The Family Church
Family Connections Newsletter September 2011 1 |
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| Boy Scouts of TFC | |
Did you know that
The Family Church
has our own
BOY SCOUTS GROUP?
All boys who have
completed the fifth grade
or reached age 11
are eligible to join.
Meetings will be held
In TFC
Multipurpose Room.
September camping dates
are scheduled for:
9/2~9/4
and
9/30~10/2
Come join
Troop 806 for
Lots of fun
and learning.
Contact:
Bill Woodbury,
Scoutmaster @
352-332-5052
CLICK HEREfor more info
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| Newborn Arrivals | |
Take Note of our
most recent babies
born in August
Sabrina Maeve Gruman
Mother is : Ariel Gruman
Brother is: Simon
Born on August 2nd
6 lbs 6 ounces
and
Oliver Zebulun Wyss
Born on August 7th at 4:07 pm
7 lbs.5 oz. and 19½" long
Congratulations
to the parents of
these little blessings!
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| Interfaith Hospitality Network |
We will be hosting
homeless families
the weeks of
OCTOBER 2-9
AND
NOV. 27-DEC. 4
HELP is always needed
and much appreciated.
If you would like to get involved
and cook a meal or spend
an evening with the families or provide another need,
please contact Michele Thomas at:
michele.th@gmail.com
OR
Joann Ugliano at jugliano@yahoo.com
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A Word From Max | |
What an exciting weekend we had as we celebrated The Family Church's 18th anniversary! The picnic was great fun, even in the heat! Lots of great food, fellowship, baptisms, and even a slip-n-slide! If you missed it, check out the pictures on The Family Church Facebook page. The worship service the following day was spirit filled and celebratory as well, highlighted by the ordination of five new deacons. It was a great weekend for our church.
The theme for this year's anniversary was "Forward in Faithfulness". Last month I highlighted the problem of trying to live a life of faith without faithfulness. This will be a recurring theme throughout the coming year. We don't want to simply move forward as a church, but to move forward in faithfulness. But, of course, we need to be asking ourselves, "faithfulness to what?"
This fall we will be seeking to answer that question in a multitude of ways. However, the answers will all fall into four areas. . . .
CLICK HERE: TO READ ON
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Whispers In The Dark | |
Scripture: Psalm 112:4 - "Even in the darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and
compassionate and righteous man."
Observation: This psalm begins with the words "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands." It proceeds to speak of the blessings of his children, wealth, riches, success and abundance. It almost sounds like the "prosperity gospel" message preached by so many heretics today. But in verse 4 the psalmist throws a curve. He says "Even in the darkness..." He is assuming that the people who fear the Lord and delight in His commands will still have times of darkness in their lives. Righteous people fall down. Righteous people get sick, righteous people go broke, righteous people experience brokenness in relationships. Walking with the Lord, even obeying His commands, does not insulate us from time of darkness in our lives. But, and this is a significant "but", the righteous one knows that even in the darkness, even in the darkest of times or circumstances, there is a light that dawns. God is always present, always available, always doing something, always to be found. Notice the word says light dawns for the upright...the one who is still looking up, still focused forward on the plans and purposes of God. The reality is that the righteous don't experience a different life from everyone else, but instead experience life differently. They know that the Light has come into the world and the darkness cannot overcome it!
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Worship and Arts Ministry Larry Carpenter | 
Hi Everyone,
I hope your summer is going well. Over the last few months we have been featuring different members of our media, sound, lighting, video, multiple bands, vocal stacks and worship leaders. Well, the worship and arts ministry has expanded to include Ushers, Greeters and the Welcome Desk. These people are literally the "first impression" of The Family Church for newcomers in our community and we are blessed to have them on board. This ministry is where the weekend worship experience begins and we need your "friendly" participation...so, please don't hesitate to sign up at the Welcome Desk or call me directly @352-332-6459 ext.19.
Come join us as we grow, Larry Carpenter |
| Missions Pastor Jeff West | |
A World in Desperation
The past month has brought into focus the reality that life is fragile. The U. S. economy has been on a rollercoaster ride that has resulted in much angst about the future. While I do not minimize the implications of these serious financial crises here at home, the evidence of desperate times are seen in an even more striking way when we look at southern Somalia and Northern Kenya. Famine and war are a deadly combination, especially for children. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the needs and the suffering; however, it is often in the context of desperation that we lift our eyes to the One who is able to make a world of change.
An Investment of Hope - In previous years, The Family Church had an active partnership with missionaries in Kenya sent out by The Mission Society. While that partnership was active, Pastor Max traveled to Kenya in order to train indigenous church leaders in a variety of ministry skills, resulting in spiritual growth, effective outreaching, and the expansion of the gospel through new churches being planted. While the nature of partnerships may change, the relational foundation and common Great Commission purpose have remained in tact. This reality serves as the basis for a recent opportunity that has arisen for The Family Church to respond in a highly effective way to the crisis caused by famine and war in southern Somalia that you may have heard about in the news.
Click Here to read on |
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Theistic Evolution: A Failed Theory By Stephen F. Larner, PhD |  Do you ever wonder why up to 85% of today's youth leave the Church never to return? Evidence suggests when they receive an evolutionistic neo-Darwinian science education and no exposure to the scientific support for Biblical creation they leave with the view the Bible cannot be trusted. They are taught in schools they are nothing but bits of matter, the result of a series of mutations and survival of the fittest. While the debate continues among Christians whether the earth is thousands or billions of years old, until recently, most remained faithful to the biblical account that God created all life in six days (perhaps each day longer than 24 hours) including Adam from dust, and Eve from Adam. Since Darwin's theory of evolution was first introduced, there has been a push to make it acceptable to Christians. One model that is getting a lot more attention recently is "theistic evolution" (TE). Until now, it had made almost no inroads among Bible believers. Taylor University professor Michael A. Harbin remarked that Bible scholars criticize TE for being unbiblical and "more deistic than theistic." Prior to 2008, TE believers had not published any books for the lay public in North America. Then starting that year a number of books lead by the bestseller The Language of God, by genome pioneer Dr. Francis Collins, were published. Since then Collins' well-funded BioLogos Foundation, according to its website, "celebrates the integration of science and Christian faith", has been TE's leading promoter. Its well-designed BioLogos Forum, funded by the John Templeton Foundation (1), has been the leading website for TE beliefs. Money has helped fuel TE's recent advances, but so has the support of many members of the American Scientific Affiliation, an organization of "professing" Christians, and from many science departments within Christian colleges. CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE
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Introducing the Members of the Women's Council- with Vivian Sawyer | |
Introducing Gloria Parker
Hello, I am Gloria Parker and I'm a Florida native who grew up in Miami and attended the other school better known as Florida State University located in Tallahassee. Not long after graduation I worked as a Retail Fashion Buyer for a local department store chain for several years and then relocated to Gainesville.
After arriving in Gainesville I worked in retail and co-owned a gift shop for five years. I worked with the county in Human Resources and then entered the healthcare sector. I worked previously for North Florida Regional for several years and then came to work at Shands Healthcare. I've worked at Shands for the last 30 years in Human Resources primarily in healthcare recruitment which has offered a lot of stimulation along the way.
I started attending Family Church at it's beginning and have continued to be inspired and grow during all those years. Because TFC has given so much to me in my journey as a Christian I felt it was time for me to give back by becoming more involved and joined The Women's Council last year which has enriched my life. It has been rewarding getting to know other ladies and sharing our walks with Christ. My gift is hospitality and I look forward to further serving.
Introducing Betty Anderson
Hello, I am Betty Anderson and I am proud to say that I am a Gainesville native, having graduated from Gainesville High School in...well never mind!
I retired from Shands Hospital in 2009 and am enjoying my ability to spend more time with my family and be more active in church and community activities. I have one son and 3 precious grandchildren who represent the Gator Nation in Tallahassee.
I became a Christian when I was 16 years old and that is one decision I have never regretted. God has seen me through troubled times and has blessed me with good times and I praise Him for His faithfulness. I am one of the original members of The Family Church and have been blessed over the years by the ministry here. I am an active member of the Women's Council and enjoy being a part of our service to the women of the church. Having been a single mom for many years, I have a heart to reach out to them in any way that I can. I also love to minister to the sick and bereaved.
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Family Student Movement - Farewell to Travis Young |
Dear FSM Parents amd Students,
As God brings this season of my life to a close, I wanted to write you to thank you for supporting me these last 12 months, from my internship last fall through my time being the interim youth minister. I have appreciated all of you coming alongside me and partnering with me in my ministry here at The Family Church. It has been one of the best years of my life. I want to thank all of you and also wanted to let you know where Christ is calling me to next.
The last year has been a blast, but a completely wild ride at the same time. It is funny how God's plan is always bigger, better, more adventurous and more exciting than we could ever hope or imagine. But he did promise a life more abundant. I started in August with open eyes and an open, obedient heart. I was excited to learn what God had to teach me and for me to experience, and I was excited to learn about full-time ministry in the local church from Jim Bradford. I started slow, working with the productions side of Sunday nights, and building relationships with the kids. I learned about what goes into a main meeting and a special event, how to handle resources, and how to handle the budget. However, building relationships with the kids quickly became my favorite part I quickly found, or rather God reaffirmed in me, that relationship and discipleship are my gifting and my greatest joy in ministry. I loved meeting with the kids, getting to know them, hearing what God was doing in their lives, praying for them, and challenging them to grow in their walks, their faith, and pursuit of God. I was able to build some really strong relationships quickly and loved spending time with the kids. Meanwhile, I was beginning to learn the in's and out's of ministry.
CLICK HERE TO READ ON - PLUS MORE FSM DETAILS |
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Weekly Men's Gathering | |
Men of God - Join us every Friday morning from 6:30 to 7:45 at Parkview Baptist Church for fellowship, encouragement, and fun! If you are on your way to work, feel free to come and go as you need to do so. Hot coffee and a free continental breakfast provided.
Currently The American Heritage Series produced by WallBuilders and featuring David Barton is the featured topic Friday mornings this summer at Parkview Baptist Church, The American Heritage Series presents America's forgotten history and heroes, emphasizing the moral, religious and constitutional foundation on which America was built. The stories will remind us of lessons and pieces learned in school, but expound to show the whole story as we have never heard before. This fascinating and educational series inspires viewers and reconnects us with our incredible national history.
For more information about the weekly men's gathering at Parkview, contact Dr. Jim Guth at 371-6682.
Parkview Baptist Church
3403 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL
378-2606
MEN"S DEVOTION: CLICK HERE TO READ
IRON SHARPENS IRON: NATIONAL MEN'S EQUIPPING CONFERENCES: OCALA, OCTOBER 22ND
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
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| On The Home Front with Connie Reid | |
 
Free Babysitting, Food,
Fellowship, and Advice!
Hey, you cannot beat this offer and that is just what is being provided beginning this month through the Apples of Gold program at The Family Church. The program beginsThursday September 8th and is being held in a lovely home of one of the church members located not far from the church. It lasts for three hours beginning at 9:30 AM with babysitting available at the church. The first hour is a cooking demonstration, followed by an interactive Bible study and then the final hour is a fun filled time of fellowship and food with a lovely sit down luncheon. There is a cost of $15. for the materials which includes lots of time tested recipes and a study guide for the Bible study. The program is limited to twelve people ( 6 younger women and 6 older). Although everything is done together as a group, I have seen life long friends develop and each group develops a special bond. This fall session will run for 7 consecutive Thursdays and concludes with a banquet (on a weekend) that the husbands attend. There is a sign up sheet in the lobby or you can call me at 332-4007 to sign up but hurry since we start within a week of this newsletter publication and pre- registration is required. Debbie Woolfe is on the Women's Council and coordinating this session. She will be happy to answer any questions as well. (386) 418-4254.
Tip: It is the aluminum in deodorant that leaves yellow stains on fine clothing when combined with our sweat. Aluminum is also a suspect in contributing to dementia. It is hard to find, but there are deodorants that do not carry this metal.
Tip: This is a kind of choose your poison suggestion but may be of some help. Scientists have found that countering a migraine headache with a " brain freeze"of ice cream or something else very cold breaks the pain cycle and gets rid of the headache.
Tip: Do not store potatoes in the refrigerator, they lose valuable nutrients as a result.
Tip: Cut the button down back pockets off of worn out pants before you toss the whole thing. These make great storage pouches which travel well in a suitcase, can be labeled with permanent markers, and help keep a diaper bag organized. Use them to protect jewelry from scratches, organize your makeup or to carry small toys when traveling.
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"So, watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God.
For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with,
we're in this
with Christ for the long haul."
Hebrews 3: 12-14 The Message
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