St. Luke's Weekly Update March 11, 2009

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In this Week's Update:

HopeSpring Update

Worship This Week

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Small Groups, Classes & Sign-ups

Lent Devotion: Redirect

A Note from Pastor Bill Bill Barnes

Dear Family in faith,

As we returned home from worship last Sunday we began hearing news reports about the tragic shooting that took place at First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois. The Rev. Fred Winters was killed in the sanctuary when a stranger entered the church during the sermon and opened fire. Worshippers at first thought the gun was shooting confetti, but as they later learned, the first bullet had torn through Rev. Winters' Bible.

Ironically, the text last week for our services was Mark 8:31-38, part of which includes this haunting reminder of the cost of discipleship: "...those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it." We rarely think about that in terms of actually losing our lives to violence, but last week's shocking tragedy reminds us that none of us has immunity from the powers of darkness and death, not even faithful pastors preaching in their own churches.

Then this morning we heard of more seemingly senseless killings in Alabama, Germany, and even here in Orlando. We wonder what is happening in the world! The social fabric of life seems like it is coming apart at the seams. The economy, the environment, and the increasing violence everywhere in the world have us wondering if there is any place where we can see or claim some hope.

A recent USAToday feature article on American religion noted that now so many Americans claim no religion at all that at 15% of the population they outrank every U.S. religious group except Catholics and Baptists. Perhaps it is no mere coincidence that as the country (and many parts of the so-called "western world") become more secularized violence and social ills increase. Now more than ever churches need to seek to reach out to all people with love, grace, and hope.

It is for precisely this reason that we at St. Luke's responded to what we claim was God's call on our life together to plant a new congregation in West Orange County. Hope is indeed springing from HopeSpring, and in just a few weeks we will be worshipping in our new facility.

But further on down the road (literally!) we see the need for an established campus for ministry where we are not spending money for a lease, but instead building a more permanent outpost for the Kingdom of God. Please be sure to join us for the Church Conference this coming Tuesday to be a part of the decision on property purchase. Check out again the frequently asked questions at www.st.lukes.org/BodyBuilding.

This week in worship we recall the story of Jesus' activity in the Temple in Jerusalem, when he disrupted the selling of sacrificial animals and called upon those in charge to stop perverting the focus of worship. See John 2:13-22. One of the things we want to think about is how easily tradition and going through the motions of worship can obscure the true purpose for our gathering in the first place. The word this week is "Redirect," as we consider another Obstacle Illusion.

With faith, hope, and love,

Bill

HopeSpring Logo

The Golden Trumpet trees are in beautiful bloom this week. People who observe them exclaim, "Wow" when they see them in all their yellow glamour. These are real signs that spring is close. There are also some real signs that HopeSpring's new building is close. The area around the Shoppes at Lake Butler is being cleared of all of the heavy equipment. The outside of the building is sparkling. The people from the HopeSpring campus have to catch their breath with a "Wow" when they sneak a peak. All are beginning to realize how really close we are to moving into our new facility. We give gratitude to God, to the generous people of St. Luke's and to the never-tiring workers at HopeSpring as this new location for ministry blossoms forth from vision to reality.

Gratefully,
Pastor Leah Bergstrom

Upcoming Worship

Obstacle Illusions

Sunday, March 15 - Third Sunday of Lent
Sermon Series: "Obstacle Illusions"
Sermon: "Redirect"
Scripture: John 2:13-22
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. Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams preaching in the Gymnasium
St. Luke's at HopeSpring Worship: 10:00 a.m. Rev. Leah Bergstrompreaching at the Bridgewater Middle School Campus
POWERHOUSE Intergenerational Worship for Children and Families: 10:50 a.m. in the Gymnasium

View the Upcoming Worship Schedule or Listen to past sermons on our website: www.St.Lukes.org/Worship

Upcoming Events

You can see more Upcoming News & Events on our website: www.St.Lukes.org/Events

Upward Celebration March 15

	Event Date & Time: 3/15/2009
	The Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Celebration will be taking place Sunday, March 15th at 10:50 a.m. during the PowerHouse worship service in the Gym. Registration for Upward Fall Soccer will begin on July 31, 2009.
	More Information about this Event

Summer Camp Registration Begins March 16

	Event Date & Time: 3/16/2009 1:00:00 PM
	St. Luke's Summer Camp registration begins Monday, March 16th at 1:00 p.m. Summer Camp registration is for S.W.E.A.T., Vacation Bible School (VBS), and Kingdom Camp. For more information and to register for Summer Camps at St. Luke's click the link below. Summer Camp registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis and spots are limited. Registration will remain open until April 27, 2009. Summer Camp registration can only be completed on our website.
	More Information about this Event

Church Conference Tuesday, March 17th

	Event Date & Time: 3/17/2009 7:00:00 PM
	A Church Conference will be held Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The one item of business will be to vote on the purchase of land located in West Orange County. Information is available on the web at www.st.lukes.org/BodyBuilding. There are also frequently asked questions with answers at the same link. If you have additional questions, please e-mail Kelly Smith at ksmith@st.lukes.org. All members of the church have a vote.
	More Information about this Event

Habitat Dedication Ceremony March 22nd at 2:00 p.m.

	Event Date & Time: 3/22/2009 2:00:00 PM
	It is time to rejoice! The home for Mariel Jackson and her family, at 750 Klondike Street in Winter Garden, has been completed. Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters who made building this home possible. Please join us to share in the blessing of her new home. This is the 7th house built by St. Luke’s in coordination with West Orange Habitat for Humanity. For more information on St. Luke’s Habitat for Humanity please click the More Information link below.
	More Information about this Event

Kingdom Building Now Serving: Volunteer Opportunities

You can see more Volunteer Opportunites on the St. Luke's Kingdom Building website: www.St.Lukes.org/KingdomBuilding/NowServing

Coalition for the Homeless - donation for March

	Deploy: Missions: Coalition for the Homeless
	Description: The following items are needed for the homeless feeding ministry at the Coalition for the Homeless. The next mission is on March 21st. You can bring non-perishable items to the church anytime prior to the mission. However, because we have limited cooling space for perishable items, please bring such items to the donation center next to the Fellowsh... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Coalition for the Homeless - Cooking in April

	Deploy: Missions: Coalition for the Homeless
	Description: On the third Saturday of each month, St. Luke's servant ministers prepare and serve dinner at the Coalition for the Homeless. On any given night the Center cares for about 200 children with the average age of 7 years old. Each month, St. Luke's volunteers prepare a meal at the Center. A group meets at St. Luke's at 12:00 noon to car pool to the Cen... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Coalition for the Homeless - Serving in April

	Deploy: Missions: Coalition for the Homeless
	Description: On the third Saturday of each month, St. Luke's servant ministers prepare and serve dinner at the Coalition for the Homeless. On any given night the Center cares for about 200 children with the average age of 7 years old. Each month, St. Luke's volunteers prepare a meal at the Center. A group meets at St. Luke's at 12:00 noon to car pool to the Cen... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Vacation Bible School PRESCHOOL CRAFT and PLAY LEADER

	Guide: Summer Programs 2009: Vacation Bible School
	Description: Vacation Bible School – Crocodile Dock– Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light Take a romp through the swamp in 2009! This bayou VBS is a ragin' cajun celebration! Dates: June 15th -19th (Morning: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon) PRESCHOOL CRAFT AND PLAY LEADERS- 4 Adults needed to lead small groups of preschool children during morning hours for one ... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PRESCHOOL CHADDER'S THEATER LEADER

	Guide: Summer Programs 2009: Vacation Bible School
	Description: Vacation Bible School – Crocodile Dock– Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light Take a romp through the swamp in 2009! This bayou VBS is a ragin' cajun celebration! Dates: June 15th -19th (Morning: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon) PRESCHOOL CHADDER'S THEATER LEADER 2 Adults needed to lead small groups of preschool children during morning hours for one... View and Sign-up for this Opportunity

Kingdom Building Small Groups, Classes & Sign-Ups

You can see more Small Groups, Classes & Sign-ups on the St. Luke's Kingdom Building website: www.St.Lukes.org/KingdomBuilding/SmallGroups

Dinner 3-19

	Support: Culinary Services: Thursday Night Dinners
	Description: Corned Beef and Cabbage, Potatoes Salad, Rolls, Dessert and Drink View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

Coming Attractions/AM

	Guide: Spiritual Formation: Small Group Ministry
	Description: COMING ATTRACTIONS will study the preaching texts for the upcoming Sunday worship experience and engage with focus topics as they are illuminated by God's word. This 12 week gathering will be facilitated by Joanie Mills. View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

UMW-Lydia Circle (NEW)

	Deploy: UMW: UMW Circles
	Description: NEW CIRCLE for West Orange (Maguire Road west to Oakland and north to Ocoee). Meets on second Tuesday of the month. For ages 40-60 years. The circle meets in members' home. Contact Lucie Elmer at ladyluck@embarqmail.com. View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group

Lenten Devotion: Redirect

In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple... he overturned their tables. "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!" John 2:14-16

Read John 2:13-22

It is interesting to note that John tells us the story of cleansing the temple at the beginning of Jesus' ministry as opposed to Matthew, Mark and Luke who place the event at the end of their gospel. It seems to make more sense to place the story at the end of Jesus'’ ministry because his challenge of the institution and his anger at the merchants fueled the anger that precipitated his death.

John has a similar purpose by placing the event at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. John’s reason becomes clearer considering that the story is bracketed between the event at Cana and the dialogues with Nicodemus and the woman at the well. John is writing about Jesus dismantling the institution that has forgotten the graciousness of God and imprisoned its faithful. John is redirecting his readers' sight on Jesus instead of religious institutions.

At Cana the water in the jars meant for the purification ritual of washing before partaking of food is changed into wine. This is done not only to save the embarrassment of the hosts, but to preview for his followers what is to come when wine will be the symbol of the blood of a new covenant with God and humanity. Jesus is replacing one of the institutional rituals with himself.

In the Nicodemus story Jesus reveals that birth within the Jewish community is no longer the sole criterion for God’s love. What is important is rebirth from above and from the Spirit.

In his dialogue with the woman at the well, Jesus reveals to her that worship of God will no longer take place at the institutional sites of Gerazim and Jerusalem. "True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."

Since the time of David, Jerusalem was God's city and the symbol of God’s presence with his people. The temple was the dwelling place of God, the proof that God was on the Jewish institutional power’s side. Its antechambers were filled with merchants selling animals and exchanging temple money for sacrifice. As John tells us, Jesus interrupts this well organized mayhem. Temple security is alerted and accosts Jesus. Management questions his motives. His answer: destroy this temple. They don't understand, but John redirects his readers to see Jesus as the new dwelling place of God. Focus is shifted from destroying living creatures to accepting the living Christ.

I ask who is this person with the audacity to invade this place and turn my table over when I have worked hard and paid good money for the choice spot to conduct business? What should I do if Jesus stood gripping the edge of my table with the strong, large hands of a carpenter ready to turn it over? What would I say when our eyes met: his dark brown eyes starring at me? Would I see anger in them or would I see love? Would I ask about why the things that I have worked so hard to set up in my life are about to be turned over? What if the institutions that I have created and supported are deemed worthless because they have held me prisoner and kept me from soaring to God? Can I say that my spirituality is anchored to those things and beliefs? Do I shout for security: the security of my belief system that fails to worship God in truth and in spirit? Am I still living the old life dependent on what I learned as a child? Have I ever given thought to being born again from the Spirit?

Pray this prayer: I have to admit, Lord, that I have tables in my life with which I conduct business with you. I have built institutions around myself and relied on the security they provide rather than conduct my life as a house of prayer. I have offered token stuff hoping to be forgiven instead of worshiping you with what is living, Jesus, the people in my life and the homeless person begging at exit 74 of the Interstate. Lord, send your Holy Spirit that I may be redirected toward you, recreated and renew the face of my world. Amen.

By Chuck Peloquin
St. Luke’s Writing Team

Upper Room Daily Devotional

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© 2009 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 • www.HopeSpringFL.org