FEBRUARY “THE “D” WORD” “Pastor, parents think that I have a magic wand to wave that automacally transforms their children to professional performers… It’s not surprising for students to stop taking music lessons aſter three or six months when they discover it’s not always fun and they learn that I’m an educator. It’s no huge secret that the best musicians are those who have discipline,” said Elizabeth Naranjo to me as we were walking in our courtyard. If you don’t know already, Elizabeth is the primary teacher for Sol Major Music which rents out our sanctuary a few hours during the week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Although Elizabeth was speaking in her music context, I believe we can say much the same about life- especially in our spiritual journeys. Discipline is the key and the way to deep, lasng growth! Being in the middle of stewardship with the liturgical season of Lent an arm’s length away, perhaps the word discipline gets at the crux of the maer. Sure, pastors and worship leaders like to think offering relevant and creave sermon series as well as Bible studies are the secret ingredients to enable their congregaons’ spiritual growth. Furthermore, it is the markeng and more markeng of these campaigns and other innovave ideas that will be the vehicles to much success. Although all the previous might be needed and important for entry points, I believe real spiritual growth and transformaon boils down to something much simpler. That is, being disciplined. Specifically, being disciplined in our walk with Christ, and especially as we cover stewardship and Lent. It is really a crime that the word discipline oſten carries a negave connotaon or is simply neglected in many cases. Really, this should be the exact opposite. It is being disciplined in life, and especially in our spiritual lives, that we discover the most joy which actually opens the door to more freedom! Ranging from relaonships to hobbies to work, when we are disciplined in the respecve areas, we develop a deeper sense of gratude and love, and transformaon oſten occurs. Just think about it: It is being disciplined in a hobby of poery that eventually has the power to transform a piece of mud into a beauful abstract or possibly a cup that can be ulized to give one a drink. It’s being disciplined in our relaonships that might have the power to transform a stranger in the pew into a dear friend who we deeply care and love. Or, as we’re disciplined in an already ongoing rocky friendship or marriage that might transform into a solid or more healthy one. It’s being disciplined in the giving of our thes and giſts that God transforms our hearts. It’s being disciplined in following Jesus that opens our eyes to recognizing He is “our” Lord and Savior. It’s being disciplined in prayer, studying God’s Word, serving, and the list can go on that has the transformave power to make a difference in our lives and possibly the world! Having disciplined spiritual lives is not a sign of elementary faith, but of deep and mature faith. A spiritual life of discipline is one that we allow the Holy Spirit to mold us and shape us back into the perfect image of God. Therefore, I have two prayers for each of us during this me. First, I pray that we can grow in our discipline in stewardship. That is, we can give back to God, trusng that God will provide and take care of us. Second, I pray that we are disciplined in following Jesus to the cross this Lenten Season. Praccally, this might consist of weekly worship, prayer, and study. Friends, as we remain disciplined and faithful to Christ, like Paul, we can have the confidence “that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to compleon unl the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). Zach Monday, 2/1 7:00 pm Gulf Shore Singles Club Wednesday, 2/3 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:45 pm Choir Practice Thursday, 2/4 10am-11:15 am Bible Study Friday, 2/5 10:00 am-12:30 pm Crafters 4 Christ Sunday, 2/7 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour Tuesday, 2/9 7:00 pm Board Meeting Wednesday, 2/10 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service 6:45 pm Choir Practice Thursday, 2/11 10am-11:15 am Bible Study Sunday, 2/14 Potluck 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour 5:00-7:00 pm Campfire and Sing Along Monday, 2/15 7:00 pm Gulf Shore Singles Club Tuesday, 2/16 7:00 pm Corvette Club Wednesday, 2/17 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:45 pm Choir Practice Thursday, 2/18 10am-11:15 am Bible Study Friday, 2/19 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast 10:00 am-12:30 pm Crafters 4 Christ Sunday, 2/21 Week of Compassion Special Offering 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour Wednesday, 2/24 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:45 pm Choir Practice Friday, 2/26 Chalice Sunday, 2/28 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour Monday 2/29 Rummage Sale Set Up FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH A Disciples of Christ Congregation 5916 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919 All Are Welcome . . . Come As You Are Reverend Zach Seitz T T he he C C halice halice FEBRUARY 2016 FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) FORT MYERS, FLORIDA
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Transcript
FE
BR
UA
RY
“THE “D” WORD”
“Pastor, parents think that I have a magic wand to wave that automatically transforms their children to professional performers… It’s not surprising for students to stop taking music lessons after three or six months when they discover it’s not always fun and they learn that I’m an educator. It’s no huge secret that the best musicians are those who have discipline,” said Elizabeth Naranjo to me as we were walking in our courtyard. If you don’t know already, Elizabeth is the primary teacher for Sol Major Music which rents out our sanctuary a few hours during the week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and
Wednesdays. Although Elizabeth was speaking in her music context, I believe we can say much the same about life- especially in our spiritual journeys. Discipline is the key and the way to deep, lasting growth! Being in the middle of stewardship with the liturgical season of Lent an arm’s length away, perhaps the word discipline gets at the crux of the matter. Sure, pastors and worship leaders like to think offering relevant and creative sermon series as well as Bible studies are the secret ingredients to enable their congregations’ spiritual growth. Furthermore, it is the marketing and more marketing of these campaigns and other innovative ideas that will be the vehicles to much success. Although all the previous might be needed and important for entry points, I believe real spiritual growth and transformation boils down to something much simpler. That is, being disciplined. Specifically, being disciplined in our walk with Christ, and especially as we cover stewardship and Lent. It is really a crime that the word discipline often carries a negative connotation or is simply neglected in many cases. Really, this should be the exact opposite. It is being disciplined in life, and especially in our spiritual lives, that we discover the most joy which actually opens the door to more freedom! Ranging from relationships to hobbies to work, when we are disciplined in the respective areas, we develop a deeper sense of gratitude and love, and transformation often occurs. Just think about it: It is being disciplined in a hobby of pottery that eventually has the power to transform a piece of mud into a beautiful
abstract or possibly a cup that can be utilized to give one a drink. It’s being disciplined in our relationships that might have the power to transform a stranger in the pew into a dear
friend who we deeply care and love. Or, as we’re disciplined in an already ongoing rocky friendship or marriage that might transform into a solid or more healthy one.
It’s being disciplined in the giving of our tithes and gifts that God transforms our hearts. It’s being disciplined in following Jesus that opens our eyes to recognizing He is “our” Lord and Savior. It’s being disciplined in prayer, studying God’s Word, serving, and the list can go on that has the transformative power
to make a difference in our lives and possibly the world! Having disciplined spiritual lives is not a sign of elementary faith, but of deep and mature faith. A spiritual life of
discipline is one that we allow the Holy Spirit to mold us and shape us back into the perfect image of God. Therefore, I have two prayers for each of us during this time. First, I pray that we can grow in our discipline in stewardship. That is, we can give back to God, trusting that God will provide and take care of us. Second, I pray that we are disciplined in following Jesus to the cross this Lenten Season. Practically, this might consist of weekly worship, prayer, and study. Friends, as we remain disciplined and faithful to Christ, like Paul, we can have the confidence “that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
Zach
Monday, 2/1 7:00 pm Gulf Shore Singles Club Wednesday, 2/3 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:45 pm Choir Practice Thursday, 2/4 10am-11:15 am Bible Study Friday, 2/5 10:00 am-12:30 pm Crafters 4 Christ
Sunday, 2/7 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour Tuesday, 2/9 7:00 pm Board Meeting Wednesday, 2/10 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service 6:45 pm Choir Practice Thursday, 2/11 10am-11:15 am Bible Study
Sunday, 2/14 Potluck 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour 5:00-7:00 pm Campfire and Sing Along Monday, 2/15 7:00 pm Gulf Shore Singles Club Tuesday, 2/16 7:00 pm Corvette Club Wednesday, 2/17 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:45 pm Choir Practice Thursday, 2/18 10am-11:15 am Bible Study Friday, 2/19 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast 10:00 am-12:30 pm Crafters 4 Christ
Sunday, 2/21 Week of Compassion Special Offering 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour Wednesday, 2/24 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 6:45 pm Choir Practice Friday, 2/26 Chalice Sunday, 2/28 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour Monday 2/29 Rummage Sale Set Up
FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH A Disciples of Christ Congregation
5916 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919
All Are Welcome . . . Come As You Are
Reverend Zach Seitz
TThe he CChalicehalice
FEBRUARY 2016 FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA
SERVING IN THE MILITARY
John M. Barnett, PFC in USMC, Grandson of George & Donna Briggs; stationed in Okinawa Ryan McClain, Ensign in US Navy; Grandson of Mary Helen McClain
Stationed on USS George HW Bush, Norfolk, VA; David Day, Captain in US Air Force Grandson of Al & Mary Jane Day Stationed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, DC Patrick Evans, 2nd Class Petty Officer, US Navy, Grandson of Pat Brown
Stationed in Norfolk, VA Justin Nell, 2nd Lieutenant in Army Reserves; Grandson of Pat Brown Brandon Lapehn, Captain in U.S. Army, 101st Airborne; Grandson of Jim & Dorothy Detamore Completed his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He is in Fort Campbell, KY Jake Lowry, Captain, MPH, Nephew of Bob & Wanda Milligan MS US Army Veterinary Corps, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science, Daniel Tipton, US Army, stationed in Germany, and Anthony Tipton, US Coast Guard, Grandsons of Anne Tipton stationed in USA.
February Chalice p. 7 February Chalice p. 2
As we pray daily, please keep the
following people in your prayers:
Among our own: Lee Camps, Tom Camps, Jean Bannister, Wanda Milligan, Frank Merideth, Michele Cooper, Dick Bagent, Christopher Hodge, Barbara Shaffer; Bagents David Burchell, Delilah Grabnet; Donna Fielding Richard Mashburn, Vickie & Donald Brennan Leigh Sellers, Al & Mary Jane Day Pam Friskey, Sue Fink Ernie Harbo, Wanda Milligan Delilah Grabach, Donna Fielding Clyde Lundy, Cora Armstrong Donna Elmeer, Dot Oestreich Ava Nebbia; Bob Nebbia Gene Brown, Dean Brown Cathy & Colton Parson; Diana Botner Tyler Regier, Sharon Schaaff USMC Capt. Christopher Reithmann, Brainards Paul Denney; Pat Watts Mike Robinson, Lil Robinson Jeff Wray, Danny Trousdale; Shirley Fizer Carol Ulbrich, Elaine Maley Kenny Workinger, Sharon Rimes John Dwigens, Wanda Milligan Mason Jones & Patrick Hennessy; Elizabeth Jones, Barbara Jones Greg Kerle, Alex, Elaine Maley Emmitt & Children, TJ, Mark Tipton; Anne Tipton Chastity Yates, Paulette Idol Hope Fizer, Maggi Payne, John Fenlon; Shirley Fizer USA, & those serving in the Military, Syrian Refugees
FMCC PRAYER WALL
THURSDAY MORNING ♦ 10-11:15 AM
CO-TEACHERS: Pastor Zach & Wade Nye
TOPIC: Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
by Philip Yancey
Our six-week study wraps up on
Thursday, February 18.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Join us in the classroom in the
Fellowship Hall.
BIBLE STUDY
February is marked by several joyful
events!
The main event in February is Ash
Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent.
We will enjoy the beautiful voice of our
choir director, Susan Cusack, who will perform for us
Hosea at the Ash Wednesday Service on February 10.
Skylar Lee a talented young pianist will once
again join us on February 7 and perform for us
Tchaikovsky's Barcarolle.
And with great pleasure I want to note the return of
our long-standing members of the church, Barbara
Jones and Elizabeth Jones!
Blessings,
Dr. Asya Teruni
MUSICAL NOTES
Asya Teruni
In the secular world, the month of February is often
associated with Valentine’s Day and its hearts,
chocolate, and love. We might not be talking about or
giving up chocolate for Lent this year, but we are
definitely in the heart of our spiritual transformation as
we finish our stewardship campaign and jump straight
into Lent to remember that Jesus’ love poured out for
us and the world. Stewardship might not be the most
fun or interesting topic for anyone (including us
preachers), but it’s one of much significance as it often
reveals our faith, loyalty, and heart. On February 7, we
will finish our sermon series, where we learned that
God’s love fills us so that our lives can pour out God’s
love back to others and God’s world.
In week two of February, we will begin our Lenten
sermon series “The 7 Last Words.” As we study the
last phrases of Jesus from the different Gospels, I
believe we will see the heart of Jesus’ life, death, and
resurrection. It’s my prayer that we not only hear
Jesus’ words, but we allow His words to be an
invitation for our lives to walk deeper with God as we
journey to Jerusalem together this Lent!
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
WEEKLY SERMON SCHEDULE 2.7.16 Overflow: Living with Generosity III
2.10.16 Ash Wednesday Service 6PM
2.14.16 “Father, Forgive Them”
2.21.16 “Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise”
2.28.16 “Behold Your Son…Behold Your Mother”
WORSHIP MATTERS
ONGOING CONCERNS: Ruth Mason Ruth Bowlin Margarete Gray (Chris Thompson) Doug Jones Ann Lang Mary Kensinger Jane Swartz Charmie Stevens Barbara Bruce (Bob & Peggy Bruce) Leah Reeder (Mary McClain’s daughter) Harry Cotabish Ruth Munsell
BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 ♦ 7 PM
All officers, ministry team leaders, elders and deacons are
encouraged to attend. The Board meeting is open to all.