October 29, 2026
Connecting you to the events, meetings & services
Gospel Reflection
The beatitudes are challenging to read. Are they an agenda for the Christian life? A description of how the world works? A provocation meant to upset or confuse? By their context we can see they are intended as consolation and reassurance: encouragement ("Blessed!") to those experiencing hardship. If you are facing difficult things in your life, St. Luke's is the place to be to place those things before God and receive encouragement on your journey.
Ministry Minute
Daylight Savings, clocks fall back this weekend.
Remember to change your clocks on Saturday night as we "Fall Back" out of Daylight Savings Time!
Happening at St. Luke’s
Friday, October 30
8:00am Anglican Prayer beads (online)
Saturday, October 31
5:30pm Holy Eucharist Rite II
Sunday, November 1
Daylight savings time ends
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
8:45am Monthly coffee hour
9:00am Bible Study (Library)
10:00am Choral Holy Eucharist Rite II
11:15am Coffee Hour
11:30am Adult Forum
Tuesday, November 3
7:00pm Candlelight Vespers
Wednesday, November 4
12:15pm Eucharist with the Saints
7:00pm Bible Study (Zoom)
Thursday, November 5
10:00am Gallery Meeting
Friday, November 6
8:00am Anglican Prayer beads (online)
Announcements
St. Luke’s
Do you have installed solar for your home (as an outright purchase, not a lease agreement) and would recommend your vendor for consideration by the church?
If you have knowledge to share, please contact Jim F.
This week we celebrate the Feast of All Souls, one of our four annual baptismal feasts. Join us on Sunday as we celebrate together!
On Wednesday, November 4, we will celebrate the Feast of All Souls at 12.15pm, the time of our normal "Eucharist with the Saints." Weather permitting, we will meet outdoors in the Memorial Garden. You are invited to bring a photo of someone you are remembering at this time as we give thanks for those whom God has placed in our lives and commend them into God's hands.
Do you have children at St. Luke's? Stay tuned for an announcement from Vestry member and parent of young children, Erica N., about a gathering of those interested in supporting formation opportunities for our little ones. We're tentatively aiming for Coffee Hour on Sunday, 15 November.
Tea & Scones Book Club Meets Again!
All are welcome to join us for the next session of the Tea & Scones Book Club!
We will meet in the Fryer Room immediately following Coffee Hour/Forum (so approximately 12:30 p.m.) on Sunday afternoons in November beginning on November 1. There will be one December date TBD with group consensus.
Tommy will be our barista when he is available, and Deacon Anne has stocked up on scone mixes from King Arthur Baking Company - be prepared for a surprise flavor each week!
Our title is Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. I first heard her work when a priest used the following quote from this book in her sermon: “I thought such awful thoughts that I cannot even say them out loud because they would make Jesus want to drink gin straight out of the cat dish.”
Haven’t we all been there!
Traveling Mercies is available to purchase from Amazon (possible even as a used copy), as an audiobook from Audible, and from local public libraries through interlibrary loan or reciprocal borrowing. Reading the book is not a requirement for joining the discussion (although it helps).
RSVP to Deacon Anne or through the parish office if you plan to attend any of the sessions.
Collage Club, Anyone?
Our Collage Club has been on hiatus, but if you are interested in meeting occasionally to create art with paper both vintage and new, reach out to Deacon Anne at Coffee Hour or through the parish office. Include your contact information so we can determine the best times to gather.
Adult Forum
“The Art of All Saints” — painters have imagined the saints in many ways throughout the Christian centuries. We’ll take a look at a few of them on this Feast of All Saints
Daily Office
Morning Prayer 9am, Evening Prayer 5pm
Compline only on the weekends, at 8pm, followed by Storytime.
We remember a saint at the Eucharist every Wednesday at 12:25. For a quick look at the saints for the week to come, please take a look at St. Luke’s Facebook page.
2026 Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Pageant, which takes place at the 4pm service on Christmas Eve, is fast approaching. Participation is open to all children and teens of the parish, and their friends. Parents may also have roles, and we of course need an infant to be Baby Jesus.
Here is a list of roles generally filled by teens:
Reader
Mary (solo?)
Joseph (solo?)
Roles generally filled by teens or older children:
Angel Gabriel
Three Kings (solos?)
Star Bearer
Other roles:
Animals
Angels
Shepherds (can also be parents of animals)
Baby Jesus
Angel (Parent of Baby Jesus)
We are also looking for teens and children who would like to sing with the choir for the second part of the service. This would involve Communion Anthem(s), Service Music, and Hymns. Choristers must be able to read.
Auditions for solo roles will take place at the Halloween Party on Saturday, October 24th in the choir room (please see Ms. Julia), and by appointment.
Rehearsals for Solo Roles and for Choristers will begin on November 1 st at 11:45 AM at the piano in the Nave (church) and will meet every Sunday through November 22nd . (Rehearsal should run one-hour each week.) We will take a break on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend (November 29th), and resume on December 6th. Rehearsals for all other roles will begin December 6th, also at 11:45 AM at the piano in the Nave.
For teens who need volunteer hours, participation in the Pageant generally fulfills that requirement, and we will provide letters attesting to hours spent volunteering.
Please contact Julia J. (848) 482-9631 or Kasi L. (732) 662-0509 to register.
sign up sheet and donations will be at back of church starting this weekend.
Land Acknowledgment: St. Luke’s Church sits on land that was once the home of the Lenni Lenape people. The land was taken from them by force. Metuchen takes its name from Metochshaning, a noted Lenape leader, whose name was heard as “Matouchin” by the Dutch settlers. We respect the tribe’s long association with this territory, aware as we are of the historical tragedy of the settlement and colonization of this land by Europeans.
Subscribe to the weekly E-News for St. Luke's by going to www.stlukesmetuchen.org and entering your email address!
All About Christmas Fair
Saint Luke's Annual Christmas Fair is looking for volunteers!
Our team leaders invite you to join us in creating another wonderful event on December 5th.
2026 Team Leaders
Bake Table - Laura S.
Basket Raffle - John S.
Snack Bar - Linda P.
Trinkets & Treasures Table - Anne L.
Poinsettia Sales Table - Lori W.
Children's Craft Table - Maddie G.
Publicity - Mother Crafton
Volunteers are needed to assist with preparation and set up on Friday, December 4th, as well as to assist with sales on Saturday, December 5th. Everyone who wishes to volunteer some time is welcome to reach out to Kathy at christmasfair@stlukesmetuchen.org
Donations for Saint Luke's 2026 Christmas Fair's Trinkets & Treasures Table will be accepted beginning on Monday, November 9, 2026. At that time, donations may be placed on the stage in the Auditorium. Additionally, we ask that our bakers begin to plan their donations for Saint Luke's Baked Goodies Table. Items should arrive in the Auditorium on Friday, December 4th. Our team leaders will be reaching out to ask for your assistance in creating another outstanding event!
Serving in Worship this Weekend
5:30pm (Sat) Frank F.
8:00AM (Sun) Sue S.
10:00AM (Sun) Mary S., Katherine Y., Karen G.
Children’s Chapel: Kim R.
Altar Bread: Mother Crafton
Coffee Hour Hosts Brian D. and Tommy B.
Check weeks further ahead on the rota.
Click here to find the readings for this weekend.
In Our Prayers This Week
Please continue in your daily prayers for:
Louise, Eletia, Suzan, Lenny, Kristi, Frank, Janice, Dale, Joseph, Pat, Michele, Sophie, Jacob, Jeff, Michelle, Gary, Kyle, Jane, David, Carmelina, Holly, Eddie, Ellie, Vilma, Ryan, Peter, Lauren, Jeffrey, George, Kazem, Gwen, Jack, Evangeline, Ruth, Kenneth, Jim
For Those Who Have Died:
Scott, Gail, Don, Jean, Ting Bo
Links for: the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
For Those Who Celebrate Birthdays - October
Brian D., Jean G., Frank F., Susan G., Marilyn L., Felix L., Carla S., Elizabeth Y., Katherine Y., Charles H., Becky F., Navin S., Charlotte G., Veronica B., Moica T., John M., Catharine B., Eliana C., Fatima M., Perla V., Donald S., Rosemary
Diocese
Community Events
These are events that have members of St. Luke's involved in them.
Submissions for this section must be images (e.g., jpg or png) and should be received by email to the church office by 8am Wednesday each week. Each submission will be run once only but may be re-submitted the next week.
Parish Information Form
Everyone is welcome at St. Luke’s. This form is designed to help us to keep in your records up-to-date so we can keep you connected to what is going on the parish.
Prayer requests may be submitted on the website.
