October 22, 2026
Connecting you to the events, meetings & services
Gospel Reflection
What is the core essence, the absolute, non-negotiable center of the life of faith? Jesus' answer is simple and deep. Join us at St. Luke's this week as we reflect on what his answer means for our lives.
Ministry Minute
I have been co-leading Children's Chapel for about a year now. Seeing the interest, enthusiasm, and curiosity that children bring to chapel is infectious, and a good reminder to stay open to different ideas and ways of connecting to your faith. I also enjoy seeing the connection they build with each other, and see how these sessions create community among our youngest parishioners. Michelle L.
Wardens Corner
At vestry meeting this week, we learned that our investment accounts are doing well and our pledge income is ahead of projection. The vestry approved crafting a request for proposal on obtaining solar power. This effort will be led by parishioner Jim F. Paul P. Updated us on the status of the smoke detector project. We have received all needed bids, and Paul has formed a committee to select who will be completing the project!Vestry members were urged to speak with folks at coffee hour to see if they know anyone who would be interested in renting our facilities as a stable source of income, such as tutors, counselor, community groups, etc.. We continue to ask for people to sit At the pumpkin patch, as it means to interact with the community and talk about St. Luke’s. While the hot meals ministry is on hiatus, the vestry approved supporting the First Presbyterian food bank with the income from our Christmas fair basket raffle. Fr. Todd is planning special services for Advent - stay tuned! See you Sunday!
Finance
Notes:
1. Pledge income is above budgeted, due to some pledges being prepaid.
2. Total revenue includes pledge income.
3. Expenses are greater than budget.
Happening at St. Luke’s
Friday, October 23
8:00am Anglican Prayer beads (online)
Saturday, October 24
5:30pm Holy Eucharist Rite II
6:00pm Halloween Party
Sunday, October 25
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I
9:00am Bible Study (Library)
10:00am Choral Holy Eucharist Rite II
11:15am Coffee Hour
11:30am Adult Forum
Monday, October 26
2:00pm Roosevelt Care Center Service
Tuesday, October 27
7:00pm Candlelight Vespers
Wednesday, October 28
11:45am Rosary - Chapel
12:15pm Eucharist with the Saints
6:00pm St. Veronica’s Guild Meeting
7:00pm Bible Study (Zoom)
Friday, October 30
8:00am Anglican Prayer beads (online)
Announcements
St. Luke’s
This Sunday, October 25, St Luke’s will host a satellite pumpkin patch at the Harvest Festival of First Presbyterian Church in Metuchen. We could use a couple more helpers! First Pres will have a painting station set up. This could be a great opportunity to increase visibility and sales! Please contact Katherine Young or Nicholas Birns if you can help. We know it is a busy St Luke’s weekend.
All members of the Diocese are invited to attend the scheduled Preconvention Hearings as we approach convention in November. Pre-Convention Hearings will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, October 20 at 7pm; on Saturday, October 25 at 3pm; and on Thursday, November 6 at 11am; as well as during the regularly scheduled Lay Town Hall on Thursday, November 6 at 7pm. You are also invited to participate in the Resolutions Hearing on Saturday, November 7 at 10am. Registration links for the Zoom sessions are available in the Diocesan News & Notes.
Starting November 1st, livestream will only be provided for 10am Service.
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.
Remember the First Presbyterian Church food bank when you go grocery shopping! Put non perishable foods in the basket at the church door. Canned goods, cereal, pasta, tinned meats, tuna, all are needed.
💙 Chuck & Charlotte Gudorp Farewell Celebration 💙
Sunday, October 25th • Following the 10:00 AM Service at Fryer Hall
Join us for a special Potluck Luncheon as we come together to celebrate and bid a heartfelt farewell to Chuck and Charlotte Gudorp after decades of service, dedication, and love for St. Luke’s Metuchen. To say they will be missed would be an understatement! Their presence and contributions have touched so many lives within our church community. Let’s send Chuck and Charlotte off St. Luke’s style—with love, well wishes, fellowship, and, of course, great food! ❤️🍽️ Please join us as we celebrate this wonderful couple and wish them all the best in their next chapter. 📋 Sign-up sheet: Please see Kasi LeGrand to sign up and indicate what dish or food item you would like to bring. We will provide cake, so we only need main and side dishes. Thank you! We hope to see you there!
Adult Forum
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.
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!
Diocese
Serving in Worship this Weekend
5:30pm (Sat) Perla V.
8:00AM (Sun) Sue S.
10:00AM (Sun) Lynne M., Tom B., John S.
Children’s Chapel: Chris & Michelle L.
Altar Bread: Mother Crafton
Coffee Hour: Potluck Meal
Altar Flowers given by Becky F. in memory of John 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
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.
