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Dear St. Luke’s Saints: As Thanksgiving Sunday comes this week, the first thing I want to do is thank you for your commitment to St. Luke’s as so many of you have said “Yes! to God.” We have been receiving your GOD’S PLACE Yes! cards as you have made it clear that you really do know how to play the game of life. (If we haven’t received yours yet, or you misplaced the one that was mailed, Thanksgiving Sunday is a wonderful time for a response.) This Sunday our scripture focus is the story of ten people who were alienated from their families and community because they suffered from leprosy. Jesus healed all of them in one fell swoop, but only one of the ten thought to turn back and thank him for what he had done. And the surprising thing was that the one who wanted to high-five Jesus was not even a Jew! In our study book John Ortberg reflects on giving thanks this way: “Gratitude is not something we give to God because he wants to make sure we know how much trouble he went to over us. Gratitude is the gift God gives us that enables us to be blessed by all his other gifts, the way our taste buds enable us to enjoy the gift of food. Without gratitude, our lives degenerate into envy, dissatisfaction, and complaints, taking what we have for granted and always wanting more.” (p.149) Our Stewardship study did not end with commitment Sunday last week. We have more to learn, and our study continues through the end of the month. Stewardship applies to all aspects of our lives: how we spend our money, how we spend our time, how we use our talents and spiritual gifts, how we care for others, how we protect the earth, and how we practice gratitude as a daily discipline. Chapter 13 of When the Game is Over it All Goes Back in the Box, which is the reading for this week, ends with these words: “Gratitude is how those who are truly rich play the game.” See you in worship this weekend, Bill |
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What’s New at HopeSpring?
We invite you to join us in the mission field!
As he traveled the countryside expanding his teaching and healing ministry Jesus looked out over the crowd and felt compassion for them because “their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help.” (Mt. 9:36). He said to his disciples, “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (vs.37,38)
St. Luke’s is committed to “sending out more workers” in the field identified as Horizon West through the planting of HopeSpring. We’re looking for men, women and young people who respond to Jesus’ call to be the workers needed to reach out to the growing population of Western Orange County.
We’re seeking “missionaries” from St. Luke’s who will work with us for a month, a quarter, a year or more as we build and grow our ministry base! Interested?
We’re especially in need of Sunday School teachers, nursery helpers, greeters, and hospitality folks who want to be on the ground level of something wonderful!
Give Pastor Gary Shockley a call at 407-876-4991 ext 290.
HopeSpring meets for worship and children’s ministries at 10:00 am every Sunday morning at the Bridgewater Middle School. For directions visit hopespringfl.org
Upcoming Worship
Sunday, November 18 - Thanksgiving Sunday
Sermon Series: "It's Your Turn"
Sermon: "Always Play with Gratitude"
Traditional Worship: 8:00, 9:30, & 11:00 a.m. Dr. William S. Barnes preaching in the Sanctuary
Contemporary Worship : 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Lee Ann Inman preaching in the Gymnasium
HopeSpring Worship: 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Gary A. Shockley speaking at the Bridgewater Middle School Campus
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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