THIS ISSUE: Prayer 101: How Do I Talk to God?

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1 A Publication of First Christian Church of the Beaches (Disciples of Christ) ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2018 Prayer 101: How Do I Talk to God? Whether you re searching for God or a longtime believer, there s a good chance you have questions about prayer. How exactly are you supposed to pray? And why should you do it? Here are some guidelines from Billy Graham. THIS ISSUE: HOW DO I TALK TO GOD? God wants you to talk to him. ELDER S CORNER Have you seen the Reading The Bible MISSION MOMENT Thank You from Back to School with BEAM STEWARDSHIP #2 Responsibility How do I talk to God? Billy Graham: Prayer is simply talking to God--and the most important thing I can say about this is that God wants you to talk to Him! He loves us and He has promised to hear us when we pray. How can you learn to pray? First, understand why prayer is possible. Prayer is possible because Jesus Christ has removed the barrier between us and God--a barrier caused by our sins. You see, sin separates us from God, and because of that, we have no right to come before Him. But by His death on the cross, Christ paid the penalty for our sins and removed the barrier. God then gives us the privilege of coming into His presence when we commit our lives to Christ. The Bible says, Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). If you have never done so, ask Christ to come into your life today. THE WAVERIDER Please see the Waverider section for Youth and Children s events Then understand that God now welcomes you into His presence and promises to hear you--and He cannot lie. The Bible says, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). Trust His promises and learn to bring every concern to Him in prayer.

2 Elder s Corner by Ruth Stiehl I began meeting with a group of Christian women each week. All of whom were involved in some serious Christian-related study. This made me stop and think--am I learning more about The Bible, am I learning more about ways in which I can grow in God's love, am I learning how to pass Christ's message to those around me? Am I taking the time to learn how to grow as a Christian? I must confess--i was not as diligent as I believed I should be. James tells us that "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created" (James 1:18). Pretty clear that we are to be examples of what God created us to be--proof of his love and caring. But, how are we to understand "the Truth" so we can be "a kind of first-fruits of all he created" if we don't spend some time learning what that means? For me, it was easy since I love to read. I started adding Christian books to my reading list--oh, yes, and then actually reading them. A study guide on James (my personal favorite book in The Bible), books about the disciples, a collection of stories about women in The Bible, a history of the Gospels, and several more. The choices were and are endless. The easiest addition was a booklet with daily devotions. The church makes it available to everyone who walks through the hallway between the Chancel and the reception hall. It's entitled, The Upper Room. With my Bible in hand, I read it every night. I know many use this as a guide for morning devotions as well. It is a great way to start or end the day. Fortunately, we at FCCB are blessed to have a wonderful library full of interesting books and other options loaded with God's wisdom and His love. We even have people that will show you the wide selection you can check-out and enjoy. The really great thing is that no matter what your interest, you can find it in the material we have available to you in our library--and it's free. If you don't like to read (yes, I know there are those of you out there), ever hear of the internet, CDs, DVDs, even YouTube? Lots of interesting things there as well. Easily accessible on your home computer, tablet, or smart phone. And they are free, too. But, the place I've found that is BEST of all--the book that Nathan asks if we have with us on Sunday mornings- -The Bible. It has everything. History, poetry, adventure, comedy, tragedy, prophecy and promise along with songs, great advice, wise sayings, direction for a fulfilling life and the way to spend eternity with God. Not bad for one book! Oh, and, if you need one, feel free to take one from one of the pews. I guarantee, you won't be sorry. And...it might just change your life! Surfside Singles (a new meeting group) will meet on Wed. nights after dinner at 6:30 pm upstairs in room #205. This group is composed of singles in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Please join Pastor Robin for Bible Study and Fellowship. If you are single and 60+ see the meeting schedule for The Senior Adult Ministry, aka S.A.M.

3 Library Tides Linda White & Assistant Geno Valet Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world. Voltaire Here are some of the titles new to your library shelves: GOD IS MY CEO by L. Julian, copr (Christian Living shelf): explores the ten most common issues facing business people today and applies God's principles to these dilemmas. You will learn that leading by faith isn't just about feeling good--it's about building employee morale, increasing productivity, and fostering customer loyalty. UNMASKING THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT by J. Jackson, copr (Leadership shelf): With keen insight, John Paul Jackson peers through the enemy's smoke screen and exposes one of the most deceptive snares used to destroy the Church. Biblically anchored, this fascinating book is seasoned with years of personal observation, divine revelation, and thoughtful reflection. BLOOD MOONS RISING by M. Hitchcock, copr (Revelation shelf): Has the final countdown to the end days begun? Are the heavens telling us we are nearing the end? Astronomers have noticed it is coming. Historians have noted its significance. In 2014 and 2015, there will be a phenomenon in the skies of four blood moons falling during Jewish feasts. This has only happened three times in recorded history: , and Each time these dates have had extraordinary significance for the Israelites. From the discovery of the New World to the creation of modern-day Israel, these years of the four blood moons have truly been turning points in history. Bible prophecy describes the moon being darkened and turned to blood. What is the significance of these signs in the skies? What will the future bring? Prophecy expert, Mark Hitchcock guides you through the relevant Bible passages so you can understand the times in which you live. 100 WAYS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE BY J. MEYER, copr (Christian Living shelf): It seems hard to live the simple life you crave as you try to balance work, family, friends, and other demands. But things will change when you learn to exercise faith rather than doubt and confidence rather than people-pleasing. Senior Adult Ministry by Pat Hernandez "No news is good news. The no news is the S.A.M aka Senior Adult Ministry, have been off for July and August. Some of us have been traveling and just relaxing. The good news is we will be back together again on September 6 at 10:30 am in the large fellowship hall. The S.A.M. Group did serve the youth in July during their camp and they were very excited with the food. It was great being with them and getting to know some of these young girls and boys. Kathy, Chris and Nathan were right down there with them joining in the fun! They are and have been so dedicated in this phase of their life. We are so fortunate! Please come to our next S.A.M. meeting in September and support Paul Robbins who will be in charge of our program sharing his life in the Export Business. The Board will be in charge of hosting and giving us our devotion. As usual, please bring a casserole, salad, rolls or dessert to share. Blessings, Pat

4 Notes from Nancy By Nancy Barrett Bell Choir will start Wednesday Sept 5 at 4:00. Chancel choir will start Wed at 6:30. We re all ready to get started back doing something we love to do. RINGERS and SINGERS on Sept 5 BELL RINGERS needed: We have a Christmas piece that requires 8 to 15 bell ringers. We meet on Wed. evenings at 4:00-5:30 starting September 5. This is only a 3 month commitment and you are finished before Christmas. Being able to count and read music is a plus but not a requirement. Please give your name to Nancy Barrett or the church office. Scout News by Barre Barrett Troop 40 Boy Scouts Troop 40 scouts have not met since returning from summer camp. In July, the boy scouts went to Skymont Boy Scout Camp in Tennessee for their summer camp. There were 20 scouts and five adult leaders in the group. With the new school year beginning, the Troop will get back in their normal routine and plan to camp monthly. They will have the annual fall popcorn fundraiser starting at the end of August and will be recruiting a few more boys into the troop and will conduct elections for boy leadership positions soon. Pack 4O Cub Scouts In July, the boy scouts went to Skymont Boy Scout Camp in Tennessee for their summer camp. We had 20 scouts and five adult leaders in our group. With the new school year beginning, we will get back in our normal routine and plan to camp monthly. We have our fall popcorn fundraiser starting at the end of August and will have elections very soon. Bernie

5 Mission Moment by Barbara Lynn, Mission Team Chair For the 25th consecutive year our community of faith was a significant partner of Back to School With BEAM, an annual event organized by the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry that helps send local (communities of Mayport and the Beaches) students back to school prepared. Your donations of gently used clothing, accessories, and new underwear helped give the 721 children who came on August 4 ten articles of clothing, accessories, and new underwear. FCCB s monetary gift of $2,000 helped BEAM meet their financial goal of $25,000. These dollars were used to provide each child a new backpack, gradespecific school supplies, a voucher for a brand-new pair of shoes and three brand-new Scholastic books. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be able to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 1Corinthians 9:11 Prayer Ministry s Sweet Sleep Project Many of you signed the pillow cases decorated by our Teens and prayed for those who received them. We are now ready to take orders for more pillowcases. If you know someone who has a chronic condition or is facing a long-term recovery and would like for them to receive a pillow case that has been prayed over, please contact Rita Vernon or any member of the Prayer Ministry. We will need their name, brief description or name of their condition, and a street address for delivery if they are in the area. If they are not in the area will be need a mailing address. Pillow cases that are ready to be prayer over will be in the fellowship hall at a table that has a balloon attached. Watch for it! We encourage all to pray over and sign the pillow cases.

6 Church Women United by Connie Wendt Church Women United will begin meeting again this month. We will gather Friday, September 7th at St. Paul s Episcopal Church at 10 am. Looking forward to seeing you. If you are planning on going to Penney Farms, Friday October 5th for our Annual Area meeting, be prepared to pay for your lunch which should be about $ If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Peters or Pam Mangine. Connie Wendt, CWU representative Youth Building Update The Design Committee and the Steering Committee had a combined meeting to come up with a plan to submit to the Architect. It was determined that given the reduced space allotment and codes we must meet, to give the Architect the purpose of each floor, what we would like to see in the building and let him make the determination as to what would work best on what floor. We are exploring options if we find that the reduced space will not meet our needs. As always we covet your prayers so that we will have a Youth Space that will meet our needs both now and for whatever God has for us in the future. The Crochet Group by Connie Wendt Crafting for a Purpose will start meeting again on Wednesday, September 5 following dinner. We have been making hats and scarves for several years and now have included Prayer Shawls. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crocheter or knitter, if you are not in choir, going to bible study, or working with our youth, I would encourage you to stop in and see if you would like to work with us. The FCCB Trustees have decided effective Monday, December 25, 2017, First Christian Church of the Beaches will be a SMOKE FREE CAMPUS. This means that all smoking is prohibited on CHURCH PROPERTY. Please extinguish your cigarette, cigar or vape before you leave your vehicle. Please respect this new policy, as it is set in place to protect the lungs of our most vulnerable: kids and elderly.

7 HAPPY BIRTHDAY 1 - Amarelis Hopkins 3 - Sandy Becka 3 - Carol Dennis 3 - Leah Bennett 4 - Chris Powell 5 - Betty Chinnis 14 - Marti Miller 15 - Lyle Reimann 22 - Mike Witherspoon 22 - Eula Wood (104) 23 - Evelyn Williams 25 - Billy Williams 25 - Tasha Yost 27 - Richard Blackwell 30 - Bubba Byrd HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 26 - Mick and Leslie Hale-DuRocher Jamie Ferrier baptized August 5, 2018 Bobby Wright baptized August 5, 2018

8 Together, let us pray for the needs of our brothers and sisters. Please remember these intentions in your daily prayers. Al-Banna Family, Paul Amato & Family, Desire Anderson, Noland Arbaugh, Baby Ava, Baby Kenzie, Mary Bailey, David & Mary Ann Baker, Amanda Beal, Bud Bennett, Bloom Family, Joe Bracewell, Sara Brooks, Billy Brown, Stephanie Brown, Don Brumbly, Olive Calhoun, The Casino Family, Aldolfo & Susan Cesaritti, Jim & Joan Chandler, Maurine Choate, Tommy Clark, Jim Claytor, Mike & Phyllis Cobb, Luther & Blanche Coggin, Jim & Marilyn Cunningham, Arionna Davila, Daniel & Angela Davis, Marsha Elliott, Peyton Elliott Family, Sheila Forrest, Sallie Frost, Gen Gallie, Dawn Garnett, Mitch & Beth Genslinger, William Gibson, Grace Family, Dan Hall, Halstead Family, Greg Hardy, Harman Family, Gary Healy Family, Lisa Hibbard, Marianne Hibbard, Peggy Humphrey & Family, Jememy Israel, Justin & Katie Ivey, Jan James, Laurie Jones & Betty Jones, Rick Jones, Josh Kerschner, Karen Kimbrough, Kelly Lacambra, Steve Lake, David Lynn Family, Trina Mangano, John Marcum, Hazel McCraw, Terry McCue, Carol McSorley, Marge Medina, Miles Family, Kenyon Miller, Marti Miller, Levi Metts & Robert Metts, Jimmy Nuckles, Larry Nussmeyer, Sherry O Brien, Diane Oglebee, Gary Owen, Baby Ella Palinchak, Jim Peau s sister in Samoa, Karen Perdue, Rob Perritte, Baby Kyle Matthew Peters & his Parents Matt & Nicole, Thurman Pritchard, Amber Queen, John Rappold, RuBright Family, Robbie Sumner, Liza Salzmann, Kenny & Sandy Schaefer, Carol Schoonover, Monica Schroeder, Jamie Schvihla, Faye Selig, Marcella Shimp, Andrew Snow, Ron Soder, Barry Stevenson, Terrell Family, Kristen Traver, Betty Tucker, Twiz Twisdale, Hazel Twitty, Wendy Christine Wade, Kenny Wendt, Billy & Evelyn Williams, Billy Womble, Eula Wood, Savannah Woods, Terry Worth, Pastor Nathan Loewen & Family, Pastor Chris Hopkins & Family, Pastor James Collins, Pastor Robin Richards, Bill Underwood Family, Pastors Jose & Elizabeth Martell and daughters, Roxanna & Susanna, Iglesia Evangelica Bethel, First Coast Women s Services, School Teachers, Administrators, Superintendent Dr. Green & Students, Scott & Jenny Phillips, Persecuted Christians, Police & First Responders & their Families, Youth & Gang Violence, Military & their Families, Puerto Rico Families. If you require a visit from the Pastor, please call the Church at (904)

9 MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 2 8/9/11AM WORSHIP Services 3 Church Office Closed in Observance of Labor Day No Cub Scouts 4 8:30AM Council of Elders 7:00PM Boy Scouts 5 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:15PM Dynamic Disciples, Crochet, 6:30PM Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 6 10:30AM Senior Adult Ministry 9 8/9/11AM WORSHIP Services 7:30AM Christian Men s Fellowship Breakfast 10 6:30PM Cub Scouts 11 6:30PM Don Lynn s Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts 12 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:15PM 6:30PM Dynamic Disciples, Crochet, Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 16 8/9/11AM WORSHIP Services 5:00PM Body of Elders 17 6:30PM Cub Scouts 18 6:30PM Don Lynn s Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts 19 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:15PM Dynamic Disciples, Crochet, 6:30PM Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 23 8/9/11AM WORSHIP Services 24 6:30PM Cub Scouts 25 10:00AM Christian Women s Fellowship 7:00PM Boy Scouts 26 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:15PM Dynamic Disciples, Crochet, 6:30PM Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 30 8/9/11AM WORSHIP Services 5:00PM Body of Elders Dinner Reservations: Website: office@fc2b.org MONTH of SEPTEMBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SERVING SCHEDULE for SEPTEMBER ELDERS DEACONS 8am Bob Meador Mike & Brenda Snyder 9am 11am Ruth Stiehl, Brandy Hibbard Jim & Rita Vernon Barry & Diane Stevenson, Gary & Linda Zepp Jack & Leslie Young, Jake Young, Madison Young NURSERY VOLUNTEERS for SEPTEMBER 9AM 11AM Sept. 2 nd Dane Stevenson Chris Powell Sept. 9 th Amy Mele Tasha Yost Sept. 16 th Joy Elliott Barbara Lynn Sept. 23 rd Agnes Calugar Leslie Young Sept. 30 th MaryLu Gowen Pam Mangine KIDS CHURCH VOLUNTEERS for SEPTEMBER 9AM 11AM Sept. 2 nd Christian Giles Ashlee Loewen Sept. 9 th Christian Giles Amy McIntyre Sept. 16 th Christian Giles Carla Cain Sept. 23 rd Christian Giles Leslie Young Sept. 30 th Christian Giles Ashlee Loewen SUPPER MENU for SEPTEMBER Sept. 5 th Meatloaf with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Salad Bar & Ice Cream Sept. 12 th Jambalaya, Rolls, Cauliflower, Salad Bar, Peach Cobbler Sept. 19 th Roasted Chicken with Gravy, Yellow Rice, Rolls, Salad Bar, Chocolate Bundt Cake Sept. 26 th Shepherd s Pie, Broccoli, Rolls, Salad Bar, Apple Pie 1

10 Stewardship News by John Campbell Four Principles of Stewardship: #2 Responsibility Dr. Bill Peel is the Executive Director of The Center for Faith & Work at LeTourneau University. His essay entitled Leadership Is Stewardship can help us all build a framework to better understand the biblical idea of Stewardship. Peel suggests that there are four important principles about Biblical Stewardship that we must understand. Last month his essay focused on Ownership. This month highlights the Principle of Responsibility. In explaining responsibility, Dr. Peel writes, Although God gives us all things richly to enjoy, nothing is ours. Nothing really belongs to us. God owns everything; we re responsible for how we treat it and what we do with it. While we complain about our rights here on earth, the Bible constantly asks, What about your responsibilities? Owners have rights; stewards have responsibilities. We are called as God s stewards to manage that which belongs to God. While God has graciously entrusted us with the care, development, and enjoyment of everything he owns as his stewards, we are responsible to manage his holdings well and according to his desires and purposes. So remember only the owner (i.e. God) of something has rights. God s children (i.e. you and me) have the responsibility to be good stewards of what God provides us. HELP US CREATE A NEW TABLE COVER FOR HARVEST COMMUNION Our church is an eclectic patchwork of faithful hearts that share in the Christian spirit of fellowship. As we look toward the upcoming Harvest Communion this fall, we would like to show our connection to one another through Jesus Christ as we come to the table together. If you would like to contribute a piece of fabric to be included in the Harvest Communion table cover, this is what we are looking for: Swatch of fabric - 6 x 6 Fabric that represents you or your family New fabric or a swatch from home that has a special significance Fabric pieces will be accepted for the new table cover until October 21 st. Simply place them in the collection box in Fellowship Hall. The table cover will continue to grow as we add new fabric each year. If you miss the deadline, you can still participate next year.

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