Is the Church Dead or Alive?

Almost every week — sometimes every day — I read an article about the church being in decline. Some even insist that the church is dead. But is that true? Or is it that, like Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, the Spirit is simply waiting for receptive hearts to breathe new life again?

Because the truth is, I also read stories — almost daily — of the church flourishing, revived in the hearts of the people. I see this at St. Michael’s with all that God is doing in and through us!

So, the question becomes personal: How alive is God in you? The truth is that the church is only alive as you are. It’s only alive as I am. I recently came across a quote that has been echoing in my heart:

“Revival comes when we move prayer from the side room of our lives to the very foundation of our lives.”

In other words, it starts in me… and it starts in you. The church is never more alive than when Christ’s Spirit is alive in our hearts. What God begins in you and me, God grows in us together. St. Michael’s comes alive when we are more than an event people attend—when we become a family people belong to. A family that forgives, encourages, carries burdens, and experiences God’s presence together. Not a club of consumers, but a community of grace.

And I see signs of that life everywhere. St. Michael’s is alive when we live for the sake of the world God loves. When we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and stand with the broken, people recognize real life. They see Jesus.

So maybe the church isn’t dead at all. God is breathing deeply in us—as we continue to say “yes” and let His Spirit set us on fire. Because wherever Christ is encountered, wherever love is practiced and lives are transformed—the church is not dead…

… It’s alive.

And it begins in my heart…

It begins in your heart.

In Christ’s love,

An Altar Guild Invitation

Would you like to feel the calming presence of our Lord in the busyness of your life?

The four rotating teams of Altar Guild have the honor and privilege of this every month.

We have husbands, wives, and moms, dads and kids, and grandmoms, grandpops, and grandkids that participate

We encourage all ages of women, men, and children to join our loving and dedicated members as we prepare and clean up for the various services of St Michael’s.

If interested in experiencing the joy of serving the Lord in a behind-the-scenes capacity, please contact the office at 407-843-8448 or Suzanne Thomas, Directress at 407-579-9113 for more information.

“Discover the Joy of Sacred Music:

Your Heart, Our Choir, One Voice”

ORGANIZED SINGING/MUSIC! …aka CHOIRS! ….or BANDS!

PLEASE NOTE: the combination of God’s sacred Word, actively serving, “doing”, in community with others, ALL focused on achieving one goal – there is a high probability you may come face to face with the Living God!

CHOIR TRAINING PROGRAM (primarily for Choir Members – but open to ANYONE!)

• Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM –vocal / reading music / Worship & Liturgy training.

ST. MICHAEL’S FAMILY CHOIR

• ALL AGES! Kids who LOVE to sing (1^st/2^nd Grade good readers thru High School), plus any singing parents, all the way up thru Retired Folks, singing together as a FAMILY!
• Wednesdays: 6:30-8:00 (Chamber Singers – a small group of Adults who enjoy more demanding material - continues thru 8:30’ish)
• Sundays: 9:15 thru end of 10:15 Service

ANGELS CHOIR

• Ages Birth thru 1^st Grade – with parents
• Wednesdays, 5:00-5:30

ST. MICHAEL’S BAND

• Keyboard/drums/bass-guitar… LOOKING FOR…
• Flute, saxophone, other solo-type instruments, lead male/female vocalist

CARILONNEURS

• Folks who can read and play a melody “one-finger” at a minimum
• Play before and after 10:15 services – Funerals too

JOINING ANY CHOIR/GROUP:

1. Show up ONE time – observe or join in! ….you had a good time?
2. Try for a month
3. Still GREAT! Then stay! ….or, you’ve realized “this is not my cup of tea”

ALL CHOIRS BACK – REGULAR SCHEDULE: COME SING WITH US!

• REHEARSALS RESUMED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
• SUNDAYS – AUGUST 31

NEW MEMBERS, BIRTH THRU RETIRED, ALWAYS WELCOME!

• CONTACT ANDREW FOR DETAILS 

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

THIS WEEK:

Sunday, 8/31 – REGULAR CHOIR

• 9:15 – Rehearsal in choir room
• 9:40 – move to church to practice with organ
• 10:15 – SERVICE
• 11:40 – Optional additional rehearsal

Wednesday, 9/3 – Rehearsals/Training

• 5:00 – ANGELS CHOIR!
• 5:30 – Music Reading and Vocal Training
• 6:30 – St. Michael’s Family Choir
• 8:00’ish – Chamber Singers 

NEED MORE INFO? 

Contact Andrew (email: andrew@stmichaelschurch.com / office: 407-843-8448 x.246 / cell: 407-619-0967) ALSO to join the “Choir Training Program” session either in person OR AT HOME!

ST. MICHAEL'S PRAYER LIST

Those who have commended themselves to our prayers:

Gladys M., Isabella, Jimmie, Joe, Joey K., John M., Matt P., Melissa, Paula, Pauline, Polly, Rebecca, Russ R., Tim, Vaughn, Victoria, Will.

Long-Term Prayer List:

Alexa C., Alyssa R., Andrew, Angie, Ashley T., Austin S., Benny W., Betsy C., Beth, Brigid, Brittney R., Cannon, Carolyn, Caryl, Charlotte, Chris M., Chris P., Claire B., Colton, Connor R., Cynthia L., Darrell, David B., Deirdre E., Ella, Elijah, Emma, Emily, Eva Q., Eugenia, Felicia, Gary B., George T., Graham, Gylla, Helen, Henry R., Jacob B., Jan, Jason, Jeffrey, Joyce B., Joanne O., Joe H., Justin, Karen C., Karen E., Karen H., Karen M., Kathy G., Kristel, Kris R., Kyle, Lavelle B., Linda, Linda A., Linda T., Lisa L., Lola, Macauly D., Marci A., Margie S., Marion S., Mary, Mary C., Mary Lu, Meredith and Family, Martin, Oliver, Pam S., Paul, Phil, Robert, Ryan, Sarah, Shaun B., Sony, Sonia, Steve, Susan A., Susie D., The Allen Family, Tim, Tracy, Tripp, Virginia C., Wayne, William.

Those serving in the armed forces and in harm’s way:

Aaron D., Bradley H., Carolyn H., Chad S., Christopher E., Hank H., Hope H., Jonah H., Kenneth K., Ben V., Nick R., Will M., Stuart R.

Birthdays:

28: Charlie Lang, Christina Phillips, 29: Pam Webb, Thomas Cole, Alexandra Milbrath, Robert Nevill, Cheryl Henson, 30: Jim Garner, Ellis Searl, Elizabeth Barnhart, 31: Logan Baker, Magdalena Christou 1: Luke Jaberg, Karen Conrad, Douglas McMahon, Lauren Vanture, 2: James Hamil, Za Za Bosko, Amy Hutyra, 4: Laurie Carpenter, Tom Harbert, Jason Searl, Stephanie Higgins, Michael Conrad, 5: Dottie Harris, 6: Tom Cook, Katrena Luoni, 7: Rachel Eichelberger, Eric Chrisman, 8: Jenn Chrisman, Jeffery Phillips, 9: Jeffrey McElyea, Graham Loff, 10: Cindy Provencher, Ginny Botts, Carter Jeffries

Anniversaries:

28: Andrew and Angelica Cole, 29: Ed and Joanne Murphy, Rick and Katrena Luoni, 30: Tom and Deborah Cook, 31: David and Katherine Pace, Phil and Lori Demro, 4: Rick and Katie Gierok, 5: Jim and Janina Garner, 10: Bill and Joan Zink

A Gentle Reminder About the Prayer List

If you or your loved one has experienced healing and no longer needs to be on the prayer list, we ask that you let us know. It is a joy to give thanks to God for the blessings of restored health and life, and your update helps us make room to lift others in prayer who are in need of support from the St. Michael’s community.

To place someone on the prayer list, please contact the Administrative Team at info@stmichaelschurch.com.

CLERGY AND MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Rev. Rick Luoni, Rector

The Rev. Greg Favazza, Assisting Priest

Andrew J. Walker, Director of Music

Ella Eagen, Assistant Director of Music

Mike Robertson, Director of Outreach

Tiffany Stieger, Director of Children’s Ministry

Melanie Olivier, Director of Preschool

Mark T. Cole, Director of Youth Ministries

VESTRY

Senior Warden: Freddy Clayton

Junior Warden: Christian Leger

Louis Gafford

Eric James

Jordan Cook Evans

Danielle Belen

Courtney Hazouri

Brian Rush

Ashley Bennett

Eleanor Ackermann

Basia Andraka-Christou

Matt Vanture