First Presbyterian Church of Orlando Magazine (January/February 2014)

8/22/2019 First Presbyterian Church of Orlando Magazine (January/February 2014)

1/20 COLUMNS | January - February 1

COLUMNS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ORLANDO FPCO.OR

magazine

growing in faith

seeing resultsour congregational survey

school of discipleshipa pathway forward

Seek God. Share His Love. Humbly Serv

plus When We Rise an album & a grand hope

HOW SELFDISCIPLINE CHANGES US


2/202 January - February | COLUMNS

Dr. Swanson on Self-Control

The Stack

Break it DownBible Study with Dr. Case Thorp

Women’s Spring Study

Estate Planning Workshop

The Marriage Retreat

FEATURESDisciplines of the Intuitive Life

Choices Critical to Growing in Faith

Rising Upan album making a difference

Time With God

Family News

SCHOLAR ON

STAY INFORMED, 6

The School of Discipleship is in session starting this

Winter. Bring your Bible and some of those pink erasers.

Our Congregational Survey results, as well as details

about the upcoming First Pres Town Hall Meetings.

16

COLUMNS CONTENTSJANUARY & FEBRUARY

PHOTOS: SHEA CHRISTINE, JASON FRAZIER

12

14



SAVE THE DATE

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2

71423

For more upcoming events

visit fpco.org/calendar.

Young at Heart Luncheon

School of Discipleship Begins

Church offices closed, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

WE Spring Bible Study Registration Opens

Weekday School Prospective Parent Open House

january

february

The Christ School Open House

Night of Worship with Helpless Estate

Boy Scout Troop 24 - 90th Anniversary Pancake Breakfast

Town Hall 6:30pm in Lee Fellowship Hall

Town Hall 12:30pm in the Sanctuary

The Marriage Retreat

Young at Heart Luncheon

Infant Child Care Center 40th Anniversary



ON THE WAYwith Dr. David Swanson

“Therefore, I do not

run like a man

running aimlessly;

I do no fight like a

man beating the air.

No, I beat my body

and make it my slaveso that after I have

preached to others, I

myself will not be

disqualified for the

prize.”

-1 Corinthians 9:26-27

This time of year is always filled with

remorse and resolve; remorse over the

lack of discipline we showed while eatingour way through the holidays and resolve

to show more discipline in the New Year,

setting goals we hope to achieve. And,

thinking about how we care for our

physical bodies is just one of a myriad of

ways we examine our own sense of self-

discipline.

It’s one of the great struggles we all

face, the one Paul referred to as the

battle between “flesh and the Spirit.” We

want to do what God wants us to do,

but sometimes we lack the discipline toactually make Godly choices. It’s why

Paul mentions “self-control” as one of the

fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. When

we mature in faith, our ability to control

ourselves – discipline ourselves for His

Kingdom – increases.

Of course, we will never get there

completely this side of heaven, but

we can grow in this fruit of “self-

control.” Please recognize that I am not

suggesting this is in any way tied to our

salvation. We are saved by grace through

faith alone. Disciplining ourselves to live

righteously before God is a reflection of

a heart change that began at the time

of our conversion. Our response to the

Father’s love is to live a life pleasing to

Him, turning away from selfish desires –

in other words, self-control.

I have always been drawn to Paul’s words

above. He is one deeply in love with the

Father. He yearns to please and honor

Him. As a result, he wants to ensurethat his witness will never compromise

the message he proclaims. He wants to

discipline himself to live humbly before

God so that as others watch him, his faith

proves authentic. Here’s the reality: when

you identify yourself as a Christian, others

will watch you as well. Your manner of li fe

says something about the nature of your

faith. How you live is a measure of the

authenticity of your words. Therefore,

we don’t run aimlessly. We don’t live as

though unaware others are watching.

No, we live with Jesus as our foundation

We live with a firm belief that Jesus is the

singular hope of the world. And if that’strue, then nothing else matters more than

how we reflect His light in a very dark

world.

As 2104 begins, my prayer is that we

would remember some of our Barefoo

Church lessons. Part of living faithfully is

“restoring the right order of our persona

lives so that we then have the margin

to engage in the Kingdom work God is

calling us to.” (From sermon on Justice

October 13, 2013) That will require self

control. And part of Barefoot was creatinga systemic change in our church, living

outwardly and missionally, counteracting

a growing culture of individualism. To

accomplish systemic change takes

personal discipline. We must reorde

how we live and that may require tough

decisions. And it requires time to make

that new “change” an ingrained way o

life.

I will be preaching through the book o

Hebrews this winter, a series entitled “No

New; Not Improved.” Unlike everything

else, the faith we profess has no

changed one bit in 2000 years. It is the

rock on which we stand. So learning to

align our lives with that historic faith is the

key to our future hope and contentment

Let’s not run aimlessly; let’s run in such a

way as to win the prize – that we migh

honor the Lord as we lead lives of greate

discipline, reflecting the authenticity

of our faith in Him and the absolute

supremacy of Christ.

I am eager and expectant for what God

will do in this body in 2014. Please join me

in praying that we would be found faithfu

to fulfilling the call He has given to us in

this place. With joy and thanks for you,

send my

Hugs and kisses,

David



useful information, timely trivia and handy tips

for navigating life at FirstPres (and life in general)

the Columns stack

MUSIKGARTENOur early child-hood musicprogram isenrolling forspring start-ing January 6.Classes beginJanuary 27, and

meet weeklyfor children birth through 9 years old.Each class is taught by a certifiedinstructor, and encourages parentparticipation.

Register or find out moreinformation online:fpco.org/musikgarten

HEALING AFTERDIVORCEOur next Divorce Care groupbegins February 5. Meeting eachWednesday for 13 weeks, DivorceCare provides focused sessionsand a safe place to process for bothadults and children. For more infor-mation, contact Linda McCallister atx1159.

LIFE STORY CLASS

FIRST CONNECTIONSCurious about First Pres? Recently joined thechurch? Led by our Minister of Discipleship, KentSterchi, this 7-week seminar on Sunday morningsis designed to help you learn about and experi-ence life at First Pres.

Save the Date for the Spring First Connectionsclass, starting March 2!

Want to know more about

Jesus? Learn his life storywith Dr. Case Thorp on Sun-day mornings. Through seri-ous, in-depth study we follow

the full narrative of Jesus’ lifein the four Gospels (Matthew,Mark, Luke & John). 9:45amin room 310 of the EdingtonMinistry Center.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

We send out a weekly emailnewsletter with important an-nouncements for the comingweek. We’ll never share yourinformation, and you can un-subscribe anytime. Join nowat fpco.org/email .

FOLLOW USON TWITTER

twitter.com/fpcorlando

WDS OPEN HOUSEWeekday School is now enrolling! Prospective par-ents are invited to learn more at 6:45pm on Tues-day January 28. Tour classrooms, meet staff andhear about the school philosophy. For details, callthe Weekday School office at 407.996.5864.

FREE PANCAKES!Come hungry to worship on Sunday,February 2! Boyscout Troop 24 iscelebrating their 90th Anniversaryat First Pres by serving a deliciouspancake breakfast for their wholechurch family. Yum!

JOBS PARTNERSHIPMeet needs by servingwith Jobs Partnership andbuilding relationships. Men-tors and job counselors are

needed one night a week for12 weeks to invest in others.Anyone who has gotten andheld a job has the ability tohelp. Volunteer trainingbegins the third week inJanuary. For details, contactGreg Swartwood [email protected]



OUR CONGREGATIONAL

SURVEY RESULTS In the Summer of 2013, the Session (our church’s governing body) retained church consul-tants, The Goehner Group, to conduct a congregational study. The intent was to determineif a campaign to eliminate debt, pay for capital improvements, install a new roof and plant anew church might be successful. Below is their Executive Summary of the survey:

During the course o the study, 723 individualsparticipated. Tis is over 200 more participants thanthose who participated in a previous study prior to theImmeasurably More campaign five years ago.

Te participants represented a cross section o agesand length o time as members and participants in thechurch. When asked to indicate how the church hasimpacted their lives, the responses were wide and var-ied, however the ollowing were consistent responses:

• Great Biblical preaching• Spiritual growth• Ministry to children and youth• Depth of friendships/sense of community

• Opportunity to serve• The Christ School

When asked to identiy the current strengths o thechurch, the most requently mentioned strengths were:

• Biblically-based preaching• Worship• Leadership of David Swanson and staff • Location

Te most requently mentioned areas or improvementand greatest areas o need were:

• Eliminate debt• Discipleship• Giving• Volunteers• Adult Sunday School• More welcoming

Te participants also identified some issues that thechurch will ace in the next three to five years:

• Cultural issues that are contrary to biblical beliefs

• Elimination of debt• Uncertainty of the economy

In all areas o the study, the respondents indicatedthere is a well-defined current and uture ministry mis-sion and vision. In act, the percentages are extremelyhigh or similar studies.

Te survey respondents were nearly unanimous intheir sense that the ministry o First PresbyterianChurch is very important to the greater Orlando area.Several people in the interviews spoke about the im-portance o being a downtown church and their strongconviction that the church has a key role in the com-munity.

When the discussion and survey questions turned tothe proposed campaign projects, the universal re-sponse was:

• Debt must be eliminated

• The roof project is good stewardship

Tere was a mixed response to the remainder o thesuggested projects ranging rom “being possibilitieswith more inormation” to a less than enthusiasticresponse. In act, debt elimination and the roo projectare seen by many participants as the primary needs.

Te respondents are open to a campaign but most like-ly with a lower goal. Interestingly, the interviewees eel



the capacity or a $10 million campaign exists but currently passion is lacking.

Te interviewees indicated both a willingness to volunteer in a campaign as wellas commit financially. Te response rate in the survey was lower, but the lessthan enthusiastic response to a campaign was less than 15%.

When asked to identiy the range o gif they might pray about, the primaryresponses were modest but a air number o individuals identified potential com-mitments in the six figure range.

In summary the Consultants are recommending that the Session consider a cam-paign in the all o 2014 with specific recommendations regarding preparation,planning and execution.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS

QUESTIONS ABOUT NEXT STEPS?

BE THERE FOR OUR

Wednesday, January 15 at 6:30pm in Lee Fellowship Hall

or

Sunday, January 19 at 12:30pm in the Sanctuary



Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doc-trine. 2 each the older men to be temperate, worthy o re-spect, sel-controlled, and sound in aith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way theylive, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach

what is good. 4 Ten they can urge the younger women to love

their husbands and children, 5 to be sel-controlled and pure, to be

busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so

that no one will malign the word o God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be sel-controlled. 7 In

everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your

teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness o speech

that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may beashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 each slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try

to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal rom

them, but to show that they can be ully trusted, so that in every

way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11 For the grace o God has appeared that offers salvation to all

people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly

passions, and to live sel-controlled, upright and godly lives in thispresent age, 13 while we wait or the blessed hope—the appearing

o the glory o our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave

himsel or us to redeem us rom all wickedness and to puriy or

himsel a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 Tese, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and

rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 2

What do you look for when you study

your Bible? What is important? Dr. Case Thorp

gives us some insight into Titus.

BREAK IT DOWN

Y e s ! J e s u s w i l l r

e t u r n !

D E M OG RA P H IC P a u l o f t e n a p p l i es t h e

t e ac h i ng o f J es us to

v a r io us d e mog r a p h ics to g i v e p r ac t ic a l

a p p l ic a t io n

fo r d a i l y l i v i ng. Fo r e ac h d e mog r a p h ic, as k yo u r -s e l f, “ W h a t a bo u t t h is

g ro u p o f p eo p l e m a k es

t h e m l i k e l y to n e e d t h is a d v ic e ? ”

A y o u n g m a n w h o

w a s t h e A p o s t l e

P a u l ’ s

p r o t e g e ( 2 C o r.

2 : 1 3, 7 : 6, 1 3, 8 : 1 6 - 2

3 ). H e w a s

a G e n t i l e ( n o n - J e

w i s h ; G a l a t i a n s 2

: 3 ) l e f t

t o o v e r s e e h o u s e

- c h u r c h e s o n t h e

i s l a n d o f

C r e t e.

e d i t o r ’ s s u m m a r y

o f t h e

p a s s a g e f o r o u r

s a k e ; n o t

o r i g i n a l s c r i p t u r e

*

* fo r a g r e a t b log o n t h e s h a p e

o f t h e co n v e rs

t io n a ro u n d eg a l i t a r i a n a n d co m p l e m e n t a r i a n

ro l

fo r m e n & wo m e n, ( a t ho m e, wo r k o r i n t h e

c h u rc h ), s e e h t t p :// b i t. l y/ f pcoco l u m ns

M a n y w i nc e, r ig h tfu l l y, a t p ass ag es w h e r e P au l

a d d r ess es s l a v es a n d m as t e rs w i t hou t c a ll i ng ou t

t h e i n jus t ic e. W e mus t b e c a r efu l no t to a p p l y ou r

2 1s t c e n tu r y u n d e rs t a n d i ng of hu m a n r ig h ts to P au l.

W h i l e h e m a y no t h a v e issu e d a c a l l fo r f r e e do m

l ik e M L K J r., o r G a n d h i, o r M a n d e l a, a t l e as t P au l

a d voc a t es C h r is t-c e n t e r e d, lo v ing r es p ec t b e tw e e n

m as t e r a n d s l a v e (s e e P h i l e mo n ). W e s hou ld, how-

e v e r, r e j ec t t h e vo ic es of ou r ow n t r a d i t io n w ho

us e d p ass ag es suc h as t h es e to p ro p u p s l a v e r y i n

t h e 1 9 t h C e n tu r y.

t h a n k g o o d n e s s J

e s u s c o v e r s w h a

t w e a r e n ’ t

a b l e t o c o n t r o l.



WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A

“WOMAN ENGAGED IN PRAYER”?

Cynthia Heald writes in her Bible study entitled Be-

coming a Woman of Prayer , “Te underlying principleo prayer, which overwhelmed me, is that God desiresto be intimate with me, and He wants this relationshipso much that He invites, encourages and helps me topray. With such an incredible invitation rom our Fa-ther extended to me, I realized that I would be unwiseto reuse such an offer o ellowship and participationin His plans. I invite you to join me, but more impor-tantly GOD invites YOU to join Him.”

WOMEN ENGAGED,JOIN US THIS SPRING

AS WE DIVE INTO

A DEEP STUDY OF

PRAYER

TOGETHER. Tis 7-week study willbe three-old, with oneportion being a trulyengaging Bible study byCynthia Heald, reerenced

above. Second, our FirstPres Prayer eam will be

intricately involved in helping women learn applica-tion o prayer that will be practical and meaningul intheir daily lives. And third, prayerul women withinour congregation will speak to our women each weekabout the tough questions and concepts that arisewhen attempting to understand and actually transormyour lie in prayer.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR STUDY, A

MORNING PRAYER RETREAT WILL TAKE PLACE

where women can gather together in ellowship, praise,

worship and most importantly, the practice o privateand corporate prayer together . A message, worship,actual time spent in solitary prayer, and luncheon toollow will conclude this season o study in a powerul,practical, and meaningul way.

THE BECOMING A WOMAN OF PRAYER STUDY

WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY, JANUARY 27TH (morning & evening groups) and Tursday, Janu-ary 30th (morning only). Childcare is included withregistration, as well as your study book and a personalprayer journal to use throughout the study. Tis studywill run through the week o March 10th-14th, withthe Prayer Retreat to take place on Saturday, March15 rom 9am-12pm. (Tis study will conclude beoreOrange County Spring Break.) Registration on-line iscurrently available. You may also pick up a hard copyregistration orm in the lobby o the Edington MinistryCenter.

ransorm your relationship with God through one o

the most crucial means we have to communicate withHim: prayer. As Cynthia Heald writes, “God bless yourichly as you study. I pray that your lie will never bethe same because o your desire to become a woman oprayer.”

“C m I swr y y g usrcl tis y d nkn.” Jea 33:3

by Nikki Ickes, Women’s Ministry Council Chair

Sa v t De WE PRA YE

R RE TREA T

Sa turda y, March 15

9am - 12pm



SUNDAY, MARCH 9TH | 5:006:30PMTAUGHT BY LARRY HAMES Sterchi Conference Room of the Edington Ministry Center

• Learn the trajectory of estate planning and tax law so

you can make wise financial and personal decisions

going forward.

• Learn how to leave a legacy that will bless your family,

church and community.

• Learn how to continue giving in the present while plan-

ning for future giving.

• Available to all: young parents, retirees, newly married

or any interested adults can benefit.

• And we’ll have cookies.

For more information, contact Brad Staton of the Heart of theCity Foundation at 407.423.3441 x1484 or [email protected]

MAKE a PLANHAVING AN ESTATE PLAN MATTERS, AT ANY STAGE OF LIFE

LARRY HAMES (Laurence C.Hames, Esq., P.A.) has been aleading estate planning at-

torney for 34 years. He hasserved as an Elder at FirstPresbyterian Church of Or-lando and on the Board of theHeart of the City Foundation.He also served on the Execu-tive Council of the Tax Sectionof The Florida Bar Associationand as chairman of the TaxSection of the Orange CountyBar Association.

It’s easy to put off the details and discussions of “after” until “later.”

But knowing how your choices can impact others in the future will make a difference

in the legacy you leave behind.

OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP BY

Estate Planning Workshop



DISCIPLINES

Te Intuitive Lie: our choices, motives, decisions nowled by the Holy Spirit. A Spirit-empowered lifestyle guid-ed by a capacity to sense and respond to God’s direction.

As a church amily, we have pushed through the eye-opening Bareoot Church experience, survived the joy-ul chaos o the holidays, and entered into a brand newyear. Whether you always make a New Year’s Reso-lution or have never done so, start your New Year’sresolutions with these questions:

What must I say ‘No’ to and say

‘Yes’ to in order to live on missionwithin the context of community?

What new disciplines does theLord want to see incorporatedinto my life for the purpose ofliving on mission with Him and

with our covenant community?

by Hailey Domeck

We hope that i you remember anything rom our journey through Bareoot Church, it is that servingmust become a part o our natural rhythms o lie. Tisonly happens when we train our hearts to listen to theHoly Spirit and create enough margin and time to beobedient to what we hear. Tis is what we mean by liv-ing the intuitive lie.

Yet, what disciplines or practices must we begin inorder to experience this “intuitive lie?” I we are goingto learn to express God’s mercy and justice in our dailylives, we have to be willing to make the personal deci-sions which lead to change. One way to start is to iden-

tiy the distractions present in our lives and resolve tomake some essential changes.

MarginMargin is that space in your lie between “all the timein the world” and “the stuff I have to do.” Te lack omargin in our lives is one o the great enemies to com-munity and mission. Are there distractions in yourdaily lie that eat up your margin and keep you romnoticing [and responding to] the needs around you?

of the intuitive life

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may seeyour good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16



What comes to mind and what can you do to createmargin in your lie?

PresenceIn an era o email, voicemail, Facebook, and text mes-saging, we sometimes orget the power o being physi-cally present in people’s lives. It takes commitment and

time to “be there,” and it is a powerul way to com-municate God’s love. What areas o your lie are mostimpacted by the lack o your physical presence? Yourmarriage? Your amily? Your work relationships? Liv-ing on mission in community?

PriorityWe set priorities and make decisions based on themevery day. Unless being Good News becomes a truepriority in our lives, we won’t make the decisions nec-essary to create margin or commit to presence. Are youwilling to meet in community and add engaging needinto the “stuff I have to do” category? Why or why not?What are your struggles that keep you rom makingthis commitment? Spend some time today talking toGod about it.

When we reset our priorities to sync up with God’s vision or our lives, we are able to see the Kingdom oGod break through and His Holy Hand restore whatwas broken. When we lean on the Holy Spirit to guide

and lead us, we are tapping into the strength thatcomes through aith in Christ. So, while most NewYear’s resolutions don’t make it 6 months, we can moveinto a more intuitive liestyle because we “can do allthings through Christ who strengthens us!”

How does that sound or a New Year’s resolution?

Adapted from the Barefoot Church Primer, Brandon

Hatmaker, Missio Publishing, 2008.

Hailey Domeck is FPCO’s Coordinator of Family Lifeand Discipleship and is herself learning how to live outGod’s mysterious intuitive life. She and her husband, Justin, are committed to helping others find their way onour journey of living on mission.

FOR GROUP LIFEIf your group wants to continue exploring thethemes raised in Barefoot Church - justice,mercy, “learning to do right,” and making God’s

mission your priority - these video series areavailable to your group leader through Right-Now Media:

When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back inthe Box by John Ortberg. 6 video sessionsfocused on learning how to play for theKingdom of God.

24/6 by Matthew Sleeth. 4 video sessionson remembering the Sabbath day and keep-

ing it holy. (Mandated margin!)

A Place at the Table by Chris Seay. 6 videosessions leading in 40 days of solidarity withthe poor.

No Plan B by Todd Phillips. 4 video sessionson God’s role for us, His rescue team.

Faithserves Info SessionSunday, January 12, 12:15-12:45pmLearn about the ways you can serve in our com-

munity and meet our mission partners, includingMercy Achiever’s Club, FOUR12 after schoolprogram, Compassion Corner Homeless Minis-try and Jobs Partnership.

Spring Serve DaySaturday, March 1, 8:30am- 12:30pmHelp others experience serving for the firsttime, or bring your Barefoot group to continueserving together.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTIONCrazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book

on a (Really) Big Problem

by Kevin DeYoungIn 10 short chapters, this book offers the Biblicaltools we need to get to the source of the issue(“I’m too busy!”) and pull the problem out by theroots. You can even download the free studyguide at www.crazybusybook.com!

Next Steps



See and hear the story behind the album online atfpco.org/helplessestate

RIS ING UPA MUSICAL JOURNEY WITH A MISSION

For hundreds o years, the Church has been patrono the arts, supporting the efforts o painters, writers,composers, sculptors and other creators sharing theirgifs and God’s redemptive story with the world.

As we stand upon this heritage, using our creative gifsin the lie o the church, we not only look or ways tocelebrate God’s generosity, we also look or ways tohelp “light the world” or others.

Tis winter, Director o Genesis worship Wil Brown,came together with some o our Genesis musicians toorm the band Helpless Estate. Inspired to create resharrangements o the classic hymns o the church, they-recorded and released the album When We Rise.

More than looking to the church to support the arts,they saw an opportunity to use the arts to support thework o the church. Working with Dr. Case Torp andour FaithServes mission team, Helpless Estate soughtto use proceeds rom the album sales to benefit one oour mission partners across the globe.

First Pres has been partnering with the Church oJesus Christ in Madagascar (Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristyeto Madagasikara or FJKM) or over 7 years, comingalongside this denomination in their own ministriesand learning about the needs and the people o Mada-gascar. One o their ministries, the opaza Orphanage,

is located in the capital city o Antananarivo, and provides a home or approximately 42 children and youth,ages 4 weeks to 20 years o age.

In July o 2012, a cyclone caused the complete col-lapse o one o two dormitory buildings in which thechildren live. Since that time, 42 orphans and the staffsleep in one large room in the remaining building,enduring sub-par dining, bathing and studying condi-

tions. While they have started construction on a newdormitory, the structure has yet to be completed (seebelow). Here was a significant opportunity or FirstPresbyterian Church o Orlando to change the lives ochildren in Madagascar.

With this vision in mind, the Heart o the City Foun-dation stepped in, offering a gif with exponential po-tential: to support the expense o making the HelplessEstate album so the proceeds rom the album could beully dedicated to the work o God in rebuilding theorphanage at opaza.

And there’s more to come: a concert in January to wor-ship together, celebrate and share the news o God’sgenerosity in this endeavor. Save the date and be parto this special night as we rise together.



WHEN WE RISE albums are

now available for sale by do-

nation. 100% of the proceeds

benefit the Topaza Orphan-

age in Madagascar.

Upon release of the album

in December, an anony-

mous donor came forward tomatch initial sales of the al-

bum, up to $10,000. So with

each donation to purchase

an album, your generosity is

doubled.

A HYMNS CONCERT FEATURING THE MUSIC OF HELPLESS ESTATE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 7PM IN LEE FELLOWSHIP HALL

NIGHT OF WORSHIP



SIX WEEKS, JANUARY 26 MARCH 2REGISTER ONLINE FOR THIS SEMESTER ATFPCO.ORG/REGISTER

School ofDiscipleship

Beginning this Winter, First Pres will offer the first of our new School of Discipleship courses. Designed to help you grow and mature as a follower of Jesus, the materiaincludes great “next steps” for new believers, Barefoot Church participants and thowho have already been growing in their discipleship for many years.

Each course is 6 weeks of Biblical study; some have an academic emphasis andsome are focused on application. All are held here on the church campus, and

typically cover 1 - 1 ½ hours of classroom time.



GIFTED TO SERVE,9:30AM SUNDAY

Teacher: Carol Hafer, Director of Mission& Lori Needham, Director of Hospitality

Uncover how God has uniquely designed you to serve Him. Discover how yourunique set of God-given spiritual gifts,natural abilities, personality, and passionscan be incorporated into your experiencesthat will help fulfill His purposes for yourlife.

DIGNITY SERVES,11:00AM SUNDAY

Teacher: Phil Hissom of the Polis Institute

Have you ever wondered if your effortsto give to the poor are actually helpful?The perfect followup to Barefoot Church,Dignity Serves teaches how serving oth-ers can be more relational, dignified andimpactful. The training is grounded inBiblical principles and delivered throughexperiential exercises and lively discus-sion, resulting in a better understandingof how to help others.

Sponsored by Heart of the City Founda-tion.

LIFE HAPPENS,11:00AM SUNDAY Teacher: Lindsey Staton, Coordinator of20s & 30s Ministry

Have you ever had your life turned upsidedown? If you haven’t yet, you will. In this

series, we will study the book of Ruth, awoman whose plan got all messed up bythe stuff of life. God met her in her pain,gave her courage to keep going, andhanded her a new dream for His glory.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE SAY:UNPACKING THE APOSTLES’ CREED,11:00AM SUNDAY

Teacher: Dr. Rebecca Bedell, Master ofChristian Thought (in progess) Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; Past Min-ister of Worship First Presbyterian ChurchOrlando.

The Apostles’ Creed starts with twopowerful words “I believe....” - We regu-larly proclaim the truths of the Creed as acommunity and as individual Christians as

the core of our faith - but have we reallyspent time digging in and studying whatwe say we believe? We explore the his-tory, theology and modern application ofthis ancient statement of faith.

JONAH: FINDING THE HEART OF GOD,

12:00PM THURSDAY

Teacher: Dr. Mark Futato of RTS

Is the book of Jonah a whale of a taleor an invitation to personal reflection?How big is God’s heart of compassion?How big is yours? What is God’s attitudetoward the city? What is yours? Dare todig deeply into one of the most profoundbooks in the Bible.

*Begins February 6

$50 course fee

SPRING 2014 COURSES

Questions?Call Hailey Domeck at407.423.3441 x1497or email [email protected]



Let’s ace it…the topic o discipline is not one thatmany find enjoyable. Our growth as disciples o Je-sus can be stunted without thought toward our sel-discipline. Much has been written in Scripture aboutthe topic, and most o these nuggets o wisdom werepenned by the Apostle Paul.

Te Greek word translated “discipline” (enkrateia)comes rom the root krat , which designates power orlordship. However, we are sinul by nature; so how arewe to be spiritually disciplined? Can we exercise powerover one’s sel – have sel-mastery over one’s innerdesires, thoughts, actions and words? Sel-disciplinemeans exactly that; power over one’s sel. It is the abil-ity to keep one’s sel under control – it is what Chris-tians are called to do.

Our spiritual lives can quickly get out o balance whenwe practice no spiritual disciplines. Such neglect pro-longs spiritual immaturity, rustrating our efforts toresist temptations and sin. Essentially, working againstourselves.

Paul’s writings to most o the early churches stressedthe importance o sel-control. He also emphasized theimportance o living a lie like Christ, and pursuingholiness. Let’s be clear here…i there is no discipline,

there is no discipleship. One cannot claim the virtueso godliness. Tose virtues or “ruit o the Spirit” arenever sel-generated; rather, it is a work o grace withinus, offered by the Holy Spirit who must be active inour lie.

In Galatians 5:22 we learn o the nine aspects o theruit o the Spirit. It just so happens that sel-disciplineappears last in this list, and not by coincidence! By

making spiritual disciplines a daily habit

TIME WITH GOD

Start with small changes. Pray and ask God toreveal one choice you can make today thatwill draw you closer to Him. Then tomorrow,see if you can do it again.

Next Step

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant,

but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who

have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

occupying this final position, sel-discipline assumesa place o strategic importance. It is the summation othe previous eight qualities the Spirit produces. Tework o the Spirit reaches its consummation in sel-control – enabling us to realize every other aspect ospiritual ruit.

Christ maintains “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”John 15:5 and the Apostle Paul affirms “I can do allthings through Christ who strengthens me” in Philippi-ans 4:13.

So…are you in training? Are you pursuing holinessthrough Biblical preaching and teaching, participatingin corporate worship, the Lord’s Supper, Bible study,meditation, prayer and in ellowship with believers? Iwe are to exercise sel-control, we must give up lord-ship and relinquish the control o our lives to JesusChrist. Te Apostle Paul later claims in the Galatians 5 verses, “Tose who belong to Christ Jesus have crucifiedthe sinful nature with its passions and desires.” Perhapsthat is when we can claim the “peaceul ruit o righ-teousness” because o the Holy Spirit’s training in ourlie!

It’s a New Year and a new opportunity…experiencegrace by building a oundation in spiritual disciplines.

Seek out healthy, lie changing daily habits and you’llfind eternal benefits!



FAMILY NEWS

Sympathy to...

Pam & Dave McComb on the deatho her ather, Robert “Bob” Rivers,October 8, 2013. Mr. Rivers was the

grandather o Colby & Dyar (Emily)McComb.

Don & Sandi Huxley on the death ohis mom, Marie Huxley, October 12,2013.

Randy & Marcia Johnson on thedeath o his mother, Esther Johnson,October 16, 2013.

Joe Guernsey on the death o hisson, Joseph W. “Jody” Guernsey,October 18, 2013. Mr. Guernseywas the brother o Mary & PriscillaGuernsey.

ricia & Bruce Berger on the deatho her mother, Flora Garza, October22, 2013. Mrs. Garza was thegrandmother o Sarah & MeaganBerger.

Te amily and riends o JohnDicine, who died October 24, 2012. Dottie Drane on the death o herbrother, Joseph Lewis, October 26,2013. Mr. Lewis was the uncle oSusan (Jack) Somerville & SarahAnne (Kenney) Hanks.

Te riends and amily o Joyce

Stallings, who died November 1,2013.

Clint & MK Beaty on the death ohis ather, Larry Beaty, November 4,2013. Mr. Beaty was the grandathero Conner & Cooper Beaty.

Chad & Jennier Rawls on the deatho his ather, Charles Lamar Rawls,

November 4, 2013. Mr. Rawls wasthe grandather o Lawson & AbbyRawls.

Will & Amy Mims on the death ohis grandmother, Gwen Zipprer,November 4, 2013. Mrs. Mims wasthe great grandmother o Megan &John Mims.

Walter & Marilyn Sunderlin on thedeath o his mother, Opal Sunderlin,November 4, 2013.

Sarah Ann & Kenney Hanks andSusan & Jack Somerville on thedeath o their ather, Jim Drane,November 14, 2013. Mr Drane wasthe grandather o Hunter, Jordan &Katie Grace Hanks and Hayden &Colton Somerville.

Evelyn Cooksey on the death oher husband, Grady Cooksey Sr.,November 21, 2013. Mr. Cooksey

was the ather o Grady (Judy)Cooksey, Jr. and grandather oAshley (Scott) Batterson.

Lacey & ony Gray, on the deatho her mother, Marie Louise Walz.Mrs. Walz was the grandmother oAshley (Ross) Johnston and great-grandmother o Eloise, Bennett &Stowe Johnston.

Case & Jodi Torp on the death ohis grandmother, Mary CatherineLeach Torp. Mrs. Torp was thegreat-grandmother o Alexandra,Charles and Brooks Torp.

Kay Feldmeyer on the death o herhusband, William “Bill” Feldmeyer,November 26, 2013.

Call FPCO at

407.423.3441 to

FOR PASTORAL EMERGENCIES after the hours of 8:30am-5:00pm, please leave a voicemailmessage on the main churchnumber to page the minister oncall.

Congratulations to...

Mark Tomas Riccaboni was marriedto Brittany Leigh Tomas, October26, 2013, at the Magnolia House in

Groveland, FL. Mark is the son oDavid & Mary Beth Riccaboni.

Chad & Bridgette Cahill on thebirth o their son, Stephen FletcherCahill, born November, 1, 2013. Teproud grandparents are Steve & RoseCahill.

John & Labri Wright on the birth otheir daughter, Arvey Eloise Wright,

born November 14, 2013. Te proudgrandparents are Freddie and LuLangston.

Jerome Lee Heins and Sarah Claire

Jakobson were married December7, 2013 in the Reormation Chapel.

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- plan a wedding x1272

- arrange a memorial service x1455

- donate flowers for worship x1272

- ask giving questions x1479

- change your address x1471

- purchase a sermon DVD x2201

- reserve childcare x1480

- reach security 407.466.3497- reserve a meeting space x1272

- ask about this magazine x1467


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First Presbyterian Church of Orlando Magazine (January/February 2014)