In this issue : Special Anniversaries
Thom’s Musings
Disciples Women News
Mission & Outreach Update
Up-coming events & activities
Community Service Opportunities
Thank you notes
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Pictorial Directory:
Lon and I are working on taking pictures for a new church directory, so if folks would please hang out a few minutes after church so we could get pictures.
For those who are homebound, we will make arrangements to come to you. (Just contact me 352-317-2011). Joyce Conners
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Thank you! What a delightful surprise! We appreciate the love and time each of you shared with us in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. We are so thankful for the opportunity to tell a few stories, answer a few questions and share the laughter of friends and family. You are such a blessing to us. You made the day extra special. Love, Richard, Glenda and family
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Join us for Wednesday evening Bible study. ( 7 p.m. ) We laugh - We learn - We bond
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Go beyond yourself …
Use your favorite search engine and look up: Lectio Divina
Sacred Reading : The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina, page 44
Deep Thoughts for the Discerning Disciple
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A Note of Thanks …
The family of Ralph Edwards would like to thank you for your loving care, support, and the food brought into our home, as well as the beautiful luncheon after the Memorial Service. You have been dear friends over the past four years, as Ralph’s Alzheimer’s disease progressed.
As you may know Ralph worked with the committee revising the original statement for the Memorial Fund. He would be moved to think that many of you chose to remember him with your contributions to that fund.
We, his family, would like to thank every one of you for your kindness.
Yours in Christ, Trudy, Marcy, Randy, Laurie & Wayne , Kent & Julie, Kerry & Nancy, along with all 15 Grandchildren and the Great Grandchild to be
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Please help us save POSTAGE. Pick up your Newsletter at Church on Sunday. Take a Home-bound friend their copy. Thank you!
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Patricia will be on vacation from July 10th till July 17th. Please have your July Board Reports to her by 7/1 – 10 a.m.
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JUNE 30th A Special Day for a Special Pastor! Happy Birthday , Dr. Thom Gibson.
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Habitat for Humanity
Here's Your Chance
Yes, YOU can join us in one of our service projects! On Saturday July 18 we will be providing lunch for the Habitat workers at the work site. We need donations of food and drinks for the day.
If you can donate something, please sign up on the sheet in the vestibule or call Dona Gibson at 332-1288. Donations need to be delivered to the church cafe by 10:30 a.m. on July 18.
If you want to help serve the lunch, then join us as we carpool over there. We are usually back by 1:30 p.m.
If you have any questions please contact Dona.
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Thoughts from Thom …
Though it is hot and humid outside, we have the air conditioning working inside. Consequently, summer is no reason to take a vacation from our worship of God. Our ministries continue as do our expenses. Hopefully, our financial and prayerful support for this ministry we share as Christ’s Church continues unabated during these summer months. As the saying goes, if you think it’s hot here and now, just think about where we hope to spend eternity. Stay cool and follow the Golden Rule.
Therefore, we do well to be reminded: “It’s not about us.” Every day as we work, shop, and play, we see people whose primary focus is upon themselves. No doubt, for some, because of health issues, such a focus is necessary. They live with a mandate to care for themselves, believing no one else will. As Christians we are challenged by these words of Jesus, “the measure you give will be the measure you get,” Mark 4:24 NRSV. While we come here to worship God, we do so not for ourselves, for what we can gain; rather we come to be of service to God’s children.
Sadly, some would-be followers of Jesus pay no attention to his words and seek to do things their own way with little regard for the welfare of others. May we seek to be found faithful, confessing our sins to one another and serving others in the name of the Lord.
Peace. In Christ, Dr. Thom C. Gibson
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POETRY CORNER
On Hope
Beauty flashes by in a moment,
Like a comet in star light when the moon hasn't shown.
We are keepers of love and joy and happiness,
But how much have we really done?
Laughter's voice calls to me at midnight ,
Like a breeze in the moon light-
But I cannot run.
We are sent here to help not to burden,
None is over til we have won.
Travel, through the beauty of star light-all alone we
Are one.
Life is full of surprises and yet not one
Is unknown.
Walk with me in the moonlight, all alone for the moment,
Let us talk of the World and what needs to be done.
~ Jim DeBarr
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JULY SERMONS
During July, Dr. Gibson will be preaching a four-part
sermon series on the Book of Joshua. In preparation
for our worship, we’re invited to read through
the Book of Joshua (Hint: It’s the first book after the Pentateuch).
Check your calendars and worship God with us!
July 5 - How Do We Respond to God?
Text: Joshua 1:1-9
12 - What Do We Tell Our Children?
Text: Joshua 4:1-24
19 - What Has God Promised Us?
Text: Joshua 21:43-45
26 - No Panel of Judges to Help Us
Text: Joshua 24:1-28
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WELCOME ABOARD, ELYSE!
On Sunday, June 28, Elyse Gile will begin as our new child care attendant. As with all new employees, she begins as a ninety (90) day probationary employee. Presently, Elyse will be in the nursery from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Sundays. It is our hope to expand our coverage so that whenever an event or program is taking place in the church, e.g. Wednesday evening Bible study, a parent will not have to make their decision to attend and participate based upon the availability of child care. Welcome to FCC, Elyse!
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“DUST FROM THE BOARD”
The Church Board met on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 with twelve members present (Quorum is 10). The proposed revision of the Constitution was distributed and given its first reading. Thank you to June Meadows, Diana DePury, Marita Wilkinson, Dawn Robinette, and Robert Brinson for their dedication and work in reviewing, revising and updating our Constitution. At its July meeting, the Board will vote on this proposed revision.
On May 31, Millie Ruiz Taylor submitted her resignation as our child care attendant effective June 14, 2009. It was received with regrets. According to our current By Laws, the minister is tasked with hiring a new child care attendant. Dr. Gibson will begin this process.
The mutual funds which came from the Wheeler estate bequest have been transferred to the Christian Church Foundation (CCF) in Indianapolis. The Permanent Fund Trustees will meet to determine their allocation to the various CCF investment funds. Next Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
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Student Center Report
So far nine are going on the Taize trip this summer and accommodations are being provided by some of David's European friends.
$500 was donated to repair the brakes on the donated van. There are some other repairs which may be necessary. The additional $23 dollars cost was covered by David.
Bill Morrison has told David that soon he may be able to give him a dollar figure on DOC Region's one time gift to the Student Center . This gift is to make up for lack of support in the past. After that the hope is to have a line item in the region's budget destined for the Student Center here and at UNF for regular support. Please pray for this to occur.
PDCSC received a check from First Christian Church of the Beaches, Neptune Beach . David explained to the Rev James Collins, Associate Pastor there, something of our financial shortfall, particularly the removal of Campus Ministry from Central Presbytery's budget. We received a letter and a check for $500 from their Outreach Ministry Committee Chair. We give thanks for their generosity.
The final Burrito Brothers contract is still pending. There is a strong possibility that Apartment Hunters wants to stay in our building also since University Corners is now on hold indefinitely. We will be getting this request/information in writing from UC and from AH. Financially this would be better for us.
Concerning the Heifer Project scheduled for October 10th— Tracy from Brandon will supply the churches with a list of needs for sponsoring a booth.
David is going to send out a letter to individuals in the various congregations and other potential supporters explaining the cutbacks and losses of support from various sources and ask for prayer as well as financial support to help make up the shortfall.
University Corners is planning to remove the trailer since they are not doing any selling out of it anymore and we are planning to ask the city if we can change the parking to diagonal parking when that happens so as to accommodate more cars.
Several projects are begging for a little attention at the Student Center ; if any men's groups or women's groups would like to give some time to their Student Center , we would welcome their assistance. One that was noticed looks to be a rotten piece of 2x10 on the east side of the building... We love willing volunteers. God bless them. ~ Diana DePury
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SENIORS
Super Seniors will meet at Brown’s Country Buffet in Alachua at 11:30 AM on Thursday July 2nd. Earl
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Disciples Women - Another successful year has ended for Disciples Women, and we look forward with renewed spirit to our new year of study, worship, fellowship, and service projects that help many in our community.
Barbara Shelamer led us in a program about “Listening With Your Heart” and remembering
our past year with its strengths and weaknesses, our joys and sorrows. We will miss
Lucille “T” Crown, Sarah Criswell, Kay Fox, and Trudy’s husband, Ralph Edwards. We thank Trudy for installing our new officers for the coming year. They are: Nancy Ramsey, President; Doris Powell, Vice President; Veda Bergadine, Treasurer; Marita Wilkinson, Secretary; Service Chairman, Katherine Williams; and Diana DePury, June Meadows, and Beverly Spear will share duties for presentation of our programs and worship. During next year, we plan to work closely with the entire church on Service & Outreach programs. You will hear more about this in the coming days.
A salad luncheon was enjoyed by eleven Disciples Women and five guests following the meeting. We welcome all ladies of the church to join us! We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the church.
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Worthy of Recognition … Thelma and Carl Johannsen celebrated their 70th Anniversary on June 18th
Glenda and Richard Wills celebrated their 50th Anniversary on June 19th
Nancy and Howard Ramsey celebrated their 50th on June 27th
Thank you for showing us, by example, to endure all things …
And above all else, love!
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MEMORIAL GIFTS
In loving memory of
ROBERT RALPH EDWARDS
Jerry and Joyce Edwards
Sharon W. Hoopaugh
Laurence A. Kroll
James & Robin Gage
Patricia and Frank Whiting
Charlene Wolfe
Beth and Jeffrey Young
Peter Madvad
Skip and Lynda Everitt
David Everitt
Robin, Simon & Rachel Patfield
TLC Rehab, Brandon GS Clinic
Jerry & Valerie Leonard
Terwilliger Staff & Faculty
Douglas and Macky Barrett
Nancy and Howard Ramsey
Earl and Veda Bergadine
Doris and Bill Powell
Diana DePury
Marita and Ermal Wilkinson
June Meadows
Mary Katherine Wimsett
Doris Galladay
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YARD SALE
We have now begun our collection of miscellaneous items for our Annual Yard Sale. Your trash is another’s treasure. Call the office if you need someone to pick up large items. We have scheduled the sale for November. Details will be announced in the future.
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F or Your Information
If you have not given the office your updated personal information for our Directory, please do so at this time.
If you do not wish to receive this Newsletter, please call the office.
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Deadline for the August Issue of The Visitor will be July 22nd.
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God’s Church
Within the whole family of God on earth, the church appears wherever believers in Jesus Christ are gathered in his name. Transcending all barriers within the human family such as race and culture, the church manifests itself in ordered communities of disciples bound together for worship, for fellowship and for service, and in varied structures for mission, witness and mutual discipline, and for the nurture and renewal of its members. All dominion in the church belongs to Jesus Christ, its Lord and head, and any exercise of authority in the church on earth stands under his judgment.
~ The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
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Have a safe and fun Fourth of July!
