"My house shall be called a House of Prayer."

Matthew 21:13

The purpose of the St. Luke Prayer Ministry is to help individuals understand and experience the remarkable power of prayer.

Trained Prayer Teams have been formed and are at the altar for intercessory prayer following each worship service.  Additional Prayer Teams will be trained and added in the future.

The Prayer Team is currently praying prior to each worship service.  However, we are currently seeking additional prayer partners to become part of the "Knee Benders."  These persons will pray in small teams.  A team will meet 20 minutes prior to each worship service to pray for the Holy Spirit to indwell the worship leaders and the congregation.  Prior to the 8:30 am services, the Knee Benders will also pray for our Sunday School teachers and their classes. 

The Prayer Team is also redesigning the pew Prayer Card.  And a Prayer Room is being designed and equipped for use by church members during regular church office hours, and by Prayer Teams and Knee Benders on Sunday mornings.

If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please contact Nancy and Gerry Caffee.  If you have an immediate prayer request, please email us or complete this form.

Pastor Phil is nationally certified as a Trainer with the Prepare-Enrich pre- and post-marital inventories and has served as a trainer for other U.M. ministers in pre-marital counseling. He normally requires 7 1.5 hour sessions for pre-marital counseling.
 

This fellowship group meets weekly and knits/crochets prayer shawls to be given to anyone with a special need for prayer. This group is open to those who would like to learn and the advanced handwork experts, or those seeking fellowship. To date, the Prayer Shawl Group has gifted over 530 prayer shawls.
 

Caring for each other connects us as a community of disciples, providing a support system for our church family. The people of St. Luke seek to prayerfully lend a helping hand, a listening ear and an open heart during the transitions that people experience.

Below are examples of the congregational care ministries offered at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

If you have questions on any of these programs, need to schedule an appointment, or would like to participate in the ministry, please contact the church office at 843-383-5169 or stlukeumc@roadrunner.com or Vangie Cannon at vangie@stlukehartsville.org.

Hospital Visitation: Pastor Phil Thrailkill, staff members and lay persons are frequent visitors to area hospitals. Please contact the church office when someone is hospitalized.

Prayer Chain:  This prayer chain is designed to pray for those in our church family and those in our community who are ill, hospitalized or have other important concerns. Contact the church office.

Transportation:  There are members of our church who volunteer their time to provide transportation for those unable to drive to worship, church activities or medical appointments.

Long-Term Care, Assisted Living and Home Visitation:  St. Luke United Methodist Church has a group of volunteers committed to
sharing God’s love with people residing in long-term care, assisted living, or those living at home who cannot easily attend church activities. Contact the church office for additional information. Ed Yarborough or Vangie Cannon will be happy to contact you to discuss your needs.

Intercessory Prayer Group:  Meeting each Wednesday at 7:00 am, this group prays for each other, for prayer requests submitted during Sunday Worship, or requests submitted through the church office. Prayer for those hospitalized, in long-term care or other special requests are also part of this ministry.

Journeying through Grief:  God has called some persons within our midst to support those who are grieving. Visits are made and a series of books entitled Journeying through Grief are used in this ministry.

Prenatal Prayer Team:  If you are expecting a baby or grandbaby, there is a prayer team who prays weekly for these babies. If you are expecting, or interested in joining this ministry, please contact Joanne Merck or Sandra Simmons.

Small Repair Jobs:  A team of highly qualified St. Luke “handy men” are prepared to help with minor home repairs and maintenance issues for the elderly and single parents of our congregation.

Radio Ministry:  Sunday morning worship services are broadcast on WHEZ 95.9 FM each week at 11:00 am for those unable to attend church. Copies of the bulletin are available for home delivery prior to Sunday worship. Transcripts of Pastor Phil’s sermon, or a CD of the service, are available upon request.

Communion for the Homebound:  Three teams of lay persons serve the consecrated elements of Holy Communion to the homebound. This ministry is available the first Sunday of every month, during the afternoon hours.