fpco columns - february 2010

8/14/2019 FPCO Columns - February 2010

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First Presbyterian Church o Orlando February 20

Seeking. Sharing. Serving...All to the Glory of God

Weekday School

60 C E L E B R A T E SYEARSWeekday School

60 C E L E B R A T E SYEARS


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ON THE WAY

I took my wi e out or dinner last week. Normally, when you take your wi e to dinner, you wantambiance a place where you can talk and reconnectand enjoy one anothers company you want a placethat looks, eels, and smells, well, good...

That was not our experience.

The only parking place we could nd was one behindthe restaurant, and as we searched or a parking place,we noticed a Roto Rooter truck double parked be-hind some cars. By the time we got to our restaurant, itturned out Mr. Rooter was working on the bathroom inour chosen restaurant. The smell as we approached wasnothing like I have ever smelled be ore. It almost turnedus back. However, once we got through the door, it was

ne. You couldnt even tell any work was being done,and we enjoyed our meal.

Even so, I could not help but think about the men out-side, in the cold, working. It was perhaps the worst jobI could imagine. Who would sign up or that? And thenI remembered Malkijah. He is a little known gure inNehemiahs story, but he is the one who xed the DungGate when the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt. It wasthe gate where all the citys garbage, re use, and wastewere taken. It was the town land ll. It was the placewhere no one wanted to go, and yet it was the son o adistrict ruler who was willing to go and x it.

We dont like thinking about the nasty, smelly placeso our world, much less the nasty places o our own lives.They are the places that we do not like to visit the places

we dont want anyoneelse to know about theplaces we do not like totalk about. Even so, in order or us to be reconciled tthe Father, someone had to go there. Someone hadto x it clean it. And so, in this season o Lent thbegins this month, we remember another son o a rule

the Son o The Ruler who went to the dark, messand nasty places o our lives and xed them cleanethem and made them whole. Like Malkijah be oHim, Jesus was willing to x the gate the Dung Gate that allowed us access to the Holy City once more.

Our limited minds cannot athom the magnitude owhat Jesus did, but I pray in this Lenten season, we wigrasp a bit more o it. Let us endeavor to be mind ul the sacri ce o Jesus in this season. Join us or our AWednesday service. Refect. Remember. Pray. Whenwe do that, it makes the experience o Easter morninall the more joy ul and power ul, because we have catured, yet again, the lengths that Jesus was willing togo to in order to redeem our lives. Praise God. I surewouldnt want to go there.

With a grate ul heart or the hope o the gospel, I send m

Warmest personal regards,

David D. Swanson

WITH DR. DAVID D. SWANSON

The dung gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab,ruler for the district....

Nehemiah 3:14


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CONTACT US407.423.3441

To arrange a baptismContact Worship x1451To arrange a wedding

Contact Weddings x1453To arrange a uneral or

memorial serviceContact Pastoral Care x1455

To donate fowers orworship services

Contact Worship x1451With questions about your

pledge, donation, or budgetContact Finance x1479

With a change o addressContact Membership x1471

To purchase a sermon CD or DVContact x1438

To join the Chancel ChoirContact x1273

For child care reservations -Early Childhood

Contact x2250To reach the Security O ce

Contact 407.415.9793For Weekday School

Contact 407.996.5864To nd out about Sunday

School classesContact Spiritual Formation

x1463With questions about the FPCO

website or its Columns publicatiContact Communications x1467

To reserve a meeting spaceContact Special Services x1469

HOSPITAL CALLS:Hospitals are no longer able tonoti y us when our members ar

hospitalized. I you know someowho is in the hospital, please

noti y thePastoral Care o cex1455.

PASTORAL EMERGENCIES:For pastoral emergencies outsido the 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. churo ce hours, please leave a voimail message at the main churcnumber. The message center wipage the minister on call, who w

reply as soon as possible.NEED HELP?

Dependency assistance, cancersupport group, grie support,divorce care, in ertility group

please contact CongregationaLi e x1159

www.twitter.com/ pcorland

Group: First Presbyterian Chu

o Orlando

9 For the Kids: Find Dwightthe Mission Dino

10 Compassion CornerRecipient of WomensMinistry Fall Jesus Loves

You Project

11 A Fathers Thank You Letterto ASOM

12 Heart of The City Board:Janet Morrow

17 Childrens Music: My Lifein the Arts!

18 Second Mile FundsInaugural 3-on-3 YouthBasketball Championship

18 Whats Love Got To DoWith It?

19 News & Notices

20 Immeasurably More...Finishing Strong

IN THIS ISSUE:

4

14 Reality Sunday for Grace Medical Home Helping provide a ordable medical care right here in Orlando.16 Weve got a College Ministry at FPCO? The place to connect spiritually or college age and young adults.

COVER:Emily Meng (le t) and Grace DeJesus (right) enjoy their frst horseback ride at Fun Fair. Photo by Todd McLennan.

4

WEEKDAY SCHOOL:

Celebrating 60 years o caringor Gods children.

14 1614 16

WEEKDAY SCHOOL:

Celebrating 60 years o caringor Gods children.

Photo by Jodi Coleman


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Weekday School is a place where people have been Growing in Gods love or 60 years. We owe all the glory and honorto God or blessing this little preschool beyond our expectations or the past 60 years. On this anniversary, we celebratethe memories o what God has done here, and we anticipate the uture o how His story will continue to bless lives in the worldo preschoolers.

Weekday School began as a single classroom in 1950 and grew to nine classrooms by 1995; at thistime all classrooms on the rst foor o Allen and Yowell Halls were occupied. With long waiting lists,

more space was needed to continue serving the children and young amilies o First PresbyterianChurch and the community. This infuenced the Sessions decision to renovate the building and

in 2000 Weekday School relocated to another acility during construction. Rooms such as aParlor, Parlor Kitchen, Library, and o ces were eliminated in the Educational building and

relocated to allow Weekday School to achieve a much needed expansion. The addi-tional space has created the opportunity to serve more amilies and grow to teen

classes today.

Growing in Gods Love 60 Years Of Helping Children ReachTheir God-Given Potential

Through the generations, Weekday School has been chargedwith the responsibility o o ering a program consistent with the

highest quality o early childhood education: one that providesa Christ-centered environment or children and encourages

parents to provide Christian homes.

The basic educational premise upon which Week-day School was ounded 60 years ago has stood

the test o time; a childs most important work is

play. A child who learns best, learns or himselhersel and at his/her own pace. God designedthe development o children and this remains

the same rom one generation to another.The deep care about the development o the whole child spiritual, social, emotional,

intellectual, and physical has remained con-sistent throughout our years. Weekday School

has continued to meet the high standards thatsociety has set or academic excellence, withoutcompromising the most important value o meet-

ing the young childs needs in the process.

By Donna Speer, Director of Weekday School

I will continue this everlasting covenant between us,generation a ter generation. It will continue betweenme and your o spring orever. And I will always beyour God and the God o your descendants a ter you.

Gen. 17:7

60 YearsGrowing in Gods Love

for


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Growing in Gods Love Transforming Lives AndFamilies Along The Way

Weekday School is much more than a preschool; it is a min-istry or the whole amily. We see trans ormation in the liveso all who participate in this preschool, and we know that the

Lord is in the business o trans orming lives. He is seen in thegrowth and change we witness in the lives o children. Eachchild comes with a unique personality, temperament, learn-ing style, and set o behaviors. We love them all and desireto help each one grow up to reach their God-given potential.We see trans ormation in the lives o moms and dads. Theyo ten share what meaning Weekday School has brought totheir amily li e; they have experienced growth through Godslove, been enriched through their involvement here, anddeveloped riendships that will last a li etime. Parents o tenshare stories o how Weekday School publications and eventscontinue to encourage their growth in Him. God is at work inthe midst o our sta . We love each other and the Lord, havea big heart or children, and are growing in our aith as well.The dedication these women have in their desire to providethe very best or the sake o their young children never ailsto amaze me.

Growing in Gods Love Some Things NeverChange

There are many ways in which Weekday School has notchanged through the years. Devoted sta members have

blessed this place; many have continued their service here ormore than twelve years. They bring consistency and wisdomto this little school, while guiding new sta members as theylove and educate our children. Each generation o preschool-ers has experienced the oundational elements o circle timewith the teachers, the centers we provide in classrooms andthe consistent, basic schedules ollowed daily. Monthly, wecontinue to o er worship in the Re ormation Chapel, we wor-ship together as a school amily during our Thanksgiving Wor-ship Service, and our annual Class Christmas parties involveeach child participating in a simple reenactment o the nativity.

Growing in Gods LoveChanging With The Times

We also see changes that refect the needs o more moderngenerations. Our carpool needs have changed with the times;

rom the days when we parked on the property and walkedchildren to their classrooms, to the carpool now being a drop-o and pick-up lane, because there are more buildings on ourcity block. For years our annual amily undraiser, Fun Faand Silent Auction event, was housed in our Fellowship Hall;now it takes over most o the FPCO campus. Our Thanksgiv-ing Worship used to take place in the Re ormation Chapelwith plenty o seating available; now we have a large crowdin the Sanctuary. For 20 years, our annual eld trip took us toPossum Flats where Mr. Cassidy allowed parents, teachers,and children to ride a train around his property and conclude

(continued on page 7)

Weekday School is much

more than a preschool;it is a ministry for thewhole family.

Our prayer is that generations not yet bornwill also be blessed by this

special place.

Photo by Christina Phillips


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with a picnic down by the lake. In 1995, he retired his trainand Weekday School began the tradition o visiting GreenMeadows Farm, which continues to this day. In addition, wehave added events to enhance the experiences or parentsand amilies with the changing times. Some examples are:the Annual Mothers Brunch, Womens Devotional Studies,Daddy & Me Day, Book Fair, and monthly class picnics. OurPrayer Walk is a time set aside or sta , parents, and childrento come together or the purpose o praying or WeekdaySchool at the beginning o each year. The Cup o ChristmasTea prepares our hearts and homes or the Holy Advent Seasonand the Four Day Celebration occurs at the conclusion o theschool year to honor our oldest students. During the year 2004,God inspired us with the idea o creating a Refection Gallery,a tile wall refecting Gods love or His precious children atWeekday School. It includes photos o children who have at-tended, along with messages refecting Gods love or them.

Growing in Gods Love The Old Has Gone AndThe New Is Here

As we watch Gods plan or Weekday School un old, we areoverwhelmed with joy or what He continues to do here. Ourhearts are ull o anticipation as He reveals His plans. Week-day School has embraced young children or six decades

and our prayer is that generations not yet born will also beblessed by this special place.

I have personally witnessed God at work here or threegenerations and our amily has a deep gratitude or WeekdaySchool. Our children, James and Jodi, attended many yearsago, and now their children are experiencing the blessingsthis preschool o ers. Yes, lives are trans ormed by the handi-work God does in this place. I know that I am a better mother,wi e, riend, Christian and now grandmother because o the

work that God has done in my li e through Weekday School.

There is a plaque that hangs on my o ce wall, which de-scribes Weekday School or me. Surely the presence o theLord is in this place, I can eel His mighty power and His grace.I can hear the brush o angels wings; I see glory on each ace.Surely the presence o the Lord is in this place. Lanny Wol e

It is an honor to be associated with this blessed ministryexciting to see Gods story un old, to witness His mighty pres-ence and the power o His grace.

Growing in Gods Love The Yellow CookbookGets A Makeover

Sharing amily recipes has become a tradition here at Week-day School. As part o the 60th Anniversary Celebration, weare giving the original yellow cookbook a makeover. In thisbook you will nd hand-selected recipes chosen or todays

amily rom the original Weekday School yellow cookbook(1995). In addition, this updated version will include new,easy, healthy recipes, as well as a section titled Family Fun atMealtime, which includes ways to strengthen amily bondsthrough creating special memories.

Cookbooks may be pre-ordered by contacting the Weekday School o fce at 407.996.5864 or weekdayschool@ pco.org.The cookbookwill be available at our March 10 celebration at $20 each. We are o -

ering everyone an opportunity to pre-order cookbooks using a orm,which is available in the Weekday School o fce or online at www

pco.org/wds.

P h o

t o b y J o d i C ol em

an


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Can you spot the 10 hidden Dwight the mission Dinos?

Hey, Kids!


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Committed to studying the Bible, book by book, the par-ticipants o The Amazing Collection series are also com-mitted to serve in very special, quiet ways.

Permit me, please, to share the recent all study groupsdevotion to the mission piece (Serve) o womens ministry,better known as the Jesus Loves You Project.

Allegiance to being in Gods Word also generates loyaltyand aith ulness to living out who we are in Christ. Eachstudy season the Womens Ministry Council determines a mis-sion project something the women can do during the courseo the study that will make remarkable di erences to others.

Compassion Corner, the ministry to the homeless, was the

all recipient o the blessings rom womens ministry. TheWomens Ministry Council met with volunteers o Compas-sion Corner to determine how the women o the church couldsupport this ministry and perhaps provide ways the service tothe Orlando homeless population could be enhanced. Weasked them to challenge us with three items rom their wishlist and they were happy to oblige!

Because there are three study sessions in The AmazingCollection series: a Monday morning, Monday evening, andThursday morning group, it was determined each study groupcould support a project. And support they did!

The Monday morning group voted to supply the co ee sta-tion or Compassion Corner. Providing co ee and condimentsupplies complete with paper goods and plenty o co eecups. In addition to the supplies, large plastic containers tostore these new ound products were also provided.

The Monday night group created an Art Center supportingKatherine Davis. Katherine, a gi ted artist, provides oppor-tunities or the homeless to create art, receive instruction,and have a time o ellowship that allows them to temporar-ily orget their circumstances and to use their creativity toproduce a piece o art. Because Katherine has been usingher own supplies, we wanted to o er items that would per-mit her to continue to serve and expand this ministry to thehomeless. Paints, color pencils, art tablets, canvases, erasers,pencil sharpeners, and an array o gi t cards were gatheredand presented to Katherine on the last night o the study.She came and shared with the group, bringing pictures thehomeless had created. I must tell you there are some verytalented people among our homeless population! Katherinealso shared that she received approval rom the City o Or-lando to host a homeless art show in City Hall sometime in2010. These art supplies will quickly go to good use!

The Thursday morning group created a Media Centeror the Corner. These items included paperback Bibles to

be provided to the homeless,appropriate movies with aithmessages or both adults andchildren, not to mention sev-eral books that will provideintellectual stimulus to those wanting a quiet place to readand enjoy a cup o co ee. A heartbreaking reality to todayseconomic situation is that there are more homeless childrenaccompanying parents to the Compassion Corner. Havingchildrens books and movies o ers a bit o normalcy to a day

lled with insecurity.

On Monday night, December 7, the Womens event Women

Together Christmas Compassion o ered those in atten-dance to hear personal testimonies o women within our con-gregation serving the homeless population daily. KatherineDavis shared how God led her to o er her artistic talents tothe homeless and how she has been blessed and ministeredto by serving. SuSu Gordy, a member o the HOPE Team, out-lined her days o visiting the homeless in the various camps

ound in the very woods we drive by daily. Dawn Ne sharehow God nudged her rom her com ort zone to become in-volved in Compassion Corner. That night, Christmas decora-tions donated by women in the church were o ered in a silentauction, which bene ted Compassion Corner. We were verypleased to provide an additional $535 to Compassion Corner.

What a privilege it is to serve and study with an amazingcollection o women in this church! The intergenerationalsmall groups, the accountability to one another in word anddeed, and the ellowship and riendships that develop whenwe come together to be in His Word are marvelous!

If you are not involved in this or another Bible study, its not too late to join! For details to get connected to other womenwho love Gods Word and serve this broken world, contact Rev. Donna McClellan at [email protected] o x1488 or Lori Needham at [email protected] or x1463. We stand ready to serve you .

Compassion Corner Recipient of Womens Ministry FallJesus Loves You Project

By Lori Needham, Womens Ministry

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Therehave been times

when I doubted i anyone evencared about our struggle Then you all

showed my kids and me that someone did care and God did too.

Photo by Jenny Arriso

n


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Surely God is my salvation;I will trust and not be afraid.The LORD, the LORD,is my strength and my song;He has become my salvation. - Isaiah 12:2

Q: How did you become involved with the Heart of the CityFoundation?A: This past year, Kevin Taylor, President and Ralph Veerman, Executive Director invited me to jointhe Board because they elt that I could bring my unique undraising expertise to help advance themission o HOCF and FPCO. I am the Foundation Vice President o Planned Giving at Orlando HealthFoundation and have worked or the past 9 years in the eld o estate and charitable gi t planning.Healthcare and providing support or healing is my mission eld. Orlando Health brings hope andhealing to patients and amilies acing disease, disability and even death, every day. I witness rst-hand the true railty o mankind and have prayed with so many patients and their amilies over theyears. I take great com ort in Christ because healing was such a signi cant part o Jesus ministry tothe masses. Wherever He would go, people would bring their sick to Him to be healed. My work atOrlando Health allows me to serve as the hands and eet o Christs compassion, which is extremelyrewarding.

Q: Tell me more about your HOCF Board experience?A: My role on the HOCF Board provides me with a similar opportunity to serve, to trans orm livesspiritually and to advance the Kingdom o God by developing critical resources to help ul ll Godscall or FPCO and the lives we touch.I have the tremendous privilege o serving among my ellow Board members. The HOCF is blessedwith an active and engaged Board o true believers and excellent stewards. The sta is passionateand dedicated and the mission is clear and well de ned. I always leave the Board meetings ener-gized by the exciting things that are happening to glori y God and ocused on the work that needsto be done to continue the HOCFs tradition o aith ul stewardship.

Q: What would you like to share with the congregation about the Heart of the City Foundation?A: I have always known the HOCFs work in the area o scholarships, but once I joined the Board, Ihave learned that the HOCF is having a growing impact with the vision and outreach o FPCO byproviding nancial and administrative support or the churchs acilities, its missions programs andseed und opportunities or new projects, like The Well.The HOCF has been in existence or 29 years and we are so grate ul to our long time supportersover the years. For those members o the congregation who havent gotten to know us, I wouldencourage you to get more involved. There are many opportunities or you to impact the uture o this church through the HOCF. As a charitable gi t planning pro essional, I would encourage ourlongtime church members to include the HOCF in their will or trust - by doing so you can demon-strate your commitment to the Kingdom and build a bridge or uture generations. Our membersmight also consider establishing a permanent named endowment that can generate reliable, per-petual income to support FPCOs missions, acilities, scholarship or seed und initiatives. The Boardalso recognizes and appreciates members who support the HOCF annually through our PresidentsCouncil, and our tremendous volunteers who give generously o their time. We value and appreci-ate each and every current and uture gi t that provide or the sustainability o our vital ministry.

The HOCF has been the ortunate benefciary o several estate gi ts over the years and wants to encourage,recognize and educate the congregation about tax e fcient ways o giving to provide critical uture support to continue our good work all to the Glory o God. Please join us on Saturday, February 27, rom 9:30 to 11:30 in EMC, Rooms 330 A & B, or an educational session to learn how you can leave a legacy at FPCO through your estate planning.Janet is also an active volunteer with several organizations including the First Presbyterian Church o Orlando, The Christ School and President Elect o The Central Florida Womens League. Janet and her

husband o 15 years, Michael, have 2 daughters, Madeline (8) and Malia (5).

HOCF BOARD MEMB

Kevin TaylorPresident

Don Brown Vice President

Ralph VeermanExecutive Director

Craig ClaytonSecretary

Russ DivineBoard Member

Jim FerberBoard Member

JoAnn HeineBoard Member

Andy HyltinBoard Member

David MillerBoard Member

Janet MorrowBoard Member

Jason PowellEx O cio Membe

Jack PrevostBoard Member

Bob StineBoard Member

Chris StowersBoard Member

John WattsEx O cio Membe

Brent WilderBoard Member

Doug WoodmanBoard Member

HOCF STAFF

Amy BishopExecutive Coordinato

Adrienne EvansFinancial Director

Brad StatonSenior Ministries Direc

Ralph VeermanExecutive Director

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HEART OF THE BOARD

JANET MORROWHeart of the City Foundation Board Member

Photo by Todd McLennan


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God is at work and Hes invited us to be a part. He has been movingin the lives o some o our own FPCO members to join Him in a boldadventure by starting Grace Medical Home. The mission o Grace MedicalHome is to refect the character and compassion o Christ by o ering thehighest level o medical care to those in our community who need it most.

See to it that no one misses the grace of God. Hebrews 12:15

As we read daily o the growing healthcare crisis, Grace Medical Home wants to closethe gap between those who enjoy quality medical care and those who do not. Currently,almost one in our in Central Florida lacks health insurance. The visionary leaders o GraceMedical Home sought to ll a void in our local healthcare system and developed a solutionto remove the burden rom the current healthcare community, including hospitals, ERs andurgent clinics.

Grace Medical Home is the mutual dream o multiple dedicated leaders in Central Florida.Its oundation began with the shared belie that as recipients o Gods love and mercy we arecalled by Jesus to serve our neighbors. Years ago, two local physicians (both who currentlyserve on the Grace Medical Home Board o Directors) participated in a medical mission trip

Reality Sunday or



to the Dominican Republic. The mission was to help the Dominicans turna childrens sick clinic into a comprehensive medical home, where in ad-dition to acute sick visits there are well care check-ups, health educationand adequate medical records. Returning home, they saw the same needto provide high quality and continuous healthcare to the underservedright here in Orlando.

As this idea and vision spread, other healthcare pro essionals with similarhopes and dreams stepped orward to join the e ort. Some were alreadyproviding healthcare services or the underserved o Central Florida andwere witnessing rst-hand the need to help restore the physical health o their patients. They, too, were envisioning a place where their currentpatients could receive quality health education and continuity o care.

Business and community leaders joined along-

side these physicians to access the health-care needs o Orlando and began to raiseunding or operations. Together, relyingully on the per ect plan o Jesus Christ, a

team was ormed to establish Grace Medi-cal Home.

Grace Medical Home is a God-inspired,community-led endeavor. There are nu-merous ways or all ages to be involved.Because Christ is our example, we wel-come people o all aiths to participate inthe ministry at Grace. Grace would not be

able to o er excellent healthcare to its patientswere it not or our wonder ul volunteers who gen-erously give o their time and talents.

Volunteers serve regularly as healthcare pro es-sionals, administrative support sta , ront oassistants, interpreters, and in many other ca-pacities. Some volunteers are able to commit toa daily, weekly, or monthly schedule, while othershelp on an as-needed basis or speci c projects.Group volunteer opportunities are also available.Regardless o your background and interests,there is a place or you to volunteer at GraceMedical Home. To volunteer, please contact us atin [email protected] or 407.936.2785.

Grace Medical Home relies on the generous -nancial support rom businesses, congregations,

oundations, and individual donors: not on gov-ernment unding. When making a donation toGrace, you are helping to provide quality, a ord-able healthcare to those in need.

Grace is committed to the highest quality o clini-cal care. To measure quality and accurately monitorhealth outcomes o each patient, Grace will openits doors using electronic medical records. Theircurrent need is to add a so tware system ($50,000)that will enable them to provide invaluable medi-cal treatment that will bene t every patient andgive us the best opportunity o sustaining andgrowing Grace Medical Home.

Sunday, February 28 will be a Reality Sunday ocused on this local mission partner, which is hop-

ing to open its doors this month. Join us as weshare real stories about real people who are in-volved and being impacted through this tangibleexpression o Christs love. Come and see whatGod is doing and how each one o us can be a part.

Grace Medical Home, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-proorganization located at 51 Pennsylvania Street,Orlando, FL 32806. For more in ormation, viswww.gracemedicalhome.org.

...Grace Medical Home wantsto close the gap between thosewho enjoy quality medical care

and those who do not.Grace Medical Home is a

God-inspired, community-ledendeavor.

All Photos Courtesy o Grace Medical Hom


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Did you know we have a college group? WellWE DO! And its growing. Currently, it is small,but more and more students are learning o this ministry or them and their recently gradu-ated riends. The college ministry meets most

Wednesday nights rom 9-11pm at various col-legiate homes or a time o ellowship, singing,and Bible study. We have been meeting sinceSeptember 2009 and this has become anotherpart o First Presbyterian Churchs ministry toreach every age. The College Sunday schoolclass began meeting over a year ago in Room336 o the Student Ministry area in Allen Yow-ell Hall, rom 10-10:45am. This semester we arestudying how to de end our aith by using TimKellers book, The Reason for God . Wednesdaynights we will be addressing the topics that spe-ci cally a ect College age students, through abook called Perspectives . Know a College studentor recent graduate who needs a place to con-nect? Tell them they can connect with us, TheFirst Presbyterian Churchs College and Gradu-ate Ministry.

a generation on the move

Recently this FPCO ministry took 25 studentsto the Passion 2010 con erence in Atlanta, GA.We headed out on January 2, to brave the coldand seek Gods ace. Gathering at the PhillipsArena, in Downtown Atlanta, we joined over21,000 other college students to see a mightywork o God. Speakers like Louie Gigleo, JohnPiper, and Beth Moore spoke to the crowd aboutthe Glory o God or their lives in His Kingdom.We worshipped in song with Hillsong United,Chris Tomlin, and Matt Redman; all contributorsto the best worship songs o this decade! Stu-dents hearts were challenged and inspired toseek, share, and serve. The most amazing partabout this con erence was that these collegestudents contributed to mission organizationsto the tune o nearly $700,000! Thats almost3/4 o a million dollars in just 3 days. Severalon-looking visitors were so moved by what theysaw that they matched the giving! Thats 1.4 mil-

lion dollars or e orts like - building resh waterwells or villages in A rica, border outposts orsaving women rom the sex tra cking in India,surgeries or children with cle palettes, andmuch, much more! To see all that happened goto www.268generation.org and look under theDo Something Now section. What an amazingdisplay o giving rom a generation that, so manysay, just doesnt care. I beg to di er. This gen-eration is on the move!

The ollowing article is rom a ew o those whoattended Passion 2010 (Andrew Bell, AndrewDillard, Michael Beekman, and Joel Hall):

The best Christian bands, the most amous Christian speakers, and over20,000 other college kids. This is why we were so excited about thePassion 2010 Con erence. We pitched this idea to riends, roommates,and parents with the hope that they would come along with us, nanciallysupport us, and pray or us. Leaving Orlando, we had great expecta-

tions or the trip and the con erence, and we couldnt wait to hear romour avorite Christian leaders and spend time with thousands o otherChristians. Yet, as the bus pulled away rom Atlanta on the last day andwe headed home to Orlando, we realized that our expectations were ar

rom reality. Yes, the speakers were great, the bands did not disappoint,and downtown Atlanta was packed with thousands o college kids, butwe ound something much greater in Atlanta.

It is di cult to describe in just a ew sentences the pro ound and mean-ing ul lessons we learned, but we will try to give you a glimpse. JohnPiper spoke o Gods glory in a way that was new to many o us at thecon erence. Piper opened the eyes o many students to the act that Godexists not to glori y us, but to be glori ed by us. He created us to eelreal joy, satis action, and peace through glori ying Him. We talked abouthow this joy will never be elt by standing in a hall o mirrors, but insteadby standing atop a mountain and realizing that there is something muchgreater outside o ourselves. We were part o a cry that our generationcan be di erent and that we can end the problems that plague the world,such as HIV/AIDS, hunger, and sex tra cking. When the 22,000 college-aged attendees le t Atlanta over $1,300,000 had been raised or thesecauses and others!

One o the visions o the Passion 2010 Con erence is that we would be-come a generation united or His renown. In our nal session, we unitedin the idea that while the Passion Con erence itsel was coming to an end,its impact was just beginning. As we exited the bus back in Orlando,we understood that the Passion story was just beginning. We went toAtlanta hoping to hear great music and speakers, but what we ound wasmuch better. We ound ourselves being part o a great story, ull o wor-ship and justice, hope and love, and we developed a stronger relation-ship with God because o it. Thank you or all your prayers and supportthat made this possible!

college ministryWeve Got a

at FPCO?By Browning Wood, Director of Student Ministry



When I was asked to write about my background in the arts,music in particular, I began to wonder how to briefy put downthose events that shaped the path that led to where I am today.As a child growing up in Oshkosh, WI, I was always ascinated byanything musical and theatrical. My ather insisted I take ballet, andI began at the age o three. I loved being on stage and twirlingaround. I loved making up my own music, singing everywhere Iwent. My mother said I was very creative, and good at pretending great imagination! I was in the Cherub Choir at St. Johns LutheranChurch at the age o three and remember singing in church on spe-cial occasions, wearing a little white smock over a dark gown! Fromthen on I was always in choir, aith ul in attending rehearsals, andhaving such un with my childhood riends.

The arts were an integral part o our total education the publicschools celebrated Christmas and it was very important that every-one participate. I remember twinkling lights everywhere, rehears-ing wonder ul Christmas songs, and per orming or our parents and

amily. O course, there were other occasions or per ormance, and Iwas always willing to be involved! In middle school and high school,I was in chorus and competed in estivals. My voice was a little highpitched, and eventually, my mother let me take voice lessons to helpme learn to control the squeakiness and learn to sing better. SisterCarola rom St. Marys Catholic Church would only take me as a stu-dent once I learned to read music, so I embarked on taking pianolessons at the age o nine! In one year, I was able to read music ata basic level, and then was in Sister Carolas young childrens voiceclass. I was so excited! And boy, did I work hard to prepare or each

weekly lesson. In college, I was again in chorus and drama classes.Each level was one o learning something new and age appropriate.Drama helped bring me out o my natural shyness, and singing wasa way or me to express my joy in li e.

I le t college a ter three and a hal years and I met my wonder-ul hubby Jim in Chicago, on a blind date arranged by two o our

best riends. We married and I settled down to raising a amily.Weve been married or 44 years. We moved to the Orlando areain 1981 due to a business opportunity or Jim and settled down inthe Sweetwater area. We joined First Baptist Church o Sweetwater,and I became involved in the choir, hand bell choir, and childrensprograms. It was un singing major parts in the churchs Christmasprograms, and because o that, Jim suggested I look into attendingSCC and the music program there. Jim encouraged me to do some-thing with my voice and join the choir. I loved that he spurred me on

to become involved insinging in chorus onceagain and taking musiceducation courses.

While at SCC, I be-came an ACDA mem-ber and attended acon erence in Knox-ville, TN. It was there I met Dr. Lynne Gackle rom the University oMiami. She is a renowned Childrens Choirs specialist. I totally ellin love with what she was doing and decided that I would get mydegree in music education. I trans erred to Rollins College, majoredin Choral Conducting and Education, graduating with that degree

in 1997. Be ore graduating, I was hired by Orange County Schoolsto teach music to children ages K-5 and elt such excitement aboutbeing able to work with young voices.

A ter graduating rom Rollins, my music co-teacher and I attendedthe Level I ORFF Workshop here in Winter Park. Again, intense twoweek training, with homework in three areas: composition, move-ment, and recorder. I received my certi cation in Level I at the endo the session, and hope to attend Level II this summer. Remember,growing and learning are very important! I immediately launchedinto graduate studies, rst at Rollins, then trans erring to a very spe-cial graduate music education program, headed by Dr. Mary Palmer,at UCF. Intense summer work and semester courses culminated in aMasters Degree in Education/Music in 2006.

I taught three years in Orange County schools, and was recruitedto develop the music program or The Christ School (TCS), whereI worked or ve years and taught K-5 music, and Middle Schooldrama and chorus. While I taught at TCS, I was trained in Music To-gether, an early childhood music program, received my Certi cationI, and taught amily classes at FPCO. I was so excited to teach a pro-gram that involved parents/caregivers with their children because Iknew this was where I could make the most impact!

Last year, MusikGarten became our outreach music ministry, andagain, I trained or this program, eeling that it was important tokeep reaching to improve my skills. The basic premise is to reachyoung children and parents through music! My love or children andbelie in reaching them at young ages included having two o ouryoungest grandsons in my classes. I am also involved in directing theCherub Choir during SONday Times at FPCO on Sunday a ternoons.It is wonder ul to help children grow in their walk with the Lord evenat such a young age. This is where children learn to sing, pretend,play, and create memories or their utures.

This is where my li e has come ull circle well, almost. I eelhave so much to do and hope I can continue to touch childrenslives musically. God has blessed me with the gi t o teaching, andmy colleagues will tell you, my sense o joy and un help keep everylesson resh and un- lled! Thank you, Worship Arts, or allowing meto participate in Childrens Music Ministry. What a joy it is to encour-age young lives!

By Lynne H McKnight, Music Teacher

Photos by Stephanie Rivera


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Since its inception in early 2007, the HOCF Second Mile Fund has re-lied upon individual donors generous contributions to und impact ulgi ts to those in need within our community. Primarily ocused on youth rom disad-

vantaged backgrounds, the Second Mile Fund has remodeled a home to accommodate a paralyzed basketball stars special needs (inconjunction with a signi cant matching grant rom Wayne Densch Charities). We have been able to nancially assist a single mom as shadopted a young man rom a home destroyed by drugs, alcohol, and suicide. Thanks to the generous contributions o time and talent

rom two local dental specialists, today that ormerly sel conscious young man sports a handsome smile, has graduated rom high schooand plans to serve our country in the U.S. Marine Corps. We sponsored our young men in a top level basketball prospect showcase to helplevel the playing eld or them as they took a shot at a ree college education. Shoes or the Evans High School girls basketball program, new roo or a local pastors home, and support o a single athers transportation needs round out a success ul rst three years or the SecoMile Fund. The common theme in all o the above blessings is a Christ-inspired community e ort to make a di erence in other peoples liv

In March we plan to take the HOCF Second Mile Fund above the rim to a whole new level. In partnership with HOCF Board Member JimFerbers leadership team and acilities at the Central Florida YMCA, we will be staging a 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament on March 13142010. The competition will involve boys and girls in ve age divisions (Under 10 to Under 18) rom Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lakand Marion counties. Players rom local high school and youth league teams will compete in pool elimination play on Saturday at YMCbranches in their local neighborhoods. Winning teams will then take the court in the nals on Sunday a ternoon. High school coaches and a

ew surprise guests rom the local pro essional basketball community will be on hand to make this a special event or all involved!Sponsorships and donations rom local individuals and businesses will be our primary source o unds. Proceeds will be used to support ou

Mission: To provide nancial assistance and support to individuals and amilies in Central Florida who have encountered a hardship beyondtheir means and resources.

I you would like to support our e orts in any way or know o someone who may need Second Mile Fund assistance, please eel ree to callone o the Co-Founders o the und, Doug Woodman 407. 399.9277 or Mike McClanahan 407. 496.0199.

Second Mile Funds

Inaugural 3-on-3 Youth BasketballChampionship

By Doug Woodman, Heart o the City Foundation Board Member

ove. Our culture uses the same word to describe our a ection or hamburgers, ootball teams, our mothers,and our spouses. Our society tells us that love is conditional and can be discarded easily. In the Parramorearea o our city, the teen pregnancy rate is nearly 6 times higher than that o greater Orlandos and the state o

Floridas, and the in ant mortality rate is more than double. Most o the students attending the A ter School Out-reach Ministry o FPCO live in the Parramore neighborhoods o Orlandos inner city.

During the month o February, we at the A ter School Outreach Ministry are discussing love, dating, and purityseeking answers to li es and loves struggles through Gods Word. What does God say about love? How does Hedemonstrate love? What does He desire or us, especially in the love department? And what does the Biblesay about sex?

Please be in prayer or our students or Gods Word to be planted in their hearts, or understanding, and orthe courage to make tough decisions. Pray also or our mentors and volunteers as we open the Scriptures and

acilitate truth ul (and sometimes scary) discussions with our students. Lastly, please pray or healing. O ten the deepestscars come rom lost innocence, and lost or distorted love.

There ore, i anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

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Whats LOVE Got To Do With It?By Jenny Arrison, Director of After School Outreach Ministry

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The Usher Ministry Needs YOU!Our church is working hard on becoming the community thatGod wants us to be, and part o that is our ability to welcomeothers in a warm and gracious manner. This is the ministryo our Ushers. Ushers are o ten the rst contact that a per-son has with our church on Sunday morning, and thus a vitalpoint o ministry. I you have a heart or others and a desire tomake our church a warm and welcoming place, please con-sider becoming an usher and contact Larry or Jane McLean [email protected].

Hearing Aid Volunteer Opportunity Volunteers are needed to help with distributing and collect-ing the hearing units in the Sanctuary on Sunday morningsat both services. Volunteers need to arrive 30 minutes be orethe service. Please call Carolyn Tavel at 407.841.2383 or LindaMcCallister at 407.423.3441 x1159.

Congratulations to:Angela and Jim Davis, on the birth o their son, Collins Sam-uel Davis, born December 8, 2009. The proud grandparentsare Katherine and Bob Davis.

Carrie and Brian Williamson on the birth o their daughter,Clara Sue Williamson, born December 26, 2009. Her big sis-ter is Ella and the proud grandparents are Anne and Dick Da-vis.

Tina and Michael Tetrick, on the birth o their son, ZacharyMichael Tetrick, born December 31, 2009.

Katie and Ben Carter, on the birth o their twins, Helena GraceCarter and Logan Christopher Carter, born January 5, 2010.

Stephanie Delia Mixner and Pedro Joshua Rivera, who weremarried January 9, 2010 in the Sanctuary.

Sympathy to:The amily and riends o Helen Rearick, who died November3, 2009.

The amily and riends o Virginia Fletcher, who died Decem-ber 8, 2009.

Cindy and Ted Yost, on the death o her mother, Patricia Pol-lock on December 8, 2009.Mrs. Pollock was the grandmother o Hannah, Patricia, Ste-phen, and Abigail Yost.

Susan and Larry Kreider, on the death o his ather, WarrenKreider, on December 16, 2009. Mr. Kreider was the grand-

ather o Brett (Heather) and great grand ather o Ian, David,and Gabriel Kreider.

Carla and Marvin Hardy, on the death o her ather, BeSchulz, on December 18, 2009. Mr. Schulz is the grand atho Will, Helen, and Sutton Hardy.

The amily and riends o Betty Bates, who died Decem20, 2009.

Vicky and Bryan Williams, on the death o his ather, GeorWilliams, on December 21, 2009. Mr. Williams was the grand

ather o Tyler and Kyle Williams.

Karen and Dan Lynch, on the death o her sister, Amy Daugherty, on December 22, 2009.

Marilyn Livingston, on the death o her mother, Eileen Poisteon December 31, 2009.

Carole McCutcheon, on the death o her ather, Robert Orndo on January 5, 2010.

The amily and riends o Shirley Swint, who died Januar2010.

Polly Brandon, on the death o her husband, Ed Brandon, onJanuary 9, 2010. Mr. Brandon was the ather o Steve (PaBrandon and the grand ather o Katie and Will.

Susan Zwer, on the death o her sister, Sharon Anne Bobik, oJanuary 7, 2010.

December 09 Giving SnapshotDecember 2009 Received Budgeted Surplus/

(Defcit)Dec.OperatingContributions $1,702,952 $1,330,000 $372,952Dec. Estate Gi ts $175,086 $800 $174,286Total Dec. Gi ts $1,878,038 $1,330,800 $547,238

December 2009 YTD Received Budgeted Surplus/(Defcit)

YTD Operating

Contributions $3,773,741 $3,825,500 ($51,759) YTD Estate Gi ts $175,086 $4,800 $170,2 YTD Gi ts $3,948,827 $3,830,300 $118

Line o Credit $0

Immeasurably More Outstanding Balance $3,802,446

IM Dec. Gi ts $258,977IM Fiscal Year-to-date Gi ts $554,749(net o 10% tithe to Missions)

Contact Finance or a ull revenue and expense summary.

News & Notices


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First Presbyterian Church o Orlando106 E. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801The First Presbyterian Columns (USPS 604-040) is publishedonce per month by the First Presbyterian Church. Circulation:3300. (3000 by US Mail, 300 by on-campus distribution).Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, Florida. POSTMASTER:Send address changes to COLUMNS,106 E. Church St. Orlando, FL 32801-3390.2010 First Presbyterian Church o Orlando COLUMNS.

POSTMASTER: Time Sensitive MaterialPlease Deliver by February 6, 2010

106 East Church Street | Orlando, FL 32801407.423.3441 | www.fpco.org

TRADITIONAL SERVICES:Sundays, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.in the Sanctuary

GENESIS (CONTEMPORARY)SERVICES:

Sundays, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.in Lee Fellowship Hall

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ORLANDO, FL

IMMEASURABLY MORE.Finishing StrongBy David D. Swanson, Senior Pastor

It is hard to believe that it was our years ago that our church embarked on the Immeasurably More Campaign or the utureo our church. Launched on Palm Sunday in 2006, the our-year campaign comes to a conclusion on Palm Sunday 2010.Looking back, we celebrate what God has done; indeed, it has been immeasurably more than even we thought. We havereduced the debt rom near $15 million to $3 million, and in the process, reduced our interest expense by $1 million per year.That money is now reed or the ministry o Christ!

In addition, we have given away 10% o what we have received, resulting in gi ts o $900,000 to ve mission causes locallyand around the world, with still more mission dollars yet to distribute in the coming months. Just as those who witnessed thework o Christ in Acts, I have been amazed and thank ul.

Even so, we must also recognize that we need to nish well. Any endeavor done in the name o Christ should be done withall diligence and excellence, and the Immeasurably More Campaign should be no di erent. We have put together a conclud-

ing strategy that will bring the campaigns conclusion to the ore ront next month, we are inviting those yet to ul lltheir pledge to do so in this calendar year, and we are working to engage the 1300 new memberswho have joined our church since the campaign launched in 2006. I am praying that this Body, in2010, can celebrate the elimination o our debt. To do so, God will have to do immeasurablymore, so please join me in ervent prayer towards that end. Youll hear more details in the u-ture, but wanted to let you know, in part, what lies ahead. To God be the glory!

fpco columns - february 2010

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