The Family Church
Family Connections Newsletter
October 2011 |
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| Fall Festival at TFC | |
Coming Up!
Sunday, Nov. 13th
from 4-7 pm
Music
Cake Walk
Obstacle Course
Tot Spot
Duck Shoot
Apple Dunk
Face Paint
Hamburgers/Hotdogs
Balloon Animals
Games
Pumpkin BakeOff
Be sure to come and
Invite Your Friends
Fun for All!
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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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| Needing Help! | |
The India 2011
Team
Salvation
Bracelet Party
Thursday October 6th.
6:30-9pm
in the fellowship hall
Come help the India Team make 1000 salvation bracelets for the children they will be ministering to in India at the end of the month.
Many hands needed. Incredible snacks provided...lots of fun!!
Come Join us!
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A Word From Max | |
Last month we talked about our 2011 Anniversary theme "Forward in Faithfulness." I shared with you the four areas of focus as we considered the question" "Faithfulness to what?" But it is also important to think about what is involved in faithfulness itself; words like perseverance, striving, discipline, and determination come to my mind.
I have long been a fan of the writings of Chuck Swindoll. He has some interesting things to say about determination. He writes:
When Jesus tells us to "Seek first the Kingdom of God," the very word seek implies strong minded pursuit. J. B. Phillips paraphrases the idea with "set your heart on." The Amplified Bible says, "Aim at and strive after."
The Greek text of Matthew's gospel state a continual command, "Keep on continually seeking." The dominating thought is determination, which I define as "deciding to hang tough, regardless.
CLICK HERE TO READ ON
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Whispers In The Dark | |
Scripture: Matthew 5:19-20 - "For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a person."
Observation: The Pharisees had developed a whole set of rules for how to appear to be righteous. A religious person had to work hard not to break any rules, but could, with effort, begin to look good on the outside. Jesus is not supportive of the value of this external do-goodism. Instead, Jesus suggests that we should be far more concerned about what is going on inside of us, since it is what flows from inside that defiles a person.
Application: When applying for a job many years ago, I was asked by the interviewer, "How is your inner life?" I truly didn't understand what he was asking at the time. But at this stage in my life I now understand that he was asking the most fundamental question he could ask.
CLICK HERE TO READ ON:
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Worship and Arts Ministry Larry Carpenter |  "We are blessed to have so many talented people in all of our teams...this month we would like to feature Janet Whitesel..."
I grew up in a musical family and I am the second oldest of 5 kids. I have been singing, ministering and performing on stage since I was 2 years of age. My family and I toured all over the U.S. singing and ministering in churches and in various venues from television and radio to Walt Disney World. I have attended The Family Church for many years and I am grateful for the opportunity to share God's love through my singing and worship here at TFC. I have a deep love for music and worship and truly believe that worship to God is giving Him the very best that we can give Him because God is so worthy of all of our praise. I feel blessed to be a part of the Worship and Arts Ministry as one of the worship leaders at The Family Church and it is my prayer that God will richly bless each and every one of you! I am excited and look forward to seeing the great and many things God has in store for TFC!
God bless you all, Janet |
| Missions Pastor Jeff West | |
On the Home Front
On the Home Front - In past months I have written about ministry with an international focus. While reaching Unreached People Groups (UPGs) is an area of personal passion as it relates to the fulfillment of the Great Commission, God is using our local ministry partners to reach the lost around us. Even though they have access to the gospel, they still have the same need of the transforming touch of Jesus as those who have never heard. As we press on to reach the ends of the earth, let us not forget ministry in our own backyard.
One of our local ministry partners, Arbor House, lost $60,000 in grant money because they refused to compromise on the Christ-centered purpose of their ministry to women in crisis through this Christian Maternity Home. In addition to our regular monthly investments in this important ministry, TFC has recently responded to financial hardships, brought on by their righteous decision, with a special gift of $1,500, as they are making an impact for Jesus in the lives of these women during a major life transition. Since TFC also partners with the Women's Resource & Medical Clinic, a ministry serving those with unplanned, untimely, or unwanted pregnancy by celebrating God's gift of life and love, there is a strong integration of ministries that are having a holistic impact with practical and spiritual support
CLICK HERE TO READ ON: |
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Don't Miss This!! |
Opens Friday, September 30th
Go to http://www.courageousthemovie.com/theaterlist to find a theatre near you.
Gainesville: Royal Park Theatre on Newberry Road
http://www.moviefone.com/showtimes/gainesville-fl/32653/theaters?selectedShowDate=2011-07-22#1
Editors' Note: My husband and I went to see this movie (Fri. 4 pm).
The previews we had to watch for 30 minutes prior to Courageous
seemed very shoddy in comparison. Finally, the movie began and we all experienced emotions of sadness, elation, and inspiration. We cried and we laughed.
After it was over, everyone just sat there until the credits were done
and then we all began clapping our approval.
This is a movie made for this generation of young men and husbands, though it is also something to inspire young ladies and wives as well. Even grandparents.
I would highly recommend this movie and suggest that you bring guests and fill up the room as this is too good a movie to go unwatched and uncelebrated.
This is TODAY!
~Hjordis Owens |
| Giraffes: A Standout In Creative Design |  By Stephen F. Larner, PhD By Stephen F. Larner, PhD Introduction - Charles Darwin, in Origin of Species, guessed that some hypothetical short-necked giraffe ancestors stretched their necks to reach tree leaves. The ones with the longest neck survived and passed the longer necks down to their descendants. He had no evidence, of course, fossil or otherwise, for such an assumption. Now, based upon more recent research of this animal's unique nature, his assumption lacks even the most basic scientific support. Let us look at a few of their unique characteristics. Design - The giraffe is amazingly designed. The unique integration of its lungs, heart, capillaries, and birth process plays a vital role in the giraffe's survival. Its heart, at over 25 lbs, is probably the most powerful among all animals. It generates the almost two times normal pressure necessary to pump oxygen-rich blood up the giraffe's long neck to its brain. However, the brain, being a very fragile structure, cannot tolerate this high blood pressure so it has specially designed features to prevent damage to the brain tissue, especially when it bends down to drink. Several of the design features include a unique collection of reinforced artery walls, by-pass and antipooling valves, a web of small blood vessels (the rete mirabile, or 'marvelous net') and pressure sensing signals that keep blood flowing to the brain at just the right pressure.
CLICK HERE TO READ ON: |
| Ladies Council Members Introductions | |
 | | Danielle Smith |
Introducing Danielle Smith
I am proud to serve as a member on the Women's Council here at The Family Church. My husband and I have attended The Family Church since we got married in 2006. We happened to attend the service on the first weekend of The Purpose Driven Life Series and have been here ever since!
Danielle Smith
Wife, Mommy & Jewelry Lady
Building a secure home, developing character, strengthening family relationships, setting an example of Godly living, imparting knowledge and wisdom, giving spiritual training, and instilling values!
Ladies: Danielle has a business with Premier Jewelry: [Call me to get FREE Jewelry! 813-527-4054]
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Family Student Movement - Axis: Ignite |
Hello Family,
Well, it's been almost 2 months now since I've joined TFC and I must say that my excitement continues to grow at what God is up to. My family is LOVIN' Gator football, living in Gainesville, and of course getting better connected to folks here at Family. I may be the lone holdout because despite all of the firm assurances of Pastor Max,
the surfing around here really stinks!
Pray for our students, youth staff and myself as we continue to seek God and the plans He has for the "FUZE Nation". Coming this November 10th-12th is
AXIS: IGNITE.
We'll be heading to Lake Swan Retreat Center in Melrose for a weekend of
connection, inspiration and fun. $95 covers all meals, lodging, materials and
transportation. Sign up at the new youth table in the foyer this
weekend or by contacting the office. DONT MISS OUT AS SPACE IS LIMITED!!
In the weeks ahead our team will be making great effort to enhance our efforts to keep you informed. Please make sure that we have your current cell phone number and/ or email address in order to receive regular updates about all things
FUZE NATION.
In His Grip,
Pastor Mark
CLICK HERE TO READ ON FOR MORE DETAILS
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| Men's Ministry Update | |
The Men's Ministry held it's fall kickoff event on September 1st. There were 75 men present and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the fish fry. Special thanks go to H.C. Williamson and T-Bone for all they did to make this happen. We had Kevin Sides and four athletes from UF who gave their testimonies and talked about life on campus as a Christian athlete. We need to keep them in our prayers.
On October 22nd, the Iron Sharpens Iron Conference will be held in Ocala. This is an excellent opportunity for men to hear powerful speakers inspire us to be the husbands. Fathers, and disciples that we are called by God to be. Pre-registration ends on October 12th. Pick up a registration in the lobby if you are interested.
Service opportunities will be available soon through the helps ministry. Watch for details in the bulletin.
CLICK HERE TO READ MEN'S DEVOTIONAL: "STAND FIRM!"
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 | |
Fall is finally here and hopefully the temperatures will start to feel that way too. Between now and when we start getting some hard freezes, there will be color displays of azaleas and other flowering plants in local yards. I encourage you to use the wonderful variety of vegetation found in Florida and whatever flowers you have to make some arrangements for your table. The holly bushes, ferns, and ivy are all good fillers for interesting arrangements.
Just about anything can be used as a vase so your creativity can even be brought into play with that decision. Randy and I attended an outdoor function involving a lot of people where the hostess had wrapped quart jars with bandanas and filled the jars with sunflowers. The jars looked great on the checkered table cloths and it really set the mood.
CLICK HERE TO READ ON
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In the beginning the Word already existed.
He was with God, and he was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
He created everything there is.
Nothing exists that he didn't make.
Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.
The light shines through the darkness and
the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1: 1-5
What a great God we serve!
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