The. OUR MISSION Loving Christ Sharing His Grace Serving All MESSENGER

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1 The OUR MISSION Loving Christ Sharing His Grace Serving All MESSENGER MAY 2015 Sundays at Roser...2 So Much to Celebrate...2 Mission of the Month...3 Membership Committee...4 The Roser Guild...4 Notes from Music Committee...5 Opportunities to Serve...5 May Birthdays...6 Here We Grow Again...6 Vacation Bible School...6 May 2015 Calendar...7 Died to Everlasting Life...8 Stephen Ministry...8 ROSER Worship Service 10:00 AM for Children & Youth and Nursery 10:00 AM Adult Class 8:45 AM THE CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES and Annual Report are available in the ebulletin or the Narthex. THE MESSENGER DEADLINE is the 15th of each month. Please send your submissions to messenger@roserchurch.com THE BULLETIN DEADLINE is every Tuesday at Noon. Please send your submissions to bulletin@roserchurch.com To receive the eupdates (Bulletin & Messenger), please scan code or click eupdates on the Contact Info page at roserchurch.com. Please LIKE us on facebook.com/roserchurch and receive instant updates and photos. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 These words of Paul are so vivid in their description. Imagine a runner pushing with every ounce of muscle and determination to reach the finish line and finish the race. Paul is saying that the task of a Christian is not to finish first, but to be faithful to God s call and finish the race. Discerning what God calls us to is a lifetime endeavor. As we change, grow, and develop new skills and interests, we may experience God s call in different and challenging ways. God calls us to be faithful regardless of our career, our family relationships, or our financial situation. God never calls us to do something without first giving us the resources to accomplish it. When Oseola McCarty, an elderly woman who made her living as a washer woman, gave $150,000 to the scholarship fund of the University of Southern Mississippi, the amount may have surprised her friends and neighbors, but not the spirit of the gift. Years of spending little on herself, and believing in God s call to do something big, led her to do something to help the children. It was her way of pressing on toward the goal. What is God calling you to press on to do? And what do you think that God is calling Roser Church to do? Remember, we are not called to be first, but to be faithful. I hope that you will join me in Church this Sunday (and every Sunday). Together, we will find Roser to be the place where we can hear God s call, and be faithful. In the sixth grade, her aunt (who had no children of her own) was hospitalized and later needed homecare, so McCarty quit school, never to return. She later became a washerwoman, like her grandmother, a trade she continued until arthritis forced her to quit in Even before dropping out of school, McCarty was taught to save money by her mother. She opened her first savings account at First Mississippi National Bank, and over the years opened several other accounts at various area banks. McCarty never owned a car; she walked everywhere she went, pushing a shopping cart nearly a mile to get groceries. She rode with friends to attend services at the Friendship Baptist Church. In 1947, her uncle gave her the house in which she lived until her death. She also received some money from her aunt and mother when they died, which she also placed into savings. Over time, Trustmark Bank personnel noticed McCarty s accumulated savings, and began to assist her in future estate planning, as well as being unofficial guardians for her. With the assistance of a local attorney (for whom she had done laundry) and the bank s trust officer, using slips of paper and dimes (to represent 10% shares), McCarty set out the future distribution of her estate. She set aside one dime (10%) for her church, one dime (10%) each for three relatives, and the remaining six dimes (60%) for Southern Miss. She stipulated that the funds should be used for students.

2 Friends, haven t you any fish? Cast your net on the other side SERMON SERIES QUESTIONS GOD ASKS MAY 3 GUEST ORGANIST Jim Hawkinson Mark Deur Soloist Mary Deur Flute Who Will Go for Us? MAY 10 MOTHER S DAY A GIFT FOR ALL MOMS Joyful Noise Children s Choir Chancel Choir will sing FAR ABOVE RICHES from Proverbs 31:10-31 Join us for refreshments and fellowship following the Service! Do You Want to Be Well? MAY 17 MISSION MOMENT Jonathan and Robynn, Missionaries with Global Serve Who Do You Say that I Am? MAY 24 What Is Your Name MAY 31 What Do You Want Me to do for You? JUNE 7 Why Are You So Afraid? When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Roser Planning Retreat: Six Months Later So Much To Celebrate! Cathy Meehan, Chair Six months ago, on October 25, Roser Church held its first planning retreat. Those of us in attendance were energized by the ideas and excitement generated that day as we looked into the future of Roser Church. Let me share with you the progress we have made toward the goals we set that day. Our new Mission Statement has been used since we approved it last fall: loving christ sharing his grace serving all The church leadership met twice last fall with Steve Walter and James Williamson of the Method Factory, who took the comments made at the Retreat and organized them into a set of 5 Strategic Objectives: 1. Increase Attendance 2. Increase Worship Services 3. Leverage Digital 4. Increase Discipleship 5. Increase Hands-on Missions progress so far: The number of people in the pews at the Sunday worship services is an obvious indication that we are increasing attendance. January through March 2015, total Sunday worship attendance is up over last year by over 800 people. The 10:00 service has been full every Sunday and the 8:30 service grew in attendance each week. And then there was Easter, where we had over 900 people in attendance and, at the 10:00 service, had standing room only. That is good news! Adult Discipleship increased with the two Bible Studies conducted by Dr. Bob. Both the Advent series and the Lenten Hallelujah series were very well attended and brought 2

3 In hands-on Missions, Mission Fest Sunday in February was a resounding success as the whole morning focused on the missions supported by Roser. Although not intended to be a fundraising event, over $9000 was raised for those missions as a result of Mission Fest. in the works: new people into adult discipleship at Roser. In addition, the Hallelujah series was held in conjunction with the restart of the Lenten Soup Suppers, which provided a fellowship time before the Bible Study. The Soup Suppers were also well attended and had a strong core group that came regularly. Feeding Children Everywhere held a packing session at Roser with people of all ages from the community attending and packing bags with the meal basics. Roser members also participated at the Loving Hands Golf Tournament and were able to sponsor a hole to raise money for that organization. The search for an Associate Pastor is in progress. We would like to have someone hired this summer. The Search Committee will be starting to evaluate the applications received at the end of April and will proceed from there. This position will focus primarily on Discipleship, increasing programs for all age groups, from our young children to our mature adults. While we don t know exactly how these programs will look, it is exciting to contemplate the possibilities of many groups of different sizes addressing the Discipleship needs of Roser s members. The Associate Pastor will also work with Missions to expand hands-on missions and will work with our new Music Director to expand our music programs. The synergy that can be created by staff and congregational members working together should bring wonderful new programs to the Roser family. In addition, Dr. Bob will continue with Discipleship opportunities and will work to get a confirmation class going. The Membership Committee is working on staying in contact with new members beyond the initial class and helping them in their transition into the life of Roser Church. further out: We will continue to work on growing attendance. Adding additional worship services to address increasing numbers and needs will be considered. New programs will be added to reach more people of all ages. Continuing the use of media to spread the news of the happenings at Roser Church will continue and grow as our programs grow. We have done amazing things in the past six months and the energy and vitality evident on Sundays and throughout the week attest to the presence of the Spirit among us. As Dr. Bob said in his Easter sermon, God will work miracles, but we have to do our part first. I believe we are seeing the start of the miracles at Roser Church. What an exciting time this is! 3 MISSION OF THE MONTH HEAR MORE 10:00 AM, MAY 17 GLOBAL SERVE No churches. No Bibles. No missionaries. No believers. This is the reality for 3,000 unreached and unengaged people groups. That s millions of people who have never heard the name of Jesus. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (Matthew 9:37) This is the burden on our heart--and the prayer for our mission. There s such a huge need for the hope of the gospel in our world. And for the laborers who will share it with people who have never heard. That s why we re excited about partnering with Roser Church this May as your gifts will help us train and equip those eager recruits for focused outreach--and to send them to strategic assignments to reach the unreached overseas. Your support and prayers will enable us to expand the reach of the gospel. We ll be able to take the Light of God s Word and the Message of salvation to the spiritually darkest parts of the world. We re currently planning on leading a team overseas to take the gospel to the world s largest Muslim nation and we would appreciate your prayers as we prepare for the trip. Thank you for your partnership in our ministry and for your faithfulness to the Lord s global purposes. Together, we can change the world. Until the whole world hears, Jonathan & Robynn To donate to Global Serve, please use the envelope in the pew or GIVE online and note that your gift is for MISSION OF THE MONTH.

4 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORT In an effort to more closely follow the guidelines of our By-Laws, the recently nominated Membership Committee is working closely with the Minister and church office staff. Their charge is to: revise and bring up to date, once a year, the Church Membership Roll, under the regulations approved by Council. THE ROSER GUILD Thanks to all the ladies who have been active in the Guild this year... all who attend circle and guild meetings, sew, knot and provide things for the migrant families, especially the children, and those who help at the Thrift Shop. We do really appreciate those who sign up and volunteer there. Migrant Sewing packing school bags! The committee shall have concern for members of the congregation whose names remain on the Membership Roster but who have not been heard from and so have become inactive. The Membership Committee members are: Leslie Atkins, Cherrie Birkman, and Marcia Powers. In the next few weeks or so, the committee will be reviewing the records of attendance for the past year to see who we should be contacting with a letter. In the letter we will ask them if an illness or personal problem is keeping them from attending. If this is the case, we will offer to have the Minister or a Deacon call on them to offer assistance. APRIL PICNICS See more pictures at facebook.com/roserchurch We will also give them a chance to indicate that they have: (1) joined another church, (2) plan to return to Roser or (3) wish to be removed from our mailing lists. We feel it is important to keep all members of the Congregation aware of what we are doing and why we will be sending letters to some, but not the whole congregation. CHURCH WOMEN UNITED Journey of the Caregiver is the topic of the program when Church Women United will meet Friday, May 1st at 10:30 a.m. at the Westminster Towers & Shores. A $5.00 donation is requested for the May Friendship Day luncheon. Both a Valiant Woman and a Young Valiant Woman will be recognized and Least Coins will be dedicated. Please call Peggy Nash, today if you would like to go. 4

5 NOTES from the Music Committee INTRODUCING KRISTEN STANTON, OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES. Kristen will begin her position at Roser Church on May 4, Kristen comes from Newton, Iowa and attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. She received her M.A. in Music Education from Brigham Young University. Kristen s main areas of expertise are vocal music education, church music, and piano instruction/ performance. She has just completed her 33rd year of teaching music to various ages and abilities. Kristen s husband, Scott, will retire this spring after 37 years of instrumental music instruction. The Stantons have taught collaboratively at the College of Eastern Utah in Price, Utah and founded a community music school there. They also spent 3 years teaching at a private boarding school, Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Kristen has served most recently as the Artistic/Executive Director of the Iowa Youth Chorus, a community choir program for children and youth in Des Moines, Iowa. Throughout her career Kristen has served many congregations as choir director or organist, most recently as the Director of Music at Central Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. She is looking forward to devoting her full attention now to her passion for church music. The Stantons have a grown daughter who lives in Philadelphia as well as family in Sarasota and have spent many vacations visiting this area. The entire Roser Music Ministry is looking forward to welcoming our new Director May 4th. Submitted by Joy Bennington Music Committee Chair 5 The Music Committee expresses thanks and appreciation to the Missions Committee for the generous donation which was used to purchase 45 new black music performance folders for the Chancel Choir. Sunday, April 12, was our first time using them. Thank You Missions Committee! OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE LAY WORSHIP LEADER Would you like to read the Scripture on Sunday during the Worship Service? If you would like to join this team, please call the church office at SOUND TECH TEAM A training will be held on Wednesday, May 13 at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. If you are interested, please join us then, call Randy Zion at or call the church office at AED TRAINING Anyone with a medical background or interested in learning how to use this new life-saving equipment, please call the church office at and we will contact you with the day and time of training.

6 HERE WE GROW AGAIN M AY Birthdays 1 Marilyn Hawkins 3 Dot Bilbrey 4 Helen Brown 4 Carol Patterson 4 Elena Santilli 6 John Staal 6 Ronald Tutewiler 7 Thomas Santilli 10 Sophie Bernet 10 Beverly Hedtke 10 June Walberg 10 Laura Ward 11 Loretta Owens 11 Elizabeth Speare 12 Brewster Seewald 15 Marion Kelly 15 Suzanne Pescitelli 15 Marguerite Thompson 16 Ann Jones 16 Katie O Neill 17 James Kronus 17 Ted Lamb 17 Jeanne Rozamus 18 Mary Grant 18 Charlie Santilli 23 Betty Hill 24 Mary Deur 24 Doris Willis 25 Jay Cram 26 Alan Johnson 30 Jeanette Frint 30 Don Hartsfield 30 Dina Stewart 31 Cathy Meehan 31 Mary Pat Swamy 31 Frances Williams If your birthday is not listed or needs to be corrected, please call or the office! We rejoice to welcome Sophie Bernet who joined Roser by Profession of Faith on Sunday, April 19, She is the daughter of Beth and Josh Bernet. Sophie will be serving on the Board of Religious Education. Sophie Bernet ( ) 222 Periwinkle, PO Box 702 Anna Maria FL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 8 12, 2015 Volunteers ADULTS AND TEENS needed. Call the Church Office ( ) or Glenda Beck ( ) to sign up! A WISH LIST of items needed for VBS will be in the bulletin and posted online soon! REGISTRATION STARTS ON MOTHER S DAY... SUNDAY, MAY 10 AFTER CHURCH SCHOOL OR IN THE OFFICE DURING THE WEEK! 6

7 MAY 2015 SUNDAY To honor a loved one with SANCTUARY FLOWERS, please sign the book in the Narthex or contact Irene Betancourt ( ) COMMUNION for Children & Youth MOTHER S DAY FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY 11:15 Harriet Nichols Service (Rose Garden) MISSION MOMENT for Children & Youth for Children & Youth 31 for Children & Youth MONDAY 12:00 Bridge (FH) 6:30 BREd (CD) 12:00 Bridge (FH) 9:30 StewFin (LG) 12:00 Bridge (FH) MEMORIAL DAY OFFICE CLOSED TUESDAY 9:00 Volunteer Workday 7 DEACON OF THE MONTH ANN JONES MISSION OF THE MONTH GLOBAL SERVE (Page 3) NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER THURSDAY, MAY 7 The Chapel is open during office hours and Sunday mornings for prayer and meditation. 9:00 Volunteer Workday 1:00 Trustees (CD) 4:00 Missions (CD) 9:00 Volunteer Workday 9:30 Executive Committee (LB) 9:00 Volunteer Workday WEDNESDAY 9:00-11:00 Thrift Shop Donations 10:00 Staff Meeting (LB) 3:15 Joyful Noise 9:00-11:00 Thrift Shop Donations 10:00 Staff Meeting (LB) 1:15 Last Joyful Noise 2:30 AID (Roser FH) 7:00 Sound Tech Training (Sanctuary) 9:00-11:00 Thrift Shop Donations 10:00 Staff Meeting (LB) 7:00 Church Council (FH) 9:00-11:00 Thrift Shop Donations 10:00 Staff Meeting (LB) THURSDAY NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 10:30 AA (CD) 7:00 Choir 10:30 AA (CD) 1:00 Stephen Ministry (LG) 7:00 Choir 10:30 AA (CD) 7:00 Choir 10:30 AA (CD) 7:00 Choir FRIDAY I M YEDDY. MEET ME IN JUNE AT VBS! (SEE PAGE 6) 10:30 Church Women United (Westminster Towers & Shores) 4:30 Rehearsal (Chapel) 6:00 Rehearsal (Chapel) MESSENGER DEADLINE SATURDAY FOOD & WINE ON PINE 12:00 Wedding (Chapel) 6:00 Wedding (Chapel) ROOM KEY CB - Classroom B CD - Classroom D CM - Colman Building FH - Fellowship Hall LB - Library LG - Lounge

8 COMMUNITY CHURCH 512 Pine Ave PO Box 247 Anna Maria FL Rev. Dr. Robert O Keef Pastor Kristen Stanton Director of Music Ministries Kelley Tribble Transitional Coordinator Bev Hunsberger Church Administrator Charles Wade Facilities Administrator Matt Meehan Financial Administrator Cyndy Custis Church Secretary Died to Life Everlasting MEMORIAL SERVICE IN THE ROSE GARDEN The family of the late Harriet W. Nichols will be holding a short memorial in the church Rose Garden after the Worship service on Mother s Day, May 10, 2015, followed by a celebration of her life at the family s home. All her Roser friends are invited. We received word that Robert Meylan Died to Life Everlasting at Freedom Village. Robert was a long time Roser member. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, family and friends. Services will be held at Freedom Village on Sunday, May 31 at 2:30 PM. We were saddened to hear that Dr. Bob s sister-in-law, Linda O Keef, and Phyllis aunt Peggy Reynolds, Died to Life Everlasting. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Phyllis and Dr. Bob, their family and friends. Edwina Olsen Died to Life Everlasting on March 23, She was a long time Roser member, joining the church in Edwina was very active at Roser. Our deepest sympathy is extended to her family and friends. A Memorial service was held at Freedom Village on March 30, STEPHEN MINISTERS They want to be of service. They train for over 50 hours in basic counseling and ministry as well as actively participate in their own Christian growth and effective sharing with others. They know how to listen, provide perspective, maintain total confidence and privacy, and walk with you through turbulent times. Please call the Church office at or JoAnne Moyer at