Issue 24 Volume 12 - Week of June 15, 2014

From Dr. Jim Weldon, Jr.

Dear FIPC Church Family,

You may know that I have a heart for orphans. I found some compelling recent statistics on those without fathers. Statistics don't favor the 25 million kids in the United States who don't have fathers in their lives.

The Center for Disease Control reports 85% of all children who exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.

The National Principals Association reports 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.

A recent report from City University of New York shows the likelihood that a young male will engage in criminal activity doubles if he is raised without a father and triples if he lives in a neighborhood with a high concentration of single-parent families.

The Journal of Research on Adolescence recently reported that young men who grow up in homes without fathers are twice as likely to end up in jail as those who come from traditional two-parent families.

The most tangible means we have to relate to God as our Father is our relationship with our own earthly dad. Sadly, for those without earthly fathers, the understanding of a fatherly relationship often begins and ends with their own experience and imagination.

Moreover, millions of America's fatherless would welcome a father figure into their life - an adult to influence them in a positive way. What more positive influence exists than God's people living out our Dad's gospel and sharing it with a child who doesn't know Him?

In Austin, Texas they are doing something about it. They are using baseball to reach out to fatherless kids. Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, or RBI Austin, has a mentoring program in the city's Oak Springs neighborhood. Oak Springs consistently has the highest rate of fatherlessness in the city. Most recent records show 75 percent of its children don't have dads. That's three out of four children without a father in their life!

RBI Austin is a great program, they're doing incredible work to mentor the fatherless. They have aligned their mission with God's plan. Mentoring is discipleship. Discipleship is God's plan for saving the world and building His kingdom.

The brokenness throughout our country: high school dropout rates, behavioral issues, criminal activity, incarceration, etc. - will not change until individual followers of Jesus Christ respond to God's call to do something about it. One way to do something is by walking with the fatherless. We need people caring for people.

Much more needs to be done across our country. One way is to look around our county for an organization that can connect you to a mentor relationship. There are many: PAL, Young Life Clay County, Kids First Florida, YMCA, etc. We can all take steps to enter a child's life and demonstrate what a good father, role model, leader, Christ-follower, and disciple looks like. And through our faithful presence, those with no father may learn to call God their One and Only, Good and Faithful Father.

You can make a difference! You can change a life. Remember: God is good, all the time...all the time, God is good!

Your pastor and friend...

Jim Weldon

Church Celebrations

Here We

Grow Again!

Look at those smiling faces. Our newest members, Chad and Heather Varney, were introduced and welcomed in worship Sunday. If you have not had the opportunity to meet them, please introduce yourselves and let them know how glad you are that they joined the FIPC family!

Whose smiling face(s) will we see here next?

Church Announcements

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, June 29

There will be a brief congregational meeting immediately following worship. The purpose of this meeting is to elect the 2014-2015 Nominating Committee.

Family Freedom Fest Concert

Tuesday, July 2 @ 7:00 pm

Come see our worship team participate in a patriotic concert at Mandarin Presbyterian Church. Live patriotic music and a special salute to the members of our armed forces.

Free fun for the entire family!

Flocking Fundraiser

Watch for flocks of these lovely FIPC pink lawn flamingos landing in lawns near you. Better yet, for a very worthy cause, send them to the lawns of your favorite friends and family.

To have someone flocked during the weeks of June 8th through June 21st, sign up at the Flocking Table in the Gathering Area on Sundays or register online.

All donations benefit youth trips and events.

Place a bid to flock the Pastor!

Purchase "AFLOCK" insurance to avoid being flocked!

Supplies Needed for Summer Camps

We are looking for used soccer balls, basketballs, and footballs to use for the Sports Camp. All campers will be asked to bring their own balls, but we would like to have some available for those that might not have one or lose one at camp. We will have bins to collect the equipment in the Gathering Area of the Worship Building starting this Sunday, June 15th through July 20th.

There will also be a display asking for snack items to donate to both the Cub Camp and the Sports Camp. We need Goldfish, crackers, Capri Sun type drinks, and other food items. Look for the display in the Gathering Area of the Worship Building starting this Sunday, June 15th.

Jacksonville Suns Family Faith Games

Join the Jacksonville Suns and 91.7 The Promise for a day or night of faith, fellowship, family, and fun (and baseball too)!

Family Faith Days:

June 22 and July 6--featuring a Postgame concert with Tiffany Coburn and other local churches. Both games begin at 3:05 pm.

Family Faith Night:

August 29--Jason Crabb performs live on stage. Fireworks will light up the Jacksonville sky in the best fireworks show in town. Game begins at 7:05 pm.

For more detailed information and to purchase tickets visit www.jaxsuns.com.

Adult Ministries

Christian Growth Classes

August Date TBA

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.

New Adult Small Group

Sundays After Church

12:00 noon

Classroom 1

A new small group for parents who have babies to children in the 6th grade. Based on the DVD curriculum titled: "How to Raise your Children without Raising your Blood Pressure" by Rick Warren. The group will meet at least three times on these proposed Sundays:

May 18

June 1

June 22

Childcare will be available at a nominal cost. Invite your family and friends to attend. Contact Pastor Jim Weldon, if you are interested in attending or have additional questions.

Save The Date!

Watch for details coming soon.

Youth Ministries

FUEL Jr. High Lock-In

Friday, June 27

7:00 pm-7:00 am

Youth House

This Lock-In is for youth who will be 7th and 8th graders for the 2014-2015 school year. Games, bonfire, movies, and much more. Invite a friend!

Adventure Landing Water Park

Fun Day

Friday, June 20

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join us for the first event to kick off the Summer. Spend the day at Jacksonville Beach Adventure Landing racing down the water slides, relaxing in the lazy river, or playing arcade games. Lunch will be provided by the famous and local favorite, Angies' Subs.

Grades 7-12 and graduating seniors.
Meet at the church at 9 am - we will be back by 4 pm.
Bathing suits must be appropriate-Girls, one piece or tankini; Guys, regular swim trunk or board shorts.
Bring a towel and sunscreen.
$30.00 (cost includes travel, park admission, and lunch).
Please register online by June 18.

You can drop off a check or cash in the offering plate on Sundays (be sure to include the name of your child and the event name "Adventure Landing") or stop by the church office.

Youth Summer 2014 Calendar

Pick up your copy of the Youth Summer 2014 Calendar in the Church Office during the week (Monday through Thursday) or in the Gathering Area on Sunday morning. Don't miss out on all of the fun activities and events that we have planned this summer!

Children's Ministries

2 New Summer Camp Opportunities!

Cost: $50 (for early registration)

Fleming Island Presbyterian Church is proud to introduce a new summer camp opportunity for children grades K-6. Think VBS with a sports camp concentration! Kids will learn about their sport (soccer, lacrosse, basketball, flag football, or cheerleading), as well as learning about having faith in Jesus Christ. Price is $50 for early registration, before June 1st. After this date, it will increase to $65.

We need volunteers!

Please contact Carissa Hogan, if you are interested in helping out with this camp. Register online now.

Cost: $50 per camper

Children will enjoy crafts, games, and snacks.

We need volunteers!

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

In This Issue

Church Celebrations

Church Announcements

Adult Ministries

Youth Ministries

Children's Ministries

Thank You

Thanks and Prayer Requests

This Week's Funny

This Week's Devotional

FIPC Calendar

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:

06/15/14 = 141

Ministry & Building Fund Offerings:

06/15/14 = $10,521.00

(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.

Sunday Worship

Worship Service is held every Sunday morning
10:00 AM

Attire is casual. It is an uplifting, come as you are service.

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!

ChristLife - Senior High Youth

Fuel - Jr. High Youth Group

ROCK / Children

Thank You Notes

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

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.

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.

Church Staff

If you would like to contact a church staff member please go to our website.

Facebook

Check out our Facebook page! It's a great way to add photos of events and stay in contact with your church.

Quick Links

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News

Related Topics

More On Us

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.

Praise from the Welcome Cards:

Wonderful children; good stable job; a father who has taught me much.
Loved the new song "One Thing Remains". Revelation song was awesome, great job worship team.
Blessed to have my dad.
All the teams at FIPC. Pastor Jim and family missing his dad.
Abigail made the Dean's List at Flagler for the 2nd semester in a row and was given an additional academic scholarship.
Thankful for the opportunity for current employment. Thankful for family being there to talk out my concerns.
Thank you for teaching us about the Holy Spirit.
Happy Father's to all the fathers out there!
Praise the Lord!! This past week I kept getting calls from the realtor to show our house. In desperation I prayed "Jesus, I just can't keep doing this. Please bring buyers who will love this house and put in a bid. And as an added bonus let's have a bidding war." On Friday we received 2 offers. We countered with 20K more. So we are pending. So now I pray that everything goes well.

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 Bahrain.
Martha and James Williams, health.
Faircloth family.
Sydney Ward.

Prayers from the Welcome Cards:

James Williams in Cypress Village at Mayo for rehab.
Altheda L. at The Terrace.
Faircloth family as they grieve the loss of Claude.
My husband, Lee, would get back with God to be the spiritual leader of our home for me and our children.
Success in school. Unspoken for son.
Pray for Genie as they deal with her husband's illness.
God's guidance on current employment. God's guidance on my future.
Good choices and safety as children go off to school.
Lift up my dad, health issues.
Chris & Evan living in Orlando; church & gov't leaders.
Lord, please open the hearts and minds of my children that they will accept Jesus.
Shannon, Desiree, Lorraine, Jerry, John.
Pray for our church, our pastor, leaders, staff, elders, members and visitors to allow the Holy Spirit to lead God's church.
Energy and focus to follow through on legal issues; healing for friends, Lucy and Kathy.
Please pray for families that have family dramas and that God will be our guiding light.
Kristen B. as she is serving as a summer staff member at Sharptop Cove Young Life Camp until July 13. Keep her safe and let her be and learn everything God desires for her.

This Week's Funny

Cub Camp Kicks Off Next Week

Our first ever Cub Camp begins Monday, June 23rd. How can you participate in this panda cub themed camp for young children?

register your child(ren) to attend
donate supplies
volunteer to help
pray for the leaders and the children throughout the week

This Week's Devotional

"Sing Your Thanks To The Lord"

by Rick Warren

PurposeDriven.com

This Week's Devotional

"Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God."

(Psalm 147:7a LB)

The starting point for all happiness is shifting the focus away from yourself. If all you think about is yourself, you're going to be a pretty miserable person. If you truly want to be happy in life, you have to care about the needs of those around you.

Learning to thank God for what he has given us is an important part of our spiritual journey. So how do you make gratitude to God an important part of your life?

One of the most important ways to do so is by singing. The Bible says, "Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God" (Psalm 147:7a LB). Nothing makes you aware of God's presence more quickly than singing your praise to God. It doesn't matter how much musical talent you have, either. The Bible urges us to make a joyful noise. Even pigs do that as they eat! If pigs can make a joyful noise, so can you.

Christianity is a singing faith. There are more songs about Jesus Christ than anything or anyone else, even love. That's why you need to be part of a local church. It's not just about listening to a weekly message from the Bible. At least once a week, you need the emotional expression that comes from singing thanks to God. If you don't, your heart will shrivel. You can't be a healthy Christian on sermons alone. You need both the impression from the message and the expression through the music.

I have discovered that the times when I least feel like singing are when I need to do it the most. When my heart is cold, I need to be renewed, restored, and recharged through singing thanks to God. In my hectic schedule, I find listening to music and singing praise to God renews my soul.

So turn on your favorite worship songs or find a good Christian radio station, and sing along. Thank God for all he has given you. And make a joyful noise to the Lord while you're at it.

Fleming Island Presbyterian Church 1743 County Road 220 Fleming Island, FL 32003 904-269-2412 www.myFIPC.org Directions