THE IXTHUS 
June 2009		  

Your Pastor’s Epistle

Dear Church Family,

Most every summer, Maria and I are gone in July. This year, we will be gone the last two weeks of June and will be in town for the rest of the summer. To that end, I have devised a “summer sermon series” entitled “Games People Play.” There are seven sermons in the series, which will run through much of July and August. Here is a preview:

July 12 – Follow the Leader – We are lost without a leader but how do we know which one to follow? More importantly, what are the characteristics of a great Christian leader? A servant leader?

July 19 – Bridge – We need bridges between people in our world. And sometimes, we just need to build a bridge and get over it! And Jesus builds a bridge from us to God.

July 23 – Solitaire – Isolation can be harmful to your spiritual health. Many folks do not think that they need a family of faith in order to be spiritually healthy.

August 2 – Telephone: Church Hurt – Church hurt can leave some of the deepest wounds. How to avoid them and heal them.

August 9 – Sorry – Remember Love Story? “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” What are repentance and forgiveness really about?

August 16 – Trivial Pursuit – It is All about Me. When Rick Warren wrote his blockbuster hit, The Purpose Driven Life, his first words in the book were … “It’s not about you.” Twenty-first century Americans do not believe that at all. We want to think that it is all about us. In the end, exclusive concentration on our own lives ends up being a most trivial pursuit. Maybe it is time to decide what is really important and pursue that!

August 23 – The Game of Life – What is success in God’s eyes? Rejoice, be gentle, do not be anxious, pray, give thanks, exhibit peace. To please God, be holy, honorable, and respectful. Love others and lead a quiet, humble life.

There is a tendency in the summer to disengage from church. It is my prayer that this sermon series might engage you and bless you.

In the Lord’s Service,
Gabe

DAISY’S DIARY

Living Stones
I Peter 2:1-5

When we moved to St. Augustine I brought with me a little box of stones I had collected through the years. That little pile of stones became my "Ebenezer" or my thanksgiving that God had helped us to find our home in Florida. Since then each of my children and grandchildren have put their stones on the pile.

In I Peter the figure is one of building and Christians are compared to "living stones". Buildings must grow from the ground up to their full height as we grow into a spiritual house.

Just recently friends gave me some of their collected stones including some petrified wood to put on my Ebenezer asking me to remember them in my prayers. As my pile grows I am reminded that what is built is no longer the individual, but an entire family of God. My thanksgiving pile of stones grows! We have a lot to be thankful for here in our family at Community Presbyterian Church as we grow and become "Living Stones"!

Blessings,
Daisy

June Events

Fellowship Dinner
Sandwich Bar and Salads
Tuesday June 2, 6:30 PM
Cool, relaxed summer meal to celebrate the start of summer.

Summer Sunday School
Adult classes in Rooms 13 and 18
Elementary Rotations on Esther and Jeremiah
Preschool class in Room 8

Vacation Bible School
VOLUNTEERS MEETING June 7, 9:45 AM
All volunteers in VBS need to attend the orientation meeting in Room 19, Education Building
or contact Nancy in the church office

Youth Leader’s Appreciation Luncheon
Sunday June 7, 12 noon
Nancy Yeakel’s House
For all youth leaders, teachers, and planning committee to say
thanks for a job well done this year and make plans for next year

Summer Camps at Montgomery
www.montgomerycenter.org

Vacation Bible School June 22-26
Agua de Vida: Waters of Life
Children will learn of the importance of clean water for health and the value of water in our lives. Wear a bathing suit and bring a dry T-shirt on the last day! Pre-registration is required. Call or stop by the church office.

Middle School/High School Summer Water Days
Wednesdays June 10, July 8, July 22, August 5, and August 12

Senior High Mission Trip
The Door in Miami, July 12-19
Keep the senior high youth and chaperones in your prayers

Upcoming Events

Saturday August 15, 8:30—11:30am
CE Workday in the Education Buildings

Sunday August 23, 12 noon
Preschool and Elementary Teachers
Luncheon and planning meeting at Nancy’s house

Annual Fall Kick-Off Event
Sunday August 30, 9:30-11:00am
Fellowship Hall
We want EVERY member to attend this Gala Event!!!

Saturday August 29, 9:00am—3:15pm
Enrichment 09
Montgomery Presbyterian Center
Cost to register for classes and lunch $20, All Welcome
Class Brochures available in the Narthex or Church Office
Classes include:

  • Creating Sacred Space with Art
  • Using Labyrinths
  • Developing Community Ministries (taught by Peyton and Gabe)
  • Moving into the Future by Embracing the Past—young adults
  • Reimagining Confirmation
  • What Did John Calvin Really Say?
  • Coming Home: Supporting our Troops and Families
  • Reformed Understanding of Eschatology and the End Times
  • Angelology for Presbyterians: The Role of Angels
  • Spiritual Formation in the Family
  • Missional Churches
  • Waters of Life: Living Waters for the World
  • Music in Church Worship: hymns, spirituals, and contemporary
  • Life’s Interruptions as a Means of Grace
  • Worshipful Work: For Committee Chairs
  • Worship 101: For Worship committee members
  • Missions at Home and Abroad: Good for mission committee
  • Israel-Palestine: Biblical Texts, Modern Problems: Good for Presbyterians Women’s Bible Leaders
  • Play in Christ’s Name—Good Class for Youth Leaders

    Church Van/Bus will leave CPC at 7:15 AM, return at 5:00 PM

    • NEW TO OUR CHURCH
    THE FOLLOWING
    HAVE COMPLETED THE INQUIRER’S CLASS AND HAVE JOINED OUR CONGREGATION IN 2009

    FEBRUARY INQUIRER’S
    Dave & Amy Alex
    Chad & Amanda Butler
    Cord & Joy Butler
    Ian Cherry
    George & Denise Clements
    Ray & Laura Harber
    Di Tyree
    Brittany Wakefield
    Jeff & Erin Wight
    Holly Young

    MAY INQUIRER’S
    Terry & Cindy Anderson
    Brain & Melissa Daniel
    Robert & Jessica Kramer
    Ed & Stacie Raisner

    FLEET LANDING INQUIRER’S
    Bill & Helen Craig
    Dr. Joe Gillespie
    Mickey & Kay Miefert
    Patricia Payne
    WELCOME ONE AND ALL!!

    FAST, FUN OPUS 1 MUSIC
    LEARNING SYSTEM
    Half price introductory lessons for ages 7 and up.
    Relates music to school math, no note memorization.
    Teaches byreason, rules, and a few work books.
    Please phone Suzanne Covert for an appointment, 221-4251