Upcoming Worship

Sunday, April 22
Sermon Series: "Modern Church Family"
Sermon: "Knowing Worth"
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
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

Learn to Lower Stress, Frustration and Depression Workshop
	Event Date & Time: 4/19/2012
	St. Luke's Community Counseling Center will be holding a workshop titled "Learn to Lower Stress, Frustration and Depression," on Thursdays, April 19 and 26 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in room B212. Dr. Joanne MacPherson, Director of the Counseling Center, will be leading this workshop. Pre-register by calling the St. Luke's Community Counseling Center at (407) 876-4991 ext. 250.
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United Methodist General Conference Volunteers Needed
	Event Date & Time: 4/23/2012
	Every four years United Methodists from around the globe gather together to make decisions about the vision, direction, and policy of the United Methodist Church for the next four years. In 2012 (April 23-May 4), the General Conference will be held in Tampa. Many volunteers are needed. If you would like to volunteer, please go to www.flumc.org and click on the General Conference link on the left hand side. As General Conference gets closer, please watch for information about how else you might want to be involved. If you would like more information about General Conference or have signed up as a volunteer, please contact Lynette Fields at lfields@st.lukes.org or 407-876-4991 ext. 230 so that we can keep track of who from St. Luke’s is volunteering.
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UMW Saturday Afternoon Tea in April
	Event Date & Time: 4/28/2012
	United Methodist Women's event is for all women of St. Luke's and friends. The Saturday Afternoon Tea event is April 28th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Join us for Fellowship, Soup, Sandwiches, Breads, Desserts and Tea. Reserve your seats now! Tickets are $15.00 (all tickets are non-refundable). RSVP to: Annmarie Alamia at landogal@hotmail.com or 407-928-2439. All proceeds go to local missions.
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50 Days of Prayer Before & During General Conference 2012
	Event Date & Time: 5/4/2012
	50 Days of Prayer Before & During General Conference 2012, serves as an invitation to provide spiritual support to the 2012 General Conference. Electronic communication will make it possible for every local congregation in every part of the world to pray with and for the 988 delegates of the 2012 General Conference. Every United Methodist will be able to read the same scripture, share the same insights, and pray the same prayer for 40 days prior to the General Conference in Tampa, Florida, as well as through each day of the General Conference, April 24 through May 4, 2012. Click the link below for more information.
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Standing on the Side of Love Workshop
	Event Date & Time: 5/8/2012
	Being gay, lesbian or transgendered in our society presents many difficult challenges for the individual, his or her family and friends. You will gain an understanding of these challenges from their point of view and the spiritual conflicts they must address. You will also learn ways to reduce bias, prejudice and injustice, and provide support for our GLBT citizens. This three-session workshop will take place Tuesdays, May 8, 15 and 22, 2012 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in room C200/202 in Building C. Standing on the Side of Love is facilitated by Susan Pate-Warren, LMHC. Please pre-register by contacting the St. Luke's Community Counseling Center at 407-876-4991 ext. 250 or by email tdeputy@st.lukes.org. FACILITATED BY: Susan Pate-Warren, LMHC PRE-REGISTER: St. Luke’s Counseling Center Ext. 250
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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

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Read: It's not all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does! So, this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:7-11 (The Message)

Think About: What do you ask for when you pray for your friends: their health, prosperity, peace, safety, and relationships? All of the above would be my answer. I am betting that we have all spent hours on our proverbial knees praying for just these very things for our dear ones. These concerns seem to be our topmost priorities for those we care about. We want our friends and family to be happy, healthy, self- sufficient, secure and solid. Doesn't everyone want that?

Evidently, these requests didn't make Paul's list. Instead, he prays that the Philippians, whom he feels strongly about, love well, love much, love appropriately, love sincerely, and love intelligently. Interesting, isn't it? He didn't ask for them to receive anything; instead he asks for them to pour out. It is not hands out, but arms open. Paul has been sustained by their love through his ministry, and he prays that others will too. He knows the power of their love, and he wants them to extend it to anyone in need of the message of grace. Broaden the circle; love more, love all, love well.

It is important that not only Paul's friends love, but that we do as well. Often we sing a song entitled, "They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love," and how is that working for us? Do we love all? Is it apparent that we do? On Easter Sunday, the lines for traditional worship began on the patio and extended all of the way to the doors of Building C. How much love was there for the people ten feet ahead? When we were in a pew, tightly, we looked around and realized we didn't know anyone in the row. Who are these people? Well, they are part of our church family. They are part of the 'all' in the all of us.

I used to go to family reunions in a Nebraska small town park, and all of my grandfather's twelve brothers and sisters with their spouses and kids were there. Every one of them had red hair! As a child I was absolutely enthralled. (Today, I think they were the Weasley's.) The common characteristic identified them as family. The common characteristic we share is love. So, we love those in line, those in the pew, and those in the parking lot. We are the family of God and you can identify us by the way we love one another.

Pray this Prayer: Lord of all, today we pray for the family, all of us. No matter our immediate concerns, wants, or needs, in the long term, the primary necessity we ask for is the ability to love. Let us practice it until we get it right and once we develop it 'in house', let us take it on the road and broaden the circle, drawing others in to you. Amen.

Written by the St. Luke's Writing Team

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© 2012 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