A Note from Pastor Jenn - November 21, 2024

Dear Generous St. Lukers,

What a beautiful Sunday we had this past week. Both the morning blended service of baptism and confirmation, and the evening praise and worship service were full of the Holy Spirit, joy, and generosity. We celebrated the work of St. Luke’s setting the holy table of ministry for four generations with babies, students, young adults, and former St. Luke's Confirmands coming back as parents! Look at God! Can’t you see and feel the incredible blessings God is pouring over our church? And, just think, YOU are a part of this Kingdom-revealing moment!

This Sunday, we turn to what it means to be Purpose-FULL in our gratitude. Did you know that science tells us that going to sleep with a heart and mind turned to gratitude actually helps one sleep better and wake with a more positive outlook? It works, IF you remember to take the time to center on giving thanks each night.

Remembering the discipline of gratitude is the key. We will dive into this idea more on Sunday as we look at Jesus’ telling of the story of those healed and the return of the grateful one from Luke 17. As we prepare for worship and move toward Thanksgiving, let’s start the practice of gratitude each day. In fact, we would like to ask you to click here and share with us what you are grateful for about St. Luke’s. We will share a word cloud of your responses in worship on Sunday!

And this week we're kicking off...

Reminder: The church campus will be closed from November 25-29 in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen for worship on December 1, and the front office will reopen on Monday, December 2 at 9:00 a.m. 

St. Luke's Week in Review

Building Hope, One Home at a Time

Last weekend, a group of St. Lukers teamed up with West Orange Habitat for Humanity in East Winter Garden in working on four new houses! From putting up walls to sealing and sanding, their hard work is helping turn dreams of homeownership into reality for local low-income families. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ in our community!

Want to get involved? Contact serve@st.lukes.org or visit westorangehabitat.org.

A Beautiful Morning of Worship

This week in worship, we came together as one church family and celebrated 3 infant baptisms, 17 students were confirmed as the newest St. Luke's Partners, and we were led in song and powerful word by our WeeSingers, Youth Praise Team, Sanctuary Choir, and young adult speakers. It was truly an intergenerational experience (click here to view more photos taken by Howard Clifton)!

Praise & Worship Night

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Praise & Worship Night on Sunday evening, and all who helped lead us in Scripture and song! It was a blessing to come together as a community and experience God's presence in this powerful, moving way (click here to view more photos taken by Howard Clifton)!

Upcoming Events

Ways to Learn, Live, Love, and Lead

Current sermon series: Purpose-Full

• "Your Week with St. Luke's" Podcast - In this week's episode, Pastor Melissa explores the theme of “purposeful gratitude” through Luke 17:11-19. Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks. His gratitude becomes an act of faith, showing us how thanksgiving transforms and deepens our connection with God. This Thanksgiving, let’s embrace gratitude as a simple, powerful spiritual practice.

• Get into the spirit and share St. Luke's hospitality with Circles West Orange families by volunteering at their Holiday Party & Toy Shop on December 17 - Click HERE to sign up

• Help us FILL the Toy Shop at the Circles Holiday Party with toys, where the families will pick out their children’s gifts themselves! Take a tag (or two) from the Wish Trees on campus, and bring your new, unwrapped gift donations by December 8 (our goal is 300 gifts) - Click HERE to learn more

• Audition to join us and Encore Performing Arts for HymnSong, coming February 15-16! This will be an unforgettable experience celebrating the history and beauty of the hymn, and we'd love for you to be a part of it - Learn more and submit an audition video by November 30 HERE

Save the Dates

• Coping with Caregiving - December 8

RSVP HERE

• Blue Christmas Worship Service - December 18

Learn more HERE

• Nativity Service for Kids and Families - December 22

See details HERE

• Christmas Eve Worship at St. Luke's - December 23 & 24

See details HERE

Give to St. Luke's Ministries

We invite each St. Luker to commit their time and financial contributions to the ongoing work of the church, both within our campus and throughout the community. Thank you for your passion, love, and generosity, which empower us to live out our mission.

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