Issue 39 Volume 12 - Week of September 28, 2014

From Dr. Jim Weldon, Jr.

Dear FIPC Church Family,

The thing about God's Church is we are "supposed" to give. It is a mandate in scripture and the generosity of the church body is to be a blessing to the whole world. But still, it is a tricky subject and nobody likes talking about it. We know the offering plates are what keep the lights on in the church, and keeps the ministry and mission of Christ moving forward. We are to live generous lives. BUT - what does that mean? Here are four things which are amazing about living a generous life.

1. Generosity is a different way to live. Generosity is not something we do just on Sundays...it is an invitation God gives us for every day of the week and every part of our lives. In talking about generosity, we do not just want a 10% tithe. We want to be living in a way where we freely give the way we have freely received with our money, our time, and our love.

2. Generosity is contagious. Have you ever noticed that? One of my favorite examples of this is in the drive-thru line at Starbucks. A friend of mine told me this story...

I drove through the line a few weeks ago and when I pulled up to the counter, the barista told me my drink was paid for by the person just in front of me. I was taken aback. That was not what I was expecting in my pre-caffeinated stupor. But it was such a nice thing to do, I wanted to pass the favor along to the person behind me. So I told the barista, and she smiled in response. "You're the 15th car to say that," she told me.

Yes, when we think about it, every person in that line just essentially paid for their own coffee. But who cares? It is more fun, and more heart-warming to have someone pay for your coffee and to turn around and do the same for someone else. Everyone walked away that morning feeling generous and taken care of by a stranger--which is worth much more than a $4.50 coffee.

Generosity is contagious!

3. Generosity is counter-cultural. If you look around, you will notice most of us feel like we do not have enough. We spend most of our time trying to accumulate more, and the rest of our time trying to figure out how to keep what we have. Giving away what we have is directly opposed to this idea, but that is why it is so powerful.

4. Generosity reproduces itself. The economy of God does not work the way our culture's economy does. When we give away what we have, when we are faithful with it instead of holding onto it with all our might, God reproduces what we have. A friend of mine always says it this way: "nobody has ever starved because they tithed too much." God just does not work that way. When we trust God with our money, giving it away instead of holding onto it in fear, He will provide, He does provide. Not only that, He always goes above and beyond what we gave to Him. God will not be out-given.

Talking about generosity is always a daunting task, but it is important. It is important not only for the survival of the mission of Christ, but also for our spiritual health and growth. We grow spiritually when we give!

When we are generous with the things we count on to keep us safe, we are placing our well being and our faith in the hands of the one who can truly take care of us. It has never been about the money. It has always been about the faith.

That is why I say...God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!

Grace and Peace,

Jim Weldon

Church Celebrations

Babies R Us

We had three babies born into the FIPC family, all within one week! Help us welcome...

Varney Baby

Rubiana Aurora Varney

Born September 19

6 lbs. 13 oz.

Parents Chad & Heather

Rubiana was celebrated in last week's newsletter, but we didn't have this beautiful photo to share.

Stringer Baby

Gunnar Gary Stringer

Born September 23

8 lbs. 12 oz.

Parents Chris & Maura

Sisters Peyton & Mila

Duncan Baby

Ava Lynn Duncan

Born September 24

8 lbs. 8 oz.

Parents Zach & Katelyn

Grandparents Duke & Kristina

Church Announcements

Christmas Choir Ensemble

Rehearsals Begin

October 7 @ 6:30 pm

Sanctuary

* Looking for men and women, grades 8 to adult, to participate in this year's Christmas Choir Ensemble for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

* Don't have to be able to read music--we will help you with all of that!

* We'll be singing standard Christmas songs! Just need to be able and willing to make a joyful noise and sing out your best Christmas cheer.

* Sign up on your yellow welcome cards during worship or contact Mike Horst.

Car Show

October 11

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

FIPC Front Lawn

Clay County Cruzers 7th Annual Back to the 50s Car Show. Fun for the entire family! Proceeds go to Scholarships for Clay County High School Seniors and FIPC Ministries.

Blood Drive

October 11

10 am - 2 pm

FIPC Front Lawn

During the Car Show. Bring a Florida Driver's License or State ID to the blood mobile.

It's 5th Quarter Season!

Help us put on the best 5th Quarter season yet! Donations of the following items are still needed:

canned soda (no diet please)
homemade desserts
monetary donations--Donate Online!

We also need 40 plus adult volunteers for each 5th Quarter event. Contact Laura Hesperger to sign up or write it on your yellow welcome card during worship. The volunteers have almost as much fun as the youth!

5th Quarter Dates

August 22

August 29

September 12

September 26

October 3

October 24

Blackboard writings A good example is the best sermon

Upcoming Messages

Don't miss out on the important messages that FIPC has planned:

October 5 - Pastor Jim - How Are We To Live Out Our Faith? Part 1
Daniel 1:1-21

October 12 - Carissa Hogan - To Be Announced

October 19 - Pastor Jim - How Are We To Live Out Our Faith? Part 2 Daniel 1:1-21

October 26 - Pastor Jim - Being Honest, Speaking The Truth In Love. Daniel 2

Pastor Jim invites conversation on the topics before the scheduled Sunday. Dates and topics are subject to change.

Adult Ministries

Courageous

Men's Small Group

Starts October 1 @ 6:30 p.m.

Meets every other Wednesday in contacts' homes for fellowship and Bible study. For more information, contact Paul Bedsole or Jim Brewer.

Great Banquet

Women's

November 6-9

Men's

November 20-23

Mandarin Presbyterian Church

Great Banquet

72 hour spiritual retreat held at Mandarin Presbyterian Church. Sign up on your yellow welcome card during worship or contact Elder Iris Cruice.

Christian Growth Classes

October 5 @ 1:00 pm

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. 1st Base, please sign up ahead of time in order to receive information to be discussed at the meeting.

In This Issue

Church Celebrations

Church Announcements

Adult 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.

New Members This Year: 21

Attendance:

09/28/14 = 177

Ministry & Building Fund Offerings:

09/28/14 = $10,423.00

(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

Register Now

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:

Praise God for His blessings of good health and good fortune.
Thank you Lord for our precious Rubiana! She is such a blessing!
Evan's job.
5th Quarter Team. Woop!Woop! Mike Horst for being awesome!
Awesome Women's Retreat. Grateful that 27 women said "yes" to attending.
For my family.
Our nation, our world, our community.
The newest little ones born last week in the church family.

Prayer Requests:

For our community.
For our church's growth in spirit, connections, and number.
For those who do not know Christ.
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.
Martha Williams, health.
Faircloth family.
Sydney Ward.

Prayers from the Welcome Cards:

Ruth Thomas.
St. Augustine youth ministry and finances reaching urban, underprivileged children.
Our daughter, Elizabeth.
Pray for Jeff's mom, Linda, who is having knee replacement surgery on Monday. This is the second replacement of this knee.
Ruth B., health, healing. Martha Williams, health.
Please pray for Mike McCaskey who is having surgery this Tuesday, Sept. 30. Prayer for successful surgery and speedy recovery.
Suzanne S., Sandy May's sister, triple bypass surgery.
Prayers for Gayle as she battles stage 4 breast cancer. She is 38 years old.
For Sydney with MS. For my grandma and my grandparents.
Healing for Ruth; home soon we hope.
House family; Hillary with healing; my friend, Beth, her daughter Maggie.
Church and gov't leaders; Ronnie, a good work week; Carolyn, no headaches.
Blessings for my relationships with family and friends.
New job for daughter, Teresa; peace and health for friend, Gil.
Charles Burgess Family as they grieve his loss.

This Week's Funny

5th Quarter Friday

October 3

9:30-11:30 pm

FIPC South Campus

This Week's Devotional

"Four Steps To Make God's Word A Habit"

by Rick Warren

PurposeDriven.com

This Week's Devotional

"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine."

(John 8:31b NASB)

It's a really important step to commit to reading your Bible regularly for a short period, maybe a few weeks. It's a great way to get started, but you should never leave it there. Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" (John 8:31b NASB). It's the long-term commitment to learning from Jesus and his Word that makes us his disciples.

How do you continue in the Word and stay connected with Jesus through his Word for the long-term?

1. Make the decision to do it. It starts with your commitment. Don't wait for a better time to make God's Word a regular part of your life. Start your commitment today.

2. Make a declaration. Announce your intentions to others. Hold yourself accountable. If you keep your commitment to God a secret, it's easier to slip up.

3. Make a determination. Don't allow anything to knock you off your commitment. Be absolutely determined to make this a permanent habit in your life, particularly in the early months. If you start skipping days, it'll be much harder to stay committed to God's Word.

4. Double up. Get a spiritual partner to come alongside you for support and encouragement. This is someone with whom you can share what you learn in your quiet times. It could be someone in your small group, a friend, or a family member. The Bible says, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed" (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT).

Spending time with God should be a lifelong habit, not a passing fancy. Research shows you need to do something for about six weeks straight to build a habit. Make God's Word part of your life today - and for the rest of your life.

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