Here are this week’s announcements. Be sure to view all upcoming events at christandstlukes.org/events. If you do not already get our weekly email updates, you can subscribe here.
Liturgy & Music
Lenten Liturgy Notes for the Second Sunday in Lent
This Sunday, March 1
We will use what is known as the Penitential Order this week. It’s provided for in the Book of Common Prayer in penitent seasons and moves the confession to the start of the liturgy rather than the middle. Please, don’t let it throw you off!
For the remaining Gospel passages assigned in Lent we will be hearing extended scenes from the Gospel of John. These readings are longer than normal, but they are vivid encounters of individuals with Jesus, full of memorable lines and characters. We hope you enjoy these scenes in their fullness.
Finally, this Sunday is the week we chose to reschedule our “Youth Sunday,” meaning our young people will lead almost every aspect of our worship. Fr. Noah will be preaching, but otherwise we will be celebrating our younger members and all they contribute to our community.
This week’s coffee hour sponsor is Together for Kenya, and there will be additional parking available at Ohef Sholom temple. See you in church.
Baptism – Inquire Today!
If you are interested in Baptism for yourself or for your child, the next baptismal prep cycle is underway. Please reach out to Fr. Jared today to learn about this important rite. Candidates for baptism will participate in our “Take A Dip Into Baptism” course, taught by Kathy Hanna and Fr. Jared. That course meets on Thursdays from March 12 to March 26, and is meant for candidates at our two upcoming baptismal dates at the Easter Vigil and Pentecost. You can find more information on our baptismal process on our website.
Midday Music: Bach and Handel
Friday, February 27, 12:00 p.m.
Two concerts in one weekend! Our Midday Music series returns as we celebrate our new chamber organ with Handel’s “Cuckoo” organ concerto and Bach’s deeply moving Cantata 82 with bass soloist John Irving and the New Commonwealth Quartet. Free-will offering.
The Annual Allen Shaffer Concert
Sunday, March 1, 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Shaffer’s concert “The British Are Coming!” features music from the United Kingdom. Melinda Van Niel sings songs of Britten and Howells, Jeff Phelps and Stephen Coxe perform Britten’s Cello Sonata, and Scott Crissman and the New Commonwealth Quartet perform Ralph Vaughan Williams song cycle On Wenlock Edge. Free-will offering.
Formation
Lenten Adult Formation: Make No Peace With Oppression
On the four remaining Sundays of Lent (March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22) from 9:15 a.m. until church starts at 10:15 a.m .
Dr. David R. Black is a parishioner and has served as Executive-in-Residence at Virginia Wesleyan University since 2015. He and Fr. Noah will be discussing liberation theology in the context of our study of oppression as part of our Sunday Adult Formation time. Come, see!
Guest Preacher, The Rev. Canon Leyla King
Sunday, March 8
We have the honor of welcoming The Rev. Canon Leyla King to Christ & St. Luke’s. Mother Leyla currently serves as the Canon for Mission in Small Congregations in the Diocese of West Texas, and is the author of “Daughters of Palestine,” her memoir about growing up in a Palestinian-American family and the impact it had on her life and ministry. Mother Leyla will be our guest preacher at both services on March 8, as well as our presenter during our Adult Formation series, “Make no Peace with Oppression.” Join us for a firsthand account of the generational impact oppression can have on a family and a people, and about the resiliency it takes to overcome it.
Children’s Formation Schedule
Important information for when you drop off your child:
Please escort your child to the Children’s Room (under 3), or Gold Room (3 and older) or Lower Llloyd (9-11 years old). Sign them in so we have a record of who is here and please make sure there is an adult present. If your child is rejoining you for communion, please watch for them when they come down the ramp. Thank you for helping us keep your children safe!
- 9:00 a.m. – Children up to 3 years old gather in the blue room in the Parish House at the end of the hallway before the stairs for childcare if their parents are attending adult formation or sing in the choir.
- 9:00 a.m. – Children’s Formation for children 3-8 years old gather in the meeting room (the gold room) for what was formerly known as “Sunday School.” We will explore scripture and the traditions of the Episcopal church through stories, music, and art response.
- 9:00 a.m. – Children’s Formation for children 9-12 years old gather in Lower Lloyd for discussion of scripture, the Episcopal Church, and Christ & St. Luke’s. Participants are invited to join their families for the 10:15 a.m. service.
- 9:00 a.m. – Teen Group (12-16 years old) gather in the Mezzanine Office to discuss and reflect on their spiritual lives and growing closer to God through prayer and contemplation.
- 10:15 a.m. – All children through 8 years old participate in developmentally appropriate worship during Children’s Chapel in their respective rooms. Older children will be brought into church to rejoin their families at the Peace. If you would like your child under 3 to join you at the Peace, please come to the Children’s Room at that time to sign them out.
Rector’s Book Club
February 27 at 4 p.m., The Gold Room
This month we’ll be reading “Humbler Faith, Bigger God” by Sam Wells. Wells, the Vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, takes the major criticisms of the Christian faith and offers a different, humbler story for us to live by.
Lenten Book Study with Second Calvary Baptist Church
March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26.
In “Jesus and the Disinherited,” one of the most influential theological books of the 20th century, pastor, educator, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman explores the relationship between “the religion of Jesus” and the African-American experience. Join us for a five-part series this Lent as we partner with Second Calvary Baptist
Church to discuss the book, led by The Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Guns, Senior Pastor of Second Calvary Baptist Church and The Rev. Noah Van Niel. The next two sessions on March 5 and March 12 will take place at 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. at Second Calvary Baptist Church, (2940 Corprew Ave, Norfolk, VA 23504). Then we’ll hold the last two sessions here on March 19 and March 26.
Fellowship
First Thursday Supper
Thursday, March 5th, :600-8:00 p.m. 2026 at the home of Ginny and Chris Hale, 3528 Colmar Quarter, Norfolk, VA 23509
We hope you will mark your calendars for March’s “First Thursday Supper”. If you’re new or have never been; we hope you consider this relaxed, “no agenda” evening with friends old and new, a pot luck meal and plenty of fellowship. No sign up is necessary and all are welcome. Bring a dish to share. For questions please contact a member of the Committee: Ginny O’Malley Hale, Maria Lyall, Vickie Easley or B.J. Taylor at moc.loa@csarolyat or 757-373-6701 We look forward to seeing you!
Women of Wisdom
Tuesday, March 10 3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m. in the Gold Room
We will discuss “Grounded: Finding God in the World,” by Diana Butler Bass, chapters one to four. Please join us for good conversation and sharing.
Newcomers’ Brunch
March 1, 12:00 p.m., at the home of the Buntin Family, 631 Westover Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507.
Please join us for a warm, informal Newcomers’ Brunch — a relaxed opportunity to connect with other newcomers, meet parish leaders, and learn more about worship, ministries, and ways to get involved at Christ & St. Luke’s. The brunch will be hosted at the home of the Buntin Family. RSVP here so we can plan accordingly. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Rachel Welch. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you feel at home in our community.
Young Families Fellowship Trip to An Admirals Ice Hockey Game
Sunday, March 22 at 3:05 p.m.
Join the Young Families Fellowship for an outing to the Norfolk Admirals ice hockey game! The YFF is for families with children aged birth-to-high school. Group rate tickets are $24/each. To get a seat at the group rate, you must RSVP with Fr. Jared no later than March. Email him directly at gro.sekultsdnatsirhc@tnarg.deraj and to ask any questions.
Faith in Action
Camp Chanco Spring Open House
Sunday, March 15th 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Discover the magic of Summer Camp at Chanco’s Spring Open House. There’s no better way to experience the spirit of Chanco than spending a fun-filled afternoon on the campgrounds where unforgettable memories are made, confidence is built, and lifelong friendships begin. Activities include hayrides, zip lining, face painting, guided tours, archery, and lunch. To learn more, click here.
Caring For Creation tour of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center
Thursday, March 12th, 6 p.m. — 3663 Marlin Bay Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
The Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach is a global model of sustainability, certified LEED Platinum and Living Building™. Built by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, it supports education, advocacy, and restoration while hosting community events and school programs. Elevated 14 feet above sea level, it features trails, an Oyster Path, and energy and water dashboards. Contact Brad Robinson with questions.
Caring For Creation Lenten Meditations
Lauren Guzman, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Philip Merrill Environmental Education Program Manager, answered in a recent article “what can the average person do on a daily basis to help?” Her response was to “appreciate, question, listen, and inspire,” and this forms the framework of Caring for Creation’s Green Meditations for Lent. Over the course of Lent, our ministry invites you to do the very same in our daily lives. Each week of Lent, we’ll share a segment of her article, along with ideas how our parish can further these efforts at home, at work, and in our community. Ask Questions: Where do your products come from? Who made them, and at what cost to the earth? Consider choosing locally and sustainably sourced goods. Reflect on how responsibly you use the resources entrusted to us. Reduce, reuse, recycle—and remain curious about how your daily choices shape the world. Practice: Explore composting and support organizations caring for our shared home, such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Elizabeth River Project, and Keep Norfolk Beautiful.
Administration
Front desk hours 9 a.m.—2 p.m. next week (*the week commencing March 2)
The Williams School Preschool is closed for Spring Break, which means our reception will only be staffed until 2 p.m., so please plan if you need to meet with staff.
This week’s coffee hour sponsor is Together for Kenya
Financial Questions
A reminder that Michelle Sturges has ended her time with us as our Business Administrator and until a replacement is hired for her position, any financial questions can be directed to our COO, Luisa Vázquez-López.
Download our new Lent, Easter & Pentecost ministry brochure today
It includes a cut-out-and-stick-on-the-fridge “At-A-Glance Calendar” for all our upcoming worship, music and special events from Shrove Tuesday next week through Holy Week, Pentecost, all the way to early June. Some highlights. Download yours here, today.
