the pastor’s corner · 2016. 6. 5. · email at [email protected]. if you love me by douglas...

Dr. Norman M. Pritchard, Pastor

941-383-8833 941-383-0401 (fax)

Web-site: www.christchurchlbk.org E-mail: [email protected]

TO:

Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian U.S.A. 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228

This summer, we’re going to offer a series of Bible Study discussions on the book, guided by a video featuring Hamilton’s introduction of each topic. In the videos Hamilton emerges as an engaging teacher, opening up issues in a way that draws us to consider what we believe and how we relate to God and others in our lives. For each session, we hope people will read the appropriate chapter in Hamilton’s book, and work through some study questions, in advance of coming to the study. The studies will be held every second Friday beginning June 10. The full schedule is as follows:

June 10 Everything Happens for a Reason (Potluck dinner - only June 10) June 24 God Helps Those Who Help

Themselves July 8 God Won’t Give You More Than You

Can Handle July 22 God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It. August 5 Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin.

Each topic is self-contained, which has the advantage that people who cannot manage every meeting can still participate when they are available, and if someone has a burning interest in only one topic, that’s fine too, they’ll be welcome. Snowbirds up north can receive the discussion materials by email and be part of the process, too! Another series, in a slightly different format, is planned

for late summer, as an indication that we want to make

our commitment to our faith and its grounding in

scripture a year-long part of church life.

Vision Statement: “Growing in Jesus’ Name”

The Pastor’s Corner The Things We Say Dr. Norman M. Pritchard, Pastor I’m sure we’ve all been in challenging situations from time to time and, struggling for something to say, turned to a well-worn cliché, hoping to be helpful to another person. Or, the shoe being on the other foot, we ourselves have been going through a tough time and someone has offered us the cliché. You know the sort of thing: “Everything happens for a reason” or “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” People who say these things mean to be helpful and sometimes they do help, but more often than not the person receiving the cliché feels dissatisfied and the reality of their situation not properly acknowledged. It’s not that the cliché is untrue, it’s more that the cliché does not contain the whole truth and it’s the implications behind the missing bit that cause the dissatisfaction. For example, “Everything happens for a reason” is true in terms of explanation, but if we’re thinking about purpose, that’s an entirely different matter. The statement implies that God has some purpose behind what has happened. If I crash my car because I was texting, then the crash does happen for a reason; the reason being that I was texting. But if someone tries to say that the crash happened for some purpose, that leads to disturbing implications. Are we to imagine that God intended the crash? Or that God deliberately subjects his children to stressful situations for some hidden purpose? That is not what Jesus taught us to believe about God. It is true that one of the blessings of our faith is that God can use some struggle or stress in people’s lives to deepen our trust in God’s love or to develop our faith and understanding, and we thank God for that experience. But it’s difficult to believe that God sends bad things to his children just to teach a lesson. It is the inadequacy of some of the clichés that people use that led Adam Hamilton, a pastor in the United Methodist church, to write Half Truths—God Helps Those Who Help themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn’t Say. Hamilton discusses five half-truths in the book.

June & July 2016 A Monthly Newsletter - Christ Church of Longboat Key VOL XI, ISSUE VI

THE GRAPEVINE “I am the vine, you are the branches.”

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS June/July/August: Tues & Thurs 8:30 - 1:30

&

Members of Session: Charlie Gorham, Clerk

Class: 2018 Holly Braun, Caring Ministries 2017 Patty Buck, Education/Fellowship 2018 Vivian Chester, Education/Fellowship 2018 Marc Fors, Building/Grounds 2019 Jerry Fox/Missions 2017 Angela Freeman, Membership 2019 Bill Gambill/Administration/Finance 2018 Jon Grimes, Personnel 2017 Paul Groen, Building/Grounds 2017 Diana Neely, Worship/Music 2019 John Shehorn, Administration/Finance 2019 Kay Tschannen/Membership

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

06/01 Mindy Butler 06/01 Marc Fors 06/04 John Himmelspach 06/09 Paul Groen 06/16 Bill Garner 06/17 Kent Capps 06/18 Robin Bray 06/19 Jackie Dixon 06/20 Joe Palumbo 06/20 Jack Schwarz 06/21 Bruce Porter 06/22 Jim Freeman 06/22 Sally Graven 06/23 Kay Tschannen 06/25 Beverly Sutton 06/26 Katie Rauch 06/27 Phyllis Gillihan 06/27 Snookie Register 06/28 Lee Flower 06/28 Connie Hilwig 06/30 Karen Fors

JULY BIRTHDAYS

07/03 Cindy Alander 07/03 Kirt Bopp 07/03 Eleanor Cloud 07/03 Pat Howatt 07/03 Barbara Moore 07/03 Susan Stuckert 07/04 Marjorie Boulware 07/06 Eleanor McConnell 07/08 Jean Buckley 07/13 Dick Cardin 07/14 Keith Banks 07/14 Elisabeth Buck 07/14 Elizabeth Wild 07/16 Jack Bornhoeft 07/16 Heather Messenger 07/17 Katheryn Himmelspach 07/18 Carol Stanley 07/20 Van Neely 07/21 Jim Shields 07/22 Vera Dragisic 07/25 Rob Jennings 07/25 Hank Schreimann 07/25 Kathleen Semisch 07/26 Bob Eldredge 07/26 Barbara Siemer 07/26 Trish Thaler 07/28 Dorothy Johnson 07/31 Linda Swift JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

06/04 Bernice & Bob Eldredge 06/06 Joyce & Jerry Fox 06/07 Ginny & Bruce Porter 06/09 Kathleen & Don Semisch 06/10 Pat & Don Hase 06/15 Judy & Ernie Strauss 06/16 Jackie & John Dixon 06/16 Karen & Andy Sawyer 06/18 Kay & Phil Farmer 06/29 Barbara & Al Siemer 06/30 Joyce & Jim Huber

JULY ANNIVERSARIES

07/05 Karen & Rob Jennings 07/05 Joan & Norman Pritchard 07/13 Diana & Van Neely 07/16 Peggy & Alan Emerick 07/26 Marcia & Kevin Dolan

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come

before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with

thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100 NIV

For prayer requests and/or praises, please call Holly Braun at (941) 387-7415 or

email at [email protected].

IF YOU LOVE ME by Douglas Moppert (October 2005)

If you love me, you will serve me, as you have never served before.

If you love me, you will know me, as a God you can adore.

For to love me is to honor all my words forever more.

To love and cherish my son Jesus, who took away the sins you bore.

He gave you life, He gave His life. It was all that He could give.

He gave you life. He gave his life, so that you may ever live.

Worship with all your dreams, with all your heart, with all you are.

Not this world, but only His. Hang your name upon a star.

The time is short - a tick away.

Fill your heart and never stray.

Fill your heart, love me today, The Book of Lambs, the only way.

Oh, the glory you will live.

Take my love - all I can give.

Eternal life is yours to take.

Fill your heart - make no mistake.

If you love me - if you love me.

If you love all of me.

Christian radio stations:

88.1 Joy FM 89.1 FM 91.1 FM Moody Radio 91.5 Joy FM 102.5 FM 570 AM 104.3 FM Moody Radio 910 AM

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

STATED MEETING: APRIL 19, 2016

The Clerk declared a quorum was present.

The Minutes of the March 15, 2016 Stated Meeting

were approved as presented.

The next Peace River Presbytery Meeting is

Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Northminster Church.

Holly Braun and Vivian Chester have volunteered to

attend.

The following committee reports were presented:

Caring Ministry:

Holly Braun asked that anyone who knows of

someone in need to please call her.

Administration & Finance:

Bill Gambill reported that the March financial

statements are not available as the accountants have

been busy completing tax returns.

Missions:

Jerry Fox stated that half of the allocations for the

mission budget have been distributed.

A motion was approved to request a grant from the

Presbytery General Assembly 2016 budget to support

Bible Mission, USA.

Education/Programs:

Vivian Chester stated that there is a need for a

television and DVD player for the Women’s Bible

Study. This would be installed in the Meeting Room

in the 6400 office building. The monies will be

disbursed from the committee’s budget.

A motion was approved to reconfigure the Meeting

Room in the 6400 office building to create a storage

area.

JustImagine2 Campaign:

Jon Grimes reported that the committee is planning a

follow-up mailing to encourage donations to bring

the proceeds of the campaign up from the current

total of approximately $1.8 million to the target of

$2.5 million. Discussion of the campaign has

prompted the suggestion that we need to develop a

long range plan for the next ten years. Jon and the

moderator will confer and report next month.

The next Session meeting will be May 17, 2016.

TURNING POINTS

Food Stamp Program - Assist clients with applying for and tracking food stamps (any days)

Mail Room - Distribute mail to clients and sort incoming mail (Wednesdays)

New Client Intake & Photo ID - Enter new client data and create photo ID (Wednesdays/Fridays)

Laundry - Volunteers receive, wash, dry, fold and bag client clothing. A great position for couples or friends. (Tuesdays)

Room & Door Monitors - Monitor the intake flow in all areas of the Open Door (all days)

Barber/Stylist - (Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays)

They are open from 8:30 to 2:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and ask volunteers to select one full shift a week, and if not possible, they will be glad to accommodate. Of course, volunteering more than one day a week is always appreciated!!

Maureen Mack, Turning Points Volunteer ([email protected]) Cheryl Hedger, Volunteer Coordinator ([email protected]) 701 - 17th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205 (941) 747-1509

* * * * * * * * *

BIBLE MISSION, USA

Deliver copies of Bibles and Gospel of John to a participating agency, perhaps once a month.

Be a member of the Advisory Council, which meets periodically to discuss new ideas and ways to use Bible materials for others.

Help in marketing and fund-raising approaches.

Provide office assistance in Bradenton, ranging from website maintenance to internet skills to assistance with administrative duties.

At home activities:

Proofread, edit and review copies of Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Paul in newly-translated versions.

Edit and review Spanish translations of the Gospels,

Help craft grant requests.

Assist in phone calls, mailing and typing projects.

If you can assist this ministry in any of these tasks, call Faith Eckel at (941) 685-5814.

Dinearound on April 8, hosted by Bill and Elaine McClure.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

POTLUCK DINNER & SUNSET

PRAISE SERVICE

ON THE BEACH

AT THE SHORE

CONDOMINIUM

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:%28941%29%20747-1509

JUNE 2016 JULY 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

SUMMER

OFFICE

HOURS

TUESDAYS

&

THURSDAYS

8:30 - 1:30

1 2 3 4

5 10:00 am

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

6

8:00 am

C.R.

7

8 10:00 am

C.R.

9 10 6:00 pm SUMMER STUDY

& POTLUCK DINNER

F.H.

11

12 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

13

8:00 am

C.R.

14

9:00 am

C.R.

15 10:00 am

C.R.

16 1:28 pm MIND YOUR

MIND

M.R.

17 18

General

Assembly

Convenes

Portland

OR

19 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

20

8:00 am

C.R.

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22 10:00 am

C.R.

23 24 7:00 pm SUMMER STUDY

(no dinner)

25

General

Assembly

Ends

26 10:00 am

WORSHIP

Dr. Paul Eckel

preaching

27

8:00 am

C.R.

28 29 10:00 am

C.R.

30

10:00 am

M.R. =

Meeting Rm

C.R. =

Conference

Room

F.H. =

Fellowship

Hall

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2

3 10:00 am

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

4 5 6 10:00 am

C.R.

7

10:00 am

8 7:00 pm SUMMER STUDY

(no dinner)

9

10 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

11

8:00 am

C.R.

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AUG/SEPT

GRAPEVINE

DEADLINE

13 10:00 am

C.R.

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10:00 am

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WORSHIP

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

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8:00 am

C.R.

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C.R.

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10:00 am

1:28 pm MIND YOUR MIND - M.R.

22 7:00 pm SUMMER STUDY

(no dinner)

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24 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

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8:00 am

C.R.

26 27 10:00 am C.R.

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10:00 am

9:00 am AUG/SEPT GRAPEVINE MAILING

29 30

31 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

DAILY NEWS

Expand Your Horizons with a Visit to Your

Library

June and July Finds on our Highlighted Collections Bookcase

If you are facing issues related to Family, Aging, Illness or Dying, you may find our collection of texts on these complex subjects comforting. Be inspired by the words of God and learn from the experiences of others.

We have numerous Vintage Cookbooks on display that should trigger happy memories from earlier days. If it’s too hot to cook, try a few recipes from our Grilling guides. Barbecue anyone?

James Patterson has created more enduring fictional characters in his mysteries and thrillers than any other novelist writing today. He has sold over 350 million books worldwide and holds the record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers. We challenge you to read only one.

Our Modern Vocals CDs emphasize 50 years of music from the 60s to the present. Start with Sinatra and then mix in some Norah Jones, Harry Connick, Jr. or Josh Groban for a softer sound or contrast with the energy of Aretha, Bruce Springsteen and Bette Midler.

As always, an abundance of books, DVDS, puzzles and games are available for visiting families and children.

Library Hours are 9:00 to noon Sundays, 8:30 to 1:30 Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Bible Questions to Challenge You!

1. How long was David king of Judah

before he also became king of Israel?

2. When Moses asked God whom he

should say sent him, what name did God tell him to use?

3. Who was spoken to by a donkey?

4. Which man’s hair weighed about 6.5lbs. at his annual haircutting?

5. Is there a man mentioned in the Bible

with twelve fingers and twelve toes?

Answers:

1. 30 years (2 Samuel 15:4-5) 2. I am who I am (Exodos 3:13-14)

3. Balaam (Numbers 22:28-29) 4. Absalom (2 Samuel 14:25-26)

5. Yes (2 Samuel 21:20)

Learn to Fish Recovery program provides faith-based rehab for women struggling with substance abuse and related issues. It strives to breathe life and hope into women and children who have been demoralized, traumatized and marginalized.

Learn to Fish 2016 models: Raquel, Abby, Tiffani, Sara, and Willie Buchholz, make-up artist, middle

Jessi: 35. Circumstances led her to alcohol, drugs and prostitution. However, Jessi didn’t give up her faith in God. She entered the Learn to Fish Ministries program. In the past two years, she has been reunited with her family, has a successful job and maintains a faithful relationship with God.

Aqua: 30. Physical and mental issues led Aqua to a dependency on drugs. Learn to Fish Ministries intervened. Four years ago, upon graduation from the program, Aqua began working at Learn to Fish. She works with women in prison; guides them through the legal system; and supports them to gain health, faith and wisdom. “Learn to Fish saved my life and gave me a purpose and positive direction.” Aqua is now the office manager at Learn to Fish.

Sara: 36. One of the most spirited models at our 2016 Fashion Show, Sara is a wonderful success story. She graduated from the Learn to Fish program immediately after her modeling debut at Christ Church. She has returned to her son and to a stable home.

Christ Church Missions, Fashion Show, and members

support Learn to Fish programs and needs.

"Give a girl a fish, feed her for a day . . teach a girl to fish,

feed her for a lifetime!”

Worship in June: Stories about one of the great figures in the history of

Israel provide the focus of worship in June.

5 The Importance of Small Things Communion Service 1 Kings 17:8-16; Luke 7:11-17

12 Doing Business with God 1 Kings 19:3-4, 8-18; Ephesians 3:14-21

19 Family Values Devalued Father’s Day 1 King 21:1-10; 15-21a

26 Dr. Paul Eckel preaching

Worship in July: The oldest prayer book in the Bible invites us to

consider life in the presence of God.

03 The God Who Plants Trees Psalm 1

10 The God Who Still Rules Psalm 2

17 It’s My Story Psalm 3

24 Go to Sleep Psalm 4

31 Wake-Up Psalm 5

Are you receiving our email sent weekly on Thursdays (with the subject line: Christ Church Weekly Calendar for …)?

If not, it may have gone into your junk/spam box in error. Call the office if you have any questions, and Kathy will be happy to assist you.

the pastor’s corner · 2016. 6. 5. · email at [email protected]. if you love me by douglas...

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