FPCO Columns December 2008

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emmanuel

GOD  Vol 48, #12 December, 2008





ON TH THE WAY

with Dr. David D. Swanson

Dear FPCO Family and Friends,

“Now He has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” Hebrews 12:26-27

 what took place in a manger 2000 years ago is the unshakable and eternal Savior of the world.

Christmas is going to be different this year. For the past

attention to those around you. Take note of those who seem

two months, this is the refrain that I have heard over and over again from a variety of sources. The retail industry has

particularly down or anxious and invite them to be a part of our Advent season. Remember, too, that we will spend January through March digging deeper into these very issues as we embark on a church-wide sermon series and Bible study called

 been proclaiming it. Sales are going to be lower than last year and perhaps lower than they have been in quite some time. Businesses have been proclaiming it, telling their employees not to expect the same year-end bonuses as in years past. Some have even said “no” to the traditional office party. It appears that the primary guest this holiday season is our old friend, Mr. Scrooge.  Without question, this Christmas will be different, different , but my prayer is that it will be different for reasons other than what  we’re being told. Yes, we are living in an economic season that has created anxiety, lost jobs, lost wages, lost tempers, and a lot of people who have lost their way. Even for the most

 You can be a part of that, too. More than any other time in recent memory, people are receptive to nurture and care. Pay

The Economy of God. Make that a priority. Call the office and commit to being in a small group for those ten weeks. I believe the Lord will use this study to nurture and teach us where we most need it and where we are often most vulnerable. I truly believe that Christmas WILL be different this year as we open ourselves to the sufficiency of His love and grace in all things. May the joy of the infant Christ fill your hearts this  Advent, and I remain Under His Mercy,

faithful person, it IS stressful. It’s hard. However, I believe that God will use it to bring us back to those things in life that truly matter – the things in life that make a difference – the things in life that last. That’s what the author of Hebrews is getting at in the text printed above. God will often take the shakable things of this  world and shake them so that only the unshakable remains. For many of us, that’s how we feel. Shaken. Rattled by our circumstances. Even so, it is the very thing that God uses to focus us on what matters, and perhaps this Christmas, more people will wander into church and actually listen instead of considering it a perfunctory, once-a-year performance. Perhaps this year, Christmas will be different in that people will be truly seeking answers to the uncertainty they feel. Perhaps this year, Christmas will be different because people will finally grasp that

2 | www.fpco. ww w.fpco.org org

David

Enjoy a night of dancing, live music and entertainment! Benefit for the homeless

Downtown Orlando churches unite to support men, women and children without a home. Church leaders will train with professional dancers and compete to win “Best Moves.” Dance to the music of Michael Andrew and Swingerhead. All proceeds benefit the Orlando homeless community community..

 a   v   e  t      h  t     e  D   D   a   t     e   S  Friday, February 20, 2009 • 6:30 pm – 11 pm The Ballroom at Church Street www.dancingwiththepastors.com

Who will win the title? Pastor William Andrews, Heart of Mercy Community Church of the Nazarene Dean Anthony Clark, Cathedral Church of Saint Luke Dr. Gary Spencer, First United Methodist of Orlando Dr. David Swanson, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando Father Scott Circe, St. James Catholic Cathedral

For more information contact Marnie Waldrop at 407-428-6265 or mwaldrop@cfl.rr.com or Justin Ramb at 407-839-8599 or [email protected]

www.fpco.org www. pco.org pco. org | 3

Stephen Ministry By Tammas Smith; Director of Pastoral Care Every day you see people who are hurting: those who have lost a job, lost a loved one, gone through a divorce, or are battling a terminal illness. Stephen Ministers are God’s representatives who bring His love to those who are hurting. God is waiting to make a difference in their lives through  you!  When was the last time someone really listened to you?  We’re talking about that undistracted, full attention kind of listening. That’s one of the ways Stephen Ministers care for others. They bring distinctively Christian care to those in

STEPHEN MINISTERS

   WHO ARE:      

need. They use both words and deeds to express Christ’s care for others-listening and comforting, calling on the training they have received and employing the tools of faith. If this

         

 job description description fits your your personal personal goals goals for ministry, consider

 

 becoming a Stephen Stephen Minister.

     

Stephen Ministers work alongside our pastors to care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are going through a difficult time, such as

                   

divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness. Stephen Ministry is a 2 year commitment. A training

WHAT DO STEPHEN MINISTERS DO?

class will begin in January 2009. This 50 hour course teaches

 

such topics as The as The Art of Listening, Distinctly Christian Care,

  

 Assertiveness,  Assertivenes s, Crisis Theory, Boundaries, Confidentialit Confidentiality y as well as How as How to Ministry to Those Experiencing Grief or  Depression.

If you want to find out more about how you can be involved in this one-to-one caregiving ministry, contact

                          

Tammas Smith, Director of Pastoral Care at 407.423.3441 x1455 or [email protected].

         TAMMAS SMITH AT 407.423.3441 x1455

          

4 | www.fpco. ww w.fpco.org org

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