Ministry Guide

The St. Luke’s United Methodist Church family in faith welcomes you. We know you have many choices when it comes to places to worship, connect, grow, and serve so we are honored that you are exploring St. Luke’s. Click the button below to learn more about St. Luke’s and our ministries:

Our Purpose: Awaken disciples to reveal the Kingdom, reveal the Kingdom to awaken disciples.

Our Core Values: At our center is the love of Jesus Christ. We value Christ-centered acceptance, hospitality, community, discipleship, and service.

Our Vision: That the believers of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church will reach as many people as possible in Central Florida introducing them to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Together, we commit to worship, connect, care, and grow as Disciples, to serve in revealing the Kingdom of God.

New to the St. Luke’s community? Looking to meet new people? Want to strengthen your faith? We have the group for U! Click HERE to join the “New to St. Luke’s Orlando” Facebook group today, you’re always welcome! Want to learn more about St. Luke’s? Contact Liz Vasquez for a campus tour at evasquez at st dot lukes dot org or call 407.876.4991 ext. 216.

Do you consider St. Luke’s your home church? Are you thinking about joining St. Luke’s? Your Path to Partnership at St. Luke’s: Step 1: Discover St. Luke’s Get to know who we are, what we believe, and how you can be part of it all. Whether you’re new to faith, Methodism, or just new to St. Luke’s, this one-session class is your starting point. Meet our pastors, ask questions, and find your place in this welcoming community. Step 2: Partnership Class Take the next step by exploring what it means to become a Partner (Member) at St. Luke’s. You’ll tour the campus, learn about our Methodist heritage and beliefs, and dive into the commitments of partnership. At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to officially say yes to becoming a Partner. Step 3: Partnership Sunday Celebrate your commitment to the St. Luke’s community! During worship, you’ll take your Partnership vows and be welcomed as an official Partner of the church. It’s a joyful moment—and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! Contact Pastor Melissa with questions or for more information about joining the church at mcooper at st dot lukes dot org.

Current Worship Series – Love Boldly

9:30 a.m.: Contemporary worship on campus in Founder’s Hall and live on YouTube (click here)

Click here to view full worship videos

Click here to view past sermon videos

10:00 a.m.: Traditional worship on campus in the Sanctuary and live on YouTube (click here)

Click here to view full worship videos

Click here to view past sermon videos

The difference between the two services is the style of music. Traditional worship uses a full choir, pipe organ, and orchestra instruments.  Contemporary worship showcases a more modern style with singers and a band. The message and liturgy are the same at both services.  11:10 a.m.: Life Together – New Directions – Join this group of 50 to 80-somethings for Bible study, discussion, and fellowship. The New Directions class meets on Sunday mornings at 11:10 a.m. in B-201 (upstairs). Participants can also join by Zoom.  The group is concluding its study of Matthew Skinner’s Voices of Advent and will begin a new study, The Bible With and Without Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine an Marc Zvi Brettler, on January 18.

9:00 a.m.: Senior (50+) Exercise – We are excited about this class and hope you will come join us! This class is geared for our seniors (50+) but any age and fitness level is welcome. This fun and social group meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium. Classes are $5 each – Registration ahead of time is strongly encouraged. A discount is available if you pre-pay for an entire month.  If you have any questions, please contact the Care office at 407.876.4991 ext 300 or email the Care Office. 9:00 a.m.: Tai Chi, Meditation, and Qigong – Tai Chi is a gentle, low-impact, ancient Chinese martial art that involves a series of slow, deliberate movements, physical postures, meditation, and controlled breathing. Tai Chi is about meditation through movement and is a relaxing and gentle exercise for all ages and abilities. Qigong uses exercise to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, to improve and maintain health and well-being. This group meets under the Torrance Pavilion in between the Sanctuary and the Youth Center on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. Your first class is free then $2.00 per class.  No registration is required, feel free to join in anytime.  The class is led by Sifu Al Aki.  For additional questions, please contact Al HERE.   1:30 p.m.: Life Together – Tuesday Friends – Join this Life Together group on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays on Zoom for a lively discussion on the church-wide Bible Study. 2:30 p.m.: Pickleball Pickleball is a racquet sport that anyone can play and provides a great way to exercise and socialize with friends! Be prepared to bring a Pickleball racket AND wear Court Shoes! (Court shoes are designed specifically to support side-to-side movement with quick stops and starts while playing this game – Regular tennis, or running/walking shoes are not acceptable.) This group meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium in Building C.  The first 2 sessions are free, then a donation of $10 per month for regular participants to cover the use of the church facilities. Please contact Mary Holloway for additional information or any questions HERE. 6:00 p.m.: Bootcamp – Bootcamp meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Gym located in Building C. Classes are organized with 6-8 stations of various exercise options and participants will rotate between these stations with intervals of rest.  Participants can modify the intensity of each exercise to their level. A minimum of 4 people is needed for the class to take place.  Please call ahead to notify the facilitator that you will be attending by 3:00 pm on the day of class. Class will be confirmed each time based on the number of participants available. Contact Kelly Smith to RSVP you are coming at 407.468.7998, or for additional information or questions.

   8:15 a.m.: Life Together – Morning Edition – All women are invited to join this online group on Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. This is an ongoing group. Participants can join anytime. 6:30 p.m.: Life Together – Parenting Together – Join this group for fellowship and discussion with other parents after dropping off the kids for Wednesday night programming. Meet on Wednesdays in the Smart Classroom of the Barnes Learning Center (above Founder’s Hall) starting at 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.: Change Makers Discussion Group – Journey through the Change Makers series with others seeking clarity, encouragement, and a deeper sense of purpose. Reflect, share, and take meaningful next steps in faith—together.

7:45 a.m.: Life Together – Thursday Morning Men’s Group – All men are invited to join this virtual community for conversation, community, and prayer. This Zoom group starts at 7:45 a.m. every Thursday. 9:00 a.m.: Senior (50+) Exercise – We are excited about this class and hope you will come join us! This class is geared for our seniors (50+), but any age and fitness level is welcome. This fun and social group meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium. Classes are $5 each – Registration ahead of time is strongly encouraged. A discount is available if you pre-pay for an entire month.  If you have any questions, please contact the Care office at 407.876.4991 ext 300 or email the Care Office.   12:30 p.m.: Life Together – Women of the Word:  Women of the Word is a Bible Study for women ranging from 60 years of age and north.  Each week, the group focuses on 2-3 chapters of the Bible, enlivened by exploring different translations, commentaries, and experiences. The group studies and shares in prayer for one another. Meets weekly on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom.   1:00 p.m.: Life Together – Thursday Afternoon Women’s Bible Study (hybrid) – All women are invited to join this group. We meet weekly for discussion and connection following along with the church-wide study. Join us on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. on campus or online. 2:30 p.m.: Pickleball Pickleball is a racquet sport that anyone can play and provides a great way to exercise and socialize with friends! Be prepared to bring a Pickleball racket AND wear Court Shoes! (Court shoes are designed specifically to support side-to-side movement with quick stops and starts while playing this game – Regular tennis, or running/walking shoes are not acceptable.) This group meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium in Building C.  The first 2 sessions are free, then a donation of $10 per month for regular participants to cover the use of the church facilities. Please contact Mary Holloway for additional information or any questions HERE. 6:00 p.m.: Bootcamp – Bootcamp meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Gym located in Building C. Classes are organized with 6-8 stations of various exercise options, and participants will rotate between these stations with intervals of rest.  Participants can modify the intensity of each exercise to their level. A minimum of 4 people are needed for the class to take place.  Please call ahead to notify the facilitator that you will be attending by 3:00 pm on the day of class. The class will be confirmed each time based on the number of participants available. Contact Kelly Smith that you are coming at 407.468.7998 or for additional information or questions. 6:30 p.m.: Life Together – Thursday Evenings with Friends – Join this intergenerational group for fellowship, connection, and spiritual growth weekly on Zoom starting at 6:30 p.m. We meet once a month in person. New friends can join us anytime! 6:30 p.m.: Life Together – Couples (Thursday nights on Zoom) – Join other couples for weekly Bible Study and lots of laughs! We meet Thursdays on Zoom starting at 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.: Life Together – Young Adults (25-35): Join other young adults who are leading their lives on purpose as they share life, explore Scripture, and grow together. We try to organize a mix of different events – a consistent weekly meet up on Thursdays to have deeper conversations, as well as off-campus trips like kayaking, parks, restaurants & bars, etc.

st.lukes.org/connect connect at st dot lukes dot org 407.876.4991 ext. 216 50 North Senior Ministries: This ministry helps adults over the age of 50 connect with others in the same life stage who want to find new purpose during the second half of life. Whether you are planning for retirement, becoming an empty nester, or well into your senior years, this ministry is for you! Learn more about upcoming events and activities by clicking the button below! Life Together – Pints & Parables (Theology on Tap) – This community meets monthly on the second Thursday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at World of Beer, located at 7750 Palm Pkwy #130, Orlando, FL 32836. Participants share in open discussion on matters of life in our world today, faith, philosophy, theology, and more. All are welcome! For more information and to RSVP to our next event, visit st.lukes.org/pintsandparables or contact Jad Denmark with questions. Monthly Men’s Breakfast – Join St. Luke’s Men’s Ministry at their monthly breakfast event, where you will enjoy community, connection, and prayer over breakfast on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 a.m. in Founder’s Hall. For more information and to register, visit: st.lukes.org/breakfast.

 Care Ministries st.lukes.org/care care at st dot lukes dot org 407.876.4991 ext. 262 Apply to Become a Stephen Minister: Do you feel called to walk alongside others during life’s difficult seasons? Are you someone who naturally offers Christian love and care to those who are hurting? If so, Stephen Ministry may be the perfect place for you to serve. Stephen Ministers aren’t pastors—they’re caring, compassionate individuals who are trained to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people going through tough times, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or major life transitions. Applications are now being accepted through October 20 for new Stephen Ministers! Be a blessing to those who are going through difficult times.  To learn more, apply, and register for one of two upcoming Preview Training Sessions, visit st.lukes.org/stephenministry. Training starts on campus on Tuesday evening, January 6. Email or call the Care office at 407.876.4991 ext. 262 for more information.

Baptisms for Infants and Children: St. Luke’s baptizes infants and children on the third Sunday of each month unless otherwise noted. Baptisms occur at the 9:30 a.m. contemporary worship service and the 10:00 a.m. traditional worship service. Parents wishing to baptize their child must register to attend a baptism class beforehand. Click here to learn more about baptisms at St. Luke’s and to register for an upcoming baptism class. Contact the Care office at 407.876.4991 ext. 262 for more information.

Support Group for Parents of Children/Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder: St. Luke’s no longer facilitates this support group, but we are happy to connect you to a support group offered by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. This group meets monthly to share ideas, concerns, challenges, and celebrations while managing life as parents of young children with ASD. They share resources, provide insights, and support one another. We invite you to join this group on the second Thursday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. For additional information and to reserve a spot for one of their next meetings, click here.  Contact the Care office at 407.876.4991 ext. 262 or by email if you have additional questions. Caring Kitchen: Join this ministry in prepping delicious frozen crockpot meals for those recovering from a hospitalization/surgery, going through cancer/other treatments, having a baby, etc. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Building C kitchen. No experience is required – just a compassionate heart and a passion for caring. Closed-toe shoes are required. Bring an apron, a sharp knife, and a vegetable peeler if you have one. Children aged 12+ are welcome. Click here to register for the next meeting. Do you have a friend or neighbor who would like a crockpot meal? Contact the Care Office. Care Visitation Team:  This team builds meaningful connections while offering loving care and support, while also forming lasting bonds that nourish both their heart and those they visit through conversations, spiritual growth and the joy of shared stories. Our Care Visitation Team (CVT) partners with our pastors and Parish Nurse to provide compassion, encouragement, and support for our church families during illness, hospitalizations, and/or long-term care. If you are interested in arranging visits from this team for you or someone in your family, please email the Care office HERE or call 407.876.4991 ext. 300. Coping with Caregiving: Are you a caregiver for a spouse, parent, or child with a long-term illness, disability, or age-related issues? Are you in need of resources, support, encouragement, and prayers? Take a break from your daily routine and join St. Luke’s on Zoom for a “Coping with Caregiving” support group meeting.  Come share your concerns, challenges, and blessings with others in similar situations. Registration is required. Email the Care Office for more information. We hope you can join us!     Blood Donation and Free Blood Pressure Screening:  The OneBlood Big Red Bus will be back at St. Luke’s on Sunday, January 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. near Building C. Please make sure you eat before donating blood to avoid any adverse symptoms. (Donors age 16 who weigh at least 110 pounds may donate with parental consent. For youth age 17, no consent is needed) Photo ID is required. Pre-scheduling your time slot is strongly encouraged. OneBlood can take walk-ins if there are available slots. Schedule your appointment HERE. Eligible donors will receive a $20 E-gift card and a OneBlood gift as well as a wellness checkup which includes a vital signs, iron level, and cholesterol screening. Donors will be asked to provide their cell phone numbers upon arrival and will need to wait in their car, on campus, or outside the Big Red Bus until they are called to donate. BP Screening will also be available outside both worship venues this day. Even if you check your BP at home, our volunteer nurses can double-check your readings! Stephen Ministry: Are you facing a difficult time? Stephen Ministry offers one-on-one, confidential support from a trained Christian caregiver outside your immediate circle. Whether you’re dealing with grief, illness, job loss, relationship struggles, or other challenges, a Stephen Minister is there to listen, pray, and walk with you. Stephen Ministers aren’t counselors or pastors but are equipped with 50 hours of training in listening, care, and confidentiality. They meet with you weekly for an hour—on your schedule and at no cost. Men are matched with men, women with women. To get connected, mark your online Connection Card or contact the Care Office at 407.876.4991 ext. 262. To learn more about this amazing ministry, click here.

Hearts to Hands: This ministry meets on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. in the Barnes Learning Center (second floor of Founder’s Hall) in Room 210. Knit/crochet items for Arnold Palmer Hospital while sharing fellowship with others. Want to learn how to knit or crochet? They will teach you. Come to enjoy community and free classes. To learn more about Hearts to Hands, click here.

Community Counseling Center: St. Luke’s Community Counseling Center provides counseling services to people of all ages through Licensed Mental Health Counselors. We offer teletherapy sessions as well as in-person sessions. Our counselors are both approved providers for many insurance companies and offer a sliding fee scale in addition to the standard fee. Contact 407.876.4991 ext. 250 to schedule a counseling session.

Greeting Card Writers Needed: Do you have time to help write 12 – 14 holiday greeting cards at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas? The church provides cards, addresses, inspirational messages, and postage. All you have to do is write the message inside the cards, seal the envelopes, and drop them in the mail! Email care at st dot lukes dot org or call 407.876.4991 ext. 262 for details.

st.lukes.org/serve serve at st dot lukes dot org 407.876.4991 ext. 239 Engage:Are you 50 or older? Retired or semi-retired? Interested in volunteering with other St Luker’s to ENGAGE in the community to make a difference? As an outgrowth of Pastor Melissa’s recent Lead Your Life class, active seniors are organizing to see where we can best serve in Central Florida. Our initial meetings by the planning committee have put volunteer opportunities into classifications (working with the homeless, combating hunger, caring for animals and/or God’s creation, building projects, and educational impact, just to name a few). Our next steps will be to reach out to the organizations we select and see what days, times, and helping opportunities are a good fit for our volunteers. Come be a part of the groundwork that aligns those in their “Chapter 2” of life with meaningful volunteer experiences and fosters relationships between St Lukers in the process! Contact serve at st dot lukes dot org for more information. Circles West Orange: Circles West Orange is celebrating 10 years! Six years with St. Luke’s as the Lead Organization and four years as a Host Organization partnering with Poverty Solutions Group. Circles West Orange continues to build a community to end poverty and needs volunteers serving on Resource Teams and as Allies. You can also help by providing the weekly meeting meal for Circles. This is a great opportunity for you and your group. To learn more, click on the link below. Family Promise: St. Lukers can share their hospitality by providing meals for up to 4 families who are experiencing homelessness, at the Family Promise Day Center in Winter Park. During the summer months, they need additional volunteers to help. To learn more about Family Promise and to get the link to Family Promise’s schedule and registration portal, click the link below. Society of St. Andrew Gleaning Opportunity: Our partnership with the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) has become a critical source of much-needed fresh produce for people who are facing food insecurity. The Society of St. Andrew, the farmers that collaborate with us, and our amazing volunteers, have rescued and redistributed over 2.5 million lbs. of fresh fruit and vegetables. That’s over 10 million servings of fruits and vegetables! Log in to the Society of St. Andrew Volunteer Calendar to see upcoming volunteer opportunities. Volunteer Calendar here Blessed Treasures Gift Shop: The United Women in Faith’s (formerly the UMW) Blessed Treasures Gift Shop features handmade seasonal decorations and home décor, giftable items, as well as gently loved clothing, a variety of beautiful new jewelry, artwork, and more. All proceeds support local, state, and international missions and charities. We believe that all of creation is God’s and that we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Explore the ways we, as United Methodists, care for and love all of creation and are committed to keeping our planet green, clean, and sustainable for all. Your Call to Missions: If God is nudging you to get involved in support of the community, but you do not know where to start, contact serve at st dot lukes dot org to get connected.

Financial Update Thank you for all the ways you support St. Luke’s and our ministry! Share your tithes and offerings by:

• Using the outside drop box attached to Building C.
• Setting up a recurring bank draft (for assistance, email awhisnant at st dot lukes dot org).
• Give online at st.lukes.org/give.

August 2025 Financial Update: Total Receipts through August 2025: $2,496,636.42 Total Expenses through August 2025: $2,404,096.78 Favorable 2025 YTD position: $92,539.64 Visit st.lukes.org/stewardship to make your stewardship pledge and view detailed financial reports. Contact Andrea Whisnant-Burgis, Church Accountant, at 407.876.4991 ext. 227 or awhisnant at st dot lukes dot org with questions.