Issue 44 Volume 12 - Week of November 2, 2014

From Dr. Jim Weldon, Jr.

Dear FIPC Church Family,

Tim Keller is one of the most influential pastors of our day. He is the lead pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and is known as one of American's leading apologist. The following article spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you...

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Long Distance Spirituality

by Tim Keller

"The more you know your own heart, the more you know how to work on it."

Years ago, on the advice of an older and wiser Christian, I began trying to pray through the Psalms once every month. Don't be too impressed-I seldom make it through all 150 of the psalms every 30 days. However, by making that the goal, I am able to eventually ponder each one at least several times a year.

One psalm especially has always caught my attention-Psalm 71. It might be titled a 'Psalm for Old Age.' In verse 5, the psalmist says, "For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth," and in verse 9, "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone." This text has been of more interest to me as I have grown older, but I usually think, "no use preaching on this psalm to a young congregation like mine." And yet, I've come to see there is a lesson here for all of us, and especially for the young.

The psalmist says that from his youth he has relentlessly worked at three things.

1. He has "always" taken refuge in God during times of distress (verse 3),
2. "always" praised God as an act personal discipline (verse 7), and
3. "always" put his hope in God for his future.

The first practice has to do with how he has processed his suffering and disappointments.

The second practice has to do with daily prayer. He recounts that he has never let anything turn him aside from these disciplines: "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; my lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-I, whom you have redeemed. (Psalm 71:20,22-23)

The third is the most foundational of all. He does rigorous self-examination regarding the fundamental trusts of his heart. He is careful to know what he actually rests in and lives for, and he continually refocuses his soul's deepest hopes on God. Over the decades, the Psalmist has simply not let up on these commitments. As a result, he is literally bursting with desire to let people know what he has found in God. "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:17-18)

In 1836, Charles Simeon retired after 54 years of ministry at the Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, UK. There he had been engaged in a ministry of expository preaching that had sent several generations of young Christian leaders out into British society. He had accomplished far more than 99.99 percent of ministers ever do. Yet a friend discovered that this elderly man was still rising at 4:00 a.m. every morning to light his own fire and to spend time reading the Bible, praying, repenting and spending time with God. His friend thought this was overkill. "Mr. Simeon," he pleaded, "Do you not think that, now that you are retired, you might take things more easily?" "What?!" replied the old Charles Simeon, "Shall I not now run with all my might when the winning-post is in sight?"

I am neither of advanced age nor a young man, but I know why Simeon could not imagine taking things "more easily." It was because the praising, the hoping and the resting becomes better and better if you are willing to give it daily attention for years and years. The one-hundredth time through the Psalms or the Proverbs will yield astonishingly sweet, comforting and convicting insights, because the more you know the Bible as a whole, the more sense its particular parts make. And the more you know your own heart, the more you know how to work on it, how to move past your discouragement, your peevishness and your self-pity. But it takes years of relentless discipline. It is similar to how it takes years of practice to enjoy the power of playing the piano beautifully, but what we are talking about goes beyond even that in complexity and depth.

When it comes to the spiritual disciplines, don't be a sprinter. Be a long-distance runner.

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Living life here on this earth as a follower of Jesus is a journey. It takes small, consistent, daily steps in the same direction. As we all are pulled this way and that, distracted by life, job, children and family - may we all run the race of life with a discipline that nourishes us deep within our very own soul.

Today, take one small step towards your loving heavenly father. Do the same tomorrow and the next day. Practice praise, practice prayer, and practice reflection while reading the Bible again and again. This is the key to meaningful spiritual growth. See what happens to your very soul.

God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!

Grace and Peace,

Jim Weldon

Church Celebrations

Mission Possible

Our Empty Nesters small group collected 1,000 pounds of food for the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs this past Saturday at Winn-Dixie. Are you a member of a small group? If so, share what mission projects your small group is involved with, so we can share them in the newsletter. If not, check out all of the small groups listed in our church bulletin and plan to get involved in one.

Church Announcements

Operation Christmas Child

Shoebox Packing Party

November 5 (Today) @ 6:30 pm

Worship Building

Join us in helping children of the world experience the joy of Christmas. Items to be placed in the shoe boxes will be collected through November 5th (today)!

We are really in need of the following items:

Toothpaste
Hair brushes
Feminine hygiene products
Crayons
Pencil sharpeners
Toys for boys and girls ages 2-4
Items for boys and girls ages 10-14

Please no war related items, food, liquids/lotions, medications/vitamins, or breakable items.

Bring your items to church and drop them in one of the collection bins, or bring them by the church office. Contact Sara Dryden or Mike Horst for more details.

Veteran's Recognition

November 9

During Worship

In honor of the upcoming Veteran's Day on Tuesday, November 11, we plan to recognize our veterans during our next worship service. We would like to encourage all veterans to wear their uniforms and/or covers (hat) this Sunday, November 9. Thank you for all of the sacrifices you have made for our freedom!

Love Offering

A Gift of Appreciation for Our Pastor and Staff

FIPC Family,

During this special season of generosity, if you would like to give thanks to our Pastor and four paid staff members, the Session invites you to contribute to a special "Love Offering". This gift will be presented to them prior to Christmas. Since our Pastor and staff have not received raises in two years and do not receive a Christmas bonus, I know these gifts will be deeply appreciated. If you would like to contribute, please place your gift in an offering envelope and mark it "Love Offering". You can put your envelope in the offering plate any Sunday until December 7th or give it to one of the Elders to be handled.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

Joe Perry, Treasurer

All Church Potluck Lunch

November 16 @ 11:15 am

Gathering Area

Join in the celebration,

fellowship, and conversation.

Everyone's coming,

so you should be there.

Bring your whole family,

plus a yummy dish to share!

We will also be collecting items for the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs. Please bring non-perishable items from the items listed below:

oatmeal spaghetti & sauce

grits Ramen noodles

rice cake mix

boxed: cookie mix

macaroni & cheese pie filling

rice sides jello

mashed potatoes jelly

stuffing peanut butter

pasta condiments

canned: sugar

tuna tea bags

beef stew soap

pasta toilet paper

vegetables

soup

Adult Christmas Dinner

December 11 @ 6:00 pm

Mark your calendars and save the date! Details to be announced soon.

Women's Ornament Exchange

December 15 @ 6:30 pm

This is an annual event for the women of our church that you won't want to miss! Invite a friend and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share and a wrapped ornament to exchange ($5-$10 limit). For more information, please contact Ann Roos at 887-2265.

Christmas Eve Family Service

December 24 @ 4:00 pm

Sanctuary

Looking for Hams, Divas, and SuperStars for our Family Christmas Eve Service! We have speaking, as well as non-speaking, roles for Children, Youth, and Adults! Practices will be for one hour on Sundays after church beginning December 9th. Don't like the spotlight? We need volunteers for set decoration, costumes, and stage hands (community service hours for youth volunteers!). Contact Carissa Hogan at 449-0703 for more information.

Blackboard writings A good example is the best sermon

Upcoming Messages

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

November 9 - Pastor Jim - Daniel Series, Part 5: Am I Crazy?

Daniel 4

November 16 - Pastor Jim - Daniel Series, Part 6: The Writing On The Wall. Daniel 5:1-31

November 23 - Pastor Jim - Daniel Series, Part 7: In The Lions' Den. Daniel 6

November 30 - Mike Horst - To Be Announced

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

Adult Ministries

Great Banquet

Mandarin Presbyterian Church

Women's

November 6-9

Men's

November 20-23

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

January 11 @ 1:00 pm

Worship Building

Congratulations to the following who completed the classes on November 2.

2nd Base:

Jason and Laura Hersperger

Fred Kurtz

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.

Youth & Children's Ministries

ROCK Wednesday Nights

5:30-7:00 pm

ROCK Room

ROCK stands for "Reaching Out for Christ's Kingdom" and is a youth group for 5th and 6th graders. Check out the fun that is planned this Fall:

November 5: Dinner TBA--Study: What is in Heaven?

November 12: Dinner TBA--Study: Who is in Heaven?

November 19: Dinner TBA--Study: Who is the God of Heaven?

November 26: Thanksgiving holiday--No ROCK.

In This Issue

Church Celebrations

Church Announcements

Adult Ministries

Youth & Children 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:

11/02/14 = 205

Ministry & Building Fund Offerings:

11/02/14 = $16,282.91

(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:

From the Almas family: We will miss our church family. We will pray for your continued success of spreading the Word of God. We will visit anytime we are back in Jacksonville.
Healing my grandson and bringing him back to full health. Blessings from God.
God's protection during recent travel.
Empty Nester's collection of food for food bank.
Thank you for praying for my sister, she is doing well and healing after her open heart surgery. Sandy May
God's love and forgiveness; God's provision: God's mercy and compassion; our church family who love us unconditionally.
Thank you Liz and David, our instrumentalists today.

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.
Betty Gedrottis

Prayers from the Welcome Cards:

Bless Rafaela's new home.
Prayers for my dear friend who just found out she has breast cancer. She will have to get 1/3 of her breast taken out.
Safe travels for kids going back to college.
Stokes family (Nancy, Kevin and Brian). Mr. Stokes passed away on Thursday.
Continued prayers for London, 3rd grader, diagnosed with genetic disease.
Wisdom, peace and protection going into legal mediation.
For my grandparents to stay healthy. For grandma Weldon. For Sydney and her struggle with MS.
Joyous and safe holiday travel and season.
Peace and unity in our church.
Elizabeth Ann; Betty, God be with her.
My girlfriend who has brain tumors.
Pray for the finances of FIPC -- His church and our church.
Pray for our safety as we will be traveling between Florida and Georgia moving our stuff. (The Almas Family)

This Week's Funny

Election Day Results!

This Week's Devotional

"Why Is Life So Hard?"

by Rick Warren

PurposeDriven.com

This Week's Devotional

"All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own."

(Isaiah 53:6 NLT)

Everything seems to be a battle. Nothing is easy. The fact is, life is difficult.

So, why is life so hard in this world?

The Bible says rebellion against God broke everything.

It all started back with the first couple, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden. When God created the world, everything was perfect. It was paradise. And Adam and Eve had no problems, suffering, sadness, temptations, or troubles.

But one day Adam and Eve decided that they wanted to do what they wanted to do. God told them, "You can do anything you want to in this paradise except one thing." And what did Adam and Eve do? The one thing God told them not to do.

Why did he even give them a choice? Because without a choice, they couldn't choose to love God. If you're forced to love God, then it's not real love.

Romans 5:12 says, "Sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it" (GNT). Before sin, there was no death in the world. There was no sadness in the world. There was no sorrow. There was no difficulty in the world. People would not die. Adam and Eve could have lived forever as long as it was a perfect environment. It was only when everything got broken that sin brought death into the world.

Adam and Eve weren't the only ones who made that choice. I've made it, you've made it, and everybody else in the world has made it. We have all said, "I don't want to do the right thing; I want to do the easy thing." We've all said, "I don't want to say the truth; I want to say what's convenient." We've all said, "I don't want to be what God wants me to be; I want to be what I want to be." We've all done this.

The Bible says in Isaiah 53:6, "All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own" (NLT).

We have all broken God's laws. We have all rebelled by sins, transgressions, and iniquities. And that's why nothing works correctly - your marriage, your health, your finances, your body, your relationships. Nothing works correctly, because sin broke everything.

When you understand why life in the world is so hard, you're no longer going to be surprised by it. You're not going to be surprised when things don't go your way. You're not going to be surprised when plans don't pan out. You're not going to be surprised when things actually go bad. And you will be able to handle the hard times of life much more easily.

So why is life so hard? Why do we suffer? Why is everything a battle? The answer is that rebellion against God broke everything.

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

All Church Potluck Lunch November 16 @ 11:15 am Gathering Area

All Church Potluck Lunch

November 16 @ 11:15 am

Gathering Area