TIDAL WAVE THIS ISSUE: Billy Graham s Prayer for the New Year

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1 TIDAL WAVE A Publication of First Christian Church of the Beaches (Disciples of Christ) ISSUE JANUARY 2016 Billy Graham s Prayer for the New Year Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future. THIS ISSUE: PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR A prayer from Billy Graham, written for The Saturday Evening Post in 2008, is just as relevant this year. ELDER S CORNER Paul Robbins discusses New Normals MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORIES Plan to have your photos taken for our new 2016 Membership Directory. Details coming soon! WHY I LOVE THE CHURCH Why do you love First Christian Church of the Beaches? CUBA TRIP UPDATE Sylvia Osewalt provides us a Trip Report from the recent Mission Trip to Cuba. THE WAVERIDER Please see the Waverider section for Youth and Children s events We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year. In the midst of life s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love. In the midst of life s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need. In the midst of life s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost. And in the midst of our daily preoccupations and pursuits, open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our hurting world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May our constant prayer be that of the ancient Psalmist: Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end (Psalm 119:33). We pray for our nation and its leaders during these difficult times, and for all those who are seeking to bring peace and justice to our dangerous and troubled world. We pray especially for Your protection on all those who serve in our armed forces, and we thank You for their commitment to defend our freedoms, even at the cost of their own lives. Be with their families also, and assure them of Your love and concern for them. Bring our divided nation together, and give us a greater vision of what You would have us to be. Your Word reminds us that Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12). As we look back over this past year we thank You for Your goodness to us far beyond what we have deserved. May we never presume on Your past goodness or forget all Your mercies to us, but may they instead lead us to repentance, and to a new commitment to make You the foundation and center of our lives this year. And so, our Father, we thank You for the promise and hope of this new year, and we look forward to it with expectancy and faith. This I ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given us hope both for this world and the world to come. Amen 2008 Reprinted from the Saturday Evening Post Society

2 Elder s Corner NEW NORMALS By Paul Robbins Excitement and Anticipation I do not know about you but my 2015 was a record year for "new normals." Julie and I sold the family business logistics company in May that we co-founded 23 years ago. Julie retired on December 24th as did two other family members. I stayed on with the company and now have a "boss". Business was as challenging as I have ever seen it. One ocean carrier left the Caribbean market in January reducing capacity by 30% and we lost a ship and 33 souls in October with the sinking of the El Faro. This presented tremendous challenges. That's a bunch of "new normals." Change has happened in our Church Family as well. We begin a new year with a new church governance, a new Senior Pastor and leadership changes. Brother Don Lynn shared these words, "I believe that the Holy Spirit has led us from a good governance structure to a better leadership process. And I trust that this process will be improved upon as we engage our tomorrows of ministry." Some of our very own have just returned from a mission trip to Cuba. A "new normal" for First Christian Church of the Beaches. It is with excitement and anticipation that I welcome in I can't wait to see what God has in mind for each and every one of us. Wishing you a Happy New Year. Blessings. Library News by Linda White We were all blessed as Pastor Chris and Kathy held us together with awesome sermons and caring visits. What a joy to follow his leadership! And now, we begin an exciting new year with Pastor Nathan and his family. January is the month of fresh starts, reflecting on the past year, and making plans for the new year. Likewise, in our church, we look forward to new challenges from God. With that in mind, I invite you to read And It Was Good - Reflections on Beginnings by Madeleine L'Engle. Located on the Christian Living shelf, the author reminds us that we are created in God's image and, "If we accept that God is within each of us, then God will give us, within us, the courage to accept the responsibility of being co-creators." Blessings on your creations this year! New Senior Pastor Installation by Rev Don R. Lynn As our community of faith gathers for our first worship experience of 2016, we will praise God as we install our Senior Pastor, the Rev Nathan Loewen, and welcome the Loewen family to First Christian Church of the Beaches. Being mindful of the decades long ministry of our church, Rev Loewen will be only our third Senior Pastor to be installed in pastoral leadership, which will make January 3rd a somewhat unique and rare event. Let s be thoughtfully present and aware of the significance of this occasion, as the Rev Dr. Juan Rodriguez, Regional Minister, leads in this powerful time of worship and ministerial installation.

3 Notes from Nancy by Nancy Barrett We look back in 2015 with gratitude to the spiritual leadership of Pastor Thom and Pastor Chris and we are looking forward to We are blessed to have Pastor Nathan and family bring in the new year. The Choir will be learning new songs and singing some of our favorites. We'll start off the year with a beautiful song, THE MAJESTY AND GLORY OF YOUR NAME, as we take part in the combined service Jan. 3 at 10:00. The following Sunday we will sing I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES followed by an upbeat favorite, GLORY, HALLELUJAH, JUBILEE. We are hoping to have a couple new choir members join us in this new year. Remember, we meet at 6:30 on Wed. evenings. Senior Adult Ministry by Pat Hernandez Another Christmas has passed and our S.A.M. group meeting in December went out with a bang! Singing, music playing, with Agnes Calugar and Nancy Barrett, and Geno Valet playing his pocket trumpet. Bob Drost drew caricatures of us really showing us what characters we really are! Our exciting trip in December was to the Jacksonville Zoo. We really enjoy our trips and being with each other. I just want to mention what a wonderful job our President, Chuck Walker and Vice President, Phyllis Scott have done this past year. Most of the fun, laughter, and exploring new places, we owe to them. Billie Perritte and Barbara Bennett have done so well they are serving for another year. Yea!!!! January 7th, 2016 will begin our New Year with our new Board Members: They are as follows: Wendy Davis, President, Madeline Grader, Vice President, Billie Perritte, Secretary, Barbara Bennett, Treasurer. Don't forget to look at our bulletin board. Agnes keeps up with displaying our pictures that we have taken at our meetings, trips, etc. We look forward in beginning our new year January 7, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in the big fellowship hall. Pat Hernandez will be our hostess and Barbara Bennett will give us our devotion. Our program will be given by: Jerry Terrell, entitled, "My Story". Come and join in the fun and see what we have planned for the coming year! We miss Sarah's fresh biscuits, but we will take store bought, so don't forget to bring a casserole, dessert or rolls to share. CWF Update by Betty Chinnis The annual Game Party and Luncheon sponsored by Christian Women s Fellowship will be held Saturday March 12, 2016 from 10:00 until 2:30. We hope you will make plans with family and friends to bring your favorite game to play. In recent years attendees have enjoyed Bunco, Yahtzee, Dominoes, various card games and board games, etc. We have a really fun day with a delicious lunch and door prizes. This is an opportunity to introduce someone to our wonderful church while enjoying great food and fellowship. The $10.00 tickets are tax deductible with 100% of the sales contributed to various local charities. Last year we raised $1,725 which was split between Dial-a-Ride and Beaches Meals on Wheels. Your support will help provide a meaningful service to our community. Men and women of all ages are encouraged to come. You won t want to miss this, so mark your calendars now!

4 Why I Love the Church by Nathan Loewen PASTOR's BLOG To be fair I grew up going to church. I am not sure it was ever mandatory by my parents, yet I can t remember a time when I did not want to go as a kid. I was the kid who loved going to church, not because I listened to the sermons, or even because I paid attention in Sunday School (because I didn t). I look back and I loved going to church because of the people. I had friends who went there. There were adults who cared about my thoughts and feelings. Being at church, int he building or out with people, felt like home. It was a place I was comfortable and belonged. Then I turned into a college kid. You know the kind. Edgy, rebellious, anti-establishment, and of course I knew everything better than everyone else. By the time I reached TCU I became disillusioned with the local congregation by watching my Dad pastor a church. For various reasons, I was turned off by it and believed I had no need for it in my life. Turns out, like most things I thought were true at age 19, I was wrong. I love the church because after years of being away, I was welcomed as if I never left. Almost instantly the feelings of family and home filled my heart again. I found new friends, and it became a place where Ashlee and I grew spiritually and relationally. That is part of this church thing, isn t it? It is a place where we find fellow sojourners on this walk of faith. Of course church can be messy. Of course church isn t perfect. Of course church is full of hypocrites. These things are true because we are human, but it does not diminish the church. In fact it does just the opposite, it gives credence to the need for the church. We are not perfect people, church wasn t designed for perfect people. The church was designed for people who have faith in Jesus Christ and are constantly learning to live into the Way. The church was designed to be a place where we can experience grace in community. The church has hypocrites because we proclaim to be Christians, yet we often fail to live it out perfectly. And that is okay. We are given grace. We come to church to find community in Christ. We come because the walk of faith was not meant to be done alone, but to do be done with others. Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder we journey. Church is about community, a community that shares grace, that teaches the ways of Jesus, and proclaims salvation for all who believe in Him through his death and resurrection. The church was designed from the very beginning to be our home. The church is the place Jesus created for us to use as our mission station. A place where we can grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. A place where we can worship and give all glory to God. A place where we can experience the Holy Spirit to be refreshed and renewed in our mission. A place where we can experience grace-filled Kingdom living. The church isn t defined by its physical structure, it is defined by the one we serve, who came to forgive us of our sins, Jesus Christ. Why do you love the church? Why do you love First Christian Church of the Beaches? Peace and Towels, Rev. Nathan Loewen

5 Cuba Trip Update by Sylvia Osewalt We learned very quickly how to say Hello in Spanish!! Pastor Chris, Carol Ann Womble, Lyle & Sharon Reimann and I were joined in Tampa by Kathleen and Jim Elias for our wonderful trip to Cuba. We were the expeditionary group for what we hope to be many more such adventures. We had five large bags of many items our congregation had donated to our friends in Varadero, including the 100 dresses Joy Casino provided for the children. Kathleen and Jim also had two large bags and a bicycle that had to be counted in their weight. Our biggest lesson in this was the cost of taking all the items they need on the plane. It is very costly to take anything over 44 pounds TOTAL per person. My only concern regarding the trip was having their Customs take the items we were providing for our friends in Varadero. We all got through Customs without a glitch! God is good!!! Unfortunately, we cannot send the items through the mail. The only way we can get them there is with us. So, I have asked Pastor Elizabeth to start providing a list of items they would like the next group to provide. We will also be asking for donations of funds to pay for the extra weight as we provide for their needs. In June 2015 the Board called on all members to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Cuba and affirm the desire to establish a covenant relationship with Pastors Elizabeth and Jose Manuel Martell and their congregation, Iglesia Evangelica Bethel in Varadero, Cuba. Upon our arrival in Havana airport, we were met by the Martells with open arms!! They had arranged for our transportation to Varadero where they had arranged for our stay at a resort on the beach!! The entire trip to Varadero was exciting as we drove through the Cuban countryside. Elizabeth was a wonderful tour guide telling us all about the country. The Martells and their two daughters took us to Havana on Saturday (about a 2 hour ride from Varadero) and provided us with information on the capital city. They were very gracious and informative. On Sunday, we went to their church, where Jim Elias provided the sermon. Lots of singing, dancing and fellowship was encountered. It was wonderful to see about 240 people at the service and only about 5 cars in the parking lot!!! By the way, it was sprinkling rain when they were arriving!! They come by bus, truck or walked to worship our God! Their dedication to His service was inspiring! Carol Ann went to church as BeBop the clown and was well received not only by the children, but by the entire congregation. She was definitely a hit!!! She dressed one of their members as a clown who performs as their clown and the two clowns were wonderful. Carol Ann also left the clown with several of her costumes!! There were about 30 children entertained by the clowns and Lyle Reimann helped by blowing up all the balloons!! The people of the church were so excited that we had come so far to be with them and to bring items they cannot get. The language was not a problem because the language all of us spoke was the language of the Love of our Savior!!! On Monday, the Martells hosted their leadership group and the seven of us for dinner. Pastor Chris was the speaker at that event and did a wonderful job. Gratefully, we had an interpreter for Sunday and Monday night! Their leadership group consisted of about 35 young people who meet twice a week with family groups consisting of from people. Their travel usually consists of walking, busing and hitchhiking, but they meet twice a week!!! They were so welcoming to our group and shared their testimony with us. The evening was a great blessing for us as well as them. We want this to be the beginning of a wonderful relationship with our friends in Varadero and their pastors Elizabeth and Jose. We want to continue this covenanted relationship with Iglesia Evangelica Bethel church and desire our entire congregation to be a part of that. We have an opportunity to be instrumental in getting the Cuban people the Good News, and hope this is the beginning of something great!!

6 Christian Education Update by Pammie Mangine Dear Lord, As a new year begins. We come to You and ask for Your blessings. We pray that you would give us joy to fill our days, peace to fill our hearts, and love to fill our lives. Thank You for the plans You have for us in this new year. We wait in anticipation to see all You will do! Thanking God for the family of FCCB and praying your new year is blessed in every way. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11. Draw close to our Lord as He draws close to you in Blessings Beaches Meals on Wheels by Debi Rogers The next Beaches Meals on Wheels dates for FCCB are January 18th-22nd. Please volunteer to deliver meals and be blessed by the experience. Welcome New Member Donna Turner Baptism Congratulations Kaelynn Michelle Sue Robertson Membership Ministry Update by Jack Young Please welcome Wes Markham as your new Membership Ministry Chair. Wes has been serving as the Co-chair this past year and so, is quite prepared to take the reins. I have enjoyed serving and will continue to work with Wes as a member of his Membership Ministry. I d like to thank all of those who stepped up to help out these past 2 ½ years with Membership activities, and especially Our Chef and her kitchen staff. Wednesday night suppers have been a great success and a terrific launching pad for Wednesday night bible study classes and other fellowship activities. If you re not participating in our Wednesday night activities, I ask you to give them a try! Also, Movie nights have become quite popular and during January we ll be screening War Room! If you didn t catch this one in theaters, you won t want to miss it at FCCB this will be a Dinner and Movie Night! By popular demand, we ll begin working on a 2016 Membership directory with photos. PLEASE arrange to have your pictures taken. We ll bring in a photographer like we did two years ago. More on this soon. If you re looking for a way to get involved at church and you want to have some fun, talk to Wes about helping out with the Membership Ministry. There s lots to do this year!

7 11 New Year s Resolutions for Christians to Make 1. Talk to the God you serve. It seems so simple, but yet people make it out to be so hard. It's something that we Christians don't do near enough. It's time to quit talking about people and talk to God about these people. "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Matthew 6:6 2. Read about the God you serve. Read the Bible. God's word is what we have to go by and what we are to live by. It is the foundation of our faith, yet many Christians never bother to open it except on Sunday, sometimes not even then. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3: Worship the God you serve. Let's go to church to worship the Lord. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10: Talk about the God you serve. Let's resolve to tell people what God has done for you. Tell them how good he is and how he sent his only son to save them. Let's resolve to tell someone about God or invite someone to church in the upcoming year. "He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15 5. Work for the God you serve. Volunteer at church, help the Membership Ministry, help the Youth Group, help with the Tidal Wave or the Website. Find ways you can use the able body God has given to you to better serve him. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 6. Use your gifts for the God you serve. Not all of us are singers, or painters, but whatever gift that God has blessed you with make a resolution to use it to support the growth of our church and the kingdom of God. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 7. Live for the God you serve. Let's do the best we can to be better at living for God than we ever have in the past. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 8. Give to the God you serve. God has given you everything and we should be sure to give Him everything that we can. Whatever is needed from us we should make a resolution to give it to Him as it is needed. When our church needs work done, give your time. When our church needs money, give your money. When a brother needs help, give what you can. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 9. Listen to the God you serve. This New Year's we need to make it a point to let God lead, guide, and direct us. Let's take the time to listen and do what God tells us to do. "He replied, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11: Dedicate your life to the God you serve. Work to re-dedicate your life to His service. "Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1 11. Thank the God you serve. After all, he has done for you make it a point to thank God for all he does/ has done/ continues to do in your life in the coming year. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

8 SCOUT NEWS by Barre Barrett Pack 40 Cub Scouts Pack 40 camped at Ft. Clinch December Webelos 1 Den camped at the Church on December 21 working on requirements. January Den Meetings on Mondays at 6:30PM January 8-10 Camp at Goldhead State Park Troop 40 Boy Scouts Boy Scout Troop 40 participated in National Wreath day December 12 by traveling to the National Cemetery and laying wreaths on graves of American service men and women. January Troop meetings on Tuesdays at 7:00PM January 8-10 January 12 Camp at Goldhead State Park Committee & Parents planning meeting at 6:30PM Cub Scouts Pack 40 and Boy Scout Troop 40 have new T shirts proudly proclaiming we're part of FCCB Cub scouts have received their Pinewood Derby car kits so they can begin making race cars for the Pinewood Derby February 27. Prayer Requests Alice Dudley, Amanda Beal, Ashley Leepart, Baby Ava, Barry Stevenson, Betty Tucker s son, Frank, Bill Rouse, Billy Womble, Bob Banks, Bud Bennett, Dan Casino, Dan Hall, David White, Deborah Zarandi, Don Jordan, George & Gen Gallie, George Huff, Hazel Twitty, Iglesia Evangelica Bethel, in Cuba, Jay & Laura Kirkley, Jeanne Long, Jeff Waldrop, Jim & Joan Chandler, Jim Cunningham, Josh Kerschner, Lana Suarez, Larre Barrett, Laurie Jones, Lee McClure, Leia Morgan, Mary Kessler, Mary Mangine, Megan Chapman, Meredith Broner, Mike Cobb, Military & their Families, Mopsy O Brien, Olive Calhoun, Pastor Elizabeth Martell, Pastor Jose Manuel Martell, Pastor Thom Gibson, Paul Stiehl, Ray Weber, Sarah Bledsoe, School Teachers & Students, Stiehl s new Great Grandbaby, Ted Spencer, Terry Worth, The Brewer Family, The family of Shirlee James, The Ginslinger Family, The Harman Family, The Loewen Family, The Miles Family, The People of Paris, The Terrell Family, Vann Barrett, Wimpy Sutton, Yvonne Byars

9 MARK YOUR CALENDAR for JANUARY 03 10:00AM Combined Service Installation of Rev Nathan Loewen 05 6:30PM Bible Study with Don Lynn 06 5:30PM Fellowship Supper 6:30PM Bible Study, Choir, Crochet, Youth 07 10:30AM S.A.M. Meeting 10 7:30AM DMF Breakfast 12 6:30PM Bible Study with Reverend Lynn 13 5:30PM Fellowship Supper 6:30PM Bible Study, Choir, Crochet, Youth 17 5:00PM Elder s Meeting 6:30PM Board Meeting 18 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED for MLK, Jr. Day 19 6:30PM Bible Study with Don Lynn 20 5:30PM Fellowship Supper 6:30PM Bible Study, Choir, Crochet, Youth 23 11:00AM HIS Family Luncheon 26 10:00AM CWF 6:30PM Bible Study with Don Lynn 27 5:30PM Fellowship Supper 6:30PM Bible Study, Choir, Crochet, Youth MONTH of JANUARY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT am 9am 11am 6 JAN SERVING SCHEDULE for JANUARY ELDERS Barre & Nancy Barrett Don & Barbara Lynn DEACONS Bill Wilson & Mary Bailey Jim & Carol Dennis Lyle & Sharon Reimann Shawn & Dee Dee Ludlam Justin Ludlam & Pat Schaaf DINNER MENU FOR JANUARY Beef Stroganoff over Egg Noodles, Broccoli Medley, Rolls, Salad Bar & Creme Cake 13 JAN Shepherd's Pie, Rolls, Salad Bar & Cheesecake 20 JAN 27 JAN Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Salad Bar & Ice Cream Bar Quiche Lorraine, Quiche Bacon Onion Cheddar, Quiche Veggie, Biscuits, Salad Bar & Strawberry Shortcake HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN LOEWEN, SENIOR PASTOR CHRIS HOPKINS, ASSOCIATE PASTOR LESLIE HALE, OFFICE MANAGER BOB BANKS, TRUSTEE GARY GRIDER, TRUSTEE BOB MEADOR, TRUSTEE SYLVIA OSEWALT, TRUSTEE GENO VALET, TRUSTEE JOHN JOLLY, TREASURER 2 January Mackenzie Hunt 3 January Chris Hopkins George Toutain 5 January George Huff 7 January Alex Hopkins 12 January Peachie Speevack Ron Rodriguez 16 January Roy Jones 18 January Betty Tucker 19 January John Jolly 25 January John Cox 28 January Gracelyn Fritz 29 January David Miller HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 04 January Dan and Joy Casino (70 th ) 09 January Chris and Kathy Hopkins (28 th ) 25 January Jack and Susie Morison (53 rd ) If you require a visit from the Pastor, please call the Church at (904)

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