St. Luke's UMC SermonsStay up-to-date with News and Events from St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando, FLhttp://www.st.lukes.orgSummer Camps Registration begins April 6: The 2010 Summer Camps Registration begins at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, April 6th. Our summer camps include VBS, S.W.E.A.T. and Kingdom Camp. To learn more about these camps please see the link below. All registrations must be done online.

Registration for servant ministers who are making a commitment to serve at one of our camps opened March 1st. http://www.st.lukes.org/SummerCamps http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=242St. Luke's Campus Closed April 5th: The St. Luke's Campuses will be closed on Monday, April 5th for the day after Easter. All events on the campus this day are canceled. The campus will reopen on Tuesday, April 6th with normal business hours. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=244Gym Closed March 27 - April 6: The gymnasium will be closed from Saturday, March 27th until April 6th for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter worship. The gym will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, April 6th. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=243Rummage Sale March 13th: The Rummage Sale opens at 8:00 a.m. on March 13th in the Fellowship Hall. Proceeds of the Rummage Sale will go towards the High School Intensive Mission Trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Furniture and large items can be picked up Thursday March 11th and Friday March 12th. Email or call Jenna Hunnicutt if you are in need of pick-up. 407-876-4991 x258, jhunnicutt@st.lukes.org http://www.st.lukes.org/Ministries/nexgen/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=245Summer Camps Registration for Volunteers: Summer Camps 2010 Registration for servant ministers who are making a commitment to serve at one of our camps begins Monday, March 1st at 10:00 a.m. Our Summer Camps include VBS, S.W.E.A.T. and Kingdom Camp.

Open Summer Camps Registration begins Tuesday, April 6th at 12:00 noon. http://www.st.lukes.org/SummerCamps http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=241Third Grade Bible Sign-up: On Sunday, February 21st, third grade Bibles will be handed out at the PowerHouse Family Worship service at 10:50 a.m. in the Coleman Gymnasium and at the HopeSpring Campus at 11:00 a.m. We ask that you please sign up if your third grader will be attending either of these services so we have enough Bibles on hand and can also adhere your child's name to the inside of the book. Please click on the link below for the sign-up form. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/Childrens/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=239FREE - Faith Re-Entry Enterprise Information Meeting February 14th: FREE, Faith Re-Entry Enterprise Information Meeting Sunday, February 14 at 11:00 a.m. A new ministry has arrived at St. Luke’s to help those recently released from Florida State Prisons to successfully re-enter society by creating community lifelines. We are currently recruiting adult volunteers for the leadership positions from Case Manager to Documentation Coordinator. To find out more information about this ministry and how you can help in any volunteer capacity, come to an information meeting today at 11:00 a.m. in Room C200. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/deploy.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=240Child Development Center Registration on February 4th: St. Luke's Child Development Center registration for the 2010-2011 school year will be on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Registration will be for our Parent's Day Out Classes, Three-Year-Old Preeschool Classes, and the VPK Program for four-year-old children. Church members will need to bring a Membership Verification Form to registration. Please contact the CDC Office for more information: (407) 876-1155. http://www.st.lukes.org/Ministries/CDC http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=237New Ministry - Church to Church: St. Luke's has been selected as one of 30 churches across the United States to participate in a pilot project called Church to Church ministry sponsored by Compassion International. We are very excited to be matched with Lideta Mekane Yesus Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A small delegation is traveling to this area in February. If you would like to be a part of this ministry or pray for this pilot project and would like to learn more, information meetings will be held at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 31, February 7 and 14 in Bldg C Room 208. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/Outreach/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=238School of the Arts Spring Session Now Registering: Session II for the School of the Arts is now open to registration and classes have begin January 25th. Please view the link below to get more information including the class schedule. http://www.st.lukes.org/SOA http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=236Society of St. Andrew Central Florida Citrus Harvest: St. Luke’s and HopeSpring will be joining others in Central Florida on Sat, Jan 23 from 9:00 to 1:00 to pick and pack citrus that is going to waste in backyards and groves. The collected fruit will then go to area food pantries. You can participate in the following ways: 1) Pick your fruit and bring it to St. Luke’s campus that day, 2) Donate the fruit on your trees and volunteers will pick them, or 3) Volunteer to pick that day for an hour or the entire time (come to St. Luke’s at 9 a.m. in front of Bldg C). Please sign up on Now Serving on our website (use the link below) to indicate your interest. http://www.st.lukes.org/KingdomBuilding/NowServing/Search.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=234St. Luke's Campus Closed January 18th: St. Luke's Campus will be closed on Monday, January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Our office will reopen Tuesday, January 19th with normal business hours. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=235Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith March and Prayer Service January 17: The Interfaith Council of Central Florida and the City of Orlando are once again co-hosting a community wide commemoration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 17. Join leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh traditions. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a gathering at Orlando City Hall, then a drum corps will lead a march to Shiloh Baptist Church and the Interfaith prayer service will begin at 6:45 p.m. There will be a special tribute to the Medical Committee for Human Rights. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=233St. Luke's Job Search Series: Job Search January 2010 Saturday Seminars will be hosted in the Attic in Building C from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. A continental breakfast will be provided at 8:30 a.m. each Saturday.

January 9th - Planning Your Job Search
This seminar will focus on the following: (1)Developing a plan; (2)Current Orlando job market; (3)Upcoming job fairs; and (4)Budgeting and cash management.

January 16th - Skills and Strategies for Your Job Search
This seminar will focus on the topics of: (1)Electronic social networks; (2)Referrals; (3)Resource development; and (4)Interviewing

January 23rd - Earning Your Income During Your Job Search
This seminar will discuss the following topics: (1)How to start your own Internet business, and (2)Making Money on eBay http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/caregiving/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=231NEW Bike Group: Do you enjoy riding a bike?  Please join the St. Luke's bike group.  There will be a planned bike ride the 2nd Saturday of each month.  Saturday, January 9, join the group at 7:00 a.m. at St. Luke's for a Bay Hill Bike Ride.  Helmets are required.  The bike ride is designed for adults and children over 12 years old.  Please call Mary Holloway at 407-909-9187 for more information.   http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/rw http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=229St. Luke's Campus Closed January 1st: St. Luke's campus will be closed Friday, January 1st in observance of the New Year. The campus will reopen Saturday, January 2nd and normal office hours will resume Monday, January 4th at 9:00 a.m. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=232St. Luke's Campus Closed December 25 & 28: The St. Luke's campus will be closed on Friday, December 25th and Monday, December 28th to celebrate Christmas. The campus will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, December 29th. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=230Christmas Café December 18th: Join us on Friday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Building C Gymnasium as music will be performed by our Contemporary Praise Bands from the Central and HopeSpring campuses and dessert will be served. http://www.st.lukes.org/ReThink http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=227Gym Closed December 13 - January 3: The Coleman Memorial Gymnasium will be closed from December 13th through January 3rd for Christmas. All events scheduled for the gym have either been canceled or moved to another location. Please visit the Events tab at the top of the page and choose Church Calendar to look for room locations. The gym will re-open on January 4, 2010. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=224<em>More Than A Christmas Carol</em>: Join us December 12th & 13th at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. (both nights) for St. Luke's Christmas Concert, More Than A Christmas Carol. Invite your friends, family and neighbors for an inspiring start to the Christmas season. Tickets are available in the Welcome Hall for our upcoming Christmas Concerts as well as during the week at the reception desk. Tickets are free and you are welcome to request as many as you like, but only take what you need so that we can accommodate everyone who would like to attend one of these concerts. If you find you have tickets that will be unused, please return them, as we often have waiting lists for concerts. http://www.st.lukes.org/ReThink http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=225Church Campus Closed November 23rd - 27th: The church office and facilities will be closed the week of November 23 through November 27. This will allow our staff to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday with their family and friends as well as accomplish another one of our staff unpaid days off to assist with our budget issues. Your staff wishes you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. The campus will re-open Saturday November 28th and our offices will resume normal business hours on Monday, November 30th at 9:00 a.m. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=226ReThink Money: Managin Money During & Beyond Hard Times: Come to this FREE Seminar led by financial experts as we re-examine the basic principles of money management, explore strategies to cope with financial challenges, get new skills to prepare for the future. You will have the chance to sign up for upcoming small classes on more specific topics and one-to-one budget coaching. ReThink Money: Managing Money During & Beyond Hard Times is on Saturday, November 21st from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the St. Luke's Building C Attic. http://www.st.lukes.org/ReThink http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=223UMW Holiday Bazaar: The UMW Holiday Bazaar began in 1980 as a small craft show and sale but has grown into a wonderful extravaganza featuring the talents and hard work of St. Luke’s women and community friends. Join us this year on Friday, Novmeber 6th from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 7th from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. New items both days - continuous shopping opportunities for friends and family and open to all. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/umw http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=222Daylight Savings Time Ends 2:00 a.m. November 1st: Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour before going to bed on October 31st! Daylights Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1st. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=221Teach-In: St. Luke’s Educational IMPACT is asking you to participate in Teach-In.
Each year, during November, business, civic and volunteer leaders go into school classrooms to talk with students about their jobs, careers, hobbies, or travels, as a way to help students think about their future. This is your opportunity to spend just two or three hours away from your work place, your home, or retirement time to inspire students with a different outlook on opportunities open to them. It will only take a few hours of your time to make a difference in a child’s life. You can talk about your career, your travels, your hobby, your life experiences, etc. To participate on November 11 at Mollie Ray Elementary School, send an e-mail by November 1 to Teresa Dibiasio at teresa.dibiasio@ocps.net. To participate on November 18 at Pineloch Elementary School send an e-mail by November 1 to Stephanie DeLucia at Stephanie.delucia@ocps.net. Provide your name, your career or your topic, A.M. or P.M., your preferred grade level and if you want to speak to more than one class. If you have questions call Ruth McKeefery at 407-876-4991 X 226, or send an e-mail at Rmckeefery@st.lukes.org. http://www.st.lukes.org/IMPACT http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=219Trunk And Treat: Come join us for Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31st from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. with all of the festivities in our front parking lot! There will be lots of candy, bounce houses, musical entertainment and much, much more. http://www.st.lukes.org/Events/TrunkAndTreat/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=220St. Luke's Costume Closet: On Wednesday, October 21st, come and visit the St. Luke's Costume Closet in the Fellowship Hall from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. The gently loved costumes at the Costume Closet are free. (one per child, please) In these tight economic times, we hope this opportunity will give all of our families another way to make Halloween fun and affordable. If you'd like to donate children's costumes to our "closet" please place them in the orange pumpkin bags on Sunday, October 18th that will be found in the Fellowship Hall and in front of the gym. http://www.st.lukes.org/Ministries/Childrens/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=218Donations Needed for Team Jamaica 2010: Team Jamaica 2010 is looking for over-the-counter medications and supplies for their medical/dental/optical/education mission experience to Jamaica in early 2010. Please consider donating over-the-counter medications and medical/dental supplies for the Mission Experience by selecting a few of the items needed and drop them off in the Grocery Cart in the Building C Rotunda between October 4th and 18th, 2009. To see a list of supplies needed, please click the link below. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/outreach/interconnectional/jamaica/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=213Campus Closures October 16th: please be advised that our campuses will be closed on October 16. This is one of the 5 extra closure dates (no pay for the staff) in an effort to assist our budget gap. We will reopen on Saturday, October 17 for normal activities. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=216Journal Writing II - Deepening our Growth and Creativity: A second seminar "Journal Writing II – Deepening our Growth & Creativity" meets from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on October 8, 15 & 22 at the same location. In this workshop, journal writing will be used to deepen our self-awareness through explorations of memories, events and feelings. Ways of studying our life experiences in order to gain insight and further develop our creative capacities will be looked at. Anyone is welcome to join this workshop, but it is particularly suitable for those who have attended our Journal Writing I, or who have had significant journal writing experience on their own or in other settings.

Please contact the Counseling Center, 407-876-4991 ext. 250 to register for this workshop. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/counseling/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=208Two Learning Communities happening this Thursday - October 8th: “More Ready Than You Realize:” From 6:30-7:30 in Room B-202 led by Pastor Jenn. Witness and evangelism can seem intimidating, but what if it were as simple as learning to be intentional in our relationships and friendships? Participants will be looking at some new understanding of spiritual friendships to help each of us embrace our call to be witness in our community.

“Why I’m a United Methodist at St. Luke’s:” From 7:30-8:30 in Room C200-202 led by Pastor Beth. Find out what makes St. Luke’s unique and what shapes the ministry of our congregation along with what it means to be United Methodist. http://www.st.lukes.org/GrowthGroups http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=217Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkins are arriving September 30th and October 14th! We need your help to unload the pumpkins beginning at 4:00 p.m. on those days. NexGen Ministries is also looking for for people to work shifts. Visit the link below to find open shifts on the calendar and then contact Jenna Hunnicutt at jhunnicutt@st.lukes.org or at 407-876-4991 ext. 258. Helping unload or working a shift earns you "NexGen Dollars" that you can use towards trips, retreats and mission opportunities. http://www.st.lukes.org/PumpkinPatch http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=214Letter to HopeSpring Congregation: Click the link below to read the letter from Pastor Bill to the HopeSpring congregation on September 20th. http://www.HopeSpringFL.org/Documents/HSletter.pdf http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=215Homeowners Facing Hardships - September 26: Are you behind on your mortgage payment? Are you facing a financial hardship that is preventing you from making ends meet? Is your home worth less than what you owe? Do you have friends and neighbors in this situation who don't know where to turn? You are not alone and there is hope! This educational seminar will include presentations from persons with experience in the fields of law, finance and mental health followed by break-out sessions on specific issues. At Hopespring Campus, Saturday, September 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. http://www.HopeSpringFL.org/Documents/HomeownersFlyer.pdf http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=212PowerHouse!… returns September 13th at 10:50am in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium: Our intergenerational worship experience geared specifically for elementary-aged children and their families lasts around 30-40 minutes and will be chock full of “electrifying” worship opportunities including our middle and high school students called “PowerSurge” leading the music. Come and help us kick-off our new series, “Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye!” On the 13th we’re going to talk about how to let go of some of the worries that go along with starting new things and there will be a balloon release in the Rotunda of building C! We’ll also be celebrating all the renovations to the children’s ministry space and giving big thank yous to those who made it possible. WOW- it’s going to be a jam-packed, fun-filled time you won’t want to miss! http://www.st.lukes.org/Worship/Families.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=209Fall Spiritual Formation Guide Available Now!: This guide includes many new opportunities to join a “learning community” or “growth group” on Sundays or any other day of the week! These are great ways to connect in relationship with God and others seeking to grow on their faith journey. Please pick one up in the brochure racks located around campus. Questions? Email bfarabeepuckett@st.luke.org. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/spiritform/default.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=210Habitat Ground Breaking - September 12th: Come help build St. Luke's 8th Habitat for Humanity home. The Ground Breaking ceremony is Saturday, September 12th at 8:00 a.m. at 519 Bethune Ave in Winter Garden. http://www.st.lukes.org/habitat http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=211Journal Writing I - A Tool for Growth and Creativity: A workshop "Journal Writing I- A Tool for Growth & Creativity" meets from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on September 10 & 17 in Section C of Fellowship Hall. Keeping a journal is a powerful process that appears deceptively simple. The mere act of putting thoughts and emotions into words and putting those words to paper, can transform our deepest feelings and inner experiences into realistic goals and actions. Journaling helps us develop our insight, intuition and contemplative skills, and can serve as a medium to release the stress associated with many of life’s challenges. You may attend this workshop without necessarily attending the following Journal Writing II workshop.

Please contact the Counseling Center, 407-876-4991 ext. 250 to register for this workshop. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/counseling/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=207Upward Prayer Team: Hate cleats, balls and nets, but love helping kids? Be a part of the Upward Prayer Team- Praying the Game not Playing the Game. Your position? On your knees! Your uniform? Whatever you have on. Your playing field? Home, car, wherever. Your job? Pray for the kids, coaches, parents and more. Playbook provided. No injuries, no physicals, no stress, guaranteed. Below is Week One, prayer requests start on Friday, thru Friday and remember to keep looking back each week for updated prayer requests.

Praying the Game not Playing the Game:
Friday - A wonderful spirit among all involved
Saturday - Scholarships for those who cannot afford to participate
Sunday - Parents to volunteer to coach
Monday - Parents to volunteer to referee
Tuesday - Coach and referee training to go well
Wednesday - Children to encourage friends to play soccer
Thursday - Others volunteer to referee
Friday - Others volunteer to coach http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/rw/upward/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=204Movie Night - College Road Trip - August 29th: St. Luke's Movie Night, Saturday, August 29th at 6:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium, will be showing "College Road Trip." A father has problems letting his little girl grow up and go off to College and makes an interfering doting fool of himself in the process. Hilarious family situation at home, on the road and on the college campus. The whole family gets in on the fun Stars Cedric the Entertainer. The movie is rated G. Admission is FREE, children should be accompanied by an adult. Please RSVP to Carol Crowley at 407-876-4991 ext. 262. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/caregiving/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=206Recycling Event: The St Luke’s Environmental Action Team would like you to know about a community event for those hard to recycle items, this Saturday, August 29 at MetroWest CFE Credit Union from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please see http://mycfe.com/shred/index.htm for more information. For more information about the Environmental Action Team, please contact Mike Jones at mjoneschurch@att.net. http://mycfe.com/shred/index.htm http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=205School of the Arts Fall Session Now Registering: Register now for art, dance, theater, music and more at St. Luke’s School of the Arts. Classes begin Friday, August 28. Class offerings for birth-adults all held on the St. Luke’s campus. Fall session includes adult Spanish classes and Artist’s Way. New "Footprints" dance program includes sixteen weeks of instruction for only $48! Full class schedule available online by clicking the link below or call 407-876-5226. http://www.st.lukes.org/SOA http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=203NexGen Parent Meeting: NexGen Ministries will be holding its Parents Meeting on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. in the Gymnasium, Building C. A light lunch will be provided with the meeting to follow.

Please come prepared to register for upcoming retreats and mission trips, register for Confirmation, and learn about Pumpkin Patch, its committees and the registration calendar. Medical and scholarship forms will be available and a questions and answer period with explanations on anything and everything that is NexGen stretching from August 2009 to the end of the school year, June 2010 will be covered.

Please RSVP for this event by emailing Jenna Hunnicutt at jhunnicutt@st.lukes.org by Friday, August 14, 2009. Questions can be emailed to Jenna or call (407) 876-4991 ext. 258. http://www.nexgenministries.com http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=198St. Luke's Campus Closed August 21st: The St. Luke's campuses will be closed on Friday, August 21, 2009. This is a day that has been selected as an unpaid closure date to assist with the budget gap. The campus will reopen with normal operating hours on Saturday, August 22nd. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=202Blood Drive at St. Luke's on August 16th: Wish you knew how to save a life? Become a blood donor! St. Luke's is holding a Blood Drive on Sunday, Aug. 16th from 7:30a.m. - 12:30p.m outside of Bldg. A. A critical number of voluntary donations are required every day to meet the need for blood, and we appreciate your lifesaving efforts. You can now go online to sign up. This easy-to-use tool will help you save time and make the blood drive even more successful; https://www.fbcdonor.org and click on St. Luke's United Methodist Church. To donate blood you must be at least 16 years old, weigh 102 lbs. and be in good health. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/outreach/blooddrives/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=199Backpacks for Public School Children: Now is the time to buy and fill a backpack for a child in the public schools. Pick up a tag and a supply list at the Central and HopeSpring Campuses July 19th through August 16th. Make this a family effort. Bring your filled backpack to worship any Sunday through August 16th. After August 16th, leave the backpack in the reception office in Building C at the Central Campus. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/outreach/local/backpacks/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=196Address Updates Needed - Please help us keep our records up to date: Due to a software programming error, our records may no longer reflect your current mailing address. If you have an alternate mailing address (such as a PO Box) or you are a seasonal member or visitor, please contact Linda Shankle in the church office at LShankle@st.lukes.org. Specifically, please be sure to include your Name as well as your complete Mailing Address and Main/Home Address. http://www.st.lukes.org/About/Membership.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=201Leadership Summit: St. Luke's will be a private viewing site for The Leadership Summit 2009 on August 6 - 7, 2009. The Leadership Summit is an annual event organized by Willow Creek Community Church out of South Barrington, Illinois. What began as a compelling vision for courageous leadership in the local church has caught fire and spread among leaders hungry to be developed and challenged. The Leadership Summit has become more than a solitary event on the calendar: it is a perpetual movement of men and women whose relentless global mission is to develop authentic leaders for the sake of the local church and their communities. This rich expanse reflects incredible cultural diversity and racial heritage, and does not dilute in the face of tough economic times. http://www.st.lukes.org/Summit http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=191Shalom Prison Ministry Meeting August 4th: Shalom Prison Ministry - All are invited to St. Luke's Shalom Prison Ministry meeting on August 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the Special Events Dining Room in Building C. Our guest speaker is Chaplain David Cramer, who is the Re-entry Chaplin for Orange County and also coordinates the "Step Forward" program consisting of monthly resource meetings to help the homeless and those re-entering our Orange County Society. For more information, please contact Doug Mears at mugmears@aol.com or (407) 370-2383. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/outreach/prison/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=200Movie Night - College Road Trip - August 1st: Join St. Luke's on Saturday, August 1st at 6:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium for a free movie night! We will be viewing "College Road Trip" about a father has problems letting his little girl grow up and go off to college, and makes an interfering doting fool of himself in the process. Hilarious family situation on at home, on the road, and on the College Campus. The whole family gets in on the fun. Stars Cedric the Entertainer and is Rated G. RSVP with Carol Crowley at 407-876-4991 ext. 262. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/caregiving/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=193Belts Being Collected for IMPACT Ministry: The IMPACT Ministry is collecting children and adult size belts, used or new, for Mollie Ray and Pineloch Elementary School students. Boys are required to tuck their shirts but might not be able to afford belts to hold up their pants. Labeled collection bins are located in the Building C Welcome Center, Building A and B, the Fellowship Hall and at the HopeSpring Campus from July 12-31. http://www.st.lukes.org/IMPACT http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=192Team Jamaica 2010 Information Meeting: A medical, dental, optical and health education mission is headed for Jamaica on February 5-12, 2010. We need non-medical and professional medical and dental team members for our mission trip. Please attend a meeting on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in Building C Room 208/210 to learn about the 2010 mission trip. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/outreach/interconnectional/jamaica/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=190St. Luke's Campus Closed July 2-4: The St. Luke's Central and HopeSpring Campuses will be closed July 2-4, 2009 for the 4th of July holiday. The July 2nd closure date is one of the methods we are using to meet our budget needs. Your full time paid staff will be taking this extra day off without pay. The campuses will reopen July 5th for worship, and resume normal business hours on Monday, July 6th. Please be aware that the gym will be closed to most activities during the week of June 29th – July 4th. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=189St. Luke's Movie Night: Join us Saturday, June 27th at 6:00 p.m. in the Building C Gymnasium for a FREE movie night. Our feature presentation will be Madagascar 2 rated PG for mild crude humor.

The sequel to 2005's 'Madagascar' in which New York Zoo animals, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, still stranded on Madagascar, start to leave the island. All of a sudden, they ladn in the wilderness of Africa, where Alex meets the rest of his family, but has trouble communicating with them after spending so much time at the Central Park Zoo.

Fun for all ages!

Please RSVP with Carol at 407-876-4991 ext. 262. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=188Saturday Afternoon Tea Party: Join us for a Saturday Afternoon Tea Party sponsored by the St. Luke's United Methodist Women! Come for fellowship, soup, sandwiches, desserts and beverages. Wear your favorite hat! Join us at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27th in the Building C Rotunda. The cost is $5.00 for women and $3.00 girls 12 and up. All proceeds go to St. Luke's local missions. Please RSVP by June 20th to Andrea Constantinou at andrea.constantinou@hilton.com (reference TEA PARTY) or (321) 297-7083.

Table Hostesses Wanted! For details call Carol Kelly at (407) 295-7760. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/umw/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=187PowerHouse Worship with Veggie Tales: June 7th will be our last PowerHouse for the summer and will feature some special performers sharing the hilarious songs and antics of the Veggie Tales. All are welcome- bring a friend! PowerHouse worship takes place on Sunday at 10:50 a.m. in the Gymnasium. http://www.st.lukes.org/Worship/Families.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=186Help HopeSpring Worship the Lord with Gladness - Chair-fully!: Who are you longing to be able to "find their seat" in church where they will be welcomed and loved? Is it a friend, a family member, a co-worker looking for a place to connect with God and with others? You could make sure there is a seat ­ just for them, for the family or individual we haven’t met yet. Help prepare HopeSpring’s new location by making a $50 donation for a worship chair. The easiest way to make your donation is via check with the words "HopeSpring Worship Chairs" in the memo field. You may place your check in the offering plate or mail it to the St. Luke’s Central Campus office at 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819 by May 31. Thank you for supporting our new campus. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=185St. Luke's Movie Night: Join us on Saturday, May 30th from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. for a FREE movie, BOLT in the Gym. More than just a man’s best friend BOLT is a modern-day action hero. Raised on the set of a hit TV show, Bolt believes he has amazing powers - like a devastating Superbark. Free popcorn provided, fun for all ages! http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=182Job Search Seminar: A FREE Job Search Seminar will be held on Saturdays, May 9, 16, and 23 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Seminar Overview: All about referrals, researching job boards, using newspapers, corporation’s websites, job fairs, resume styles, cover letters, interview techniques and telephone follow-up. Call Carol for information and reservations, 407-876-4991 ext. 262. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=183Important Information Regarding Worship and the Flu Virus:

Dear family in faith:

We are taking appropriate precautions for worship and Holy Communion in our services this week and in the weeks to come in response to health concerns about the spread of the flu virus.

Your pastoral leadership team has made the following decisions.

  • Hand holding for the benediction and hand shaking for the passing of the peace during the time of greeting will be discontinued. (We urge persons to bring personal size antibacterial hand gel for their own use. We will have gel available at different locations around the campuses.)
  • For Holy Communion at all services, the persons who prepare the communion elements will wear sterile gloves.
  • Persons serving communion at all services will wash their hands with antibacterial gel immediately prior to the distribution of the elements in full view of the congregation.
  • In the traditional services in the sanctuary, worshippers will receive the elements into their open hands as given to them by the servers. Persons will not be taking their own bread. The individual cups will also be handed to them by the servers.
  • In the contemporary services on both campuses, individual cups will be used in lieu of intinction (dipping the bread). As with traditional worship, servers will wash hands in full view of worshippers and will place the elements into the hands of those who receive.
  • Any persons concerned about receiving the elements of Holy Communion in any form whatsoever are encouraged to attend services and not feel uncomfortable if they choose not to commune. The “receiving” of this sacrament of God’s grace is a spiritual action more than a physical one.

As this health crisis continues, your church will be sharing information about what we are doing as a congregation and what you can do as an individual to be proactive in seeking to halt the spread of the virus.

With love and prayers,
Bill Barnes

http://www.st.lukes.org/Worship http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=184Special Need, Special Player Basketball Clinics: Coming Soon... Special Need, Special Player Basketball Clinics Where children with disabilities participate fully with their non-disabled peers in two Basketball Clinics at St. Lukes United Methodist Church, Orlando Florida.

Who is our special needs child?
Reaching the St. Lukes United Methodist Church ?Special Need? families that have intellectually disabled children from the ages of 8-15 years old. Cognitive mental disabilities can range depending on the child.

April 5, 2009: Registration Begins
April 20, 2009: Registration End
April 25, 2009: 9am to 11am Coach & Peer Buddy/Mediator Training
May 2, 2009: 10am to 11am First Clinic
May 9, 2009: 10am to 11am Last Clinic

Please contact Linnea Maloney at Specialplayer@st.lukes.org if you are interested in being part of this new sports program for the community.

Click the More Information link below to register. http://www.st.lukes.org/Ministries/RW/SpecialPlayer.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=179Blessing of the Animals Sunday, April 19th at 2:00 p.m.: Our annual Blessing of the Animals service will take place this Sunday, April 19th at 2:00 p.m. This short but meaningful service will be held outside at the picnic table area across from the gym so please bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. For their own safety all dogs must be on a leash and all other animals must be safely contained. In case of inclement weather the event will be cancelled. http://www.st.lukes.org/Worship http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=181St. Luke's Will Be Closed April 13th: The St. Luke's Central and HopeSpring campuses will be closed on Monday, April 13th. St. Luke's will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, April 14th. http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=180Habitat Dedication Ceremony March 22nd at 2:00 p.m.: It is time to rejoice! The home for Mariel Jackson and her family, at 750 Klondike Street in Winter Garden, has been completed. Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters who made building this home possible. Please join us to share in the blessing of her new home. This is the 7th house built by St. Luke’s in coordination with West Orange Habitat for Humanity. For more information on St. Luke’s Habitat for Humanity please click the More Information link below. http://www.st.lukes.org/Habitat http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=177Church Conference Tuesday, March 17th: A Church Conference will be held Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The one item of business will be to vote on the purchase of land located in West Orange County. Information is available on the web at www.st.lukes.org/BodyBuilding. There are also frequently asked questions with answers at the same link. If you have additional questions, please e-mail Kelly Smith at ksmith@st.lukes.org. All members of the church have a vote. http://www.st.lukes.org/BodyBuilding http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=178Summer Camp Registration Begins March 16: St. Luke's Summer Camp registration begins Monday, March 16th at 1:00 p.m. Summer Camp registration is for S.W.E.A.T., Vacation Bible School (VBS), and Kingdom Camp. For more information and to register for Summer Camps at St. Luke's click the link below. Summer Camp registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and spots are limited. Registration will remain open until April 27, 2009. Summer Camp registration can only be completed on our website. http://www.st.lukes.org/SummerCamps/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=176Upward Celebration March 15: The Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Celebration will be taking place Sunday, March 15th at 10:50 a.m. during the PowerHouse worship service in the Gym.

Registration for Upward Fall Soccer will begin on July 31, 2009.