Bishop Mark Beckwith joined us and our partners in ministry from Congregation Beth Shalom
in Pompton Lakes and from the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson to celebrate our
175th anniversary and the rededication of our church on October 21, 2007.
"The Church must translate the Word of God into deeds that the world cannot fail to understand. If this is not the Church’s business, it has no business at all."
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"Almost always the creative, dedicated minority
has made the world better."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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What we're about...
Saint Luke's Church is a community dedicate to praising God and to making a difference in the world. This is your church, and we welcome you to claim it. Here we share the Good News of Jesus Christ - that God loves each of us, always has loved us and that the Kingdom is at hand. Here no one is an outsider.
Here everyone is welcome at God's table. After all, this is your church!
You will enjoy meeting our welcoming and open-minded pastor and congregation who will be happy to answer questions you may have. But, remember no one here pretends to have all the answers about God and we'll never "throw the book at you". Know also that people who attend this church come from a wide variety of religious backgrounds. You'll meet Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists and even a few Episcopalians. No one is asked to jettison their heritage in order to attend or be a member of Saint Luke’s. Some have been life long church goers, but more haven't ever come regularly before or at lease since they were children. There are couples and singles and, interestingly enough, about the same number of men as women. What binds us together is a common commitment to help our children and ourselves grow closer to God and our neighbor.
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We invite you to visit this church and share in our commitment. We simply believe what Jesus taught: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
 Loving God: Every Sunday morning, whether you are an adult or a child, we invite you to participate in the Holy Eucharist by offering your prayers, reading scripture lessons and by preparing and assisting at the altar. We all participate in the liturgy. And, regardless of denominational affiliation or lack thereof, everyone is invited to receive communion. Additionally, for both children and adults there are informative educational programs to help you grow in both knowledge and faith. We always welcome new students and teachers. And, don't be surprised if on a Sunday morning you hear speak in church a Jewish Rabbi or a Muslim Imam. We have a strong commitment to interfaith dialogue and understanding.
Loving Others: But, as Jesus taught, we believe loving God is but half of God’s call to us. Saint Luke's is committed to serving neighbors, especially the poor.
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As a community, we live out this commitment primarily through Haven of Hope for Kids, our parish sponsored non-sectarian program for New Jersey families that are caring for children with life-limiting illnesses. This is an amazing opportunity for you and your children to know and find God through reaching out to others. You might help by preparing a barbeque, by teaching a child to fish or swim or simply by listening to a parent share her story about her child’s difficult journey. To understand why the members of St. Luke's see this program as an essential part of our life, we invite you to listen to the sermon Fr. Bill preached at the Church of the Incarnation in Jersey City on November 25, 2007.
For all of these endeavors we need your ideas, your help and your commitment!
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