Our weekly podcast, “Your Week with St. Luke’s,” is now available wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also find it on Podbean and YouTube. Listen here or click any of the icons below to subscribe!

View weekly episodes below:

Current Worship Series: Purpose-full

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:

11.18.2024 – Purpose-full Gratitude (Luke 17:11-19)

1. How do you practice gratitude in your daily life?  In what ways has expressing gratitude deepened your faith or relationships?
2. What boundaries—social, cultural, or personal—might you be called to cross in your own life, as Jesus did? How can we better welcome and learn from those who experience marginalization?
3. How do you understand the connection between healing, salvation, and wholeness in your spiritual journey? Have you ever experienced a moment of transformation similar to the Samaritan leper’s “turning around”?
4. How might privilege shape or limit your ability to experience deep gratitude or faith? What steps can you take to cultivate humility and a heart of thankfulness despite layers of privilege?
5. What does this story teach us about the importance of expressing gratitude directly to God? How might this Thanksgiving season serve as an opportunity for you to intentionally practice faith through thankfulness?

11.11.2024 – Purpose-full Generosity (Luke 14:1, 7-24)

1. How does Jesus’ approach to meals and hospitality challenge our own views of who we invite into our lives and communities?
2. In what ways do we seek “places of honor” in our social or professional lives, and how can we practice humility instead?
3. What does it mean to you to “extend your table?” Who in your life might need an invitation to belong or feel welcome?
4. Jesus emphasizes inviting those who cannot repay us. How can we practice generosity with no expectation of return?
5. Pastor Melissa speaks about the “seating chart” of God’s Kingdom. What might it look like to align our values with this Kingdom order?
6. Reflect on a time when you felt overlooked or left out. How might that experience inform the way you welcome others?
7. How can we use our resources and influence to create a more equitable “table” in our communities?

11.4.2024 – Purpose-full Joy (Luke 15: 1-10)

1. “Are you part of the party, or are you a grumbling onlooker?” How do you personally respond to God’s grace given to others, especially those who may seem least deserving?
2. In the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, who do you identify with most—the lost items, the seekers, or the onlookers? How does that perspective shape your understanding of God’s love and grace?
3. In the podcast, Pastor Melissa mentions that “the emphasis in this story is not on lostness – but on the seeking and finding.” How does it feel to consider that God actively seeks you, even in moments when you’re not seeking God?
4. These parables end in celebration. In what ways can we, as a community, celebrate and support each other’s journeys of being “found” by God?
5. In the episode, Pastor Melissa points out that some people may be “lost inside the house” without realizing it. Have there been times in your life when you felt lost, even while remaining close to faith or community? What helped you to feel “found” again?
6. “Those who find God’s mercy offensive cannot celebrate with the angels when a sinner repents.” What barriers might prevent us from truly celebrating God’s mercy in others’ lives? How can we overcome these?
7. How can you intentionally cultivate joy, not just for your own blessings, but for God’s grace in the lives of others?

10.28.2024 – Purpose-full Living (Luke 12:22-34)

1. What are the things in your life that tend to cause worry or anxiety? How might you release some of that worry by trusting in God’s provision?
2. Jesus emphasizes the value of generosity. How might giving to others, especially those in need, change your perspective on what you have?
3. The rich fool in Jesus’ parable focused on storing up wealth for himself. In what ways do you see “building bigger barns” in your own life, and how might you shift toward a more kingdom-focused purpose?
4. How can you reframe your daily priorities to emphasize living with purpose and serving others over acquiring more possessions?
5. Reflect on the phrase “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What does this mean to you, and how might it guide your choices?

Previous worship series: Beyond the Box

10.21.2024 – Beyond the Box (We the Purpose-full)

1. Proverbs 27:9 speaks of friendship refreshing the soul. How can we cultivate deep, meaningful friendships in our communities? How do these relationships support us in times of challenge?
2. Proverbs 31 calls us to speak out for justice. What are practical ways you can advocate for the marginalized in your daily life? How does your faith influence your sense of responsibility to others?
3. The pastors discuss how faith can influence voting without defining a person’s Christianity by their vote. How do you balance your personal values and faith when making decisions that affect the broader community?
4. “Both/and” thinking is emphasized over binary thinking. Can you think of a time when two opposing perspectives were both valid? How can practicing “both/and” thinking enhance your relationships and understanding of others?
5. The podcast mentions that God’s kingdom is already in charge. How does this perspective affect your outlook on current events, community involvement, and long-term goals?
6. In the episode, the pastors encourage listeners to see diversity as a strength. How can you practice embracing diverse perspectives in your personal, spiritual, and professional life?
7. The final message is to live “on earth as it is in heaven.” What does this look like for you in your daily life, and how can you contribute to creating a just and loving world?

10.14.2024 – Beyond the Box (Focus Forward)

1. How do you guard your heart in daily life? What practical steps can you take to protect yourself from negative influences What are some signs that you may not be guarding your heart effectively?
2. What are some common “sideshows” or distractions in your life that pull you away from your purpose or priorities? How can you develop the discipline to stay focused on what’s truly important?
3. Can you recall a time when being humble helped you grow? What did you learn from the experience?
4. Why do you think it’s difficult for people to admit when they’re wrong, and how can we make it easier for ourselves
5. How can “I statements” improve communication in conflicts or difficult conversations? How have you used them effectively before?
6. In what ways do you take ownership of your actions and words in your relationships with others?
7. How can we strike a balance between holding each other accountable and offering grace? Why is this balance important for building a strong community? What does it look like to lovingly correct someone while maintaining a spirit of humility and kindness?
8. When faced with difficult or challenging situations, how can you remain open to correction while also protecting your mental and emotional well-being?
9. What role do others in your community play in helping you grow? How can you contribute to the growth of others?

10.7.2024 – Beyond the Box (Do No Harm)

Be sure to view/hear the podcast before considering these questions!

1. Think of a time when someone’s words had a significant impact on you, either positively or negatively. How did it shape your actions or feelings?
2. How do you think your words impact others on a daily basis?
3. How do you typically respond when someone offends or hurts you? Do you find it easy or difficult to approach conflict with love and patience?
4. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your words reflect grace and promote reconciliation during conflict?
5. How can we better embody Wesley’s rule of “doing no harm” in our workplaces, families, or friendships? How can our speech help heal rather than hurt, and what actions can we take to reflect God’s love through our words?
6. How do you respond when others are unkind to you? How might you approach such situations differently to reflect God’s love?
7. What tools or spiritual practices can help you stay grounded in kindness when faced with challenging interactions?

9.30.2024 – Beyond the Box (Seek Wisdom)

1. How can the teachings of Proverbs be relevant to contemporary issues we face? Can you think of a proverb that resonates with your current life situation?
2. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between acting on knowledge versus seeking wisdom. What was the outcome?
3. The episode emphasizes that wisdom is participatory. In what ways do you think seeking wisdom requires our active involvement?
4. How do you interpret the “try-on” approach to understanding different perspectives? Can you share an experience where trying on a new perspective changed your view?
5. Why do you think humility is essential in the pursuit of wisdom? How can we cultivate humility in our conversations and interactions?
6. What does it mean to “seek wisdom” in your daily life? How do you currently approach decision-making and seeking understanding?
7. How can you incorporate the daily examine prayer from St. Ignatius into your routine? What specific areas of your life would you like to focus on during this practice?