St. Luke's United Methodist Church

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4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road
Orlando, FL 32819
407.876.4991
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A Note from Pastor Jeremy-October 27, 2022

Posted on October 27, 2022 at 9:26 am in .

Greetings Family!

Here we are! Already saying goodbye to October and welcoming November and all it brings. However, before we say goodbye to this month completely, I would like to lift up that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In fact, this year we find ourselves in its 76th celebration. During NDEAM we celebrate and honor American workers for their contributions to a myriad of professional fields while highlighting inclusive employment practices. To dig into the importance of NDEAM, I spoke with St. Lukers Danielle Heider and Ryan Arnold for a special episode of our podcast, “Your Week with St. Luke’s.” Our time together was amazing, so listen now wherever you listen to podcasts, or you can watch the episode on St. Luke’s YouTube channel (click here).

This week in worship, Pastor Jenn will be concluding our ReDefine sermon series by preaching about how we see Jesus redefine humility in Luke 18. While you’re checking out my conversation with Danielle and Ryan, make sure to watch Pastor Melissa’s lecture on Luke 18 in preparation for worship as well. In the meantime, here’s our text for the week and some questions to help us think through it on our way to Sunday:

9 Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: 10 “Two people went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”

Verse 9 – What voices and experiences do you think inspire some people of faith to think of themselves as more righteous than others?

Verse 10 – When you hear these two vocations (Pharisee and Tax Collector) what ideas about the people they refer to come to mind? How might they carry themselves? How are they likely viewed in community?

Verses 11 & 12 – Looking at the Pharisees prayer could you ever see yourself praying these words? Why or why not?

Verse 13 – What about the Tax Collector’s prayer most speak to you? Would you ever emulate thins kind of prayer?

Verse 14 – What does the idea of those who exalt themselves being lowered and those who lower themselves being exalted look like in our world today? Does the church have a role in this happening?

I hope you’ll consider joining me in meditating on these questions for the next couple of days. As your week comes to a close, I pray that you find yourself rested and surrounded by those you love. May the love of God and community warm your heart as the days grow more and more chilly.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy

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