may 2011 link newsletter

8/2/2019 May 2011 LINK Newsletter

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

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

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

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

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

John Stewart

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

Assembling .................................Dorothy Dec

Judith Simonin, Joyce Gauntt, Kay Dahl

Eleanor Hayesmore, Carol Primm, Pat

Roselle Pringle

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

Greetings Easter People,

I want to thank everyone who made our Lenten

and Easter seasons a wonderful worship experi-ence! I was truly moved by our Lenten Wednes-

day services and the times we gathered for wor-

ship during Holy Week.

Now that we have journeyed through Lent andgiven witness to the Resurrection, I have been

reflecting on our times together and wonderinghow those days, those worship services, the

message of Jesus life, death and the cross have

changed me? Have the events of Easter

changed me or transformed me in any way, or

are they just events on a calendar we have to

celebrate because we call ourselves Christian?

So how am I, how are we, being transformed?How are we being changed by Jesus words and

his life, and how are we transforming the world?

This months Act scriptures talk about what the

disciples did after Jesus. The scriptures talk

about how the disciples, and others, went out

and shared how Jesus transformed their lives. By

doing so they are following the charge by Jesusto Go and disciple... to teach to tell the sto-

ries to live the life Jesus taught them to live.Where are we doing this? Is Easter a transfor-

mative event in our lives and faith, or just an-

other guilt trip to come to church? If Easter is to

have any meaning for us, and transformative

affect upon us, then we have to live differently.Easter has to make a difference in the way we

live, treat others, and treat creation otherwise

we cannot call ourselves Easter People.

Let us all follow Jesus charge. Lets all be likethe Disciples and go out and share, in actions

and words, how Jesus has transformed our lives.Lets be the Easter people we claim to be

risen and transformed!

Great Easter Blessings,


2/12

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Fort King Presbyterian Church

Financials Effective 3/31/12

Monthly 2011 Delta

Budget ActualMar2012

DeltaBudget- Actual

Budget ActualJan Mar

2012

DeltaBudget -Actual

MarActual

2012 YTD-2011YTD

Income

Estimateof Giving

22,297 20,380 (1,918) 66,892 80,318 13,426 77,655 2,663

MortgageReduction

0 125 125 0 450 450 1,615 (1,165)

OtherIncome

0 825 825 0 13,084 13,084 27 13,057

TotalIncome

22,297 21,330 (968) 66,892 93,852 26,960 79,297 14,554

TotalExpense

21,641 29,116 7,475 64,924 70,074 5,151 79,109 (9,035)

NetSurplus/Deficit

656 (7,787) (8,443) 1,968 23,777 21,809 189 23,589

Year-To-Date

Endowment 0 0 0 0 0 0 40,118 (40,118)

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Mortgage Reduction Celebration

Lets celebrate! The Finance Ministry is excited to report that we have been able to pay off our second mort-gage early. In twenty-six short months you helped pay off the churchs second mortgage of $33,500. This isgreat news and we give thanks to God for making this happen so quickly. By removing this monthly mortgagepayment from our budget we have been able to free up funds for other areas of ministry.The work is not done yet. The Finance Ministry would like to encourage people to complete their pledge andcontinue to give to the mortgage reduction fund so we can pay down, and more quickly pay off the main mort-gage of the church. By reducing our debt we increase our opportunities to serve and reach out to our commu-nity.


3/12

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CONGREGATIONAL CARE

May Birthdays

Picnic by the Bridge

Come to Picnic by the Bridge on May 6th following worship service. Bring a snlunch and enjoy this time of intergenerational fun and fellowship.

Congregational Care Ministry Meeting

The next Congregational Care Ministry meeting will be at 6:00 p.m., on May 6th at Joan Woohome.

Re-Name ContestWe are happy to announce that "Disaster Preparedness" is looking for a new name. The current tis a bit scary for some folks. Therefore, "Fuzzy" has taken on the responsibility of heading up a conto rename this system of nurturing care, in the event of an emergency; such as a major weatevent. Please, be thinking of a name that explains and is user friendly. Fuzzy knows that we ha creative church family. There will be a prize for the winning name.


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CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)

Earth Care Matters

When it comes to trees, poet Joyce Kilmer(1886-1918) said it best:

Amen to that. Trees provide beauty and shade. Their leaves absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen actually improving air quality, getting rid of pollutants, the blight of city living.

And now at Fort King Presbyterian were seeing trees in a whole new light. As an Earth Care Congregationwe are asked to incorporate trees into our worship plans and so we have a small magnolia tree aboutready to burst into bloom was planted on Easter Sunday as part of the Grayson Vowinkel family baptismcelebration. A first! This new child of God and the tree will grow up together.

In the near future some of the aging pine trees around the church will get removed and be replaced by oaktrees.

And in the Kenny Orme Memorial Garden, Buddy MacKay plans to bring a few red buds from his gardento plant for shade in the future.

Three cheers for trees! In their own quiet, leafy way, they bring balance to our urban environment and se-renity to our souls. And it is a comfort to plant trees for the future.

Honor Teachers - Coming Soon

June 3rd will be a time to recognize all the teachers that have given their timeto Fort King this year! We will have a congregational covered dish breakfastin the Fellowship Hall beginning at 9:15 a.m. Please take the time to thankthese teachers - Adult - Youth - Children for the time they have spent teach-

ing classes this year. Please bring your favorite breakfast dish (casseroles, bagels, fruit, donuts, etc.) at 9:15a.m. on June 3rd. A brief program will follow to honor these teachers.

Trees

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earths flowing breast;A tree that looks at God all day,And lifts her leafy arms to pray;A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.Poems are made by fools like me,But only God can make a tree.

DISCIPLESHIP

4


5/12

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DISCIPLESHIP

Adult Discipleship for May, 2012

The month of April saw the end of one of the two Adult Discipleship classes that began last February. The classled by Rhea (Ray) Forman wrapped up its study of the Kerygma resource book, Listening to Scripture: Strategies

for Interpreting the Bible. Even though Rhea left as planned in mid-April, the class members decided to completethe study on their own. This is an eloquent testimony to Rheas leadership.

The second Adult Discipleship class under the leadership of Rabbi Tom McNeil has completed its study ofUnderstanding the World in Which Jesus of Nazareth Lived. This class will continue into the summermonths focusing on some of the parables of Jesus.

A special session will be held on May 13 with guest speaker, attorney William Kalish. Mr.Kalish is a shareholder and leads the Tax Group of the Tampa Office of Akerman, Senterfitt, alaw firm of over 500 attorneys. His practice is concentrated in the areas of corporate and taxplanning, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, heath care and tax controversies.

Law is not his only interest. Jewish education, knowledge and practice are steeped in Mr. Kalish through familygenerations of commitment toward these values. He has practiced his faith since birth. Mr. Kalish has taughtchildren at Sunday school as well as adult education classes at synagogues and churches, and is a frequent lec-turer on law related subjects as well as Bible classes on Old and New Testament.

Mr. Kalish will be offering a Jewish perspective on some of the parables of Jesus. This is a unique opportunityfor anyone interested in a deeper understanding of Jesus and his ministry. Mark your calendars for May 13.

The Adult Discipleship Ministry team would like to express its appreciation to Rhea and Tom for their willing-

ness to devote a considerable amount of time incorporating their many talents in preparing for these sessions.

You have enriched our efforts to live as followers of Jesus. Thank you, Rhea and Tom!

Reserve the Date Now Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is just around the corner...mark your calendars for June 24 -28, 2012! We have a great VBS planned for this year titled "Clean Water for All

God's Children." What a perfect theme for Fort King as we move forward with thechurch's plan as an "Earth Care Congregation." Melanie Marsh will be the VBS Di-rector with Niki Tripodi as Assistant Director. Our VBS will include classes for all

ages - the adults have a treat in store as Lucy Tobias is recruiting exciting guest speakers for each night. We willbegin with the tradition of a full dinner each evening at 5:30 p.m., followed by classes and recreation.

Registration will begin the first Sunday in June (6/3), with June 17th being the deadline. The cost for the en-tire five days will be $25 for adults, $12.50 for children through 5th grade, and free to children under 5. Thiscost is only for dinner - people are welcome to come after dinner at no cost. See you there!


6/12

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What Do You Think?

We would like your feedback on articles that appear in the Link, for example, Andys article or Toms arti-cle. Ask us your questions; tell us where you agree; and tell us where you disagree. We will print your opin-

ion in this new editorial section.

Submit your feedback to [email protected] or bring your article into the Church Office by the 15th ofthe month to get published in the following months Link. We would love to have you participate!

Presbyterian WomenCircles

All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all the activities of Presby-terian Women. Esther Circle will meet on May 14th at Anne Hills home at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a saladto share. Deborah Circle will meet on May 15th at 10:00 am in the Session Room.

In September, we will begin a new study, Dispatches to Gods Household: The General Epistles. These let-ters were meant to inspire and comfort the faithful in first-century Asia Minor, and they continue to speak tous today as we grapple with how to live in a community as disciples of Christ. It will teach us what it means

to live in a community and what it means to belong to the household of God.

Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Center

Thank you to the congregation for all the donations you have provided for the Domestic Violence Rape Cri-sis Center. Please continue to place your contributions in the box in the Narthex. Presbyterian Womenhave made individual tote bags filled with toiletries for the women that come into the Rape Crisis Center.

Church-wide Picnic

Thanks to the congregation that participated in our 2nd Annual Church Picnic. The turnout was great, thefood was marvelous, and fun was had by all!!! Thanks to all Presbyterian Women that made this event possi-ble.

Mens Night Out

Mens Night Out will meet on Monday, May14th at 6:30 p.m., at Michael OHerns home.Please call Michael at 426-6955 to R.S.V.P.

EDITORIALEDITORIALEDITORIALEDITORIAL

GROUP ACTIVITIESGROUP ACTIVITIESGROUP ACTIVITIESGROUP ACTIVITIES

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7/12

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GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)

Card Making Ministry

Come 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 this group.

Crafts Group

Please join the Crafts Group on Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. We work on individual projects and joint projects.

Sassy Seniors

The Sassy Seniors meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Mays luncheonwill be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9th at Horse and Hound.

SESSIONSESSIONSESSIONSESSION

Session NotesApril 19, 2012

CelebrationsLenten Wednesdays were very successful. A total of $870 was raised by the Empty Bowl project for ASP.Pat Merrills sister and 2 cats made it here from Hilo, Hawaii without any problems.A new facilitator and retreat chair have been selected for the Womens Retreat. Chris Berryhill will head

the retreat committee. Becca Gillespie will be the facilitator.Jodi Lawson will be attending Berry College, a Christian school, in Georgia.Easter was joyous! Hallelujah!Thirteen children attended Sunday School on Palm Sunday.Three baptisms were performed this month. New traditions of note cards and tree plantings were started.

MotionsMotion to approve Carole DeLucian to assist with the budget.Motion to transfer the memberships of Roger and Audrey Counts to North Lake Presbyterian Church in

Lady Lake.Motion to approve Lisa Sapp, Margaret Spontak, Jean Henning, Lucy Tobias, Alan Youngblood, and

Cynthia Barnett to lead the Adult VBS classes.


8/12

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WORSHIPWORSHIPWORSHIPWORSHIP

Something To Think AboutLeviticus 25

The Land-Sabbatical Year and Jubilee Save The Land

The whole ofLeviticus 25 ought to be read because of its meaning and significance for us. A basic review:v.1: - Yahweh/God spoke to Moses at Mt. Sinai.: This is the Word of God, which means: obey.

- The land shall have a Sabbath, not just the 7th day each week is a Sabbath for man, but every7th year is a Sabbath for the land that rests for one year: The land shall have a year of ceasing! (v. 5)v.6ff.: - Leases of land for farming were to be returned once every 50 years (theJubilee year) to theancestral state;

- Property cannot be sold in perpetuity, nor can land be flipped to make a profit; and,- During a land-sabbatical year, the yield is to be shared with all others, both landowners and the

landless paupers are to be on an equal footing (Plaut Torah 855)!

Leviticus 25 also deals with the insecurity of not enough food for a year God will provide; city properties, etc.;but more particularly with the relationship of an Israelite who is in a position to buy another Israelite becausehe lost everything. Note this: You shall not have him work a slaves work; he shall be like an employee youshallnot dominate him (see Genesis 1:28) with harshness (v. 43 and 46). The underlying theme is: Rememberyou were slaves in Egypt.

The whole of Leviticus 25 stresses that God/Yahweh is Lord, not man; man is a steward of the land and abrother to his fellow Israelite and to a foreigner in the land who has fallen on hard times; Man is not themaster. Historical evidence and analysis shows clearly that Leviticus 25 was a document constructed by Templepriests in the second century BCE, i.e. during the times of Maccabean independence and the creation of the

Qumran sect. It is a fact that Julius Caesar exempted Palestinian Jews from certain taxes during sabbatical years.We know this from both Roman and Jewish literatures. It is a fact that this legislation was constructed with bothsocial and ecological concerns in mind; the priestly legislation was intended to be an exceptional act of gracebecause it gave impetus to a democratic society. The lands Sabbath shall be yours for food: for

* you* your servant* your maid* your employee* your visitor* domestic animal, and* wild animal.

To celebrate land-Sabbath was to be a holy thing to you! (v. 12). And, even if an Israelite is in a position toboss another Israelite, Lev. 25:43 and 46 are very clear: You shall not dominate him, i.e. rule over ruth-lessly.Nevertheless, the Jubilee law was the proposal of a high-minded theorist whose notions were admirable but im-practical (Plaut Torah 857). Fascinating!


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Yes, there were and are problems:A. A land-sabbatical was declared every seventh year times seven = a total of 49 years. On the50th year, was aJubilee land-Sabbath. This means years #49 and #50 would be land sabbaticals, i.e.for two years! It was difficult enough to scrape by for one year; but for two?

B. Land-sabbatical laws were designed for agricultural communities. What about fishermen, tax-collectors, city-dwellers? How would land-sabbaticals work in cities? Sorry, no answers.C. The Lord said to Moses: Indeed!

1) Land-sabbatical law was first developed during the Maccabean period of the 2nd and 1stcenturies BCE. The priests of Jerusalem thought they could muster allegiance of the people bysaying that Yahweh told Moses. This is anachronistic.2) Land-sabbatical law, which expressed both concern for ecology and for human rela-tionships, especially in hard times, still is top-down legislation:

* theres only one way to modify and control human behavior: the Word ofGod! And,* it is not by ones personal choice/commitment/decision because people arefickle; theyll do nothing of their own accord! People must be told what to do!

Perhaps, but something to think about, especially as we study the debate between scientists, poli-ticians, economists concerning global warming. The 2nd century BCE Jews were responding to bothGreek and Roman rape of human and ecological resources. Do we have the time to be high-minded but impractical? And do we as a community need to have a Word of the Lord legislate tous our behavior and policies?

Yes, theres plenty to think about. We need to stop being passive observers to the debate; the future of life onthis planet is at stake.

Shalom,

Tom

Choir NotesThe Chancel Choir will continue to rehearse on Wednesday nights from 7 to 8:30 through May. Summerrehearsal and robe sabbatical begins the first of June. If you would like to add your voice to ours during thesummer, please come to rehearsal on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.

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


10/12

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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 commemoratespecial event/occasion/memory etc. for a specific date, please call Nancy Hall at 694-3221 as soon as possiblePlease 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 in May through October 2012. If you can providflowers for a date in 2012, please call Nancy Hall. Thank you.

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

May 6, 2012From Sheletha and Joe StrawderMay 13, 2012From Nancy Stephenson in loving memory of her parents, Ted and Violet Wikary

May 20, 2012From John and Jean Stewart in celebration of their 57th wedding anniversaryMay 27, 2012In celebration of our 57th wedding anniversary from Jerry and Pat Merrill

June 3, 2012In memory of our parents, Aleta, Max, and Robert, from the Repp familyJune 10, 2012In celebration of three June anniversaries and three June birthdays from Cash and Gwynn PealerJune 17, 2012From Bernice and Bob Henry in celebration of their 52nd wedding anniversaryJune 24, 2012In honor of our 50th wedding anniversary from Charles and Mary Ellen Vowinkel

July 1, 2012In loving memory of my mother, Ann Patnode and my brother, Edward, from Kay DahlenJuly 8, 2012From Vince and Margaret Spontak in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversaryJuly 15, 2012(This date is taken but the occasion and names will be revealed at a later time)July 22, 2012OPEN

July 29, 2012From Martha Slemmer

August 5, 2012OPEN

August 12, 2012OPEN

August 19, 2012From the Clegornes in honor of the Clegorne family birthdays - sons Nicholas and Patrick andAnthonys mother and father

September 2, 2012OPEN

September 9, 2012From Jack and Sue Harshman in honor of our 60th wedding anniversary

September 16, 2012In celebration of our 65th wedding anniversary from Glendon and Mildred ShankSeptember 23, 2012In loving memory of Julien from Kay DahlenSeptember 30, 2012From Dorothy Roth in loving memory of Merl on their wedding date

October 7, 2012In loving memory of Ken from Shirley and the familyOctober 14, 2012From David and Martha MacKay in celebration of their 27th wedding anniversaryOctober 21, 2012In celebration of their 59th wedding anniversary from Dick and Margy MarshallOctober 28, 2012OPEN


11/12

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1

9:00 Presbytery

Meeting (off-site)

10:00 PrayerShawl

6:00 Evangelism

Ministry

7:00 Discipleship

MinistryChildren

2

4:00 FellowshipMinistry

7:00 Choir Practice

31:00 Crafts

6:00 Worship

Ministry

6:00 - 8:00

Marions United

(FH)7:00 AA (CE)

4 5

5:00The

Dinn

Crew(off-sit

69:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Sunday School

10:00 Choir Practice

10:30 Worship

11:30 Picnic Lunch1:00 Faith

Sojourners

3:00 Financial

Peace

University

5:00 PYC6:00 Congrega-

tional Care Ministry

(off-site)

77:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:30 TOPS (FH)6:00 Mission Ministry

8

6:00 Finance

Ministry

9

10:00 Discipleship

Ministry

Adults

1:00 Sassy Seniors

(off-site)

7:00 Choir Practice

10

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (CE)

11

10:00 Card

Making

Ministry(off-site)

12

13

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Sunday School10:00 Choir Practice

10:30 Worship

1:00 Faith

Sojourners

14

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:30 TOPS (FH)

6:30 Mens Night

Out (off-site)

6:30 Esther Circle

(off-site)

15

10:00 DeborahCircle

16

3:00 Pastoral Care

Team

7:00 Choir Practice

17

1:00 Crafts

6:00 Session

7:00 AA (CE)

18 19

20

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Sunday School

10:00 Choir Practice

10:30 Worship

1:00 FaithSojourners

5:00 PYC

5:00 High Tide

21

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:30 TOPS (FH)

22 23

7:00 Choir Practice

24

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (CE)

25 26

27

2 Cents A Meal and

Food4Kids

Pentecost Offering

9:00 - 11:45 Library

9:15 Sunday School10:00 Choir Practice

10:30 Worship

1:00 Faith

Sojourners

28

OFFICE CLOSED

5:30 TOPS (FH)

29 30

7:00 Choir Practice

31

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (CE)


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FORT KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

13 N.E. 36th Avenue

Ocala, Florida 34470

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may 2011 link newsletter

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