december 2012 link newsletter

7/30/2019 December 2012 LINK Newsletter

1/17

Pastor ........... ............ ............ ..... Andy Gans

Visitation Pastor (Ret.) ........... . Tom McNeil

Music Director ............ ............ ... Rick Roberts

Executive Assistant ............ ....... Chris Muramatsu

Nursery Attendant ........... ......... Tammy Keeslar

Proofreaders ........... ............ ....... Susan M. Jensen and

John Stewart

Contributors ...............................Members of Ft.

Assembling .................................Phyllis Altonn, K

Dahlen, Dorothy Decker, Joyce Gauntt, Elea

Hayesmore, Pat Merrill, Carol Primm, Rose

Pringle, Judith Simonin, Aileen Zimmerman

Bulk Mail Handling ............ ....... John Stewart

Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694----4121412141214121

FAX: (352) 694FAX: (352) 694FAX: (352) 694FAX: (352) 694----5226522652265226

13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE

OCALA, FLORIDA 34470OCALA, FLORIDA 34470OCALA, FLORIDA 34470OCALA, FLORIDA 34470

www.fortwww.fortwww.fortwww.fort

fortking@earthfortking@earthfortking@earthfortking@earth

Grace & Peace to you all,

The season of Advent and Christmas is uponus. This time of year is supposed to be a timewhere we are to wait with joyful anticipationof what is to come on what we now call

Christmas day. For many, this season is full ofoy and happiness as we anxiously await thecelebration of the birth of the Prince ofPeace, but for some it only brings up memo-ries of lost loved ones, or it is a reminder ofoy lost due to financial, health, and/or physi-

cal and emotional problems.

The great gift of Christmas brings hope to all

of us no matter where we are in life. Thehope that is given to us by God in the graceof Jesus is a gift of love that is poured out forall. I pray you can share this gift of love andhope with others as Christ has called us todo. We have great opportunities to do this asa church family this season. Our Angel Treeproject will share some hope with children atThe Centers. These children are victims of

physical abuse, abandoned by parents, bornto mothers in incarceration, children of par-ents with severe mental health and substanceabuse issues, and they are children in be-tween placement with relatives after beingtaken from dangerous homes. To share somehope you may select an angel from the tree inthe Narthex, purchase the gift on the angeland return the unwrapped gift to the church.

Sharing hope comes in many forms and opportunities. You may also invite friends, neighborand families to worship with us during thwonderful season. Advent Wednesdays are

wonderful occasion to come and bring friendThe choir Christmas Cantata will be durinworship Sunday, December 16th. This beautifumusic will surely be uplifting and a great reminder of the one true hope we all have. I alsencourage you to invite all you know to ouChristmas Eve Candlelight Services at 4:007:00 and 11:00 p.m.

I pray this season brings you hope and you cashare that hope with others!

Merry Christmas,


2/17

2

Fort King Presbyterian Church

Financials Effective 10/31/12

Monthly 2011 Delta

Budget ActualOct.2012

DeltaBudget -Actual

Budget ActualJan Oct

2012

DeltaBudget -Actual

Oct.Actual

2012 YTD-2011YTD

Income

Estimateof Giving

22,297 14939 (7,358) 222,972 229,308 6,336 225,223 4,086

MortgageReduction

0 50 50 0 1,325 1,325 7,105 (5,780)

OtherIncome

0 375 375 0 13,114 13,114 90 13,924

TotalIncome

22,297 14,989 (7,308) 222,972 243,748 20,775 232,418 (11,330)

TotalExpense

20,682 23,588 2,906 210,613 214,485 3,872 230,311 (15,826)

NetSurplus/Deficit

1,615 (8,593) (10,214) 12,359 29,263 16,904 2,107 27,156

Year-To-Date

Endowment 0 0 0 0 200 200 36,396 (36,196)

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

An Invitation From Gene and Melba MooreGene and Melba Moore are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary and invite you tohelp us celebrate. Please join us for an open house on December 28th from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. at the Leeward Air Ranch Community Center, 8539 SE 72nd Ave, Ocala, FL 34472.In lieu of gifts, please bring a non perishable food item to help stock the Interfaith FoodBank. Please RSVP if you can attend at [email protected] or call Melba at352-347-3204.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE


3/17

CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Thank you to all who contributed either yarn or funds toward the purchase of yarn forour ministry. Because of your generosity, we will be able to make 20 shawls to give tothose in need. If you would like us to knit a shawl for someone in need, please let thechurch office or anyone who knits know, and we will be happy to fulfill your request.Thanks again! Onalee Mease

Sherrys Shuttle Service

A new form has been put on the bulletin board for volunteers for Sherrys ShuttleService. As you know, Sherry does not drive but is at her station handing out bul-letins each Sunday because of the volunteers who are willing to pick Sherry up athome and return her there after Sunday service. So, please volunteer to help outSherry. Choose a date and sign up. Sherry thanks you and so does CongregationalCare Ministry.

Fort King Family Thanksgiving

Twenty-eight Ft. King Presbyterian Church Family members and guests gatheredfor our Thanksgiving day dinner. Thank you to all who brought friends and lovedones, delicious Thanksgiving traditions foods for our table, and who helped withour gathering. A special thank you to members of the Congregational Care Com-mittee and Joe and Sheletha Strawder who provided special assistance to make this

truly a Thanksgiving of fellowship and feast we all enjoyed!


4/17

4

DISCIPLESHIP

Sunday School Birthday Party For Jesus!

The children and youth Sunday School classes will meet together in the Christian Education Building on December 16th during the Sunday School Hour (9:15 - 10:15 a.m.) to honor Jesus birth with a party. Fruit baskets fo

our shut-ins will be constructed as a gift to Jesus. Seasonal crafts will be made and the adult classes will providethe fruit for the baskets. This will be followed by a brief advent program with a large birthday cake and the singing of Happy Birthday to Jesus. As a result, children will not meet during the worship service hour time. Theywill stay in worship and enjoy the Christmas Cantata.

High Tide

High Tide in December will be on Sunday, Dec 16 th. This will be our annual Christmas Caroling trip with th

youth group. We travel to members homes and deliver fruit baskets. We also sing at Marion Woods. Join us fo

dinner and this tour around town on the church bus. Plan to arrive at 5:00 p.m. We should be finished by 7:00

p.m. Wear warm clothes and bring gloves and your singing voices.


5/17

DISCIPLESHIP (continued)

Sunday Adult Class

December 2, 9, 16 and 23 9:15 a.m.Away In The Manger:

A Careful Look at the Stories of Jesus BirthPastor Ray Ruark, Discussion Leader

The stories of Jesus birth in Matthew and Luke are well told, stories that warm our hearts in the cold of winterstories that we love to sing in our carols. Away in a Manger. Silent Night, Holy Night. The First Nowell.

But take a closer look. Dont you have some questions? Are these two stories factual or fictional? What do thstories share in common? What are their differences? When was Jesus born? Why do some archaeologists thin

Jesus was born in Nazareth, not Bethlehem? What role does the Old Testament play in these stories? What doRaymond Brown mean in his book The Birth of the Messiah when he says the four Gospels were written backwards and that each (story) is the essential Gospel story in miniature? In God and EmpireJohn Dominic Cro

san states that the twin storiesnot only exalt Jesus within his own Jewish tradition butplace his birth and destinin deliberate contradiction to Roman imperial theologys story of (Caesar) Augustus birth and destiny. Really? Theynot just sweet baby Jesus stories?

These are some of the questions we will consider as we meet on the four Sundays of Advent in the Session RoomPlease bring your Bibles.

On January 6 Mary Beth Neely will begin a study of both the Jewish and Muslim faiths. Here are some extracfrom Mary Beths General Plan. We will study the major beliefs and practices of each of the two reliions.But the class will not stop at the intellectual. We will attend at least one service at the Islamic Center anenter into dialogue with our Muslim neighbors. We will also attend a service at Temple Beth Shalom, and joimembers of the Jewish community in meaningful discussion. The culmination will be a service at Fort King witall three groups as participants and in attendance. We will follow that with discussion and, perhaps, a meal tgether.

Mary Beth adds, I believe that interfaith understanding is the key to a peaceful world in the 21st century. Faitgroups MUST come together, to recognize what we have in common, and to respect our various differences.


6/17

6


Library Corner

The Christmas season is upon us once again. Your Church Library has more than three dozen books about Avent and Christmas. All will be on the bookshelf straight ahead as you enter the room. Some examples aCelebrating Christmas As If It Matters; Christmas Stories for the Heart; Stories Behind the Best-Loved Son

of Christmas; Christmas Soul: African American Holiday Stories.

Christmas on the Street: The Secret of the Second Basement is available in written form as well as on video csette. Lots of beautifully illustrated books for children and youth include The Polar Express; The Littlest AngOne Wintry Night; A Small Miracle; and Why Christmas Trees Arent Perfect.

Familiar stories to read to little children include: Arthurs Christmas; Winnie the Poohs Christmas; Cordroys Christmas Surprise; and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. Of course there are also a number of beau

fully illustrated books based on the biblical Christmas Story. Dont let the season pass by without enjoying somof these old favorites.

The Library is open every Sunday morning beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Shop, Drop, and Wrap

Good News! Our youth group has been growing in numbers. Wehave a vibrant group of 8- 16 youth in attendance. This year we are planning to take 5- 10 high school youth

the Montreat Youth Conference and 2-5 middle school youth to Camp Montgomery over the summer. We will having fundraisers all year to help defray the high cost of these trips.

Our next fundraiser will take place on Saturday December 8th from 2pm- 6pm. We will be providing childcare fparents or grandparents so they can do their Christmas shopping. There will be games, activities and a snack prvided. We will also be wrapping gifts for anyone who would like to bring them to the church on this Saturday. Wwill be taking donations for our services.

We are also asking for donations of wrapping paper (new or partially used), tape, and bows. You can give thedonations to Sheletha or Joe Strawder anytime before the 8th. We thank you in advance for your help!


7/17


Needed: Meals for PYC and High Tide Programs

We are in need of meals for our Sunday evening youth and childrens programs. If you can provide a meal

once or every so often, please contact Donna Lavery at 694-8264. Thank you in advance for investing in the

next generation of Ft. King.

Childrens Discipleship MinistrySunday School Teachers Needed

The Children's Discipleship Ministry is in need of teachers. The job requirements for this valuable positionconsists of 1) love of children; 2) patience; 3) willingness to teach three Sundays out of one month per yearduring worship; and 4) the desire to show children the love of Christ. No previous experience required. Mate-rials will be provided for each lesson. We will be using the "Walk With Me" curriculum from FaithAlive. There will always be two teachers at each session. If you are interested, please contact Bernice Henry.

Back By Popular Demand

In January we will begin the Dinners for Eight program again. Many of you havebeen requesting that we start again, so don't forget to sign up and participate. Din-ners for Eight is a program designed to host four couples (can be two singles or anymake-up of two people is considered a "couple". One couple hosts the meal at theirhome and provides the entree, the second provides the vegetable, the third providessalad and bread and the fourth brings dessert. We meet one night per month, Janu-

ary through April. Each month the group is changed so that you are with different couples and bring a differ-ent item. It is a wonderful way to get to know the people in our congregation. Please sign up on the sheet inthe narthex or call Bernice Henry at 694-6798. Participants will be notified in late December with the sched-ule for the year that will indicate the groups and the food designated. In May we will all meet together for ourfinal dinner of the year. Call Bernice if you have any questions.

FELLOWSHIP


8/17

8

FELLOWSHIP (continued)

Church Directory Time Again!

Can you believe it has been three years already? Well, it has! It is once again time to put on your Sunday best andhave pictures taken for the Ft. King church directory.

We are partnering with Lifetouch for our directory, and they have madeit even easier to sign up to have your pictures taken. The easiest way is togo to www.fortking.org; look to the right hand side for the link to thsign up page; enter the number in your family and choose the time youwould prefer. You will be asked for a little more information and you ardone!

If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, you can always see Joe or another member of the Fellowship Ministry in the Narthex after Service onSundays in December and we will get you signed up. The dates for the

picture sittings are January 11th, 12th, and 29th. If you are unavailable on any of these dates see Joe Strawder and hwill help you find an alternative.

The Fellowship Ministry will need a few volunteers on the actual picture dates so if you are interested in helpingplease see Joe. If you have any props (even pets) that you would like to have in an optional picture, feel free tobring them. However, no pets or props in the church directory picture. Joe is really looking forward to a newchurch directory that includes Joe and a whole lot of other people!

CATS Christians Assembled To Socialize

Christian Assembled To Socialize is underway. Our first outing to The Lunchbox onthe square was great! In November, we went to Carney Island Park and had lunch aGator Joes!

On December 12th, we will go high class all the way to the top of the Holiday Inn3600 SW 38th Ave! 11:30 lunch at Sky Fusion!

I hope everyone will join us on these great CATS Fellowship activities!


9/17

GROUP ACTIVITIES

Presbyterian Women

All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all the activitiesof Presbyterian Women. If you are interested in attending a Circle meeting, come join us in December. Esther

Circle will meet on December 10th, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Joyce-Ellen Horne. Bring a heavy hors doeuvresand a $10.00 gift for a Chinese gift exchange. Deborah Circle will meet on Tuesday, December 18th, at 10:00a.m. in the Session Room. Contact Colleen Livingston at 687-4790 to coordinate a covered dish to bring for theluncheon at Deborah Circle on December 18th.

This years study will be Dispatches to Gods Household: The General Epistles. These letterswere meant to inspire and comfort the faithful in first-century Asia Minor, and they continue tospeak to us today as we grapple with how to live in community as disciples of Christ. It will teachus what it means to live in community and what it means to belong to the household of God. Ifyou have not received a study book, you will receive one at the meeting.

Craft Fair and Bake Sale - Thank You

Presbyterian Women would like to thank the congregation for our successful Craft Sale this year. Many peopleput lots of time and talent into making the items for sale. Our marvelous cooks outdid themselves with theirwonderful recipes. Thanks to all the workers who helped to set up, man the tables, and clean up after the sale.Thanks again to the congregation for attending the sale and making purchases.

Mens Night Out

Mens Night Out in December will take place at Jim Johnsons home on December 10th at 6:30

p.m. Please call Jim at 694-6449 to RSVP.

Crafts Group

The Crafts Group will be taking a well deserved break until the new year. Please join the CraftsGroup on Thursdays starting January 3, 2013 from 11:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.We work on individual projects and joint projects.

Card Making MinistryCome join us on the 2nd Friday of every month at 10:00 a.m. until about Noon. We will

meet off-site. Please contact Prudence Pritz if you are interested in joining thisgroup.

Sassy Seniors

All widows and single ladies are welcome to join Sassy Seniors on Wednesday, De-cember 12th at 1:00 p.m. This months luncheon will be at Darrells located at

3375 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Across from Publix.


10/17

10

MISSIONMISSIONMISSIONMISSION

Buy a Christmas Gift for a ChildSupport the Angel Tree

As you begin to plan for your Christmas shopping, please remember the needy children of Marion County. Ware working again this year with The Centers, which provides for Kids Central. We encourage you to take a ta

yourself, or to go together with a group or a few other people to buy a gift for a child. Thank you!

You are invited to our 3rd Alternative Christmas FairOn Sunday, December 2nd - 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

(Before and After Church)

This is an opportunity for meaningful giving: Help those in need in Marion County and around the world and, the same time, do your Christmas shopping!

There will be gift items from Ten Thousand Villages, an organization that supports craftsmen and women from aover the world. You can purchase Heifer Gifts. Fair Trade Coffee, tea and olive oil will be available. In additio

you can make donations to Marion County Needy and Homeless Children, and other local organizations. Alsbring your gently used T-shirts and sweatshirts to donate to Interfaith.


11/17

Staff Christmas Gift

Christmas is coming!! Its closer than you think! All of us like to receive presents and that includes our wondful staff. If you are financially able and would like to donate toward a staff Christmas present, please place yourdonation into an envelope marked Staff Christmas Gift and give it to any member of the Personnel Ministry oturn it into the church office no later than December 9, 2012. If you are financially unable to contribute, I knothat a simple Thank you will also cheer a heart.

PERSONNELPERSONNELPERSONNELPERSONNEL

MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)

Blood Drive - December 9th

The Mission Ministry would like to inform the congregation that the bloodmobile will be at Ft. King on Decembe9th. Donation times will be from 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A Ministry member will be in thNarthex after service on December 2nd to sign up donors. If you are able, please consider donating and also prafor the success of our blood collection drive. Thank you. Bill Reed for Mission Ministry.


12/17

12

SESSIONSESSIONSESSIONSESSION

Advent Wednesdays

Take time for reflection during the advent seasonJoin your Church family for supper and a discussionabout the meaning of Gods coming into the worldinJesus.

December 5, 12, and 19 at 5:30 p.m. we will enjoyhomemade soup together. That will be followed bya time of discussion, led by our pastor, Andy GansThe theme this year is The Journey--Walking theRoad to Bethlehem. If you come, bring along either a dessert or bread to share. We hope to seyou on Advent Wednesdays!

WORSHIPWORSHIPWORSHIPWORSHIP

Session Notes November 19, 2012

Family Celebrations Thank You, Jesus!

Margy Marshall is feeling better.

Three children baptized last Sunday (Tripodi children), Adult Ministry has a new member, John Moxley.

Crop Walk had excellent results!

First Responder donations for Sandy are outstanding.

Only 4 tags left on the Angel Tree,

25 people have signed up for Thanksgiving Dinner,

Preparations for the pageant are going well.

Motion:

Motion to remove Nick and Carrie Zicchino from Ft. Kings active church membership role.

Motion to approve the proposed letter to our neighbor, Mr. Archie Buchanan, verifying an agreementbetween Mr. Buchanan and Ft. King regarding the fence and hedge behind Ft. Kings Memorial Garden.

Motion to approve John Moxley as a member of the Adult Discipleship Ministry.

Motion to approve Anne MacKay and Becky Wolf as members of the Worship Ministry.


13/17

WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)

Flower Calendar

Please note: I am trying to work ahead on the flowers, so if you would like to provide flowers to commemoraa special event/occasion/memory etc. for a specific date, please call Nancy Hall at 694-3221 as soon as possiblPlease 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 through November 2012 and in January, February, and March, 2013. If you can provide flowers for a date in 2013, please call Nancy Hall. Thank you.

Thank you to these people as they share in donating the flowers for the following worship services.

December 2, 2012 - December 30, 2012poinsettias in the Sanctuary - See poinsettia order formbehind calendar insert.

January 6, 2013From Jim and Donna Johnson in celebration of their 28th wedding anniversaryJanuary 13, 2013In loving memory of Phyllis Durgin from her familyJanuary 20, 2013In memory of our parents, Hugh and Margaret Hill and Bill Reed from Jim and Anne HillJanuary 27, 2013From Harold and Roselle Pringle in celebration of their 18th wedding

anniversary

February 3, 2013In memory of my dear friend, Peggy Wiechens, from Mary Ellen VowinkelFebruary 10, 2012In celebration of our 57th wedding anniversary on February the 11th from

Steve and Janet MitchellFebruary 17, 2013

(this date is taken but not being announced at this time)February 24, 2013In celebration of Nan Andrews 91st birthday today from Bruce, Gouley, Cody, Tom, and Linda

March 3, 2013OPEN

March 10, 2013OPEN

March 17, 2013OPEN

March 24, 2013From Jean Brown, Hal, Douglas, Bruce, and Lynn in loving memoryof husband and father, Halowell E. Brown

March 31, 2013Easter (Easter lilies will be placed in the Sanctuary)

April 7, 2013---In celebration of our 18th wedding anniversary and Emilys 16th birthday fromKimber and Lauren Merriam

April 14, 2013---OPEN

April 21, 2013---In celebration of our 35th wedding anniversary on April 21st from Cyndi and Tim ThompsonApril 28, 2013---OPEN


14/17

14


Transforming Or Trivializing Human Life?

Please read the following in the order given.If in a case a man has borne false witness, or accused a man without proving it, if that case is a capital case, tha

man shall be put to death (Law Code of Hammurabi article 3; +/- 2000 BCE).Thou shalt not bear false witness (Exodus 20:16, #9 of the Ten Commandments; +/- 1200 BCE).

Naboths Vineyard I Kings 21 (+/- 860 BCE).Platos Republic Book III 389 (+/- 380 BCE).

A. TheHammurabi Law Code in a male-oriented society specifies the death penalty in the event thaone man falsely witnesses against another, or accuses a man without evidence. Straight-forward: death for a falsewitness. Deuteronomy 19:16-20 (especially v. 19) parallels the Hammurabi Code.B. The Hebrew text forExodus 20:16 refers to a lying witness, one who stands before a community to announce a false accusation against a neighbor in the community. It is not a prohibition against lying-in-generalThe commandment does NOT state the consequences of false accusation; the Law Code of Hammurabi does

death in a capital case, as does Deuteronomy 19:19.C. Leviticus 19:11 specifically connects lying = swearing falsely with stealing, dealing underhandedly, andlying to one another.D. Hosea 4:12 and Jeremiah 7.9 both specify that lying had gone beyond the 9 th commandment to beinga way of daily communication in society; so that Leviticus 19:16 includes Gossip about a colleague in a communityof neighbors. Such behavior was not only designed to live a life of falsehood, a faade; it also enabled a personto get a leg up on ones neighbor who has been discredited, that is, to exaltmyself over against my neighbor.E. And then we read in I Kings 21, the story ofNaboths Vineyard:

The King of Israel, Ahab (869 850 BCE), had visited Naboth to make a deal: he wanted Naboths property adjacent to his own - for which he would either pay a nice price or exchange property of Ahabs own

No deal, said Naboth; this is ancestral land it cant be sold!

Ahab was down-in-the-mouth, began sulking, went to his bedroom, wouldnt eat, until his dear wife steppedin, uh huh,Jezebel. Shell solve his problem for him! Ybetcha!

She, in Ahabs name, issued a decree to the locals to set a day for public recognition of Naboth such a fineoutstanding fellow! Give him the recognition hetrulydeserves yessiree! AND then set two base fellows opposite Naboth (v. 10) to accuse him publicly (recall the two thieves on either side of Jesus!):

* Blasphemy against God!* Treason against the king!Works every time! Naboth was taken outside the city and stoned to death this reflects the Law Code o

Hammurabi, not of Moses!Jezebel tells Ahab that he can have Naboths land now because hes dead. What a deal! Okay. Thats done

Ahab has what he wanted; no more pouting thanks to wife-dearest.Elijah went to Ahab, who responds to the prophet: Have you found me, O my enemy?

Hardly a comfortable relationship between the politician and the prophet! Note that Ahab repented. Godspared his life, but not his sons a future king of Israel (more Hammurabi!).

F. So now, lets consider this:Language is surely our prime instrument of being, for growing up into, what we would be (Roy Harvey Pearce 1960 Poetry, Language, and the Condition of Modern Man in Sigurd Burckhardt The Centennial Review IV, 1, 27).

That is, words, language, enable me to create myself because words objectify the one speaking: I see who am by the words I speak! Language is an instrument by which we transform life: our own and others!

G. Modern man (I really think historical man) has clever ways of speaking:


15/17

WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)The Doctrine ofEquivocation: language is used ambiguously: you think I mean X when I mean Y: fork

over, hand me the fork, go to the fork in the road.The Doctrine ofMental Reservation:

I swear I never said/did such a thing- at least at this house

- with that person- at that time- on that day, ad nauseum.

The Doctrine ofSilent Reservation: I speak to God what I wont say to the public so I wont perjure myself!The Doctrine ofDeception: A dying patient is told Your temperature is normal. (See Sissela Bok 1978 Lyi

Moral Choice in Public and Private Life).The above are just a few examples of what is called the trivialization of language: lying trivializes language

become meaningless social jargon and ultimately nonsense. This is precisely what we do when we bear fawitness against a person, which biblically includes misrepresentation of a person, lying about a perswhich includesgossiping. What is worse is that such behavior is an act ofbad faith: I, not only misrepresea person; I also pretend that our relationship is just fine, when it is not! Review Jezebels instructionsKings 21:9!Why didnt the Mosaic commandment include a death penalty for misrepresentation of a person?Becaulanguage can enable a person to transform

his/her life, to make oneself over into a different person (metanoia = repentance).Truth-telling is in fact the very foundation of human relationships, of human community. As Augustine sa

That one man might make known his thoughts to another (Enchiridion).

Nutshell: Thou shalt not bear false witness, unless we want to discredit and destroy another human being aplant a seed-bed for the collapse of our community. The Body of Christ, the Church, of all human communitineeds to evaluate its own trivializing and bad faith behaviors and to affirm its intention to enable persons to tranform their own lives and community.H. Say what? Oh, right you are: Platos Republic Book III, 389:

If anyone at all is to have theprivilege of lying, the rulers of the state should be the persons; and they, in thdealings either with enemies or with their own citizens, may be allowed to lie for the public good.

Lets be perfectly clear:Nobody else should meddle with anything of the kind.I.e. we non-rulers must be 100% truth-tellers!Well,- Lying by the head of state is a privilege; and,- Lying to the citizens, let alone the enemy, is allowed for the public good; and,- Private citizens may not lie! After all, the head of state is an expert navigator on a ship who is at the mer

of a stupid captain and ignorant crew. Oh, right, thats us!Platos Republic is one of the cornerstones ofWestern democratic society originating in Athens, Greece. Ju

takes my breath away!

Perhaps we need to think more deeply about the separation of Church and State. Why, we might also wato think about Might makes right!

Something to think about.

Shalom,

Tom


16/17

16


Poinsettias in the SanctuaryDuring the Christmas Season

One beautiful expression of our joy at Christmas is to have the sanctuary decorated with poinsettias. We invite yoto help with this. Please consider ordering a poinsettia in honor of someone or in memory of someone to be diplayed during the Christmas season in our Sanctuary. You can then take the poinsettia home and enjoy it therEach poinsettia is $10.00. You can place your order in the offering plate on a Sunday, or drop it off in the Churcoffice. All checks should be made payable to Fort King Presbyterian Church with poinsettia written on the nottion line. Poinsettias may be picked up after worship service on December 30th.

Thank you!

Poinsettia Order(Please Print)

_______ (Number of poinsettias) @ $10.00/each _______________

given by__________________________________________________

in honor/memory of ________________________________________circle one

________________________________________(Please place order and payment in the offering plate or

turn into the Church Office.)


17/17

December 2012Italicized items are non-FKPC activities using FKPC facilities

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturd1

9:00 3:3

Turning

Point (FH

2

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:00 AlternativeChristmas Fair

9:15 Adult Ed.

0:00 Choir Practice0:30 Worship

1:30 Alternative

Christmas Fair

1:30 Discipleship

Youth Ministry

2:00 Faith Leaders

3:00 Financial

Peace University

5:00 PYC

3

7:30 Mens BibleStudy

5:00 Property

Ministry

5:15 TOPS (FH)

4

9:30 PrayerShawl

Ministry

6:00 Mission

Ministry

6:00 Evangelism

Ministry

7:00 Discipleship

Ministry

Child

5

10:00 PW Council

4:00 Fellowship

Ministry

5:30 Advent

Wednesday

7:00 Choir Practice

6

11:00 AdultDiscipleship

Ministry

1:30 Wedding

6:00 Worship

Ministry

6:00 - 8:00

Marions United

(FH)

7:00 AA (CE)

7

5:00 - 7:00

Private Event

(FH)

8

Set-up

Fellowsh

Hall for

Christma

Dinner

99:00 Blood Drive

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed.0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship

1:30 Blood Drive

2:00 Faith Leaders

3:00 Financial

Peace University

5:00 Dinner and

Pageant

107:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:15 TOPS (FH)

6:00 Finance

Ministry

6:30 Mens Night

Out (off site)

6:30 Esther Circle

(off site)

11 121:00 The Sassy

Seniors

(Off-Site)

5:30 Advent

Wednesday

7:00 Choir Practice

13

5:30 Sit and

Sew (FH)

7:00 AA (CE)

14

10:00 Card

Making

Ministry

(off-site)

Set-up

Wedding

Reception(FH)

15

Wedding

and

Receptio(FH & S)

6

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed.

9:15 Sunday School

Birthday Party

For Jesus

0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship

2:00 Faith Leaders

4:00 PYC &

High Tide

17

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:15 TOPS (FH)

18

10:00 Deborah

Circle

19

3:00 Pastoral Care

Team

5:30 Advent

Wednesday

7:00 Choir Practice

20

6:00 Session

7:00 AA (CE)

21 22

23

2 Cents A Meal and

Food4KidsJoy Offering

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed.

0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship

24

7:30 Mens Bible

StudyOFFICE CLOSED

NOON

4:00 Worship Svc

5:15 TOPS (FH)

7:00 Worship Svc

11:00 Worship Svc

25

OFFICECLOSED

26

7:00 Choir Practice

27

5:30 Sit and

Sew (FH)

7:00 AA (CE)

28 29

0

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Adult Ed.

0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship

00 C

31

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

december 2012 link newsletter

Documents