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A Publication of First Christian Church of the Beaches (Disciples of Christ) ISSUE OCTOBER 2015

TIDAL WAVE

THIS ISSUE: WELCOMING A NEW PASTOR

Ever wonder how to best welcome

a new pastor?

ELDER’S CORNER The Reverend Don R. Lynn shares

his morning prayer regimen

BLUE ANGELS & PICNIC What a great way to watch the

Blue Angels! Read about this fun

outdoor day coming up!

PASTORAL PONDERINGS Some parting thoughts from Pastor

Thom’s brief time with us.

BOARD HAPPENINGS Sylvia Osewalt shares the latest

from the Official Board.

THE WAVERIDER Please see the Waverider section

for Youth and Children’s events

10 Ways to Welcome a New Pastor

1. Pray for him daily. Truly, there is no greater comfort for a pastor than to

know people are praying for him.

2. Love and honor his family. This includes helping them acclimate to the

community. Especially if there are still children at home, they will need

more family time at home, not less. The family is stretched and stressed

out of their comfort zone and pulled in many directions. Let his family time

be honored as much as his church time.

3. Tell him your name … again. And again. And again, if necessary.

Learning names may be the hardest thing a new pastor has to do. Give

him ample time to learn yours.

4. Don’t gossip about him. If you don’t understand something … ask. Be

very careful not to propagate misunderstandings. Be a positive voice for

the future. Stop gossip and rumors as soon as you hear them.

5. Speak encouragement. Say, “Pastor, I’m here to help.” And mean it.

6. Introduce him to other leaders. In the church and in the community, it

is helpful if the pastor knows the influencers whom he will likely encounter

during his ministry. The earlier, the better.

7. Let him set his pace. It will take a while for him to figure out his stride.

Give him your understanding during this time. He may not make every

visit you want him to make. He may not place priority where you think it

needs to be placed. Let him set the pace for any new changes.

8. Don’t offer a million suggestions. There will be time for that, but he

needs time to learn the church. Most likely you’re already doing lots of

things … some good and maybe some not so good. Let him learn who

you are as a church before you fill his head with too many new ideas.

9. Don’t prejudge. He will make mistakes. Don’t hold a previous pastor’s

mistakes against him. Don’t assume that he will perform a certain way.

He may. He may not.

10. Extend the honeymoon. Honestly, it usually seems too short anyway.

He needs time to acclimate. He needs time to learn you and the church.

Keep loving and supporting him. If God brought him there, God wants to

use him there. Let God do as God intended.

Re-printed from ChurchLeaders.com. All rights reserved http://www.ronedmondson.com

http://www.ronedmondson.com/

Elder’s Corner WHAT IS YOUR MORNING PRAYER?

By Rev. Don R. Lynn

There are mornings, when I plant my feet on the floor, going from a horizontal position to a vertical one,

when my heart is full of praise and I have the heart of the psalmist who wrote, “I will praise you, my God

the king; I will praise your name for ever and ever.” There are other mornings, when getting out of bed I

offer my God my more frequent prayer, “Lord, save me from me today.” Then, there are those more

thoughtful sunrises where I am more reflective in my rising. On one of those more mindful getting-up

mornings, I came upon a written prayer located on page 461 in my copy of the Book of Common Prayer,

which reads as follows: “This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready,

Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit

quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make

these words more than words, and give me the spirit of Jesus.” Perhaps the words of prayer that ought

forever to be in my heart are those last six words, “give me the spirit of Jesus.” You too?

Thank You HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW MEDIA SCREEN? A media screen has been

purchased and installed at the youth bulletin board in Fellowship Hall in

memory of Billy Hernandez. Billy loved all of the children of our church and

the family expressed that love through designating the memorial monies

given in Billy's memory to the youth ministry. As a way to keep our church

family and the youth updated, the media screen will scroll through pictures

of youth and their events and also provide information and announcements for any upcoming youth

activities. We thank the Hernandez family and those who contributed to the memorial gift. Billy was such

a sweet, special member of our family and is truly missed. We love you, Pat, and hope that each time you

pass by the bulletin board, you will smile and know that you and Billy are loved and cherished by our

youth. With appreciation, Pastor Chris, Kathy and the Teens in Motion youth ministry.

Iron Disciples

Pastor Chris is looking for motorcycle riders to start a Motorcycle Ministry "Iron

Disciples" at First Christian Church of the Beaches. In October we will have a "Blessing

of the Bikes" on Saturday the 10th at 10:30am for the upcoming Biketoberfest rally in

Daytona. We will meet in the church parking lot for these events. I am very excited to

ride with our Iron Disciples in the upcoming months and I hope you will reach out to your

family and friends that have bikes and invite them to join us in this ministry to the biking

community. Blessings.

CHRISTIAN WOMEN’s FELLOWSHIP by Betty Chinnis Christian Women’s Fellowship will be meeting October 27th at 10:00AM. Our speaker will be Marty Clark,

Training Specialist/Parent Educator for Children’s Home Society. She will be speaking on Using Reality

Babies in Parenting Education. All ladies of the church are invited. Please come and bring a friend.

Operation Christmas Child - Shoebox Ministry -It's time to start planning for this year's Operation

Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan's Purse and FCCB's Christian Women's Fellowship. Last year

we sent more than 100 Christmas Shoeboxes to children around the world. Starting in October, we will

have plastic shoeboxes available in the Fellowship hall for $1.00 each. Flyers and packing information will

also be available. The filled Shoeboxes must be returned by mid-November. We challenge every church

family to fill at least one box for children, in the U.S. and around the world who otherwise would have no

Christmas at all.

Sale of RADA Cutlery -The Fall Fundraiser for Christian Women's Fellowship is the sale of RADA

cutlery...a superior, made in America product. RADA cutlery makes an excellent gift for Christmas,

weddings, etc. All funds raised support CWF programs and local charities.

Orders will be taken in the Fellowship hall in October and November, for delivery before Christmas.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION by Pammie Mangine Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There is a song that I remember learning from my grandmother and mother it is Where He Leads Me I will

Follow.... I sing it proudly with a little chest thumping. Yesterday (Sunday) the Holy Spirit brought a lot of

memories to me. Have I always gone where He leads or do I go where I want to serve? I was reading in

Psalm 78:6 that we are to teach the next generations about God and His love so that they may teach the

next generations. It is our calling as God's ambassadors to teach, mentor, set an example and especially

love not only our own children but children of our church. Do we know their names, do we know the

activities that we offer them and do we offer to be involved with the children and those activities? Elders,

deacons, and lay people how involved are you? How accountable are you to God for the gifts he has given

you? Please do not wait to be asked, come and share your gifts with not only the children but where God

is calling you to serve.

New class starting: October 6th at 7pm "Love to Stay". This is a couple’s class on building relationships

to last. Your leader will be Pastor Chris. It will be held in Room 203.

Dear God, help us to remember we are called to follow where You lead us and that You will equip us for

what You call us to do. Help us remember that no matter how long we have served you we can still serve

where the Holy Spirit calls us. I pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen

LIBRARY NEWS by Linda White Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books

he reads." The collection of George Mills' spiritual books has been generously donated to our library by

his wife, Betty. As I processed the books, I gained a deeper understanding of this dear friend through his

selections. There were times when I could hear his voice as I held his books. Notable among the offerings

is a forty-year old, worn copy of Gillies' Guide to Home Prayer Meetings and My Money and God. Inspiring

titles include Love Walked Among Us - Learning to Love Like Jesus, by Paul Miller, Joyce Meyer's The

Word, The Name, The Blood, John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life, and Knowing God by Name by David

Wilkerson. For those who love history, Edwin Mullins' Cluny is a story of the ruins of the largest abbey

every built. Located in France, it was the spiritual heart of Europe until it was destroyed after the French

Revolution. God's Promises for the American Patriot is filled with meaningful quotes and devotions for our

military.

Look for these titles and others on the display table during October.

Have a blessed read, Linda White

NOTES FROM NANCY by Nancy Barrett This month we are trying to remember to count our blessings, and not worry about what tomorrow brings.

We know God has us in His hands.

We have certainly been blessed with Pastor Thom as our Intentional Interim pastor.

He is a spirit-filled man and we have been fortunate to have had him in our midst. We will miss him

stopping by our choir room door on Sunday morning.

We know God has plans for him as he leaves our church. We all pray his shoulder surgery is successful,

the therapy bearable, and the recovery complete.

Calling all VETERANS!

Sunday, November 8th the Chancel Choir and congregation will honor all Veterans in the 9:00 service by

singing the song associated with your branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. We hope you will join us.

Additionally, let us know who would like to have their name added to our Veterans Honor Board. Please

let the church office know your name, rank and dates of service, wars, etc. The cost is $5. Don Peters is

ordering them now that Sandee Rouse moved.

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY by Pat Hernandez I have never felt that we have done enough for our armed forces. Our S.A.M. meeting in September

enlightened me just a little. Denis Olivero, an ex-marine, who served in Iraq, from flying planes to riding in

a tank. He gave us heartwarming information about "The K-9's for Warriors" and how it helps our men and

women. He brought his dog, Winchester, and his assistant, Sherri Duvall. These dogs are very

instrumental in rehabilitating our men coming back home and they help, many times, in keeping them from

taking their lives. I could go on and on, but please ask one of our members to tell you "the rest of the

story." We are thinking about scheduling a trip there in Nocatee. You don't want to miss it.

We have an interesting meeting October 1st with Diane Pike introducing her doctor, Dr. Carrigan, a

Neurologist, talking about her stroke and strokes in general. Alice Pinner will be our Hostess and Pat

Hernandez will give us our devotion. Bring your casserole, rolls, dessert to share and we will be meeting

the same time at 10:30 a.m. in the large fellowship hall.

Board Happenings by Sylvia Osewalt September 20th was a very busy day for us. Our prospective Senior Pastor preached all 3 sermons and

fellowshipped with the congregation after each service. The Board of Elders, Personnel Committee and

Official Board met that evening. The Pastor Search Committee recommended to each group the calling of

the “prospective” Senior Pastor as our next Senior Pastor. Each group unanimously approved the Pastor

Search Committee recommendation and the Board voted to send the recommendation to the congregation

for a vote. The Congregational Vote was held September 27th. The congregation voted in favor and

extended the call to the “prospective” Senior Pastor, which he enthusiastically accepted.

The Cuba mission trip is getting closer and is tentatively scheduled for 4-8 December 2015. There are

currently about 9 people interested in going. We will fly out of Tampa. Visas are required and will be

obtained by the charter company. If your Passport has less than 6 months on it, please renew it now as

they will not accept passports with less than 6 months remaining. Costs will be provided soon. Contact

Paul Robbins or Pastor Thom if you are interested in going on this trip. We ask your continued prayers for

our fellow church in Cuba.

The new governance structure is coming together. The latest draft of the By-Laws was provided to the

church leadership at their respective meetings on September 20, 2015. We will be calling on everyone to

participate in the new governance. We all have Spiritual Gifts that can be used to glorify God, so expect to

be asked to share your Spiritual Gifts as we move forward with this transition. We look forward to a

Congregational Vote sometime in November/December 2015 as we move forward.

Media equipment and software upgrades that support our worship services have been ordered and we

look forward to starting configuration, installation and training within the next couple of weeks. Thanks Jack

Young and Jack Garnett for all your hard work in making this happen. We need volunteers willing to learn

the multi-media position to provide this vital function at our worship and memorial services. Now is the best

time to learn –as we upgrade our equipment you can learn the new system!!! Please contact Jack Garnett,

Worship Ministry Head if you are willing to assist in this job.

The work on the lady’s restroom continues. It is a work in progress and should be completed soon. Thanks

to the ladies who headed this up and to Gary Grider and Bob Meador for their hard work in making it

happen.

Thank you all again for your faithful stewardship walk. You all continue to share your time, talents and

financial gifts back to the service of the awesome God we serve!!! We so much appreciate that.

The Jacksonville Campus Ministry is looking for Board members from the congregations and

denominations in Northeast Florida. Our congregation is a supporter of the Campus Ministry and we have

had members who previously served on the board. If you would like to serve on the Board, contact me or

Pastor Thom for info.

The North Florida District is now meeting at the Florida Christian Center on Edgewood Avenue. They meet

the 3rd Thursday of January, March, September, and November and the general assembly is held for all

congregations in May at different churches. Don Peters is our representative and we are allowed two. If

you think you might be interested in serving as one of our representatives, please contact Sylvia or Don.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at 249-7650 or any Board member. There is

a list of the Board Members and the description of each Ministry posted on the bulletin board next to the

soft drink machine. This should help you understand what each Ministry does and who is responsible for

that ministry.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS by Thom Gibson Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you. Typically, in my last newsletter column, I have expressed my deep and heartfelt

gratitude to the congregation I’d served. I do want to say, “Thank you.” But (Hopefully, you will remember

this small conjunction to be one of my favorite English words), I want to commend you not only for the

welcome and prayerful support I have received as your “Intentional Interim Senior Pastor,” but also for the

depth of your congregational character.

Long will I remember and cherish how deeply prayer is engraved upon your hearts and your collective will

as a community of faith. You are Christ’s church and seek to serve Him. You are as likely to pray at the

drop of a hat as you are to breathe. I regret that my ministry has not been seamless. Nevertheless, I

anticipate your next permanent pastor will quickly establish himself and become an asset to the church as

well as the greater beach community.

Dona and I have appreciated your prayers and genuine interest in the welfare of our family. Going forward,

we will covet your continued prayers. As the former marketing slogan of the Virginia Slims used to say,

“You’ve come a long way, Baby…” You have. And you will. May the Lord God bless and keep you, now

and always. Thank you. Peace. In Christ,

Thom t Dr. Thom C. Gibson

Philippians 4:13

SCOUT NEWS by Barre Barrett

Pack 40 Cub Scouts

The pack completed a successful round-up of new scouts from Jacksonville Beach Elementary and Abess

Elementary schools. A service project was successful cleaning up on the beach in front of the church.

The Pack is currently in a fund raising project selling 2016 Calendars. Watch for the scouts at church.

The Pack website is http://beachpack40.com and has been updated with some new features.

Den meetings are at 6:30 1st,3rd, and 4th Mondays.

October 9-11 is the camping trip for the month. The Pack will be camping at Sebastian Inlet, Long Point

Park. October 12 is the monthly Pack meeting at FCCB, 6:30 pm.

Troop 40 Boy Scouts

Troop meetings are every Tuesday at 7 pm at FCCB.

Special Needs Camporee October 16-18 at Camp Echokatee in Orange Park.

http://beachpack40.com/

MONTH of OCTOBER

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SERVING SCHEDULE for OCTOBER

ELDERS DEACONS

8am Lydia Porter Ruth Forrest & Dendy Pappas

9am Paul Robbins

Brandy Hibbard David & Linda White

Justin Lefkove & Linda Mahoney

11am Brandy Hibbard Connie Wendt

Mayan Skenes & Dendy Pappas Kristie Reeves & Debi Rogers

DINNER MENU FOR OCTOBER

7 OCT Spaghetti and meatballs, Garlic Toast, Salad Bar, & Jean Donnell's Coconut Cake

14 OCT Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, Egg Rolls, Salad Bar & Apple Turnovers

21 OCT Shrimp and Ham Jambalaya, Rice, Cornbread, Salad Bar & Bananas Foster

28 OCT Shepherd’s Pie, Corn Niblets, Biscuits, Salad Bar & Pumpkin Pie with Ice Cream

If you require a visit from the Pastor, please call the Church at (904) 246-2010

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for OCTOBER

01 10:30AM SAM

04 7:30AM Disciple Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

05 6:30PM Search Committee Meeting

06 11:30AM Bible Study with Pastor Thom

6:30PM Bible Study with Reverend Lynn

7:00PM Couples Class with Pastor Chris

07 5:30PM Fellowship Supper

6:30PM Bible Study, Choir, Crochet, Youth


13 11:30AM FINAL Bible Study with Pastor Thom





15 PASTOR THOM’s LAST DAY

16 7:00PM MOVIE NIGHT – “Flywheel”

18 5:00PM Elders Meeting

6:30PM Board Meeting


20 6:30PM Bible Study with Reverend Lynn




25 10:00AM COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE

11:15AM Blue Angels Air Show & Picnic


27 10:00AM CWF





DR. THOM GIBSON, INTENTIONAL INTERIM SENIOR PASTOR CHRIS HOPKINS, ASSOCIATE PASTOR

LESLIE HALE, OFFICE MANAGER SYLVIA OSEWALT, CHAIR OF BOARD

CAROL ANN WOMBLE, VICE CHAIR OF BOARD WENDY DAVIS, SECRETARY OF BOARD JOHN JOLLY, TREASURER OF BOARD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

October 2 Barre Barrett October 7 Billie Womble October 9 Jane Broll October 10 Fritz Horn October 14 Sharon Reimann Chuck Duran October 15 Jennifer Lyons October 16 Joy Casino October 24 Adrienne Hibbard October 29 Pammie Mangine October 31 Sarah Bledsoe Ruth Stiehl

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY October 16 Jim & Sarah Bledsoe

Christmas Dinner for the Homeless To be and to share the good news of Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps "to the ends of

the earth." (Acts 1:8)

To everyone who has participated in the Christmas Dinner for the Homeless, thank you for your generosity.

Thank you for the gift of your time and money. Everyone who has participated has been blessed by the

experience.

Please look for Debi Rogers in the Fellowship Hall during coffee hour during the month of October to sign up

to be a volunteer for our next dinner which is Saturday, December 5th, 2015. This will be our third year hosting

the Christmas homeless dinner. The first two years we have averaged fifty homeless guests. This year our

goal is to have one hundred guests. If you have volunteered in the past we have had more than enough

volunteers, but we need you this year more than ever. Thank you in advance.

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, but you invited

me into your home. Matthew 25:35

And the King will tell them, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,

you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:40

Prayer: Dear God, help us discover how we might tend to the physical and spiritual needs of the people around

us. Amen

Movie Nights If you haven’t been making it to Movie Night, you’ve been missing out on some really good movies. Our last

screening was “Where Hope Grows.” The message in this movie was awesome. It was a great story of

redemption and understanding.

October’s movie, “Flywheel,” is about a dishonest used car salesman who decides to become

the salesman that God wants him to be - with surprising results. Jay Austin wants to sell used

cars in the worst way…and that’s exactly how he does business at his dealership. Promising

much more than he can ever deliver, he’ll do whatever it takes to sell a car. His manipulative

ways span all of his relationships – even his wife and son know they can’t trust him. But as

Jay works on restoring a classic convertible, he begins to see that God is working on restoring

him as well. Coming face-to-face with the reality of how he truly conducts himself, Jay Austin

begins the ride of his life as he commits to honoring God with his business, his relationships, and his life!

Prayer Requests Ashlee Leepart, Barry Stevenson, Betty Mills, Betty Tucker’s son -Frank, Bill Rouse, Billy Womble, Bob Banks,

David White, Deborah Zarandi, Diana Lain, George Gallie, George Huff, Hazel Twitty, Iglesia Evangelica

Bethel, In Varadero, Cuba, Jack Reinhart, Jay Kirkley, Jeff Waldrop, Jerry & Sarah Terrell, Jim Cunningham,

John Rappold, Josh Kerschner, Josh Terrell, Kathy Bailey, Laurie Jones, Lee McClure, Leia Morgan, Marga

Freeman, Mary Kessler, Mary Mangine, Megan Chapman, Meredith Broner, Mike Cobb, Military & their

Families, Olive Calhoun, Pastor Elizabeth Martell, Pastor Jose’ Manuel Martell, Pastor Thom Gibson, Ruth

Stiehl, School Teachers, Shirlee James, Ted & Sue Wallman, The Brewer Family, The Harman Family, The

Miles Family, The Scott & Broner Families, The Search Committee, Vann Barrett, Wimpy Sutton, Yvonne

Byars

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