C Cotugno Coffee Hour: J&J Litzke, J Gardner, J Oxenford Counters: See schedule Sunday, January 22 Chalice Bearer: J Gardner Readers: B Kaufold, J Iannotti Ushers: J Brambilla, J Litzke Altar Guild: S & C Carmody Coffee Hour: Espositos, M Geiger, A Thorpe Counters: See schedule Sunday, January 29 Chalice Bearer: B Kaufold Readers: C Rodriguez, J Brambilla Ushers: J Brambilla, T Truesdale Altar Guild: G & B Hair, J. Woods Coffee Hour: B Kaufold, G Shahene, C Rodriguez Counters: See schedule

Offering Envelopes

Please use the yellow envelopes in 2012, even if you have white ones left over.

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NEWS

January 6th was chosen to celebrate the feast by Christians in the East. It celebrated the visit of the wise men(Magi) and then the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. One custom associated with the Epiphany feast was the baking of special King's cake with a coin in it. Whoever found the coin would be king of the Epiphany party. In Latin America the feast of the Epiphany is known as the Day of the Kings. Christians exchange presents on that day, rather than on Christmas day. Epiphany is the observation of the coming of the wise men with gifts for the Christ child.

PRAYERS PLEASE
Members: Dorothy, Elaine, Ruth B., Nancy H., Edna, Alan, Mabel, Ruth L., Louise, Joan W ., W illiam L, Robert B, Patricia L, Nancy Martha, Llyn C. Friends and Family: Kathy, Robert, Arlyne, Nancy, Martha, Bobby, Francine, Ruth, James, Sandra, Joyce, Christopher,Joseph, Diane, Nancy, W illiam, Jeff, Margaret, Mai, Maria, Thomas, Arlene, John, Joan, Chrissie, Mary Katherine, Todd, Lisa, Sam, Susan, Charles, George, Samantha, Malcolm, Amarante, Greg, Dee, Patti, Ann, Aftab, Lenor, John, W innie. Those Serving in the Armed Forces: W illiamB W illiam S, Chris G., Kevin M ., Andrew R., Chris K.,John R., Chris R., Eric B., Rob D., Jerry F., Thomas H., Tom B., Casey R., Jermaine, Bradley, Michael, Maxx, Eric J., John T., George M ., Steven M .

Mitten Tree Update Thanks to all who contributed to the Mitten Tree. The hats, scarves, mittens, and socks will be delivered to Covenant House by the Girls Friendly. Covenant House services the community by helping teens who have run away from home and are living on the street. The teens are are taken in and given temporary shelter, meals, showers, clean clothes, and toiletries. Counseling is also provided. The teens are encouraged to finish school and get job training so that they will be better equipped tosupport themselves and become contributing members of society. -submitted by Barbara Kaufold

BIRTHDAYS

January
1-Am y Mangle 7-Elsie Jackson 8-Ruth Ann Nichols 14-Karen Kenny 17-Matthew Hair 21-Ryan Gardner

28-Dick Jackson 30-Ruth Little and Victor Kaufold III

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A Rising Star from St. Lukes : Victor Kaufold Victor is parishioner Barbara Kaufolds son. He also attended St. Lukes during his youth. He has had productions at The Hudson Theatre (Los Angeles), The Avery Theatre (Annandale), and The Yale Cabaret. His full-length plays include The Why, Tethered, The Special Interest Case of Special Agent Esteban Martinez, Muke the Inquisitive, The Death of Milton Hubbell, and Bridesburg. The Why was produced by The Blank Theatre in Los Angeles in 2000 and was nominated for an Ovation award for best new play. Now published with Playscripts, Inc., it has enjoyed numerous performances in and outside of the country. He currently teaches English at Borough of Manhattan Community College and holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. His play called The Why took on the weighty topic of school shootings and one of its stars was Fred Savage of Wonder Years fame. Victor wrote it when he was only 19. A reviewer wrote: Written by a 19-year-old playwright, "The Why" is a remarkably mature work, primarily because it's far more interested in asking questions than it is in answering them. College junior Victor Kaufold takes on the hot-button issue of school shootings and delivers an episodic, highly expressive, contemplative play, equally balanced between satire and sadness... His latest work , BRIDESBURG, about the growing American problem of economic decline and its effect on a young couple , will open Monday, January 9th at The Gene Frankel Theater in New York City. Previews begin January 5th .A description online says: BRIDESBURG is a darkly comic and intense look at five working-class Americans struggling to maintain their sanity, while battling the hostilities of todays economic environment. Philadelphians Matt and Kay are young parents-to-be living in the basement of Matts mothers house. The impending adult responsibility, coupled with the familial stresses of tight living quarters prompts their battle against family, the job market and each other. Victor is currently raising funds to help pay for production costs for this play. If you would like to donate, more information is available at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2011733247/bridesburg

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TAKE NOTE!

Thanks to the Lay Weeders!

Circle of Prayer
For the past few years Joyce Glenn had been in charge of assigning volunteers to pray for shut-ins and those for whom prayers had been requested. Since her passing, the monthly schedule has not been kept. Kathy Truesdale has offered to fill this position, for which we are grateful. We ask that you consider helping by volunteering to be part of the Circle of Prayer. Each month you will receive a list of people to pray for privately in your home. There will be no meetings involved. We believe in the power of prayer and feel that it is vital to those in need. If you would like to be a part of this effort, please submit your name and e-mail address to Carol, our secretary at stlukesbustleton@yahoo.com, so that she can pass on the list to Kathy.

The 'lay weeders' are a team of folks who volunteered on Saturday, December 10th, to clean-up the cemetery and parking lot and rented a chipper and got rid of limbs, raked leaves, etc. Those who helped were: Fr. Tim, Tom Truesdale, John Litzke, Don Shifflett, Carlos Otero, Herb Rolland, Katherine Gibson. Thank you ALL for making our church grounds more beautiful! Annual Meeting The Annual Parish Meeting will be held Sunday January 15th in the Hall during Coffee Hour. Please be present to hear about the churchs plans for 2012 and to raise any questions you may have. The new Vestry members will also be announced . If you have a report to present to this meeting, please turn it in as soon as possible to Carol at stlukesbustleton@yahoo.com.

Submitted by: Barbara Kaufold

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Winter Maze

WORD PUZZLE

WELL DONE!

J W N T H E Y T H A T

E E R A C T S C O M E

S R S I T H I M O F B

U E V H E A R I N G A

S W B E L I E V E N P

T H I S L O R D U A T

J O H N I P A U L M I

R E P E N T A N C E Z

W I T H G A F T E R E

B A P T I S M S A I D

T O P E O P L E W A S

(Acts 19:4-5) Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." {5} On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (NRSV)

A Big THANK YOU to Chef Don Shifflett who once again on December 2nd provided us with our annual Italian Dinner featuring pasta dishes, meatballs, sausage, and chicken. There was also salad , rolls and a selection of desserts. All were enjoyed in the hall which was nicely decorated for the occasion. Thanks to all who came and all who contributed! GFS Holiday Bazaar The Bazaar was a success on December 3rd. A nice selection of soup was available to buy and eat while browsing through crafts, jewelry, fashion items and cooking goods. Congrats to our sexton, Carlos Otero for winning TWO gift baskets in the GFS Holiday Bazaar raffle!
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Word List REPENTANCE BAPTIZED TELLING HEARING BELIEVE BAPTISM PEOPLE JESUS AFTER WITH WERE THIS THEY THAT SAID PAUL NRSV NAME LORD JOHN COME ACTS WHO WAS ONE HIM TO OF

JANUARY 2012
Sun
1- H oly N am e
Sunday 10:30a:H oly Eucharist

Mon
2 -AA
M eetings in H all 1P & 7P

Tue
3-1pm -U A W meeting in H all A A M eetings in H all 1P & 7P &

Wed
4- A A
M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 6:45P C ontemplative prayer in O ffice 7:30P -H oly Eucharist w ith H ealing in C hurch

Thur
5- A A M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

Fri
6- A A M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 7:00P-A A Spirituality M eeting in H all

Sat
7-10a Yoga
11:30a-A l-A non M tg in H all

8 1st Sunday After Epiphany 10:30a:H oly Eucharist 10:20a- C hurch School 11:45: Coffee H r. In H all

9 -AA

M eetings in H all 1P & 7P 7:00p-Vestry M eeting in C hurch O ffice

10-1pm -U A W meeting in H all A A M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

11- A A
M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 6:45P C ontemplative prayer in O ffice 7:30P -H oly Eucharist w ith H ealing in C hurch

12 -A A
M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

13

AA M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 7:00P-A A Spirituality M eeting in H all

14

10a- Yoga in H all 11:30a-A l-A non M tg in H all

15 -2nd Sunday After Epiphany 10:30a:H oly Eucharist 10:20:Church school 11:45: A nnual M eeting In H all

16 -A A

M eetings

17

in H all 1P & 7P

AA M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

18 A A

M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 6:45P C ontemplative prayer in O ffice 7:30P -H oly Eucharist w ith H ealing in C hurch

19 -A A
M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

20 -A A
M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 7:00P-A A Spirituality M eeting in H all

21- 10a-Yoga
in H all 11:30a-A l-A non M tg in H all

22- 3 rd Sunday
After Epiphany 10:30a:H oly Eucharist 10:20:Church school 11:45: Coffee H r. In H all

23 -A A

M eetings

24

in H all 1P & 7P

AA M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

25 A A M eetings
in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 6:45P C ontemplative prayer in O ffice 7:30P -H oly Eucharist w ith H ealing in C hurch

26-A A M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

27 -A A
M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P 7:00P-A A Spirituality M eeting in H all

28- 10a-Yoga
in H all 11:30a-A l-A non M tg in H all

29 -4th Sunday
After Epiphany 10:30a: H oly Eucharist 10:20:Church school 11:45: Coffee H r. In H all

30 -A A

M eetings

31

in H all 1P & 7P

AA M eetings in H all 1P & 7P & 8P

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The Memorial Church of St. Luke the Beloved Physician 1946 Welsh Road Philadelphia, PA 19115 215-969-3645
stlukesbustleton@yahoo.com www.stlukesbustleton.webs.com

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