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In this Week's Update:
Upcoming Worship
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming Small Groups, Classes & Sign-ups
Daily Devotional |
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A Note from Pastor Bill
Dear St. Luke's Saints,
The "Via Dolorosa" or "The Way of Sorrows" is commonly referred to as "The Way of the Cross" in ancient Jerusalem. Since Crusader times the same path has been followed beginning at the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been an invalid for 38 years. Beside the site of the ancient pool is the Church of St. Anne, built by the Crusaders in the 12th century.
The Romanesque church is known for its amazing acoustics, and visitors to Jerusalem always begin their own Way of the Cross walk there, often with a song. Our group did the same, and even though I have been there seven times with a wide range of voices in my groups (good, and, well, not-so-good!) the sound we make always reverberates for a long time in the stone apses of the church. This time was no exception. We sang "Amazing Grace" and the simple chorus "Alleluia." The effect brought tears to our eyes.
Sitting behind our group in the Nave was another group of spiritual pilgrims. They were from India, and after we had finished singing someone from our group asked if they would like to sing. They did, and we were blessed to hear them sing one of their favorite songs from their tradition. Even though we did not know what they were saying, we could feel from their hearts the same affection for Jesus and his gift of life that we were praising. There was no doubt that the Holy Spirit was falling with grace upon us all.
Wherever we went in Israel we saw other Christians praying, singing, and reading their Bibles: from Spain, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Japan, and other countries. It was a strong reminder to us that the Gospel has indeed gone to "the ends of the earth," and that those 120 believers sequestered in that upper room in Jerusalem had fulfilled their mission on the Day of Pentecost when they went into the Streets of Jerusalem telling in all the languages of the day the good news about Jesus.
This coming Sunday, we celebrate "The Impact of God's APPs (Amazing Powerful People)." Acts 2 tells the beginning of the story, when Peter and the others with him, anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit, began to change the world. But that is only the beginning of the story! The rest of it is still being written. It is being written by the believers from India singing in St. Anne's. By the Russians making the sign of the cross in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. By the Spanish kneeling at the Mount of the Beatitudes. And by you and me serving and loving in Jesus' name right here in Central Florida.
You can be-if you are not already-an Amazing Powerful Person. You can be the APP God created you to be. It is as simple as trusting in a power beyond you that is also within you. You don't have to travel to Jerusalem to walk the Way of the Cross; it begins with your first step in faith right here.
With faith, hope, and love,
Bill
Follow me @ twitter: wmsbarnes
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Upcoming Worship
Sunday, May 23 - Pentecost
Sermon Series: "The APP I want to Be"
Sermon: "The Impact of God's APPs"
Scripture: Acts 2
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 (9:30) & Attic (5:30)
POWERHOUSE Intergenerational Worship for Children and Families: 10:50 a.m. Rev. Beth Farabee-Puckett leading 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
| Lent and Easter Survey | | | Event Date & Time: 5/20/2010 | | Much time and energy is put into planning and conducting our worship services as well as the many other elements that help us all connect and grow closer to our Lord and Savior. With that in mind, I would like to ask you to take a few minutes and give us your feedback on the Lent Season. Please click on this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9TVDVYF and take the 10 question survey. Your responses are confidential but will be shared with our staff and laity who lead the Proclaim Ministry Essential area. Your thoughts are very important to us and we depend on them to help us move forward in our planning for 2010 and beyond. | | 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
| Assistamt Servant Minister - Summer Sunday School | | | | Guide: Children's Ministries: Sunday Programming | | | Description: BURST: BEING CARETAKERS OF GOD'S CREATION Our summer Sunday school program for elementary-age children is all about creation care and environmental stewardship. Summer Sunday school begins on June 13th and concludes on August 29th. It will be offered to children entering 1st grade through entering 5th grade at the 9:30 service hour. We are in need...
View and Sign-up for this Opportunity | | | Vacation Bible School 2010 - Preparation | | | | Guide: Children's Ministries: Children's Ministries Help | | | Description: VBS 2010
Are you ready to feel the spray on your face as sails snap overhead and you experience the deep, rolling waters of God's love! VBS 2010 - High Seas Adventures - Exploring the Mighty Love of God. The children will learn that God's love is true, comforting, surprising, life-changing, and is for everyone!
We will start cutting, and pr...
View and Sign-up for this Opportunity | | | HOUSING ASSISTANCE | | | | Deploy: Missions: Family Assistance | | | Description: St. Luke’s is planning a community outreach event to assist people who are facing foreclosure. In a time when information about foreclosure is disorganized and confusing, and government agencies are strapped for finances to do community-wide information, we are aiming to bring homeowners, government agencies, lenders and HUD-certified counselors to...
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
| 5/20 6:30pm One-to-one Budget Coaching | | | | Deploy: Missions: Basic Budgeting & Money Management | | | Description: Do you have specific financial dilemma/challenge? Our budgeting team is holding a one-to-one budgeting clinic for 30 minute Q&A on specific financial issues. If you need more time, you can arrange with the budget coach to meet another time convenient for both. The same opportunity is offered on Thursdays 6/3 and 6/17. Bring your receipts, financial...
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | | | 5/20, 7:30PM One-to-one Budget Coaching | | | | Deploy: Missions: Basic Budgeting & Money Management | | | Description: Do you have specific financial dilemma/challenge? Our budgeting team is holding a one-to-one budgeting clinic for 30 minute Q&A on specific financial issues. If you need more time, you can arrange with the budget coach to meet another time convenient for both. The same opportunity is offered on Thursdays 6/3 and 6/17. Bring your receipts, financial...
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | | | 5/20, 8:00PM One-to-one Budget Coaching | | | | Deploy: Missions: Basic Budgeting & Money Management | | | Description: Do you have specific financial dilemma/challenge? Our budgeting team is holding a one-to-one budgeting clinic for 30 minute Q&A on specific financial issues. If you need more time, you can arrange with the budget coach to meet another time convenient for both. The same opportunity is offered on Thursdays 6/3 and 6/17. Bring your receipts, financial...
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | | | 6/03, 6:30PM One-to-one Budget Coaching | | | | Deploy: Missions: Basic Budgeting & Money Management | | | Description: Do you have a specific financial dilemma/challenge? Our budgeting team is holding a one-to-one budgeting clinic for 30 minute Q&A on specific financial issues. If you need more time, you can arrange with budget coach to meet another time convenient for both. The same opportunity is offered on Thursday 6/17. Bring your receipts, financial documents ...
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | | | 6/03, 8:00PM One-to-one Budget Coaching | | | | Deploy: Missions: Basic Budgeting & Money Management | | | Description: Do you have a specific financial dilemma/challenge? Our budgeting team is holding a one-to-one budgeting clinic for 30 minute Q&A on specific financial issues. If you need more time, you can arrange with budget coach to meet another time convenient for both. The same opportunity is offered on Thursday 6/17. Bring your receipts, financial documents ...
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | |
May 20, 2010
Read: And who knows but that you have been born for such a time as this? Esther 4:14
Think About: How would you describe your attitude toward your job? Is it just that, a job? Ortberg quotes Robert Bellah on the three orientations people take toward their work. If it's a job, it's a way to get money and pay bills. People who view work in this manner will be most concerned with salary, benefits, and opportunities to advance in order to earn more. They are the ones who are on the lookout for higher pay, greater financial returns, and more comprehensive insurance. Their loyalty to the company, its vision and its people lasts as long as the rewards. One greener pasture and they disappear. Sunday nights are filled with dread and resentment at the prospect of Monday.
The second orientation is to view the work as a career. Work is a ladder to be climbed. Acclimation to the workplace includes a studious look at the org chart and an evaluation of everyone in a lateral or supervisory position. What is the strategic move for me? Goal driven, prestige-seeking people only find worth in the number of awards and promotions. The success this person prays for is personal, not corporate.
The third orientation is the calling. This is rooted in faith. You see your position as one prepared for just you. You are the one to do this, and you have been placed in this spot at this time for a specific reason. Your hidden moniker is Esther. (Note: Read the book of Esther in the Old Testament; it's short and impactful) You may not be aware of the purpose, but you are convinced there is one. Someone other than yourself has placed you in this very position and the impact is significant. You are a blessing to others, even if you don't know it.
A class I once took had an assignment to look for God in the common, everyday places, especially work. So, I checked out my desk. Was God secreted away under the piles? I looked at the things on my desk, the tools: pencils, stapler, note pads, mouse, and hand sanitizer. Was God in these? No, I couldn't find God, but then God came in the door wrapped in the skin of the people I worked with and for. The ones who needed to be heard, those who needed comfort, encouragement or a push to excel, God was in them. God was even more visible in the ones who taught me and held me accountable.
Is my job a calling? I hope that it is. Was I, like Esther, born for such a time as this? Well, I'm not sure about that, but I do know one thing: I am not the only one at work here.
Pray this Prayer: Lord, when I seek you in common places, let me see you. Come, sit in my side chair and let's talk. You first, I'll listen . . . . . . Amen.
You are invited and encouraged to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with the spiritual practices at the Easter Devotional Blog. We are on this journey together and your words may help another along the way.
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4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando FL, 32819
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