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| Family Connections |
The Family Church Newsletter
August 2009 |
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A Word From Max
It is hard to believe that August 9th will mark the 16th Anniversary of The Family Church. It has been quite a journey. Just a reminder: for anniversary weekend we will only have ONE weekend service at 10:30 a.m. followed by dinner and a celebration on the grounds. We are selling tickets now for the meal. If you haven't already done so, please purchase them in advance in the lobby of the church. We are looking forward to celebrating with you.
The theme of this year's anniversary is SWEET Sixteen. And in typical Max fashion it comes with an acronym. We want The Family Church to be a balanced church and we want it to fulfill the purposes that God called His church into being to fulfill. With that in mind, as we look at our SWEET Sixteen we want to be a church that does the following:
Share Lives - The "S" in SWEET is for "shared lives". Jesus shared His life with us and He calls us to share lives with each other in true community and "fellowship." Of course fellowship means more than sharing meals and good times together. It means growing together and challenging each other. It means linking our lives and practicing hospitality. The Family Church has always excelled in these area and we look to grow even more in our fellowship in the coming year.
Worship - The "W" is for "worship". The chief aim of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Worship is showing love for God and enjoying His presence as we glorify His name. The Family Church has been known all over our area as a worshipping church. Our worship experiences are rich and varied. We hope to take worship to even greater levels in the coming year and we "love the Lord" together.
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Man in the Mirror
Weekly Bible Study
Parkview Baptist Church
Every Friday
6:30 - 7:45 a.m.
Iron Sharpens Iron
Conference in Ocala
with Dr. Bruce Wilkinson
and Reggie Dabbs
October 3rd.
Stay tuned for new activities coming this fall for the
Men's Ministry
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Women's Ministry
Women's Ministry - "Time"
When I was very young, I remember my parents telling me that when I got older, time would pass faster than I could imagine. As a child, hearing this when I was eagerly anticipating "that" special day - you know, a birthday or Christmas time with all the fanfare and presents, was not particularly helpful to me nor could I really relate or totally understand the point they were trying to make. Today, I understand this point all too well. Were we just not talking of the summer days ahead? Here we are speaking of the happenings of the fall! Once again, mom and dad were right.
While time passing quickly can be quite disconcerting, it can also be a welcomed thing. Take for instance the eager anticipation of a baby's arrival. (BTW, did I tell you I am going to be a grandma again very soon; October 12th or sooner.) How about that long awaited wedding day? What about graduation? Retirement? Heaven? The list could get pretty long when considering all the things we are looking forward to and how we wish that day would hasten.
by Renee Stephens
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BabyzVenture Heather Haynes
Attention Parents:
As you know our anniversary service is right around the corner! With our entire congregation coming to one service the need for volunteers in the nursery will be great. August ninth we will need five volunteers to help rock babies, and five volunteers to help teach our toddlers a short Bible story. We would love to have you help! Contact Heatherh@thefamilychurch.net or michellh@thefamilychurch.net if you are interested.
Also the remaining Baby Dedication dates for the year are August 15th and 16th, September 26th and 27th and November 21st and 22nd. Please be sure to fill out the application and turn it in at least one full week prior to the date you would like to have your baby dedicated.
Helpful Tips:
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If you prepare homemade baby foods do not home prepare the following foods: beets, turnips, carrots, and collard greens. In some parts of the country, these vegetables contain large amounts of nitrates, a chemical that can cause an unusual type of anemia in young infants. Baby-food companies are aware of this problem and screen the produce they buy for these nitrates: they also avoid buying these vegetables in parts of the country where nitrates have been detected. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child (pg 206)
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For a complete list of recalled toys and baby products, check out www.cpsc.gov |
New Addition to Children's Ministry
Welcome Back Angela
as Associate Children's Minister
Angela was the former Director of Children's Ministries at The Family Church for five years. She began directing the nursery ministry and moved into the Director position after two years with the church. Her accomplishments include directing VBS, putting together the Fall Festival and numerous other events during and after her tenure at The Family Church.
Angela has a passion to get families involved and committed to the ministry. Encouraging them share Christ's love to children and others in the process. Angela and her husband Chris have four children, (Keegan, Kassidy, Kendrick and Kaelynn) and they enjoy boating and movies together as a family.
VBS
In Appreciation
Thank you to all who gave so much to make Vacation Bible School Boomerang Express so successful. Each and every person who served was dedicated, faithful, and had the heart to do what God called them to do. We were blessed to see you doing decorations, building things, drama, serving food, recreations, cutting out things, making calls, running errands, teaching lessons, in the nursery taking care of our little ones so the volunteers could serve, you name it we had volunteers doing it.
We are so glad you choose to serve with us. We can't wait until next year.
Blessings,
Mrs. Angela Renick, VBS Director
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Congratulations to:
Sean P. Cunningham, Ph.D
and
Laura L. Cunningham
On the birth of their new daughter and first child
Caitlin Beth Cunningham
Who arrived July 3rd 6:11am
weighing 6 lbs, 14 oz
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Whispers in the Dark
Scripture - Isaiah 40:6-8 "All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of God stands forever."
Observation - From the time of Adam and Eve right down to the present, the root of much of human sin has been a desire to do things our own way and a willingness to trust our wisdom over God's wisdom and God's promises. Indeed the ultimate definition of faith is trusting the validity of God's Word and thus, sin is really simply a lack of trusting in the truth of what God says. We build people up and then put our trust in them. We are overpowered by stronger people and then we think they have the final word. In chapter 30 of Isaiah we learn of the prophecy of Hezekiah's mistake and the future deportation of Judah to Babylon. Chapter 40 is referring to a time a couple of centuries later when the Babylonian captivity had become a reality and the people had been overwhelmed. It is interesting to juxtapose the three most powerful presences in the last verses of 39 and the first few in 40. Hezekiah was, for the most part, a good king: loved and powerful. He came to nothing. The Babylonian empire was led by King Nebuchadnezzar. He was seen as an evil leader, and his Kingdom came to nothing. Behind all of this was God. God was patiently and quietly moving history - His Story - forward. And when all was said and done only God and His word would stand. Thus, Isaiah reminds the people in the Babylonian captivity that "all men are like grass" - all men - both good and bad - they wither and fail. But, he says, with words filled with hope for the people - "But, the word of God stands forever." It is only what the Lord says, what He promises, that is worthy of staking our lives on. It is only what is done for His Kingdom in response to His Word that will last, and thus have value.
Read on with Full Article
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16th Annual
Anniversary Celebration
SUNDAY, August 9th
beginning at 10:30 am
NO Saturday night service
Tickets are on sale in the lobby during weekend services for $5 per adult/ $3 per child under age 12 or $20 per family.
Mark this on your calendars, buy your tickets early and make sure YOUR family does not miss out on this very special, enjoyable occasion
(A great place to re-inforce relationships)
We will be offering lots of activities for our children after the Anniversary Services and we NEED YOU!!! We will be having a Water Slide, sprinklers, water balloon fight, crafters, hopscotch, and jump rope.
And if you are able to sacrifice and give 30 minutes to oversee an area of 'FUN' please contact
Angela Renick at angelar@thefamilychurch.net or 352-332-6459x12.
Also, if possible, please plan on bringing a dessert item to share even if you are NOT participating in the dessert competition...thank-you.
CHOIR
Like to sing? If you would like to be part of the choir for the anniversary service, please be at the
Anniversary Rehearsal on Thursday, August 6th, at 6:30pm.
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Young Adults
Facebook is now the best way to know the pulse of Origins' calendar and we have a Facebook site where you can catch a glimpse of what's going on.
Look for more information coming next month concerning
New Fall Season Start-up
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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 33.
Grief Share
Grief Share ended on July 21st and will re-start in the Fall.
Contact Janice Hamilton for infomation at 332-5751
Divorce Care Ministry
Divorce Care is off for the summer and will regroup in the Fall.
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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To see Church Calendar or Birthday List
click on link or image below:
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I needed the quiet so He drew me aside,
Into the shadows where we could confide,
Away from the bustle where all the day long,
I hurried and worred when active and strong.
I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled
But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things
Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never dreamed of when active and gay
He loved me so greatly He drew me away.
I needed the quiet, No prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead-
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide,
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.
An old poem by Alice Hansche Mortenson
Copyright 1944
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GO! Missions and Evangelism with Jeff Moody 
"The Coolest Job in the World"
"Man, you must have the coolest job in the world!"
That is what a buddy of mine says when I share some of the things I get to do as Missions Pastor. Granted, being involved in missions does have its "thrills and chills" at times. Other days, I feel like all I do is answer email and talk to people-not exactly scintillating. But today is winding up as one of those "coolest job in the world" days. This will be a bit dated by the time you read it, but let me tell you about my last few days. These may not seem like a big deal to you, but as I took a step back and considered it all, it is just "too GOD" in all of it not to share it!
I just got back from a party. Well, two parties, actually. Lexi Truesdale, who is one of our "Judea" partners with The Navigators, had a "thank you" party for those who support her. What a heart warming time to see old and new friends, as well as some strangers, all connected together because of our mutual support of a friend in ministry. This was the same weekend that fellow Navigator Andy Farina had shared the message at The Family Church - Andy and Suzanne have been huge mentors to Lexi, and Andy has had a significant shaping role in my ministry personally. . .
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| Children's Ministry
Vacation Bible School 2009
Coming up soon!
Sweet 16 Anniversary Service, August 9th - we've planned some really fun activities for the kids after the service. We need College Students and Parents to assist with supervising 30-minute rotations. Volunteers need to contact Erin Cook at erinc@thefamilychurch.net
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Upcoming Events for August:
August 4th: Middle School Wild Waters Trip
August 5th: The Bash (Arredondo Farms Outreach)
August 6th: Grab-N0-Go
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Information - Written Language By Stephen F. Larner, PhD
Introduction - Symbols tell the creation history. We've learned that information is a fundamental law of
nature and of life and is as a vital component of our daily existence. We've learned that it requires at least three components: a sender, a coded message, and a receiver. We have also discovered that all information systems are mental, are always based on the sender's will, and are not a property of matter thus unexplainable by the evolutionist. Finally one of the most important means of conveying information is through language.
Last month we discussed verbal language noting that no animal comes close to humans' innate ability. Now let's look at written language. While animals have limited verbal capabilities none of them can write. Human brains are fundamentally different from even those animals evolutionists consider our nearest relatives. Researchers using fMRI found that the brain regions that showed increased activity while subjects comprehended written stories (compared with reading unrelated sentences) were strikingly similar to the brain regions that showed increased activity while subjects comprehended picture stories (compared with viewing unrelated pictures).
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 On the Home Front - Hurricane Preparations
by Connie Reid
With summer comes the possibility of hurricanes. Recent history proves that being inland is not a protection against prolonged electrical outages and damaging winds. If it looks like one will be affecting our area, here a few tips that will help minimize your food loss and make things a little more comfortable for your family.
- Place zip lock freezer bags ¾ full of water in your freezer. If the electricity goes out, transfer some of the frozen bags to the main part of the refrigerator and then minimize the opening of the door.
- Fill the bathtub full of water for use in flushing toilets and washing up. Have a plastic pitcher nearby for dipping water out of the tub.
- Have several flashlights in easy to find places. I remember with fondness a game Randy invented with our 2 year old daughter with a plastic cup and a flashlight. He would act like he was filling the cup with light and then "throw" the light from the cup onto the wall. She asked him to do it over and over even letting her hold the cup and throw. She never caught on to it because she was always looking at the wall not the flashlight in his hand.
- Have a designated place in your house to retreat to that will accommodate the whole family if winds are high enough to threaten your home. An interior closet or bathroom is usually a good bet. A mattress over the top of you will add additional protection if winds are expected to get high enough to do structural damage.
- Have one or two battery operated radios to stay informed if the electricity is off.
- Have some simple meals planned that require little or no cooking. Many people in Florida have covered outdoor areas with a grill or a camp stove that will allow some cooking. Keep this activity outdoors when it is not raining to prevent any fumes in the home. Don't forget to have disposable eating utensils and a hand operated can opener.
- Of course everyone should have lots of drinking water on hand, some board games the whole family can play, candles, a supply of any needed medications, and extra batteries.
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 Worship Through Creative Arts with Larry Carpenter
I hope that all of you are having a great summer as we are, in the worship & arts crew. I'd like to introduce a new team leader!
Our Dance Team and Children's Ministry Dance is now directed by Jeni Leeds. Jeni has been a dancer since the age of 3 and danced hard and strong for 25 wonderful years. Performing and choreography has always been her strongest strengths, sharing her vision and storytelling through movement. From dancer to teacher and from cheerleader to mom, dance has always been in her heart. During college, she was a dance major at Southern Illinois University and also cheered for the NFL St. Louis Professional Cheer-leaders and Dancers, Inc. She has performed with the Houston Ballet Company in many productions and has taken her dance in many directions. She danced the role of Cinderella and many other lead and corp roles. Classical ballet, jazz and cheer are her favorites, and she is now watching her daughters grow in their love for dance.
Jeni is married with an amazing husband, Chris Leeds, one that supports her and is her mentor for the journey to follow in the Christian faith. She has two beautiful and talented girls, Courtnie and Payten. Courtnie, 13, has the love of volleyball and Lacrosse and is really becoming a strong team player. She is learning the way of God and what he truly means to her. Payten, 4 years old, is one that loves dance, gymnastics and singing. Jeni's family is a strong unit and the Lord has graced them with such amazing things. Since joining The Family Church in November 2008, she truly understands what God is calling her to do and that is to teach dance, understand the way of the Lord, to follow it, and to help teach others what it means to let God into their heart.
Jeni "Welcome", it's great to have you on board.
Larry
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Focus on the Family Groups by Patrick Callahan
"It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
the Son of God"
Ephesians 4:11-13a
It has been said that the vitality of a church depends upon its' health and the health of a church is dependent upon its balance. I see no evidence in Scripture that God intended His church to be a place; rather it is a connection. As we come together to celebrate God's presence ("O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together" - Psalm 34:3), we celebrate God's connection to us and the privilege of our connection to Him.
I believe God's portrayal of church is contained in Matthew 22 and Matthew 28. We love God with our whole heart, our whole soul, our whole mind and love our neighbors as ourselves. Church is a connection point for molding the unity of family (Ephesians 2:19), encouraging one another in love (Ephesians 4:12), growing in maturity together in the word, and being equipped to accurately, and persuasively inspire life change in others. Building families is a committed journey, ripe with challenge but rich in the joy of overcoming any barriers to our connection to the Father of Love. Likewise, building a church is a journey toward maturity.
This group, which was mislabeled in the July Newsletter, is not the Callahan group but another photo of the Sarantos Family Group.
Our apologies for that error.
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