Dear FIPC Church Family, 

Last week I told you that I would follow up with what to do if your child or teen is using drugs and/or alcohol.  The research for this week's article can be found at:  Empowering Parents

What do we do about it?

* Parents, first, set aside your rationalizations (i.e., alcohol is legal and therefore "better" than "hard drugs" or making statements like, "At least he's only smoking marijuana."  Second, learn everything you can about alcohol, drugs, and drug addiction. 
* If you're a parent and see problems in your child, be proactive and talk to your child, express your concerns, and tell them that you're keeping an eye out and that you're not going to ignore the situation.
* Kids do not respect their parents when they ignore the signs staring right at them. Even as they seek independence, they need and want you to act as their guardians and guides. 
* Consequences are essential - it's how we learn. Take a deep breath and allow your children to experience the consequences of their actions and decisions.
* If you're a parent and you smoked marijuana as a young person, do you have a leg to stand on when you talk to your kids about it?  Should you lie about it, if they ask you?  You have two legs! "Marijuana was half as strong twenty years ago, and we know a lot more about its ill effects now." Katherine Ketcham
* I would advise parents to always approach the problem with love first. I know it's really, really hard, but say, "I love you so much and I don't know how I'd live without you, and that's why I'm grounding you or shutting off your bank account or taking your car away. You may hate me, but I can't watch you destroy yourself. I'll be part of your recovery, but I will not be part of your addiction. But I will do everything in my power to help you get better."  Katherine Ketcham
* Your enemy is not your child, it's the addiction that has taken over their life, mind, heart, and spirit. 
* When your child/teen goes out to a friend's home and calls to task you if they can spend the night, say no.  If a child/teen has been drinking or using drugs, they will often call to spend the night so they do not have to face you.  If the sleep over is not planned out before they leave your home, say no. 
* Set a curfew for your child/teen and enforce it with clear concrete consequences. Be strict about it - this teaches your children to be responsible and timely. Remember the old saying, "Give a kid an inch and they will think they are the ruler." And "Nothing good ever happens after midnight." 
* Make it a habit to be awake when your child gets home.  Be sure to give them a big bear hug and kiss them on their face and take a deep breath when you do.  If your child holds their breath when they kiss or hug you, it may be a sign that something is up.  If they have breath mints in their mouth, or are chewing gum, or smell like mouthwash, or perfume, or incense, or bonfires... something may be up.  Talk to them, assess their state of being.  Can they carry on a conversation?  Are they having trouble thinking of or pronouncing the right words?  Is everything funny to them?  If so, check it out. 

Want definitive proof?  Do a drug test.  Call your doctor and make the arrangements or check out a home drug testing kit.  Many pharmacy's sell home drug testing kits.  Just having the kit, can deter your child from using.  If they get defensive, so what - don't they do that anyway?  Isn't it better to know for sure, than to doubt.  Follow the motto, "when in doubt, check it out."  As a parent, you have a right and a responsibility to know if your child is using drugs or alcohol.   

God is GOOD!  ALL the time!  Your pastor and friend...

Women's

Great Banquet

Participants

Congratulations to these women who just attended the Great Banquet:

Cullene Lee

Brandy McCreanor

Melissa Perry

Tonya Stansberry

We would also like to recognize Tina Calloway for her participation as a member of the Women's Great Banquet Team.

If you've never attended the Great Banquet, we would love to sponsor you and pay your way.  It is an experience of a lifetime!  Just ask any of these ladies. 

Palm Sunday, April 13

2:00 pm

Fleming Island Presbyterian Church

Front Lawn

The following donations are needed:  plastic eggs filled with candy or toys (no chocolate) and cookies (homemade or purchased).  Help is needed on the day of the hunt with:  setup, cleanup, parking, hiding eggs, supervision of games, and serving cookies and lemonade.

We will be sending in our next brick order for our Walk of Faith on Monday, June 2.  Memorialize any significant event with an engraved paver:

• in honor of
• in loving memory of
• in celebration of anniversaries
• birthdays
• graduations
• favorite Bible verse
• family name
• just because

Imagine if we had all of our FIPC families represented on our Walk of Faith!  Pick up an order form from the Information Table in the Gathering Area and turn it in by Sunday, June 1. 

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

Saturday, April 26

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Fleming 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.

Saturday, May 3

11:30 am

The Golf Club at Fleming Island

Cost $75

For more information about the tournament, contact Oz May, Rick Trecida, Tim Hobson, or David Drew.  Register online now!

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.

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. 

Sr. High Youth

Student Life at the Beach Camp

July 14-18

Cost $350*

Give your youth the gift of a week with God at the beach and you will see them take the next step in their spiritual growth-whether that's the very first step in faith or their next step in Christian maturity.  Worship will be led by Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin-this truly is a phenomenal experience!

Initial Deposit: $170.00 (due April 27)
Cost Includes: Lodging, travel, and food for the week
Lodging Location: Hilton Daytona Beach 

*pending meeting fundraising goals

Parent's Meeting

April 22 @ 7:00 pm

Sanctuary

 Online registration opens soon.  Spots are limited!

2 New Summer Camp Opportunities!

Cost: $50 (for early registration)

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.

We need volunteers!

If you are interested in helping out with this camp, please contact Carissa Hogan.  Online registration opens soon.

Cost:  $50 per camper

Children will enjoy crafts, games, and snacks.

If you are interested in helping out with this camp and love to work with Pre-K children, please contact Sandy May.  Register online now.

FIPC is a member supported church.

We do not receive any outside funding.  Everything we do is made possible through your faithful giving.

Attendance:  

04/06/14 = 174

Ministry & Buliding Fund Offerings: 

04/06/14 = $8,611.00

(2014 weekly need = $10,048)

Offering envelopes are  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 contact our CFO & Church Administrator, Dawn Vanderpool, at the church office at (904) 269-2412 ext. 701.

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!

Thanks to:

The Hospitality Team for Sunday morning refreshments!  

The counting team for your continued service to your church!

Our Awesome Worship Band!

Those who helped usher/greet last Sunday!

Our Children's Ministry Volunteers!

Our Youth Ministry Team!

Announcements for the e-newsletter, power point slide show during worship, and web site should be emailed to Dawn Vanderpool by 9 am on Mondays.

Announcements for the bulletin should be emailed to Sara Dryden by 10 am on Tuesdays.

A ministry of Fleming Island Presbyterian Church, The Christian Counseling Center of FIPC is an outreach of the church to our community.