|
December 2010
The Family Church
Family Connections Newsletter |
|
|
Family Student Movement
 | | Click Icon for Family Student Movement Newsletter |
In the Family Student Movement our goal is to encourage families, students, & children to "Share Life Together".
To do this we hold up certain values which
help each of us to experience the fullness
of the life which
Christ gives.
This month we are holding up the value of "mission"; doing those things that serve the community.
Check out the following profiles to hear what some of our own are saying about missions.
Or Click Here
for the
FSM Newsletter |
Ben and Melissa Nugent are welcoming their
new daughter,
Vivian Grace
who was born 12/8/09 and joined her
forever family on 11/6/10. |
|
A Word From Max
 I can't believe Thanksgiving is already here. It seems like 2010 has really flown by. I hope even in the midst of recessions, and other life challenges that you have been able to take time to take stock of the multitude of blessings you have. A life of gratitude is a life of peace. One of the things that often make it difficult to give thanks, however, is the critics of life. It seems no matter what we do there is always someone who will find fault. And when we focus on the negative voices it can both depress and stifle us. Now sincere constructive suggestions can sometimes be helpful, and a willingness to hear feedback is essential to healthy life. But there are some people whose spiritual gift seems to be grumbling, and we often can't hear the positive voices for the noise they make. Seth Grodin is a pastor who I enjoy. He has put this problem in perspective lately. I love what he writes about the tyranny of the 2%! "When a popular rock group comes to town, some of their fans won't get great tickets. Not enough room in the front row. Now they're annoyed. 2% of them are angry enough to speak up or badmouth or write an angry letter. . . .
(Click Here to continue reading) |
|
|
Whispers in the Dark
Scripture: John 15:1-2 - "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce fruit."
Observation: Jesus is concerned throughout this chapter with fruitfulness. He makes it clear that pleasing the Father requires that we be found fruitful. He tells us that fruitfulness in the Kingdom can only occur when we "remain" in Him. Apart from Him there is no fruitfulness in the Kingdom. But it is interesting to note that Jesus says, 'Every branch in me that does not produce fruit He removes." Given what Jesus says, that if we remain in Him and He is us we will be fruitful, how can the Father possibly find branches in Him that are not fruitful? Certainly this passage doesn't mean that those of us who are in Jesus are in danger of losing the pleasure of the Father based on performance. That would negate grace. Rather I think Jesus is referring to those who give the appearance of being Christ followers, but who are in no meaningful way connected to Him. These false Christians, who are not truly following Jesus, not trusting Him, but just nominally believers, will be revealed by the fruitlessness of their lives and will be cast away by the Father. However, He goes further. . .
|
|
Christmas Service Schedules
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:30pm on Dec. 24th
in the Sanctuary...will last around an hour , 15 minutes.
Celebrate Recovery will meet December 24th at their usual times but will meet upstairs in the FSM building. They will have their dinner, worship service and breakout sessions upstairs at the same times as they usually meet. There will be childcare for children 0-4 years old and for the Celebrate Recovery children.
NO SATURDAY SERVICE on December 25th
ONLY one 10:30 am SUNDAY SERVICE on December 26th
OFFICE will be CLOSED on Monday, Dec. 27th
New Year's Eve - Friday, Dec 31st Communion New Year's Eve Service at 7pm (this will be led by the Celebrate Recovery Team)
Childcare will be offered for Celebrate Recovery children ONLY
REGULAR worship services continue on:
Saturday, Jan 1st and Sunday, Jan. 2nd
|
|
Jupiter, The Hot Young Thing
By Stephen F. Larner, PhD
 | |
Figure 1: Jupiter and Earth shown to scale. |
Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, dwarfs earth. Over 1,300 Earths could fit inside it. Its mass is 2.5 times all the other planets combined. But it is not its size, but Jupiter's very existence that poses the enormous challenge for those who still cling to an evolutionary origin of the universe and deny the creation of the solar system. These deniers claim Jupiter was formed by "natural means". The accepted evolutionary explanation for the solar system's creation is that it formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust. About 4.6 billion years ago, this cloud collapsed into a disk shape. The dust condensed into grains, the grains supposedly stuck together to become small rocks, the small rocks stuck together to become larger rocks and so forth. The unsolvable difficulty with this view is that moving rocks tend to bounce off each other not stick together.
The Core Accretion Problem3
According to the evolutionists, the rocky planets like Venus and Earth formed when the large rocks collapsed in on each other. The gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn started to form that way. However, in contrast to the rocky planets, it is speculated that because the developing giants were far enough from the sun it allowed ice to condense on them.
|
|
Thinking About Adoption? with Scott and Haley Long
"I will come to you..." 
The Advent season is by far my favorite time of year. I enjoy the time spent each night with my children, going step by step through the story of Christ's coming into our world. I think that the reason this is so powerful for me is because of the hope it invokes. Because even though Jesus came into our world once, I still wait for him... I still long and hope for Him. He is coming back and I know my heart will not be fully at rest until I am with Him forever. For Jesus promised before he left his earthly ministry: "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)
This verse and many like it have become tangibly more powerful for Scott and me since we have embarked on this journey of learning to love and care for orphans even before we glanced over the many verses that describe us as 'orphans' and our coming into God's family as an 'adoption'. But now what propels us forward on this journey is the ever growing sense of our own need and how God meets us there.
Click Here to read full article
|
|
Worship and Arts Ministry with Larry Carpenter
Wow, where has this year gone? If you're like me it seems like its flown bye, but we have a lot to celebrate. We continue to grow in our worship and arts teams. You have probably noticed Sara Dagen and Jennifer Kitts as new members in our vocal team and band. Please welcome Sara and Jennifer when you get the chance; its great to have them on board.
One of the primary reasons for our growth is our leadership. Brad Gustafson heads up our media team and I'd like to feature Brad and Kathy for the rest of this article so please check this out!
"Do you have computer skills and want to glorify our Lord and Savior using those skills? If so, then the Visual Arts Team was made for you!
This ministry is an important part of the Worship Arts Ministry led by Larry Carpenter that brings the praise music to the congregation of The Family Church. Simply put, the Visual Arts team handles anything that is shown on the big screens during our worship services. If this sounds exciting to you, please contact us! We'd love to show you what this ministry is all about!"
Brad & Kathy Gustafson
Brad.gustafson@sage.com
(352) 359-1543
|
|
Family Group Events and Updates
Dates to Remember
December 15, 2010 - Family Group leaders Christmas Celebration at the home of David and Tina Rhea, 3232 SW 75th street.
December 26, 2010 - No Family Group Meetings
January 2, 2011 - No Family Group Meetings
To read further, Click Here
|
|
A special note of gratitude
"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.... A time to plant and a time to uproot.." Ecclesiastes 3:1,2b
For the past ten (plus) years, it has been my privilege to serve on ministry staff and within the Family Group ministry with a man of God who passionately seeks to walk as Jesus walked. 1 John 2:6 Jeff Moody has modeled for me the heart and face of humility as he "weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice". Romans 12:15 When I think of the popular phrase "all in", my heart races to the image of Pastor Jeff who models an uncompromised pursuit of kingdom values. Whether moved to tears in worship, leading a short term mission team to India, turning off his television connection (and its associated temptations) in his hotel room, sharing life while sitting around a campfire with his Family Group or opening his home to a potential visiting angel, Jeff and Kem Moody have profoundly impacted my life and the lives of all who have served with them.
As Jeff and Kem move on to God's new ministry connection with the U.S. Center for World Mission, it is with gratitude that we stay connected as prayer warriors and senders. This is a "faith supported venture" for Jeff and if God is prompting your heart, the Moody family would cherish your financial support as well.
Jeff and Kem, together with Josiah, Sarah and Hannah, have left an entrenched legacy of love at The Family Church. Go with our blessing and the love of your "home church family".
Pastor Patrick, on behalf of the Family Group Ministry.
|
|
"A time to uproot. . ."
So this is it. It is time. After 10+ years of ministry on the staff of The Family Church, I am writing my final newsletter article. Wow, what is going through my heart? Mostly reflections... remembering... thinking through the seasons of life and ministry as a part of The Family Church...
When Kem and I came to The Family Church, we were 24 year old newlyweds. I had left the pastoral staff of my "home church" in Starke, FL and was working at a Christian School in Jacksonville while completing my Bible College studies. The Family Church was renting the 7th Day Adventist Church building on NW 39th Ave. I will never forget those early days!! We were so hungry for the change in worship style and ministry philosophy that we found at TFC! I came to services in blue jeans and t-shirts for the first year, just because I could! :) For the first year or so, we just dived in as "attendees." We joined Bible studies and a Family Group, attended couples retreats, and grew tremendously. Then, in the summer of 1997, I made my first big mistake - I volunteered to go on a trip with the youth group! I fell in love with the kids and the leadership, and that was it. I was hooked.
|
|
Women's Ministry with Rene Cloutier
This Christmas Season
The Christmas season is fast approaching, not that we needed any reminding as the stores are already decked out for the holiday season. I am amazed (and yet not), that the Christmas spending season gets earlier and earlier every year. I am sure this year due to a struggling economy, all the stores want to get a jump on holiday sales; get their offers out on the table first to bring in the eager shoppers.
Recently, for some reason John Lennon's song, "So this is Christmas" has been on my mind.
Click here to continue reading |
|
Men's Ministry with Jim Guth
Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (NIV)
 Penalty flag. Red card. Screeching whistle. Each sport has a specific way to stop the game and punish a violation of the rules. Officials ensure that the game is being played fairly so the players and spectators can enjoy the competition. The rulebook defines the playing area, the equipment to be used, how points are scored, how many players are on a team, and everything necessary to play the game. Disregarding those guidelines simply cannot be tolerated, and the officials must enforce some form of penalty. God has given us guidelines to live by in the Bible. When we follow them, we can enjoy life as He intended. But when we break a rule (sin against God), there is a penalty as well. We don't hear a whistle blow or see a yellow flag, but we feel the pain of displeasing God. Read the Bible daily to know how God wants you play the game of life successfully. Enjoy the Christmas holiday season. Merry Christmas! Praise God for Jesus!
|
|
|
|
|
|
On the Home Front: A Few Suggestions for Holiday Activities
by Connie Reid
I find the older I get the more I am wanting to break out of my life-long ruts and try new things. This Christmas why not try something new if it doesn't affect your main core tradition. Making a project out of blessing a family in need or making some home made decorations together to decorate someone's room at one of the many nursing homes or hospitals.
If you appreciate the music of the holidays, one of our favorite things is to attend the "Sounds of the Season" concert at the University of Florida. This concert is free and features the University chorus and orchestra. It will be held on December 5th at the Phillips Center (previous years it was at the University Auditorium). For more information call 392-2787.
|
|
This month, make a special effort to share the joy of knowing Jesus, our Savior, blessing others with encouragement and hope in that, "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"
(Rom. 6:23)
Jeus is THE GIFT!
Have a Merry Christmas!
|
|
The Family Church
2022 SW 122nd Street
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-332-6459
Weekly Calendar
Family News
Archived Newsletters
Daily Bible Readings
and/or
Listen to Sermons and great praise music and more! To submit questions or information regarding the newsletter,
|
|
|
|
|
