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Issue 9 Volume 13 - Month of June 2015
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Dear FIPC Church Family,
Sometimes we need a reminder of how simple the Christian faith really is. Jesus, who was fully God and fully human at the same time, came with a mission of love. Many people accused Him of trying to lead a revolution, or starting a new religion, but that is not why He came. Long before Jesus came to earth, an Old Testament prophet named Isaiah would make it very clear what Jesus was coming to do:
Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV) The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Let's take a closer look at what Isaiah tells us Jesus came to do:
1. To proclaim good news to the poor. This doesn't just mean poor in your checkbook. This means everyone. Who among us is not poor in spirit? We are broken people, dying in our sin. We are in desperate need of a Savior and the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus saves!
2. To bind up your broken heart. If your heart is beating, and you have lived on earth more than a few years, I am going to guess your heart has been broken. It may have been broken by loss, disappointment, grief, failure and/or sin. Jesus came to bring healing and wholeness. In Jesus, we find the grace, mercy, forgiveness and love we need in His arms. Embrace Him.
3. To proclaim freedom for the captives. All of us have things in our life which enslave us: anxiety, depression, addiction, toxic relationships, a past full of hurt and disappointment, etc. Jesus came to give us the ultimate freedom. It is ours for the taking. All we need to do is "own it", admit it and ask. Do you need to be set free?
4. To release prisoners from darkness. What imprisons you? Fear? Anger? Pride? Hurt? The good news of the Gospel is that we do not have to live that way anymore! Christ can blow the doors off of any prison we are living in. Even prisons we have made for ourselves. Maybe it is time to walk through those doors and make an escape!
5. To comfort those who mourn. Know this... if you are mourning, God is already near! He knows all about your grief, and pain. And He is well acquainted with your sorrow. Turn to Him and allow Him to comfort you right now, right where you are, right in the midst of what you are going through.
6. To provide for those who grieve. Jesus did not and does not leave you to face the trials of this world alone! He sees you now. He wants to turn your sadness into joy, your grief into praise. That is why you have a Church Family. This Church Family cares for you no matter what you are facing. Just let us know and we will be there for you. Your Heavenly Father will take your ashes - the things in your life that are broken, dried up, burned up, and dead - and turn them into something beautiful! He can and will rebuild whatever was torn down. He can and will restore that which has been devastated. No matter what happened, or when it happened, when given to Him, He will take it and make something beautiful. All we have to do is to surrender it to Him and ask.
Jesus' mission was simple. His love for you is without end. That is why, God is good! All the time!
Jim Weldon
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Welcome Mason Louis Hersperger
FIPC members Jason and Laura Hersperger gave birth to their first child, Mason Louis, on June 2. He weighed 8 pounds and was 20.5 inches long. Mason and his parents are home adjusting to their new family life. Please join us in welcoming Mason to our FIPC church family!
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Fleming Island High School Baccalaureate
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Lunch Bunch Small Group
June 10 @ noon
Gathering Area
Meets the second Wednesday of each month. Bring a dish to share and come enjoy the fellowship. Invite someone to join you! Contact Jim Weldon 553-8493 for information.
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10th Anniversary Celebration
September 27
Save the date for this special event! We have several fundraising events planned:
- Cake/Pie Silent Auction on June 21
- BBQ Bag Lunch on July 12
- Garage Sale/Arts and Crafts Fair on August 7-8
For information on these events, contact Kathy Brooks at 477-5341 or Candy Cafcules at 303-7674.
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American Music Celebration Concert
July 1 @ 7:30 pm
Mandarin Presbyterian Church
Come see our praise team join with the choirs from St. Andrews Presbyterian and Mandarin Presbyterian Church for an evening celebrating America! Join us on Wednesday, July 1st at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary at Mandarin Presbyterian Church for an evening of Patriotic and American music by composers such as George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Glenn Miller, and Irving Berlin. Fun for the entire family and FREE!
Directions to MPC from FIPC:
- 220 East to 17 South
- 17 South to 295 South
- 295 South to San Jose Blvd South (SR 13)
- Right onto Mandarin Road
- Go about 1 mile and the main sanctuary will be on your LEFT (you will pass their old campus on the right before arriving at the new, main campus)
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Men's Monday Morning Bible Study
Currently on summer hiatus-resumes September 14!
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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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Women's Monday Evening Bible Study
Special Summer Schedule
June 22, July 13, and August 10 @ 6:30 pm
Worship Building Room 2
Will be studying "Hearts of Fire: Eight Women in the Underground Church and Their Stories of Costly Faith" by The Voice of the Martyrs. For more details about the study, visit our web site. Contact Ann Roos at 887-2265 or Kathy Brooks at 477-5341 for more information.
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Youth Summer 2014 Calendar
Pick up your copy of the Youth Summer 2015 Calendar in the Gathering Area at worship. Or, click here to view or print the calendar from our web site. Don't miss out on all of the fun activities and events that we have planned this summer!
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FIPC will offer Cub Camp again this year. Cub Camp is a summer camp for preschoolers featuring a VeggieTales theme this year. The cost is $50 per camper. Daily extended care will also be available for an additional fee.
For more details and to register online, visit Cub Camp on our web site.
We need 6 adults who love to play and lead a group of pre-school children. We also need 6 high school youth to work with the adults. Please contact Sandy May if you are interested in volunteering.
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FIPC is hosting the GAME PLAN 2015 Sports Camp in partnership with UW Sports Ministry. The cost of the camp will be $75. Campers will learn sports skills and discuss the day's Biblical theme using a sports analogy or real life story. The camp will be offering five different sports:
- Basketball | CO-ED Ages 8-12
- Soccer | CO-ED Ages 6-12
- Cheerleading | GIRLS Ages 6-12
- Flag Football | BOYS Ages 8-12
- Lacrosse | CO-ED Ages 6-12
- Team 45 | CO-ED Ages 4-5
For more details and to register online, visit Sports Camp on our web site.
We are currently looking for willing adults to help us put on this great summer camp. If you are interested in coaching (adults 18 and up), assistant coaching (youth, grades 7-12), or being an event coordinator (snacks, group prayer, or registration), please contact Carissa Hogan.
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Summer Camp Donations Needed!
Below is a list of all of the items that are needed for both our Cub Camp and Sports Camp this summer.
- 6 cartons of 30 oz Goldfish crackers
- 12 cartons of 14 oz Graham crackers
- 6 containers of 24 oz Animal crackers
- 20 boxes of Roaring Waters Capri Sun drinks
- 8 cases of bottled water
- used soccer balls
If you are interested in donating any of these items, please drop them off in the Gathering Area before worship.
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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:
- My father's surgery went well, no complications or issues. Thank you for prayers.
- Praise God for all our wonderful graduates. Our church is blessed with believing young adults.
- That the Lord has blessed my life.
- Georgiann's tests shows her cancer is not growing. She is cleared for hip replacement. Thank you God!
- Thank you for a safe and enjoyable vacation last week.
- Children's Sunday School "Old City" looks great. Awesome job Carissa!
- Beautiful song during communion, Mike!
- Thank God for jobs he has provided to daughters Sara and Teresa.
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:
- For my sister to find peace in the Lord. For my grandma, grandparents and Sydney with MS.
- I just graduated from college and have my first job interveiw. I need prayers that God leads me through the interview and if it's His will, to get this job.
- Desiree, Shannon, John, Lou, Robert, Adrianna.
- Evan, job; Carolyn and Laurie, safe travels.
- Theresa, friend of family, who is on last days, sucumbing to cancer, pray for peace, relief from pain, and for her young daughters and other family.
- Prayers for my nephew, Craig.
- Joyce S, mom; Norm S. father-in-law.
- Our friend, Pete, died this past week. Please pray for his family.
- Chris and Evan; church and gov't leaders.
- Please pray for our 16 yr old grandson, Justin, who is leaving for a mission trip to Thialand with the SC church; safe trip, learning and sharing God's love.
- Unspoken request.
- For our son, Mark, healing.
- Pray for Jeff's mom, Linda, as she struggles with the effects of chemo.
- To know God's plan for my life; employment.
- Please pray for our son and his wife as they travel to England for 3 years.
- Safe LAX lacrosse season for all.
- For the conversation of my children and Georgiann.
- Margie Mitchell's sister, Terry, is in rehab after surgery, her son Gary passed away on Friday from complications from diabetes.
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This Month's Funny
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Don't Forget Father's Day on June 21st!
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This Month's Devotional
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"Don't Let Distractions Keep You From Your Best"
by Rick Warren
PurposeDriven.com
"Get wisdom; develop good judgment."
(Proverbs 4:5a NLT)One of the most important tests we all face as we try to achieve what God has called us to do is cultural distractions. Can you relate to losing your focus because of any of these distractions?
The distraction of popularity. If you are always worried about what other people think, you will be distracted from your destiny.
The distraction of pleasure. It's OK to have fun and feel comfort, but if that's the primary focus of your life, you will never fulfill your destiny.
The distraction of profits. You can't serve both God and money. Making a profit shouldn't be the primary focus of your life.
The distraction of possessions. Judging your success by how much stuff you own will keep you concerned about keeping things and maintaining things.
If you are going to fulfill the mission God has given you, you must dare to be different from others. Stay focused on the most important thing: your relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Fleming Island Presbyterian Church
1743 County Road 220
Fleming Island, FL 32003
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