COMMUNITY

St. Luke’s Church collaborates with Asbury United Methodist Church in an ecumenical food distribution program for the community. Volunteers from several churches are involved in the labor intensive process of packing and distributing food to qualifying families twice a month. St. Luke's members take the lead on distribution on the third Thursday of the month from 4-5:30 p.m. 

Our congregation looks forward to the annual Blessing of the Animals held on the grounds of the church. This fun, family-friendly event is tied to a charitable outreach partnering with the local animal shelter, P.A.W.S. Both monetary and item donations are collected for the animal shelter. Each pet receives a blessing and a St.
Francis medallion for their collar. Over the years, all types of animals have been blessed; dogs, cats, snakes, and even horses!

St. Luke's adopts families served through Ada Homeless Services and assists them with their Christmas wish lists. 

Following the hurricane that devastated Haiti, several parishioners went there to render such assistance as they could. While there, they found an orphanage located in Cap-Haitien which was in need of assistance. On

their return, a special collection was made for the orphanage’s benefit, and since then the Easter Offering has often been designated for Tabitha’s Orphanage. These funds are used to
supply the orphanage with basic necessities as well as school uniforms and supplies. Tabitha’s Orphanage provides full care for children to attend school, church, and to live on campus.

St. Luke’s Church office provides an
emergency food pantry that is open to the public. The pantry is stocked mainly through donations from church members. Each family’s box of groceries consists of at least three full
dinners, snack options, and items for
breakfast, and is personalized based on each family or individual’s needs.

St. Luke’s provides volunteers on a monthly basis to help deliver meals with the Meals on Wheels Program operated in conjunction with Mercy Hospital. Meals on Wheels operates in
virtually every community in America through partnership with local programs like that of Mercy Hospital. The program depends on volunteer drivers like our dedicated delivery
drivers from St. Luke’s.

St. Luke's newest ministry is to rebuild a church and reconnect the community to St. Peter's Church, Coalgate.  The work began with the combined effort of St. Luke's, Ada, St. John’s, Durant, and people of the local community all coming together for a workday. Many repairs and maintenance issues have been addressed and weekly services, followed by a lunch and formation class have resumed. Moving forward, efforts focued on helping this small mission grow in faith and community.