First Presbyterian Church, Ft Walton Beach, Florida ACTS

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church, Ft Walton Beach, Florida ACTS

2 Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. A number of years ago I led a Sunday School Bible Study on Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts: Building Up the Body of Christ Through the Gifts of the Spirit. (Bryant, Charles V. Nashville: Upper Room Books, 1991.) As you might expect, most of the class participants were skeptical about possessing any spiritual gifts at all. That sort of thing applies only to pastors, church choir directors, and church educators. NOT TRUE! We embrace the fact that God has created and continues to create everything in this world. God does not create without a reason. Each of us has a reason for being. God has given each of us gifts to enable us to live and love God and our fellow human beings and creation. Before you shake your head and deny possessing such gifts, hear how Dr. Bryant defines spiritual gifts: They are divine energy creating, molding, and directing new abilities for special ministries to the world through the church. (p.18) Spiritual gifts are not talents or abilities we cultivate. They are not skills we learn or lessons we master. They are grace-gifts that come to us not through our own ambitions or accomplishments, but as the free expression of God s unbelievable love for us. Spiritual gifts are for service and for building up the body of Christ: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Once we recognize and claim our spiritual gifts, God can do amazing things through us! Interestingly, spiritual gifts may have nothing to do with our daily occupation or activities. For example, we must not assume that the spiritual gift of a school teacher is to teach Sunday School or Bible study, although they may certainly do that. Often the spiritual gift is totally different because it draws on the inspiration of the heart and soul rather than only the knowledge of the mind. Most importantly, spiritual gifts are not simply for personal use or gratification. They are not private or secret. They can only reach their full potential as they are used through the body of Christ to further the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ in the world. Take a look at the spiritual gifts listed below, in no particular order. You will probably be surprised at some of the gifts you will see. If you want to know more, please come by to see me. I guarantee YOUR gifts are there. Now it s up to each of us to faithfully use what God has given. BLESSINGS and PEACE, Prophecy Pastor Teaching Wisdom Knowledge Exhortation Discernment Giving Helps Mercy Missionary Evangelism Hospitality Faith Leadership Administration Suffering Healings Prayer Language Interpretation Apostle Singleness Intercessory Prayer Martyrdom Service Spirit-Music Craftsmanship Exorcism Battle Humor Miracles Poverty

3 Big Thanks You are needed for a very simple church project. Please contact Barbara Blackburn for details, Serve: Kim Mitchell, Pat Hansen, Jim & Phyllis March Set-up: Kim & Ann Clean: Jim & Phyllis Serve: Sue Peterson, Beth Crawley, Pat Hansen, M.G. Moran Set-up: Beth Crawley Clean: Sue & Pat Financial Statement March 2017 YEAR to DATE INCOME: Offerings... $18, , Other income TOTAL INCOME... $18, , EXPENSES: Clergy Compensation.... $5, , Worship Christian Education Witness/Outreach , Admin. & Finance... 10, , Property... 2, , Discipleship Technology Loan Interest Expense , TOTAL EXPENSES... 19, , Excess Income/Expense... 1, , Investment Acct. transfer... 15, , I wanted to take just a moment to thank First Presbyterian Church for including my family in your 75th Anniversary Celebration. It has been 50 years since we moved away and I didn't know quite what to expect or if anyone would even remember our family. I was quite pleasantly surprised at how many people I did know and who shared memories of my father's pastorate with me. From those friends I learned some new stories about my dad's ministry and what it had meant to them. The music was especially meaningful to me since my primary contribution to the life of the church during my high school years was as church organist. I don't know how the folk who planned the service managed to do it but you selected my father's favorite hymn to close the service. At one time he even tried to get George Beverly Shea to come sing it but, obviously, without success. I was doubly thankful to hear the Choctaw student play the trumpet. Every now and then I would ask one of my Choctaw friends - Pat Adair - to come play trumpet for the service. My dad thought trumpets were too loud in the fellowship hall and they were but I did it anyway. Lastly, it was great to see Louise Postell again after all these years. I just don't know how she and Forest put up with our shenanigans but, my, just look at the men and women who were members of their youth group. It was amazing to hear their stories as we had an impromptu youth group meeting at the table in the fellowship hall. Louise must be very proud of all of us. Yes, we all grew up to be responsible citizens and loving Christians in large part because of the life and witness of First Presbyterian Church. For that, I give thanks to God. David Anderson (Son of former pastor, Rev. James Anderson, serving at FPC from ) Attending religious services once a week adds between 4 and 14 years to life expectancy! (From AARP Bulletin)

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6 Mother-Daughter Gathering Wednesday, May 17, 5:30 pm Aloha! Welcome to Paradise Islands! Save the date for the Annual Mother-Daughter Gathering. Bring your mothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, and friends. Hawaiian attire is appropriate but not mandatory. The meal will be catered by Corner Café at $8.00 per person. Reservations should be made no later than Sunday, May 14. Make checks to Presbyterian Women and give to Melissa Burson, PW Treasurer, or Pam in the office. 111 th ANNUAL GATHERING OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN OF THE PRESBYTERY OF FLORIDA The 111 th Annual Gathering of Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Florida was held on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the historic, 100-year-old First Presbyterian Church located on beautiful Lake DeFuniak in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Attending from our church were Linda Petteway, PW Moderator; Barbara Blackburn, PW Moderator-Elect; Barbara Fallin, PW Historian; Rosanna McCurry, PW Program Chair; Chris Rollins, and Carol Davis and Lila Mendel, Co-Chairs of Joy Circle. The DeFuniak ladies provided an array of light breakfast foods as well as a lovely luncheon. As each lady arrived for the Gathering, she was given a Mardi Gras-type necklace of colored beads. During the lunch break, each lady was to look for a lady wearing the same color necklace that she did not already know and become a Prayer Partner with that lady. This proved to be a wonderful way to get to know PW members from other congregations across the Presbytery. Presiding over the meeting was the Presbytery PW Moderator Erin Rosica of Tallahassee. The morning message was delivered by Joanne Kublik, the Presbytery-commissioned Ruling Elder of the DeFuniak First Presbyterian Church, who is serving as the Interim Pastor there. The afternoon docket included a business meeting of the Florida Presbytery PW and installation of the officers. A highlight of the Gathering was the memorial service for PW members who had gone on to the Church Triumphant in As each name was called, a church representative placed a flower at the altar in memory of

7 Robert Roy Shanna Jenkins Sharon Schuler Brady Pat Genz Evelyn Corzine Harry Boyd Mark Burson Shirley Knight Helene King Kai Dock God Bless You! IMPORTANT DATES Healthy Women, Healthy Families Mother s Day Project April 30 - May 14, 2017 Kimberly Townsend.. 05 Ryan Bohnsack Jennie Langham Lillian Goodwyn Fred Pryor Dottie Eubanks Denise Richardson Rebecca Ashmore Paul Singleton Rachael Hamilton May Anniversaries Carl & Jeanie Caughman May 8 Doug & Denise Deason May 11 Chip & Sandie Hall May 14 Fran & George Goodall May 17 John & Sharon Schuler May 20 Helen & Mark Edwards May 22 Barbara & Ralph Fallin May 23 Kim & MG Moran May 26 Clark & Linda Petteway May 31 June Anniversaries Koltun & Rachael Hamilton June 6 Barbara Blackburn/Bob Stevenson June 16 Harry & Joyce Boyd June 23 Rob & Patti Bohnsack June 27 Dick & Pat Hansen June 30 Sunday, May 14 Happy Mother s Day! PW Mother-Daughter Gathering Wednesday, May 17, :30 pm Birthday Luncheon Tuesday, June 20, :30 am (Annual Gathering continued...) the deceased lady. During the lunch break the flowers were arranged into a beautiful floral bouquet. Ladies honored from our church were Patsy Forrester, Virginia Gilmore, Wilma Kelley, and Mildred Work, who was one of the founding members of our 75-year-old congregation. Healthy Women Healthy Families focus is coming soon. PW is inviting the congregation to participate. Presbyterians are working with global partners to address the conditions that keep families impoverished. HWHF is a program of the PC(USA) that assists by providing grants to fund education, community-development activities and health services in impoverished communities. Through Community Health Evangelism, community members train and work collectively, integrating spiritual, physical and social approaches to address priority challenges and improve their overall quality of life. The Healthy Women Healthy Families annual Mother s Day project offers attractive Mother s Day cards in exchange for a donation. The cards will be available on Sunday: April 30, May 7, and Mother s Day, May 14. The need is tragically apparent. The Mother s Day Project provides an opportunity for us to support HWHF while we honor special women in our lives.

8 A P R I L - M A Y Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 4 Ft. Walton Bch, FL Return service requested. First Presbyterian Church 134 Beal Parkway S.W. Fort Walton Beach, FL PHONE: FAX: Rev. Sharon Schuler, Pastor pastor@firstpresfwb.org Jackie Hails, Music Director music@firstpresfwb.org Pam Haynes, Office Administrator office@firstpresfwb.org All invited to the picnic after worship Bring side dishes & desserts Meat & beverage provided Dress for comfort Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets Games for kids and fun for all! Invite friends to come. Lillian Goodwyn was presented the Volunteer of the Month award for Sharing and Caring by president Ken Winzeler at the Organization s March 2017 meeting. Lillian has volunteered at S&C for over 25 years.