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| Family Connections |
The Family Church Newsletter
May 2009 |
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Welcome to The Family Church
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A Word From Max
 Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel."
I Samuel 15:17.
Do you ever feel like David must have felt? So small and insignificant that even your own family overlooks you. Have you ever wondered if the magnificent dreams God has put in your heart could ever really be a reality? Sometimes the world with all its huge challenges seems overwhelming to little old me. I wonder what one person, one small group, one church, could possibly do.
You may not even realize it, but the first electric light was so dim they had to hold a candle up next to it to see its socket! One of the first steam boats needed 32 hours to chug its way the 150 miles from New York to Albany. The Wright brother's first airplane flight lasted only 12 seconds, and the first automobiles raced along at between 2 and 4 miles per hour! People on horseback would race by and yell, "Get a horse!" Remember that often the greatest progress comes from humble beginnings.
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 Men's Ministry
Man 2 Man meets on Tuesday nights at the church (except for 2nd Tuesdays) from 6:45 to 8:15 pm for the purpose of Christ-centered fellowship, whole-some accountability, life application of God's Word and prayer.
Leader: T-Bone Carlton
Phone: 386-462-2723
Meets in the Fellowship Hall
Men's Fellowship Dinner
meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6:45 to 8:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is a time to share a good meal, connect with one another and learn more about ministry, service, and fellowship opportunities. |
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Women's Ministry
Springing Ahead, Moving on
Towards the Summer
by Renee Stephens
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Family Student Movement
Axis weekend was an awesome experience for our students as many for the first time saw the importance of seeing Christ as the center of life. It is exciting to watch as it seems that the youth ministry is taking a huge turn and students are excited about being a part. With summer fast approaching there are lots of opportunities for fun and sun! Students will want to be a part of Gainesville Outreach so if you haven't signed up, do it today!
In FSM we are looking for a great summer full of opportunities for students to encounter and connect with God and each other. There is BigStuf Camp, Gainesville Outreach, Mission Trips, Beach Trips, and other spontaneous and outrageous things for students to do. Check out our summer schedule below and make plans to be included!!!!
Every Week @ FSM
Sundays -
Middle School Small Groups - 4:45pm - 7:15pm in The Loft (upstairs youth building)
High School Small Groups - 5pm - 7pm
HS Guys at Chauncey Fagler's Home and HS Girls at Pastor Jim and April Bradford's Home
Wednesdays -
Youth Worship Service 7pm - 8:30pm in The Loft
The café and game room opens at 6pm on Wednesday Nights!
See you there!
Upcoming Events
4/29: Deadline to register for BigStuf Camp
5/1: Deadline to register for GO Week and receive $20 off total cost
5/10: No Small Group - Mother's Day
5/24: No Small Group - Memorial Day Weekend
For more information on any events contact Brittany at Brittanyj@thefamilychurch.net
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Chldren's Ministry Updates
with Erin Cook
 Obedience is our core virtue for May
Stop! Have you given much thought to the fact that obedience is trusting those who lead you by doing what you're asked to do? God is God; He is the ultimate Authority. No one outranks Him. So He doesn't obey anyone, right? . . .
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BabyzVenture
Heather Haynes
Look for New Changes to Come Next Month. |
| Special Calendar events for May
Don't Forget!
May 10th: Mother's Day
May 22nd - 25th: Marriage Retreat in
St. Augustine
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Whispers in the Dark
Scripture - Matthew 9:14 - "Then John's disciples came and asked Him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast."
Observation - John's disciples, like the Pharisees, were devout men of sincere hearts who wanted to do what was right. The problem was, as with so many who have come after them, they began to equate forms and practices of religion with righteousness. While God looks at the heart and the reasons for a man's actions, religious people will measure a man's heart by the outward forms of his religion and his ability to conform those actions to the practices important to them. Since John's disciples fasted and the Pharisees fasted, surely they thought, Jesus' disciples should too! What they failed to understand was that Jesus was doing something new. Later, after the miracles, "The crowd was amazed and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.' But the Pharisees said, 'It is by the Prince of demons that He casts out demons.'" Once again, as God is doing something new the religious leaders can't see it because it doesn't conform to their concept of religious practices.
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Marriage Retreat
at World Golf Village
St. Augustine
May 22nd - 25th
Memorial Day Weekend
"The Family on Mission"
Each year, the leaders of The Family Church set aside three days during the Memorial Day weekend devoted to purposeful marriage enrichment.
Usually between 80 and 100 couples journey to St. Augustine to a pampered 4 star hotel and 3 star prices at the World Golf Village. The Elders regularly subsidize the cost of nationally acclaimed marriage retreat facilitators Jeff and Debby McElroy who sing, use drama, biblically instruct and professionally entertain all in attendance.
This year we have 51 businesses who have provided exquisite door prizes that include dinners for two, golf excursions on the championship courses, massages for two, Weekend Hotel and Bed and Breakfast vacations, jet ski rentals, Scenic Cruises, and VIP passes to the local attractions. The instruction time is poignant and impactful but there are copious amounts of time for fun and making memories with your spouse. If you would like to purpose to transform your marriage to a deeper level and experience a deeper commitment to family and friends in the church, please make your plans to join in. Call 332-6459 and ask for Terri or Pastor Patrick.
Click Here for More Information and
Sign Up Form
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Saturday morning at a Habitat for Humanity location.
Young Adults. . . Classes are Out! By the time this article hits the computer, spring semester at UF and Santa Fe should be a wrap. So, now what are you going to do?
Click Here for More Information
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Congratulations to:
Paula and Scott Koss,
on the arrival of a healthy 6 pound baby boy born March 27th at 3 pm.
His name is
Everett (courageous as a boar) Stanfield Koss. He looks like he will be blonde.
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Ongoing Support Groups
Healing Prayer for Women
A ministry for Women in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Prayer times are held individually with a member of our Prayer Team and everything is kept confidential.
Contact person-Terri Straughn at 332-6459 ex 23.
Grief Share
Tuesdays from 7-8:30pm
in room 118.
Led by Janice Hamilton and
Phil and Elaine Beltz.
Contact Janice at 332-5751 for
more information.
Divorce Care Ministry
Tuesdays in Room 1
7 - 9 pm
Contact David Studstill
283-9682
DC4K
Divorce Care for Kids Ministry
Contact: Tom and Holly Nelson
386-462-4997 or 352-318-1204
Forgiven and FreeMinistries
►Men, women, and student support group meets off campus on
Mondays. Contact Marie Rucker at 352-278-0057 or
forgivenfree@hotmail.com.
►Parent and Spouse support group meets at TFC on Monday. Contact Carol Cooper 352-356-2055 or
forgivenfree@hotmail.com.
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Information - Dependent on the Laws of Nature
By Stephen F. Larner, PhD
Information, an integral part of the laws of nature. What are these laws of nature? Briefly, they
are those observations, systematically organized, and principles, formulated in general terms, that have
been verified repeatedly in reproducible ways. Since they describe the interactions between matter and
energy, emotions such as love, joy, etc. (which are neither matter nor energy), and ethical and
philosophical musings, are excluded, not because they are not real, or important, but because they are
not physical substances. As we discuss the characteristics of all the Laws of Nature ask yourself, could
they have originated by random chance as evolutionists claim?
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On the Home Front
by Connie Reid
Swimming Upstream
Few people in today's society produce tangible products in their occupation that allow them to look and say, "Ah yes, that is what I accomplished with my effort today!" You know, like when God created the world and said it was good. I heard a wise lady say once, "Do something that has permanence every day." She was a quilter and was referring to something you could see and touch, something that might out live you.( I know most of us are doing lots of great intangible things that will last an eternity but I am talking about meeting a need in us to be creative.) Writing in a journal, sewing, woodworking, painting and scrapbooking all would fit the bill. You don't have to do a lot to fulfill that creative nature in your soul.
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Worship Through Creative Arts with Larry Carpenter
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Focus on the Family Groups
by Patrick Callahan
Love is a choice. . .
" It's that time of year when Kings go off to war and love is in the air. Springtime is God's reminder of new life and new hope. The colors are lighter and the smiles and sunburns are brighter and Marriage Retreat is just around the corner. Planning for this event began last June as the 08 retreat drew to a close. Linda and I are always on the lookout for a more affordable venue. We visited a Marriott in Tampa, a Holiday Inn on the Ocean in St. Augustine Beach and a Castle in Clearwater. We always reach the same conclusion. The tradition of the World Golf Village is the best deal around. They have treated us as honored guests and accommodated our special needs. There is something special about that place beyond the obvious décor and elegance.
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GO! Missions and Evangelism
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Service Dates and Times
Weekly Calendar
Family News
Daily Bible Readings
and/or
Listen to Sermons and great praise music and more!
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