February 2012 LINK Newsletter

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Grace & Peace brothers and sisters, It’s hard to believe that later this month, February 22nd to be exact; we turn our eyes from the joys of Christmas and Epiphany, to the solemn realization of the cross of Christ and the season of Lent. On Wednesday the 22nd at 7:00 PM we will gather as a church family to worship God and begin our journey to the cross of Easter with a traditional Ash Wednesday service. This year’s Lenten journey will focus on brokenness. Not necessarily an easy topic to talk about, many of us don’t like to think of ourselves as broken and needing fixed. This will be the first step, understanding and recognizing our brokenness. Through worship and study we will reflect on the ways our brokenness affects the world and how the world’s brokenness affects us. We will also talk about how you and I can recognize our need for mending and seek ultimate healing through Jesus the Christ. Part of our healing will be learning how to bend instead of breaking. This is why I am excited about our Lenten Wednesday dinners and program. Each Wednesday during Lent we will take time to slowdown from the busyness of our days and listen for God. Following dinner we will move into a time of innovative worship that calls us to listen and reflect. By listening for the Spirit and reflecting on our faith, and God’s faith in us, we will learn how to bend and not break with all life throws at us during our journey of faith. May this Lenten season be a time when we all come to understand the magnificent healing and comfort that lies in Christ Jesus. Blessings

Pastor.........................................Andy Gans Visitation Pastor (Ret.).............Tom McNeil Executive Assistant....................Chris Muramatsu Nursery Attendant ....................Tammy Keeslar Proofreaders..............................Susan M. Jensen and John Stewart

Contributors...............................Members of Ft. King Assembling.................................Dorothy Decker, Judith Simonin, Joyce Gauntt, Kay Dahlen, Eleanor Hayesmore, Carol Primm, Pat Merrill. Roselle Pringle Bulk Mail Handling..................John Stewart

694Office: (352) 694-4121 694FAX: (352) 694-5226

13 NE 36TH AVENUE OCALA, FLORIDA 34470

www.fortking.org [email protected]

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Fort King Presbyterian Church Financials Effective 12/31/11
Monthly Budget Actual Dec 2011 Delta Budget - Actual Budget Year-To-Date Actual Delta Jan - Dec Budget 2011 Actual 2010 Delta Jan-Dec 2011 YTD Actual -2010 YTD

Income Estimate of Giving Mortgage Reduction Other Income Total Income Total Expense Net Surplus/ Deficit Endowment 23,392 2,330 79 25,801 24,651 1,150 22,832 (559) 300,349 24,550 183 325,082 321,531 3,551 295,263 6,275 2,061 305,600 303,279 2,321 (5,086) (16,275) 1,879 (19,483) (18,252) 300,349 24,550 183 325.082 321,521 3,561 (5,086) (16,275) 1,879 (19,483) (18,242)

450 (1,880) 1,566 1,487

24,590 (1,211) 23,828 662 (722)

(129)

(129)

28,107

55,554

27,448

28,107

22,448

Financial Peace University at Ft. King Presbyterian Church
• • • • Get Control of Your Money Stop Struggling to Make Ends Meet Tell Your Money What to do Change Your Family’s Future

In Financial Peace University, the average family eliminates $5,300 in debt while saving $2,700! This life-changing program teaches your congregation to achieve their financial goals by eliminating debt, saving for the future, and giving like never before. They will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for their money and change their family tree forever. Financial Peace University (FPU) consists of a 13-week video curriculum—taught by financial expert Dave Ramsey— that incorporates small-group discussions to encourage accountability and discipleship. Financial Peace University is highly entertaining for everyone, with a unique combination of humor, informative financial advice and biblical messages. More than one million families have already had their lives changed by attending FPU For more information contact Randy Butler at (352) 288-0503.

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CONGREGATIONAL CARE

February Birthdays

From Amanda
Greetings Fort King Friends! And Happy New Year! As 2012 begins, it does so with so many changes already. The transition from Ocala to Decatur, has gone smoothly so far. I am learning my way around the new neighborhood and church corridors and am becoming acquainted with the new surroundings. God's goodness has been felt in all of this. As I make this transition, I continue to be full of deep gratitude for the Fort King community and our time together. I want to express my thanks for your many cards and gifts. You have been so thoughtful, gracious, and kind. Thank you. As we each move forward into new ventures, I pray for God's continued guidance and I hope that you will keep in touch. Peace be upon you, Amanda

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CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)
Perk Up
Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., Congregational Care offers a time for church family enrichment. It is called "Perk Up", as coffee & tea will be served and small programs on varied subjects will be discovered. This is a place for adults to gather and share their favorite topics and ideas. Favorite topics could be: the ocean, baseball cards, art projects, folk music, classical music, trees, birds, gardening, car maintenance etc... Please contact Joan Woods if there are questions or ideas to make this opportunity better.

Picnic By The Bridge
Picnic By The Bridge usually is enjoyed on the first Sunday of the month. Let’s Picnic By The Bridge on February 5th immediately after worship for our informal picnic. This picnic is a way to bridge generations of our church family with food, fun, and fresh air on our new church playground. Please bring your favorite snack lunch and enjoy relaxing with those who love worshiping with you!

Let’s Go Green
By Lucy Tobias Welcome to the newest monthly article to appear in the Link. Each month Lucy Tobias will inform us, and introduce us to ways we all can better care for this wonderful planet God has so graciously given. These ideas will also help ensure that future generations, including your family, will have a safe and healthy planet on which to live. We hope you enjoy these articles. New year, new resolutions, some of them quite dramatic - lose 20 pounds, save the world, clear out clutter in our lives, lose 20 pounds, find a water ethic for Florida that works, commit to green solutions at Fort King and our homes to save money and Mother Earth. Did I mention lose 20 pounds? But change doesn't have to be hard. It can be easy. In 2012 let’s go green one step at a time. Here is step one: Throw out all your commercial window cleaners. It is bad to breathe their fumes (there is a reason why they say pregnant women should not use Windex, etc.) and also bad for the environment. Instead make your own. The following recipe is by Annie Bond at: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-best-window-cleaner.html The best window cleaner Make a great all-purpose window cleaner by combining in a spray bottle: 1/4 cup vinegar 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, 2 cups of water Shake to blend and spray on your windows! Lucy's recommendation: Wipe it off, and make windows shine, with yesterday's newspapers crumpled up. This means you recycle too! Have fun. Next time there is a cleanup day at church, let's use natural window cleaner.

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CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)
The Nurse Is In
The Nurse Is In office hours will be 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8th. Remember to call the Church Office to make an appointment and call Bonnie at 352-624-1364 to share the topic you wish to discuss with her. Remember that If no one calls for an appointment, hours will be cancelled. Use this opportunity to have your blood pressure checked, discuss new medications, or have questions answered about a new health condition.

For Your Health
Wellness Tip: 4 ways going to church could boost your health Pray your way to happiness. Regular churchgoers are more optimistic and less depressed than those who don’t attend religious services Wish you had a more positive outlook? You may be able to find it at your house of worship (Fort King of course). New research in the Journal of Religion and Health confirms that people who attend religious services are less cynical, depressed and pessimistic than their non-spiritual brethren. What’s more, previous research suggests that being active in your religious community may also increase longevity in senior women. According to researchers, being involved in a parish helps people stay social, which is key to a long and healthy life. Other research has shown that praying helps alleviate anger, even in people who aren’t particularly religious. If you are feeling disconnected or down in the new year, attending a spiritual service may provide you with some comfort or hope.[1] Will we see you next Sunday at worship at Fort King? How about some of the other activities such as Perk-Up or Adult Study? [1]This message is brought to you from Cleveland Clinic Wellness in the 360° Your Daily Wellness Tip December 25, 2011. You may also be interested in “How your beliefs connect to your health” by going to 3605.com or signing up to receive these helpful health tips daily Chosen by Bonnie Schulze, RN, MS Health Minister

Wear Red on Sunday, February 5th
We focus in February on Heart Health. Friday, February 3 has been designated as National Wear Red Day. On Sunday, February 5 join me and the congregation at Fort King in wearing red: a dress, a sweater, jacket, shirt or tie to support this national campaign

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DISCIPLESHIP

Through February 5th
Taught by Buddy MacKay - 9:15 a.m. in the Session Room What happens to the world our children will inherit will depend less and less on political parties, and more and more on corporate behavior. In order to make our influence felt, we have to first understand what is happening. Without explicit mention in the Bible with how to deal with these climate changes, Christians are left to determine what it means to care for God's creation. This class explores the implications of how the church is called to respond and our influence for change.

February 12th Through May 20th
Taught by Tom McNeil - 9:15 a.m. in the Session Room “Because of historical-critical research, we can now hear Jesus’ own words with clarity for the first time in 2,000 years, and we can understand what he meant by what he said.” Do you find this quotation of interest? You can learn more about it by joining Tom McNeil in the upcoming Sunday school series entitled “To Understand Jesus of Nazareth.” The series of classes will run every Sunday from February 12 through May 20 (except for Easter Sunday) and will be held at 9:15 am in the Session Room. The series will begin with a study on “The History of Israel.” Watch for more details on subsequent themes in future issues of the Link.

An Approach To Studying The Bible February 12 through April 1, 2012
Taught by Rhea Forman - 9:15 a.m. in the Christian Education Building This class will use the Kerygma resource book, Listening to Scripture: Strategies for Interpreting the Bible by Richard Rohrbaugh (2007). The strategies we cover are: (1) Exploring the Historical Setting, (2) Discovering the Literary Context and Audience, (3) Identifying Oral and Literary Forms, (4) Analyzing the Structure, and (5) Investigating Words and Phrases. Of course, we will only touch the surface of these challenging topics. But, hopefully as we practice these strategies we will be able to come closer to “…what a text once MEANT and what it now MEANS.” (p.4) The material may challenge some of the “obvious” interpretations we make of a text, and applications we make to the present. Sometimes, interpretations and applications we make are filtered through our personality and non-biblical belief systems resulting in beliefs and actions remote from what God intended. Hopefully this course will raise our awareness of when we are straying from what a text meant in the past and what it means to us in the present. As this class may introduce new material, it will be to a participant’s advantage to have access to the book. Please call 624-3160 if you’d like me to get you a book. Cost is $18.00—expensive, but like a reference book it can be used over and over. By Rhea (Ray) H. Forman

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DISCIPLESHIP (continued)
High Tide
Come one come all to High Tide in February. All elementary age children are invited to join us as we celebrate Valentine's Day on February 12th. We will be participating in a cooking project and our ritual will focus on the gift of Jesus' love to the world. On February 26th we will celebrate the season of Lent. Our focus will be on the "fruits of the spirit". We will take a look at our spiritual gifts and create something using fruit. See you in February at 5:00 pm for an amazing time of food, fellowship, and fun.

PYC February
This month we will be focusing on four topics dealing with the nature of Personal Integrity - Purity, Unity, Honesty, Health (Love and Joy)

Week 1: Feb. 5 – Heart of Joy and Giving Church Sub Sale Fundraiser – Be at Church at 9:30AM Super Bowl Party – 5:00PM – 8:30PM at the Gans home Bring canned goods for our monthly mission Week 2: Feb. 12 – Heart of Love and Giving 5:00PM – 7:00PM Music/Energizers – Personal Integrity worksheets – Making Parent Valentines Week 3: Feb. 19 – Heart of Health and Healing 5:00PM – 7:00PM Music/Energizer What Makes Me Tick? Focusing on what’s inside our hearts and souls, both internally and externally. Holistic Activity Week 4: Feb. 26 – 4:00PM – 7:00PM (Times may be altered depending on showing) Field Trip – Movie Night Bring $10.00

PYC Fundraiser Car Wash
The youth will hold a car wash on Saturday, February 25th from 8:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Come to the White Elephant Sale and have your car washed while you shop. Bring your friends and neighbors.

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DISCIPLESHIP (continued)

Lenten Series
This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 22, marking the beginning of the Lenten period. This year the Wednesday evening Lenten services will explore alternate forms of contemplative and meditative worship. The focus will be on creating experiences that will connect us with each other and the world’s needs through the Holy Spirit. The evening will begin with a light supper at 5:30 p.m. and the service will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Session Room. Under the theme of “Brokenness,” each weekly service will be led by a different person/group to provide a variety of worship experiences. Mark your calendar now for each Wednesday evening starting February 29th through March 28th.

King’s Kids
Calling all children ages Pre-K to 5th Grade. Please join us for music and activities on Sunday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the C.E. Building. We have music for 20-25 minutes and then participate in Christian based activities and crafts for the rest of the hour. We want to begin practicing so that we can sing in Worship on Sunday, February 26, 2012. We need you! Parents are welcome to join us to share in our program.

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DISCIPLESHIP (continued)

New Small Group Study
Beginning this month, the Monday morning and evening small groups will begin reading and discussing Robin Meyers book Saving Jesus from the Church. From one of America's leading Pastors, this book is a bold call to restore Christianity's true mission: Following Jesus The marriage of bad theology and hypocritical behavior by the church has eroded our spiritual lives. Taking the best of biblical scholarship, Meyers recasts core Christian concepts in an effort to save Christianity from its obsession with personal salvation. Not a plea to try something brand new, but rather the recovery of something very old, Saving Jesus from the Church shows us what it means to follow Jesus's teachings today. If you are interested in joining one of these discussions please contact the Church Office. The morning group meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Session Room. This group will begin February 13th. The evening group will meet at the home of Pastor Andy on the first and third Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. beginning February 6th. Books can be ordered through Cokesbury.com or Amazon.com.

Special Event For King’s Kids Parents!!
Please join us for breakfast (furnished by the Children’s Discipleship Ministry) on February 5, 2012, in the C. E. Building at 9:15 a.m. This breakfast is for all parents of children ages 3 yrs through 5th grade. Please RSVP to Bernice Henry at 694-6798 by February 3, 2012.

13 9

EVANGELISM
Evangelism - Discipleship
The following is taken from a presentation by E. Stanley Ott, of the Vital Churches Institute, at the Engage Conference in St. Pete, August 2011. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 18: 19-20) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) We, as a member of the Body of Christ, literally are the eyes and hands of Jesus. Do we have the heart to reproduce in others the love for the Lord we know and have experienced? Many of us older folks learned to think of religion as a private matter while today’s under 30 year-olds talk about anything and everything, especially online. However, given the religious illiteracy of the day these same outspoken people often don’t have the knowledge or heart to draw their friends into specific acts of faith and fellowship. Stephen Prothero, in his book Religious Literary – What Every American Needs to Know and Doesn’t, states the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. Fewer than half of us can identify Genesis as the first book of the Bible. Only one third know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. A majority of Americans believe that the Bible says that Jesus was born in Jerusalem. When asked whether the New Testament Book of Acts is in the Old Testament, one quarter of Americans say yes. More than a third say they don’t know. 5. Most Americans don’t know that Jonah is a book in the Bible. 6. 20% of Americans believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. 7. 60% of Americans can’t name five of the Ten Commandments. 8. Only 50% can name one of the four gospels. 9. 50% of high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were married. 10. 75% believe the Bible teaches, “God helps those who help themselves.”

What can we do? Think of evangelism in these four movements: 1. It is first sharing by our words and lifestyle, bringing Jesus into conversations in a way that communicates his reality, his love, and presence and doing so in ways that are appropriate to the conversation. 2. Evangelism and discipleship is more than informing others about Jesus. It calls and invites all to trust, know, experience, and follow Jesus and to join with Christ’s people for mutual encouragement. 3. Speak up, but never in a pushy way. When we rely on the power and timing of the Holy Spirit we do not need to be forceful. 4. Trust God to be working in the lives of those we encourage. Leave the results to God. Evangelism and Discipleship are all about spiritual growth

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FELLOWSHIP

Dancing Through The Decades!
Join with your Church family to dance the night away!

When – February 11th (just in time for Valentines!) 5:30 PM Where – Fellowship Hall Who – All Fort King members and friends

Please make plans on joining us for this great event. We will have a great dinner of chicken cordon bleu with rice pilaf and mixed veggies (chicken fingers and fries for the kids!) and dance to some of your favorite tunes on the dance floor. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for kids, available from the Church Office or Joe Strawder after church!

The Dinner Crew
The Dinner Crew will not meet in February. Come join us on March 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Stay tuned for details.

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GROUP ACTIVITIES

Presbyterian Women Circle Meetings
All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all the activities of Presbyterian Women. If you have not attended a Circle meeting before, come join us in February and participate in the spiritual experience and fellowship that Circles provide. Our Bible Study this year is “Confessing the Beatitudes.” Esther Circle will meet on Monday, February 13, 2012 at the home of Heidi Lawson at 7:00 p. m. Nell Blumel will have the Lesson. Deborah Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in the Session Room at 10:00 a.m. Prudence Pritz will have the lesson.

Domestic Violence – Rape Crisis Center
Thank you to the congregation for all the donations you have provided for the Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Center. Please continue to place your contributions in the box in the Narthex. Presbyterian Women have made individual tote bags filled with toiletries for the women that come into the Rape Crisis Center.

White Elephant Sale
Our annual White Elephant Sale will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bring in your donations on Wednesday, February 22 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Thursday, February 23 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Friday, February 24 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. If you are interested in helping with the sale or bake sale please contact Judy Harriss at 694-3437 or Anne Hill at 368-2491.

Church Picnic
Save the date – April, 29,2012 – Church Picnic at Coehadjoe Park

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GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)
Men’s Night Out
Men’s Night Out will meet on Monday, February 13th at 6:30 p.m. Rhea Forman will be our host this month. Please RSVP to Rhea at 624-3160.

Crafts Group
Please join the Crafts Group on Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We work on individual projects and joint projects.

The Widow’s Luncheon
The Widow’s Luncheon Group would like to invite all single ladies to their monthly luncheons. Luncheons are the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. February 15th’s luncheon will be at the Horse and Hound Restaurant.

Card Making Ministry
Come join us on the 2nd Friday of every month at 10:00 a.m. until about Noon. February’s card making meeting will be on Friday, February 10th. For information on this ministry’s work, please contact Prudence Pritz.

MISSION
Thank You From The Centers
Ms Neely and the church family, I wanted to say a great big thank you for all your help with our Christmas gift drive for the children under the Centers dependency supervision. The toys, bikes, personal items and gift cards were greatly appreciated and I know that these donations gave joy to all the children that received them. I have been receiving emails from staff that delivered the items to the children or caregivers and their responses have been of pure excitement. With your help, we were able to grant the Christmas wishes for over 500 children in our community. Thank you again to you and the church parishioners for all that each of you did to help us with this project and for your overwhelming generosity. Sincerely, Lynn Ogletree Family Care Manager Supervisor

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SESSION
Session Notes January 24, 2012
Celebrations: 1. Successful Discovery Class with 4 new members joining tonight. 2. Youth had a great camping trip. 3. Christmas services were all well attended. 4. Brandon Powell has been helping with the youth program. 5. The 2011 Budget ended in the black. Motions: 1. Motion to add Niki Tripodi to the Fellowship Ministry. 2. Motion with regret to remove Elizabeth Kirby from membership per her request. She has requested transfer of her membership to First Presbyterian, Salisbury, NC. 3. Motion to approve the 2011 Statistical Report for Presbytery. 4. Motion to approve Brandon Powell to work with the Youth program. 5. Motion to appoint Bernice Henry to the position of Church Wedding Coordinator. 6. Motion to create a new memorial garden and dedicate it as the Kenny Orme Memorial Garden.

WORSHIP

Ash Wednesday
Please join us on Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:00pm as we begin the Lenten season with an Ash Wednesday worship and communion service. This year’s theme of Ash Wednesday, and Lent, will be brokenness. All are welcome.

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WORSHIP (continued)
Flower Calendar
Please note: I am trying to “work ahead” on the flowers, so if you would like to provide flowers to commemorate a special event/occasion/memory etc. for a specific date, please call Nancy Hall at 694-3221 as soon as possible. Please also note: It is never too early to call to select your chosen date. As of this mailing, the following people will be providing flowers in February, March, and April 2012. If you can provide flowers for a date in 2012, please call Nancy Hall. Thank you. Thank you to these people as they share in donating the flowers for the following worship services. February 05, 2012—In honor of Lena Lewin’s 95th birthday from her loving family February 12, 2012—In celebration of our 56th wedding anniversary on February the 11th from Steve and Janet Mitchell February 19, 2012—In loving memory of her father, George Penso, on his birthday from his daughter, Bonnie Penso Schulze February 26, 2012—In celebration of Nan Andrews’ 90th birthday from Bruce, Gouley, Cody, Tom and Linda March 04, 2012—In loving memory of Phyllis Durgin, from her family March 11, 2012—In celebration of our 32nd wedding anniversary from Brian and Donna Lavery March 18, 2012—In celebration of our 29th wedding anniversary from Carol and Randy Butler March 25, 2012—From Jean Brown, Hal, Douglas, Bruce, and Lynn in loving memory of husband and father, Halowell E. Brown April 1, 2012—In celebration of our 17th wedding anniversary from Kimber and Lauren Merriam April 8, 2012—Easter (Easter lilies in the Sanctuary) April 15, 2012—OPEN April 22, 2012—OPEN April 29, 2012—OPEN May 6, 2012—OPEN May 13, 2012—From Nancy Stephenson in loving memory of her parents, Ted and Violet Wikary May 20, 2012—From John and Jean Stewart in celebration of their 57th wedding anniversary May 27, 2012—OPEN (Memorial Day)

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WORSHIP (continued)
Something to Think About “The Day of the Lord” Joel 2:1-17
(Compare Amos 5:18-20! And Nahum 3:1-19) No one knows who Joel was; even “son of Penuel” rings no bells. What is clear is that he is drawing on both nature and history to make an important point. The “prophecy” is in two distinct parts. I The “Locusts” of Nature: Joel 1:4 and 2:25, Joel uses four terms for “locust” in the following order: a cutter, shearer (see Amos 4:9); it can be translated “caterpillar”; a fully developed locust at the winged stage (see Exodus 10:4-19 and Nahum 3:15, 17); a creeping wingless locust (Nahum 3:15f and Psalm 105:34); and, a destroying, consuming insect, a “devourer,” that leaves behind only a “rust” or “mildew.” Nothing is left except what is excreted.

Locusts were and are the “incarnation of hunger” (G.A. Smith 1928 Book of the Twelve Prophets II Revised Ed. 393). A few locusts may be caught and destroyed, but their sheer number leaves “collective devastation,” i.e., a “scorched earth.” Compare Exodus 10:4-19, the Egyptian plague of Locusts. Joel is beginning his “prophecy” with the actual experience of this force of nature, the impact it had on the land, on human achievement, and on man himself. This is the “Day of the Lord”. II The “Locusts” of History: Assyria as a model (Babylonia, Greece, the Romans as well). At the very beginning of the Assyrian Empire, Ashur-nasir-pal II (883-859 BCE) was called “the master of merciless cruelty,” of course, at the command of his god! A century later, Sargon II (721-705 B CE) had been afflicted by a plague of locusts; a painting of Sargon shows him standing before his god with a locust above his head. Esarhaddon (680-669 BCE) declared on a stone inscription: “I slew multitudes of men… I besieged, I captured, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire… I am all powerful, I am a hero, I am gigantic, I am colossal… I am the king of kings” (Jack Finegan 1954 Light from the Ancient Past 180). Clearly he did not suffer from low self-esteem. Compare Nahum 3:1-19, when the Assyrians were receivers; and also General Sherman’s march across Georgia in 1864. See Mary Mallard’s “Journal” 16 December 1864. Clearly, a “Scorched Earth” policy on all sides. And this is “civilized”? Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens (1905, 1923) recited a prayer for God’s support of war by religious leaders and the people: “O Lord our Father… help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead… with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain… to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire… to turn out roofless their little children… Blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage… we ask in the spirit of Love, of Him who is the Source of love.” Scorched earth! Locusts? No, us!

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WORSHIP (continued)
III Joel calls on the entire “people,” the community, to gather for the “fast” (2:16), not the religious or political leadership, but the people! Joel speaks: “Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and he repents of evil.” The function of the religious leaders is to “weep,” to pray that God would “Spare thy people” (2:17), in order to avoid ridicule by the other nations. IV Why Joel’s prophecy: What did he want to accomplish? * “After the rebuilding of the Temple and restoration of daily sacrifices, the regular performance of these was regarded… with a superstitious sense.” The people had been “immunized,” misled, by “layers of deception” (G.A. Smith op cit. 399). * Israel’s leadership, political and religious, and then the people, put “the Law and the Temple between God and themselves…their religion, devoid of the sense of His presence, had become a set of formal observances, the rending of garments, not of hearts” (see Joel 2:13; Smith op cit. 397). * It is only the “great natural processes that can break up the systems of dogma and ritual in which we make ourselves comfortable… (to) drive us into God’s open air of reality” (Smith op cit. 398). Conclusion: To put Joel’s “prophecy” into our modern context, regardless of our “religious” orientations, we must enter God’s Exodus, out of and away from our culture’s “social mythology” and out of “the Zion of religious security and comfort into the desert in which God is waiting. In this desert, all horizons are open” (Peter Berger 1961 The Noise of Solemn Assemblies, 22). Joel continues to speak to us today. Are we listening? Do we choose to listen? Shalom, Tom

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WORSHIP (continued)

Choir Notes
Thank you! Thank you to all the choir members who have hung in there with us the last few months. Thank you to all of you who have been able to fill in as organists/pianists and directors. You are all greatly needed and appreciated!

Usher and Greeter Ministry
We are thankful for our resident greeters, Sherry Pritchett & Charles Vowinkel, but they would like some help. Rebecca Bishop has agreed to coordinate ushers/greeters this year and she is needing you to volunteer to help in this very important ministry of the church. We need volunteers to greet and welcome people with a smile, kind word and a bulletin from 10:00am until 10:40am. These greeters/ ushers will also assist in the collection of the morning offering. Being a greeter/ usher is an extremely important ministry of the church as you are the first line of welcome and witness to the love of God that people experience on Sunday morning. If you are interested in this wonderful ministry please contact Rebecca Bishop by email at [email protected] She would love to hear from you about volunteering, and ideas to make this ministry stronger. There is also a signup sheet in the Narthex for those interested in volunteering and for those available to assist at the last minute.

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February 2012
Italicized items are non-FKPC activities using FKPC facilities 1 9:00 PW Meeting 10:00 PW Council 10;00 Perk-up 4:15 Fellowship Ministry 2 1:00 Crafts 3 4

6:00 Worship Ministry 6:00 SAFE (CE) 6:00 - 8:00 Marions United (FH) 7:00 Choir Practice 7:00 AA (CE) 5 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:15 Sunday School 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 11:30 Picnic Lunch 1:00 Faith Sojourners 5:00 PYC 6 7:30 Men’s Bible Study 5:00 Property Ministry 7 10:00 Prayer Shawl 8 10:00 Perk-up 1:00 Crafts 10:00 Card Making Ministry 5:30 Valentine’s Dance 9 10 11

12 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:15 Sunday School 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 1:00 Faith Sojourners 5:00 PYC 5:00 High Tide

19 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:15 Sunday School 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 7:00 Adult Bible 1:00 Faith Sojourners Study (off-site) 5:00 PYC Set-up White Elephan t Sale

10:00 Discipleship 6:00 Finance Adult Ministry Ministry 6:00 Evangelism 11:15 The Nurse Is In 5:30 TOPS (FH) Ministry 6:00 Mission Ministry 7:00 Discipleship Ministry 7:00 Adult Bible 6:00 SAFE (CE) Children Study (off-site) 7:00 Choir Practice 15 14 13 10:00 Perk-up 7:30 Men’s Bible 1:00 The Merry Study Widows (Off-Site) 9:30 Adult Bible 3:00 Pastoral Care Study Team 5:30 TOPS (FH) 6:30 Men’s Night 6:00 SAFE (CE) Out (Off-Site) 7:00 Ester Circle 7:00 Choir Practice (Off-Site) 21 20 22 8:00 - 1:00 Drop off OFFICE CLOSED White Elephant goods 6:00 SAFE (CE)

7:00 AA (CE)

16

17

18

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (CE) 23 24 8:00 - 1:00 & 8:00 - 1:00 4:00 - 7:00 p.m Drop off White Drop off Elephant White goods Elephant goods

25

27 26 2 Cents A Meal and 7:30 Men’s Bible Study Food4Kids 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:30 Adult Bible Study 9:15 Sunday School 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 1:00 Faith Sojourn. 5:00 PYC 5:30 TOPS (FH) 5:00 High Tide

28

7:00 Ash 6:00 Session Wednesday Service 8:00 Choir Practice 7:00 AA (CE) 29

8:00 - 1:00 White Elephant Sale 8:00 - 1:00 Car Wash

5:30 Lenten Wednesday 6:00 SAFE (CE) 7:00 Choir Practice

19

FORT KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 13 N.E. 36th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34470

Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Ocala, FL 34478 Permit #376

RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED

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