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Issue 11 Volume 12 - Week of March 16, 2014
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From Dr. Jim Weldon, Jr. | |
Dear FIPC Church Family,
Drugs and Alcohol and Your Child/Teen
Over the last few weeks, I have been doing some research into children and teens and their use of drugs and alcohol. I found some surprising facts, which startled me, and I want to share those facts with you. First and foremost, I want to be honest with you. When I was in high school I used Marijuana. My sister (a super smart National Merit Scholarship Winner who attended the prestigious private Bolles school) influenced me to try it. She began using drugs when she went to Bolles. Drugs were very prevalent and the kids at that school could afford, in her words, "the good stuff." My use of drugs began a long, and often painful, road for me, which only ended when I made a commitment to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Jesus not only saved my soul, He saved me from the grips of illegal drugs and the devastating life style that drug use leads to.
Drugs are everywhere. They cross cultural, racial and economic boundaries. You will find children and teens using drugs and alcohol in the most elite private schools in our county; as well as the poorest school in our county. The word we hear in our community is that: underage drinking, misuse of prescription drugs and illegal drugs (especially Marijuana) in our community is rampant. Let's tackle one issue at a time. This week we will start with alcohol.
Alcohol - You may be shocked to learn that there are parents who actually allow underage drinking parties in their homes (or vacation homes) for their teens and their teens' friends. It is hard to believe that some of the most wonderful, up standing, community involved, church going parents allow their children/teens and the children/teens of others to consume alcohol in their homes... but it is true.
Did you know that, each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking? According to data from the 2005 Monitoring the Future study, an annual survey of U.S. youth, three-fourths of 12th graders, more than two-thirds of 10th graders, and about two in every five 8th graders have consumed alcohol. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA67/AA67.htm
Here are some quick facts about alcohol and teens:
* Alcohol-related car crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults.
* Alcohol use is involved in many teenaged sexual assaults, rapes, drowning, suicides, homicides, and injuries.
* Alcohol is the drug of choice among teens.
* Beer and wine are not safer than hard liquor.
* It is illegal to provide alcohol to minors.
* Using alcohol at a young age, especially before high school, increases the risk for using other drugs later, such as marijuana and cocaine.
* Many teens abuse alcohol. As early as the eighth grade, some students report heavy drinking.
* Most states have "zero-tolerance" laws. This means that underage drivers (less than 21 years) with even a trace of alcohol on their breath will lose their driver's license until they are 21.
http://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/drugs-alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.html
The legal age limit to consume alcohol set by the state of Florida is 21. In the State of Florida, it is illegal to allow those under the age of 21 to consume alcoholic beverages. It does not matter if they are your kids. It does not matter if it is in your home. It is illegal and those adults who allow this to happen in their home can be arrested, fined and jailed. When you allow an underage person to consume alcohol in your home, if they leave and do any damage to others, or other people's property, you are liable. You are liable even if your minor child allows others to consume alcohol in your home.
Next week we will look at misuse of prescription medication and illegal drugs.
God is Good All the Time!
Your Pastor and Friend,
Jim |
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Church Celebrations |
Burl White
Outgoing Treasurer
Burl White was recognized during our worship service Sunday for his three plus years of service as our Church Treasurer. He has been a huge blessing to FIPC in this role. As outgoing Treasurer, Burl helped recruit Joe Perry to serve as incoming Treasurer. | |
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Church Announcements |
Easter Egg Hunt Planning Meeting
Monday, March 31
6:30 pm
ROCK Room
Join us at the church at 8:00 am. Be sure to bring work gloves nd wear comfortable closed-toed shoes. We will be preparing our entire church campus for Easter. Some of our plans include picking up trash, pulling weeds, planting shrubs, mulching, power washing, and painting. This is our church home. Let's make it warm and invitig so that others will make it their home too.
Food Pantry of
Green Cove Springs
Presents Caring & Sharing
Please help us serve the hungry in our community by donating the following specific items during each week of the food drive:
March 9 - Macaroni & Cheese
March 16 - Canned Fruit
March 23 - Canned Vegetables
March 30 - Canned or Dry Beans
April 6 - Canned or Boxed Pasta
April 13 - Canned Meats
"For I was hungry and you gave me food...."
Matthew 25:35
Rev It Up Car Show
 Saturday, April 26
10:00 am - 2:00 pmFleming Island Presbyterian Church
Don't miss out on this annual event. Stop by and gaze at all the classic cars you can dream about. Proceeds for this event are split between the church and the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc. (benefiting injured service members when they return home). Please contact Elder Arlene Bowling, if you have any questions.
Golf Anyone?
FIPC's 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 3
11:30 am
The Golf Club at Fleming Island
For more information about the tournament, contact Oz May, Rick Trecida, Tim Hobson, or David Drew. If you prefer, leave a message and your contact information on the yellow welcome card and we will call you. |
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Adult Ministries |
Women's Evening Bible Study
Thursday Evenings, 6:30 pm
Begins March 27
Classroom 2
Join Lisa Harper as she journeys with women through this bridge between the Old and New Testaments to get to the heart of the matter: Jesus is our accessible King. Refer to our web site for a more detailed description of Hebrews: The Nearness of King Jesus. Feel free to contact Shon Brewer for more information.
April 27 @ 1:00 pm in the worship building.
We would love for you to join the church and continue your discipleship journey by partaking in one of these classes. If you are interested in joining the church or attending one of the classes, please contact Director of Membership Sara Dryden.
Great Banquet
Women's Weekend:
April 3-6
Men's Weekend:
April 24-27
Don't miss out on this exciting and spiritually moving 72 hour retreat. The retreat is held at Mandarin Presbyterian Church (just over the bridge), and runs from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon. You will be fed and blessed in over abundance! The Great Banquet seeks to bring people to a deeper and closer connection with Christ through prayer, reflection, and fellowship with others. If you have any questions, please contact Elder Iris Cruice.
Adult Bible Study
Sunday mornings, 8:30 am
Classroom 2
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Youth and Children Ministries |
Youth Ministries
Wednesdays
6:30-8:30 pm
Jr. High & Sr. High Youth
Games, music, small groups, and worship! Invite your friends!
2 New Summer Camp Opportunities!
Mark your calendars! July 21-25
9:00 am-12 Noon
This awesome summer camp will offer various sports activities, such as soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and flag football. Children will experience team work, while learning about the good news of Jesus Christ. The cost will be $50 per camper for early registration (prior to June 1) and $65 per camper after that date.
We need volunteers!
If you are interested in helping out with this camp, please contact Carissa Hogan. Cub Camp for 3, 4, & 5 Year Olds
Mark your calendars!
June 23-27
9:00-11:30 am
Children will enjoy crafts, games, and snacks. The cost will be $50 per camper.
We need volunteers!
If you are interested in helping out with this camp and love to work with Pre-K children, please contact Sandy May.
The ROCK Wednesday Nights
Wednesdays
5th & 6th Graders
Come join us for games, fellowship, snacks, small group time and mission work. |
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FIPC Calendar | 
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A Record Of Our Faithfulness | |
FIPC is a member supported church. We do not receive any outside funding. Everything we do is made possible through your faithful giving.
Attendance:
03/16/14 = 135
Ministry & Building Fund Offerings:
03/16/14 = $6,305.32
(2014 Weekly Need = $10,048)
Offering envelopes are now available in the church bulletin for cash offerings. The envelopes are not necessary for checks. If you ever have any questions about FIPC finances, please call our CFO & Church Administrator, Dawn Vanderpool, at the church office at (904) 269-2412 ext. 701. |
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Sunday Worship
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Worship Service is held every
Sunday morning
10:00AM
Attire is casual. It is an uplifting, come as you are worship service.
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God never intended for us to go it alone!
We want to help you find the Small Group where you can you grow in your faith and have some fun doing it!
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ChristLife - Senior High Youth
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FUEL - Junior High Youth Group
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Church Staff
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If you would like to contact a church staff member please go to our website.
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Facebook |
Check out our Facebook page! It's a great way to add photos of events and stay in contact with your church.
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Thank You Notes | 
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Thanks to the Hospitality Team for Sunday morning refreshments.
Thank you to the counting team for your continued service to your church!
Thank you to our Awesome Worship Band!
Thank you to those who helped usher/greet last Sunday!
Thanks to our Children's Ministry Volunteers.
Thank you to our Youth Ministry Team.
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Announcements
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Announcements for the E-newsletter, and Power Point Slide Show before worship, during the offering, and after worship should be emailed to Dawn Vanderpool by 9:00 am on Mondays.
Announcements for the bulletin should be emailed to Sara Dryden by 10:00 am on Tuesdays.
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Christian Counseling Center |  | |
A ministry of Fleming Island Presbyterian Church. The Christian Counseling Center of FIPC is an outreach of the church to our community. |
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Thanks and Prayer Requests | |
 Praise / Thanks:
- To God for all the new families He is bringing to us.
- To God for blessing us abundantly.
- To God for His Word revealed to us in the Bible.
- To God for all those who work so hard behind the scenes.
- To God for our Hospitality Ministry.
- To God for our Sunday School Team.
- To God for our Youth Group Leaders.
- To God for our Great Worship Band and AV Team.
- To God for all those folks who pray each day for FIPC.
From the Welcome Cards:
- Thanks worship team. Thanks Bill for fantastic history of Romans, Jews and Christians during Jesus' time on earth.
- Thankful for all the wonderful blessings that God has bestowed upon me.
- God is good!
- Our band, thank you for the beautiful music. Pastor Jim and staff for the amazing job they do.
- Healing has begun! Carissa's sermon.
- Great message Jim, it can be applied to our families and workplace as well.
- 3 beautiful grandchildren.
- Patricia Gray's procedure went well and healing.
- Welcome Fred Kurtz. Brand new member and already serving.
- Always enjoy Carissa's children's message. Listening to Mike sing.
- Adult children attending church.
- All the hard work of all the teams.
- Good message, Jim! Great music!
Prayer Requests:
- For our community.
- For our church's growth in spirit, connections, and number.
- For those who do not know Christ.
- For our Church's Pastor and Staff.
- The grace to live out our faith.
- For our FIPC Pastor, Staff, Elders, Deacons and their families.
- For families and individuals who are hurting.
- For the PCUSA and FIPC's response to the changes. For our Denominational Relations Committee.
- Jason Hersperger, deployed to El Salvador.
- Martha and James Williams, health.
- Faircloth family, health.
- Sydney Ward.
- Patricia Gray.
From the Welcome Cards:
- For Hannah's job search; as we continue to search for how we can be on board with God's will.
- Watch over all the youth during Spring Break.
- Healing and system relief for 2 friends fighting cancer, Lucy and Kathy; resolution of mortgage situation.
- Charlotte, continued healing; Stepdad, continue healing and gaining strength; mom, strength and patience.
- For my grandma and for Sydney who has to live with MS.
- Sister, Carol, in hospice with cancer.
- For Brittany and Josh to always remember all things are possible through Christ.
- Patricia Gray, continued healing; Claude Faircloth, healing.
- Daughter's safe travel home; guidance of the Holy Spirit in day to day choices; God brings the right person into my life.
- Please pray that mom and I will continue to heal our hearts as we mark the 2nd anniversary of my dad's death.
- For Lee as she tries to beat lung cancer.
- Chris and Evan; church and gov't leaders.
- My son's father's success in rehab and getting his life together.
- Dallas and his recovery; Cain; school enrollment.
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This Week's Funny |
Redneck Lent
Each Friday night after work, Bubba would fire up his outdoor grill and cook a venison steak. But, all of Bubba's neighbors were Catholic. And since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating meat on Friday. The delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic Faithful that they finally talked to their Priest.
The Priest came to visit Bubba, and suggested that he become a Catholic.
After several classes and much study, Bubba attended Mass...and as the Priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said, 'You were born a Baptist, and raised a Baptist, but now you are a Catholic.
Bubba's neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood. The Priest was called immediately by the neighbors, and, as he rushed into Bubba's yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in amazement.
There stood Bubba, clutching a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat and chanted: "You wuz born a deer, you wuz raised a deer, but now you is a catfish." |
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