From the Pembroke Daily Observer:
On August 1, St. Luke’s Anglican Church of the Anglican Network in Canada purchased the Pembroke Catering Hall at 307 Julien St. to serve as its new church home.
The members of St. Luke’s are extremely grateful to the Seventh Day Adventist Church who have hosted them since St. Luke’s was formed in November of last year.
The congregation believes it is time however to move out on its own in order to allow its ministry and mission to grow.
The first year of St. Luke’s existence has been an eventful one.
Of course much time has been spent simply getting organized as a new congregation.
In addition to the ongoing worship, children’s ministry and pastoral work of the parish there have been many highlights, including: Its first Christmas celebrations and pageant, first baptisms, the confirmation of nine candidates after three months of classes, a parish picnic, a pancake supper, participation in the Relay for Life, and the formation of men’s and women’s fellowship groups.
The church has also supported several mission projects and agreed to sponsor a missionary couple heading to Angola.
In all of its activities the congregation seeks to honour God and serve others under the motto Bible based -Spirit filled -Mission Oriented: Helping people live abundantly in Jesus.
The members of St. Luke’s rejoice to be one of the 700 parishes of the Anglican Church in North America (the Anglican Network in Canada is one of the subgroups, or dioceses, which make up this North American Church).
In a news release it stated, “We also glad to work alongside our fellow Anglicans and Christians of other denominations in service and witness to the Upper Ottawa Valley. We have welcomed as members of St. Luke’s people from several communities across the valley.”
Since August they have been busy renovating 307 Julien St. from a catering hall into a church.
Many who read this have memories of wedding receptions, dances, dinners, and other events at the Pembroke Catering Hall – you might be surprised to see all the changes made in the last couple of months!
The congregation wants the public to join it for the grand opening weekend.
On Saturday, Oct. 17 from 2 p. m. to 4 p. m. an open house with refreshments and displays will take place followed from 4 p. m. to 5 p. m. by a worship and opening ceremony.
On Sunday, Oct. 18 at 10 a. m. a dedication service will be held.
Several special guests will be joining St. Luke’s including its Bishop, The Right Reverend Donald Harvey, representatives of the local community and of many different churches. It promises to be a joyous occasion to which all are welcome.
Congratulations to Tim+ and all who worship at St. Luke’s, Pembroke. You have accomplished much to bring God glory. And the beat goes on ………….
To my brother in Christ Tim+ and the people of St. Luke’s:
May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost bless and sanctify your ministry. We pray Christ’s richest blessings as you begin anew your ministry in your own building in Pembroke. May the Opening Service and Celebration along with the Dedication Service be a time of great joy and witness to the saving grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your new worship facility may have been a catering hall, but catering is serving and that is what we are all about in the household of faith, so physically the premises may have changed but as Jesus turned water into wine at the Wedding Feast in Cana of Galilee so you are turning catering of physical food into spiritual food of Jesus for all who will come to his banqueting table.
with God’s richest blessing on your ministry now and always,
Brian+