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February 2012
The Family Church
'Family Connections' Newsletter |
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A Word from Max
The words ring out from all over the New Testament: "Go." "all the nations," "make disciples," "be my witnesses," "ambassadors for Jesus Christ," "a light to the world," "hope to the perishing," "slaves to Jesus Christ," "I am sending you out," "feed my sheep!" And on and on they go. There is no way to miss the emphasis Jesus put on having His disciples join Him in His mission to the world. That is why we say at The Family Church that "mission is the reason the church exists." Our Lord wants each of us to be a part of that mission.
Each year in February we celebrate our annual missions conference called the Global Impact Celebration. This year it will take place beginning Wednesday evening, February 15th, and continuing through the weekend services. The schedule of events is available elsewhere in this newsletter. There are many activities over the five days for all ages and groups within the church. We have missionary partners from right here in Gainesville and from around the world joining us. We have a special guest speaker bringing the messages. And, we have opportunities for you to grow in your knowledge of our global mission and your commitment to it. Some of you may have developed a "been there, done that" attitude toward the GIC. If so, I want you to know that it will be new and fresh again this year, and I encourage you to make it a priority. You haven't been there, and even if you are doing that, you need to be there to encourage others!
CLICK HERE TO READ ON
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Whispers in the Dark
Scripture: Mark 9:7-8 - "Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to Him." Suddenly, when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them."
Observation: To be present at the transfiguration must have been one of the most awesome moments for Peter, James and John. Yet the point of it all seems to have been lost on them. When Moses and Elijah show up the three apostles freak out. I probably would have too. But their response to Moses and Elijah is to suggest building booths to honor them all: Moses (Law), Elijah (Prophets) and Jesus (Kingdom of God and gospel). But just as the booth building idea is suggested, God intervenes and tries to clarify. He points to only one of the three, Jesus, and says, "This one! He is first! He is my SON! Listen to Him!" When they look up Moses and Elijah are gone! But Jesus remains. The drama and mystery of it all are amazing, but the point seems to be really simple to grasp (if harder to apply): The law (and Moses) are still alive. The message of the prophets (and Elijah) are still alive. They all matter to God. But Jesus is not on par with the Law and the Prophets. He is the fulfillment of the law, the promise of the Prophets. He is the Son. God wants us first, and foremost, and singularly, to listen to Him!
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Worship and Arts Ministry
Hi everyone! I hope you all had a Happy New Year! We have started 2012 off well with new people coming on board just about every week in one of the many Worship and Arts teams. To mention a few of our new comers we've had Carl Manna on drums, Tina Corbett in creative, Kevin "Crash" Davis on bass and Ashley Ferry on vocals.
We are grateful and excited about the year ahead. Between our 1st Touch Ministry (Ushers, Greeters, and Welcome Desk), Video, Lighting, Sound, Media Shout, Worship Leaders, Vocals, Musicians, and Creative teams, we have a place for you. Please let me know how you would like to get involved to share your talent and make new friends. I will introduce you to our many team leaders so we can make it a good fit..."
Come join us as we grow,
Larry
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Missions Ministry
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Jeff West |
GIC is just around the corner. As I mentioned in my article last month, the theme for this year's Global Impact Celebration (GIC) is BEAUTIFUL FEET. Romans 10:13-15 says, "For 'whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then can they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who brings good news of good things!'"
Please note some schedule changes from last year - The Wednesday Kick Off Service will be a celebration filled with lights, music, worship, special children's and youth choirs and youth dancers, and the sign team. The evening will feature the African Student Union dancers and drummers. In addition to the worship arts, we will be inspired and challenged by our seasoned guest speaker, Jim Myers. This is an evening you will not want to miss!
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Women's Ministry
I recently purchased the devotional book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. The devotions are from her journals in her daily quiet times and she shares the messages she received as she waited quietly in his presence. The messages are written in the first person with "I" being God. I have been both blessed and challenged by these devotions and wanted to share some excerpts and...can't resist... some personal comments with you.
- "Come to me with a teachable spirit, EAGER to be changed".
Being a choleric personality, I am often quick to decide a course of action and think "my way" is the best way and expect God to bless the results. However, over the years, I have discovered the startling fact that there are many "right" ways but more important there is "God's" way. My prayer for the coming year is to not just "say it" but to "live daily" with a teachable spirit...EAGER...to be changed.
- "True dependence is not simply asking me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to me with an open mind and heart and inviting me to plant My desires within you".
He says it best!
CLICK HERE TO READ ON
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 Marriage, the Foundation
By Stephen F. Larner, PhD
The origin of marriage is intimately tied to the creation account found in Genesis 1 and 2.If the Biblical creation account is undermined then so are the foundations for marriage, church doctrine and even our relationship to Jesus Christ.Since Darwin, attempts have been made to harmonize Genesis with an old earth view and Darwin's evolutionarybelief of man's common descent from more "primitive" life forms. Recently, Dr. William Dembski, of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, claimed that Adam and Eve came from "human-like beings" who lived outside the Garden of Eden:
"...I am proposing to be compatible with evolution, God must not merely introduce existing human-like beings from outside the Garden. In addition, when they enter the Garden, God must transform their consciousness so that they become rational moral agents made in God's image. 1 (emphasis mine)
CLICK HERE TO READ ON
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"Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel Whenever you receive a message from me, pass it on to the people immediately. If I warn the wicked, saying, 'You are under the penalty of death,' but you fail to deliver the warning,
they will die in their sins.
And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs.
If you warn them and they keep on sinning and refuse to repent,
they will die in their sins.
But you will have saved your life
because you did what you were told to do.
. . .But if you warn them and they repent, they will live,
and you will have saved your own life, too"
Ezekiel 3:17-19 NLT
"Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.
Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment.
There are still others to whom you need to show mercy,
but be careful that you aren't contaminated by their sins."
Jude 1: 22-23 NLT
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The Family Church
2022 SW 122nd Street
Gainesville, FL 32607352-332-6459
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