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Dear St. Lukers, Back in the 70’s there was a popular song by “Kool and the Gang” called “Celebration.” It has a great beat and the lyrics are a call to party and get your groove on. Okay, it might be a little hokey but I love this song and whenever it comes on the radio I turn it up. :) It’s fun to celebrate good times and we all need occasions to do just that. Palm Sunday and Easter are two of those times within the Christian year. On Palm Sunday we greet Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” and on Easter we proclaim the truth with joy, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” These are definitely two very important days to come together as a community of faith to celebrate but, if that’s all we do during this Holy Week then we’re missing a big piece of the story. Remembering Jesus’ great sacrifice and selflessness, the pain he endured for the sake of the whole world, is essential in order to fully appreciate the glory and miracle of the resurrection. It’s understandable to want to avoid reflecting on this part of Jesus’ journey and easier to simply go from celebration to celebration, but God did not call Jesus to a life of “easy” and as his followers neither are we. I hope you will join your family in faith for some or all of our Holy Week worship experiences as we embrace the entirety of Jesus’ work in the world: his life, death and resurrection. (You’ll find the information under “Worship” below. Your Easter Sunday celebration will be much more “groovy” if you do… I guarantee it! Blessings, |
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Listed below you’ll find opportunities available for the rest of this week in the following categories:
Upcoming Worship
Did You Know?
Spiritual Growth Groups
Service Opportunities
Small Groups
Support Groups
We Can Help
NexGen
Lenten Devotions
Thursday, April 5 - Holy Thursday Drama and Holy Communion
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The Drama Ministry will recreate the Last Supper and tell the stories of the people around the table. Holy Communion will follow the drama.
Friday, April 6 - Good Friday - Services of Darkness
You can choose between two dramatic services that tell the story of Christ’s crucifixion.
Traditional: 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Contemporary: 7:30 p.m. in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium
Friday, April 6 - Saturday, April 4 - 24 Hour Prayer Vigil
Select a half hour to pray at church or at home during the Prayer Vigil. Meet in the Chapel, Bldg. C from 9:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Good Friday/April 6 then move to participant’s homes. Resume in the Chapel 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Holy Sat./April 7. Sign up at www.st.lukes.org or 407-876-4991, ext 264.
Sunday, April 8 - Easter Sunday (see special times)
Sermon Series: "Unlikely Heroes"
Sermon: "Just Jesus " – Luke 23:50-24:12
Traditional: 7:30, 8:45, 10:00 and 11:15 a.m. Dr. William S. Barnes preaching in the Sanctuary
Contemporary: 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams preaching in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium
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Anyone may join St. Luke’s groups and church activities. Membership is not required. Please invite people to come and get in touch with the contact person for more information.
Make Their Day With A FREE E-Card
St. Luke’s announces free new e-cards you can send to your friends for a variety of occasions including Happy Easter, Happy Birthday, Thank You, Sympathy and more. The cards can be found on our website at www.st.lukes.org. Help us launch our new e-cards by sending one today!
Resource Directory Deadline Apr. 13
Fri. April 13 is the final date to buy advertising space for your business in the St. Luke’s Resource Directory. Call Matt Raspallo, 407-876-4991, ext. 315 or email Kelly Smith at ksmith@st.lukes.org.
$1 a Day ($40) Lenten Offering
Please turn in your special Lenten offering of $40 today to help your neighbors in need.
The Coleman Memorial Gym is Closed for Holy Week set up until Tues., April 10.
St. Luke’s campus is closed on Mon., April 9
Before You Wed Class April 4 & 11
Before You Wed class will meet on April 4 & 11, 4:00-5:30 p.m., at Winter Park United Methodist Church. Course meets requirement for FL couples discount on marriage license. To register, call 407-876-4991, ext. 250.
HopeSpring EggStravaganza April 7
On Sat. April 7 come to a free community-wide HopeSpring EggStravaganza, 10:00-noon, Winn-Dixie parking lot, 4008 Winter Garden-Vineland Rd. (SR 535), Winter Garden. A 2-hour carnival & Easter egg hunt, face painting, bounce houses and refreshments. Parental supervision required.
HopeSpring Outdoor Easter April 8
HopeSpring Outdoor Easter Celebration and butterfly release for families at 8:00 a.m., Apr. 8 in Freedom Park by Thornebrooke Elem., Ocoee. Meet inside after the service for refreshments and kid’s treats. No nursery or children’s classes.
St. Luke’s Campus Closed Mon., Apr. 9
Summer Programs for Children...
Visit St. Luke’s at www.st.lukes.org and click on 2007 Summer Camp Registration to see all St. Luke’s exciting summer camps for children.
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Seeker Groups Get Your Feet Wet
No Soul House Study April 8
Brown Bag Bible Bunch Mondays
Meet Mondays at 11:30 a.m., Rm. C-204, Bldg. C to study For Such a Time as This. Deborah Collins, 407-493-2757. No mtg. Mon., April 9.
Young Moms Bible Study Thursday
Join Young Moms Bible Study for In the Grip of Grace, 9:30 a.m., Thursdays, Rm. B-205, Bldg. B. Call Amanda Knight (407-748-7993).
Explorer Groups Wade in Deeper
Three Connections Studies Sundays
Join at 9:30, 11:00 a.m., or 6:45 p.m., Special Events Dining Rm., Bldg. C. A Lenten study On the Road Again A Faith Journey ends Easter. Contact Scott & Joan Ziegler at 407-876-2445, sjziegler@cfl.rr.com or Bob & Leah Bergstrom, 407-654-8647, bobleahbergstrom@yahoo.com.
Ambassador Women’s Bible Study
Join Twelve Extraordinary Women with the Ambassadors Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m., Rm. C-200, Bldg. C. Carolyn Dannen (407-876-8427).
Men’s Study Group Wed., 7:00 PM
Walking with Christ men’s Bible study meets Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., Special Events Dining Rm., Bldg. C. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 236.
Disciple Groups Immerse Your Spirit
9:30 AM Women’s Wednesday Study
Meet in Rm. C-210, Bldg. C, 9:30 a.m. to finish the Lenten study On the Road Again – A Faith Journey. Call Joyce Clegg (407-656-0964).
New Directions Class 9:30 Sundays
New Directions The Last Week Sundays at 9:30 a.m., Rm. C-205/207, Bldg. C. No meeting Easter/April 8. Bobby Cox, facilitator, 407-295-0719.
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Bulletin Stuffers Needed April 3-6
Help “stuff” 5,000 Holy Week bulletins Tues., April 3 - Fri., April 6, 9:30 - 3:30 p.m in Workroom C. Contact Sue Powers, 407-876-4991, ext. 234, spowers@st.lukes.org or drop in.
Serve at the Welcome Desk Sundays
Friendly faces who know St. Luke’s are needed to help newcomers and others Sundays, 9:00-9:30 a.m., 10:30-11:00 a.m., 12:00-12:15 p.m. Joline, 407-876-4991, ext 264, jkrolicki@st.lukes.org.
Help Set Up Easter Flower Display
Helpers needed to set up the Easter flower displays. Meet at 9:30 a.m. on Sat., April 7 in front of the Sanctuary. Just show up to help.
Servant Ministers for Holy Week!
Extra ushers and greeters are needed for worship services Holy Thurs. April 5, Good Friday April 6 and Easter Sun. April 8. Also needed are coffee helpers. parking lot greeters, 50 Children’s Ministry servant ministers to help with preschool and infants. Call Karen Brown, 407-876-4991, ext. 221.
Help UMC Load Boxes Apr. 18 or 22
Help load boxes at St. Luke’s. Contact Dede at 407-876-4991 ext. 296, dduncan@st.lukes.org
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Gym closed Until Tues., April 10.
No 50+ exercise class until April 11. Total Body Workout will meet in The Attic. Tues./Thurs., 6:00-7:00 p.m. $35.00 a month. Anyone may join the sports & exercise programs at St. Luke’s. Carol Crowley, 407-876-4991, ext. 262.
St. Luke’s UMW Craft Groups
No crafting or canning Holy Week, April 2 - 8. Call Pam, 321-297-7319 or ontheporch@aol.com.
Singles Thurs. Night, 7:30 PM, Apr. 5
Attend Holy Thursday worship in the Sanctuary.
No Singles Dance on Saturday, April 7
MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) Apr. 11
Moms of infants - age 4, join MOPS, Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m., April 11. Heather Engelhardt, 407-925-6763 or RHEngelhardt1@cfl.rr.com.
Women’s Spring Retreat April 13-15
Two spots left for April 13-15 Women’s Spring Retreat! See Beth Moore live! Pam Thomas, 321-297-7319, ontheporch@aol.com ASAP!
Jamaica Medical Mission Team Apr. 15
Come hear about the Medical/Dental Mission and Jamaica Ecumenical Mutual Mission Sun., April 15 at 11:00 a.m., Rm. C-200 in Bldg. C.
Safety Committee Meeting April 18
Come to the St. Luke’s Safety Committee meeting Wed., April 18 at 5:30 p.m. to develop a safety and maintenance program. Reserve a Wednesday night dinner to bring to the Conf. Rm. (Bldg C) across from reception. Contact Tweed Swenson with dinner reservations, 407-876-4991, ext. 228 or Tswenson@st.lukes.org.
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Overeaters Anon. Body Image Group
Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Rm. A-102. Based on 12-Step program. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 250.
Divorce Recovery Wednesdays
Wednesdays April 4, 7:00 p.m., B-206, Bldg. B. David Stephens. Call 407-876-4991, ext. 236.
Suicide Bereavement Group Thurs.
1st & 3rd Thurs., 6:30-8:00 p.m., Rm. C-205/207. Anne Dumont. 407-876-4991, ext. 250.
Overeaters Anonymous Group Fri.
A free support group Fridays, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Rm. B-201, Bldg. B. 407-876-4991, ext. 250.
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Counseling Help is Available!
Call the Community Counseling Ctr. 407-876-4991, ext. 250. No insurance? Ask for sliding fee.
Legal Assistance Available
Advocates of Grace, St. Luke’s legal ministry, offers legal assistance to all with low income Wed., 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Rm. A-102, Bldg. A.
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NexGen Ministries
For more NexGen information call 407-876-4991, ext. 258.
Middle School Students & Parents!
NexGen’s Middle School program ‘Catalyst’ meets Sunday at 6:30 p.m. upstairs in The Attic. This is a great time for fellowship, kingdom building, worship, teaching, small groups, and games!
Join the Middle School program ‘Son-powered’ on Wednesdays, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Holy Week Schedule
‘Son-powered’, Wednesday, April 4, 3:00-5:30 p.m. in The Attic.
No Catalyst on Easter Sunday April 8.
High School Students
Telos meets Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Come to A Holy Week Experience Wed., April 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in The Attic.
No Sunday Morning Classes or Middle School Catalyst on Sun., April 8. Visit NexGen Ministries at www.theatticonline.org or call 407-876-4991, ext. 258 for more details.
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Positions Available
Shepherd’s Hope Position Open for a Westside Shepherd’s Hope Health Ctr. Manager
responsible for eve. operations at Winter Garden health center. Send application letters to Gayle Fitzpatrick, Dir. Operations to operations@shepherdshope.org or call 407-876-6699 for details.
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Jesus: The Carpenter from Nazareth
When Jesus started his ministry, it is not likely the religious leaders from Jerusalem paid too much attention to Jesus of Nazareth. He was nothing more than a carpenter from a small town with a bad reputation. Even one of his own disciples had asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
But during the three years of his ministry, the religious leaders had grown to fear him because of the way the crowd reacted to him. Those fears were greatly enhanced as they saw the way the people greeted him as he came into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Yet, he came on the back of a donkey! How unheroic!
He was mysterious, this carpenter from Nazareth. He remained humble, demanding no glory for himself but only for his Father in heaven. And in so doing, he gave the leaders no hint of what he was up to. What did he want? They just couldn’t figure it out, but they knew that whatever it was, it would mean nothing good for them. So, they devised a plan to deal with this unlikely hero. Either he would reveal his true plan — or he would be done with.
April 1 - Our Hero in anguish - Luke 22:39-44
Jesus had just shared what he knew to be the last Passover supper with his disciples. Jesus knew the end was near and tried to communicate it to his followers – one more time. He was in anguish over what was to take place, so He withdrew to pray. An angel appeared from heaven to strengthen Him.
When you anticipate difficulties ahead, how do you react? If you pray, what does it take for you to yield your will to God’s? Jesus didn’t want to go through the suffering that lay ahead. How would your will differ from God’s will? Do you understand why God would call on you to suffer?
April 2 - Our Hero betrayed - Luke 22:47-48
Jesus had personally selected 12 men to be in his inner circle, to be his close and constant companions. But one of those 12, Judas, betrayed him, with a kiss. The other disciples were ready to respond with their swords. How did Jesus respond? Jesus knew that Judas was fulfilling scripture, and called him “friend.”
How would you react if someone in your inner circle betrayed you? Our inclination would be to become defensive and to question the person’s motives. Jesus seemed to feel sorry for Judas that he had to do what he did. What would motivate someone to betray you and how could you deal with it?
April 3 - Our Hero disclaimed - Luke 22:54-62
Peter, who came to be known as the “Rock” upon whom the church was built and the leader of the 12 disciples, denied even knowing Jesus, three times. Even saying “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”. Jesus responded just by looking at Peter. And Peter responded by weeping, bitterly.
How do we deny Jesus? Do we claim not to know him sometimes through our actions or other choices we make? After the resurrection, Jesus cleansed Peter from his denial by asking him three times if Peter loved him. Has Jesus ever cleansed you after you have denied him?
April 4 - Our Hero falsely accused - Luke 23:1-6
Jesus is accused of all kinds of false charges by all kinds of people. What can he say or do to defend himself against these people and these charges? He is “charged” for stirring up people. He does not deny the charges. Why not?
How do you respond when you feel defenseless? Do you understand Jesus’ response? What does it teach you about how to react in those kinds of situations? Does Jesus have an answer for you?
April 5 - Our Hero ridiculed and mocked – Luke 23:10-12
Jesus is in front of the “authorities” who are vehemently making false accusations. Then they and others ridicule and mock him, dressing him like a king and sending him away. Former enemies (Herod and Pilate) become friends as they mock Jesus.
How could Jesus bear this treatment? How would you react if people ridiculed you and mocked you? Does it help you to know that Jesus had the same experience? What example does he set for us here?
April 6 - Our Hero sneered at - Luke 23:35-37
And the people continued to watch him and sneer at him, as he hung from the cross. What he had been accused for was contrived; it was not a capital crime, even if it were true, yet there he was, dying for no practical reason. The crowds demanded that he be crucified. “Save yourself.” they said.
How would we react if punished for something we didn’t do? How would we react if we were wrongly accused of something? If you knew you were taking the punishment for someone else, would you try to make sure that the person responsible was also punished? Under what circumstances would you take the punishment in silence as Jesus did?
April 7 - Our Hero suffered – Luke 23:44-46
Jesus suffered and died. He knows what suffering is, first hand. He’s been through it all, and He goes through it all with us — and for us. He is with us every step of the way. What a Hero!
When you envision Jesus hanging on the cross, are you aware that he is suffering for you? Do you personalize his experience? How does his suffering make it possible for God to forgive you?
April 8 - Our Hero triumphed – Luke 24: 1-5
In a moment, death was no longer the fearful, inevitable end of human life. Only Jesus, just Jesus, had conquered the grave! Because He lives, we who believe in him, who now look for him among the living, shall also rise. Hallelujah!
The only hero we need is just Jesus! Only Jesus gives us hope! How does believing in a risen Savior make a difference in the way you live? How should it?
Stay up-to-date with the Lenten Devotionals by visiting www.st.lukes.org/worship/lent/devotion.asp or get daily emails by emailing Dede Duncan at dduncan@st.lukes.org.
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© 2007 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