St. Luke's Weekly Update May 30, 2012

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In this Week's Update:

A Note from Pastor Bill

Dear St. Luke's Saints,

What a great Sunday it was for me last weekend to return to St. Luke's from the Holy Land to experience Pentecost Sunday in Contemporary worship! The enthusiasm and "fire" of the congregation were the perfect follow-up (and carry-forward!) to an inspiring two weeks in the land where the Church was born. This week I am in catch-me-up mode with a staff and church leadership team that has been very busy in my absence.

Your response to the "Together for Kids and Camps" campaign has been extraordinary. I am still awaiting figures from the Florida United Methodist Foundation, where some checks were written, to add to the $20,000 we received in gifts made to St. Luke's. The staff at the Foundation tells me that St. Luke's has made the largest gift to the campaign yet received. You can still give to this wonderful cause that supports camping scholarships for children and youth and is paying for the complete remodeling of the Barnett Lodge at the Warren Willis Youth Camp near Leesburg.

A dedication service for the Lodge, accompanied by tours, is scheduled for this coming Saturday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m. I will be there to assist with the program and want you to know that you are invited to come see what your generosity has done already. Detailed information about the event is available on the Florida United Methodist Conference website.

Summer sermons begin this weekend, and that means casual clothing for the next few months. (Of course, around here, casual is the norm, but for you folks who need "permission" to ditch the white gloves and ties, here it is!) Our theme for June and July is "The Hero's Handbook: Wisdom from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes." The summer blockbusters are coming full force into the theaters, and in case you have missed it, super heroes abound. When we can look past the tights, capes, and special effects we find plots that often have a message about value and wisdom. Within all of us there is the power of the Holy Spirit calling us to be heroes of the faith. But how do we continue to live in powerful, purposeful ways when life happens? This summer we are going to remember some of the timeless "super-power" sayings from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes that can bless and change our lives when we remember them and live into their truth.

We begin this week with Proverbs 1:1-7 and the celebration of Holy Communion, learning what's right, and just, and fair.

It's great to visit the Holy Land, but it's even greater to be home with God's holy people: you!

With faith, hope, and love,

Bill

Preview of Worship Guide for June 3, 2012
You can now preview the worship guide for the coming Sunday. You will find a link to it each week in the Upcoming Worship section of the Weekly Update. View the Worship Guide.

Upcoming Worship

Sunday, June 3
Sermon Series: "The Hero's Handbook"
Sermon: "Learning What's Right and Just and Fair"
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.
Preview this Sunday's Worship Guide

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

Counseling Intern

	Event Date & Time: 6/1/2012
	The Community Counseling Center at St. Luke's has an intern from Asbury Theological Seminary who is completing his Master's in Counseling program. He is available to see clients who would like counseling but have no insurance or are in financial need. If you or your friends would like to make an appointment, please call 407-876-4991, ext. 250 to make an appointment.
	More Information about this Event

"Twist the Night Away" - A St. Luke's 50's Sock Hop

	Event Date & Time: 6/10/2012 5:30:00 PM
	St. Luke's UMC presents a church-wide family event in the Coleman Gymnasium featuring the combined choirs and praise teams singing and playing songs of the 1950s. In addition to featured singing there will be games, contests, dancing and audience participation. Food will be available. Wear your best outfit from the 1950s and enter the costume contest. Tickets for this event are available beginning May 20 following worship and will also be available in the church office during the week. Adult tickets are $5, and children 12 & under are $3. There is a family cap of $15. Tickets for this event are limited so get yours today!
	More Information about this Event

Modern Church Family

Friday, June 1, 2012

Read: When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit . . . Acts 2:1-4

So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:17-20.

Think About: In his Guide to the Bible, theologian H. L. Willmington equates the experience of the filling of the Holy Spirit to a guest's experience while visiting a friend's house. When the guest arrives, Willmington says, he is confined to one room, near the front door. For awhile, the host forgets about his visitor, but soon the host realizes that he hasn't treated his guest very well, and he gives his guest free access to the rest of the house.

The guest is the Holy Spirit. The host is the believer. The house is the believer's life. When we receive the Holy Spirit on our day of Pentecost, we may not understand what it means to be host to the Spirit of God, but as we learn more about our Lord and Savior, we realize it is time to set the Spirit free. Willmington says, "The filling, therefore, does not mean the believer gets more of the Holy Spirit, but rather the Holy Spirit gets more of the believer."

I've always liked Paul's metaphor in his letter to the Ephesians. Don't be drunk - that is, subject to the inhibitions and limitations too much alcohol leads to - but be filled - controlled by - the Holy Spirit.

As we grow in our knowledge of God, as we learn more about Jesus, we will inevitably get to know the Holy Spirit better. And as we learn to love and trust God, we will want to turn more of ourselves and our lives over to his control. Not to worry. He's been waiting for the opportunity.

The Holy Spirit isn't pushy like some of the other elements of your life that seem to be demanding your time, but have no doubt - he will get your attention if you keep him confined in a small room for too long. I hear some of you chuckling. I, too, have chuckled.

I love Jesus. I love him because the He first loved me and gave his life so that I may live. I love him because he has shared with me the power of the resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is one other thing we need to know about the Holy Spirit. He produces unity within the body of Christ. He makes us one - one with each other and one with God. Paul said, "I. . . beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Let us, the modern church, find unity through the Holy Spirit.

Pray this Prayer: I hear you, Jesus. I hear you calling St. Luke's to complete your work. Fill us with your Spirit, Lord, so we can do great things. 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