A Note from Pastor Bill

Dear St. Luke’s Saints,

Have you seen that cute commercial where the little four year old is all decked out in his brand-spankin’ new soccer uniform as his very proud Dad watches his first game from the sidelines? The little guy runs the wrong way, day dreams by looking up in the sky, and finally misses a kick of a stationary ball. As he runs off the field after the game, the little boy is asked by his concerned Dad asks how he is doing. He yells with delight, “I was awesome!”

That is a description I often hear about St. Luke’s. We are an awesome family in faith. And a large part of what makes us awesome to others is the way in which we consistently extend ourselves in mission to the community and the world. People seeking help with the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, and shelter, are routinely referred to St. Luke’s when all other agencies and non-profit groups sadly confess that all of their funds are depleted. When needs arise, we rise to the occasion. It has been so since those first 99 charter members claimed a purpose and vision, and it remains so today.

This Sunday we conclude the “What Are We Made Of?” sermon series by highlighting our final Mission Essential: Deploy. Servant ministry in the world in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is the goal of our growth in discipleship. A few years ago we decided that we would measure our strength and effectiveness as a church by the number of St. Luke’s servant ministers (that’s you guys) deployed in ministry to build God’s kingdom. It won’t be membership, average attendance, or the size of our staff or budget that will serve as the best and most appropriate gauge of strength. It will be servant ministry.

Without stepping on your toes (unless they ought to be stepped on) I want to gently suggest that more than a few of us are like the toddling soccer star. We show up for the game, but end up missing the kick. But we still say, “I was awesome,” as we enjoy the positive buzz we hear about our church. My message in our morning services this weekend will offer some simple categories in which you will be invited to place yourself.

It is World Communion Sunday, and we will be remembering our partners in ministry around the globe. And what better way to kick one into the net than to do something that makes a difference. You have been reading and hearing about “Water, Shade, and Healing” for several weeks now. (see below for more information). We will receive two offering at every service of worship on Sunday. The first will be for “Water, Shade, and Healing” and the second will be our regular morning offering. During the service counters will be at work totaling out gifts so we will know at the conclusion of each hour of worship just where we stand. Our goal? $70,000 on October 07, 2007!

Sunday evening’s worship service will be a U2Charist (also see below) and we encourage you to invite and then pick up some friends and neighbors to attend with you. Because of the extensive staging needed for this event our sanctuary will look a little bit different all day. But the powerful and healing presence of the living Lord is unaffected by rearranging set ups. After all, he is in the business of rearranging lives!

On October 14 we begin reading and reflecting on John Ortberg’s book, When the Game of Life is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box. St. Luke’s has purchased the books and is making them available to everyone for $10.00. [If this is a challenge for your budget, please contact me directly for confidential scholarship assistance.] For the next six weeks, the sermons on Sunday will relate the key chapters of the book to Holy Scripture and spiritual formation. Pastors will be present in weekly “Talk-Back” sessions and everyone is encouraged to use the book and their Bible either at home for devotions or in an already established small group. New groups will be started according to interest and convenience. This is going to be a lot of fun and good reading. Around here it sometimes seems like “When the sermon is over, we all go back to the box (of donuts!) We hope this time that “when the sermon is over, we can think outside of the box,” seeking new ways to be faithful to God’s call for our faithful and extravagant generosity.

I hope to see you this coming Sunday. Perhaps even more than once!

With faith, hope, and love,
Bill

Dr. William S. Barnes
Lead Pastor

U2CHARIST

BIG NEWS      BIG GOAL      BIG OPPORTUNITY

Many of you were here when we challenged ourselves with “50K in a DAY” to build a Habitat for Humanity home. We built momentum through our worship services for many weeks and then sought to raise the entire $50,000 in one day through special offerings at what were then 4 services. When all was said and done we had raised so much money and had received commitments for in-kind construction that we built three houses! We have a NEW and EXCITING Challenge for 2007. It is called, “7-0 in 0-7 for Water, Shade, and Healing”

On October 7th, as we conclude our “What Are We Made Of?” sermon series, St. Luke’s is celebrating in typical St. Luke’s style by thinking big. We plan to raise $70,000 in one day for three mission projects related to our mission partners. The Water Project will be in Duverge, Dominican Republic. We will be working with Rollins College to provide education and 50 water filters for 50 homes as a pilot project in bringing fresh water to our brothers and sister in the D.R. The Shade Project will provide much needed safe place for children to play in Florida City, Florida (at the entrance to the Keys). The Healing Project will be a year long health clinic in Lauriston, Jamaica. This project takes the Shepherd’s Hope concept abroad as we work alongside volunteer Jamaican doctors and nurses as they staff their own free clinic.

The weeks to come in worship will bring more specific information about 70 in 07, so as always, don’t miss a week!