THIS ISSUE: God s Love and Valentine s Day By Mark D. Roberts

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1 A Publication of First Christian Church of the Beaches (Disciples of Christ) ISSUE FEBRUARY 2017 God s Love and Valentine s Day By Mark D. Roberts "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!" (Luke 6:32). THIS ISSUE: GOD S LOVE AND VALENTINE S DAY Is there a link? ELDER S CORNER Paul Robbins quickly reflects on 2016 and then looks ahead. MID-WEEK CONNECT Our Wednesday Night Congregational Dinner and Bible Study / Activities program has restarted. Will you join us! PRESIDENT S DAY Monday -February 20 th Church offices closed MOVIE NIGHT February 10 th. Be there! PASTOR S BLOG Pastor Nathan reflects on Harvest Time! STEWARDSHIP John Campbell asks, Who Loves Ya Baby? THE WAVERIDER Please see the Waverider section for Youth and Children s events Valentine's Day is a day in popular culture set apart for celebrations of romantic love. So, it seems only appropriate to reflect on Luke 6:32, a passage that focuses on love. The origins of this holiday are somewhat obscure. Several men named "Valentine" (Valentinus) were recognized as martyred saints by the church. One of these was buried near Rome on February 14. Medieval tradition held that this particular Valentine, a priest, was conducting marriage ceremonies in a time when the Roman emperor prohibited young men from marrying. For this crime, he was arrested and killed by the Roman government. In recent times, an addition to this story claims that Valentine, before his death, sent a love note to a young girl whom he loved, signing it, "From your Valentine." Unfortunately, there is little reason to believe that any of the historical saints named Valentine actually did any of these actions that might be associated with romantic love. Apparently, the connection between St. Valentine and romance was popularized by Geoffrey Chaucer, the 14th-century English writer and poet. Later, writers on the saints embellished Chaucer's story, leaving us with the Christian saint who honored marriage and sent the first Valentine's Day card. Growing up, February 14 th was simply a day when we did special things to express affection for our friends and family members. The "big event" happened at school, when we would exchange valentines with our classmates. As soon as I got home after school, I'd dump out my pile of valentines to see if any of them included special notes from the girls in my class or those Sweetheart candies with little messages on them. (Honestly, I was happier with the candy than the notes.) At this point, you may be wondering what any of this has to do with Jesus' call to love. Our Valentine's Day traditions seem to be completely disconnected from what we read in Luke 6:32: "If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them."

2 God s Love and Valentine s Day (continued) Yet, in a way, my boyhood Valentine's Day practice did express love like that of Jesus. You see, I did not give valentines only to my friends or to the girls I hoped would like me in a special way. Rather, my fellow students and I were expected to give valentines to every person in the class, including those whom we didn't care for, those whom we judged to be "weird," and those we might have considered to be our "enemies" on the playground. We even gave cards to the kids who did not reciprocate. Ironically, our valentine exchange was more a reflection of the kind of love Jesus commends in Luke 6 than it was a celebration of exclusive, romantic love. I think it's fine to be reminded to express love to those who are most special to us. If Valentine's Day encourages spouses to say "I love you" to each other and friends to commemorate their friendship, that's great. Goodness knows, the world would be a better place if people expressed their love more often. But Jesus encourages us to love, not just those who love us back, but also those who do not reciprocate. All of us have such people in our lives at work, in the local store, perhaps even in our families or our church. Our calling, as followers of Jesus, is to love them and do good to them, not in order that they might respond, but so that we might live each day as beloved, faithful children of our heavenly Father. Elder s Corner THE WINDSHIELD AND THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR By Paul Robbins As I write this article, I am just now getting my mind around the fact that 2016 is in the rear-view mirror. It was January 2016 when I last wrote that we were entering a "new normal" at First Christian Church of the Beaches. We all voted for a new Governance that we would be living into while at the same time welcoming our new Senior Pastor and his family. As I look into the rear-view mirror, I smile as I reflect on the wonderful things that happened on our beautiful campus. Just to name a few: our family grew with 40 Baptisms and 70 new members, new website and app, communion-to-go for the Donna marathon, communion served to those voting at our precinct, worship service with several Churches participating on election eve, youth trips, yard sales, cold night shelters, feeding the homeless and lastly, that beautiful Christmas Tree in our backyard. I hope you all saw the picture Pastor Chris took with the light of Christ shining on the cross from the Full Moon and lights from the Christmas Tree. Even brighter is the anticipation as I look through the windshield. I cannot wait to see what God has in mind for HIS Church and HIS Disciples as we enter 2017.

3 Art Wall On display in January have been portraits by Joyce Cowan showing on the FCCB Art Wall through February 12th. Jim Chandler's art work will then be shown for the balance of February and through March. What talented members we have at FCCB! Christian Men s Fellowship Breakfast Our monthly CMF breakfast will be February 5 th at 7:30AM Christian Women s Fellowship SAVE THE DATE! The Annual Game Party and Luncheon sponsored by Christian Women's Fellowship will be held on Saturday March 11, 2017 in Fellowship Hall from 10:00 2:30. Invite your friends to join you in playing card games, board games, etc., and enjoying a delicious lunch with home-made desserts. Men and women are invited. Plan now to support this project which benefits local charities. Tickets remain at $10.00 and are tax-deductible. Church Women United Church Women United will meet Friday, February 3 at Pablo Hamlet in their Community Room. Gathering at 10 am, meeting starts at 10:30. We will be celebrating Human Rights and identifying a local group portraying the way they show what human rights is all about. All women are encouraged to attend. Questions, Contact Connie Wendt. Library News We have some new noteworthy reads! On the Bible Reference shelf, The Lion Encyclopedia of the Bible is filled with pictures and easy to read descriptions. On the Christmas shelf, The Letter by Richard Evans is the final book of the Christmas Box collection. Overcoming Hurts & Anger by Carlson, M.D. can be found on the Health shelf. In Christian Living, look for Drumbeat of Love, The Unlimited Power of the Spirit as Revealed in the Book of Acts. On the Death/Grief shelf, the highly-regarded book by Randy Alcorn titled Heaven is a Bible driven study of what heaven is like. Have a blessed read, Linda White Movie Night The February Movie Night will be on Friday the 10th. Pizza and soft drinks will be served at 6:30PM and the movie will commence at 7:00PM. We will be screening the movie The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.

4 Notes from Nancy The Choir will sing three of the four Sundays in February with the second Sunday a single 8:00 service with the Praise Band providing music. This special Sunday on Feb. 12 th we, as a congregation, will line the street to encourage the runners and we will have communion available to anyone running by in the Donna Run. This is an opportunity to witness in our community. It was a real blessing for all those involved last year. God doesn't ask all of us to run. More often He asks us to follow one step at a time as with ONE STEP HE LEADS, which is our choir special on Feb. 5. Choir member, Bekah Durar, will bring the morning message in the 9:00 service on Feb. 19. Her father, a minister in Kansas City, will attend church with us on that Sunday. He will join the choir as we sing a special arrangement of HOW GREAT THOU ART. THE ANCHOR HOLDS will be the choir special Feb. 26 th, the last Sunday in February. We welcome Geno Valet to our choir family. Most of us know Geno's musical ability by his playing trumpet. We are glad to have him also as a singer. A special thanks to Jacquita Craven for accompanying the choir one week last month. Scout News Sunday February 5 is Scout Sunday. Our Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will be present and participate in worship. 6 boys from Cub Pack 40 will be recognized for completing the God and Family course. Boy Scout Troop 40 Troop meetings are at 7 pm on Tuesdays at FCCB. Parents and Leaders planning is every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. February 17-18: Leadership Development course at the St. Johns Riverbase at Camp Echokatee sponsored by Order of the Arrow Lodge. February camping will be at Fort McAllister, GA on February The scouts have voted to return to Camp Daniel Boone in NC next summer. We have reserved 7/15 7/22. Camp Daniel Boone is extremely popular, is already 85% full, Troop 40 is moving quickly to finalize the reservation. Cub Scout Pack 40 Cub Scout Den meetings are on Mondays at 6:30 pm. Parents and Leaders planning is the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Annual Pinewood Derby will be held at FCCB on Saturday, February 11 Saturday, February 18 at 10 am will be the annual Blue and Gold celebration. Boy Scouts from Troop 40 are invited. Webelos2 cubs will receive Arrow of Light Awards and "cross-over" into Troop 40 Boy Scouts. Pack 40 cub scouts will camp out at Fort Clinch February 24-26

5 Pastor s Blog 2017: The Harvest by Pastor Nathan Loewen Harvest. Harvest Time. The Harvest is Plentiful. God has grown the Harvest. The Harvest is Ready, NOW! For the past four weeks, we have heard from scripture about the harvest Jesus is calling us to. In Luke, we heard how great the harvest is and how there are few laborers. Jesus told his followers some will run into brick walls and others will experience the joy, miracles, and healing that accompany the harvest, yet he didn't divulge who would go where. We were also called to pray for more laborers to join the harvest. In Mark, we learned how God grows the harvest. The harvest God has grown is good and healthy. In John, we heard Jesus telling us to look up from the field we have been focused on planting and watering to a new field where the harvest is ready. As we discovered the harvest in scripture we begin to see the harvest around us that is mentioned in scripture. This month there are two chances to actually practice harvest as a church body. Sunday February 12th. One worship at 8am. Then we will offer communion to go to the marathon runners. Last year over 500 people stopped for communion while running. There are testimonies still being told to this day of how the Lord impacted lives from simply waking up early and going out to harvest. So, come and share the grace and love of Christ to all who pass by. Then on February 26th it is Invite Your One! We each have one person we have been wanting or felt called to invite to worship. So, on Sunday February 26th it is time to Invite Your One! We will start a new sermon series The Secret Lives of Almost Everyone. This will be a day of encouragement for all the laborers to see how great and plentiful the harvest around us really is. So, it is time to harvest. It is harvest time. The harvest is ready, Now! Peace and Towels, Pastor Nathan HELP NEEDED Would you be interested in being a Sunday School teacher for our K-5th grade class on Sunday morning? Jeanie Peters and Deedee Ludlam would love to add another volunteer to rotate months leading the 10:05am-10:55am Sunday School class. You would be asked to teach every 3rd month with a curriculum already provided for you. Please contact Kathy Hopkins at kdhopkins1@comcast.net or Jeanie Peters at jepmimi@bellsouth.net if you are feeling led to help our children grow closer to Jesus. Blessings!!

6 Who Loves Ya Baby? "Who loves ya baby?' Many of you may remember this famous expression from the 1970s-television show "Kojak" that starred Telly Savalas. So, who does love you? Your parents, brothers, sisters, spouse, children, grandchildren, close friends, Sunday School class, etc. Wait! What about God? Remember that we are saved because God loved us so much that He generously gave (John 3:16). God's act of giving up His Son for our salvation underscores the connection between loving and giving. The Apostle Paul stated, "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Cheerful giving should be a way of life for the Christian who understands the grace of God. We need to remember that it's not just our treasure that we are to cheerfully give but also our talents and our time as well. As God's children, we are called to be "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). When we trust God and honor Him by cheerfully and generously giving of our time, treasure, and talent, we are truly letting our light shine. Always remember: God loves ya baby! Happy Valentines Month Disciples. Amanda Beal, Angelina Noel, Austin Rasco, Baby Ava, Baby Ella, Barry Stevenson, Betty Tucker, Bill Rouse, Billy & Carol Ann Womble, Billy Brown, Bob & Jody Tipton, Bob Banks, Christian Antzaklis, Dan Hall, David & Mary Ann Baker, Dawn Garnett, Deborah Zarandi, Diane Ricketts, Don Jordan, Don Lynn, Ed Gebert, Eula Wood, Faye Selig, Friends & Family of Members, Gasson Al-Banna, Gen Gallie, Hazel Twitty, Holy Land Trip, Iglesia Evangelica Bethel, Jack Morison, Jay & Laura Kirkley, Jean Donnell, Jim & Joan Chandler, Jim & Marilyn Cunningham, Jim Claytor, Joann Forest, Joanna Medina, Josh Kerschner, Joy, Dan & Dan Jr. Casino, June Lundy, Katherine (Friend of the Whites), Kenyon Miller, Lana Suarez, Larry Woodford (Betty Smiths son), Laurie Jones & Betty Jones, Leon Atlan, Liza Hale Salzmann & Linda Hunt, Luther & Blanche Coggin, Mary Bailey, Mary Kessler & Martha Chipley, Mary Morrison, Maurine Choate, Mike & Phyllis Cobb, Military & their Families, Noland Arbaugh, Norman Brobeck, Olive Calhoun, Pam Mangine, Pastor Elizabeth Martell, Pastor James Collins, Pastor Jose' Manuel Martell, Pastors Nathan, Chris and their Families, Paul & Ruth Stiehl, Peggy Humphrey, Police & First Responders, Regis Franskowski, Ron Soder, Sara Brooks, Sarah Bledsoe, School Teachers & Students, Scott & Jenny Phillips, Terry Anderson, Terry Worth, The Ellis Family, The Ginslinger Family, The Harman Family, The Meess Family, The Miles Family, The Terrell Family, Theresa Mann, Tiffany Reidy, Tripp Halstead, Virginia Heskett, Wanda McManus (Marlan's Mom), Wayne & Mary Jane Hawthorne, Wimpy Sutton, Youth & Gang Violence, Yvonne Byars

7 Senior Adult Ministry HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Year 2017 is a new beginning and I hope that you can get use to putting that number on your checks, etc. It takes a moment to remember a new number when you are used to putting a certain number down for a whole year. Again, let me bring you up to date on our S.A.M. meeting we had in January. We had 15 members and two guests, which included our guest speaker, Jack Martin and his wife, Lorraine, that attended. We were still celebrating New Years by decorating our fellowship hall in all the party decorations. We even had black eyed peas signifying an old tradition of "good luck" for the New Year! Cindy Davis, our President, gave us our devotion and Jack Martin, a professional story teller, displayed his paintings and told us stories representing the history of the paintings. We have been missing some of our members that have not been coming lately, so be sure to put the date on your calendar. It is the first Thursday of each month. It comes very early in the month, so you might want to look the month before and write it in. Our next month's meeting will be February 2, at 9a.m. Note the change of time as this meeting we will be taking the church van and going to the Jacksonville Zoo. Charlotte Shepherd, our Zoo volunteer, will be our host, so if you are a zoo member, bring your pass. All others will pay at the door. Be sure to bring your own bag lunch and beverage. We are scheduling a Mystery Trip February 9th. You might be interested in joining in the fun with us and signing up to go. Not all is fun and games. A lot of our members continue to work with the "Seniors on a Mission". We will have two in January. January 16th and January 31st, I know these dates will be over by the time you receive your Tidal Wave in February, but I have heard it is so rewarding I am going to sign up for the January 31st workshop. Our S.A.M. members have so much enjoyment just getting together, whether it is getting together to just sharing friendships or doing for others, which always makes you feel good! We also contributed to the International Fountain of Hope, to help bring fresh water to Africa. Don't forget, February 2ND at 9:00 a.m. meet at the church to go to the Jacksonville Zoo, and bring your own lunch and beverage. Thank You! I am grateful for the expressions of care, the thoughts, the concerns, and the prayers of our community of faith for me, Barbara too, during my recent spinal surgery and the immediate recovery period. I now enter the physical therapy portion of my recovery process and anticipate a much more enjoyable new normalcy in the months ahead. God has answered offered prayers. He has demonstrated His love for us through you, and we are grateful. Don Lynn

8 Feb 9th Wally and Shirlee Green Feb 12th Don and Ann Brown Feb 1st Amy McIntyre Feb 2nd Josh Mele Feb 3rd Carol Ann Womble Feb 3rd Cathy Horn Feb 7th Don Jordan Feb 10th Donna Turner Feb 14th Dollie Lim Feb 18th Barbara Bennett Feb 19th Maurine Choate Feb 20th Christy Hayden Feb 22nd Holger Lamm Feb 24th Susie Morison

9 MARK YOUR CALENDAR for FEBRUARY 01 NOON Pastor Nathan s Brown Bag Bible Study 5:30PM Congregational Dinner 6:30PM Fellowship Activities 02 10:30AM SAM Meeting 05 8/9/11AM WORSHIP 7:30AM Christian Men s Breakfast 06 6:30PM Cub Scouts 07 6:30PM Don Lynn's Bible Study 6:30PM Cub Scout Parents 7:00PM Boy Scouts 08 NOON Pastor Nathan s Brown Bag Bible Study 5:30PM Congregational Dinner 6:30PM Fellowship Activities 09 9:00AM Senior Adult Ministry (SAM) Outing 10 6:30PM Pizza & Movie 11 Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby Races 12 8:00AM COMBINED WORSHIP 9:00AM Communion to Go for the Donna Racers 13 6:30PM Cub Scouts 14 6:30PM Don Lynn's Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts 15 NOON Pastor Nathan s Brown Bag Bible Study 5:30PM Congregational Dinner 6:30PM Fellowship Activities 18 11AM Cub Scouts Blue & Gold/Webelos X-over 19 8/9/11AM WORSHIP 5:00PM Body of Elder's Meeting 20 CLOSED President s Day 6:30PM Cub Scouts 21 Noon Beaches Ministerial Alliance 6:30PM Don Lynn's Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts 22 NOON Pastor Nathan s Brown Bag Bible Study 5:30PM Congregational Dinner 6:30PM Fellowship Activities 26 8/9/11AM WORSHIP --Bring a friend The Secret Lives of almost Everyone 2:00PM Tasha Yost Baby Shower 27 6:30PM Cub Scouts 28 10:00AM CWF Meeting 6:30PM Don Lynn's Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts MONTH of FEBRUARY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SERVING SCHEDULE for FEBRUARY ELDERS DEACONS 8am John Campbell Gary Grider 9am 11am 1st 8th 15th 22nd Sarah Bledsoe Barbara Lynn Don Peters Brandy Hibbard Maurine & Dick Choate Diane & Barry Stevenson Leslie & Jack Young Jake Young, Kristie Reeves SUPPER MENU FOR FEBRUARY Beef Stew over Noodles, Vegetable Medley, Rolls, Salad Bar & Apple Strudel Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/gravy, Corn, Rolls, Salad Bar & Banana Bars Jambalaya Ham, Sausage & Shrimp, Corn Bread, Salad Bar & Cake and Ice Cream Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Toast, Salad Bar & Cheesecake with Berries Dinner Reservations: Website: office@fc2b.org

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13 POINTS OF CONTACT Council of Elders Paul Robbins Betty Chinnis Barre Barrett Don Peters Rita Vernon Barbara Lynn Betty Mills Body of Trustees Bob Meador Geno Valet Gary Grider Bob Banks Ruth Forrest Leadership Council Nathan Loewen John Jolly Gary Grider Paul Robbins Ruth Forrest Don Peters Rita Vernon Ministries Prayer Betty Mills Discipleship Don Peters Student Ministry Kathy Hopkins Worship Nathan Loewen Missions Barbara Lynn Fellowship Leigh Anne Giles & Shawn Ludlam Evangelism Jack Young Stewardship John Campbell Bldg & Grounds Bob Meador & Gary Grider