FIPC Newsletter

Issue 12 Volume 13  - Month of September 2015

From Dr. Jim Weldon, Jr.

Dear FIPC Church Family,

If you stop and think about it... Jesus really had some wild and crazy ideas! He was a radical that pushed the limits. He wasn't satisfied with the status quo. He was boldly engaging. He took simple conversations to a deep and often threatening level as He poked, prodded, and revealed the truth.

Author and Pastor Scott Wilson, writes this...

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"Love your enemies" is one of the most difficult commands that Christ gives His followers. It is much easier to overlook that verse because of how tough it is. Sometimes it would be nice if we could just avert our eyes from certain verses in Scripture, wouldn't it? But this one sticks out like a sore thumb.

Don't just tolerate your enemies. Don't just pretend to like them. Love them. "But, I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
So how do we do this?

First, we have to understand what God has done for us. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Even when we were enemies of God, He gave His son Jesus to die for us. This was the greatest demonstration of love ever shown to humanity. He didn't love us with expectation, or wait until we chose a relationship with Him. He loved us first. His love is what turns enemies into friends.

Once we have a transformative understanding of God's love for us, we can begin to grasp the importance of loving our enemies. But first, let's identify our "enemies".

Your enemy isn't just someone who annoys you or cuts you off in traffic. The definition of enemy is "someone who hates another". An enemy is someone who hates you, and wishes you harm.

In your personal context, this could mean many things. It could be someone who has hurt you in the past, someone who has gossiped about you, or someone who has purposefully done something to make your life difficult.

It can be hard enough to love people in our lives who are kind to us. So even when we know that God has first loved us, how do we begin to love those who hate us?

1) See them through God's eyes. When someone has hurt you, or openly hates you, it is easy to have the knee-jerk reaction of hating them back. Getting revenge is part of our sin nature. But when we look at the person through God's eyes, we can see them in the light of grace.

2) Identify their hurt. Hurt people hurt people, as the saying goes. So what is at the root of their hatred? How have they been wounded in the past, and how is that informing their behavior today?

3) Choose forgiveness. This is where you pivot from hatred to love. Choosing love and choosing forgiveness always go hand in hand. Forgiveness isn't a feeling, and it isn't something we simply hope will become real to us. It is an active choice that we make, with the grace of God as our support.

4) Act on it. It is one thing to forgive, and one thing to say that you love someone. But oftentimes we need to act our way into a feeling. When you love your enemies, you don't just say it - you show it. What can you do that would show someone radical love today?

Jesus loved us, and died for us, while we were still sinners. He prayed for God to forgive those who mocked Him as He hung on the cross. It is this extraordinary love that we are called to. Today, I hope you will take one step in embracing this challenging command, and lean in to loving your enemies.

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See what I mean? Love your enemies? Pray for those who persecute you? Crazy! Radical! Impossible! Totally counter cultural!

Thanks be to God that it is not just up to us. Your Heavenly Father knows that you are totally, undeniably incapable of loving those who have hurt you, hurt your child, your family, etc. AND, your Heavenly Father will love your enemies through you, by the power of the Holy Spirit as you humbly ask Him, and submit to Him.

Our Heavenly Father has BIG plans for you! He wants to do amazing things in your life! He doesn't want you to live alone. He will be with you all the way. And He has already provided you a Church Family to come along side you.

That is why...
God is good! All the time!

Grace and Peace,
 Jim Weldon
Jim Weldon

Church Announcements

Lunch Bunch Small Group
Wednesday, September 9 @ noon
ROCK Room

 

Meets the second Wednesday of each month.  Bring a dish to share and come enjoy the fellowship.  Invite someone to join you!  Note the location change this month.  Contact Jim Weldon 553-8493 for information.

September 5th Quarters
September 11 & 18
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:
  • Homemade cookies or brownies
  • Dry Snack Goods (chips, pretzels, candy)
  • Hot Meal Snack Items (tailgating fare)
  • Canned Sodas (no diet; prefer Dr. Pepper & Mt. Dew)
  • Bottled Water
  • 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

Men's Monday Morning Bible Study
Resumes Monday, September 14 @ 6:00 am
ROCK Room



Will be studying the Book of Luke.  For more information contact Oz May 291-1415 or Charlie Bowling 514-9599.

Christian Growth Classes

September 20 @ 1:00
Worship Building


Christian Growth Classes


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.

Great Banquet

Great Banquet


October 22-25
Women's

November 5-8

Men's


72 hour spiritual retreat held at Mandarin Presbyterian Church.

Contact Paul Bedsole or Iris Cruice for more information or to register.



Youth Ministries

The Net Youth Group
Wednesday Nights @ 6:30 pm
The Shack

  • Jr. and Sr. High-Grades 7-12
  • Fun atmosphere
  • Bible Study, Games, and Small Groups
  • Be sure to invite a friend and join us for a great new year!

Children's Ministries

 New Sunday School Curriculum
August 30 @ 10:00 am

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Pre-K in Nursery
Grades K-2 Room 1
Grades 3-5 Room 2

Children in Grade 6 are invited
to worship in the Sanctuary

"Growing in Grace and Gratitude-Bible stories based on scripture that reveal God's Grace.  Through Bible stories, fun activities, prayer, and singing, children will learn to respond to our living God in gratitude."
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In This Issue
FIPC Calendar
Calendar

Link 

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:  13

 

Attendance:

08/02/15 = 120

08/09/15 = 114

08/16/15 = 104

08/23/15 = 118

08/30/15 = 132

 

Ministry & Building Fund Offerings:

08/02/15 = $7,237.73

08/09/15 = $6,602.00

08/16/15 = $8,144.50

08/23/15 = $5,556.00

08/30/15 = $7,721.00

 

(Weekly Need = $8,154)

 

YTD Need       = $285,390

YTD Offerings = $256,583

YTD Variance = -$28,807

 

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
sunday service
Worship Service is held every Sunday morning
10:00 AM

Attire is casual. It is an uplifting, come as you are service.
 
Small Groups

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!

Link 

ChristLife - Senior High Youth
Link  
Fuel - Jr. High Youth Group
Link
ROCK / Children
THE ROCK LOGO
Link
 Childrens Ministries
Link 
Thank You Notes
Thank You

   

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
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. 

Link
Church Staff
If you would like to contact a church staff member please go to our website.

 

Facebook

FacebookCheck out our Facebook page! It's a great way to add photos of events and stay in contact with your church.
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List


 Thanks and Prayer Requests
Paryer 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:
  • Jeff's mom's pet scan revealed that there are no longer any cancer cells present.  Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers on her behalf.
  • Recovering from illness.
  • Thank you Lord, for my job, a blessing; thank you for new jobs for daughter Sara and Teresa, great blessings.
  • 5th Quarter; War Room, excellent, must see movie for all families; schedules getting back to normal.
  • Thanks for the many prayers for our daughter Karen's recovery; also for the food brought to the house.  It was very much appreciated.
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:
  • Please say a prayer for President Jimmy Carter and family.
  • Co-worker, Quanna, diagnosed with breast cancer; Jason's mom, Dee, selling her home; co-worker, Jessie, complication with pregnancy.
  • Continued progress for our daughter Karen's recovery.
  • Safe travels; church and gov't leaders.
  • For friend, Gil, who lost his sister this week; for friend having relationship difficulties, please guide them to resolution and renewal.
  • Raymond Kurland Sr., arthritis is really bothering him, in a lot of pain.
  • Cathy S., breast cancer.
  • Safe travel and vacation this week.
  • Shannon, Desiree, John W., John L., Lou, Lorraine, Mrs. Dollar, Robert, Robin, Rachael, Mike V.
This Month's Funny

Enjoy Your Labor Day Weekend!!


This Month's Devotional
  
"How To Obey In Faith"
by Rick Warren

 

"It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before."
(Hebrews 11:7a NLT, second edition)

Faith is obedience when you don't understand it. In just the New Testament alone, there are 1,050 commands, and they're all there for your benefit. God says things like, "Love your enemies" and "Forgive the people who hurt you." That's not easy! There are a lot of commands in the Bible that seem difficult, unreasonable, unrealistic, unachievable, and even impossible. But when God says things like, "You should save sex for marriage," he's not being mean. He says it because he knows best and what will make you happy more than you do.

Every time God tells you to do something, it's a test of your faith. The question is this: Do you trust God, or do you trust your gut? Do you trust the Word, or do you trust the world?

Will you obey?

As a kid, did your parents ever ask you to do something that seemed unreasonable? When you asked them, "Why should I do this?" they would say, "Because I said so!"

Looking back at some of the things your parents told you to do "because they said so," was it the right thing? Yes. Can you see in hindsight now how they were wise? God will ask you those questions the rest of your life, not just when you're a kid. When you're 80 years old, God is going to be saying, "I want you to do this." And you're going to go, "Why? That doesn't make sense." And God will say, "Because I said so."

It is a test. Faith is believing when you don't see it, but it's also obeying when you don't understand it. If you do not learn to obey, you'll miss so many blessings in life that God has in store for you.

But, if you learn to do what God tells you to do without question, even when it seems absurd and the exact opposite of your natural tendency, then you're going to grow in faith, and you're going to get blessed.
Fleming Island Presbyterian Church
1743 County Road 220
Fleming Island, FL 32003