Weekly Update - January 28, 2021

“Ahab sent the message to all the Israelites. He gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel. Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you hobble back and forth between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow God. If Baal is God, follow Baal.” The people gave no answer.” 1 Kings 18:20-21

Dear St. Lukers,

Okay, so we can all agree 2020 was rough and 2021 has tried to rival it. We all know that. But do we know all the powerful and amazing ways God has been working in the midst of the crazy? I mean really powerful things have happened and not just in the world or in our nation, but right here, in our community and congregation, in you and through you.

When we choose God first as Joshua called us to last week in Joshua 24, God gives us a vision and purpose for our lives. Not just for our individual lives, but collective lives focused on pulling back the curtain in every day moments, so others can see love or mercy, goodness and kindness, so people can see the Kingdom of God’s vision of creation revealed.

Our theme for understanding how to live the story is ACCOMMODATION. When we accommodate the world around us, the results may be shiny or produce earthly prosperity, but the transformation doesn’t hold up for eternal significance. However, when we accommodate God’s purpose and plan, serving God’s will and vision for our lives, individually and collectively – we can accomplish so much more than we can ever dream or imagine. 1 Kings 18:20-46 tells a story that proves what a life surrendered to choosing to serve God can produce. Powerful moments that give people hope, prove God’s strength, and changes lives. We’ve seen it happening, you’ve been a part of it, and we will talk more about it on Sunday in worship.

If you weren’t able to join us for Wednesday’s “LEARN” study last night, make sure you watch before Sunday to set the stage for how we engage this word and 1 Kings 18:20-21. (By the way, this isn’t your great grandfather’s Bible study, this is crazy fun stuff! We’ve talked about extraterrestrials, a king getting killed with a sword on his “throne” or chamber pot – you never know where we are going to go when you learn the Bible!)

Maybe what you learn will even give you hope for finding your role in this gift of a story God has created us to tell. We are also excited as our music this week will all be centered around a jazz style so come check out what John Mason and our amazing group of talented musicians have planned for us.

See you Sunday – where the power of what we can do as we choose God together as St. Luke’s is not the same without U!

Jenn.

Click the image above to learn more about connecting to one of the classes or programs you can participate in online or listen to on the phone. If you need help connecting to one of the groups on the schedule, email Liz Vasquez or call 407.876.4991 ext. 216.

St. Luke's is temporarily pausing on-campus worship. Click here to read the update from the St. Luke's COVID-19 Task Force.

Please join us for worship online Sundays at 9:30 a.m. EST on Facebook Live.

Children (K-5th grade) are invited to online Sunday School from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. weekly (click here to register for Zoom link).

Click here to watch last Sunday's worship service.

St. Luke's in Review

A Journey Toward Hope After Loss

As new GriefShare groups get ready to begin February 4 and February 24, we take a look back at this powerful testimony from Dr. Joanne MacPherson highlighting the reasons why this group has helped so many people find hope in the midst of grief. Click the button below to read more:

Read Joanne MacPherson's GriefShare Testimony

Community Resources

View COVID-19 Resources

Looking Ahead at St. Luke's

Please return the Estimate of Giving card you received in your mailbox by February 7 via mail or in the dropbox outside of Building C. You can also view the Stewardship Guide and complete an online Estimate of Giving by clicking the button below.

St. Luke's Stewardship 2021

Vote St. Luke's as Central Florida's Favorite Faith Based Establishment in the 2021 Watermark WAVE Awards! Click the button below to vote (voting open through 5:00 p.m. on February 12):

Click to Vote for St. Luke's

Learn about the weekly free food distribution at St. Luke's for our neighbors in the arts community, and how to donate, by clicking the button below:

Learn Ways to Support Artists

Coping with caregiving registration link

Help St. Luke's provide fresh produce weekly to local families who have experienced job loss due to the pandemic by gleaning our community on February 13!

Click the button below to see all the ways you can get involved in this church-wide day of gleaning:

Learn More about Gleaning

Family Promise families have been sheltering in place at a hotel, and February still has some open nights that dinners are needed. Sign up to volunteer to bring meals to the day center for these families by clicking the button below:

Shop handmade crafts, decor, clothing, and more at great prices for a cause at the UMW Gift Shop, located in the Annex behind St. Luke's Building C. All Christmas items are now 50% off! For more information visit st.lukes.org/umw.

*Face coverings and social distancing are required on St. Luke’s campus.

Registration for VBS Volunteers opens on February 15! Volunteers will be able to register children early. General registration will open March 15.

VBS Dates: June 21-25

Volunteer Serving opportunities webpage link

St. Luke's has all new opportunities to volunteer remotely or semi-remotely with our marketing and communications team. Be part of sharing Kingdom moments with our congregation and community in one of the follwoing roles:

Volunteer Social Media Ambassador (immediate need)
Volunteer Copywriter/Proofreader
Volunteer Photographer
Volunteer Graphic Designer (immediate need)
Email Marketing Volunteer
Marketing Administrative Support Volunteer

Click the button below to learn more and express interest:

Learn More about Marketing Volunteer Opportunities

New: Greeting Card Writers (email Antony Larry to express interest)

Connect with Youth Ministries

Get the latest youth news by joining the Slack community, subscribing to our texting system “Remind,” and subscribing to the youth newsletter "The Current."

Click to Join Youth Slack Community

Click to Subscribe to Remind - Youth

Click to Subscribe to Remind - Parents

Click to Subscribe to the Youth Newsletter

Give to St. Luke's Ministries

November 2020 Financial Update

Giving through November 2020 (less PPP): $3,005,882

Giving is up 2.6%

Expenses through November 2020: $3,231,460

Expenses are up 5.4% due to lack of income from revenue producing ministries because of the pandemic

Without the PPP funds, we are in an unfavorable 2020 YTD position of -$225,578

With the PPP funds, we are in a favorable 2020 YTD position of $336,422

Click the button below to start giving online or call the finance office at 407.876.4991 ext. 227 to learn more about additional ways to give.

Click to Give

Ministry Links

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