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Compiled by the Faith Newsletter editor: Burt Pearson
Contents:
From your Pastor
Church Workday
Upcoming Events
From The Outreach Committee
Welcome to Flo McKelvey
Elderly Couple
Save the Date
Early Notification
Subject: A little tear to start the year!
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From your Pastor |
This month I want to share a few thoughts about gospel-centered worship, in particular how the gospel informs and shapes not only the hymns and anthems we sing, but also the structure of our worship services. By that I mean having a gospel-centered liturgy (order and content of service) based on the story of the gospel. There is a method behind the order of worship services where the different elements come into play, such as call to worship, prayer, singing, Scripture reading, sermon, etc. What I’m interested in is an overarching element of the gospel as a metanarrative to the liturgy of a worship service, the same way it is the metanarrative of the Bible. To put it in a question, do our worship services reflect the drama of redemption where creation, fall, redemption, and restoration serve as a sort of template for what we do when we gather together? (Admittedly, some weeks are better than others, but a diligent attempt toward gospel-centered worship is made every time we assemble for worship.)
Let me describe this gospel-as-story template in a little more detail. Whether in prayer or in song, or both, we seek to praise and celebrate God who is (CREATION). In our first prayer we adore God who is, followed by a corporate confession of repentance and brokenness (FALL). Then through prayer, and or song(s) we focus on the person and work of Christ (REDEMPTION). Following the pastoral prayer and choral anthem, the children’s message presents some aspect of the gospel. In our hymn of dedication we prepare our hearts and dedicate ourselves to hearing the word of God, particularly the gospel preached. Next we worship God by bringing Him his tithes and our offerings, asking for His blessings upon them. After which, the gospel message is presented through text-driven preaching. Since all of the Bible is about Christ, preaching should culminate in His redemptive work. The primary purpose of preaching is worship, and not instruction (although hopefully instruction will occur throughout the sermon).
Concluding the sermon, we pray for consecration and renewal (RESTORATION) followed by a song of dedication, commitment, or renewal. Together, the gospel is represented in both form and content. In brief outline form, the liturgy looks something like this:
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit (Sometimes this is a creation theme)
Creation – Call to Worship—Scripture and Prayer of Adoration
Fall – Repentance and Brokenness (Corporate Confession and Assurance of Pardon)
Redemption – Jesus–His Person and Work (Prayer and Song)Scripture Reading, Gospel Message
Restoration – Consecration and Renewal (Prayer and Song)
Benediction
When the gospel is the metanarrative (creation, fall, redemption, restoration) of the service and the dominating element of the liturgy, then it necessarily limits the things we do, such as forms of entertainment that would detract away from the gospel. Positively, it prepares our hearts through the drama of redemption causing our hearts to rejoice more in all that God has given us in Christ, longing for more of Him in our lives and our church. Where as the gospel-as-story provides the form of the liturgy, the gospel message provides the content of the liturgy, so both redemptive history (creation, fall, redemption, restoration) and redemptive categories (God, man, sin, Christ, response) are well-represented in the gathering of gospel-embracing repenters and believers of Jesus.
Therefore, while what we say is vitally important, how we communicate it must be considered as well.
In this article, I am in no way suggesting our worship here at Faith is most excellent, or that we have it all figured out. My motive in writing this article is to say that we are committed to not only gospel-centered preaching, but gospel-centered, God-honoring worship as well, and that we are humbly pursuing this end.
We believe gospel-centered worship is God-
centered, Christ-centered, and God honoring. We also believe true worship that is pleasing to God is always edifying to the believer. May God enable us to grow in in our understanding of the gospel, and of gospel-centered worship and ministry.
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Grace and peace,
Pastor Adams |
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Church Workday |
Our next Church Workday is scheduled for March 6th at 9AM, following the Men's Prayer Breakfast.
Items to be accomplished are:
• Paint outside kitchen area
• Tree/shrub foliage along fence
• Pond pump and outside light need to be on separate circuits
• Bleach outside sign base
• Finish mulching
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Upcoming Events |
2/13/10 Sunday School outing/picnic to Rowell Farm
2/13/10 Annual Sweetheart Fellowship Dinner
3/20/10 Teacher Training, open to Florida Presbytery as well as to our own members.
4/17/10 Annual Faith missions week-end dinner
5/06/10 National Day of Prayer
5/15/10 Friends and Family Day. (Outreach Project)
5/16/10 Faith Dinner honoring graduates
6/17/10 Ligonier Ministries National Conference, Orlando (ends 6/19/10)
7/11/10 Faith VBS (ends 7/15/10)
7/26/10 Family Bible Conference (Bonclarken, ends 7/29/10
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From The Outreach Committee |
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 15 when we will have our annual "Friends and Family Day" at Faith. This will be held from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at the church. There will be food, games, and early registration for Vacation Bible School. This will be a fun filled afternoon for everyone! Watch for details.
Christian Education Opportunities
The following appeared as part of the Pastor’s message in the January Newsletter.
1. Sunday School – 9:00 am
Adult 1
An expositional study of the book of Zechariah. This is an in depth, verse by verse study.
Teacher: Phil Plemmons
Adult 2
A foundational study of basic biblical doctrines (Beginning January 2010).
This is a great study if you are new to Reformed theology, or if you simply want to review the great foundational biblical doctrines.
The study guide is, Confessing Christ- by Great Commission
Teacher: Burt Pearson
Adult 3
A study of the “end times,” or “the last things” with a survey of the 3 millennial views using: The Millennium and Beyond, Stanley N. Gundry, series editor and Darrell L. Bock, general editor.
Teacher: Mike Gallogly
Sr. High Youth 9th –12th Grade
A general study of the prophets, and why they came, what they said, and why God sent them. This is a great class to help continue to grow in your relationship with Christ, and to fellowship with other youth.
Teacher: Tony Chambers
Jr High Youth 7th + 8th Grade
Great Commission Curriculum
This is a great class to help continue to grow in your relationship with Christ. Good group interaction, fellowship, and an opportunity to wrestle further develop a Christian world view.
Teacher: Bryan Holmes
2. Mid-Week Studies in the Ministry Center
Wednesday Morning- 10:00am
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Read and discuss the Westminster Shorter Catechism and study the Scripture that supports these doctrines of grace.
Teacher: Pastor Adams
Thursday Morning Women’s Study 10:00 a.m.
An in-depth study of the book of Esther. This is also a great discipleship / fellowship for our women.
Teacher: Corlie Grey
(Babysitting provided)
3. Community Groups
North Brevard – Titusville (Wednesday evenings)
Facilitator: Bryan Banks
Host: Bryan and Melissa Banks
This is a marriage study that meets on Wednesday evenings using the book, Each for the Other, by Bryan Chappel. An opportunity for discipleship, fellowship, prayer, accountability, and encouragement.
Please call Bryan and Melissa at 383-7797 for additional information.
South Brevard
Facilitator: Frank Heeman
Host: John and Diane Perez
This is a foundational study of Reformed Theology using the book, When Grace comes Home, by Terry Johnson
Please call Frank and Kristi Heeman at 254-5517 for additional information.
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| The above are the current opportunities we have for additional Christian education, discipleship, and fellowship. |
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Welcome to Flo McKelvey |
On January 3, 2010, Flo McKelvey joined the Faith family. She has lived in Merritt Island since 1998. Prior to that, she resided in Belleaire Beach, Florida and Minneapolis, MN.
During her career, Flo was an Engineering Secretary for Honeywell; a highlight was being responsible for a training manual for the Apollo Program.
Flo and her husband Bud have three children. Their oldest son lives in Austin, Texas and has 3 daughters. He is a branch manager for USA Today. Their daughter lives in Merritt Island and was a human factors engineer for NASA on the Space Station following her responsibility as chief wiring engineer on the Columbia. She is currently a stay-at-home mom for her son and daughter. Finally, their youngest son is a robotics engineer, living in Bochum, Germany.
Flo is very active in both singing and sewing endeavors. Along with being a choir member here at Faith, she also sings with the Space Coast Oratorio Society. She not only sews teddy bears for emergency rooms and Heart Bears for Wuesthoff Hospital, she also sews wedding dresses and wall hangings - a lady of many talents! Her activities may need to be curtailed some in the near future as she deals with Bud’s progressing Alzheimer’s disease.
Flo met our Savior as an 11 year old at a revival meeting and He has walked with her through her life’s journey. She’s thrilled that her two oldest children are also in close relationship with Jesus and continues to pray that her youngest son, too, may come to a saving knowledge of the Lord.
Welcome to Flo!
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Submitted by
Mari Richardson |
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Elderly Couple |
An elderly couple had dinner at another couple’s house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen.
The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, “Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly.”
The other man said, “What is the name of the restaurant?”
The first man thought and thought and finally said, “What is the name of that flower you give someone you love? You know...the one that’s red and has thorns.”
“Do you mean a rose?”
“Yes, that’s the one”, replied the man. He then turned toward the kitchen and yelled, “Rose, what’s the name of that restaurant we went to last night?”
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From the “Fishwrapper” as provided by
Marion Sweigart |
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Save the Date |
Florida ARP Women's Ministries Spring Retreat
Friday March 12 - Saturday, March 13
Topic: Birds, Bread, and Battles:
Life Lessons from Elijah the Prophet
Speaker: Starla Shattler
Spring Retreat Site: FFA Campground Center
5000 Firetower Road
Haines City, FL 33844
Make checks payable:
FL ARP Women's Ministries
$75.00 per/person (double)
$35.00 additional for private room (NON- Refundable)
Deadline: Feb 19, 2010
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| (Contact Linda Seiffer if interested) |
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Early Notification |
Frank Van Dalen, Executive Director of World Witness, has asked that we provide information to our church family on the annual World Witness Fellowship Dinner.
The dinner will be held at the Best Western Admiral’s Inn in Winter Haven on April 30.
If you are planning to go to the dinner, be sure to keep the date open.
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| Further notifications will be sent as the date draws nearer. |
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Subject: A little tear to start the year! |
A Boy Singing to his little sister.....You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine' (Be prepared to get watery eyes!)
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.
They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee.
In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor.
Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition.
With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St.. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville , Tennessee.
The days inched by. The little girl got worse.
The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.
Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot.
They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.
Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying.
Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over.
Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive.
She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket.
The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, 'Get that kid out of here now.. No children are allowed.'
The mother rose up strong , and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line.
“He is not leaving until he sings to his sister' she stated.” Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside.
He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
you make me happy when skies are gray.'
Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond.
The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady.
'Keep on singing, Michael,' encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.
'You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away.'
As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr.
Keep on singing, sweetheart.' The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms' .
Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.
'Keep on singing, Michael.' Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed.
'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
Please don' take my sunshine away.'
The next day...the very next day. the little girl was well enough to go home.
Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song.
The medical staff just called it a miracle.
Karen called it a miracle of God's love.
NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.. LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.
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| Received by Burt Pearson in an e-mail |
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