T H E E C H O E S 0 5 . 1 7 . 1 6 E N G L E W O O D C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

MAY 17, 2016

Reflections from Ken

Thinc Diphruntly Challenge..........................1

How to Prepare to Listen to a Sermon .........2

An Important Giving Reminder ....................2

Student Minister Thoughts .........................2

ECC in the News

Celebrating Graduations! ............................3

Congratulations! .......................................3

Thank You!...............................................3

With Loving Sympathy ...............................3

Family Picnic and Vespers ..........................3

Prime Timers’ Ice Cream Social and Movie Night ..........................................3

North Florida Christian Camp News: Pack the Pantry .....................................3

Summer Registration for North Florida Christian Camp ......................................3

Summer Publication Dates for “The Echoes” .........................................3

Kid’s Zone

Paint Party—May 20 .................................4

Cereal Olympics ........................................4

Power Challengers’ Ministries .....................4

Monday Kids’ Club Year Wraps Up ..............4

Blessings from the Choirs ..........................5

The Last Word

ECC Scoreboard .......................................6

ECC Statistics ..........................................6

ECC Church Staff ......................................6

Contributions ...........................................6

Vacation Bible School–Deep Sea Discovery....6

Food Pantry Needs ...................................6

In This Issue

Our current series of Sunday School lessons for our senior high through adults and sermons for the entire church family have helped us to understand that if we truly want to be God’s people, then we must think His way. That powerful passage in Isaiah 55:6-9 lends great insights in this regard. (6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” NASB) In order to think as we should, we must discover what God’s thoughts and ways are. That, of course, is accomplished through reading and studying God’s Word, the Bible. That is why we provide multiple Bible study times and sermon presentations each week. That is why our special programs are always Bible based. As we learn what God has revealed in the Scriptures concerning what we are to believe and how we are supposed to act, we need to forsake any of our thoughts and ways that would not conform to God’s thoughts and ways. The wonderful news that we are able to read throughout the Bible is that God is willing to forgive our ways and thoughts that have not been in line with His ways and thoughts. What is especially exciting is that we may trust God’s ways to take us higher in our spiritual lives so that we do not remain on a worldly level. The more we think as God thinks, the more we will discover how good it is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) When we do that, our lives will change, and we will see more clearly what it means that humans were made in the image of God. That means that the more we think differently rather than selfishly as we are prone to do, the more we will discover what it means to experience life as God intended and life as God will provide in heaven for eternity. We invite everyone in senior high school through all ages of adults to come join us for the next four weeks as we continue to learn how to Thinc Diphruntly. When we learn to think as the Lord does, then our lives will expand in every dimension for our good. And, as we think differently and change more into the image of the Lord, we will help others to see the benefits of such a change so that they will want to think and to act the Lord’s way, too.

Thinc Diphruntly Challenge

Reflections from Ken

THE ECHOES 05.17 .16 ENGLEWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH2

Student Minister Thoughts

Several weeks ago, someone passed along an article by Thom Rainer who is the head of Lifeway, Inc. The article concerned how to prepare to listen to a sermon.

This was reminiscent of a comment heard many years ago

that anyone can get something even from a poorly prepared or poorly presented sermon. But, to do so, there are some ways the listeners may actively prepare for sermons. First, pray for the sermon. That may be done during the week or just before the preacher begins. Second, pray for the preacher who is preaching. Ask the Lord to help the preacher to understand the Biblical text or topic, and then, to deliver the sermon well. Third, pray for yourself as you prepare to hear the sermon. Pray that God will speak to you through the message, that you will not be distracted, and that you will receive God’s message to you. Fourth, read the Biblical text before the sermon is preached. Read that portion of the Bible thoroughly and prayerfully. Fifth, take notes. There will be greater focus and retention as notes are taken while the preacher is preaching. Then, review those notes at least once during the next week. Sixth, seek the application for your life. Ask God to help you understand how the sermon should change your life. Seventh, share with the preacher one significant application from the sermon that will help you live God’s way. That is what is called the takeaway from the sermon. That may be done in person, by email, or by some other way. Remember that every sermon is for every hearer. Every sermon may help us to readjust our lives to fall in line with God’s will or reinforce that we are living in God’s will, and we will grow in that lifestyle. Any way the Bible is preached, the Holy Spirit is able to penetrate every heart of every hearer of that sermon because the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit to cut away whatever would keep us from being 100% for the Lord.

Englewood Christian Church has two primary financial funds to help us achieve what God desires for this church family. The first of these funds is our General Fund. All Englewood Christian Church members are encouraged to give tithes and offerings from what the Lord allows us to have as income to the General Fund. The General Fund takes care of our facilities’ needs, our programs’ needs, and our staff’s needs. This includes the mundane needs such as electricity, water, and building upkeep to the more important literature that helps our faithful teachers to instruct us in the Scriptures. The second primary fund is our Faith Promise Missions Fund. This is how we fulfill the Great Commission to get the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ to everyone in the world. This fund is not supported by a portion of what we make at our job or through our other income such as our Social Security, our retirement funds, or our investments. Faith Promise giving is based upon a faith agreement with God that He will provide extra funds, which we by faith believe that He will do based upon our prayer encounter with Him during our Faith Promise Missions Conference. Both of these funds are vital to the ongoing effectiveness of Englewood Christian Church in reaching our neighborhood and our world for Christ. Please remember the difference between these two funds. Our tithes and offerings should go to our General Fund. Our reception of special funds provides a means by which to give to our Faith Promise Missions Fund and grow in our faith at the same time.

An Important Giving Reminder

We praise the Lord for His reassuring promises found in both the Old and New Testaments to guide and to guard His people. Those promises may be and should be applied to our Englewood Christian Church family’s situation as we wait for the Lord to reveal the best person for becoming our Student Minister. If we will not run ahead of the Lord, we will be able to be led to a strong Christian who will be willing to work with our elders and staff in developing an effective Student Ministry that will bring many middle school, high school, and college students, as well as those young adults who are college age, but not in school. Please continue to pray with the elders and staff concerning a new Student Minister coming to lead our Student Ministry. May the Lord grant us patience as we wait for the right man of God who will fit our needs and blend well with our church family. May the Lord help our sponsors to continue to teach and to encourage those who are already part of our Student Ministry.

How to Prepare to Listen to a Sermon

ENGLEWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE ECHOES 05.17 .16

Thank You! I want to express my grateful thanks for the calls, cards, and hugs at the loss of my precious mother, Lois Keasler. Your love and concern have meant the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Pat Langford

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ECC in the News

Thank You!

With Loving Sympathy

We congratulate Chris and Sarah Krzaczkowski at the birth of Ellis Gray on May 6. Ellis joins his proud big brother, Lennox. Proud grand- parents are Keith and Lisa Vincent

and T. B. and Stephanie Robertson. On the same day, May 6, Aubrielle Valorie was born to Mike and Mandy Butler. Aubrielle joins her big sister, Anastasia. Proud grandparents are Mike and Kathy Butler, Barry and Reni Saxon, and Wayne and Kimberly Pierce.

Our love and sympathy are with Doris Helton Napoli and family at the death of her husband, Vic, on May 9. May God’s presence be very real and comforting.

Congratulations!

Prime Timers’ Ice Cream Social and Movie NightFriday, June 106:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall

Celebrating Graduations! Graduations have already begun for the spring, and we congratulate those who have reached this important goal. We will be having a celebration of our graduates on Sunday night, May 22, at 5:30 p.m. Come and support those who have reached this milestone!

High School GraduatesSeth AllenCaitlin FisherAaron HammockJessica HammockRobbie JewellGavyn Torres RamosKatherine VounDallas Williams

College GraduatesChris ArnoldRebecca BullockCaleb DukeChristopher Mead

2016

Family Picnic and VespersSunday, May 29 • 4:00-7:00 p.m.at the home of Henry and Sally Pratt The entire church family is invited to the picnic! Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Please sign up in the foyer to bring a side dish, dessert, or drinks. One piece bathing suits are requested for our girls and ladies who plan to swim. Come, bring food to share, bring some friends, and enjoy an evening with the family!

North Florida ChristiaN Camp News

Summer Registration for North Florida Christian Camp Registration forms are available in the foyer for this summer’s camp season. To assist families and encourage participation of our young people, the church will pay half of the camp tuition cost for the first fifty Englewood children going to camp who register a month or more in advance. This assistance is only available for families who regularly attend the church. Visit http://nfcsc.org/Camp/ for more information.

Pack the Pantry Please bring the following items through the month of May for use at the camp this summer: Cascade dishwashing soap and white granulated sugar. Place these items in the baskets in the foyer, and thank you for your generosity!

Summer Publication Dates for “The Echoes” During the summer, the newsletter will be published on the following dates: May 31, June 14, July 12, and August 16. Then, the newsletter will again be published every two weeks. Stay informed by reading the newsletter!

THE ECHOES 05.17 .16 ENGLEWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Paint Party—May 20 On Friday, May 20, we are going to get in touch with our inner Picasso, and paint the night away. From 6:00-8:30 p.m. we’ll be meeting in the Warehouse where we’ll be painting canvases of all types. There will be small pieces that the children will get to take home, as well as a few large pieces that we will collaborate on and proudly display in Room 208. We’ll even have face painting. This event is free, but we are asking each child to bring a snack of their choosing to share. Drinks will be provided. So if you’re in K-5th grades, sign up in the foyer, or call the church office at 733-2356.

I love breakfast cereal, and I really love the Olympics! I hope you love them as well because this summer our Sunday evening kids’ classes will be having the Cereal Olympics! We’ve combined two really awesome things to give your child a fabulous experience this year. Each Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. will feature a different famous cereal. The lesson will begin with a game. Then, we’ll move into a devotion time that focuses on a particular trait of that cereal. Our first lesson is on Cheerios. It’s a cereal that most people have eaten, even babies! We’ll be talking about how the good news of Jesus is for everyone. Each week the kids will have a chance to earn points by doing different things such as attendance, bringing their Bible, reciting memory verses, playing the games, etc. The more the kids participate, the more points they can earn. At the end of the summer, we’ll have an awards ceremony where we’ll be giving out the coveted Golden Spoon Awards. So, come on out and join us! Classes begin on May 22, at 5:30 p.m. The 2-4 year old class will be meeting in Room 106, and the K-5th graders will be meeting in Room 208.

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ECC in the NewsPower

Challengers’ Ministries

Summer Camp 2016June 13-August 12K-5th grade

Register now for a great time this summer! Call the church for further information.

Monday Kids’ Club Year Wraps Up The second year of the Monday Kids’ Club at Greenfield Elementary School came to a conclusion on May 16. There were twenty-three meetings of the club, and Bible lessons from the Old and New Testaments were taught. Robin Hopkins served as the music teacher for the year. The Bible lessons were taught by Stephanie Powell and Ken Gemeinhart. Gayle Gemeinhart was the craft/games teacher. Those who faithfully served with the MKC were Jan Bloom, Sarj Bloom, Gail Fenner, Heather Hicks, Pat Langford, Kay Marshall, Debbie Mooney, Gayle Moseley, Kim Owens, Cathy Pimenta, Henry Pratt, Sally Pratt, Amy Ryals, Tawnda Schroeder, Diane Walker, and Tina Williams. Thanks goes to Mary Worth who helped with the MKC by covering office responsibilities so our church secretary could help at the school! These marvelous workers have shared God’s love with an average of 100 children each week in three classrooms. What an enormous thrill it has been to be with these children and to have the privilege of teaching them the truth of God’s love for them! The families of the Monday Kids’ Club have been invited for an End of the Year Party at the church on Saturday, May 21. May God be praised for this amazing opportunity!

Cereal Olympics

There are twenty-five days until school is out! Sign up for summer camp today!

ENGLEWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE ECHOES 05.17 .16

ECC in the NewsBlessings from the Choirs Blessings in abundance have come from the choir presentations of Vocal Explosion on May 8 and from the children’s choirs (Wee Praise, The Music Makers, and Jesus’ Musical Kids) on May 15. The enthusiasm and passion that have come from the choirs have been inspiring, encouraging, and invigorating. We thank all of the choir teachers for their faithful service to God through the music ministry. We thank all the children and youth who have participated in choir this year. We thank the parents and grandparents who so faithfully bring their children on Sunday nights for rehearsals. We pray that seeds of faith have been planted in the hearts of our young musicians which will grow into full and lifelong commitments to God.

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Dated Material(See panel to left)

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

THE ECHOES 05.17 .16 ENGLEWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

POSTAL INFORMATION“The Echoes” (USPS 118270)Published Bi-Weekly by:Englewood Christian Church4316 Barnes Road, Jacksonville, FL 32207PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT:Jacksonville, Florida 32203-9998POSTMASTER send address changes to:THE ECHOES, 4316 Barnes Road,Jacksonville, FL 32207-7099May 17, 2016 Vol. LVI, No. 22

ENGLEWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH4316 Barnes Road • Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Phone: 904-733-2356 • Fax: 733-9096 • TLC: 737-5669www.eccjax.com

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ECC Church StaffKen Gemeinhart, Senior MinisterGayle Gemeinhart, Music DirectorSerena Maerkl, Children’s Director

Meri Magee Power Challengers’ Ministries Director

Heather Hicks, SecretaryMary Worth, Bookkeeper

Lonna Hale, TLC Director

ContributionsMay 8, 2016Weekly Budget .................................................. $10,505.00Tithes and Offerings .......................................... $13,539.62Week 49 Average ............................................... $10,328.99TOTAL UNDER BUDGET($176.01) x 49 weeks ...................................... ($ 8,624.49)

Faith Promise Budget ........................................ $ 3,814.00Faith Promise Offering ...................................... $ 5,107.00Week 10 Average ............................................... $ 3,806.00TOTAL UNDER BUDGET($8.00) x 10 weeks .......................................... ($ 80.00)

May 15, 2016Weekly Budget .................................................. $10,505.00Tithes and Offerings .......................................... $ 9,851.91Week 50 Average ............................................... $10,319.45TOTAL UNDER BUDGET($185.55) x 50 weeks ...................................... ($ 9,277.50)

Faith Promise Budget ........................................ $ 3,814.00Faith Promise Offering ...................................... $ 2,350.00Week 11 Average ............................................... $ 3,674.00TOTAL UNDER BUDGET($140.00) x 11 weeks ...................................... ($ 1,540.00)

ECC Scoreboard05/08/16 05/15/16

Officers ..........................1 ...............1 Birth to 1 year ............... 8 ...............9 1-2 years .........................5 ...............4 2 years ............................1 ...............1 3 years ............................3 ...............2 4’s & 5’s .......................10 .............11 Grades 1 & 2..................6 ...............6 Grade 3 ..........................5 ...............4 Grades 4 & 5..................6 ...............8 Middle School ..............13 .............11 High School .................13 .............13 Stronghold ...................13 .............10 Converge ......................15 .............18 Homebuilders ..............15 .............16 Seekers .........................40 .............41 Philathea ......................11 .............12 Cornerstone .................15 .............11 Ambassadors ................20 .............22TOTAL .................... 200 .......... 200

ECC StatisticsSunday, May 8, 2016

SS MW EW WED ADD 200 260 124 129

Sunday, May 15, 2016 SS MW EW WED ADD 200 251 188 130

The Last Word

Hebrews 13:15-16 says this: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” These are the items currently needed in the Food Pantry. •Breakfastfoods, any kind •Spaghettinoodles (not sauce)

FOOD PANTRY

NEEDS

Vacation Bible SchoolDeep Sea DiscoveryJune 12-17 • 6:45-9:00 p.m. Classes for all ages!Begin now to pray for the Lord to bless this week of concentrated Bible teaching!