Ray Keener - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/faithcovenantchurch/... · Ray Keener “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs

Ray Keener

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

“Grace” is defined several ways in a dictionary: unmerited favor, love from God, the influence or the Spirit of God

operating in man. The purpose of Grace Garage is to provide repair and transportation needs for the community of

Faith Covenant Church and its affiliates who are financially unable.

Our hope is that Grace Garage will encourage GRACEFUL living — loving God and loving others.

Grace Garage has had 49 vehicles donated. Six years ago, we started with a loan of $1,000, paid that off and have

had up to $40,000 to work with after selling or salvaging 35 vehicles. We have done about 40 significant benevolence

repairs and given away 13 vehicles. There are currently several people on a waiting list for repairs or vehicles. The

vehicle donations have been sparse this year, but God has always provided them when they were needed and the money

has been there to help someone in a tough spot.

I heard a sermon about a vast army attacking the Israelites and they said, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes

are on you.” (II Chronicles 20:12b) Brothers and sisters, we have got to practice humility and jump up into God’s

arms, look Him right in the eye and listen to what He says. It isn’t a constant habit with me yet, but God has a thick

skull to work through here (ask my wife). If my eyes hadn’t been on God through starting Grace Garage, I’d have

given up in the first six months. God’s grace has been abundant in this ministry!

The goals for a few years have been to move into a separate location from Cartek, and to

get a dealers license. Our prayer is for God to provide the people and funds to accomplish

this. As the ministry grows, we want to incorporate small groups with the volunteers. This

ministry is about PEOPLE, not cars. Cars are just the vehicles to help people!

Many of you have offered to help in some way. Thanks! There have been several

obstacles in the way of this. First, to have volunteers working on vehicles, there needs to be a

separate shop with at least two bays with lifts, a fenced area, tools and liability insurance.

This can’t be done at my present workplace due to liability and dealer licensing requirements.

Second, Grace Garage needs several people gifted in looking at overall ministry ideas and putting them into a

workable form, a “vision.” I would prefer to utilize people who are not already committed to other areas of ministry,

have some margin in their lives and are looking into God’s eyes, listening to his call. I sense that the present board

members — Bud Brown, Shawn Delemeester, Duane Janssen, and Adrienne Holderith — will be able to lead Grace

Garage where God would have it. I am open to others who sense a calling to help. Let’s serve God together!

I’ll be very honest with you. Ministry is a battle against a vast army and sometimes we don’t know what to do, but

we do not need to be afraid or discouraged, for the battle is not ours, it is the Lord’s. (II Chronicles 20:15b) We just

need to go out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with us. (II Chronicles 20:17b)

Thank you, family members of Faith Covenant Church, for the support and encouragement you have given over the

past six years. It is so helpful in pressing on towards the goal each and every day! Grace and peace to you all.

Debbie Bennett

On May 1st, we will collect shoes for Soles4Souls, a ministry for

people of all ages who are without shoes. They will be donated locally

and nationally.

On Sunday, May 1st, come prepared to leave your shoes at the

altar. Yes, you will be leaving church barefoot as an act of worship

and selflessness. If you need to wear shoes once outside the door,

please bring a pair to put on. Feel free to bring extra shoes to the altar

along with the pair you are wearing; they will be appreciated.

To help defray shipping costs, it would be very helpful if you could

also donate $1 or $2 per pair of shoes.

The 2011 FCC Ladies Tea, "Hope for Tomorrow", will be held

Saturday, May 7th, at 2:00 p.m. This year’s very special guest speaker

is Pat Carlson. Tickets ($5) are available in the Resource Room, where

you may also choose your table assignment. Ladies, please consider

signing up to bring tea snacks and, gentlemen, we need you as servers.

Please invite your family, friends and neighbors for this afternoon of

music, fine foods and fellowship!

Please share your graduate news with us. If

you or a family member are graduating from

high school or college, please let the church

office know. We want to know who, when,

from what school, special honors, and what

future plans they have.

Fa ith Focus

MAY BIRTHDAYS 1 Diana Logue 1 Cheryl Massey 2 Tammie Murphy 5 Pat Carlson 7 Alex Tallman 8 Barbara Bowman 9 Deirdre Banks 9 Elizabeth Mostellar 10 Ethel “Bobbie” Sammons 11 Sharon Peterson 12 Joe Narvaez 13 Jack Main 14 Colton Willever 15 Henry Fraze 15 Holliday Lisowski 16 Jim Nash 18 Ian Gross 18 Desiree Willever 21 Leiah Chadwick 22 Phyllis Smith 25 Kaylee Mostellar 26 Jan Osburn 26 Rick Vasbinder 30 Harriet “Hat” Doran 30 Fernando Zayas MAY ANNIVERSARIES 1 Dale & Bernice Willever (1999) 7 Fernando & Pat Zayas (1988) 8 Tim & Jean Bowman (1981) 12 Dan & Silvia Leeper (1990) 12 Jeff & Tammie Murphy (1997) 13 Ray & Marilou Keener (1973) 16 Ryan & Avril Osburn (1998) 17 Jerry & Jane Brown (1969) 17 Ralph & Louise Hoffman (1941) 18 Rick & Leslie Vasbinder (1985) 19 Nancy & Craig Bostock (1991) 20 Tom & Paula Wright (2002) 24 Drew & Diana Logue (1997) 26 Mike & Dawn Davis (1979) 28 Paul & Jill Hill (1983) 29 Steve & Jennifer Geis (1999) 30 Bryan & Michelle Tallman (1998)

Dates to

Celebrate

If your anniversary or birthday isn’t listed, please let us know so we can include your special dates!

2011 Date Attendance General Fund

Giving Designated Giving

March 13 235 9,602.34 455

March 20 253 8,263.06 155

March 27 6,289 335

April 3 254 12,900.48 1,258.03

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 8:30 am, Worship Encounter, 9:45 am, Sun. Sch.,

11 am, Worship Interactive, 4 pm, Puppets; 5 pm, Just Prayer, 6:30 pm, Hi. Sch. Youth Group

2 3 9 am, Pryme Tymers’ Breakfast at Denny’s

on 34th St. N.

4 6:15 pm, Elem. Singers Practice;

6:30 pm, Elem. Midway & MS Youth Group

5 6:15 am, Men’s Bible Study;

9:15 am, Women’s Bible Study

National Day of Prayer

6 7 9 am, Walk for Life

2 pm, Ladies’ Tea

8 8:30 am, Worship Encounter, 9:45 am, Sun. Sch.,


Mother’s Day

9 10 10 am, Pryme Tymers’ Bible Study





13 14 9:30 am, Financial Peace Preview



16 17 6:30 pm, Council Meet-ing





20 21 8 am, Men & Boys’ Breakfast for a Buck



23 24 10 am, Pryme Tymers’ Bible Study





27 28


11 am, Worship Interactive 4 pm, Puppets; 5 pm, Just Prayer 6:30 pm, Hi. Sch. Youth Group

30 Memorial Day

31

May 2011

Fa ith Focus

May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

Roaming through Romans, Rolling On. A

continuation of the Roaming through Romans

study, we will look at new topics from the book

of Romans including: Revolution (transform-

ation by the renewal of the mind), Come

Together (getting along in the body of Christ),

and If I Fell (the stumbling stone of the cross).

Participation in the previous Roaming through

Romans class is not a prerequisite. (Cliff Rice,

Library)

The life & thoughts of Dietrich Bonhoeffer,

a 20th century German pastor, theologian, author

and martyr. Featured will be video material and

biographical information on his childhood and

life. We will also focus on his best-known book,

“The Cost of Discipleship.” (Ken Johnson,

Music Office)

Saturday, May 7

If you can run, walk or roller skate, you can

“walk for life” to benefit the Pinellas Crisis

Pregnancy Center. If not, then sponsor someone

who can! To find out more, to sign up, or pick

up a sponsor form, go to the Resource Room.

Please take a moment to update your

directory with this new info and let the church

office know if you have changes or corrections

for your listing.

Marilyn Hopson

The Villas of Casa Celeste

9225 82nd Ave. N., Villa 117

Seminole, FL 33777

Dave and Lorraine Petro 501 Tallahassee Dr NE

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Sunday, May 15th, will be a joyous occasion here at FCC,

as six members of our congregation will be commissioned as

Stephen Ministers. This culminates several months of training

and preparation for this special ministry of care and concern.

Our Stephen Ministers have been trained in such areas as deal-

ing with feelings, crisis intervention, asserting oneself with

gentleness and firmness, and other topics that deal with spe-

cific aspects of helping people who are experiencing problems

in their lives.

Following their commissioning, our Stephen Ministers

will provide a caring ministry in our congregation and com-

munity, working with people who are experiencing life crises

such as hospitalization, retirement, financial setback, loss of a

loved one, as well as the many other problems people have in

their lives. If you could benefit from the care of a Stephen

Minister, discuss the matter with Cheryl Massey (642-4568),

Carol Mostellar (522-2625), or Pastor Rick Carlson (871-

6438).

Those receiving care can be certain that their identity and

concerns will be kept confidential. If you need someone to

listen and a hand of Christian love extended to you, the

Stephen Ministry can play an important role in your life.

Ray Keener

The 13-week Financial Peace University Course is being

offered at FCC this summer. It’s open to the community, so

let your friends and family know about this opportunity to

learn how to take charge of your finances. The class meets on

Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It includes vid-

eos by Dave Ramsey and small group discussions.

Applying the scriptural principles that Dave Ramsey

teaches can be TRANSFORMING! Let’s take these steps to-

gether, learning to be good managers of what God provides

for each of us!

A free class preview will be presented on Saturday, May

14th, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The class dates are: Wednes-

days, June 1st through the 29th with a break on

the 22nd; July 6th through the 27th; and August 3rd

through the 31st.

There is a cost of $93.00 for the class materi-

als, lifetime membership, CD’s, books, envelope

system, and forms. Check this out!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_people

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_martyr

150 - 62nd Avenue N .E . St . Petersburg, FL 33702

2011 FAITH FOCUS NEWSLETTER

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 574

St. Petersburg, FL

FAITH FOCUS is the monthly publication of Faith Covenant Church, 150-62nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, (727) 525-1699

Rick Carlson, Senior Pastor [email protected]

Jim Black, Associate Pastor of Children & Families,

[email protected]

Craig Hancock, Youth Pastor [email protected]

Lynette Gill, Accompanist

Drew Logue, Worship Coordinator

[email protected]

Marilou Keener, Custodian

[email protected]

Debbie Wade, Office Manager [email protected]

Church Website: FaithCovenantChurch.US FCC Blog: fccusa.blogspot.com/

Southeast Conference: http://blogs.covchurch.org/se-conf/

ECC Denomination: covchurch.org

Submit information by the 15th of the month to be included in the Faith Focus on a space-available basis.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Momisms

Every mom has her favorite quotes and special tone of voice to scold her

recalcitrant kids. We might hate these “momisms” as children, but these moth-

erly sayings go a long way in making us better people. Here are a few enduring

momisms that transcend time, language and culture — for kids are kids every-

where and moms are moms...caring, concerned and loving.

Money doesn’t grow on trees!

Don't make that face or it will freeze in that position.

Always wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.

Be careful with that or you'll put your eye out.

What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?

You have enough dirt behind those ears to grow potatoes!

Close that door! Were you born in a barn?

Don't put that in your mouth; you don't know where it's been!

I hope that when you grow up, you have kids "Just Like you"!

If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.

Eat your vegetables; children in China/Africa/India would be happy to

have that broccoli to eat!

Just wait till your father gets home.

Bored! How can you be bored? I was never bored at your age.

And, last but not least...

Because I'm your mother, that's why!

Documents

Ray Keener - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/faithcovenantchurch/... · Ray Keener “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs