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In this Week's Update:
Upcoming Worship
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming Growth Groups, Classes & Sign-ups
Daily Devotional |
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A Note from Pastor Bill
Dear St. Luke's Saints,
"The King's Speech” seems poised to be a big winner at the Academy Awards, as critical acclaim from the Golden Globes and SAG Awards continues to mount. The film tells the true story of King George VI, father of the current British queen, Elizabeth II. He came to the throne quite unexpectedly when his brother Edward abdicated in 1936. George, or "Bertie,” as he was called by the family, had a serious stutter, and his wife, the future Queen Mother, arranged for him to work with an unorthodox Australian speech therapist named Lionel Logue. The movie follows their journey together as the king prepares for the speech of his life, one that ultimately united England in its response to Nazi aggression.
It is at its heart a story of healing, but the real healing that took place had nothing to do with the tongue and jaw; it had to do with the heart and soul of George. It was made possible because Lionel chose to go beyond simple linguistic therapy techniques to offer himself to the king as someone with whom George could share his deepest pains and burdens.
This week in worship we will consider Paul's advice for us to do the very same thing. The text is from Paul's letter to the Galatians. (Galatians 6:1-10) At all of our services we will claim the healing power of Christ as we gather for the meaningful moments of anointing with a touch of oil, followed by Holy Communion. Never underestimate what God can do for you and through you! The riches of the Gospel and the Kingdom are imparted by the Holy Spirit through us in the context of our life together in faith.
With faith, hope, and love in the name of the one true King, Jesus our Lord,
Bill
Follow me @ twitter.com/wmsbarnes
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Upcoming Worship
Sunday, February 6 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Holy Communion
Sermon Series: "Why Not... Bridges Instead of Walls"
Sermon: "The Bridge of Healing"
Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10
Traditional Worship: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Dr. William S. Barnes preaching in the Sanctuary
Contemporary Worship: Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams preaching in the Gymnasium at 9:30 a.m. & Attic at 5:30 p.m.
POWERHOUSE Intergenerational Worship for Children and Families 11:00 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
| Couples Enrichment Seminar begins February 2nd | | | Event Date & Time: 2/2/2011 7:00:00 PM | | St. Luke's will be hosting a Couples Enrichment Seminar on Wednesdays, February 2nd through March 23rd from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. It will be led by Dr. David Stephens, Dr. Joanne MacPherson and Marca Stephens at a cost of $25 per couple. Childcare is available. RSVP to David Stephens, (407) 468-9418. | | 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
| Job Counselor | | | | Deploy: Jobs Partnership: Jobs Partnership | | | Description: A job counselor assists adult students in Parramore with resume writing, interview skills and developing networks for employment. This is a 12 day commitment over 12 weeks. A 2 hour orientation and training is required for the position. Training is scheduled for 2nd week of January.
View and Sign-up for this Opportunity | | | Cuba Ministry Information session-Feb. 6th | | | | Deploy: Missions: Cuba Mission Trips | | |
Description: Interest Meeting for Cuba- Feb. 6th in Bldg. C room 201 at 12:15 p.m. All are invited to hear reports and updates from the small delegation from St. Luke's which visited our sister church in Melones in the fall. Come see pictures from their trip, hear stories, and learn about plans on how you can support this exciting ministry.
View and Sign-up for this Opportunity | | | Ethiopia & Compassion International Interest Meeting-Feb. 13th | | | | Deploy: Missions: Mission Small Groups | | | Description: Compassion International/ Ethiopia representative will be here on Sunday, Feb. 13th for a interest meeting at 12:15pm in Bldg C, room 201. All are invited to hear how to get involved with this new ministry by sponsoring a child in Ethiopia, and learn about how you can visit Ethiopia in Nov. 2011.
View and Sign-up for this Opportunity | | | West Orange Daily Bread TUESDAY lunch assistants | | | | Deploy: Missions: West Orange Daily Bread | | | Description: Every third week of the month on Tues., Wed & Thurs., St. Luke's prepares and serves lunch to homeless and struggling families and individuals at the West Orage Daily Bread in Ocoee. This opportunity is ideal for small groups to serve together.
View and Sign-up for this Opportunity | | | West Orange Daily Bread WEDNESDAY Lunch assistants | | | | Deploy: Missions: West Orange Daily Bread | | | Description: Every third week of the month on Tues., Wed & Thurs., St. Luke's prepares and serves lunch to homeless and struggling families and individuals at the West Orage Daily Bread in Ocoee. This opportunity is ideal for small groups to serve together.
View and Sign-up for this Opportunity | |
Disciple Building Growth Groups, Classes & Sign-Ups
You can see more Growth Groups, Classes & Sign-ups on the St. Luke's Kingdom Building website: www.St.Lukes.org/KingdomBuilding/SmallGroups
| Dinner 2-10-11 | | | | Support: Culinary Services: Thursday Night Dinners | | | Description: Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Vegetable, Salad, Roll, Dessert and Drink
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | | | Thursday Thrive -- 02/10/2011 | | | | Guide: Children's Ministries: Small Groups | | | Description: A new rotation for Kindergarten-5th grade children and their families! Our children will travel in three different groups through a rotation of worship arts, cooperative games and spiritual formation. Each activity connects with our worship series theme. Families are also welcome to attend together.
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | | | Thursday Thrive -- 02/17/2011 | | | | Guide: Children's Ministries: Small Groups | | | Description: A new rotation for Kindergarten-5th grade children and their families! Our children will travel in three different groups through a rotation of worship arts, cooperative games and spiritual formation. Each activity connects with our worship series theme. Families are also welcome to attend together.
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | | | Dinner 2-17-11 | | | | Support: Culinary Services: Thursday Night Dinners | | | Description: Chicken Marsala, Rice, Vegetable,Salad, Roll, Dessert and drink
View and Sign-up for this Class/Small Group | |
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Read: "Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.' So then, each of us will be accountable to God. Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another." Romans 14:10-13
Think About:
Sustainer God, I am tired of this fight.
I am tired of demanding a place at your table, a voice in the pulpit, a seat in the pew.
I wonder if there are any more words to say what has been said by so many, for so long.
I wonder if there are any more ways of showing how destructive it is and what it means to be included out.
I wonder if it is in me to continue.
It matters and so, with your help, I will carry on.
Guide my words and actions and my they honor you.
I ask for strength in the struggle and your presence with me on this journey.
AMEN.
This prayer was written by Lesley Brogan, a pastor in the United Church of Christ who happens to be a lesbian. It is obvious by the pain expressed in her words that she has had many stumbling blocks and obstacles put in her way throughout her journey of faith and yet she still moves forward drawing strength from God's grace and the importance of the struggle.
As a straight woman, I don't know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of my sexuality, but I do know what it feels like to be judged harshly by another. We human beings pass judgment on each other all the time even though Jesus is clear that this is not our job. Not only does he say it's not our job, but Jesus goes a step further and befriends those who most of the "respectable, religious types" wouldn't have given the time of day. I'm grateful to be part of a congregation like St. Luke's who does its best to follow the model of Jesus and live out its core value of acceptance by recognizing Christ's love has no boundaries. As a part of St. Luke's how will you live out that core value today? How can you be apart of removing the stumbling blocks and hindrances of judgment on someone else's faith journey? How can each of us encourage those who are tired of fighting for acceptance to let down their guard and be loved for who they are and whose they are? On some level we all need this encouragement so let us love because Christ first loved us.
Pray this Prayer: God, thank you for your grace and for the ways you have been with me in the struggles of my life. Forgive me when I have been slow to offer this gift of grace to others that has been so generously given to me in your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Written by the St. Luke's Writing Team
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4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando FL, 32819
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