FAITH community CHURCH - Amazon S3...the Bible studies and the staff meetings. However, also there are vacation Bible schools, youth sports ministry camps, choir and praise team practices,

It’s that time of year again, Christmas in July, when we begin shopping for and collecting items for our Christmas Shoeboxes. Last year we sent 209 shoeboxes

to children around the world.

What a joy and blessing it was to see all those shoeboxes loaded into a truck and delivered to the pick up location! This can be such a wonderful hands-on family mission project—filling a shoebox, thinking about and praying for the child who will be receiving it—the true meaning of Christmas! We are using the plastic boxes with lids again this year. Re-member to label your box (labels and instructions available in boxes).

WHAT GOES IN MY SHOEBOX?

Start with a WOW Item—a medium to large item that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box! Ideas include: baseball mitt and baseball, stuffed animal, trucks, dolls, musical instruments, clothes, etc. Other Suggestions:

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as toy

cars, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with ex-tra batteries), etc. School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, note-

books, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc. Non-liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths. Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, etc.

—continued on page 2—

Rooted in God’s Word ● Raising up the Cross ● Reaching to the World

FAITH PRESS JULY 2017

in this

ISSUE

Interim Pastor

page 3

Music News

page 4

Children’s Pages

page 5-6

Student News

page 8

Community & World

page 9

Preschool Update

page 9

Calendar

page 11

FAITH

community

CHURCH An Evangelical Presbyterian Congregation

Page 2

Personal Note:

You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back.

Do Not Include:

Candy, toothpaste, used items, war-related items (guns, knives, military figures), food or snacks of any kind, drink mixes, lo-tions, breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers, aerosol cans. Candy and toothpaste

have been removed from

the suggested list due to

airline restrictions.

I was in the church office for a meeting a couple days ago when I glanced at the calendar for next couple months on one of the desks. I commented that “Boy, we sure have a lot going on this summer!” and was quickly reminded that “You know, the church doesn’t take a vacation in the summer.” I finished my business and on the way home I thought about the fact that it’s true—the church doesn’t take any time off any time of the year.

Sure, there are the Sunday services, the Bible studies and the staff meetings. However, also there are vacation Bible schools, youth sports ministry camps, choir and praise team practices, Faith Café, Deacons’ meetings, Session meet-ings, Young-at-Heart…and I could go on. In short, your church is a hub of activity all year with minis-tries and events that bring us closer to the Lord and his ministries. It also reminded me that there are still bills to be paid, salaries to be dis-tributed, repairs to be done, jobs to be completed, meetings to be held.

All of which need financial support to get the job done—all year long.

So, here’s another reminder as you get ready for your vacation or as

you recover from one recently taken. Your financial support of Faith Church is a 12-month, 52-week commitment and just like all those activities on the church calendar, we hope that you’ll keep a reminder of your finan-cial support to the church on your to-do list in the coming weeks and summer months. Thanks to our website and the Easy Tithe program, you can maintain your support online with just a quick key stroke. Or if you prefer, just send us an old-fashioned (yet just as effec-tive) envelope by US Mail, and we’ll make sure that your commitment is used for its in-tended purpose. We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer, and we pray that the Lord is with you wherever your plans take you.

Ken Banks, Elder Bob Decker, Elder

Stewardship Co-Chairs

Faith Press July 2017

A Prayer for Independence Day On this Independence Day, we are reminded of all those who have sacrificed for our freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let us not take our freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May we always remember that a very high price was paid for our freedom—a freedom that cost others their very lives.

Page 3

Light comes in all shapes and sizes. We enjoy the light that falls from a sparkling chandelier. When the power goes out we reach for our flashlight and light a candle. We put little lights in our hallways and call them night lights so we won’t stub our toes in the dark. We decorate our lawns and gardens with little solar lights. The sun sheds its beautiful light during the day and the moon reflects the light of the sun at night. Without light, we would be in the dark! Without light, plants could not grow. Without light, we would freeze. Without light, life as we know it would cease to be. Without light, we would all die.

The Bible tells us that the first thing that God created was light! Genesis 1:3 reads, “Let there be light and there was light.” The Psalmist declares, “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” (119:105). Standing on the edge of a new day, week, month or year, I would like us to think seriously about what the Psalmist declares.

Many of us find ourselves on a path in life where we are busy dragging problems and worries: � from one day into the next � from one week into the

next

� from one month into the next

� and yes, even from one year into the next

We worry about the past and we worry about the future. We worry about our health. We worry about the health of others. We worry about our jobs. We worry about not having a job. We worry about worrying.

No matter how good a computer is, it can still come crashing to a standstill if overloaded with too much data. We sometimes treat ourselves like a computer by overloading ourselves with worry. Sometimes people will “crash” just like their computer only we call it burnout, stress attack, break-down or heart attack.

I want you to give some serious thought to what our text is telling us about light. A lamp, the type of which is being referred to in this text, lights only the immediate area around its base. Think about that! Notice that the Bible did not say, “Your Word is like the blazing sun to my feet,” but “your word is a lamp to my feet.” God’s Word shows us where to walk a step at a time. God’s Word is not always a spotlight that illuminates

what the road is like a mile ahead, but what the path is like immediately below our feet.

Can you see one small blessing to be thankful for? Then thank Him for that one small blessing. Can you see one persistent sin that you are carrying with you into a new day, week, month or year? Ask God to forgive you for that one sin. Is there one small temp-tation that still keeps company with you? Ask God to help you shake that one temptation.

Walk with God one step at a time. We cannot change the past and we know not what the future may hold, but we do know that with the light of his Word as our guide that He will instruct us where it is safe to place our next step. So, don’t lag in the past, don’t run blindly into the future for the lamp of God’s Word only sheds light a step at a time.

Pastor John

PASTOR’S

CO

RN

ER

July 2017 Faith Press

Page 4

During the summer we love to walk on the beach in the evening and then watch the sunset. The colors that follow the sunset are often spectacular.

As I walk the beach, I find my-self in deep reflection. This was the case on my last walk. As I step on the rushing and retreating water, I see small glimpses of life and wonder what life forms are below the surface that I can’t see. I see only glimpses, but I know the sea holds many life forms that are beyond my vision. I could go below the surface in my small space and see more of the sea, but still only scratch the surface of the vast bodies of wa-ter.

Then I think about God and the characteristics that seem in common with the sea. As I walk this path, I see glimpses of God. I try to look beyond the surface to really see God, but there is more to God than what I can see. Even if I could go under the sur-face and explore God in more depth, I would only be seeing a fraction of who He really is. The dimensions of God’s attributes go well beyond our imagination. This comparison breaks down when we consider the dimen-sions of the sea because the sea is finite.

As my toes settle into the sand I notice that my feet be-come more entrenched as I stand still. The waves bring more sand and soon my feet are invisible. Does that remind you of God? As long as we stay in God’s presence and al-low Him to wash over us and flood every part of our life He covers us with His wings and we become entrenched in His presence. Be still and know that He is God.

The words of this great hymn often go through my mind as I walk:

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me,

is the current of Thy love

Leading onward, leading homeward

to Thy glorious rest above!


spread His praise from shore to shore!

How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth

never, nevermore!

How He watches o’er His loved ones,

died to call them all His own;

How for them He intercedeth,

watcheth o’er them from the throne!


love of every love the best!

’Tis an ocean full of blessing,

’tis a haven giving rest!


’tis a heaven of heavens to me;

And it lifts me up to glory,

for it lifts me up to Thee!

Announcement: The choir will sing through July 2 and

take a short vacation for the summer. They will return to the loft on September 10.

David


Page 5


Nursery On Sunday mornings, the nursery is available for our infants and toddlers, up to age two during our 9:20 contemporary service and up to age five during our 11:00 a.m. traditional ser-vice. Our nursery nurturers provide a wonderful, loving, safe environment.

God’s Special Friends

God’s Special Friends, un-der the leadership of Linda

Duart and her team, contin-ues offering a wonderful ministry throughout the summer.

Share with your family, friends and neighbors. Come join us! Events and activities will be posted on the church website.

Call Linda for more infor-mation (460.2759).

Serving Opportunities

There are many opportuni-ties within Children’s Minis-try for YOU to serve our Lord. We are looking for ad-

ditional volunteers to

strengthen our FALL Sunday

School teaching teams. We

also have specific needs in

our Nursery on the 1st, 2

nd &

3rd

Sundays of each month

during our 11:00 a.m. ser-

vice. Please pray about how you are being called to serve. You will be blessed!

If you have any questions or would like additional infor-mation regarding our Chil-dren’s Ministry, please con-tact me at 391.0596 or 560.9681.

“Miss Kim”

Director of Christian Education

There is a place for every child at Faith Community Church.

Listed here are the many opportunities for children.

Summer Sunday Morning

Offerings…

Children age two, - Pre-K will be-gin Sunday School at 9:20 a.m. in their classroom. Our preschool children will continue to DIS-COVER GOD through the Old Tes-tament learning how “God Helps Us.”

Children in Kindergarten through

5th

grade will attend with their family the “Praising God in Song” time in worship and then be dis-missed to Summer Sunday School.

We will continue to use the Disci-pleLand curriculum. Our Kinder-garten through second grade stu-dents will Discover God’s Great-

ness through God and community while developing Bible memoriza-tion skills. Our third through fifth grade students will explore Jesus

Christ’s Life and Ministry while developing disciple skills on “How to Know the TRUTH.” Disciple-Land is a comprehensive system that helps kids become Christ’s dis-ciples for life. This complete plan ensures that children achieve bal-anced growth in Bible knowledge, Christ-like character and faithful conduct—everything kids need to live as devoted followers of Jesus. (DiscipleLand.com)

Children, Kindergarten through 5th grade, attend Children’s Church during the 11:00 a.m. service.

Page 6


What a wonderful week! We were blessed with close to two hundred pre-school and elementary children at Make Fun Factory.

We thank the congregation for their prayers and support. We thank the over one hundred volunteers who made Make Fun Factory a huge suc-

cess; for giving of their time and sharing their endless God-given talents. We thank the Church Staff for their awesome support, prayers and assis-tance. Most of all we thank the Lord for entrusting us with His children and giving us the opportunity to reach out and share His Word and love with His children.

Page 7


Paul Aughinbaugh Given by:

Ellen Baldwin

Glenn & Sandy Hartmann

Todd & Amy Runkle

Jack & Margie Bates

Bob & Carol Decker

Ken & Sandy Banks

Gail & Ralph Miller

Martha Latson and

(Jack, Gloria, Sherrie, Paula

and families)

Carl & Margaret Koch

Bob & Janie Rohatsch

Grace Dodson Given by:

Ron and Marcia Stone

Ralph and Gail Miller

Milton Osgood, Jr. Family

Charles Spurgeon wrote, If you continually draw your im-

pulse, you life, the whole of your being from the Holy Spirit,

then shall you see God and Jesus face to face. I believe Paul reflected these words his whole life and has seen Jesus face to face, and Faith Church is in part the result of his beliefs—but not all! Paul would be the first to deny anyone should give anybody but God and the Holy Spirit the glory for what he and Dave were able to lead this beloved church to. To my wonderful Faith Church, I give thanks for the total out-pouring of love and grace you have poured on me and our families! It is the most tangible love I have ever felt, and it has stemmed from the love and devotion you had for Paul. See what a perfect example of the true Christian fellowship this has all been! The food, the flowers, the cards, the memorials to his scholarship fund, and especially the warm hugs, have been thankfully received and all of us praise you, the CHURCH, for it all.

Thank you, Harriet and family

Dear Faith friends, I want to thank everyone for keeping me in your prayers af-ter my stroke. I wanted to especially thank Kim and Andrew for their visits. Also special thanks to Marsha for organizing meals for my first week home and to all who brought a meal, sent cards and flowers. I am very blessed and grateful for such loving and caring friends at Faith. It has been quite a struggle to get home and relearn what I used to take for granted. But I am now walking, driving, attending church and working.

Much love, Debbie Campbell

Thank you all so much for the out pouring of love and sup-port that our family received at our farewell in May. We were taken back at the honor we felt and how the luncheon perfectly captured our ministry at Faith over the past six years. We will forever treasure our time at Faith, and May 28 will be the cap-stone memory. Please continue to keep our family and our new ministry in your prayers. We are trusting God for great things to come! Thank you again. We love you all so much.

The Larsen Family

Our Mom 2 Mom Bible Study is so thankful to have been able to partner up with our Faith Church family to successfully pack 55 weekend bags for our hungry school children. Pack-a-Sack is a blessing to those who partici-pate in packing and giving as well as the recipients. We hope to continue building funds in anticipation for the 2017-2018 school year. It truly takes a village to get this task accomplished.

Please remember to keep these families in your prayers over the summer months. Some of the families were liv-ing out of their cars and in situations that we can't wrap our head around. We truly are blessed to be serving in such a needed ministry.

Page 8

JUSTIN HALOG Director of Student Ministries

We are very pleased to announce that Justin Halog has been selected by the Youth Search Committee and approved by Session to be the Di-rector of Student Ministries.

Justin graduated in May from East-ern University in Wayne, PA with a degree in Youth Ministry.

He has interned at Starkey Road Baptist Church in Largo and also at Church of the Good Samaritan, Paoli, PA.

Justin was part of the Uncharted Waters Sports Ministry in Colorado Springs, CO for four years.

Justin, who is originally from Ha-waii, also has an AA degree in Ap-plied Science in Culinary Arts from Kauai Community College, Lihue, HI.

We are so blessed to have Justin as part of our Faith Church Staff!


The Christian Vocation Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established in the early 60’s. It is avail-able to students who are contemplating a full-time Christian Vo-cation.

The 2017 Christian Vocation Scholarship Fund have been awarded to two well deserving students: Sarah Huskey and Lindsey Kuruc.

Sarah, daughter of Mike and Roberta Huskey, is attending Cove-nant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia and majoring in vo-cal performance. She is leading worship during her required chapel services three times a week at this private Christian institu-tion. After completing her education, Sarah is contemplating lead-ing a worship team.

Lindsey, daughter of Mike and Kim Stoessel, is attending the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Lindsey’s ultimate goal is to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree in mental health and become licensed as a Christian counselor in Florida.

Congratulations Sarah & Lindsey!

The Reverend Paul Aughinbaugh Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established in 1999 in honor of our founding pastor, Pastor Paul, who retired after 33 years of dedi-cated service to both the congregation and the Seminole commu-nity.

The 2017 Reverend Paul Aughinbaugh Scholarship Fund is awarded to two well deserving students: Lindsey Kuruc and Jes-

salyn Zsiga.

Lindsey, daughter of Mike and Kim Stoessel, is in pursuit of a B.S. in Psychology at University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Lindsey’s ultimate goal is to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree in mental health and become licensed as a Christian counselor in Florida.

Jessalyn, daughter of Dan & Suzanne Zsiga, is in pursuit of a de-gree in Strategic Communications at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Jessalyn’s ultimate goal is to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and have a professional career focused on pub-lic relations, advertising and marketing.

Congratulations Lindsey & Jessalyn!

Page 9

Christmas Cards

As we kick off Christmas in

July, we’ll begin to sign Christ-mas Cards for the troops. You may pick them up under the

Tower beginning Sunday, July

2. We will need lots of new Christmas Cards to sign, so as you clean out things for the Flea Market, look for unused Christmas Cards—the troops will appreciate the effort!

Blood Drive

Mark your calendar so you remember to donate blood on Sunday, July 9 between 9:30

a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

“Helping Hands”

Helping Hands is a ministry that gives financial assistance to people within our church who are facing a crisis. Feel free to contribute at any time as there are ongoing needs. Special en-

velopes are in pew racks or just

write “Helping Hands” on your

check.

Fall Flea Market

Our garage and shipping crate need to be filled in order to have a successful Fall Flea Market. So…..clean your garage and

closets (NO broken or dirty items). Share your unneeded treasures with others. The bin outside Faith Center is waiting for your goods! (NO TV’s or

computers).

Food Pantry Always Needs

Your Help!

We need nonperishable food! When you shop, think of those who come to the Food Pantry for help. Let’s fill the food barrel under the Tower every Sunday!

Keep Saving!

� New greeting cards – Nursing home and military

� Travel-size toiletries – Many groups

� Large brown paper

bags – Flea Market

� Clothing (children’s, men’s women’s) – Many groups

Fran

Fall registration for Preschool is going well. We still have openings in some of our classes. If interested, please call our office at 392.5113 or stop in to register. VPK is a state funded pro-gram paid for by the state without re-gard to income level. It is a Monday – Friday program from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. What a great opportunity for a preschool child!

Please pass this information on to any-one you know with young children. School starts on August 10.

We still have openings in our Summer

Camp.

Time:

9:00 a.m. – Noon

Cost:

$70 per week

Dates: July 3,5,6,7 (Not Tuesday)

July 10–13 (Mon – Thurs)

The hours are 9:00 a.m. – noon, Mon-day through Thursday. The ages are 2-years-old (at the beginning of camp) through 5-years-old (entering kinder-garten in the fall). The cost is $65 per week. Each week a different theme will be explored. Your preschooler

will have lots of fun! Stop by or call the Preschool Office to register.

As we gear up to get ready for the be-ginning of the 2017/2018 school year, please keep our school in your prayers.

In Christ’s love,

Patricia Mitchell Preschool Director


Page 10


Praying

For Our

Mission Trip As we prepare for our trip July 9-16, we ask for your prayers. First pray for the team and their families. The members of the Faith Church’s 2017 Honduras Team are: Eric Butler, Kim Gunthner, Patti Hare, Yvonne Hughes, Kay Kessler, Gail Miller, Laura Sarka, Sydney Shannon, Clayton Sherman, Dylan Sherman, Brenda Wigginton, Jessalyn Zsiga and Suzanne Zsiga.

We ask for these specific prayers during our journey:

For Kim and Gail (who leave early)…

July 6 � Safe travel

� Easy transition from one plane to another plane in Atlanta

� Smooth arrival into Tegucigalpa and through customs

� Shopping for necessary food and supplies

July 7 � Continued shopping

� Safe travel as we head up over the mountain to set up house for the team and then back over the mountain to Tegucigalpa

July 8 � Last minute shopping

� Finalizing our outreach plans for the week

For the entire team…


� Acceptance of all supplies dur-ing check-in

� Easy transition from one plane to another plane in Miami

� Smooth arrival into Teguci-galpa and through customs

� Unity of the team as we meet our team members from Hon-duras

� Outreaching to the children and families at the Children’s Hospital delivering receiving blankets, caps, onies and bears while spending time with the children and their families at the bedside.

July 10 � Safe travel from Tegucigalpa

to New Hope Clinic in San Francisco

� Setting up house

� Preparation and organization of supplies, materials and team for outreach

July 11-14 As we enter the villages, pray that we hear God’s direction as we plan to outreach to the people of Hondu-ras in the following ways:

� Sharing God’s Word and offer-ings of prayer

� Building relationships

� Providing medical clinics daily and health fairs

� Providing women’s exams with lab work

� Providing food to the neediest villages

� Planting trees in each village

� Providing Christian activities, and Sports Ministry Camp in each village as we share the Gospel

� Distribution of personal care and school kits along with the flip-flops

� Wednesday evening worship in San Francisco

July 15 � Safe travel back to Teguci-

galpa and settling into our ac-commodations at Hotel Mac-Arthur

� Fellowship with the Market-place Ministry children and their families

� Fellowship time and dinner in honor of team members from Honduras…a time to say thank you and good bye

Coming Home!


� Smooth arrival back into the United States

� Making our connecting flight in Miami

THANK YOU again for your in-credible and ongoing support as we reached our goal!

YOU make the difference touching lives around the world!

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Serving in His Name, Kim Gunthner

Team Coordinator

Page 11

JULY FAITH CHURCH CALENDAR 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 10:00 AM

ART CLASS

2 COMMUNION

SUNDAY

DEDICATION OF 2017

HONDURAS TEAM

3 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP

4

Church Office Closed

5 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP

9:15 AM LADIES BIBLE STUDY

7:30 PM PRAISE

TEAM REHEARSAL

6 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP

5:00 – 6:30 PM FAITH CAFÉ

7 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP

8 7:00 AM MEN’S

FELLOWSHIP

BREAKFAST

10:00 AM ART CLASS

9

HONDURAS TRIP

BEGINS

10 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP

HIGH SCHOOL CAMP IN TN

11 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP

12 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP


7:30 PM PRAISE

TEAM REHEARSAL

13 9:00 AM – NOON

PRESCHOOL CAMP


14

15 9:00 am

SaturDads

10:00 AM ART CLASS

16 HONDURAS TEAM

RETURNS

17

6:00 PM FEED THE HUNGRY

18

19


7:30 PM PRAISE

TEAM REHEARSAL

20


21

22 10:00 AM

ART CLASS

23

24

25

26 9:15 AM

LADIES BIBLE STUDY

7:30 PM PRAISE

TEAM REHEARSAL

27


28

29 10:00 AM

ART CLASS

30

MIDDLE SCHOOL GREAT ESCAPE

CAMP

31

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 9:20 AM CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP 9:20 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL

11:00 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP 11:00 AM CHILDREN’S CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL

Page 12

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

Paid St. Petersburg FL

Permit No. 8082

Dated Material

Label

Faith Community Church 11501 Walker Avenue Seminole, FL 33772

www.faithrus.org

John Fraser Interim Pastor

David Lawhead Director of Music

Kim Gunthner Director of Christian Education

Fran Darling Mission/Volunteer Coordinator

Eric Butler Church Administrator

Patricia Mitchell Preschool Director

Phone: 727.391.0596 Fax: 727.398.3803

Editor: Sally Otten

www.faithrus.org

JULY 8, 2017 7:00 AM The Men’s Fellowship Breakfast is on the second Saturday of the month from 7:00–9:00 a.m. in the Faith Center for breakfast, fellowship, and Bible study. They are in a study entitled:

Authentic Manhood's

33-The Series A Man and His Fatherhood

The study has 6 sessions that help men to think strategically about being a dad and prepare to launch healthy sons and daughters into the world.

All men are invited to join us in Faith Center on the second Saturday of each month—you will be blessed!

Documents

FAITH community CHURCH - Amazon S3...the Bible studies and the staff meetings. However, also there are vacation Bible schools, youth sports ministry camps, choir and praise team practices,