JUNE 2011
The Good News
June 2011
Why Believers Pray
Psalm 103:19-22
Recognizing that God is sovereign prompts some questions about the nature of prayer.
Specifically, many people have asked me, “If the Lord is in control, why does He expect us to pray?”
Prayer brings us into cooperation with what God has purposed to accomplish. He desires to involve believers in the work that He is doing in the world and in their lives. We aren’t to sit around when there is kingdom building going on—there isn’t a single scripture to support the idea that we relax while the Lord works all things to His good pleasure. In fact, the opposite is true.
In John 17:11, Jesus asked God to protect the disciples by the power of His name (NIV). Did He think they might lose their salvation or drift from their commitment?Absolutely not. Jesus was God in human flesh. He knew exactly what was going to happen—how these men would spread the gospel and remain faithful even unto death. Jesus was taking part in the Father’s plan for His followers by interceding for them.
God certainly can build His kingdom without believers’ input or help. But a relationship develops depth and intimacy when the Lover and His beloved share an interest. Praying and working alongside our Lord grows our faith and strengthens our trust in His power.
Talking with almighty God is a privilege. The Lord created you to love Him and be loved by Him. Prayer is how that connection gets nurtured and developed. Our Father calls us to communicate with Him so He can draw us close to His heart and involve us in building the kingdom.
Adapted from Dr. Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org
LET’S CELEBRATE!!!
JUNE BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
2. John Carter
4. Joe Knowles
Pat Foor
8. Christopher Thornton
Jean Longenecker
10. Betsy Starkman
11. Jim Frick
13. Helen Taylor
18. Chuck DeMola
22. Lenora Puthoff
29. Steve Croft
30. John & Joycelyn Carter
MEETING SCHEDULE
For June 2011
Mon., June 13th, 10:30 a.m. – Mission/Outreach Team in the pastor’s office.
Mon., June 13th 5:30 p.m. – Church By-Laws meeting in the pastor’s office.
Mon., June 13th 6:30 p.m. – Programs & Ministry Team in the church nursery.
Mon., June 13th 6:30 p.m. – Property and Finance Team in the pastor’s office.
Mon., June 20th, 5:30 p.m. – Church Growth Focus Group meeting in the sanctuary.
in the church sanctuary.
Mon., June 20th, 6:30 p.m. – Board of Deacons mtg.
in the church sanctuary.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
For May 2011
For Coffee Hour: Dottie Willis; Evelyn Ahn; Virginia Parrish; Don & Jo Ellen Truchan; Bob & Nola Wilson.
For Greeters: Mary Smith; Evelyn Ahn; Virginia Parrish; Betsy Starkman; Keith Burke; Jane Coatney; Betty Russell; Pat Foor.
For Worship Leader: Rev Julene W. Blaber; Jim Nelson; Bob Wilson; Pat Foor; Rev Dr. Ruth Warren.
For Sunday School: Julene Wright Blaber.
For Flowers: Bob & Pat Foor; Lucy Haddow & Family;Dick & Ruth Warren; Don & Jo Ellen Trucan.
For Opening & Closing: Keith Burke.
WELCOME! WELCOME!
Emmanuel Community Church, American Baptist heartily welcomes its newest member.
Keith Burke
Our prayer is that you will find membership at Emmanuel spiritually fulfilling and rewarding.
We thank you for your commitment to this church and to the work of the Christian church at large.
BOOK CLUB
The Book Club meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am. If you like to read, join us for lively discussion and a light lunch. RSVP to the hostess listed below.
June 8 – Host Linda DeMola. The book is “Between Sisters” by Christine Hannah.
September 14 – Host Irene Norcross. The book is “Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks.
PROGRAMS & MINISTRY
Thanks to everyone involved in making Emmanuel’s Church Picnic a huge success. A special thanks to Keith Burke for cooking on the grill and to the Couture family for providing the gas grill. We will be taking a break for the summer but anticipate great opportunities for fun and fellowship in the fall.
MISSION & OUTREACH
In June our mission focus will be toward contributing to the work and financial needs of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida. A donation box will be placed in the foyer of the sanctuary for this mission effort.
As a member church of this fellowship, we join with other Baptist churches throughout the state of Florida to do the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through community outreach programs, missions to several Caribbean locations and providing chaplains to hospice, hospitals and penal institutions.
Our participation and support enables us to have a wider impact in the community and state than we would otherwise have. We are one of the few churches they have in West Central Florida. .
Please give generously and know that we are an important part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida.
Also, consider joining Pastor John as he attends some of the meetings during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida General Assembly taking place 22 -25 June.
On Sunday, 26 June, we will host a guest preacher/speaker who is a missionary with the Cooperative Baptist Churches of Florida. This will give us a chance to learn more about the ministry and work of those endorsed to do ministry through CBF of Florida.
ECC REACH OUT AND TOUCH PROGRAM
As we move forward in the development of this program the ABWM has discussed ways in which to implement the program. A four pronged approached has been outlined.
A. Food: Provide food as needed for shut-ins, caregivers, recently hospitalized, memorial services etc. A Food Team Coordinator and volunteers willing to assist in this area of responsibility are needed.
B. Transportation: Provide transportation or respite care as requested for church services/events, doctors appointments etc. A Transportation Coordinator and a team of volunteers are needed to serve in this area of responsibility.
C. Community Resource Library and Communication Center. A listing of community resources will be available in the pastor’s office and communicated through the newsletter, church bulletin and possibly a brochure. Robbie McIntosh has volunteered to be the coordinator for this area of responsibility.
D. Community Outreach to Assisted Living Facilities: Deliver Sunday flowers (when not claimed by members) to near –by ALF’s on a rotating basis and do a needs assessment of how Emmanuel might provide additional services to ALFs in the future. A volunteer coordinator and team are needed for this area of responsibility.
ABWM members will be contacting members of our church to see if any of our members are in need of any of the above services.
MUSIC MINISTRY
CHOIR NOTES
The choir at Emmanuel Christian Church is enjoying a wonderful year! We are going to take a short break for the months of June and July. We will begin rehearsing again on July 21st and will resume singing for our church services in August.
We have welcomed a new member, Margaret, into our midst, and we continue to look for new recruits. It is not necessary for you to read music to join the choir. We welcome any and all and hope that you will consider joining us. If you are interested please speak with Amy Vogel, music director, or Rev. John Carter, pastor.
Have a wonderful summer and we will see you again before you know it!
Amy
PROPERTY & FINANCE
A special meeting of the congregation was held on Sunday 22 May to obtain permission to go forward with the refinancing of the church property. Thanks to the work of Chuck DeMola and several others, we will soon obtain a lower finance interest rate, lower monthly mortgage payment and a five year term on the mortgage renewal contract. God has truly blessed us with talented individuals who know how to negotiate great deals. Thanks to all involved.
The congregation also approved the funding necessary to go forward with the construction of the pastor’s office. Under the able guidance of Hugh Palmer, work has already began and soon the pastor’s office will be enclosed.
The other improvements to the property that will occur over the summer include significant improvements to the church’s memorial garden and improved lighting over the pulpit. The memorial garden project is being completed through the generous donation of the late Mrs. Ethel Rapp and the pulpit lighting project is being completed through the generous donation of the Muncy family in memory of the late Rev. Glenn Muncy.
2011 Silver Sharks at Bright House Field
For $20 you get:
*A ticket to every (9) Wednesday home game
*Free parking
* Silver Sharks T- shirt
*20% discount at Diamond Outfitters.
*Silver Sharks member throws out 1st pitch
*Monthly prize drawings
Dates:
June 1 – 7PM & 29 – 12N
July 27 – 12N
August 17 -7PM & 24- 7PM
See Linda DeMola for a registration form
Tickets for single games are $5 and $3 for parking.
Music on the Beach
The new season of free concerts has started at Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs. Come enjoy the fun on Thursday evenings from 7-9 on the dates below.
The park overlooks the gulf and is well known as a place to view beautiful sunsets. Hotdogs and soft drinks will be available to purchase, or you can bring your own food and drinks. There are picnic tables and some shelters, but you should plan to bring lawn chairs – and maybe some insect repellant. Also note that the concerts are cancelled if there is bad weather.
June 16: The Little Big Show (Acoustic Rock)
July 14: Blackwater Blues (Blues/Rock)
For more information, check on line at www.tarponspringsmusic.com. If you need directions, please see Mary Smith.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
FROM LETTERS TO PASTORS
Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God’s help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander. Age 10, Raleigh
Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don’t think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.
Joshua. Age 10, South Pasadena
Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, Age 11, Akron