Stay up-to-date with News and Events from St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando, FLhttp://www.st.lukes.org: Your Last Will & Testament makes sure that your property is distributed according to your wishes. But your legacy involves more than your material assets. An Ethical Will conveys the values you lived by through the stories of your life. Reconnect with the past telling successes and failures, goals and dreams, and tell your story which will be a gift for your younger generations.
Join us for this workshop Tuesdays, September 14th and 21st from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Room C205/207. Facilitated by Alison Issen.
Please pre-register by contacting the St. Lukes Counseling Center at (407) 876-4991 ext. 250 http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=259: St. Luke's Gospel Choir and Praise Band under the direction of Bradley Roberts is seeking members! This group is geared toward high school, college and young adults (single and married) and the young at heart. If music like Brooklyn Tabernacle, Sister Act 2, Hezekiah Walker, Glee, the Preacher's Wife soundtrack (feat. the Georgia Mass Choir), the Kurt Carr Singers makes you wanna sing or clap your hands then this is the place for you!!! Gonna be an amazingly exciting new community of worship, praise and outreach in our congregation. We would love for you to be a part of the journey! Choir meets Sundays at 6:30pm in the Choir Room in Building B. Praise Band meets every other Sunday in the sanctuary. For the latest info on the group please join and visit St. Luke's Gospel Choir on Facebook! And for questions or concerns please feel free to email stlukesgospelchoir@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/music http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=268: Kick off the new year with UMW with a delicious potluck at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Featured guest speakers will be Alma Manney and Mariam Mengistie sharing about their recent experience at the Global United Methodist Women’s Assembly. Join old friends, meet new friends, and hear about the incredible ways United Methodist women are changing the world! http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/umw/default.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=266: During the month of August, the entire congregation is invited to pray for one another. On the specific day, please pray for everyone whose last name begins with the assigned letter. On Saturdays, please pray for the designated groups. Click the link below to view the calendar (PDF File). http://www.st.lukes.org/documents/FamilyPrays.pdf http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=261: St. Lukes has been invited to share in the spiritual discipline of fasting during Ramadan with our Muslim neighbors and then to attend an Iftar at the Islamic Center of Orlando on Monday, August 30 at 8:00 p.m. The Iftar is the breaking of the fast that starts by eating a date and is followed by Sunset Prayer and Breaking of Bread (feast). To prepare for this experience you are invited to attend "Iftar 101" on Sunday August 29, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The Iftar and Prayer Service will be in Building C208 at St. Lukes on Monday evening. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/deploy.asp http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=265: Join us for our Rockin' Block Party on August 28th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Coleman Gymnasium. We will have live music, good, contests and fun!

Dress up as a GLEE or High School Musical character, a high school prep, jock, nerd or better yet come as yourself in high school, and let's celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall fun together! http://www.st.lukes.org/events http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=263: Register now for classes at the St. Luke's School of the Arts. Classes for adults include: Needle Arts, Oil Painting, Watercolor, Photography, Acting, Writing and more! Other class offerings for Preschool through Grade 12 are available in art, dance and music. Private instruction in various instruments and voice is also available. Classes begin August 27th. For more information visit the link below or call 407-876-5226. http://www.st.lukes.org/SOA http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=264: The St. Luke's Community Counseling Center will be hosting a workshop in August titled, "How To Cope With Stress and Anxiety." The workshop will be facilitated by Mark Zauss on Thursdays, August 19th and 26th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. There is no charge. Please pre-register by calling the Counseling Center at 407-876-4991 ext. 250. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/counseling http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=260: St. Luke's will be hosting the Global Leadership Summit on August 5 and 6. We are encouraging all of you to participate in this yearly leadership training event. Your role as a leader either within your church, your community and/or your work place is being put to the test. The Leadership Summit is an opportunity for you to connect with other leaders facing similar challenges and hear inspirational speakers to help keep you motivated and encouraged.

You will be inspired from persons with experiences from both the Christian and secular base. You will hear from persons who use their gifts and talents to create new business ideas and from world leaders. This year's featured speakers include Jim Collins, T.D. Jakes, Tony Dungy, Andy Stanley and Adam Hamilton, just to name a few. Our site will also be opened to other United Methodist Churches which will allow us time to fellowship and gather around the table with our fellow United Methodist for dialuge about how our denomination works together to implement some of the amazing information we will here throughout the Summit. http://www.st.lukes.org/Summit http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=262: On Saturday, June 12, 2010, in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., St. Luke's UMC presents a church-wide family event 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. Drive-in food will be available and you are asked to wear your best outfit from the 1950’s and be prepared to enter the costume contest. Tickets for this event will be available on Sundays following worship on May 23, May 30 and June 6 as well as during the week in the church office. Adults are $5.00 and children 12 & under are $3.00. There is a family cap of $15.00. There are a limited number of tickets available for this sock hop so get them early. We will be asking for donations at the door to help cover costs. As they say in the 1950's "Hubba, hubba, ding, ding. Baby, you’ve got everything!" http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=255: NAMI Support Class will begin on Thursday, June 10th from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. in Building B Room 202 for 12 weeks. For registration please contact Ella Tate at 407-294-2267 or elwtofl@aol.com http://www.st.lukes.org/SupportGroups/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=253: A lively event and opportunity for Siblings of Children on the Autism Spectrum to receive peer support from other "sibs" of kids with Autism Spectrum diagnoses. Games, food and all around good time included! This workshop is Saturday, June 5th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $20 per registrant (ages 6 to 11) http://www.st.lukes.org/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=254: Much time and energy is put into planning and conducting our worship services as well as the many other elements that help us all connect and grow closer to our Lord and Savior. With that in mind, I would like to ask you to take a few minutes and give us your feedback on the Lent Season. Please click on this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9TVDVYF and take the 10 question survey. Your responses are confidential but will be shared with our staff and laity who lead the Proclaim Ministry Essential area. Your thoughts are very important to us and we depend on them to help us move forward in our planning for 2010 and beyond. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9TVDVYF http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=252: UMW Tea-May 15 Saturday Afternoon Tea in the Fellowship Hall at 1:00 p.m. Cost for girls 12-18 is $8 and for ladies is $10. Come for fellowship, salad, sandwiches, delicious breads, and desserts. RSVP to Karen Brown, kbrown11@cfl.rr.com. Sponsored by the United Methodist Women with all proceeds going to local missions. http://www.st.lukes.org/ministries/umw http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=249: Do you have an old non-working computer collecting dust in your garage? The IMPACT ministry is collecting computers to be repaired by Missionary Computer Fellowship and given to Pineloch Elementary School to be placed in the classrooms to be used by students. Please bring all or any of the following to the IMPACT office in Building C.

• Pentium II computers or faster. If possible, operating systems from Windows 98 to XP with Microsoft Office software. They do not have to work; the Missionary Computer Fellowship will fix them. Working computers are also accepted.
• Working Monitors less than 10 years old. They need to work. They cannot be fixed.
• Keyboards, Mouse, Speakers, Attachments and Cords.
• Donor can erase the hard drive or MCF will erase the hard drive.
• On request the donor may receive the Tax gift form when they drop off the computer.
• Take your computer, etc. to the IMPACT Office in Building C any day of the week.
• This is a year-long project to meet our goal of 120 functioning computers. When you upgrade your current computer, give your old one to COMPUTERS FOR CLASSROOMS.

Please take the time to ask your neighbors and friends for their old computer; pick it up from them and bring it to the church. They will be happy to have you pass on their old computer. http://www.st.lukes.org/IMPACT http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=251: Habitat Dedication in Winter Garden- April 25th at 2:00 p.m. St. Luke's Habitat for Humanity ministry will be dedicating their ninth home. Everyone is invited to this special celebration for the Andrews family located at 519 Bethune Ave, Winter Garden, Florida. Directions can be found on the link below. http://www.st.lukes.org/Habitat http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=248: The Blessings of the Animals is a fun, short worship experience celebrating God's creation through the special pets in our lives. Each pet will receive an individual blessing. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and animals need to be leashed or in a crate for their safety. This worship experience will take place Sunday, April 25th at 2:00 p.m. in the picnic area, south of Building C. http://www.st.lukes.org/Worship/blessinganimals/ http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=250: Make a difference by learning how to impact your community and the world through ministry and service. A churchwide Change the World event will be held April 24–25 to encourage members to join with others in the community to make a difference locally and globally. For more information, visit – www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld Here at St. Luke’s we are living into the local-global commitment of this day by highlighting four new mission initiatives that need a unique kind of commitment for this new decade. On April 25 you will hear more about these ministries in worship and have a chance to attend open houses for each one between worship services. The new local initiatives include: Faith Re-Entry Enterprise/FREE and The Jobs Partnership-Parramore Initiative. New global initiatives include: Haiti Rebuilding and Church to Church Partnership in Ethiopia. www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=247: 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=242: 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=244: Please join us Monday, March 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall and find out! Try a journey of self-reflection while walking the prayer labyrinth. All are invited to this free, guided meditation with Viviana Collazo, yoga and meditation teacher as part of Holy Week at St. Luke’s. Labyrinths have long been considered a form of spiritual journey and a powerful tool for personal and spiritual transformation. We hope your walk through the labyrinth will help you emerge with a sense of communion, peace and renewal. Contact Sue Powers, 407-876-4991, ext. 234 or spowers@st.lukes.org for more information. http://www.st.lukes.org/Lent http://www.st.lukes.org/events/news.asp?id=246: 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=243: 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=245: 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=241: 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=239: 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=240: 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=237: 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=238: 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=236: 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=234: 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=235: 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=233: 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=231: 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=229: 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=232: 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=230: 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=227: 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: 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=225: 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=226: 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=223: 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=222: 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=221: 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=219: 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=220: 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=218: 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=213: 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=216: 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=208: “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=217: 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=214: 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=215: 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=212: 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=209: 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=210: 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=211: 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=207: 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=204: 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=206: 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=205: 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=203: 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=198: 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=202: 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=199: 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=196: 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=201: 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.