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Issue 6 Volume 13 - Month of March 2015
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Dear FIPC Church Family,
Please be sure to scroll down through this monthly enewsletter to see all of the events and special services we have planned during the season of Lent and throughout the Spring. We have things offered for our entire church family: children, youth, and adults alike.
I thought you might enjoy this article about Satan written by Thom Rainer.
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If I were Satan... I would focus my attack on churches. I would get members to demand their own preferences. I would urge them to complain about the length of the pastor's sermons, the music and the color of the carpet. I would set member against member to fight over the right worship style. And I would make the business meeting the time where the most carnal members spoke and fight and destroyed.
If I were Satan... I would encourage church members to avoid high levels of commitment. I would remind them that they are there to get their needs met. I would whisper to them that they shouldn't be involved in ministry, because that's why they pay the pastor and staff. And I would urge them to fight one another over tertiary and minor doctrinal issues. I would encourage Christians to identify themselves by their tertiary doctrinal stand and to exclude anyone else who does not match their precise standards.
If I were Satan... I would let the Elders know that it's okay to minimize and avoid the truths of God's Word. I would encourage them to ignore the Bible and deal with more relevant issues. I would make certain that small groups barely dealt with Scripture, but instead spent most of their time talking about gossip, sports, and politics. I would suggest that members do not need to spend time in the Bible on their own; a thirty minute sermon each week is sufficient time.
If I were Satan... I would make certain church members understood that evangelism is not relevant in today's society. I would tempt leaders to stay away from urging members to be engaged in gospel sharing lest they offend someone. I would dissuade everyone in the church to think about hell. It's really better to keep it at as an abstract concept rather contemplating the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ. And I would tell church leaders to send their called pastors and missionaries to seminaries where evangelism is an afterthought.
If I were Satan...I would whisper to Christians in the church not to think about abortion. It is politically incorrect and unpopular to broach the subject. I would tell them not to focus on the reality that over one million babies are killed each year in the United States alone. I would make sure they didn't know that, in the time of a one-hour worship service in church, more than 130 babies were killed in the United States. I would let them know that its okay not to dwell on the greatest slaughter of humanity in the history of our nation.
If I were Satan...I would keep church members so busy that they wouldn't have time to pray. I would make certain that the leaders are discouraged from ever mentioning prayer as a priority in their congregations. I would assure the members that a brief time of prayer during a brief worship service is sufficient for the totality of their prayer lives. I would indeed do all I could to keep people from prayer, because it's such a threat to me and my power.
If I were Satan... And if I could do all these things, I am sure I would see churches across America void of power. I would see most churches in spiritual decline. I would see Christian fighting Christian. I would see apathy, discouragement, dropout, and disillusionment. And I would look over the landscape of American churches, and I would see all of my victories. Then I would roar with pleasure at the new church order I see, and I would declare: "It is good." "Indeed, it is very good."
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God is good all the time! All the time God is good!
Jim Weldon
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Baby Boutique Service Project Results
Baby Bottles Filled w/Change: 22
Diapers: 460
Formula Containers: 7
Bottle Sets w/Formula: 2
Baby Bottles: 24
Baby Food Jars: 30
Cereal Boxes: 2
Thanks to all those who donated to this very worthy service project. A special thanks to the Monday Evening Women's Bible Study for sponsoring the Baby Boutique again this year. We are so blessed to have small groups and Bible study groups that are active and involved with service and mission projects!
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Daylight Savings Time Begins
Sunday, March 8 @ 2:00 am
Don't forget to turn your clocks forward 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night (March 7) so you won't miss church on Sunday!
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Walk of Faith
Next Order Deadline
March 8
We will be sending in our next brick order for our Walk of Faith on Monday, March 9. 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 Counter in the Gathering Area and be sure to turn it in by Sunday, March 8.
CLICK TO PRINT AN ORDER FORM!
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New Lunch Bunch Small Group
Wednesday, March 11 @ Noon
Gathering Area
Led by Pastor Jim
Bring a dish to share and come enjoy the fellowship. Contact person: Pastor Jim Weldon, C: 904-553-8493. NOTE: date changed to second Wednesday of each month.
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Easter Lilies For Sale Through March 29
Order Easter lilies to help decorate the sanctuary for Easter services.
The lilies are $15 each and can be ordered in honor of, in memory of, or blessings for someone. Pick up an order envelope on the Information Counter in the Gathering Area. |
Maundy Thursday Service
April 2 @ 7:00 pm
FIPC Sanctuary
Join us for a moving worship service in remembrance of the Lord's Supper that occurred on the night that Jesus was betrayed. This service will include readings that depict the events of that night, a message, and the observance of Communion.
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Good Friday Service
April 3 @ 7:00 pm
FIPC Sanctuary
Continue your worship and observance through Holy Week by attending our Good Friday service. This service will take us through the stations of the Cross that led Jesus to Calvary where He lifted His head and cried, "It is finished." The service is somber and will include readings of those events and a message.
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Easter Sunday Worship Services
We would love to have you attend one or both of our Easter Services. Invite your friends and family and come celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!
Sunrise Service
- 7:00 am at Eagle Harbor Golf Club
- Message given by Dr. Jim Weldon, Jr.
- Music led by our special Sunrise Music Team
- Please bring a lawn chair (we will have some chairs available if you forget)
10:00 am Contemporary Service at FIPC
- Full service with our full Praise Team and Easter Band Ensemble
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6th Annual Rev It Up Car Show
Saturday, April 18
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fleming Island Presbyterian Church
Don't miss out on this annual event sponsored by FIPC and the Clay County Cruzers. 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 or need more information.
CLICK FOR DETAILS AND REGISTRATION! |
3rd Annual FIPC Charity Golf Tournament
Friday, April 24 @ 11:00 am
The Golf Club at Fleming Island
We're proud to announce the 3rd Annual Fleming Island Presbyterian Church Golf Tournament. All proceeds going to FIPC's Children and Youth Ministries, such as: Sports Camp, Cub Camp, 5th Quarter, Egg Hunt, Fall Festival and more. Join us in helping the children of our community! Please contact Elder Oz May, if you have any questions or need more information.
CLICK FOR DETAILS, BROCHURE, & ONLINE REGISTRATION! |
Men's Family Camping Trip
Save the Date!
April 10-12
Weldon Farm, Inverness, FL
For grandfathers, fathers, and their children. More details coming soon. To be on the planning team or for more information, contact Pastor Jim Weldon.
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Relay For Life Save the Date! April 25 Fleming Island High School
We need a volunteer to chair this awesome event, if we want to organize an FIPC team. Want to take on that challenge? Contact Director of Membership Sara Dryden. |
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 Sara Dryden, Director of Membership. 1st Base participants, please sign up ahead of time in order to receive information to be discussed at the meeting.
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Northeast Florida Great Banquet
Men's Weekend
April 16-19
Women's Weekend
April 30-May 3
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Wednesdays
6:30-8:30 pm
Jr. High & Sr. High Youth
The Shack
Games, music, small groups, and worship! Invite your friends!
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Confirmation
Youth Grades 7-12
Confirmation is an opportunity for youth (grades 7-12) to confirm publically their faith in Jesus Christ, to confirm their desire to have a long and sustaining personal relationship with Him, and to join Fleming Island Presbyterian Church. The schedule is outlined below:
Confirmation Class Schedule Jr. High: (Sunday evenings 5:00 - 6:30 pm @ The Shack) - March: 22 and 29
- April: 12 and 19
- May: 3
Sr. High: (Wednesday evenings 5:00 - 6:00 pm @ Panera's) - March: 25
- April: 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29
- May: 6
Confirmation Retreat: (Jr. and Sr. High) - May 15 - 16 (typically we leave FIPC on Friday around 4:30 pm)
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6th-8th Grade Beach Retreat April 24-26 El Caribe Resort, Daytona Beach - Hosted by sister church, Mandarin Presbyterian.
- 200+ youth worshiping Christ by the beach.
- Fun with friends, messy games & spiritual growth.
- Total cost for hotel, travel, and food is only $150 due March 11.
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Easter Egg Hunt
March 29 @ 2:00 pm
FIPC Front Lawn
Join us for this FREE community egg hunt, as well as games, crafts, balloons, treats, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Fun for babies and children ages toddler through 6th grade.
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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.
- March 18: McDonald's and Bowling! ROCK pick-up extended to 7:30 pm this night only.
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Children's Ministries Summer Events
Cub Camp
June 15 -19
Ages 3-5
Sports Camp
July 20-24
Ages 4-12
Save the dates--watch for details coming soon!
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QA Record of Our Faithfulness | |
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ChristLife - Senior High Youth
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Fuel - Jr. High Youth Group | |
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Christian Counseling Center
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Thanks and Prayer Requests
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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:
- Safe trip to visit my sis and husband; mom's health good, no heart problems after stress tests; Don's job may go from 2nd shift to day.
- Teresa got a new job.
- Carolyn's beautiful voice singing Amazing Grace.
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.
- Sydney Ward.
- Betty Gedrottis.
Prayers from the Welcome Cards:
- Pray for Jeff's mom, Linda, who began chemo treatments this week for lymphoma.
- Timing on and leading of correct (His will) car for Don. Good times with my family 3/5-3/17, mom, brother, niece and nephew.
- Shannon, Lorraine, Desiree, John, Robin.
- Safe travels for Dale.
- Sydney Ward, prayers and healing with her MS.
- Prayers for those who feel sad, lonely and depressed.
- Elizabeth Ann, Barb, & Betty.
- Patricia Gray for healing.
- Patricia Gray healing; all who are suffering and sick.
- Donna, cancer; Nancy, lost of husband.
- Job for Sara.
- My grandparents and grandma; also for my friend, Sydney who has MS.
- Emma healing from fevers and cold; Alex, health issues; Suzanna, Sandy's sister; Liane & Larry to know Christ.
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This Month's Devotional
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"Do You Want To Hear From God?"
by Rick Warren
PurposeDriven.com
"I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer."
(Habakkuk 2:1 NLT)
Hearing from God starts with a desire. You have to want to hear from God!
Habakkuk 2:1 says, "I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer" (NLT).
Habakkuk begins with these words: "I will." In other words, he's saying that he is deciding to listen to God. It's a choice.
You're never going to hear God unless you want to hear God. It's just that simple. God speaks to those who decide in advance that they're going to do whatever God tells them to do before he even tells them. He does not play games. He wants you to desire communication with him and for you to say, "God, you tell me what to do, and I'll do it."
Once you decide you want to hear from God, you have to withdraw to a quiet place. Habakkuk 2:1 says, "I will climb up to my watchtower," which is a Hebrew expression that means to get alone.
You cannot hear God's voice if you're surrounded by noise. That's why you've got to find a quiet place. Would you agree that it's tough to find a quiet place in today's world? How about in your own house? Parents of preschoolers know what I'm talking about.
Let me give you parents a little encouragement. Susanna Wesley had 18 children, and two of her sons changed history. John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist church, and Charles Wesley wrote hundreds of Christian hymns. Both of them attributed their love for God to their mom's passionate dedication to the Lord. She prayed every day. How do you find time to withdraw and pray every day when you have 18 kids? Sometime in the afternoon, she would sit down in her rocking chair and pull her long apron up over her head. All the kids knew that if they disturbed mom when the apron was over her head, they were in for it!
Jesus gives us some very specific advice in Matthew 6:6: "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace" (MSG).
There are two words that will motivate your decision to withdraw and get away with the Lord: God cares. God cares about what you're going through. If you don't realize that he cares, why would you want to spend any time with him? Once you realize how much he cares, how much grace he has to give to you, then you'll make the decision to withdraw and be with him.
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Fleming Island Presbyterian Church
1743 County Road 220
Fleming Island, FL 32003
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