The service is warm, intimate and open. St. Luke's is a church that is Progressive in Word, Open to the Spirit, Welcoming to All and United in Christ.

Our service is very "user friendly."  We believe in "going with the flow" as the Spirit leads. And, the messages by our pastors are not only "good news," but they are designed to relate to the issues we face in everyday life. 

St. Luke's is also an Open and Affirming church where all people are welcomed and affirmed. 

Children are also an important part of the life of St. Luke's UCC -- including our worship. After the opening part of each service, children are invited to come down and gather around the pastor. There, the pastor talks directly with the children, often using props and sharing stories that relates to the theme of the day. After which, the children have "Peace Club" where they sing songs, trace their own “helping hands” and discover what it means to love your neighbor.

St. Luke's offers a healing service four or more times a year (whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month) during the worship hour.  Our healing service consists of healing prayers and anointing by our pastors and also each healing service offers folks the opportunity to experience healing through visual and creative arts.  On April 29, 2007 our healing service had Forsythia bushes, kites and butterflies allowing people to experience healing through being "set free."  A clip of Pastor Chris' beautiful message on being "set free" is available by clicking on the butterfly in the photo.

No two Sundays are alike at St. Luke's!

We believe that it is important to keep worship fresh and exciting.  Sometimes we widen the circle by receiving new members, or invite our animal companions to church to be blessed, or build a stable where all the stuffed animals sleep until the arrival of the baby Jesus, or build a fire to demonstrate how it takes all of us to keep the flames of welcome burning bright, or celebrate World  Communion Sunday with the many faces of Christ, or have a Margi Gras party, complete with King Cake, or celebrate Native American and African American heritage, or celebrate the Civil Union of our members. And, sometimes we just have fun!

So, if it's been a while since you've been to church to worship, do come to visit St. Luke's. We can promise that you won't get bored with the same style of worship every week. Stop in some Sunday and see what we've got planned for you!

"Our faith is over two thousand years old, our thinking is not!"

Pastors Bill & Chris

Healing Service

Native American Celebration

An article from the United Church News, September 2004 issue

Philadelphia church breaking barriers

St. Luke’s UCC in Philadelphia was reasonably handicap accessible when the Rev. Chris Paules began her ministry there. The parking lot is level. A rear entrance to the building enables a person to reach the sanctuary, offices and the social hall without navigating stairs.

"This is a church that someone can be a part of for as long as they want to be, to whatever age or ability," Paules says. "It’s a wonderful feature."

Paules and her congregation use the phrase "widening the circle" to describe their interest in making St. Luke’s a barrier-free place of worship. This has meant adding a ramp so that the chancel is accessible for choir members and speakers. "Not only can people be an active participant in leadership in worship, folks can then also come and join the community around the communion table," Paules says. And in an ongoing project to "cozy up" the worship space, St. Luke’s will be rearranging their pews so that they are on a slant, adding more space between the pews for easier maneuverability for those with mobility aids such as canes, walkers or crutches.
 

Celebrating St. Luke’s

On January 24, 2004 the consistory and elders spent time celebrating St. Luke’s. This is their litany of praise for our life and ministry.  In reading it we hope you get a feel about St. Luke's and how we celebrate our community of faith!

We celebrate St. Luke’s where—

warmth is overflowing and everyone is welcome,

pastors are infectious and the ministry of believes thrives,

we’re still widening the circle,

there are differences yet continuity,

we’re blessed with four pastors,

all God’s children are valued,

we are in the community and outreach is still thriving,

there are expectations,

we are the United Church of Christ.

We celebrate St. Luke’s where—

there is autonomy with responsibility,

we’re in better relationship with the Day School,

we eat well and hospitality is practiced,

we celebrate creativity in worship,

we welcome all and laughter is common,

we can feel safe—safe enough to cry,

we can be who we are,

we “praise you, God” for blessing great and small,

we can trust and children feel important.

We celebrate St. Luke’s where—

we encourage people in their talents,

we can hold pain without putting a lid on it,

healing begins,

everyday is a festival of faith.