THIS ISSUE: Positive Attitude Tips. By Karen Wolff

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1 A Publication of First Christian Church of the Beaches (Disciples of Christ) ISSUE OCTOBER 2017 Positive Attitude Tips By Karen Wolff THIS ISSUE: POSITIVE ATTITUDE TIPS Get Out of the Land of Negativity ELDER S CORNER The Travel Narrative FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL October 21st MOVIE NIGHT October 7:00PM The Encounter CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE HOMELESS It s that time again! MISSION MOMENT Cheerful Givers S.A.M. Sea Oats and more! THANK YOU S You are a church of giving! THE WAVERIDER Please see the Waverider section for Youth and Children s events Have you ever noticed how refreshingly fun it is to be around positive thinking people who seem to naturally maintain a positive attitude? No matter how bad the circumstances, negativity never even enters their minds, let alone crosses their lips to form negative, faithless words! But let's be honest, encountering a positive person is a rare occurrence these days. Whoops, that sure was a negative thought! NEGATIVE VERSUS POSITIVE THINKING Why is it so much easier to have a negative attitude than a positive one? What's inside of us that just naturally pulls us toward the negative side of things? We read the books. We attend the seminars. We buy the tapes, and things seem to go well for a while. We feel better. Our outlook is improved, and we're hopeful. That is... until something happens that sends us reeling all over again. It doesn't even have to be a major, catastrophic event to send us back to the land of negative thinking. It can be something as simple as someone cutting us off in traffic or pushing ahead of us in the grocery checkout line. What gives those seemingly simple occurrences of everyday life so much power to literally throw us into a tizzy all over again? This never-ending cycle continues because its source is never addressed. We "try hard" to be positive, attempting to over-ride how we truly feel. It's a lot of work pretending to be positive when inside we know all too well that it won't take long before one of those annoying life issues creeps up and dumps all over our positive attitude. NEGATIVE THINKING Negative attitudes come from negative thoughts that come from reactions to negative behavior. And around the cycle goes. We know that none of this negative stuff is coming from God. There is nothing negative about the way he thinks or acts. So how do we put a stop to all this nonsense? How do we get to a place where our positive attitude is what's natural for us and not the other way around?

2 Positive Attitude Tips (continued) I wish I could give you a magic formula that, when applied correctly, would erase your negative attitude in three days. Yup, can't you just see the infomercial on a product like that? For just $19.95 you can have all your dreams come true. What a bargain! People would be lining up for this one. But alas, the real world isn't quite so simple. The good news is that there are some things we can do to help transition from the land of negativity to a much more positive place. POSITIVE THINKING TIPS FOR A POSITIVE ATTITUDE - PERMANENTLY First, focus on what you're thinking about. Remember what I said about being stuck because we never addressed the source? Our negative actions and words are coming from our negative thoughts. Our body, including the mouth, has no choice but to follow wherever our mind goes. It is possible to control our thoughts, regardless of what we've been led to believe. As soon as a negative thought comes into your mind, purposefully make it a point to replace it with a positive one. (2 Corinthians 10:5) At first, this may take some work, because chances are, we will probably have a lot more negative thoughts in our head than positive ones. But eventually, the ratio will reverse itself. Second, stop letting other people's negative attitudes influence yours. This may mean we need to stop hanging around with people who do nothing but spout negative stuff. We can't afford to do this when our goal is to become more positive. The negative people in our life aren't going to like it when we stop participating in negativity. Just remember that birds of a feather really do flock together. Third, make a list of all the areas in your life that you want to change. List all your negative attitudes too. If you can't think of things to put on your list, just ask your family. I'll bet they'll help you make it a really long list! Fourth, take some time to write strong, life-giving, positive affirmation statements. Make a commitment to read those statements out loud every day. Enjoy how great they make you feel. Know in your heart that you're making progress, even if you can't see it just yet. Just keep affirming the positive. Lastly, take time to pray about this. You can't change by yourself. But you can spend time with the One who is able to help. Do what you can, and let God do the rest. It really is that simple. This process will change how we think and that's the real key to changing how we act. Remember, the body will follow wherever the mind goes. There is no way to separate the two, so we might as well "program in" what we want, instead of randomly leaving it to chance. Just know that God's version of a right attitude contains nothing negative. And if we want God's best for our life, it starts with right thoughts his thoughts to be exact.

3 Elder s Corner THE TRAVEL NARRATIVE By Barre Barrett In the Sunday School class I teach, we have abandoned the traditional lesson books and instead are studying each Sunday, one of Jesus Parables. We began just before Hurricane Irma disrupted all of our lives. Our focus has been on Luke who presents ten chapters in the middle of his Gospel and Parables that are not found in the other Gospels by Matthew and Mark. Luke describes the journey that Jesus and his disciples take heading back to Jerusalem from Galilee. Up until this travel narrative Luke describes in detail Jesus ministry in Galilee, which features healing and traditional teaching and sermons. After they arrive in Jerusalem Luke relates the events that end up with Jesus arrest, death and resurrection. The disciples are being prepared for the events that will happen in Jerusalem. As I studied Luke and prayed in preparation for my teaching, it occurred to me that Luke s Gospel serves as a good model or metaphor for our own lives. We each spend quite a number of years learning, growing physically, mentally, and emotionally. Then in the middle years, we have the travel narrative of life as various events overtake us, including hurricanes, and we begin to learn of meanings that can be found just as the disciples did in those Parables in Luke. Along the way we reach maturity in our faith and begin to put our experiences to work for God, just as Jesus did. Christian Women s Fellowship Our annual Casserole Sale is scheduled for Sunday, October 29th after all 3 services. These are main dish Casseroles that will be cooked, frozen and ready to heat and serve. We will also include the recipe (in case you really like it) and the heating instructions. Each will serve 4 or 5 people and the cost is only $8.00 each. We will also be offering packaged soup mixes from Rada for $5.00 each. Use this as an easy way to serve dinner in this busy season ahead of us.

4 MEN s PRAYER BREAKFAST By John Campbell Calling all mighty men of God to come to a special Men s Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the FCCB Men s Fellowship Group and the Prayer Ministry. It will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. In addition to a special breakfast cooked up by some of our awesome church women, we will discuss the role and importance of prayer in the life of Christian men. Don Peters will lead us in a discussion of how prayer is a critical part of putting on our Full Armor of God each day. Ephesians 6:18 instructs us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord s people. All men are encouraged to wear their favorite athletic cap to the breakfast-after all it will be in the middle of the Fall football season. This is not an exclusive FCCB event so please bring a friend or neighbor along to join in on this special program. NOTES FROM NANCY By Nancy Barrett The Choir had many interesting stories to share when we got back together after Hurricane Irma. We all felt very blessed. The double rainbow over our church after choir practice was such an inspiration. For October we are preparing songs we hope will support Pastor Nathan's sermons as we consider the impact Martin Luther had on the church. One if the most powerful hymns is A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. There will be other hymns that you recognize and probably a couple less familiar.

5 MISSION MOMENT By Barbara Lynn Cheerful Givers September gave many opportunities to be the church (not the building, but Us, Christ s followers) was God s hands, feet, words, love, and provision extended to those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria as well as to the Kindness Closet at Fletcher Middle School. By God s grace you abounded in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8), donating a mountain of supplies, giving generously, encouraging, comforting, and providing physical help to neighbors and strangers. God was glorified! Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! FCCB s Mission Ministry has ongoing and one-time opportunities for Christ s people to abound in good work. As you read through the list, please pray for these ministries. Perhaps God is calling you to serve. For more information or to volunteer, contact Pastor Nathan, Pastor Chris, or Barbara Lynn. FCCB financially supports a child through Child Fund. Would you provide a personal touch to Jenesis, age 5? FCCB is a Faith Partner with Fletcher Middle School. Would you work with the Fletcher Middle Guidance counselors to organize the Kindness Closet? FCCB financially supports BEAM. Would you be a BEAM volunteer in one of their many ministry areas? FCCB financially supports Mission House. Would you be a volunteer at Mission House in one of their ministries? FCCB supports the Sulzbacher Beaches Healthcare Center. Do you have talents that would be helpful there? FCCB will collect nonperishables for Thanksgiving baskets to be distributed though BEAM. Would you help organize our donations? FCCB is a Cold Weather Shelter when needed during the winter. Would you help? FCCB will host a Christmas Dinner for the homeless. Would you help? God bless you as He enriches you in every way to be generous in every way, which produces thanksgiving to Him! (2 Corinthians 2:11)

6 SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY By Pat Hernandez The S.A.M., aka Senior Adult Ministry, met September 7, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with Mr. Kevin Brown, Environmentalist from Fletcher High School, giving us information that I would like to share with you. He brought with him five students that contributed to the program. Mr. Brown graduated from Fletcher and has been here most of his life. I wanted to tell you this so that when you see the Sea Oats along the ocean front, you would appreciate them, knowing that they were planted by some of his students. It is a very difficult project just trying to get the money from FEMA that the Federal Government funds. After getting permission, they planted the sea oats that helps to protect the sand dunes. If you own ocean front property, you are allowed to walk over the dunes. If you do not own ocean front property, you are not permitted to walk over the dunes. This was a 2015 court ruling. We went out to view the sea oats. The signs that you see telling you not to pick the sea oats were the student's idea and they were given permission to put the signs up. I know the storm (Irma) may have kept some of you away, but we are a group that has very interesting programs, as a result of Madeline Grader's hard work lining up our programs with interesting people. Thank you, Madeline! Next month, October 5, she has asked Mr. Herb Seubert, a World War II Veteran Pilot that has reached the great age of 100 years, to be our speaker. Now, if he can put forth the effort to be here, we should support him by coming to listen to his interesting stories. We need to be thinking about nominations for our next year's officers. Wendy Davis will be our hostess and Marge Medina will bring us our devotion. Try to be with us for an outstanding program, covered dish, and for the fellowship of just being together. We will meet as usual in the large fellowship hall at 10:30 a.m. Hope to see all of our members, plus anyone else that would be interested in hearing Mr. Seubert's experiences

7 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY October 16 th - Jim and Sarah Bledsoe October 19 th - Howard and Jacquita Craven HAPPY BIRTHDAY October 3 rd - Debra Sanders October 4 th - Barre Barrett October 7 th - Billy Womble October 10 th - Fritz Horn October 14 th - Sharon Reimann October 14 th - Chuck Duran October 14 th - Michael Mele / baby (2 yrs old) October 15 th - Jennifer Lyons October 16 th - Joy Casino October 16 th - Rebekah Smid October 21 st - Ann Brown October 22 nd - Shelley Guthrie October 23 rd - Mahlon Dixon October 24 th - Adrienne Hibbard October 27 th - Susan Collins October 27 th - Sue Dixon October 28 th - Doug McIntosh October 29 th - Pam Mangine October 29 th - Avenlee Loewen / child (7 yrs old) October 31 st - Sarah Bledsoe October 31 st - Ruth Stiehl WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Robin Richards Maranda Browning Cody Holmes

8 MOVIE NIGHT Friday October 20 th The Movie Starts at 7:00PM Watch the trailer here The Encounter Five strangers are forced to re-examine their life choices after finding themselves stranded at a mysterious, isolated diner with a man who somehow has all of the answers to their most pressing problems. From the callous businessman (Steve "Sting" Borden) to the unhappily married couple, the desperate runaway, and the solitary woman, each of these lost souls faces an existential dilemma that has thrown their lives into chaos. But the proprietor of the restaurant, a man named Nazerine (Bruce Marchiano), possesses the secret to freeing them all from an eternity of suffering, if they could only see outside of themselves long enough to understand just what's at stake. THE ART WALL Until November, we are displaying some of the T-shirt dresses made by Joy Casino for underprivileged girls all over the world. Stop by to see them!

9 PRAYER REQUESTS The Al-Banna Family, Adolfo & Susan Cesaritti, Allen & Susan Holt, Mellanie Meador s parents, Amanda Beal, Andre Gardner, Andrew Snow, Angelina Noel, Anne Thomson/Andrew Aukens, Baby Ava, Baby Ella, Barry Stevenson, Betty Tucker, Billy Brown, Billy Womble, Carol Schoonover, Connie Wendt, Dan Hall, David & Mary Ann Baker, David & Sharon Lynn, Dawn Garnett, Don Brumbly, Don Jordan, Eddie Griffin, Eula Wood, Felicia DuRocher Begue, Frank McMullen, Gen Gallie, Grant Van Dusen, Hazel Twitty, Helen Kirkland, Iglesia Evangelica Bethel, in Cuba, Jean Donnell, Jim & Joan Chandler, Jim & Marilyn Cunningham, Jim Claytor, Jim Hebert, Jim Peau s sister in Samoa, Josh Kerschner, Joy, Dan & Dan Jr. Casino, Juanita Rubright, Karen Perdue, Kenny & Judy Tucker, Kenny & Sandy Schaefer, Kenyon Miller, Larry Nussmeyer, Laurie Jones & Betty Jones, Leon Atlan, Levi Metts & Robert Metts, Liza Salzmann, Luther & Blanche Coggin, Marge Medina & Joanna, Marjorie "Marti" Miller, Mary Kessler & Martha Chipley, Maurine Choate, Mike & Phyllis Cobb, Military & their Families, Miranda Lefkove, Murray Trotta, Olive Calhoun, Pastor Chris Hopkins & Family, Pastor Elizabeth Martell & daughters, Roxanna & Susanna, Pastor James Collins, Pastor Jose Manuel Martell, Pastor Nathan Loewen & Family, Paul Stiehl, Peau s grandson, Noland Arbaugh, Peggy Humphrey, Persecuted Christians, Police & First Responders, Rebecca Crawford, Rick Jones, Robin Richards, Ron Soder, Sara Brooks, Sarah Bledsoe, School Teachers & Students, Scott & Jenny Phillips, Spring Sullivan, Steve Shanks, Terry Anderson, Terry Worth, The Brobeck Family, The Byars Family, The Don Brown Family, The Ellis Family, The Gilbert & Zellars Family, The Grace Family, The Green Family, The Harman Family, The Meess Family, The Miles Family, The Neil Phelps Family, The Peters Family, The Terrell Family, Tripp Halstead, Virginia Heskett, Wanda Banks, Wimpy Sutton, Youth & Gang Violence CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE HOMELESS By Debi Rogers It's that time again. Time for me to start planning the Christmas Dinner for the homeless. The Christmas Dinner is always the first Saturday in December, this year that is December 2nd. This is the fifth year FCCB will host the Christmas Dinner for the homeless. When I started the Christmas Dinner for the homeless it was my passion but I also knew that at some point, once it was somewhat established and organized, I would pass it on to a fellow church member. This year I have asked Leigh Anne Giles to host with me and she said yes. Thank you, Leigh Anne. We will co-direct this year and next year Leigh Anne will oversee the dinner. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of the dinner. I love and appreciate you all! Please look for Leigh Anne and me in fellowship hall during the month of October between 9:30-10:00am with our volunteer signup sheet. Thank you for your continued support!

10 I would like to thank all of our church family for your prayers, cards, flowers and words of care and concern. Also thank you to all, both seen and unseen that worked to make the celebrating of Jimmy's life and the reception after such a blessing for his family and friends. You have added stars to your heavenly crown. God bless you. Love, Rebecca Zellars Dear Florida Disciples Regional Church Family, Thank you to so many congregations and individuals in our region and beyond who have risen to meet the needs within Florida, in Puerto Rico, and beyond. Thank you to all of the individuals and congregations who gave to Week of Compassion and to all who provided supplies! Special thank you to Iglesia Cristiana del Norte in Orlando (Pastor Hector Santiago) and First Christian Church of the Beaches (Pastors Nathan Loewen and Chris Hopkins) for the distribution of 300,000 lbs of water, food, and supplies for Puerto Rico, shipped for free by Caribbean Shipping (Paul, Elder FCC Beaches). Our hearts and hands continue to make a difference! Thank you. Love and Blessings, Pastor Betsy

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12 MARK YOUR CALENDAR for OCTOBER 1 8/9/11AM WORSHIP 2 6:30PM Cub Scouts 3 6:30PM Don Lynn s Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts 4 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:30PM Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 5 10:30AM Senior Adult Ministry Meeting 7:00PM Praise Band Practice 7 7:30AM Christian Men s Fellowship Breakfast 8 8/9/11AM WORSHIP 9 6:30PM Cub Scouts 10 8:30AM Convening Elder s Meeting 6:30PM Don Lynn s Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts 11 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:30PM Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 12 7:00PM Praise Band Practice 15 8/9/11AM WORSHIP 5:00PM Body of Elders 16 6:30PM Cub Scouts 17 6:30PM Don Lynn s Bible Study 7:00PM Boy Scouts 18 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:30PM Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 19 7:00PM Praise Band Practice 20 7:00PM MOVIE NIGHT 21 Noon FALL FESTIVAL & CHILE COOK-OFF 22 8/9/11AM WORSHIP 23 Noon Sonshine Family 6:30PM Cub Scouts 24 10:00AM Christian Women s Fellowship 7:00PM Boy Scouts 27 5:30PM Congregational Supper 6:30PM Fellowship Activities, Bible Study & Choir 26 7:00PM Praise Band Practice 29 8/9/11AM WORSHIP CWF Frozen Casserole Sale 30 6:30PM Cub Scouts 31 6:30PM Don Lynn s Bible Study / NO Boy Scouts Dinner Reservations: Website: office@fc2b.org MONTH of OCTOBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SERVING SCHEDULE for OCTOBER ELDERS DEACONS 8am Various Ruth Forrest 9am 11am Don Lynn Barbara Lynn Jack Garnett Betty Mills Mark & Amie Lopiano Charles & Kim Nichols Jack & Leslie Young Pat Schaaf, Debbie Rogers NURSERY VOLUNTEERS for OCTOBER 9AM 11AM OCT 1 st Amy Mele Chris Powell OCT 8 th Agnus Calugar Sue Dixon OCT 15 th Jeanie Peters Pat Schaaf OCT 22 nd Sylvia Osewalt Tasha Holmes OCT 29 th MaryLu Gowen Barbara Lynn KIDS CHURCH VOLUNTEERS for OCTOBER OCT 1 st OCT 8 th OCT 15 th OCT 22 nd OCT 29 th OCT 4 th OCT 11 th OCT 18 th OCT 25 th 11AM Carla Cain Leslie Young Ashlee Loewen Amy McIntyre Carla Cain SUPPER MENU for OCTOBER Chicken and Dumplings, Mixed Vegetables, Rolls, Salad Bar, & Peach Cobbler French Onion Soup w/ Crouton with Swiss, Cream of Broccoli and Cheese, Tilapia Fillets, Mac and Cheese, Salad Bar & Apple Pie Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic toast, Salad Bar, & Cheesecake Seafood Newburg, Buttered Rice, Broccoli, Rolls, Salad Bar & Texas Brownies If you require a visit from the Pastor, please call the Church at (904)

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