The Family Church
Family Connections Newsletter February 2011Issue 1 |
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| Upcoming Events | |
"Ready Yourself."
Thursday Feb 17th:
3 pm
Missionaries arrive
4 pm
Missionary Orientation
in Sanctuary
5 pm
Missionaries/TFC Pastors
and Staff Dinner
Friday Feb 18th:
Noon
Missionary Luncheon
offsite
6:30 pm
GIC Kickoff Celebration
(Sanctuary)
7:30 pm
GIC International
Food Tasting in Sanctuary
following Celebration Service
Saturday Feb 19th:
Noon
Missionaries in FG Homes
5 pm
Leadership Dinner in FSM
Café-Invitation only
7 pm
GIC Worship Service
Sunday Feb 20th:
8:45am AND 10:30am
GIC Worship Services
Noon
GIC debrief luncheon
for missionaries, staff and GIC
team in upstairs FSM building
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| A Note From Grateful Hearts |
To The Family Church:
We sincerely apologize that we took so long to provide a formal thanks for providing for our family like you did. We sincerely appreciate the help, and we praise God for our blessings and thank Him for leading us to such a great church family!! Even in our darkest of times, God's love is able to cast rays of light that help us get through. Thank you for being some of those rays! God is Love!! We thank you SOOO much for the blessings you've provided our family!!
In Christ's Love,
Mike, Becki, Nevach and Gavin Burns
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| A Word From Max | 
As we began 2011 we have focused on Fresh Starts. The Lord says to us, "Behold, I am making all things new." Indeed, the only thing constant in life is change. Although God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, only He is. He tells us that He is making everything else new...all the time. This reality is important to understand because we human beings are often reluctant to embrace change...a problem for those who would ascribe Lordship to the God of newness! In the midst of many changes here at The Family Church, you are probably aware that we are in a major time of transition with our Student Ministry. After a 2.5 year ministry with us, Pastor Jim Bradford felt called to take on a secular job for a season and will be moving out of state to pursue that work. We love Pastor Jim and his family and wish them all the best as they move into this new season. Of course, that begs the question: "What is next for the student ministry?" There are both short term and long term answers to that question. |
| Whispers In The Dark | |
Scripture: Luke 11:34 - "Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness."
Observation: Time and time again I return to this simple saying of Jesus. On the surface it seems to be so straightforward. However, it has so many implications for my life. Jesus is talking of focus. Our eyes focus, and quite frankly they can only focus on one thing at a time. Jesus says that since our eyes are the lamp of our bodies, if we are focused on the light and things of the light, our whole lives will be filled with light. However, if we focus instead on the darkness, how full of darkness our whole lives will be! This is interesting to me for several reasons. First, we live in an increasingly fragmented and un-focused world. We "multi-task" and act as if we can focus on multiple things at once. However, that is not only physiologically impossible, social scientists are also telling us now that it is mentally impossible as well. A non-focused mind ends up not retaining anything at all. Thus, Jesus' concern for the focus of our eyes, both literally and figuratively, is of great importance. What we choose to focus upon, whether light or darkness, will deeply affect, and even determine, the state of our souls.
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| Family Groups with Patrick Callahan |
 Dates to Remember February 16th: 7 week Cleansing Stream Ministry begins in the Fellowship Hall. February 18th -20th: Global Impact Celebration Weekend February 19, 2011: Family Group Home briefings for our guest missionaries from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm Prayer Privilege: Nancy Baker
- Recovering from a broken Hip; now resting at home.
Verna Corbett
- Recovering from serious gastrointestinal Infections at Park Meadows Rehab
Beth Senn - North Florida Hospital hip replacement corrective surgery
Buddy Cook - recovering at home from cancer
Dwight Johnson - advanced stages of ALS
Evelyn Lea - multiple myeloma
Is Your family group looking for new and challenging studies
to use with your group?
CLICK HERE For " Focus on Pastoral Care" Resources |
| Worship and Arts Ministry Larry Carpenter |
We are blessed to have talented people in all of our teams. This month I'd like to feature Robert and Cynthia Freeman.
Robert and Cynthia Freeman have been attending The Family Church since December of 2004. After becoming members in 2005 Robert felt the call to join the production team, focusing on sound. Robert says:
"There is nothing that thrills our hearts more than serving our Lord, and one path for us has always been through Worship! Since September of 2005 I have been able to help with mixing the sound for worship, both musically and vocally, to allow the entire church family and the world through our Internet broadcasts to be both blessed and be a blessing to others! When He says to us 'Make a joyful noise, all ye lands!' I'm just glad that in my small way I can help to lift up our joyful offerings, not only to each other and the world, but to the heavens and the Lord of those Heavens! What a blessing it is to be a part of what God is doing through our worship to Him!"
When you get the chance, please let Robert and Cynthia know how much we appreciate them. Also, please come and get involved in one of our teams...we'd love to have you!
Come join us as we grow, Larry
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| Welcome, Pastor Jeff West | |
"Let me introduce myself ..." are words that can provoke both fear and excitement. They convey the reality of a new relationship with many unknowns and questions. Those same words also indicate a fresh new start with the anticipation of what God has in store for everyone as a result of people coming together. However, when God is the One who makes the Call for change, I always have great hopes and expectations of His blessings.
So, let me introduce myself. If you have not heard, my name is Jeff West and I am the new Pastor of Missions and Evangelism here at The Family Church. My wife Sondra and I have four children: Joshua (20), Jessica (18), Lydia (16), and Abigail (12). Before coming to The Family Church, we were staff members with Campus Crusade for Christ for 24 years, serving in French West Africa and southern France (working among North African Muslims). I will stop there as to not overwhelm you with too many details, but the bottom line is that we are thrilled to be here.
It is very encouraging for me to come to a church with such a big heart for the Great Commission. The Family Church's involvement in local ministries and international missions provides a solid foundation for building as we pursue God's Kingdom Purposes.
CLICK HERE to read on for full article and GIC Schedule of Events
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Aquatic Caterpillars, Evolutionist's Dilemma By Stephen F. Larner, PhD | 
Scuba diving caterpillars, what are moths coming to? In the distinctive habitats of the Hawaiian Islands we find caterpillars in the wet mountainous regions that baffle researchers by their underwater lifestyle, carnivorous eating habits, and their unexplained evolution pathway. How and why did these air breathing insects acquire amphibious traits?
In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences1, researchers reported that 12 species out of nearly 350 Hawaiian moths in the genus Hyposmocoma are the only known insects where one of its life states - the larval stage - survives underwater. They are able to live, eat, and completely mature submerged for unlimited periods of time making them, as far as is known, unique in the world.
The caterpillars even pupate submerged, spinning a silk casing around themselves. Among the 12 amphibious species, the researchers found three different case shapes, representing three different lineages: burrito, bugle and cone. But all of them have sister species, with the same three case shapes which don't dive, who cannot go underwater. Therefore, it has to be something more than just the case that gives them this skill. The three separate cased aquatic groups suggest to the researchers they are not closely related to each other, which to these evolutionists is what makes their evolution so remarkable. DNA analysis of the moth species have the researchers believing the amphibious nature might have evolved three separate times.
CLICK HERE to read entire article
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| Family Student Movement - What is Worship? |
In the Family Student Movement our goal is to see our families, students and children "Share Life Together;" to do this we like to lead by example, through Praise and Worship. We all show and do "WORSHIP" differently. So how do students and children "Worship"? Some might say it is through singing, dance, sign language, playing instruments, teaching music, and writing songs or an individual and unique way you Praise the Lord. None of it is wrong. "Worship" happens so much more in your heart before it is an outward expression. We want to encourage students and children to freely express what God has put in their heart for their outward expression might inspire another student to worship in a new way.
We would then be growing in the Lord. Check out the following profiles to hear what some of our own are saying about being a "Worship." CLICK HERE to read on.
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Men's Ministry: with Jim Guth |
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Praise God in all things! |
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us". Romans 12:6 (NIV) While a professional basketball player was being interviewed, the conversation turned to the size of his feet. He took off his shoe and held it up. The player joked, "You should have seen the size of the box it came in. Somebody could have lived in that thing!" I thought of some ways that we use shoeboxes, such as places for hiding things. Countless pieces of writing, music, drawings and other items inspired by God are lying hidden under beds and various secret spots where no one can benefit from their powerful messages. That's exactly where Satan wants them, and the bigger the box the happier he is. Satan surely must love big feet! God has given each of us gifts and talents to be used for His glory, not hidden away and unused. Let's dust off our shoeboxes, dump then out, and boldly use our abilities to reach and encourage others. 
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
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| Women's Ministry "Striving to do God's Will" written by Jenna Stephens |
Recently while reading John 13: 1-17 and reflecting upon that intimate and powerful scene where Jesus washed his disciples' feet, the details of what Jesus 'knew' stood out to me. It was this 'knowing' that enabled him to "show them the full extent of his love" (John 13:1). I believe there is a lesson here for us as we strive to do God's will in our own lives.
Scripture tells us that Jesus knew three things:
1. The Father's Plan--"Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father." (John 13:1)
Jesus was aware of what God's plan was for His life. He was in perfect tune with what the Father had willed, and when the time was right, He was ready to act.
2. The Father's Power--"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God was returning to God.´(John 13:3)
It was knowledge of God's power that not only motivated him, but allowed Jesus the humility necessary to become a servant. God supplied what Jesus needed to fulfill God's plan.
3. The Enemy's Presence--"For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean." (John 13:11)
But Jesus was also acutely aware of the enemy's desire to destroy the divine work God had ordained and Jesus was carrying out. Knowing this kept Jesus on his guard, and fully armored.
CLICK HERE to read on
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| On The Home Front with Connie Reid | |
Health
I have been really interested in the wealth of health information that is available to the individual on shows such as "The Doctor OZ Show" and "The Doctors" who both have web sites that offer even more information and assistance. Then there is the wonderful resource of the internet where any topic can be Googled and mountains of information pile in from your search. Even recent trial results coming out of research can be accessed from advanced searches. Another great health resource is the free health coach that is available with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Maybe other insurance providers also offer this service. You just call the 800 number and get a real person who is a qualified nurse ready to advise you 24 hours a day. Wow, what I would have given for that resource back when I had a child with a spiking fever at 2 AM. The local hospital nurses also are often willing to answer questions at all hours of the night. Finally, there are various foundations and institutes that have 800 numbers that answer your questions as well as sending free information on your specific questions. Some of the most familiar are the National Cancer Institute, Heart Foundation and Diabetes Foundations. Of course your family doctor is your main source of health advice but many of us hesitate to call on off hours or want to have much more information than an office visit provides.
Shopping
A friend of mine is president of a local quilting club and received information that cotton prices are headed up due to some cornering of the market by China. If you are in need of clothing, sheets, material or towels, be sure to take advantage of current sales.
Great coupons for grocery stores can be found on a local internet site called Southern Saver.
Food
Here is a simple recipe that is a nice addition to any Super Bowl Party. It is a great spread with any cracker. My thanks to Cindi McGee for letting me share her recipe.
Shrimp Spread
1 can of drained shrimp
1/2 small package of cream cheese
1 T of minced onion
1 T of mayonnaise
Pinch of salt
Mash the shrimp and blend in the cream cheese, mayo , onion and salt.
Make ahead of time and chill. Serve with your favorite crackers.
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"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense
to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,
yet with gentleness and reverence."
1 Peter 3:15
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