June 25, 2026

Stump the Pastor Scriptures

Author

Denee Bowers

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Every fall at St. Lucas UCC we put our heads together the attempt to Stump the Pastor. All are invited to submit scriptures - the tricky ones, the ones you rarely hear preached in church. One is selected and then Pastor George preaches an off-the-cuff sermon on whatever is drawn.


Because we are only able to select one of the many great submissions, this summer Pastor George is preaching through some of the scriptures that were left on the cutting room floor (with time to prepare this time). You can see the schedule for the summer below, and look forward to the return of Stump the Pastor this September.


June 7 - Numbers 35:1-13

June 14 - Joshua 1:9

June 21 - Nehemiah 6:15

June 28 - Psalm 30:4-6

July 5 - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

July 12 - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

July 19 - Song of Solomon 1:1-17

July 26 - Mission Trip Worship

August 2 - Isaiah 10:1-19

August 9 - Isaiah 12:2

August 16 - Jeremiah 14:1-6

August 23 - Jeremiah 29:11

August 30 - Micah 6:8

September 6 - Matthew 5:31-32

September 13 - Matthew 6:25-34

September 20 - TBD

September 27 - Stump the Pastor Sunday


By Denee Bowers September 8, 2026
Thursday, September 10 | 5:30 to 8:00 pm | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers September 7, 2026
Sunday, September 13 | 11:00 AM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers September 6, 2026
September 13, 27, October 11 | 6:00 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers September 4, 2026
Council Corner: Updates from the Regular Church Council Meeting – August 24, 2026 Informational Items: Update from Financial Ministry Meals on Wheels opted not to renew their annual grant funding for our Backpack program. We are currently seeking alternative funding – we appreciate the continued support of the Sugarbaker Foundation, which helps supplement this mission. The 2026-2027 Backpack Program is still being planned, but it could look different than previous years. Update from Physical Facilities Ministry The new breaker boxes passed the county inspection and we’re still in the process of labeling each breaker. Social Hall air conditioning is still leaking – will continue refilling the freon until the new coil can be install (see Actions Taken). Miscellaneous Updates Following discussion regarding the next step in the Bequest process, Council will develop a perspective to bring to the congregation by the Annual Meeting. It was not voted on but it was the consensus - that we would be prioritizing and developing a vision. Personnel Ministry is continuing their work on updating staff job descriptions and preparing for goal-setting, while finalizing budget recommendations for the Finance Ministry. The Cemetery is surveying the remaining open ground on the eastern area of the Park Hills section, allowing for more two grave and single plots. Looking Ahead – Items Upcoming in Next 1-2 Months Approval of 2027 Budget Approval of delegates for the Conference Meeting in November ( we have two of the three needed for the Conference meeting; still need four delegates for the Association meeting – please reach out if you’re interested in serving ). Performance Reviews and Goal Setting Employee Manual Updates (2019 version) Approval of revised Disaster Preparedness Proposal Upcoming Events – In an effort to better prepare for the various events and events within events, Council members use a more detailed calendar . We hope this tool also helps you better plan for Church activities. Celebration Sunday is September 13 th – this special St. Lucas tradition is open to everyone and follows the conclusion of service; it also falls on Grandparents Days, another reason to celebrate together. Community Meal is October 4 th – this one-time event commemorates Good Neighbor Week and is sponsored by a grant from ServMO and America250. More info to come. Actions Taken: Approved a bid from IFS for $16,986 to repair and replay the fellowship hall chiller coil and install hail guards. While we wait for parts, installation may not happen for 6 weeks. Approved appointments to the nominating committee (Kirk Dalgaard, Jack Laudenslager, and Linda Taylor). One council term is ending in 2026.
By Denee Bowers September 4, 2026
Social Justice Ministry - August Spotlight
By Denee Bowers September 2, 2026
Saturday, October 3 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers September 2, 2026
Sunday, October 4 | 4:30 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers September 1, 2026
Saturday, October 11 | 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM | 11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126
By Denee Bowers August 27, 2026
He was our longest-serving pastor (43 years!). He started serving St. Lucas at the beginning of its second year and really got things rolling. Samuel A. Kruse (1858 - 1944) was born in Nashville, IL, to immigrants from areas now known as Germany. His father was a German Evangelical pastor who had studied at the educational institution in Marthasville that is now known as Eden Seminary in Webster Groves. After Samuel Kruse’s primary education at a school around Des Peres, MO, he attended Elmhurst College and then followed in his father’s footsteps and studied at Eden Seminary for four years. After his ordination in 1880, he was assigned to pastor a frontier community in southeastern Nebraska. During those two years, he made a trip home to marry Amalia Mueller, the daughter of Rev. Andreas Mueller, the pastor of Carondelet Church in South St. Louis. Rev. Kruse was happy to accept the call to St. Lucas in 1882, and the young couple returned to an area closer to their families.
By Denee Bowers August 6, 2026
Thursday, August 27 | 6:00 PM | Sanctuary