Sunday Happenings...And There Was A Lot Happening

Sunday morning we completed our sermon series on Strapped with a lesson on "Putting God First".  As a preacher, I hate preaching on money and contributions.  Most ministers feel the same way as certain televangelists have given the rest of us a bad name.  Yet, despite that fact, it is a Biblical subject that needs to be taught... properly.  My prayer is this was accomplished.  It's all about being better.

Next week we begin our next series - The End is Near?, dealing with the 2nd Coming of Christ.  So many different versions and concerns arise from this subject.  We will be doing our best to understand the Biblical teachings from I Thessalonians 4 & 5, as well as II Peter 3.  The first weeks lesson is entitled "No One Left Behind".  This is another great opportunity to invite others to attend.  Most people are very interested in a topic like this.

Speaking of visitors, we had MANY Sunday.  Several of you introduced or helped point out folks you met.  That is so helpful.  Continue to seek out guests each week.  If you can, take them out to lunch.  Get their information so you can send them a card.

As far as Sunday morning was concerned, I need to apologize to Steven Wilson.  He read from Galatians 5:14 for the Lord's Supper, which speaks of loving your neighbor.  Great verse, but not exactly the focus on Christ that is needed at that time.  Steven did a pretty incredible job making it all tie in with Communion.  Sitting in the pew I realized I had left out a very important thing...the dash.  It was supposed to be Galatians 5:1-4 which begins by saying, So Christ has really set us free.  Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law...  Sigh.  Next week I will double check.

Sunday night was our not so scary "Truck or Treat" for our children.  I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or the adults.  You will see from the pictures below some of the great stuff going on.  Thanks to everyone who decorated their vehicles, handed out candy, and just had fun with the children.  The scariest part of the night was Joel's piñata.  Fortunately no one, including Joel, was hurt.  We appreciate David Paladin for getting it all planned, even though he looked like something from Star Trek (the 60's version).

 

 

 

 

 

 

After seeing these pictures, I guess I need to wrap it up.  Don't forget about our sick and shut-ins.  In fact, there are many things going on this week we need to be praying about.  Today Michael Scott is having an ultrasound on his gallbladder.  Peggy Stephens is having outpatient surgery to have polyps removed.  Diane Williams is having outpatient surgery on her hand.  Pray a special prayer for Michael Kolinar (a.k.a. "Mad Money Mike") who is struggling with life in general.

Be Christ to your world.  Continue to find ways to be better in your walk with the Lord.  Pick up your Bible this week and read.  Lift up your voice and offer thanks to our Heavenly Father.

No Burden, Just Better

Yesterday we completed our third lesson in our series called Strapped.  Our main thought is "we don't serve money, we serve God.  Money serves us as we serve God." It is about getting better.  This series isn't to see how much guilt can be dumped on us, but ways to get better... out of financial bondage.  The reception of these lessons have been very positive and I appreciate all of the encouragement.  We have one more lesson to go - "Putting God First." Don't miss this important lesson.  By the way, I saw this car in town the other day and had to get a picture!

 

Along those same lines, I am putting up the new posters for our November series.  It was supposed to be on II Peter, but after praying and studying through the book it changed to one of its major themes - the Second Coming of Christ.  When we sent out surveys, a few months ago, this was a topic recommended.  In fact, money management was another suggestion, which is why we are in our current series.  I'm really looking forward to this study.

Yesterday I noticed several of our "regulars" out of town, but the house still seemed to be full.  I met a few people from our community and few folks from other places.  Either way, it is great seeing a steady stream of visitors come our way.  I appreciate those of you going out of your way to meet and greet others.

Tonight is our Celebrate Recovery.  Monday is a good time to meet people who may have hurts, hang ups or habits they want to overcome.  Those who serve in this ministry offer two convenient times - 7 & 8 PM.  If you know of someone who is interested let us know and we will put them in touch with someone from the program.

This coming Sunday night is our "Trunk-or-Treat".  If you haven't participated before, it is a time we decorate the trucks of our cars and allow our children to go around and have a safe venue to get some candy.  The kids really enjoy this and will bring friends to participate.  We only ask that we keep things... uh.... not so frightening.  Such as a bloody zombie hanging out of your trunk or you dress up with a fake ax going through your head.  We want children to come back to our church, not run as far away as possible.  We encourage the adults to dress up as well, but nothing immodest.  The last thing we need is for one of our members to dress up in the sexy French maid costume.  I realize it might cause some visitors to come back, but not exactly the way we want to "draw people to God." You know what I'm talking about.  Never had a problem with this, nor do we anticipate any problems this year.  We will do this immediately after our Sunday night classes.

One more thing.  I found out last week that A'Lana Cutshall has been helping out with our website.  I failed to mention her with the list of volunteers we have helping the church office right now.  I knew she had built the site but did not realize she was still working with it.  I was glad to hear this as A'Lana has great creativity.  Keep looking to our website as it gets better and better all the time.  If you click on the "Events" window, at the top, you can find a calendar of all of our upcoming events.  Just go to vbcofc.com.

Praying everyone has a great week.  Continue to remember those on our prayer list and let the church office or elders know if someone needs special attention.

Tracy

It's Monday, Monday

It is a busy Monday, Monday of things to report.  We will begin with Sunday happenings.  After several weeks, the kids in the Aquarium finally sang loud enough to interrupt my class, across the hall.  David Paladin, their leader, has asked me each week if I heard them, and each week I have said "no".  You could see the disappointment on his face.  But this week it finally happened.  If your children came home with sore throats and strained vocal cords... you know why.  More to come from this group.

Sunday worship was also a positive experience.  Great song service, a heartfelt talk about the Lord's Supper and the many prayers for one another.  Opal Powell came forward for prayers for her grandson, Stephen Brooks, and the fact he is going blind in one eye.  Stephen is a former member of this church who now lives in Hawaii.  This family has dealt with many loses over the last few years.  Continue to pray for them.  Along those same lines, Dewey Hall is also dealing with something similar with his eyes.  Vision is a beautiful gift of God.  Pray for each of these this week.

Let me also comment on my sermon from yesterday morning.  People continue to appreciate the topic.  Many of you have shared many kind words.  Although yesterday was some of my favorite.  One of my children came home and asked Missy, "Is dad going to sell Max?! (family dog)".  It is always good to keep your children on their toes.  Someone told me about another father who told his kids that he would sell them before he got rid of their dog.  One person went to an elder to ask, if they are not in debt can they still get their nails done?  And my favorite, and most frequent comment, "where can you get 12% interest?". As I said yesterday, I'm a sanguine, I don't do math, so the examples I used I found.  Either way, it was great listening to everyone.  This weeks sermon, "The Buck Starts Here".  I can't wait to hear what you have to say this Sunday!

On a sad note, Judy Gauntt lost her mother-in-law Doris Gauntt.  They were very close and she has taken care of her for a long time.  Funeral arrangements will be made today.  Do me a favor and send her a card.

Judy Gauntt
514 4th Place SW
Vero Beach, FL 32962

This weekend the children's ministry did a special day for the girls, G.A.L. (girls acting like ladies).  The Soops hosted a day of swimming and crafts for the girls.  Bella told me she had a great time.  I appreciate all the adults who helped out with this.  Look at these smiling faces.

I also want to give a shout out to Lisa Brackett.  She has been volunteering to help with our website and Facebook accounts.  She is really doing a great job with both of these.  Check out our website sometime verobeachchurchofchrist.org.  Also, those of you who follow the churches Facebook page, "share" upcoming events on your own site to spread the news.  Recently Lisa has been dealing with migraines again, so let's say a special prayer for her this week.

While we are on the topic of volunteers.  The ministers cannot thank the ladies who have been coming in each week to help out in the office - June Hansen, Ethel Meadows, Sue Mora, Helen Rathel, Gay Stanley and Teri Swinford.  If you have called the church office recently you have probably talked with one of these ladies.  Not only do they answer phones, but they check emails, compile lists, work on the computer, clean out clutter (although David's office is a challenge), fix us coffee, prepare our lunch, wash our feet (well maybe not those last few things).  Seriously, the greatest thing they do each week is come in with a smile on their faces.  David, Joel, and myself couldn't do it without them.

We have so many who need prayers and attention this week.  Please read your bulletin and watch for updates throughout the week to see a more complete list.  Think about those who may have missed seeing yesterday and give them a call or drop them a card.  Be patient with the people in our world and shine the light of Christ.  Be the church!

The Fall

No I'm not referring to the fall of man, but the most awesome season of the year.  It was a great feeling Sunday morning.  Bella told me, "It feels like Christmas."  Nothing like Christmas in Florida with 65 degree lows.

Speaking of fall, wouldn't it be awesome to see the debt of our Christian families "fall"?  We had a great start to our new series, Strapped.  Many kind comments about how excited they are about learning more.  I am really excited about a congregation full of Christians who take these lessons to heart.  Remember, this series isn't about guilt, but learning how to do and be better.  To move from the love of money to a love for God.  To move from "keeping up with the Jones'" and be in a situation you can help the Jones'.  To see our money serve us instead of being in bondage to debt.  This week we will look into the three essential values to becoming debt-free.  Don't miss any of these lessons and PLEASE invite others to join us for this series.  If the statistic is true, that 76% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck, it shouldn't be a difficult invite.

Sunday night was another one of our Circle-Up Singing.  A great night of singing some old favorites and working on a couple of new songs.  We sang, we laughed and we enjoyed each other's company.  For the second month we celebrated the birthdays that "fall" during this month.  Each one received a small gift and, of course, birthday cake.  Just look at this group!

Sunday morning we also announced a congregational fast for Wednesday.  A day of prayer and fasting for our global missions.  The elders have many decisions to make concerning our missions, as they do every year, but they want to have everyone involved in petitioning the Almighty for guidance.  As I stated yesterday morning, this is not about asking for more money, but to use the funds we have in the wisest means possible.  Personally, I commend our elders for seeing the value of the Biblical fast.  I know how much they ask God for help in the decisions they make and this is an added means of calling on the Father.

So what do I do?  Not eat?  Fasting is really anything that helps you take your eyes off of the physical and enter into a more direct focus upon God.  The most common Biblical fast is a food fast.  My only caution is to those who have diabetes or something similar that has to have food to regulate their system.  However, in our day and time, maybe the most needed and possibly the most difficult for some, would be a fast from media.  I'm talking about TV, radio, social media, etc.  If you prayed about our missions every time you had an urge to pop out your smart phone to check updates, status, etc., you might be surprised how often you would be talking to God that day.  But why limit yourself to one type of fasting?  You can do a food fast and media fast at the same time.  The important thing, is find something that you enjoy doing (habit even), and deprive yourself of it to focus on the God who knows our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows.  Personally, I am excited to find out the decisions that will be made from this spiritual event.

Continue to check on those who normally sit around you.  Send a card to a shut-in, someone struggling, or just randomly to another Christian as a means of encouragement.  Be the church.

A Day of Highs and Lows

Sunday was one of those days filled with highs and lows.  We begin with the sermon.  How much lower could we go than talking about the shame of the cross?  Our sins made the crucifixion of the Son of God necessary.  Ironically, it was the shame that lead to the high - the glory of the cross and Jesus Christ!  Your comments about the lesson were encouraging.  While attending Polishing the Pulpit I heard a lesson similar to this one that inspired this one.  The biggest different was singing pieces to several songs that emphasized the points.  The congregation was as much a part of teaching and admonishing as I was.  It was one of those times I felt I was the one who received the greatest benefit as I witnessed the Spirit of God in the faces of the audience.  I could see pain, joy, tears, etc. throughout the sermon.  Thank you all for following along with me, even during those bad pitched songs and the couple I had to stop on.

I'm thankful for David Brooker for getting everyone warmed up for the lesson.  David is really doing a good job, not to mention going to the Gifford church of Christ that afternoon for one of his singing classes, before being back for our services on Sunday night!  Every Tuesday night he leads the singing and service at Horizon Bay.  I know he would love for you to join them.

While we are on the topic of singing, this Sunday night is our monthly Circle-Up Singing.  Every month I wonder how we top the last one, or at least be as good as the last one, but somehow it always does.  Last month we tried something new by giving people an opportunity to make song requests through a survey.  We will be sending another one out in the next day or two, so start thinking of songs you would like to hear.  Last time we barely got in everyone's request, so if we have much more requests than last month we may have to do only one verse of several songs.  We will have to see.  Either way, we want you to let us know the songs you would like to hear.  Having them early allows us to have them pre-loaded onto PowerPoint, which saves time and negates the need for songbooks.

Yesterday we had two ladies come forward who have been struggling in their families.  Marisa Mackey is back with us and we welcome her and her children.  So many of you talked with and hugged these ladies afterwards and last night.  Their is nothing like that feeling of a church family loving on you.  What a high!

Last night Arthur David talked about the lows of an entire nation - Liberia.  He provided updates of what is going on in the country and the church.  It is a terrible time.  It was encouraging to learn that this church has given more money for relief than any other church he knows.  Not to brag, but to know we were able to bring something positive to hurting Christians.  Please continue to pray for the entire country.

 

As far as prayers are concerned we have many we need to remember.  Last night, it was brought to my attention Peggy Stevens is having a difficult time.  Drop her a card or give her a phone call this week.  Of course, the bulletin is filled with others who are in need of our continued prayers.  Check these each week.

Finally, we are beginning a new series called Strapped.  So many people in our country would say they are strapped for money.  This series is designed to help us move from paycheck to paycheck to a more stable situation.  To go from working for money to your money working for you.  This is an excellent series to invite friends, family and co-workers to attend.

An Especially Great Day!

It was one of the most uplifting Sundays I can remember.  Let's start with the biggest news.  Chuck and Cindy Kirby were baptized into Christ!  I have been studying with them for some time.  The first study I learned they didn't have a Bible and gave them one the next day.  They had so many great questions about God and the church.  One of my favorite moments was when Cindy, for the first time, made the connection that baby Jesus was God!  She was amazing and excited!  Our last study was two hours - one hour of our regular study and another hour of answering questions.  It was just a neat experience for all three of us.  Chuck came over yesterday afternoon to tell me "thank you"... again.  Of course, all I can do is reemphasis it was the Lord who did the work, but they were so glad someone told them the Good News.  One of my favorite questions they asked, during our studies, was "what is expected of us when we become a Christian?" They were not looking for a quick fix to their sin.  They were not trying to find out how little they can do and still go to heaven.  I could go on and on, but I am really excited about this couple.

Also, Steve announced the Porter family as desiring to be apart of this church family.  They are another couple I have been talking to.  They have been very impressed with our youth and children's program.  They moved to this area recently.  John and Tina have a deep faith in God and have been active in churches they attended in the past.  We want to welcome them to the family.  Get to know both of these families or any of our newest members of this church.

I knew the other two were taking place Sunday, but there was one more unexpected blessing yesterday.  Mike and Shelly Pickerill came forward calling on the church to pray for their marriage.   Many in the world would give up but they truly love each other and want to make sure their relationship grows stronger.  Begin praying for them each day.  They have begun individual help.  And let me say this, I appreciate their openness.  So many will let these things go until they find themselves in serious trouble, and in some cases in the land of no return.  I commend them for their decision.

By the time I got home I was emotionally exhausted, but in a good way.  After a nap I was refreshed to hear one last lesson on Proverbs from Joe Wild.  It was a good day all the way through.  I thoroughly enjoyed teaching my class that morning.  The singing in worship was so good.  This morning I woke up, before my alarm clock went off, ready to get the day started.  I'm joyful.

This week: My family still has a Jamaican in the house.  He got back from Ohio Saturday night.  He was also able to speak with a church in West Virginia.  He was supposed to go to Texas but it fell through.  That being said, he will be going back home Friday.  If you would be able to take him to the airport in Fort Lauderdale please let me know.  Bob Brackett has taken him to breakfast this morning and the Warrens are feeding him Thursday night.  If you would like an opportunity to treat him to a meal let me know.

As far as next Sunday is concerned, we will have Arthur David speaking to us Sunday night.  Brother David is back in the states but he has been a missionary we have supported from Liberia.  He continues to be in contact with the brothers and sisters there and the struggles they are facing on a daily basis with the Ebola virus.  I believe this is something we would all be interested in hearing.

Finally, thanks for the kind comments many of you made about our series on Creativity.  This Sunday I will deliver one lesson on the shame and glory of the cross of Christ.  We will use songs as a means of teaching this powerful account in Scripture.  Hope to see you.

Continue to remember those who were unable to be with us yesterday.  A special prayer for Gay Stanley has she was struggling last night over the loss of her niece.  I know the families would appreciate your remembering Reagon Brackett and Amber Roe as they are doing mission work in Africa.  Continue to pray for our sick and give praise for blessings God is giving you daily.  Have a great week.

Life's Roller Coaster

This weekend has been a roller coaster of positives and negatives.  Positive: The wedding of two Christians.  Sammy and Andrea Livingstone are now hitched and beginning a new life together.  I was fortunate to do premarital counseling with them and was looking forward to their big day.  Negative: I received a text the night before from Dave Osbourne that he would be flying into Fort Lauderdale at 11:05 am and I would be picking him up, which also meant I would be missing the wedding.  I had planned for him to come in, pick him up and for him stay with me while he is in Florida, but the details were not known until Friday night.  I heard I missed a great time at the wedding.  I did get to speak to the bride 10 minutes before she walked down the aisle, so that was a plus.

Positive: My friend Dave Osbourne is here from Linstead, Jamaica.  He is such a neat guy who is passionate about his work.  I love it!  Many of you mentioned to me how much you enjoyed hearing him speak last night.  When you find out the few resources the Caribbean preachers have access to it is encouraging when you hear them preach.  They are amazing guys.  Limited technology, limited books and limited monies to get those things if they had access to them.  This is one of the reasons I did the 2 for $20 on my books so I could provide them (and Bible majors) with a copy at my cost.  Dave was the first recipient!  You never really hear them complain, only that they feel privileged to speak for the Master.  If you would like to spend some time with Dave let me know.  Tonight and Tuesday morning lunch is already booked, but if you are interested in another time we will try to work it out.  He flies out early Wednesday morning for Ohio but will be back on the 24th before flying back on the 26th.  Negative: I have a predicament.  Missy is flying out to her mom's Tuesday afternoon and Dave flies out Wednesday morning.  His flight is at 8:30 am from Orlando International, which means he will need to leave my house around 5 am.  Here is the problem, I have to get Micah and Bella up, ready, breakfast and to school.  So (here it comes), I was wondering if we have any early birds who like to take Jamaican preachers to the airport.  I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.  Please let me know if this is something you can do.

Positive: Joe Wild broke down yesterday morning telling us about all the good news of those we have been praying for - Peggy Stephens, Jerry Cutshall, the two little girls who were dealing with serious issues this past week.  The fact is, Joe could have made those announcements for the sermon and we would have been given a powerful lesson on prayer.  So encouraging.  Negative: People hurting in our world never ends.  Last night we announced several prayer requests of Brandy Brackett - her grandmother in hospice, her brother's surgery, and dad who has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.  When I got home last night I received an email about the Crisis Relief International in Iraq.  "We lost the city of Queragosh.  It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically.  This is the city we have been smuggling food too.  ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working.  Thousands more fled into the city of Erbil last night.  The UN evacuated it's staff in Erbil.  Our team is unmoved and will stay.  Prayer cover needed!" We celebrate the positive results of prayer, but may we not let up!  This is a spiritual battle we are dealing with (Eph. 6:12) and prayer is of the utmost importance (6:18).  Don't let the negatives get you down because the positives show that prayer is working.

Enough of the roller coaster.  Let's end this thing with positives!  Amber Roe made it safely to Africa for her mission trip.  Reagan Brackett is growing in amazing ways during her time in Africa with the Harding group.  Dave Osbourne will be speaking to the Tuesday morning class, which will consists of questions and answers about Jamaica and the work there.  I have two Bible studies on Tuesday.  The teens had a great start to selling out their fish fry coming up.  Add to that, Mike Wiley has been going out to catch enough fish for 100 people!  Our attendance was up Sunday.  The singing was encouraging.  All of our new Bible classes are getting great feedback.  Our children's program continues to amaze our visitors and the kids are learning more and more every week.  Our teens seem to be more united and excited than ever.  And finally, I got a free coffee this morning at Panera before I began this blog.

Let's carry these positives into our roller coaster world.  When you are coming down into the negatives it is hard to remember all the positives at the top.  Help others see them as well.  Don't dwell in the valleys.  Philippians 4:8, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)