St. Luke's Weekly Update August 10, 2011

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In this Week's Update:

Upcoming Worship

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Growth Groups, Classes & Sign-ups

Daily Devotional

A Note from Pastor Bill Bill Barnes

Dear St. Luke's Saints,

Do you remember learning about icebergs in elementary school? 90% of the mass of an iceberg is hidden below the surface. The huge ice mountains that you can see that seemingly float on the water are just the tip of an ice mass much larger than you think.

Here at St. Luke's, what you can see is only part of the large body of believers and ministries that comprise our family in faith. Our SUPPORT mission essential that will be highlighted in worship this week is absolutely critical to our work and service for Jesus Christ. There are a thousand little things that we take for granted here that someone has to do. Here are a few of them: replace toilet tissue, mow grass, change light bulbs, provide sound and light for worship, manage the website, employ and compensate staff, arrange for elevator inspections, fire inspections, and compliance issues. SUPPORT ministries make sure that we have adequate property and liability insurance, good tires on the bus, and a safe and secure environment for our children.

SUPPORT ministries manage our finances, endowment investment policies, and arrange for a comprehensive annual audit. They make sure the doors are unlocked in the morning and locked and alarmed at night. I think you are getting the picture here by now. So this Sunday the St. Luke's leaders who have responsibility for these critical and necessary ministries of support will be sharing with us in worship. They will be letting you know what we are doing and where we are going as the body of Christ here at St. Luke's. Chuck Mallue, our Lay Leader, will join me in guiding our time together in all worship venues.

We are thinking about the following:

The Church Council is the governing body of the congregation. What does it do? What is it doing right now?
We are required to have a Board of Trustees, a Finance Committee and a Committee on Staff Parish Relation. What are their roles for supporting ministry?
We project financial trends for St. Luke's. Given the recession, how accurate have those projections been so far for 2011? Do we have any reserve funds?
Where are we on determining the next phase of our master plan, which was adopted in 1997?

Acts 4:32-37 is the scripture context for Sunday. The key verse is "Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul..." Join us to learn how St. Luke's is living into this challenge in 2011 and beyond.

With faith, hope and love,

Bill

St. Luke's Sports Soccer Registration Now Open: Register now for St. Luke's Sports Fall Soccer season. Registration ends August 19th and the season begins the week of September 12th. For more information and to register visit www.st.lukes.org/sports. Registration must be completed online.

Acts Like a Believer
Upcoming Worship

Sunday, August 14
Sermon Series: "Act(s) Like a Church"
Sermon: "The Acts Church Supports"
Scripture: Acts 4:32-37
Traditional Worship: Dr. William S. Barnes preaching in the Sanctuary at 8:00 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship: Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams preaching in the Gymnasium at 9:30 a.m. & in the Attic at 5:30 p.m.

View the Upcoming Worship Schedule or Listen to past sermons on our website: www.St.Lukes.org/Worship

Upcoming Events

You can see more Upcoming News & Events on our website: www.St.Lukes.org/Events

Cracking the Communication Code for Couples

	Event Date & Time: 8/10/2011
	Understanding each others style is helpful in any relationship. Learn communication techniques and lessen conflict. Lisa Beilman, LMHC who specializes in work with couples, will facilitate three sessions on Wednesday, August 10, 17 & 24 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in room B212, Building B. This class is free but you must reserve your spot by calling the St. Luke’s Counseling Center at 407-876-4991, Ext. 250.
	More Information about this Event

Summer Singers

	Event Date & Time: 8/21/2011
	On the Sundays of July 10 to August 21, you are invited to help fill the choir loft with a joyful noise! Meet in the choir room (B209) at 9:00 a.m. and learn a simple song that will be sung during the 9:30 a.m. worship service. This is open to all ages: adults, youth and children (1st grade and higher).
	More Information about this Event

Kingdom Building Now Serving: Volunteer Opportunities

You can see more Volunteer Opportunites on the St. Luke's Kingdom Building website: www.St.Lukes.org/KingdomBuilding/NowServing

Mollie Ray Elementary

	Reach: Educational IMPACT: IMPACT
	Description: Volunteer to help at Mollie Ray Elementary School for one hour a week to support the public schools of Orange County. You can select the hour and day you help as well as select from preferred areas with students and other ways to help such as: - Reading, Math, Science, Music/Fine Arts, Sports and Recreation, One-On-One Mentor - Speak Spanish,... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Pineloch Elementary

	Reach: Educational IMPACT: IMPACT
	Description: Volunteer to help at Pineloch Elementary School for one hour a week to support the public schools of Orange County. You can select the hour and day you help as well as select from preferred areas with students and other ways to help such as: - Reading, Math, Science, Music/Fine Arts, Sports and Recreation, One-On-One Mentor - Speak Spanish, ... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Coalition Servers - Sat. 8-20-11

	Deploy: Missions: Coalition for the Homeless
	Description: We need 6 more volunteers to serve dinner at the Coalition. This is a great opportunity for families and friends to serve together. Meet at the Fellowship Hall at 5pm to carpool or meet at the Shelter at 5:30pm View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Servant Minister Helping Hands - Babies / Toddlers

	Guide: Children's Ministries: Sunday Programming
	Description: On behalf of our Children's Ministries team, we invite you to participate in a ministry to our youngest children this fall. We need you to come laugh with them, listen to them, lead them, hold their hand, stroll with them, rock them... the list is endless. To get connected and make a difference in the life of a child please call Jayne Andrews, Dire... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Servant Minister Helping Hands - Preschool

	Guide: Children's Ministries: Sunday Programming
	Description: Servant Minister Helping Hands Preschool- Assists the Lead Servant Minister with facilitating the lesson (creativity time, active game, story time, and snack). What does it take? - Love the Lord and love children - Enjoy "playing" with children - Accept and encourage children’s abilities - One hour commitment one Sunday a month (flexible wi... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Disciple Building Growth Groups, Classes & Sign-Ups

You can see more Growth Groups, Classes & Sign-ups on the St. Luke's Kingdom Building website: www.St.Lukes.org/KingdomBuilding/SmallGroups

Women's Bible Study

	Guide: Spiritual Formation: Guide
	Description: Here and Now...There and Then by Beth Moore is an 11-session lecture series on the book of Revelation. Beth presents many points of view, allowing women to decide for themselves when the interpretation varies among scholars. led by Andrea Batchelor View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

Christian Believer

	Guide: Spiritual Formation: Guide
	Description: If I say I am a Christian, then what do I believe? Study of doctrine through history, scripture and writings of the church. Prerequisite: Disciple One. Two hour weekly class, plus half hour daily reading and study required. View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

Financial Peace - Wednesday

	Guide: Spiritual Formation: Guide
	Description: Financial Peace is an inspiring, hope filled, practical experience that will change your lives through money management strategies. You will learn to live like no one else in order to live like no one else! Dave Ramsey's baby steps will help you take control of your finances. There is a $100 fee for materials, but scholarships and a pyment plan ... View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

Financial Peace -Thursday

	Guide: Spiritual Formation: Guide
	Description: Financial Peace is an inspiring, hope filled, practical experience that will change your lives through money management strategies. You will learn to live like no one else in order to live like no one else! Dave Ramsey's baby steps will help you take control of your finances. There is a $100 fee for materials, but scholarships and a pyment plan ... View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

Disciple 1 - Thursday

	Guide: Spiritual Formation: Guide
	Description: 34 week long class that moves through the Old and New Testaments, discovering themes, major people, events and topics. Requires reading and preparation for the weekly class. A life changing experience, truly! Led by Ruth McKeefery View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

Daily Devotions

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Read: Acts 5:17-42 . . . and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

Think About: In Acts 5 we learn that the Jewish council that had engineered the crucifixion of Jesus wasn't very happy that his followers were carrying on his mission. The Apostles were going around town, performing healings and miracles in the name of Jesus, and generally making nuisances (to the council) of themselves. So, the high priest had them arrested and thrown into prison.

Surprise, surprise! The next morning the temple guard discovered that the Apostles were no longer in the prison. An angel had come during the night and freed them, and they were once again spreading the word about Jesus, the true Messiah.

So, the high priest told the guards to gather the Apostles up and bring them before the council. The Bible tells us, "The high priest questioned them, saying, 'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us.' But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:27-32.

Well, that attitude didn't sit well with the council. They wanted to kill the Apostles, but Gamaliel, a teacher of the law - in fact, Paul's teacher - pointed out that the Apostles could be like many other followers of false messiahs, and if they were, the fad they had become would soon fade. But if what they said were true, nothing the council did would be able to stop them from succeeding.

That made sense to the council so they flogged them, ordered them to stop proclaiming (knowing they wouldn't), and let them go.

Notice how the Apostles reacted. They rejoiced at being able to suffer dishonor for Jesus' sake.

Sometimes we are reluctant to proclaim Jesus as Lord beyond the walls of the church. Are we afraid of how others will react? After all, we proclaim a life and a lifestyle that does not fit well in modern society. We talk about what we can give when others are most concerned with what they can get. We say we love others when road rage and bullying are common practice. We want to help the least, the last and the lost when others want them to go away.

The Apostles rejoiced because they could suffer dishonor just to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Pray this Prayer: Lord, it's always hard for me to talk about you among my unchurched friends. I think they'll think less of me. Let them! It really doesn't matter what they think. It only matters what you think. Amen.

Written by the St. Luke's Writing Team

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© 2011 St. Luke's United Methodist Church at Windermere
4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando FL, 32819
407-876-4991 • Fax: 407-876-6495 • www.St.Lukes.org