Issue 11 Volume 13 - Month of August 2015

From Dr. Jim Weldon, Jr.

Dear FIPC Church Family,

Max Lucato is one of my favorite authors! He is a prolific writer that has a special way of expressing himself in simple stories. Below is a great story about our response to God's grace. Enjoy...

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Our Required Work

Suppose you gave me a gift. Let's say you presented me with a new tie. I take it out of the box and examine it. I say thank you and then reach for my wallet. "Now how much do I owe you?" I ask.

You think I am kidding. "It's a gift," you say. "You don't need to pay me."

"Oh, I understand," I respond, but then show I don't by asking, "Could I write you a check?"

You're stunned. "I don't want you to pay me. I want you to accept the gift."

"Oh, I see," I respond. "Perhaps I could do some work around your house in exchange for the tie?"

"You just don't get it, do you?" you state firmly. "I want to give this to you. It is a present. You can't buy a present."

"Oh, forgive me," I hasten. "Perhaps if I promised to purchase you a tie in return."

By this time you're insulted. In trying to buy your gift I have degraded your grace. I have robbed you of the joy of giving.

How often we rob God.

Have you ever considered what an insult it is to God when we try to pay him for his goodness? God loves a cheerful giver because he is a cheerful giver. If we, who are evil, enjoy giving gifts, how much more does he? If we, who are human, are offended when people want to turn our gift into a bribe, how much more is God?

Spend some moments slowly reading the response of Jesus to their question, "What are the things God wants us to do?" (John 6:28).

Jesus replied: "The work God wants you to do is this ..."

Can't you see the people lean closer, their minds racing?

"What is the work he wants us to do? Pray more? Give more? Study? Travel? Memorize the Torah? What is the work he wants?" Sly is this scheme of Satan. Rather than lead us away from grace, he causes us to question grace or to earn it ... and in the end we never even know it.

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Amen! That is why, God is good! All the time!

Grace and Peace,

Jim Weldon

Church Celebrations

Mercy Steps School of Dance Camp

Last week our ROCK Room was transformed into a dance studio for the Mercy Steps School of Dance Camp. Take a look:

"Mercy Steps School of Dance's mission is to train and produce classically trained dancers for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus through dance." Our ROCK Room will be transformed for this ministry every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evening starting August 24. To see more photos and learn more, check out Mercy Steps School of Dance Facebook page.

Church Announcements

Trivia Night & Silent Auction

August 14 @ 7:00 pm

Worship Building

Come support the fourth Annual 5th Quarter fundraiser. Help us meet our $5,000 fundraising goal. We need people to register! Reserve a table for 8 for $120 or $15 per person to be assigned to a table. Appetizers and soft drinks included. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams. Visit our web site for more information or to register online.

Silent Auction items have included:

Vacation Timeshares
Gift Cards to Restaurants and Retail Stores
Themed Gift Baskets (such as Movies, Cosmetics, Pets, Beach)
Direct Sales Gift Baskets (such as Pampered Chef, Mary Kay)
Jewelry / Artwork
Personal Services (such as cooking, hair care, nail care, massage)

If you are interested in donating any items for the Silent Auction, please contact Mike Horst.

Congregational Meeting

August 16 @ after worship

Sanctuary

A Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following the worship service next Sunday, August 16. The meeting is being called to review the Pastor's Terms of Call (compensation and benefits package). Please plan to attend. The meeting will be followed by an:

All Church Potluck Lunch

August 16 @ 11:?? am

Gathering Area

Lunch will immediately follow the worship service and congregational meeting. Bring your whole family and a dish to share. We will be collecting school supplies for Operation Christmas Child. YES, CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST! Operation Christmas Child will be here before we know it. With all the back-to-school supplies on sale, it is a great time to stock up for those shoe boxes.

5th Quarter Kicks Off

August 28

FIPC South Campus

Help us put on the best 5th Quarter season yet! Stop by the Golden Eagle in the Gathering Area to pick up a football tag with the specific donation items below that are needed:

Dry Snack Goods (chips, pretzels, candy)
S'more Ingredients
Canned Sodas (no diet)
Hot Meal Snack Items (tailgating fare)
Firewood
Monetary Donations

Interested in being a 5th Quarter sponsor? Go to our website for details or to donate online.

We urgently need volunteers for each night! Over 40 adult volunteers are needed for each event. Stop by the Volunteer Table in the Gathering Area to sign up or contact Volunteers Chair Brandy McCreanor.

10th Anniversary Celebration

September 27

Special Worship Service

and Catered Lunch

Save the date for this event! We want everyone to join in the celebration of this momentous occasion. We are planning a special worship service followed by a catered lunch. Please RSVP to Sara Dryden by September 14, if you plan to attend. Or, if you prefer, sign up on your yellow Welcome Card during worship and indicate how many from your family will be attending.

For information on this celebration, contact Kathy Brooks at 477-5341 or Candy Cafcules at 303-7674.

Mobile Giving Now Available

Have you missed worship services this summer due to vacation and travel? Are you wanting an easy way to financially support your church while you are away? One of the easiest and most secure methods we offer is Mobile Giving using your cell phone. The advantages:

no cash
no checkbooks
no postage
no trips to the mailbox
no online access
no app
no hardware

Easily give anytime, any amount, and anywhere! Simply follow these detailed Mobile Giving instructions.

Adult Ministries

Christian Growth Classes

August 16 @ 1:00

or

September 20 @ 1:00

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.

Youth Ministries

Rock the Universe

September 11-13, 2015

Orlando Universal Studios

Join us again this year for this phenomenal weekend of listening to Christian bands (David Crowder, Casting Crowns, Tenth Avenue North, Andy Mineo, and Kari Jobe) while having fun at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The spots are limited for this trip, so please register ASAP (first come/first serve). We will be staying at Universal's newest hotel, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which will give us early park admission on Saturday among other exciting resort privileges and amenities.

We will be departing from FIPC on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 at 4:00 pm, and we will return on Sunday, Sept. 13 around 5:30 pm (return time subject to change).

Cost: $230.00 (no Saturday Fast Pass) or $270 (with Saturday Fast Pass to Islands of Adventure)

2 nights of Rock the Universe at Universal Studios

2 days at Islands of Adventure (Saturday and Sunday)

lodging at Cabana Bay Resort (2 nights)

travel expenses

Deposit: $115.00 deposit to hold your spot due Sunday, August 16.

All deposits and payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Checks payable to Fleming Island Presbyterian Church (include RTU 2015 in memo section).

For more information about the event and lodging, please visit Universal Studios Rock the Universe or Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

Contact Mike Horst to register or for any questions you may have! Don't miss out on this awesome weekend.

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!

In This Issue

Church Celebrations

Church Announcements

Adult Ministries

Youth Ministries

Thanks and Prayer Requests

This Week's Funny

This Week's Devotional

FIPC Calendar

QA 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: 9

Attendance:

07/05/15 = 98

07/12/15 = 117

07/19/15 = 121

07/26/15 = 101

Ministry & Building Fund Offerings:

07/05/15 = $8,792.50

07/12/15 = $5,775.14

07/19/15 = $6.812.00

07/26/15 = $5,294.63

(Weekly Need = $8,154)

YTD Need = $244.620

YTD Offerings = $221,772

YTD Variance = -$22,848

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 and honor to God for all the many blessings He gives daily and His perfect timing.
Awesome message today Mike!!
God's love, protection & healing; for a loving relationship.
For my grandparents and how inspiring their lives have been. Thank you Lord for my family.
Keep up the great spreading of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's message of love and hope.
Family has been doing great.
Fantastic vacation with mom and sister.

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:

Martha Williams; my mom, test will be OK.
Right arm pain.
Going back to work this week, pray smooth transition; good turnout for Beverly's shower Saturday and that she is blessed by attendees.
Safe travel for nephew Elliott coming home from summer travels.
Safe travels for Hannah as she returns to Hong Kong.
For Barb and Dick.
Continued healing for Don's heart condition, tests on 8/3 and 8/5; healing for Georgiann, Natalie, Cathy, Barb and Paul.
For my grandma and grandparents, for Sydney with her MS, for my family.
Barb, Dick and their families.
Dick, Mary Sue, Elizabeth Ann, Mike & family.
Prayers for Raymond Jr., he has a new job. Also, he is preparing for back surgery coming up.
Safe enjoyable vacation; blessings for family.
Pray for health and calm for 3 friends facing medical issues, Debra, Steve and Gil.
Ronnie, safe travels; church & gov't leaders; Chris, job.

This Month's Funny

It's Back To School Time!

This Month's Devotional

"Why Won't I Let God Take Control?"

by Rick Warren

PurposeDriven.com

"Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires .... Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God."

(Romans 6:12-13 NLT, second edition)

Every day you are controlled by something. You may be controlled by your own ego or by the expectations of other people. You may be controlled by fear or guilt or resentment or bitterness. You may be controlled by a substance or a habit. But you are controlled by something every day.

Freedom comes when you choose what's going to control you. When you choose Jesus Christ to be in control of your life, when you are mastered by the Master, you can master everything else. If God is not number one in your life, something else is, and it'll control you to a negative degree. When Christ is in control of your life, he always moves you in the right direction.

Romans 6:12-13 says, "Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires .... Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God" (NLT, second edition).

What are the steps in this choice to let Christ have control?

Admit that you've been trying to play God.

Admit that you can't change on your own.

Humbly ask God to help you change.

Be honest with someone else about the things that need to change in your life.

Give Jesus Christ total ownership of your life.

Do you really want to change? Are you willing to do these things? You say, "I'm so tired of trying and failing." Stop trying. Instead, start trusting. God gives you the option to either depend on him or depend on yourself. The result is either freedom or frustration.

Why not give it all to Christ? What have you got to lose?

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