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A Note from Pastor Bill
Dear St. Luke's Saints:
It's been quite a week for water, hasn't it? I prepared a 36 square foot area of former landscaping at my house to receive sod, and I have been now to 5 different places on three different days trying to get the few squares I need to finish the job. Everyone tells me that the non-stop rain we have had across the state for the last week flooded the sod fields in south Florida and they can't cut yet. What sod they had on pallets at their stores or local nurseries all rotted because of the rain, heat, and humidity. So I am trying again today. I want to get the sod laid before we head to Sanibel Island for the week beginning on Friday. With my luck I will get the sod and then the rains will stop!
The Hebrews following Moses out of Egypt must have thought they had run out of luck pretty soon after leaving their taskmasters when water became an issue for them: not too much rain, but too much sea. The northern reaches of the Red Sea, called the Sea of Reeds, seemingly blocked their route to freedom. But the ensuring miracle of God, immortalized in epic films and children's books, not only saved the lives of the escaping slaves, but it sealed in the minds of their descendants the idea that with God all things are possible.
When we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism, the pastor uses a liturgy that recalls the importance of the simple gift of water, and at one point lifts up the miracle at the sea. Do you remember these words?
"Eternal Father: When nothing existed but chaos, you swept across the dark waters and brought forth light. In the days of Noah you saved those on the ark through water. After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the sea..."
The waters became waters not of defeat for the Israelites, but of deliverance. Our preparation of the blessing of the water for baptism ends with the reminder that deliverance from sin and new life is ours as well, through the grace of the same Lord.
Join us to continue the journey with Moses this week. Read Exodus 14:10-31. Reading that makes me sort of embarrassed to be so frustrated by sod. I ought to be thinking more about God!
With faith, hope, and love,
Bill
Follow me @ twitter: wmsbarnes
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - A FEW EARLY BIRD RATE STILL AVAILABLE!
St. Luke's will be hosting the Global Leadership Summit on August 5 and 6. We are encouraging all of you to participate in this yearly leadership training event. Your role as a leader either within your church, your community and/or your work place is being put to the test. The Leadership Summit is an opportunity for you to connect with other leaders facing similar challenges and hear inspirational speakers to help keep you motivated and encouraged.
You will be inspired from persons with experiences from both the Christian and secular base. You will hear from persons who use their gifts and talents to create new business ideas and from world leaders. This year's featured speakers include Jim Collins, T.D. Jakes, Tony Dungy, Andy Stanley and Adam Hamilton, just to name a few. Our site will also be opened to other United Methodist Churches which will allow us time to fellowship and gather around the table with our fellow United Methodist for dialuge about how our denomination works together to implement some of the amazing information we will here throughout the Summit.
Please visit www.st.lukes.org/summit to find out more information about the Summit and how to register. THERE ARE ONLY 25 SPACES LEFT AT THE EARLY BIRD RATE OF $75.00 PER PERSON. PLEASE CONTACT KELLY SMITH FOR INFORMATION ON THESE OPEN EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS (ksmith@st.lukes.org or 407-876-4991 x. 223). St. Luke's members and attendees will receive a special discounted rate of $105 per person if registered through the St. Luke's website (www.st.lukes.org/summit). You will need to use our registration password Team2010S to obtain these special rates. If you know of other United Methodist that would be interested in attending please forward this information on to them. They will also have special pricing and need a password. Their registration fee is $165. Their password is TGLSBUS. Should you have any questions or need more detail on this event please contact Kelly Smith at ksmith@st.lukes.org or 407-876-4991 x 223.
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