Author: Pastor Kate Costa

Upcoming Spiritual Care Support Groups at St. Luke

Pastor Kate CostaLeave a comment

Below are opportunities from Spiritual Care Support Ministries…some are held in our building!

Individual Counseling is available on Mondays in Culpeper at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1200 Old Rixeyville Road, Culpeper, VA. All services are free. Learn more at www.scsm.tv or call Chaplain Liz Danielsen at 540/349-5814 for information and appointments. Sponsored by Spiritual Care Support Ministries, 76 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, VA.

Continue reading “Upcoming Spiritual Care Support Groups at St. Luke” →

God Abides

Pastor Kate CostaLeave a comment

Sermon for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Year A

Jesus calls the first disciples

This Epiphany season I’ve been encouraging you to take on a resolution of sorts- to look yourself in the mirror and proclaim God’s word to you, “I am a child of God, and doggone it, God’s going to use me to change the world.” In case you’ve forgotten this week, lets say it together so you get to hear it at least once!  “I am a child of God, and doggone it, God’s going to use me to change the world.”

Continue reading “God Abides” →

The Baptism of Our Lord

Pastor Kate CostaLeave a comment

Sermon for Jan. 12, 2014

painting by Davezelenka 2005

Did you try it out yet? I know last Sunday was a long time ago, but do you remember my challenge? The challenge was to look yourself in the mirror, and to proclaim, to remind yourself, “I am a child of God, and doggone it, God is going to use me to change the world.”

 

I encouraged you to do that because of John’s words- “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become the children of God.”

That is a blessing that reaches through the ages, through all of the faithful generations of the church, right down to you and me. It is not a promise that relies on what we do or don’t do. It’s not a promise that relies on how “strong your faith feels” right now or whether or not you have “come to Jesus”. It is a promise that God makes to you, because you are a claimed and chosen child of God in your baptism. You are named and claimed as God’s child in that moment. So let’s try it again:

Continue reading “The Baptism of Our Lord” →

Sermon for Dec. 29, 2013

Pastor Kate CostaLeave a comment

First Sunday of Christmas- Year A

Each year, on this Sunday, the first Sunday of Christmas, the texts for the day are chosen from the stories of Jesus’ childhood that we have recorded in the Bible. There aren’t many. We only have a handful of stories before Jesus begins his ministry as an adult. One year we read the story of Anna and Simeon in the temple bringing their blessings to the tiny messiah and those beautiful words, “Now Lord, you let your servant go in peace”. One year we read the story of Jesus reading in the temple while his parents search for him frantically.

And this year, we read Matthew’s version of Jesus’ childhood. This story is called by two names “The Flight into Egypt” and “The Massacre of the Innocents”. The two names reflect the two parallel events- two distinct sides of the story. One side is the safety for the holy family as they flee into refuge in Egypt. The other side is the true and horrid fact that many families did not have the same opportunity to escape the wrath of Herod. Wrath that was caused by hearing that a new king- albeit a very different kind of king, an infant Messiah- was on the scene in Israel.

Continue reading “Sermon for Dec. 29, 2013” →

Christmas Eve Sermon 2013

Pastor Kate Costa1 Comment

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. Luke 2: 16-18

I think sometimes we like to picture Christmas as a moment frozen in time.   Like our beautiful carved nativity scene that never changes, we imagine the Christmas night to be a perfect, unmoving scene.  Jesus as a tiny baby, nestled in the swaddling clothes, tucked into the manger bed, no crying he makes.  Mary looks on serenely, Joseph hums a lullaby, all the shepherds bring their praise with their heads quietly bowed.  Still.  Peaceful.  Calm.

Do you know what I mean?  Let me give a few examples of “frozen Christmas moments”

Continue reading “Christmas Eve Sermon 2013” →

Join us for Christmas Eve

Pastor Kate CostaLeave a comment

Come celebrate the Bright Star of Bethlehem this Christmas Eve!

Join us for Christmas Eve Services at St. Luke Lutheran Church

BRGR_large

5pm Family-Friendly Service based around the nativity

8pm Service of Lessons and Carols

Both services will have familiar Christmas carols and candlelight.

All are welcome!  Questions?  Check our FAQ or our Join Us page.

Pictures from our wonderful 2013 Germanna Conference Revival!

Pastor Kate CostaLeave a comment
The Rev. CeCee Mills leads a workshop on Outreach and Evangelism
The Rev. Kate Costa leads the Youth
The Rev. Carol Kniesley leads crafts for the children
A workshop on leading music from many cultures
The Revival Worship begins
Revival Worship
Revival Worship
The Rev. Mark Parker served as the preacher for the day

St. Luke Lutheran Church Yard Sale!

Pastor Kate CostaLeave a comment

St. Luke Lutheran Church, Fellowship Committee will host yard sale Saturday, October 12th at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at 1200 Old Rixeyville Rd., Culpeper.  Items for sale have been donated by the congregation.  Park in lower parking lot, yard sale will be outside on basketball court. In case of rain, yard sale will be in the Fellowship Hall.