In this special Pentecost episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, St. Luke’s staff member Liz Vasquez hosts a lively and insightful conversation with Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa about the significance of Pentecost—the day the Church was born through the movement of the Holy Spirit. The group explores the original Pentecost in Acts 2, and reflects …

In this final episode of our Eastertide series, Pastor Jad explores Ephesians 5:6–14 and what it means to reflect the light of Christ in our daily lives. From ancient context to personal transformation, this reflection invites us to discern what is pleasing to God, live as children of light, and embody the love, truth, and sacrifice of Jesus in a w…

In this week’s episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastor Jad explores what it means to "Be Alive" as a resurrection people by reflecting on Proverbs 8 and the personified voice of Woman Wisdom. We delve into the poetic, joyful, and creative nature of God’s creation, where wisdom is not just instruction but invitation—calling us to delight, play,…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastor Jad Denmark explores what it means to be truly renewed in the season of Eastertide. Rooted in Ephesians 4, this episode invites listeners to shed old patterns and embrace a new life shaped by compassion, kindness, and the Spirit of Christ. Discover how resurrection becomes more than a moment—it b…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastor Jad Denmark explores what it means to live as a resurrection people by focusing on John 4:13–15, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Emphasizing the contrast between static traditions and the dynamic, life-giving “living water” Jesus offers, the message highlights Jesus’ radic…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastor Jad continues the Eastertide series, Resurrection to Be Alive, exploring what it means to live as a resurrection people every day. Focusing on 2 Corinthians 5:13–19, he unpacks Paul's message about being a new creation in Christ, shaped not by human standards but by divine love and transformation…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastor Jad reflects on what it means to "Be Alive" during Eastertide, drawing from Philippians 4:4–9. He highlights Paul’s deep love for the Philippian church and the important role of women in its leadership. The message centers on rejoicing and seeking peace—not as passive emotions, but as active choi…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, we reflect on the deep vulnerability of Jesus in the garden and the quiet strength that carries him through betrayal, denial, and suffering. From angelic presence in Gethsemane to the harrowing journey through Good Friday, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa explore the paradox of power through surrender, th…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn and Jad reflect on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and his final teachings in John’s Gospel. Together, they explore how faith invites us to hold sorrow and joy, suffering and peace, death and new life—all at once. Download a free copy of our Lenten Guide at st.lukes.org/lent Join us for Holy We…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa discuss John 15:1-17, where Jesus calls us to remain in Him, like branches connected to the vine. True discipleship isn’t just about doing—it’s about abiding, growing, and bearing fruit. Listen now and stay rooted in faith! Download a free copy of our Lenten Guide at st.lu…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa dive into John 14 and what it means to be resilient in faith. As we continue our Lenten journey, we’re reminded to stay centered in Christ, even in uncertain times. Download a free copy of our Lenten Guide at st.lukes.org/lent Lent is better together! Join a small group an…

In times of chaos, Jesus calls us to serve. In this week's episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa explore John 13:1-17, where Jesus washes his disciples' feet, showing that true leadership is rooted in humility and love. Serving others isn’t just an action—it’s a way to stay grounded in faith. Listen now and reflect on…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa explore obedience through Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet as seen in John 12:1-11. Her act of costly devotion foreshadows Jesus’ death and invites us to see worship as an act of faith, even in uncertainty. Tune in for insights on discipleship, humility, and the power of wo…

In this bonus episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa explore John 11:45-54. After Lazarus’ resurrection, fear drives religious leaders to plot against Jesus. How does fear shape our response to change? And how can we find stability in faith, even in uncertainty? Tune in as we reflect on Jesus’ retreat—not as avoidance,…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jen and Melissa introduce our Lenten series, "Bewildered." Lent is a season of reflection, trust, and transformation—where faith isn’t about having all the answers but learning to navigate the wilderness with God. Through the story of Lazarus (John 11), we’ll explore how disorientation can lead …

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, guest speaker Brett Opalinski, a United Methodist pastor and professor, reflects on the commitment of being a witness for Christ. He explains that discipleship goes beyond belief—it's about embodying Jesus' love and teachings in everyday life. Brett challenges listeners to consider how their lives can r…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Brett Opalinski, Assistant Dean of Methodist Studies at Candler School of Theology, explores the promise of service as part of our Belong series. Discover how service, rooted in Wesleyan tradition and modeled by Jesus, calls us to humbly serve others, build relationships, and reflect God’s love through …

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, special guest Brett Opalinski dives into the powerful promise of generosity within the United Methodist Church. Using compelling stories, Brett invites us to reflect on the true meaning of generosity. It's not just about money, but about offering our time, love, and resources in response to God's abunda…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, the Rev. Dr. Brett Opalinski from the Candler School of Theology leads us in reflecting on presence—what it means to truly show up for God, our community, and one another. Through thought-provoking insights, he highlights the power of presence as a means of grace, a way to encounter God, and a practice …

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, we kick off our new series called Belong, where we’ll explore the vows United Methodists take to support the church with prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. This week, we’re joined by Brett Opalinski, United Methodist Pastor and Assistant Dean of Methodist Studies at the Candler School of Th…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, pastors Jenn & Melissa explore the theme of "Be Bold" as part of the ongoing "Be" series. They’ll discuss how boldness requires preparation and readiness, drawing inspiration from Jesus' ministry. The key scripture is from Luke 4:14-21, where Jesus, in the synagogue, proclaims his mission by reading fro…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn and Melissa dive into the story of the wedding in Cana as told in John 2:1-11, where Jesus performs his first miracle. From turning water into wine to celebrating abundance, this episode explores powerful lessons about calling, readiness, and how God transforms the ordinary into the extraor…

What does it mean to be loved? In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa guide us through the well known passage of Jesus’ baptism in Luke 3 and talk about how it ties to Isaiah 43. Find questions for reflection and discussion at st.lukes.org/podcast. Looking for a small group to share your thoughts? Visit st.luke…

Start your year with "Your Week with St. Luke's" as we dive into what it means to be guided by God's light and love. In this week's episode, St. Luke's Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa explore the story of the Magi, their journey of transformation, and how being rooted in Christ reshapes our lives. Join us as we reflect on the light that leads us, th…

Check out this special episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, where Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa talk about some of their favorite Christmas Things.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa lead us into the 4th week of advent as we turn to the Shepherds, who were the first to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth. This story serves as a reminder that God lifts up the humble and includes the excluded. Their joyful response to the angelic message inspires us to sh…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa dive into the third week of Advent turning to Matthew 1:18-25 to look at the story through the eyes of Joseph and his choice to lead with love over fear. Find questions for discussion and reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa dive into Mary’s story in Luke 1 and explore how her encounter with the angel Gabriel shows us the power of faith, trust, and saying "yes" to God—even when the path is uncertain. Find questions for discussion and reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast.…

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa reflect on gratitude as a transformative spiritual practice. They share stories of how the St. Luke's community is living out their faith through service, advocacy, and discipleship. Tune in for inspiration and a reminder to give thanks this season!…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa kick off Advent with the theme "Fear Not," exploring the angelic messages that changed lives. This week, we reflect on Zechariah's story—how God's unexpected calling disrupted his plans, rekindling hope when all seemed lost. No matter your stage in life, there's no expirat…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, 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 …

How are we using our resources to make room for all? In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastor Melissa dives into Luke 14 to explore how Jesus' meals teach us about humility, generosity, and radical inclusivity. Jesus calls us to take the lowest seat, embrace those who can’t repay us, and extend our tables to everyone, especially the ove…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, we continue our "Purpose-full" series, as St. Luke’s Pastor Melissa unpacks Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and lost coin in Luke 15, revealing God's joyful pursuit of all who are lost—whether they know it or not. She challenges us to embrace purposeful joy, celebrating God's grace for everyone, even …

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke's, St. Luke’s Pastor Melissa kicks off a series on living "Purpose-full” lives, reflecting on Luke 12:22-34. She explores Jesus’ teachings on overcoming worry, trusting in God’s provision, and using our resources to serve others. Instead of hoarding, we're called to be generous, shifting from fear to faith…

This episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s reflects on wisdom from the book of Proverbs and explores themes of justice, community, and faith-driven decision-making. The episode covers passages from Proverbs 27 and 31, emphasizing the importance of relationships, justice for the marginalized, and communal responsibility. It highlights how faith infor…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa discuss the themes of focus, self-awareness, and accountability, drawing lessons from Proverbs 4 & 26. In this insightful conversation, the pastors delve into the importance of guarding your heart against distractions and negativity, emphasizing how our focus can easily be…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa look at Wesley’s principle of “Do no harm,” urging us to be mindful of the impact of our words which can either heal or hurt. Drawing on the book of Proverbs, they’ll emphasize the importance of handling conflict with grace, patience, and love, promoting reconciliation rat…

In this episode of Your Week with St. Luke’s, Pastors Jenn, Jad, and Melissa discuss their new sermon series, "Beyond the Box," which explores wisdom literature from the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs. They emphasize the importance of seeking wisdom as a way to live purposefully and intentionally in everyday life, especially in the contex…

In this final episode of our series on Daniel, Candler’s Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio challenges us as he walks us through chapters 5 & 6 of this book. Find questions for discussion & reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

In this episode, hear from Candler’s Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio as he takes us through the dreams and interpretations of the 2nd & 4th chapters of the Book of Daniel. Find questions for discussion & reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

In this second episode of our series on the Book of Daniel, Candler’s Dr. Ryan Bonfigllio walks us through the historical context, key themes, and theological takeaways of the 1st chapter, where we meet Daniel and his friends. Find questions for discussion & reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

What do we value? In this first episode of our new series on the Book of Daniel, Candler’s Dr. Ryan Bonfigllio walks us through the historical context, key themes, and theological takeaways of the 3rd chapter, where we meet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Find questions for discussion & reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast.…

In this last episode of the series, St. Luke's Pastor Jad Denmark, Minister of Congregational Life, walks us through Ephesians 5:16-21 and 6:10-20. Find questions for discussion and reflection at www.st.lukes.org/podcast.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

In this next lecture of our series, Pastor Jad, St. Luke’s Minister of Congregational Life, walks us through Ephesians 4:1-7, 25-5:2, 6-13. Find questions for discussion & reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast. Connect with a small group for discussion! Find groups at st.lukes.org/adults.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

In this lecture, Pastor Jad, St. Luke’s Minister of Congregational Life, walks us through Ephesians 2:1-10. Find questions for discussion & reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast. Connect with a small group for discussion! Find groups at st.lukes.org/adults.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

In this lecture, Pastor Jad, St. Luke’s Minister of Congregational Life, kicks off a new series on the book of Ephesians. Find questions for discussion & reflection at st.lukes.org/podcast. Connect with a small group for discussion! Find groups at st.lukes.org/adults.By St. Luke’s UMC Orlando

Learn about the Central Florida Pledge in this special podcast conversation between St. Luke’s Lead Pastor Jenn Stiles Williams, Dr. Joel Hunter, and Dr. Lua Hancock. Hear about how the pledge was started and how it’s related to Theatre at St. Luke’s summer production of The Sound of Music. For tickets to The Sound of Music, visit https://www.st.lu…

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is tangled up in questions about what the Bible has to say about the people of Israel and the land of Israel. This three-week series, taught by Candler OT professor Ryan Bonfiglio, offers biblical perspectives on this complex topic. What does the Old Testament law have to say about how Israel is to treat foreigners …

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is tangled up in questions about what the Bible has to say about the people of Israel and the land of Israel. This three-week series, taught by Candler OT professor Ryan Bonfiglio, offers biblical perspectives on this complex topic. In this episode, learn about the nature of God’s promise of this land to the people …

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is tangled up in questions about what the Bible has to say about the people of Israel and the land of Israel. This three-week series, taught by Candler OT professor Ryan Bonfiglio, offers biblical perspectives on this complex topic. In part 1 of this special series, hear about the history of the land of Israel. What…