St. Luke's Weekly Update January 17, 2007

A Message from Pastor Jennifer Stiles Williams

Dear St. Luke’s Family:

First, John and I want to thank everyone who has welcomed us to St. Luke’s. Your hospitality and graciousness has made us feel truly “at home.”

Which leads me to my next thought for you. I was driving through town this morning listening to my “Hairspray” soundtrack. In the song “Without Love” there is a great line at the end the chorus belts out:

“Without love life is like…
A week that’s only Monday’s
Only Ice Cream, Never Sundae’s
Like a circle with no center
Like a door marked “do not enter.”

My new title is the Minster of Relational Evangelism. I recognize the word “Evangelism” today hold a great deal of baggage for people. Evangelism can bring to mind images of people holding a giant Bible used more as a weapon of mass destruction than as the Word of grace and love it is. However, I am very passionate about the people of God reclaiming this word into not only our vocabulary but bringing it into our lives.

Simply put, evangelism is sharing the gospel – or the “good news” of the love God has for each of us. It’s letting others see the good news of God’s love alive in your life and heart by the ways you serve, listen, care, and love others. Your Good News is the journey of how God has claimed and marked you, changed you, and literally made you feel “at home.”

Evangelism is important because for many people right here in our own community the institution of the church has become a door marked “do not enter.” To them the church may seem more of a place of judgment and condemnation “without love” instead of the place where anyone can feel “at home” because the love and grace of God abounds.

Now, We all know St. Luke’s is not that kind of church – however it’s best marketing tool is YOU – Your story tells of how God has brought you home. Jesus gave us this as his last command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

My call is to help us find ways to open the doors of the church and a life with Christ by sharing the good news of the love of God which welcomes and makes everyone feel “at home.”

Sincerely,

Jenn

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Opportunities this Week

Listed below you’ll find opportunities available for the rest of this week in the following categories:
Upcoming Worship
Upcoming Events
Spiritual Growth Groups
Service Opportunities
Support Groups
We Can Help
Small Groups
NexGen

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Upcoming Worship

Sunday, January 14 - Please join our new Associate Pastor - Jennifer Stiles Williams
Traditional: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. The Bethune Cookman College Concert Chorale in Concert
Sermon Series: "Primetime Preaches"
Sermon: "Brothers and Sisters " – 1 John 4:7-21
Contemporary: 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams preaching

Monday, January 22 Relevant - A Young Adult Worship Service
Young adults are invited to meet Mondays at 7:45 p.m. for the Relevant worship service, in The Attic in Building C. Visit the Relevant Life website at www.therelevantlife.org.

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Upcoming Events

The Rummage Sale is Coming Jan. 27!
St. Luke’s Annual Rummage Sale to support Missions is Sat., Jan. 27. Save household items, furniture, clothes, toys and other goodies for the sale. Drop off items in Fellowship Hall starting Thurs., Jan. 25. To help sort on Thurs., Jan. 25 or Fri., Jan. 26 or to work at the sale, call Dede Duncan, 407-876-4991, ext. 296.

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Spiritual Growth Groups

Seeker Groups Get Your Feet Wet

Soul House Study 11:00 AM Sunday
Calling all couples 20’s to 40’s, Soul House is looking for you! On Sun., Jan. 21 visit with Pastor David Stephens. Meet at 11:00 a.m., Sundays in the Attic in Building C. Coffee, snacks & social time at 10:30 a.m. Call Amanda Knight at 407-748-7993 or Frank Lavra at 407-580-6863.

Brown Bag Bible Bunch 11:30 AM, Mon.
Brown Bag Bible Bunch meets Mondays at 11:30 a.m., Rm. C-204, Bldg. C to study For Such a Time as This. Call Deborah Collins at 407-493-2757.

Explorer Groups Wade in Deeper

Three Connections Studies Sundays
Join the Connections class at 9:30, 11:00 a.m., or 6:45 p.m., Sundays in the Special Events Dining Rm., Bldg. C for a new study Everybody’s Normal Until You Get to Know Them. Call Scott & Joan Ziegler at 407-876-2445, sjziegler@cfl.rr.com or Bob and Leah Bergstrom at 407-654-8647, bobleahbergstrom@yahoo.com.

Tuesday 12:00 PM Women’s Group
Join a Beth Moore women’s study of the apostle Paul, To Live Is Christ, at noon Tuesdays for 11 weeks, starting Jan. 9. Call Andrea, 407-876-4607.

Tuesday 10:00 AM Really Bad Girls!
Begin a new 8 week study, Really, Bad Girls of the Bible Tues., Jan. 30 at 10:00 a.m. in Room B-206. Call Carolyn Hildreth (352-242-9939).

Ambassador Women’s Bible Study
Join a new study with the Ambassadors, When God Speaks at 10:00 a.m., Wednesdays, Rm. C-200, Bldg. C. Carolyn Dannen, 407-876-8427.

Community with Children & The Poor
A new Bible study on children and poverty meets Sundays at 11:00 a.m., today - Feb. 11 and Wed., 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24 - Mar. 7. Facilitated by Lynette Fields, Ann Lee Earnshaw and Marva Carter. For details or to sign up contact Gin Jans at gjans@st.lukes.org or 407-876-4991, ext. 259.

Disciple Groups Immerse Your Spirit

9:30 AM Women’s Wednesday Study
Wednesday Morning Bible Study begins a new book Wed., Jan. 10, Interpretation Bible Studies: Second Corinthians. Meet in Rm. C-210, Bldg. C, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Call Joyce Clegg 407-656-0964.

New Directions Class 9:30 Sundays
Join the New Directions class for a study Invitation to Genesis beginning today at 9:30 a.m., Sundays, Room C-205/207. Call Bobby Cox, facilitator at 407-295-0719 for information.

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Service Opportunities

Shepherd’s Hope Servant Ministers
Shepherd’s Hope is looking for medical and non-medical people to volunteer at its Health Centers. They provide medical care for people who can’t afford it. Orientation is Wed., Jan. 10 at 6:00 p.m. at FL Hospital 7th Day Adventist Church. For details contact Gayle Fitzpatrick at 407-876-6699, ext. 3 or email volunteer@shepherzdshope.org.

W. Orange Daily Bread Jan. 16, 17 & 18
West Orange Daily Bread needs people to help make salads and serve the noon meal on Tues., Jan. 16, Wed., Jan. 17 and Thurs., Jan. 18 at the Christian Service Center in Ocoee. Sign up in the West Orange Daily Bread notebook for any month in 2007. You will be called to remind you of this date. The notebooks are hanging on the Mission Kiosk on the patio or on the Mission table by the gym. For details contact Joanie Mills at 407-292-5851 or jmills9334@aol.com.

5th Annual Citrus Harvest, Sat., Jan. 20
Volunteers are needed to pick citrus and bring it to St. Luke’s after 9:00 a.m. or to pick citrus for a neighbor. Meet at St. Luke’s at 9:00 a.m. for directions. Invite others to pick citrus with you. Make phone calls before the 20th and keep a spreadsheet updated (maybe 40-50 phone calls). Work as a St. Luke’s site coordinator Sat., 8:00 - 3:00. Give directions, hand out maps, build boxes, etc. No heavy lifting required. Sponsored by The Society of St. Andrew. To find out more or volunteer call Dede at 407-876-4991, ext. 296 or email dduncan@st.lukes.org.

Conference Ushers Needed Jan. 24-26
Usher at a women’s conference Jan. 24, 25, and 26. Select a shift to usher at the International Pastors’ Wives Conference at the Hyatt Hotel. Hear renowned speakers, meet incredible women, and be inspired. Call Joline at 407-876-4991, ext. 264 .

Servant Ministers for Legal Ministry
The Legal Ministry is looking for volunteers to help in the office as well as attorneys every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in Room A-102, Building A. The Legal Ministry offers free legal counseling to people who can’t afford legal services because of their low income. For details contact Doug Murray dmurray@cfl.rr.com or Dede Duncan at 407-876-4991, ext. 296.

Donate Leftover Christmas Cards
Donate unused Christmas cards to women in the Salvation Army shelter. Bring cards to Dede Duncan’s office across from the gym, Bldg. C.

Donate Christmas Decorating Items
Donate Christmas items to the UMW’S 2007 Bazaar. Call Pam Thomas, 321-297-7319 or drop them at reception, Bldg. C, marked “2007 Bazaar.”

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Support Groups

Grief Support Group 6:15 PM Tuesdays
A Grief Support group meets Tuesdays through Feb. 13, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. in Rm. B-205, led by Carol Campbell Norris. Call the Community Counseling Center at 407-876-4991, ext. 25.

Overeaters Anon. Body Image Group
Overeaters Anonymous Body Image, a free support group focused on body image issues, meets every Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Rm. B-205. Based on 12-Step program. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 250.

Suicide Bereavement Group Thursday
Suicide Bereavement Support meets the 1st & 3rd Thurs., 6:30-8:00 p.m., Room C-201/203. Anne Dumont, facilitator. How to cope with feelings after losing a friend or family member through suicide. Separate meetings for adults & children. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 250 for information.

12 Week NBD Support Classes
Free support classes for family members, partners and friends of individuals with Neurological Brain Disorders (NBDs). A series of 12 weekly, confidential classes for caregivers only, to help them to cope and support family/friends with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well being. Classes taught by state certified facilitators who deal with family members who have NBDs. Tues., Jan. 9 - Tues., March 27; 7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. in Rm. B-201, Bldg. B at St. Luke’s. Call 407-294-2267 for details or sign up.

Overeaters Anonymous Group Friday
Overeaters Anonymous, a free drop-in support group meets Fridays, 7:30-8:30 p.m., upstairs, Rm. B-201, Bldg. B. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 250.

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We Can Help

Counseling Help is Available!
The Community Counseling Center provides counseling Monday - Friday. Don’t have counseling insurance? Ask for a sliding fee scale based on your finances. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 250.

Legal Assistance Available
St. Luke’s Legal Ministry offers legal assistance to anyone with low income Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Rm. A-102, Bldg. A. You do not need to be a St. Luke’s member to receive help.

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Small Groups

Upward Soccer Registration
Call the Upward Hotline at 407-876-4991, ext. 312 for information. Fees are $95 for 8 game season, uniforms and end of season award. Player evaluations are the week of Jan. 29. Coaches and league administrators are still needed!

St. Luke’s Bowling League Forming
St. Luke’s bowling league is now forming for fun, fellowship and bowling. Cost and place determined by participants. Contact Alain Boniec at 407-351-7671 or abboniec@aol.com.

Sign Up for Sports & Exercise
Total Body Workout: Tues./Thurs., 6:00-7:00 p.m. $35.00 a month. Basketball: Mon./Wed./Fri., 6:00 a.m., Tues/Thurs, 7:00 a.m. & Sat., 7:00 a.m. Co-ed Volleyball: Thurs., 7:15 p.m. Michael Higgins, 407-277-5002. Please call Carol Crowley at 407-876-4991, ext. 262 about sports and exercise programs at St. Luke’s.

Craft Groups Resume in January
Call Pam Thomas, 321-297-7319 for craft groups.

New Year Revisions: January 23 & 30
Affirm your single status! Newly or always single, come share your experiences, hopes, and fears about single life with encouraging peers. Facilitated by Susan Pate-Warren, LMHC. Tues., Jan. 16, 23 & 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Rm. B-201. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 250 for information.

Singles Thursday Night, January 18
St. Luke’s Singles meet at 7:00 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 18 for Domino’s with Dominoes (pizza and game night). Rm. C-200/202, Bldg. C. Call the Singles Office, 407-876-4991, ext. 236 for details.

Sarah Circle Meeting Thursday, January 18
All women are invited to Sarah Circle women’s group Thurs., Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m. at Jo DeHart’s home, Hardrock Dr. Call Jo at 407-351-2634.

Seniors’ Meeting & Lunch, Friday, January 19
All seniors are invited to meet at 11:30 a.m., Fri., Jan. 19 in the Rotunda, Bldg. C for socializing, a short business meeting and lunch. Enjoy guest speaker Jim Hensen from the Dr. Phillips Foundation. Call Lucy Calhoun 407-239-7985 or Mimi Hanson 407-351-0446 to reserve by Mon., Jan. 15.

Cooking Class 6:30 PM, Tuesday, January 20
In the Beginning... there are appetizers! Let’s start the New Year with fresh ingredients and whip up some heart healthy meal starters. Meet Tues., Jan. 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Building C kitchen. $15.00. RSVP to lkublalsingh@st.lukes.org or call the culinary hotline at 407-876-4991, ext. 305.

Singles’ Drop-in Lunch Sunday, January 21
Singles lunch Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m., the Dragon Court Chinese Buffet, Apopka-Vineland Rd.

Learning Infant Sign Language January 22
Learning Infant Sign Language: Series II (for those who took the 1st series), Mon., Jan. 22 & 29, 6:30 -8:00 p.m., Rm. C-200/202. Learn to communicate with your infant using sign language they can also use. Facilitator: Stephen Frankenberry, Mental Health Counselor. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 250.

St. Luke’s Women April Retreat!
Plan now for the United Methodist Women’s spring retreat to Columbia, S.C., April 13-15 to experience Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries. Stop in Savannah for dinner at The Lady and Sons Restaurant owned by Food Network’s Paula Deen. Tickets are limited, $340 for the weekend including transportation, lodging, Beth Moore event, dinner at Paula’s, and most meals. Purchase tickets today in the Rotunda, Bldg. C between services. Watch bulletins and UMW information at www.st.lukes.org or email Pat Calvert at jpcalvert27@aol.com.

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NexGen Ministries
For more NexGen information call 407-876-4991, ext. 258.

Middle School Students & Parents!
NexGen will launch a new program Sunday nights Sun., Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in The Attic. Catalyst will be a great opportunity for fellowship, kingdom building, worship, teaching, small groups, and games of course.
Join the Middle School program Wednesdays, 3:00-5:30 p.m.

High School Telos
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Visit NexGen Ministries at www.theatticonline.org or call 407-876-4991, ext. 258 for details.

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© 2006 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