June 2014 NEWSLETTER UPCOMING EVENTS Viste Home Clean-Up June 4th (Pg 8)
AL Youth Mission Trip June 8th
Summer for His Kids June 8th (Pg 7)
First Kids Club Camp June 9-13th
Safe Child Training June 12th (Pg 7)
General Assembly June 14-21st (Pg 1)
Father’s Day June 15rd
Mini Miracles Camp June 16-20th & 23-27th
Vacation Bible School June 16-20th (Pg 7)
Montreat
June 21-29th
F ro m P a s to r Mi k e Every two years the General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church USA meets to worship, hear reports, and vote on overtures sent to it by the various presbyteries. This year the GA will meet in Detroit June 14-21. It will be live streamed and you can access it online. The commissioners to the General Assembly will be half will be teaching elders (ministers), and half ruling elders (lay people). The vast majority will be attending GA for the first and only time. Most of the action of GA will be ecclesiastical housekeeping matters dealing with Christian education, missions, evangelism, and ecumenical relations. A few actions will deal with controversial issues such as human sexuality, politics, and justice. These latter issues create most of the controversy, get the headlines, and upset people on one side or the other. There are a few principles of Presbyterian theology and polity to remember when observing a GA. First- the commissioners are free to express their own personal views because Presbyterians believe that God alone is Lord of the conscience. Seconddecisions and actions of the GA are not authoritative mandates which congregations are forced to obey. The Session of FPC has at times disagreed with certain actions taken by a GA and opted not to implement them. Third- The GA speaks for itself and does not speak for past or future assemblies. Actions taken one year can be overturned two years later. Fourth- a GA speaks to the Church but does not speak for all Presbyterians. Please pray for the commissioners to this year’s GA that they may be grounded in Scripture and led by the Holy Spirit. If the commissioners vote on overtures differently than you would don’t panic. Our Session will continue to lead our congregation wisely and do what is best to move Christ’s mission forward in Lakeland and to make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.
8:15 & 10:30 am Classic Services
Faith on Trial: Marriage can Be Messy Dr. Mike Loudon
10:30 am Vine Service
Faith on Trial: Marriage can be Messy Zac McGowen
8:15 & 10:30 am Classic Services
Faith on Trial: Should Faith be Easy? Dr. Paul Suich
10:30 am Vine Service
Faith on Trial: A Strong-Willed Man Who Met His Match Kenny Ellis
8:15 & 10:30 am Classic Services
Faith on Trial: Being a Father is a Tough Duty Kenny Ellis
10:30 am Vine Service
Faith on Trial: Being a Father is a Tough Duty Zac McGowen
8:15 & 10:30 am Classic Services
Faith on Trial: When Decisions Disappoint Dr. Mike Loudon
10:30 am Vine Service
Faith on Trial: When Decisions Disappoint Dr. Mike Loudon
8:15 & 10:30 am Classic Services
Faith on Trial: Fireants & Thorns in the Flesh Dr. Mike Loudon
10:30 am Vine Service
Faith on Trial: Fireants & Thorns in the Flesh Kenny Ellis
July
Looking Ahead to
June 29th
June 22nd
June 15th
June 8th
June 1st
Sunday Mornings at FPC
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July 7-11th July 14-18th July 14-18th July 22-25th July 28- Aug 1st July 28- Aug 1s
Mini Miracles Camp - 3 Mini Miracles Camp - 4 Fine Arts Camp Golf Camp Kids’ Club Camp - 2 Sports Camp
Dear S t af f & C o n g re g a ti o n o f F PC I, first, apologize that it has been this many weeks before I have written to thank each and every one of you for the beautiful retirement celebrations that you offered to me when I left First Presbyterian effective May 15, 2014. I have been consumed with unpacking the many boxes I brought from my church office, various Presbytery duties, and at various doctor appointments here at Moffit Cancer Center. To summarize the last efforts, tests are continuing, and I won’t know anything definitive until after an appointment on June 6. The only definitive test results we have at this time is that I have pseudomonas and mold in my lung. The pseudomonas are being treated with high-powered antibiotics and I begin the mold treatment with an infectious disease physician on June 8. I continue to be weaned from the year’s doses of prednisone. It has had its awful results with decreased vision, decreased hearing, and skin deterioration. Time will tell what, if any, effect it has on the heart and other organs. It is a grand drug with horrendous consequences! But, enough of this! We are actually quite well. I am working Monday-Wednesday at the Courthouse in Bartow and then have Thursday-Sunday at home in Tampa. I think of you so often. I am writing this on Sunday and know that as we sat in services at Hyde Park United Methodist at 11:00 this morning, I thought of the services I was missing participating in at First Presbyterian. What grand and cherished memories for both Ted and for me! We miss you all! I want to thank the staff for all their hard work in making the retirement as seamless as possible. You have no idea the forms and calls that Elena Nicholas had to make on my behalf to make sure that a timely retirement was effected. Thank you, Elena! I so appreciate both staff and elders, and members of the congregation, for coming to my honorably retired service at Presbytery
meeting. That truly was above and beyond the call of duty for so many of you to show up after having put in a time of great effort on Sunday at the grand “Last Sermon” service. What a special day that Sunday was for me, for Ted, for our families and our friends. It was a day I will always remember and cherish. How we wish we could have individually greeted each and every one of you! There was simply no way to do that physically or emotionally! A special thanks to those who participated in the services that last Sunday - Pastor Mike, Dr. Paul, Pastor David Drain, Marilyn Cummings, Tim Timmes, Kenny Ellis, Pastor Zac, Dr. Dan Gordon, Mary Grace Gordon, the choir, the bell choir, and the children! Thank you all for your special efforts and your love! Thank you all who so graciously participated in the “love offering” that we were so generously provided. Our hope was to go to Northern Italy, but time will tell whether that is possible! A special thanks to Mary and Hunt Berryman and to Lu and John Fitzwater for their special love and effort in this regard. We cherish the pictures of the church and the grand memory book. I have read your many letters over at least twice and each time with tears of joy and love! What a special part you have played in my life! You have seen me through the loss of both of my parents, my husband and my sister. You have affirmed me in my joy at remarriage to Ted. I covet your prayers and your continued love! We hope to see you at my successor’s ordination and installation and would love to see any and all of you when, and if, you are in Tampa. Please do not hesitate to call! You are daily in my prayers and always in my heart with the love of Christ and with fervent prayers that you are well in the arms of our Savior! Know that I love you and am more grateful than you can imagine for our twelve years together. In Christ’s Love, I remain your faithful servant, Pastor Celie
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The Business of Change
Growing up in the household of a United Methodist Air Force Chaplain, my family and I moved regularly. Whether it was at the prompting of the United Methodist Church or Uncle Sam, from the time I was born to the time I entered college at Florida Southern, I moved an average of once every two years. Needless to say, there was always a change in scenery around the corner of my childhood. From the small rural towns of north Alabama, to the beaches of the Atlantic Coast to the suburbs of Washington D.C., to the olive groves of southern Italy, to the arid climate of central Texas, I experienced an array of different physical environments. With every one of those landscape changes came cultural adaptations - new friends, new school systems, and new expectations. Dealing with culture shock was part of life. When I came to Florida Southern in 1998, I decided that was it; I was done moving, and I’ve been in Polk County ever since. The first ministry job I took out of college turned into an 11 year journey of faith and mission. Truthfully, I thought that was it for me. I had dreams of staying at FPC Haines City until I retired - I didn’t want to change. Thankfully, God knew better and called me here to Lakeland. Change is difficult for most of us. We like our routines. We don’t like others messing with our customs or traditions. When everything seems uncertain, we wrap those constants around us like a warm blanket staving off the cold winds of “progress.” That is understandable, and to some extent it can be healthy. As believers, where we have to be careful is trading in a life led by faith for a life led by the desire for consistency.
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God is in the business of changing people. He called Abraham to leave his father’s household, be a wanderer the rest of his life, and give birth to the nation God would bless. God called Moses out of his life as a shepherd to lead the Hebrews out of their lives of slavery. David, another shepherd, was called to be both a warrior and a king. Every one of the disciples had secular professions and were called to leave it all behind to follow Jesus. Paul, who was at one point on the educational path of a Pharisee and murderer of Christians, left that path behind to be changed into the first church planter. This congregation has not been afraid of change in its 129 year history. From a schoolhouse upstart in 1885 to a strong Reformed presence in the city of Lakeland, this congregation has built buildings, planted other churches, seen pastors come and go, launched modern worship services, found the courage to cease old programs and add ministries that our community needs. As we contemplate a period of change, both in our own congregation and in our denomination, let us remember, God always goes before us to continue the great work for which we have been called: To make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ. “…I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:6b-7 (ESV)
Fo o d D ri v e Mark your calendars and start purchasing those BOGOS! The June Food Drive is right around the corner! We support 6 Local Charities each year through the support of our FPC family and VBS, so start filling those bags! We are in need of Paper Bags this year. If possible ask to have your groceries placed in paper & donate those to the Food Drive as well.
I n Need
Book Club
A friend of the church is in need of a refridgerator and a clothes dryer. Please contact the church if you can help.
There will be no Jerry Crane Book Club meeting in June or July. Two books will be discussed in August: “East Wind, Rain” by Caroline Paul and “Home Front” by Kristin Hannah. Call Marilyn Leonard at 646-0132 if you need more information.
F in e Arts C a mp
Please sign up for the Summer Fine Arts Camp production of Tom Long and Allen Pote’s wonderful musical, Rescue in the Night: The Story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den. The camp is available to students in grades 3 – 8. All enrollees should report to audition at 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 13 in the Fine Arts area. Camp runs from 8:30 – 5:00 each day, beginning on Monday, July 14 and ending on Friday, July 18. Our performance takes place on Saturday, July 19 at 4:00 pm. For those of you who have not participated in Fine Arts Camp, we teach the children a full forty-minute musical in one week. Kids help to create lion masks, learn spoken lines, sing songs, and learn choreography with hand motions. Even with all of these activities, the kids have time for fun and some quiet times when we focus on the relationships that exist between the story we are presenting and our own personal walk with God. Dr. Gordon directs the show and invites all eligible FPC kids to become involved. Also, grandparents, this is a great time to bring your grandchildren to stay with you for a week while we “wear them out” during the day. Space is still available, and it really helps us to create our camp budget if the children are enrolled well in advance. Enroll your children in the church office to participate in Summer Fine Arts Camp. Cost of the camp is $120.00.
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“My House Shall Be Called A House of Prayer” FPC is a praying church. The weekly published Prayer List is an important way that we care for each other. It has prayer requests for people with serious illnesses and concerns. People often comment that they feel strength and hope from our prayers. One man said he didn’t really appreciate this until recently, when he faced serious surgery. Find a time and place to be still before God. It can be at home, in nature, in the chapel or sanctuary whenever they are open, or before or after church services. If the full list seems too long to handle, focus on a few people each day, or start with new additions to the list. Pray as you feel led-- for Christ’s Spirit of healing, strength, peace, comfort, wisdom, resolution of a problem, or for God’s direction. The church also has an email Prayer Chain, with confidential needs. Contact Pastor Marilyn for more information about the prayer ministry.
S unda y P ra y e r Gro u p Starting June 1st, a new group will be meeting for 30 minutes at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings in Room 112. This group will be meeting to pray for the spiritual strength of the congregation and other concerns of the church. If you would prefer to pray silently, you are still more than welcome to join.
On l i n e Gi v i n g
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We believe that giving is vitally important to the spiritual growth of believers. At FPC, we are committed to helping you grow in your faith in a variety of ways and giving is an important step in that process. We have established additional avenues for our contributors to give their tithes and offerings via FPC’s website in order to help them excel in the “gracious ministry of giving.” What are the benefits of online giving? This system is designed to stimulate consistency and regularity in giving at our church. Additionally, it will help congregants: • prioritize giving in their personal budgets • increase their faithfulness • help the church maintain a solid financial support base How does it work? For tithes and offerings, funds are transferred from your checking or savings account and deposited into the church account you designate via Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT’s). To get started, go to the FPC website at www.fpclakeland.org and click on Online Giving under the Giving bar at the top. After adding some personal information, click on “Tithe & Offering” and select the amount you would like to donate, where you would like your donation directed, and the frequency of your donation. Finally, you will be asked for payment information from your check. Once your donation has been processed, you will receive an email notification confirming the transaction.
S um m e r fo r Ki d s The His Kids Sunday School classes will combine starting on June 8th. His Kids and Kids Etc. (which takes place at 9:15 and 10:30 on Sunday mornings) will be taking a break in July. We decided to give the month of July as a time for our volunteers and teachers to rejuvenate and worship with their families. Our helpers will be geared up to resume both programs on Sunday, August 3. Children’s Ministry wishes you a safe and blessed summer! VBS is about 2 weeks away. Be sure to get your registration form in before June 10th so that you don’t have to pay the higher price. We look forward to seeing you at VBS enjoying the “Weird Animals” Where Jesus’ Love Is One-Of-A-Kind! Please contact Jo Ahearn at 686-7187 or
[email protected] if you would like to volunteer.
S af e Chil d T ra i n i n g Se mi n a r Our next Safe Child Training Seminar will be held on Thursday, June 12th from 10:45 a.m.–11:45 a.m. in Room B. If you volunteer with youth at the church or would like to be more informed, we urge you to attend. If you have already attended a Safe Child Training Seminar at FPC, then you do not have to attend another one. Please RSVP to Elena at 686-7187 ext. 236 or at
[email protected]. Safeguarding the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of children and youth is one of the most important responsibilities of any ministry organization. Our church has developed a Child and Youth Protection Policy that was approved by the Session on March 26, 2013 which requires all children/youth volunteers to submit an application, undergo a criminal background check and participate in awareness training. No allegations have been raised at FPC, but we must continue to be proactive in our preventions.
C hildr en’s M ini s try R e c o g n i z e s T e a c h e r
Children’s Ministry held a celebration party for Trudy West on May 4th in appreciation of her service in the role of Elementary Sunday School Teacher. Our children have heard and experienced many Bible lessons from Trudy. She has been instrumental in the creativity, research and selection of our curriculum for several years. We will miss Trudy as one of our teachers but she will still be active in the Sunday School area as far as setting up our teachers’ meetings, sharing creative ideas and continued bulletin board presentations. Thank you, Trudy, for all you have done in teaching our children about our Lord and Savior. May God continue to bless you and Ted.
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V olun te e r fo r V IST E
Please help us partner with VISTE for our 2nd annual Presbyterian Apartments clean-up on Wednesday, June 4th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Any participations is very appreciated The Presbyterian Apartments are located at 530 South Florida Avenue (the tall building between Lake Morton and Florida Avenue which was previously painted pink, but is now beige). We will primarily be working inside the apartments, though there may be some minor gardening on the balconies. Our tasks typically include: vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, mopping, etc. Of course a big part of this event is just talking with the seniors. If you can help, contact Kathy Abels at 863 660 1301 or
[email protected].
A not he r On e i n th e Ba g
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The Bag Ladies have completed another meaningful, productive, and fun year. With the help from the leadership class at Lakeland High School who created 97 bags, and our group which produced 262 bags, we were able to provide Heartland for Children with 359 suitcases to be distributed to foster children in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties. God, indeed, has been our provider! He has made it possible for our group to have had 3,363 bags to decorate! On April 7th Mayor Wiggins issued a Proclamation regarding the work of the Bag Ladies marking the day as the official “Bag Ladies Day” in the city of Lakeland. It came as a complete surprise and honor which our group deeply appreciated. We continued to meet throughout May and will begin again on the fourth Tuesday of September. Just come - we welcome new ladies!
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Ken Lamb Robert Pearce
Michael McConnell Ian McKinney Suzanne Parks
Jessica Ellerbe Jim Hamer Elena Nicholas Hal Roberts
Debra Garman Faith Johnson
Sarah Bowers Calista Byers Megan Elliott Caroline King
Sunday
29
22
15
8
1
Victoria Benson Brittany Hammerberg Chip Hill Sally Matthew Maggie Robinson Jason Rodda Zachariah Roth
Jessica Drake Mary Drake Ruth Markham Amanda Nicotera Emily Sheppard Kylie Spurlock Bob Williams
Maelyn Alley Eric Edwards Charlotte Johnson Betty McKown Dick Morrison Brenda Sawyer Jenny Sowell Melinda Stevens
Jacqueline Andrews Eve Royal Nathan Schoon
Claire Ducar William Harrell Patsy Herring
Monday
30
23
16
9
2
Jennie Ellis Bob Lazenby Cindy Ross
Sarah Delk Max Matthews Rowena Tebbe Griffin Trice
Lynn Burns Patrick Cummings Jennifer Gonzalez Dial Jackson Lois Latham Hallie Martin Leila Maurer Gayle Pravden Ruth Snyder Mary Ward
Chuck Bovay Hollis Hooks Ansley Houghton Marian Marshall Alexander Pillow
Tuesday
24
17
10
3
Deborah Foley Amanda Lamont Claire Maltese HL McConnell June Royal April Wilson
Carolyn Kibler Mary Mercier
Kyle Johnson Julia Lewis Daniel Sawyer Linda Trumble William Wallace
Barbara Kelly Ruth Meinke LaVerne Schmitt Elizabeth Smith
Wednesday
25
18
11
4
Thursday
Cliff Coleman Christopher Ison Michael Peeples
Liz Antaya Pat Barber Nathan Benson Sherry Burnett-Bruce Taylor Hamer Art Hayes Betty Johnson Ashley Wooten
Chuck Freed Coen Jones Chandler Melton Terri Nicotera Adam Norman Lauren Webber Otttilie Wilson
Joyce Barclay Katelyn Gilmore Linda Liljequist
June 2014
26
19
12
5
David Finger Phyllis Kopitzke Rick Scott Wayne Smith Marilyn Wiswedel
Ryan Browne Lily Campbell Jim Magnusen Savannah Sawyer
Jamie Delk Carol Jeglic Kaia Magnusen Kimberly McKinney Dottie Smith Allison Ventura
Shannon Benson Michele DiMonaco Karter Gilmore Jennifer Kammerer Al Sheppard Marianne Vorhies
Friday
27
20
13
6
Connie Bovay Ruth Evans Lance Hamic Richard Klusza
Susan Dunn Nancy Foley Caroline Masters
Christian Branning Thad Ellington Cheryl Irwin Russell Jones John Nave Wally Parker Andrew Tidwell Margaret Williams Hannah Williams
Robert Anderson Holly Bowles Jenelle Gorman Dan Steinmetz
Saturday
28
21
14
7
June
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID LAKELAND, FL PERMIT NO. 1
Vacation Bible School June 16 - 20 9 AM - Noon
Contact Jo Ahearn or Visit fpclakeland.org to Register or find more information
