On Candlewood Path in Dix Hills
St. Luke Lutheran Church sits at the corner of Candlewood Path and Vanderbilt Parkway in Dix Hills, a hamlet on Long Island's South Shore. The address - 20 Candlewood Path - is shared with the St. Luke Preschool and Early Childhood Center, an educational ministry that has been growing alongside the church since 1966. Together they form a single parish campus organized around the congregation's three-word motto: "To know Christ and make Him known by Serving, Teaching, and Loving."
The church belongs to The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), a fellowship of congregations that trace their teachings to Martin Luther and the reformers of the sixteenth century. Within the LCMS, St. Luke is part of the Atlantic District, the regional body that provides pastoral guidance and support. The parish also maintains an ongoing partnership with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and supports the LCMS Atlantic District through annual budget giving.
Two Styles of Worship Under One Roof
Sunday worship at St. Luke happens twice in the morning. A traditional service with Holy Communion is offered at 8:15 a.m., and a second traditional service with Holy Communion is offered at 10:45 a.m. The later service includes a children's message and is the home of the Sunday School program.
Twice a month, the 10:45 a.m. service takes on a different feel when the Contemporary Worship Band leads the congregation with modern songs. Holy Communion is still celebrated. The same altar, the same prayers, the same teaching - different instruments. Those who cannot attend in person can watch services live or later on the church's YouTube channel.
Music is woven into the worship experience. Adult Choir rehearses Wednesday evenings. The Adult Handbell Choir rehearses Tuesday evenings. A Youth Choir gathers on Sunday mornings between the services. The Music Ministry is led by Dr. Janet Pinto, with Laura Fisher directing the Adult Choir. Each year, the choirs participate in area festivals, including the AGO Choir Festival at St. Patrick's in Huntington.
What Lutherans Here Believe
St. Luke teaches the historic Christian confession of the Trinity: one God, three coequal persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - as summarized in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. The church confesses that Jesus Christ, the Son, took on flesh, suffered, died, and rose again to give forgiveness and eternal life, and that the Spirit works through the Word and the Sacraments to create and sustain faith.
Three phrases capture the teaching:
- Grace Alone - God loves sinners and sent Jesus to save the ungodly.
- Scripture Alone - The Bible is God's inerrant Word and the only rule for Christian doctrine.
- Faith Alone - Those who hear the Gospel and believe it receive the forgiveness Christ has won.
These are the Lutheran confessions summarized in the Book of Concord, the historic statement of faith that, alongside Holy Scripture, guides everything taught and preached at St. Luke.
An Early Childhood Center at the Heart of the Parish
The St. Luke Preschool and Early Childhood Center enrolls children from eighteen months through Pre-K, with a Mommy & Me program for younger children and infants through toddlerhood alongside a parent. Programs include Learn & Play for two-year-olds, Preschool for three-year-olds, and Pre-K for four-year-olds, with two-, three-, and five-day options and half-day or full-day schedules. Before- and after-care is available for full-day three- and four-year-olds.
The school was established in 1966 and is housed in the Education Building, which was built in 1970 and doubled in size during a 2009 expansion. Children do not need to be church members to attend. The center shares 5.9 acres with the church at the Candlewood Path and Vanderbilt Parkway intersection. Director Jean Marie Marsh leads a staff of lead teachers, assistants, and enrichment teachers in art and music. Weekly hot lunches are served. New families are welcome to call the Preschool Office at (631) 462-5216 to arrange a tour.
A summer program offers day camp during the summer months, with rates, a hot lunch menu, and registration information posted on the church's summer program page. Parents can contact the Summer Program Office at (631) 490-2941.
Sunday School, Confirmation, and VBS
Sunday School at St. Luke serves children from preschool age through fifth grade. Children begin in the sanctuary with their parents at the 10:45 a.m. service, hear a children's message, then walk over to the Education Building for the day's lesson. The format uses rotating stations - similar to Vacation Bible School - with hands-on activities, crafts, snacks, and Bible teaching. Sunday School runs from September through May and culminates in a child's first communion in fifth grade. Pick-up is at noon.
Confirmation is a three-year ministry for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, meeting Thursday evenings from September through May. After three years of instruction in the Christian faith, students affirm the promises spoken for them at their baptism during the Rite of Confirmation at the end of eighth grade. They are taught to confess for themselves what their parents confessed for them.
Vacation Bible School is a week-long summer program, typically held in August, open to children from Pre-K age through eighth grade. The program rotates children through five stations - Bible Adventure, Arts and Crafts, Snack, Games, and Music - while older teens serve at local organizations in the community.
A Full Youth and Family Ministry
Jackie Flynn, the Director of Youth and Family Ministry and a Commissioned Minister of Religion, oversees programs for children, teens, young adults, and families. Each age group has its own identity:
- Impact - Upper Elementary Ministry for third through fifth graders, meeting three times a year for fellowship, games, and faith-building activities.
- Thrive - Junior High Ministry for sixth through eighth graders, gathering throughout the year for game nights, bowling, service events, retreats, and youth gatherings.
- United - Senior High Ministry for ninth through twelfth graders, meeting Friday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Room (except holiday weekends), with additional fellowship events, mission trips, and service opportunities.
- Rooted - College and Young Adult Ministry, providing a faith-centered environment for fellowship, service, and Bible study.
Shine is the Family Ministry, organizing events that bring together the broader St. Luke community - preschool families, youth families, and church members - for fellowship throughout the year. Families with children of all ages find a network of peers here.
Bible Study for Adults
Adults who want to dig deeper have several options. A Sunday Bible Study meets between the services at 9:30 a.m., and the session is livestreamed on YouTube. A Wednesday Online Bible Study meets at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom, with a reminder email and the meeting link sent the Sunday evening before. A three-session New Member/Faith Formation Class is offered twice a year in the spring and fall.
Men's Bible Study is led by Deacon Paul Elgert on the first Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Education Building. The men also gather for breakfast fellowship at I-HOP on Jericho Turnpike in Commack on the first Friday of each month at 8:00 a.m.
The Young at Heart and the C.A.R.E. Team
The Young at Heart is the congregation's active seniors group, meeting every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Education Building. Members share stories, celebrate birthdays, do service projects for the church and preschool offices, and cap off the afternoon with a competitive card game. Visitors are always welcome.
The C.A.R.E. Team - Christians Actively Responding to Everyone - is a group of St. Luke members who support fellow members during illness or other challenging circumstances. Volunteers provide meals, errands, chores, rides, visits, and companionship for homebound members while caregivers run errands. To request help, members can leave a message on the C.A.R.E. hotline at (631) 600-0271 or email careteam@stlukedixhills.org.
Women's Ministry and Men's Ministry
The Women's Ministry meets on the third Saturday of every month except December at 9:00 a.m. in the Education Building Conference Room for breakfast, fellowship, a speaker or topic, and a service project. Contact Anita Schabel for more information.
The Men's Ministry gathers for monthly breakfast fellowship at I-HOP in Commack on the first Friday at 8:00 a.m., and for a monthly Bible Study on the first Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The men are also known for hosting a coffee hour honoring the women of the parish on Mother's Day.
Music Ministry in Depth
Music is central to the life of St. Luke. Dr. Janet Pinto, Music Director, oversees the choirs and instrumental offerings. The Adult Choir, open to high school students and older, rehearses Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The Adult Handbell Choir rehearses Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The Youth Choir rehearses Sundays from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. in the Education Building Conference Room.
An Orff xylophone, metallophone, and glockenspiel ensemble is offered for children in grades two through six on Sundays at noon, with the goal of forming instrument ensembles that share their gifts in worship. The Contemporary Worship Band, featuring Jackie Flynn on guitar and vocals and Kyle Sherlock on keyboards, percussion, and vocals, leads twice-monthly contemporary services.
Serving Beyond the Parish
The Missions and Social Concerns Committee organizes a wide range of outreach, both local and beyond. Ongoing efforts include clothing drives, food drives, "Souper Bowl" Sunday, Thanksgiving baskets, Easter baskets, and other service events. The congregation collects and donates canned goods and non-perishables to the Helping Hand Rescue Mission in Huntington, a longstanding local charity that operates a soup kitchen and food pantry.
Each Christmas, St. Luke participates in Angel Tree Prison Fellowship, providing presents to children with incarcerated parents. Other community partnerships include the Lutheran Counseling Center (St. Luke serves as a satellite location for family, drug, and other counseling services based in Hempstead), Boy Scout Troop 309 (which has held its charter at St. Luke since 1965 and meets weekly in the Education Building), and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Becoming a Member of St. Luke
There are four paths to membership at St. Luke Lutheran Church, all rooted in agreement with the teachings of the LCMS:
- By Baptism - The Sacrament of Holy Baptism welcomes infants, children, and adults into the church family. Adults not yet baptized may enroll in the Faith Formation Class.
- By Confirmation - Youth who have completed three years of Confirmation instruction may affirm their baptismal promises at the Rite of Confirmation.
- By Profession of Faith - Adults who complete the New Member Class and confess agreement with LCMS teachings.
- By Letter of Transfer - Members of other LCMS congregations may transfer their membership to St. Luke.
The New Member Class, sometimes called Faith Formation Class, is a three-session series offered in the spring and fall, led by the pastor. Existing members are also welcome to attend as a refresher. The class covers what LCMS Lutherans believe, teach, and confess according to Holy Scripture and the Book of Concord.
Practicalities: Visiting St. Luke
Worship Times
Sundays at 8:15 a.m. (traditional) and 10:45 a.m. (traditional every week, contemporary twice a month). All services include Holy Communion. Services are livestreamed on YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
Sunday School and Children's Programs
Sunday School is offered for children preschool age through fifth grade at the 10:45 a.m. service, with pickup at noon. Children begin in the sanctuary with their parents and move to the Education Building after the children's message.
Office Hours and Contact
The Church Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and can be reached at (631) 499-8656 or laura@stlukedixhills.org. The Preschool Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at (631) 462-5216 or teresa@stlukedixhills.org.
Directions
From the Northern State Parkway, take Exit 42 (Route 231 Deer Park Avenue South). Travel south about two miles to Vanderbilt Parkway, turn left (east) about one block to Candlewood Path, and turn right. From the Long Island Expressway (I-495), take Exit 51 (Route 231 Deer Park Avenue North). Travel north one mile to Vanderbilt Parkway, turn right (east) about one block to Candlewood Path, and turn right. The church sits at the intersection of Vanderbilt Parkway and Candlewood Path.
Pastoral Care
The church is currently served by Interim Pastor Rev. Arthur Gillespie, who leads regular Sunday worship. Rev. Thomas W. Cusanelli provides pastoral care including hospital and home visitations, preschool chapel services, new member classes, and funeral or memorial services during the transition. Pastoral needs can be directed to pastor@stlukedixhills.org. Prayer requests can be sent to prayers@stlukedixhills.org.
Giving
Online giving is available through the Vanco giving page, and donations can also be made through Venmo (@StLukeLutheranChurch). Stewardship packets and Plan for Giving forms are available for members who want to set goals for their giving of time, talent, and resources.
Weddings and Baptisms
Weddings and baptisms are scheduled with the pastor. Couples and families interested in either sacrament are asked to contact the Church Office before filling out the appropriate form.