St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Cedar Falls)

09/01/2026

Remembering Wendell Berry

What small act of kindness, compassion, and love will you give to the world today?

A paper crane flies away (Aug 5, 1934 - Aug 31, 2026)

Shall we do without hope? Some days
there will be none. But now
to the dead and dry woods floor
they come again, the first
flowers of the year, the assembly
of the faithful, the beautiful,
wholly given to being.
And in this long season
of machines and mechanical will
there have been small human acts
of compassion, acts of care, work
flowerlike in selfless loveliness.
Leaving hope to the dark
and to a better day,
receive these beauties freely
given, and give thanks.

- Wendell Berry

——

Many I loved as man and boy
Are gone beyond all that I know,
Fallen leaves under falling rain,
Except Christ raise them up again…

~ WB

~ Wendell Berry; painted block print, watercolor and ink on Rives BFK, 6”x4”; Kreg Yingst (PsalmPrayers) 2025

08/31/2026

Tuesday’s Lectionary at Lunch
Fixing the Fracture

Jesus’ teaching on conflict comes at a critical time in our shared life. Conflict is growing more toxic amid religion’s cooption into politics, costly war, unresolved racial tensions, rising migration, escalating climate consequences, and widening inequality. Relating to one another is difficult—and getting harder.

When Jesus addresses conflict, he acknowledges that disagreements are inevitable, then offers a faithful process for bridging deep, painful differences. He does not promise ease or a satisfying resolution; instead, he emphasizes reconciliation and the common good over individual interests.

Much of Jesus’ guidance has been lost in practice. “Take someone with you” can become permission to gang up, while treating an unrepentant offender “as a Gentile and a tax collector” may sound like permission to shun or cancel them. Yet Jesus treats outsiders—including Zaccheus, the Samaritan woman, and the Syrophoenician woman—with love, healing, hope, and compassion. Rather than discard those whose beliefs differ from his, he continues to love them creatively and authentically.

At its heart, this passage explores Christian community: what it is, how it wounds and is wounded, how it heals, and what it can accomplish when restored. What if we assess our words, our actions, and how we spend our time according to the simple but huge question, “does this build up the body of Christ and nurture Christian relationships or not?” What if we help inspire our communal imagination as those called to tend the relationships of the larger community, striving to advocate and care for the vulnerable, be agents of reconciliation, actively encourage civil conversation, and be a place of welcome and forgiveness?

We look forward to welcoming you to Lectionary at Lunch on Tuesday at 11:45AM in the Zoom room. We’ll be building up, using our imaginations, and practicing radical hospitality.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/98986898441?pwd=eHR6VW54N05OTTJCSE5BTGU0SHp5Zz09

08/31/2026

In the midst of the chaos, stay rooted in love. ❤️

08/31/2026

We are celebrating a weekend of community connections. From the Cedar Valley Pride Fest to the ThreeHouse homecoming gala, our annual Jazz Mass on the Grass, participating in AMOS’s 30th anniversary celebration, to the ThreeHouse block party and Canterbury Forum, we are grateful for all of our ministry partners and all who give themselves to supporting our neighbors.

If you’re looking for a faith community who prioritizes putting love into action, we look forward to seeing you soon.

08/30/2026

What’s a little rain? We celebrate our Lord’s Day with our siblings from Trinity (and a mighty fine jazz quartet).

08/30/2026

We look forward to welcoming you to worship today at 10 AM at Overman Park! We'll be joined by our friends at Trinity Episcopal Parish, Waterloo and the UNI Jazz Cats.

Bring a lawn chair and a friend. Pack a lunch and stay for the concert afterwards.

There is no indoor service this week.

08/29/2026

Lots of great vibes flowing from Pride Fest this year. 🌈 Be sure to stop by our booth to say hello, get your picture taken, and get a sticker or even A rubber ducky!

08/29/2026

A little rain won’t dampen our spirits as we prepare for Pride Fest today. We look forward to seeing you!

08/28/2026

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

08/27/2026

The shelves and the freezers are bare!

It was a great night at the pantry; it felt like we formed a whole community of neighbors, each looking out for the other.

We are grateful for all our wonderful workers, especially our friends from ThreeHouse Collaborative Ministries.
We served 55 families and sent home almost 2300 pounds of food and other supplies.

We know that times are tough, we’re glad we can come alongside, like a good neighbor. ❤️