Clicking here goes to information on the icon.Welcome to the St. Luke Web Page.
Search the site.Talk with fellow followers of Christ.See What St. Luke Orthodox Church has planned.Password protected area for only members of St. Luke Orthodox Church.Contact the St. Luke Orthodox Church Web Development Team.
Find something on the site in a hurry.
St. Lukes Orthodox Church Home PageDonate Now!Shop for Orthodox goods from your Computerchurchdirectory Pages that deal with St. Luke the Evangelist Orthodox Church. What's the news at St. Lukes.View all the previous and current Evangelist newsletters.View the Sunday bulletin.Information about St. Luke Orthodox Church including the Mission and Vision statements. Pages for 'keeping in touch' with God. Information on prayers and prayingView the prayer of the week and all other previos prayers of the week.Need to pray for something? What is the Orthodox Church and how/why do Orthodox Christians worship? What is the Orthodox Church of America?Who were the Saints, and why do we honor them?Find and explore many different liturgical texts we have available, including the Divine LiturgyWhat is Pascha? See what it's like at St. Luke's.How is Orthodoxy playing a role in the present times?Learn what are icons and how are they used in the Orthodox Church today.BellsSee what we have to offer!Current Issues Pages for Organizations of St. Lukes. Christian Education, Youth Group, Music, Church Resource Center, Adult Education, and Junior Olympics.Maintenance, New Building, Strategic Planning, Cell Phone Tower, Inventory, Cemetery/Memorial Book, and Historian.Outreach, Charities, Internet, Evangelist Newsletter, Media, Prison, Sanctity of Life, and Mission.Fellowship, Supply Coordinator, Prayer, Women's Ministry, New Americans, Sunshinem, Flowers, and Vestments. Some stuff Study the bibleSearch the bibleOrthodoxy on the lighter side...Words of Wisdom...If you've got the taste for great Orthodox foods, this is the place to be.Children friendly section of the pageMessages

Lay Chairperson Report - January 2004

Submitted by Ken Stevens

January, 2004

This October 2004, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the St. Luke Parish. For those original church pillars who are still active members of St. Luke today (namely; Andy & Sherry Chakonas, Paul and Pat Dravillas, Lee & Linda Kopulos, George & Esther Poulos, Maria Vrame, Stea & Peter Zekios), it has been a proud achievement. Kudos and blessings to these faithful parishioners, who had the dream and the energy to bring the vision for St. Luke to fruition, and have contributed unremitting efforts over the past two decades to keep our parish strong and viable. Since its establishment, new members have also contributed heart and soul to contributing and maintaining parish vision and growth. This parish has made enormous strides over the years, both spiritually and physically. As we enter the next lifecycle score, we pray for God’s continued grace, guidance and blessings.

In terms of physical growth, the new addition is now providing the much-needed facilities for education, administration , and fellowship. We have made great use of the new addition for our own purposes, and most recently, we have an opportunity to offer our space to benefit our brothers and sisters in Christ in a mission start-up endeavor. Commencing January 11, the Church of the Virgin Mary, a new Antiochian Orthodox mission, will convene services at St. Luke on Sundays at 12:30. Although the mission will have its own services, there is the possibility of combining certain services that historically have had low attendance, such as Vespers and weekday services. Another area for sharing costs and fellowship would be external activities such as workshops and retreats, further allowing both parishes to enjoy fellowship and cultural diversity along the way.

Year 2002 has also been a strengthening period for the team ministry system which was implemented at St. Luke three years ago. With ministry team leaders overseeing Education, Property, Community, and Evangelism, many sub-ministries have been established under each area, thereby sharing the goals of effectual ministry.

To this very end, one of the key goals in the current St. Luke Strategic Plan evolves around Mutual Ministry; i.e. "St. Luke will work toward becoming a place of mutual ministry in which all members are supported in fulfilling their baptismal covenant to be ministers in God’s world." Without a doubt, we must continue to emphasize the steadfast principal that ministry is the work of all the people of St. Luke. Each and every member is a minister, and must be utilized in ministries according their respective God-given spiritual gifts. The very presence of God on earth is experienced through the working of the Holy Sprit who orchestrates the life of the Church for the common purpose of restoring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. We have an overall view of what God requires of us individually through the words of Christ Jesus:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

With a view towards that important end, previous parish surveys have consistently revealed that parishioners view the key strengths of St. Luke as profound fellowship and camaraderie, a high desire of parishioner and pastoral caring, concern and commitment, and a high level of energy/proactivity. I see no abating of these very positive strengths. Wioth God’s good grace, St. Luke will continue to grow spiritually and physically. The Parish of St. Luke is committed to pursing God’s will for the church and nurturing the spiritual lives of all who attend its services and activities. An important aspect of this is being good stewards of our human, financial, and physical resources, and leveraging our assets so as to do the most ministry possible with the resources we have.

May God’s grace and love keep us grounded as we seek His wisdom and His blessings in realizing our Vision moving forward.

All God’s Blessings,

Ken Stevens