PASTOR’S LETTER
Advent greetings to you,
The season of Advent and Christmas is upon us. This time of year is supposed to be a
time where we are to wait with joyful anticipation of what is to come on what we now
call Christmas day. For many, this season is
full of joy and happiness as we anxiously
await the celebration of the birth of the
Prince of Peace, but for some it only brings
up memories of lost loved ones, or it is a reminder of joy lost due to financial, health,
and/or physical and emotional problems.
The great gift of Christmas brings hope to
all of us no matter where we are in life. The
abundant hope that is given to us by God in
the grace of Jesus is a gift of love that is
poured out for all. I pray you can share this
gift of love and abundant hope with others
as Jesus has called us to do. We have great
opportunities to do this as a church family
this season. Our Angel Tree project continues to share hope with children at The
Centers as we provide some Christmas gifts
for the children. These children are victims
of physical abuse, abandoned by parents,
born to mothers in incarceration, children
of parents with severe mental health and
substance abuse issues, and they are children in between placement with relatives
after being taken from dangerous homes.
Our blood drive on December 7th is another
opportunity to share hope. By giving one
pint of blood you may save three lives and
provide hope to families.
Sharing hope comes in many forms and opportunities. You may also invite friends,
neighbors, and families to worship with us
during this wonderful season. Advent Wednesdays are a wonderful occasion to come and bring
friends (Wednesdays 6:00 -7:00 p.m. in the Session room). Another opportunity is the Annual
Christmas Pageant and Dinner on December 7th
at 5:30 p.m. The choir Christmas Cantata will be
during worship Sunday, December 21st. This
beautiful music will surely be uplifting and a great
reminder of the One true hope we all have. I also
encourage you to invite all you know to our
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 4:00, 7:00
and 11:00 p.m.
I pray this season brings you abundant hope and
that you can share that hope with others!
Merry Christmas,
Pastor ........................................ Andy Gans
Visitation Pastor (Ret.) ............ Tom McNeil
Music Director .......................... Rick Roberts
Executive Assistant................... Chris Muramatsu
Nursery Attendant.................... Tammy Keeslar
Proofreaders.............................. Susan M. Jensen and
John Stewart
Contributors...............................Members of Ft. King
Assembling ................................. Phyllis Altonn, Bobbie
Burns, Sue Chancey, Kay Dahlen, Joyce Gauntt,
Eleanor Hayesmore, Donna Johnson, Pat Merrill,
Roselle Pringle, Alice Reffner, Judith Simonin,
Aileen Zimmerman
Bulk Mail Handling...................John Stewart
Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m.
Office: (352) 694694-4121
FAX: (352) 694-5226
13 NE 36TH AVENUE
OCALA, FLORIDA 34470
www.fortking.org
[email protected]
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
FKPC Financial Status for the Year as of October 31,2014
Total Offerings
=
$222,187.30
Total Expense
=
$228,511.83
Variance
=
$ 324.53
We have spent $324.53 more than we have taken in. We still have two months to go before the end of the year.
As long as we watch what we spend, and there are no unexpected costs, we should be fine.
Stewardship 2014: it is not too late to turn in your Commitment Card for 2015. You can mail them to the
church or drop them off at worship or the Church Office. We are still behind in our funding for 2015 so, if you
haven't already, please, please turn your card in as soon as possible.
A great big thank you to those who have already turned their cards in!
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
2
CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)
Sherry’s Shuttle Service
Sherry Pritchett is in need of rides to and from church on Sunday mornings. Congregational Care is hoping that
enough people/families will be willing to help Sherry with rides. If you are willing to become a member of Sherry’s Shuttle Service, please sign up for a Sunday or several Sundays on the form located across from the church
office.
The more people we have signed up, the fewer Sundays will be asked of you. Sherry is an important member of
our congregation, and her smile and willingness to greet each and every person on Sunday is a wonderful service
to our Lord. Please let’s not let Sherry down and volunteer to help her. Sherry would like to be at church between 10:00 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. to begin greeting everyone.
Sherry lives less than 2 miles (5 minutes) from the church. For more information please contact Onalee Mease
at 687-3160 or [email protected].
Thanks to all who have already said yes and to those who will be willing to care for Sherry in this important
matter.
CONNECTIONS
Dinners For Eight
It is time to begin thinking about joining our Dinners for Eight Program
Dinners for Eight is a fun way to get to know your church family. Each month from January through April, 4
couples (8 people) join together for dinner. Single people are welcomed and will be matched up with another
participant to form “a couple.” Each month you and your partner meet as part of four different couples. Each
month you provide a different portion of the meal as described below.
Couple A - Host…provides meat and beverage…calls others in your group to confirm date and time. Dinner
is held in the home of the host (in some instances hosts may use the home of another member with more
space)
♦ Couple B – Provides vegetable
♦ Couple C – Provides salad and bread
♦ Couple D – Provides dessert
♦
A sign- up sheet is located in the Narthex so that you may indicate your interest in participating. A schedule
will be designed to mix up the groups each month and you will be provided a schedule for the entire four
months. In May we will have a special event to include everyone that has participated.
If you have any questions, or want to register by phone, please call Bernice Henry at 694-6798.
3
DISCIPLESHIP
Sunday Adult Classes in December
Coffee 9:00 a.m.
Conversation 9:15 a.m.
In 2007, Marcus Borg and John Domonic Crossan published
The First Christmas:
What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Birth.
Birth
December 7th and 14th - Gwynn Pealer,
Pealer Conversation leader
st
December 21 - Tom McNeil, Thoughts and Questions
December 28th - No class
Our church library has two copies of this book.
Christmas Dinner and Pageant
Please mark your calendars for December 7th at 5:30 p.m. for our traditional Christmas Dinner and Pageant.
The members of the Session will be providing turkey and dressing as their gift to the congregation and everyone attending will bring their favorite side (vegetables, salads or desserts). After the meal the pageant titled
“The Greatest Story Ever Told,” written and directed by Rick Roberts, assisted by Bernice Henry, will be presented in the Sanctuary. You will be delighted by the cast of 18 children, youth and adults who will be presenting this year’s pageant. Don’t miss this wonderful evening with your church family.
Children’s Discipleship Ministry
Please note the changes in the schedule for children’s Sunday School classes for the month of December.
December 7…Communion, the children remain in worship. December14…Birthday Party for Jesus, led by
Harvey and Kathy Bohner. December 23…the choir will be presenting the Christmas Cantata, children remain in worship. Dec 30…no Sunday School, classes resume in January as regularly scheduled.
Happy
Birthday
4
esus
Happy
Birthday
esus
Our Sunday School children are invited to a Birthday Party for Jesus during the worship Sunday School time
on December 14th. The party will include advent activities, games, a birthday cake, and the construction of
fruit baskets to be given to our shut-ins as a gift to Jesus. The fruit baskets will be filled with fruit provided
by the Adult Sunday School Class. Crafts constructed by the Sunday School will also be placed in the baskets with seasonal treats. They will be delivered by the High Tide and Youth Group when they go caroling
that night.
DISCIPLESHIP (continued)
Advent Wednesdays
Advent Wednesdays starts on December 3rd at 6:00 p.m. and continue through December 17th. We will be
meeting in the Session Room. The discussion for Advent Wednesdays will be about the First Christmas and
discovering the actual literary story the Gospel of Mark and Luke tell about the Nativity. Join us and invite
your friends and neighbors for this Advent exploration.
GROUP ACTIVITIES
Sassy Seniors
All widows and single ladies are welcome to join Sassy Seniors on Wednesday, December 10th at 1:00 p.m. December’s luncheon will take place at Gator Joe’s, 12431 135th
Ave (just off Hwy 25) in Okalawaha 352-288-3100.
Card Making Ministry
Card Making Ministry will meet on the second Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Please call
Prudence Pritz if you would like to join.
Crafty Ladies
Crafty Ladies will start meeting again on Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to see all of you there. If you would like to join our group, come for a visit
and see what we are doing and how you can help. We welcome new people and new talents!
Men’s Night Out
Men’s Night Out will be held on Monday, December 8th at 6:30 p.m. We will meet at Brian Lavery’s
house. Please RSVP to Brian at 694-8264.
5
DICIPLESHIP (continued)
No Tai Chi Classes during the Holiday Season . . .
Begin again in the New Year!
There will be no Tai Chi classes at the church on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the month of December.
Classes will resume on Thursday, January 8th at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope that you can join us
in the new year!
~Donna Lavery and Mary Beth Neely
Presbyterian Women 2014 - 2415
All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all activities
of Presbyterian Women.
Circle Meetings for December: Esther Circle will meet at 6:30 p.m. on December 8th, at the
home of Shirley Orme. (Please note this is a time change as we will be having our Christmas
celebration with appetizers), Deborah Circle will meet at 10:00 a.m. on December 16th, in the
Session Room of the church.
MISSION
Blood Drive - December 7th
The Big Red Bus will be at Ft. King on December 7th. If it is possible, please donate. This time of year, blood is in short supply and the demand is great. If you donate, remember to bring a valid ID. Thank you.
6
MISSION (continued)
4th Annual Christmas Fair and Concert
Saturday, December 13th - Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Concert: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
By Reverend Terry Robertson and Marilyn Robertson
Festivities:
Christmas Cookie Exchange and Sale
Christmas Photos in Victorian Garb and/or Manger Scene
Food, Story Time, Caroling, Fun, and Fellowship
Christmas Gift Shopping:
10,000 Villages, Project Hope, Fair Trade, Equal Exchange
Olive Wood Crafts and Gifts from Bethlehem,
Local Crafts and More
Sunday, December 14th
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Continuation of Christmas Gift Shopping:
♦ 10,000 Villages
♦ Project Hope
♦ Fair Trade
♦ Equal Exchange
♦ Olive Wood Crafts
♦ Gifts from Bethlehem,
♦ Local Crafts and More
7
PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Pastor’s Discretionary Fund
The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund is a benevolence fund that is fully funded by offering collected at the 3
Christmas Eve services and by donations received that are designated for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund
throughout the year.
We recently received the following letter from one of the ministries we support with these funds.
Below is a summary of how the kindness and generosity of Ft. King Presbyterian
Church has impacted families, many times allowing them to have a place to live
when they were so close to being out on the street with their children. I only
approach your church for help as a last resort after all the other agencies that
help those in dire situations have been approached and the family is still in a
situation of need. One thing that makes this so wonderful is that every family
you helped is still doing well after receiving your assistance. For many, your donation was truly the difference on that very fine line of survival that allowed
these families to move forward and sustain their lives. Please share these stories
with your church members so they can see how their giving has touched the
lives of so many. Pastor Gans, you and your church members are truly a blessing.
November 2013 – A mother of two who works at Krystal at $7.79 per hour was
facing eviction from her apartment. An agreement was worked out with the
landlord that if paid an immediate $150 and then added $150 per month to every payment until she was caught up she would not be evicted. As she had just
started working she did not have the $150 which Ft. King Presbyterian provided. This mother kept her agreement and she and her family are still living in
their apartment. Your help prevented them from becoming homeless.
February 2014 – A mother with an 18 and a 20 year old was living with a grandmother until the grandmother moved into senior housing. This family found a
place to stay but after paying all the deposits and first month’s rent had no funds
8
PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND (continued)
to turn on their TECO gas. Ft. King Presbyterian provided the TECO deposit so
this family could move into their new rental home where they are still living.
April 2014 - A husband and wife with children ages 17 and 19 were facing foreclosure after the husband was laid off from his long distance trucking job due to slow
business. Ft. King Presbyterian provided $227 which when combined with donations from other churches and organizations prevented the family from being foreclosed. The husband found another truck driving job and although still catching up
on their mortgage payments they are no longer at risk of having their home foreclosed.
June 2014 – A family with two children had a broken water pipe in their home resulting in a very large plumbing bill. The mother is disabled and the father works at
a quick change oil business receiving just above minimum wage. With this large bill
they were unable to pay their $195 electric bill and $66 gas bill. Ft. King Presbyterian paid these bills which was a tremendous help to this family.
August 2014 – A man served a long prison term and upon release married the
woman who waited for him while he served his sentence. They both have jobs and
were restoring a house that should have been condemned but it was the only place
they had to live. All of their funds were going to fix up this home and then the
home was attacked by termites. The termite treatment took all their funds and Ft.
King Presbyterian paid $150 toward their electric bill so they would not lose their
electric power. The family is doing fine at this time.
September 2014 – A mother of two children ages 1 and 4 lost her job and was
evicted from her apartment. She was staying in a motel and hired at Signature
Brands but had no money to pay her motel bill until receiving her first pay check.
Ft. King Presbyterian paid $210 for one week’s motel bill allowing the family to
have a place to stay. She is now paying her own bills out of her paycheck.
November 2014 – A mother of three working as a waitress lost two months of work
when her baby got sick and then the restaurant where she worked closed. She is
now working 12 hours per day at two different restaurants and takes a college class
online. Her unemployment put her far behind in her rent and her landlord was preparing to evict the family. Ft. King Presbyterian provided $200 which went with
$1,200 in other funds that were secured and the mother’s own $500 to pay her past
due rent and prevent the eviction. This family is now going to be fine.
9
SESSION
Session Notes
At its November 19th meeting the Session heard/voted:
♦
The Session voted to have the Annual Congregational Meeting in January include the election of the congregational member of the Nominating Committee for 2015, which will be finalized with that action. This
will have two benefits: the nominating committee will exist in case of a Session vacancy before June (when it
has traditionally been constituted) and it will eliminate a called Congregational Meeting around that time
solely for that purpose.
♦
The Finance Ministry pointed out a large concern about a lack of pledging for 2015. While many families
pledging have responded to the request for a 10% increase in giving with an appropriate increase, a number
of families who pledged in 2014 have not done so for 2015. This leaves the budget for 2015 at flat or worse –
as unavoidable increases in fixed cost items such as electricity, etc. will not allow for increases and require
decreases in mission and other programs..
♦
The Worship Ministry has decided to purchase the new on-line hymnal with the hope that some of the music
will appeal to younger members.
♦
The gluten–free bread used in communion is not satisfactory (falling apart) - other choices are being explored.
♦
The Property Ministry is looking at an estimated $10,000 in roof repairs to various roofs.
♦
Troop 196 camped at Silver River State Park on November 21-23. They are currently selling Ocala factory made sausage sticks for $1.00.
Catey Gans – Statement of Faith
All of my life I have been going to church. Church and God have always been a focus in my household. As I have
grown up, I have often been asked questions dealing with my faith journey, but I will tell you right now, I have
never really found a "true" answer for myself. Since middle school, I've felt like I have just been going through the
motions of church. The more and more I seemed to be pushed to have a stronger faith, the more and more I
wanted to retreat. A few weeks ago though, my life changed completely. One of the major things that has been
pulling me away from a devoted faith was put on hold for a while. It wasn't that I hadn't been a devout Christian
before - things just could have been better; I could have been better. Now things have changed and I have realized I need God more than I seemed to need him. I definitely need God to heal, to be emotionally strong, to be
mentally strong and to reach my goals. I can't be Wonder Woman. I am not Wonder Woman. I need help in life
just like everyone else. I cannot keep putting every pressure upon myself and blocking others out. God is the potter and I am his clay. He is here to mold me and so I should willingly and openly let him.
10
WORSHIP
The Chancel Choir Presents
“The Spirit of Christmas”
Sunday, December 21st 10:30 a.m.
Christmas fills our hearts with:
Joy…..because our Savior has come. Peace…..because we belong to Him.
Love…..because God first loved us.
Inspired by new music as well as traditional carols, The Spirit of Christmas retells the biblical account of Jesus’
birth through music and the spoken word. And rather than simply being “sung to,” those in attendance will be
invited to fully participate in the celebration. Donna Johnson sings Mary’s song “I Will Magnify the Lord” joined
by Sheena Schlegel in a stunning duet. “I Know Of A Name” will be sung by Jim Johnson and later joined by
Martie McLean. The choir reflects with “He Became Poor;” rejoices with the exciting “Good News!” and offers
hope with “When He Came.” You join in singing “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,”
and the crowning triumphant, “Joy To The World.” And there is more as Andy dramatizes the Scriptures.
There is something for everyone. Please take the opportunity to invite a friend to share with us…
“The Spirit of Christmas”
Christmas Eve Services
Join us on Wednesday, December 24th for 3 wondrous Christmas Eve Services.
4:00 p.m. Service - Worship, Carols, Communion Celebration
7:00 p.m. Service - Worship, Carols, Communion Celebration,
Candle Lighting
11:00 p.m. Service - Worship, Carols, Communion Celebration,
Candle Lighting
Poinsettias in the Sanctuary during the
Christmas Season
One beautiful expression of our joy at Christmas is to have the Sanctuary decorated with poinsettias. We invite you
to help with this. Please consider ordering a poinsettia – in honor of someone or in memory of someone – to be displayed during the Christmas season in our Sanctuary. After worship on December 28th, you can then take the poinsettia home and enjoy it there. Each poinsettia is $10.00. The order form is following. You can place your order in
the offering plate on a Sunday, or drop it off in the Church Office. All checks should be made payable to “Fort
King Presbyterian Church” with “poinsettia” written on the notation line. Thank you!
Poinsettia Order
(Please Print)
_______ (Number of poinsettias) @ $10.00/each $_______________
given by____________________________________________________________________
in honor/memory of (circle one): __________________________________________
11
WORSHIP (continues)
Isaac Watts
Rev. Adam Rankin
Presbyterian: That Starts with “P” and that Rhymes with “T”
One of my favorite movies is Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man.” One of my favorite songs from this wonderful
movie is “You’ve Got Trouble” sung by Robert Preston as the character Professor Harold Hill. He sings this song
to the townsfolk of River City, Iowa, letting them know that a pool table was recently brought to River City and
that starts with “P” which rhymes with “T” and that spells “You’ve got trouble, right here in River City.” This
song convinces parents they should buy instruments and uniforms for their children and Professor Hill will form a
band. Unfortunately, Professor Hill is a scoundrel and con man who collects money for instruments and uniforms and then skips town.
Low and behold. There was trouble in another city in 1789. Ironically, the city was the “City of Brotherly Love”,
Philadelphia, Pa. And glory be it involved, above all things, Presbyterians! But, we’ll get to that in moment.
A few months ago, one of my writings was about Isaac Watts. You will recall when Isaac Watts was 18 years of
age, he criticized the hymns of the church. His father said, "If you don't like the hymns we sing, then write a better one!" To that Isaac replied, "I have.” One of his hymns was shared with the church they attended and they
asked the young man to write more. For 222 Sundays, Isaac Watts prepared a new hymn for each Sunday, and
single-handedly revolutionized the congregational singing habits of the English Churches. In 1705, Watts published his first volume of original hymns and sacred poems. More followed. In 1719, he published his monumental work, "The Psalms of David, Imitated." In preparing this work, he focused on Psalm 98, especially verses 4, 6,
8 & 9, when he wrote his hymn which we know as “Joy to the World.”
1
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2
The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3
He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
12
WORSHIP (continues)
4
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5
make music to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
7
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9
let them sing before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Now here is where we get to the “P” that rhymes with “T” and that spells trouble right here in Philadelphia.
For many years, only Psalms were sung throughout the Presbyterian Churches. The first General Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church in the United States convened at the Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in
May of 1789. The Rev. Adam Rankin rode horseback from his Kentucky parish to the seat of the Assembly to
plead with his fellow Presbyterians, to reject the use of Watts’s hymns. Rev. Rankin was a controversial figure
in his day. He authored the first book published in the state of Kentucky in 1793 entitled A “Process in the
Transylvania Presbytery.” This work was a defense against charges brought against him by his Presbytery,
which included a defense of his views on Psalmody. Apparently Rankin stirred up quite a bit of controversy
concerning the use of the Psalms in worship. It seems that he believed God spoke to him in dreams, at least
according to the charges against him. While we may not agree with all of the actions of Rev. Rankin, his work
on Psalmody is historically significant as one of the first American defenses of exclusive Psalmody. He cautioned the Assembly Commissioners "to refuse to allow the great and pernicious error of adoption the use of
Watt's hymns in public worship in preference to Rouse's versifications of the Psalms of David."
The General Assembly did not agree. And so today, we, as Presbyterians, as well as many other denominations
around the world, sing that great Isaac Watts Psalm “Joy to the World.” Set to a musical theme adapted by Dr.
Lowell Mason (1792-1872), from "The Messiah" by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759), "Joy to the World"
is, as its first word suggests, one of the most joyous hymns of the Christmas season.
My Christmas wish for all of you this blessed season is that you have a joyous Christmas filled with love, peace,
hope and joy!
With a song in my heart,
Rick
13
WORSHIP (continued)
Something To Think About
“For Unto You A Child Is Born…”
Focus on Exodus 1:8-2:10
It has long been recognized that there is a connection between the birth-story of Moses (Exodus
Exodus 1:81:8-2:10)
2:10 and
that of Jesus as the promised messiah as given in Matthew 2 (see B.S. Childs 1974 Exodus 21ff). Because Matthew used contemporary Jewish writings and interpretations of Exodus 2, the Exodus text was not used as a
proof-text by Matthew, i.e., he did not quote from Exodus. Nevertheless, the connection is clear. So, let’s look
at the story in Exodus, the birth story of Moses, and hear what it is saying to us.
The Pharaoh of Egypt (not specified in Exodus 2:1-10) was regarded as the “physical son of the Sun-god” of
Egypt (C. J. Bleeker The Religion of Ancient Egypt in C.J. Bleeker and Geo Widengren, editors, 1969 Historia
Religionum I 76). Why? Because a pharaoh was the product of “the sacral marriage between the queen and
(the god) AmonAmon-Re.”
Re. This is spelled out in texts and reliefs in the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (+/- 1525
BCE) at Deir el Bahri in Upper Egypt (near Thebes). Hatshepsut was called “God’s wife”!
Pharaoh was regarded as a “son of the gods,” in order that he might be elevated above ordinary mortals. In fact,
so elevated was he that he was regarded as “Egypt,” the common people as extensions of pharaoh, and Egypt
was the pharaoh who had power over the life and death of all other mortals.
In Exodus 1:8 ff., the “pharaoh” (Note: not named as such from a later Israelite point of view!) is regarded as a
“clever despot” (Childs op cit. 15), because he “humbly” identified himself with the people when he said: “The
Israelite people are too numerous and strong for us.”
us The “Hebrews” had done nothing at all threatening to
Egyptian power, yet the pharaoh created an “alleged threat” in order to obliterate a people! Sound familiar?
Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill a male child (Exo. 1:16); they didn’t do what they were told because they “feared God” (Exo. 1:17). And to compound matters, even the daughter of the pharaoh didn’t respond in accordance with pharaoh’s orders! No, she allowed her own “motherly instincts” to come into play:
she adopted the child as her own, and Moses’ birth-mother reared the child!
Just why was this infant so special? The story writer is looking back:
back this child, called “Moses” (“to be born” in
Egyptian) will be the agent of liberation from slavery in Egypt, from a social, religious, and political system that
can destroy the “frail beginnings of human life” because he has power over the world – he is
“invulnerable” (Childs op cit. 24)! The child is a sign: the beginning of a new possibility, the opening of a new
future for human life. The child for pharaoh, instead, becomes an obsession, someone, something to kill. Childs
made this comment:
“The grim reality is that even when redemption finally comes, it is accompanied, not by the heroic martyrdom of the brave partisan, but by the senseless murder of children. The salvation promised by God is
not greeted by a waiting world, but opposed with the hysterical fanaticism which borders on madness” (op cit. 25).
14
WORSHIP (continued)
Elie Wiesel, as a child in Auschwitz, witnessed the hanging of a child, “a child with the face of a sad angel.”
“Behind him he heard someone groan: ‘Where is God? Where is He? Where can He be now?’ and a
voice within Elie answered: ‘Where? Where is He? Here He is – He is hanging on this gallows…’ God
suffered with the victims and was Himself a victim of monstrous man made evil.” (Elie Wiesel et al.
1977 Dimensions of the Holocaust 88 fn. 59)
Two questions have been asked, one for a Jew, the other for a Christian:
1.
A Jew asks: “The world is so evil, why does the Messiah not come? What does it take to bring
him?”
2.
For a Christian, the question is: “The Messiah has come, why is the world so evil?”
evil? (R. M.
Brown in Wiesel op cit. 60)
So, we celebrate the birth of the One whom we are told will save us from our “sins.” I hope this word includes
the horrors and monstrosities power-mad human beings have continuously unleashed on human life. As a foretaste of what was to come, “Moses” lived to fulfill his mission in spite of proposed atrocities by the pharaoh.
And if pharaoh had succeeded and not Moses?
The upshot of the story of Israel and of Jesus of Nazareth is this: The cross is the center of human existence.
Merry Christmas?
Something to think about.
Tom
15
WORSHIP (continues)
(continues)
WORSHIP
Flower Calendar
If you would like to provide flowers during 2015, please call Nancy Hall at 694-3221. Thank you.
Please note: If you would like to commemorate a special event/occasion/memory etc. for a specific date,
please call me as soon as possible. It is never too early to select your chosen date. Please don’t hesitate to call
me if there is a Sunday you would like to commemorate by sharing with the church some type of flowers or
plant of your choice. ( It could be fresh, silk, dried, etc. from your yard, a supermarket, a florist, etc.) Thank
you.
Thank you to these people as they share in donating the flowers for the following worship services:
November 30, 2014 through December 28, 2014---Poinsettias in the Sanctuary
January 4, 2015---From Jim and Donna Johnson in celebration of their 30th
wedding anniversary
January 11, 2015---OPEN
January 18, 2015---OPEN
January 25, 2015---From Marianne Fullarton
February 1, 2015---In memory of my dear friend, Peggy Wiechens, from Mary Ellen Vowinkel
February 8, 2015---In celebration of our 59th wedding anniversary on February the 11th
from Steve and Janet Mitchell
February 15, 2015---OPEN
February 22, 2015---OPEN
March 1, 2015---OPEN
March 8, 2015---OPEN
March 15, 2015---OPEN
March 22, 2015---From Jean Brown, Hal, Douglas, Bruce, and Lynn in loving memory of
husband and father, Halowell E. Brown
March 29, 2015---OPEN (Palm Sunday)
April 5, 2015---Easter (Easter lilies will be placed in the sanctuary)
April 12, 2015---OPEN
April 19, 2015---OPEN
April 26, 2015---OPEN
16
December 2014
Italicized items are non-FKPC activities using FKPC facilities
Sunday
Monday
1
7:30 Men’s Bible
Study
Tuesday
Wednesday
2
3
10:00 PW
Coordinating
10:00 Prayer
Team
Shawl Ministry
1:00 Worship
5:30 Connections
Ministry
Ministry
5:00 TOPS (FH)
5:30 Mission Ministry
6:00 - 8:00 Marions
7:00 Boy Scouts 6:00 Advent
United (CE)
(YH)
Wednesday
9
10
7
8
9:00 - 10:00 Blood 7:30 Men’s Bible
1:00 Sassy Seniors
Study
Drive
(off-site)
9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:30 Small Group
9:15 Adult Ed. &
6:00 Finance
Youth
Ministry
10:00 Choir Practice 5:00 TOPS (FH)
10:30 Worship
7:00 Discipleship
6:00 - 8:00 Marions
11:30 - 1:00 Blood
Ministry
United (CE)
Drive
Children
11:30 Discipleship
Youth Ministry 6:30 Men’s Night Out Afternoon - Even- 6:00 Advent
Wednesday
ing Boy Scouts
(off-site)
5:30 Christmas
Event (FH)
6:30 Esther Circle
Dinner and
(off-site)
Pageant
16
15
14
17
9:00 - 10:15
3:00 Pastoral Care
10:00 Deborah
Christmas Fair 7:30 Men’s Bible
Team
Circle
Study
9:00 - 11:45 Library
9:15 Adult Ed. &
Youth
11:30 - 1:00
Christmas Fair
11:30 Congregational
6:00 Session
5:00 TOPS (FH)
Care Ministry
6:00 Advent
10:00 Choir Practice 6:00 - 8:00 Marions
Wednesday
7:00 Boy Scouts
United (CE)
10:30 Worship
(YH)
5:00 PYC
5:00 High Tide
21 Food4Kids &
24 OFFICE
23
22
2 Cents A Meal
CLOSED NOON
Joy Offering
7:30-9:00 BNI
7:30 Men’s Bible
(FH)
Study
9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:30 Small Group
4:00 Worship
9:15 Adult Ed.
Service
10:00 Choir Practice 5:00 TOPS (FH)
7:00 Worship
10:30 Worship &
Service
7:00 Boy Scouts
6:00 - 8:00 Marions
Cantata
(YH)
11:00 Worship
United (CE)
5:00 PYC
Service
31
29
30
28
9:00 - 11:45 Library
10:00 Choir Practice
10:30 Worship
5:00 PYC
7:00 Boy Scouts
5:00 High Tide
(YH)
Thursday
Friday Saturday
4
5
7:30 - 9:00 BNI
(FH)
11:00 Adult
Discipleship
Ministry
7:00 Choir
Practice
7:00 AA (FH)
11
12
7:30 - 9:00 BNI
Set up
(FH)
Fellowship
Hall
Christmas
Fair
7:00 Choir
10:00 Card
Practice
Making
7:00 AA (FH)
Ministry
(off-site)
19
18
7:30 - 9:00 BNI
(FH)
6
Set up
Fellowship
Hall
Christmas
Dinner
13
Noon - 4:00
Christmas
Fair &
Concert
20
7:00 Choir
Practice
7:00 AA (FH)
26
25
27
OFFICE
CLOSED
7:00 AA (FH)
17
FORT KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
13 N.E. 36th Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34470
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Ocala, FL 34478
Permit #100
RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED
Label
Boy Scout Fundraiser
Ft. King’s Boy Scout Troop #196 is selling meat sticks as a fundraiser for their various scouting activities.
The meat sticks are made at Ocala based Country Meats, an FDA certified facility. The sticks sell for
$1.00 each. If interested, contact Bob Barton 425-8500.