Our Mississippi Family is Fine

Friends, many of you have kindly inquired about the recent destruction in mississippi. Kim's family and mine are safe in their homes. No power but plenty of thanksgiving. Thanks for caring.

The overwhelming pictures and news of this storm can tempt us to forget the personal nature of it for thousands of people. So, I put this together from emails i've received:

Jeffrey Lancaster, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, and his family have lost everything they own. His words, however, were inspiring:

"Pray for us, these are very bizarre times. My life has wildly changed, but my God has not – I’m thankful for our rock."

Mo Leverett, also a PCA minister and friend of many in Christ Community, heads up one of the most effective inner city ministries in America, “Desire Street Ministries”, named after the Desire Street housing project. It is located in Ward 9, which is completely under water and one of the hardest hit areas. Mo and his family are safe, but like Jeffrey, they have likely lost everything they own, and the ministry of Desire Street will have lost everything it owns as well.

Reports are that many Desire Street families are at Twin Lakes Camp outside of Jackson Mississippi. They are there as guests of 1st Presbyterian Church of Jackson.

Katrina and Christ Community

The elders have begun discussions about how we will respond as a congregation to this great tragedy.

For certain we'll be partnering with Faith Presbyterian and perhaps Seven Rivers Presbyterian to send physical relief help, when that time arrives.

Visit here daily for updates.

From Our Mission to North America Disaster Relief Department

MNA - Working Together To Transform North America: "Hurricane Katrina – August 30, 2005 Update

As we continue to follow the news from New Orleans, reports tell us of increasing flooding and loss of life continues to grow. Accordingly, we are realizing the need to respond at a level unlike any previous natural disasters in recent history in North America.

Within the next few days, Mission to North America will gather a group of PCA key leaders from Louisiana and Mississippi to make plans for relief efforts. Mission to the World has also graciously offered to seek involvement from those who normally assist with disaster response overseas.

We seek your active involvement:

Prayer: For those whose family and friends have died in the storms. For those who are left without homes to return to. For all who will have to rebuild their lives and their homes and recover from their losses. For God’s leading to us, as we look for the best ways to serve and to testify of God’s mercy and grace in these difficult times.



Volunteers: Ron and Judy Haynes will coordinate PCA volunteer efforts. Over time, all types of skills and time commitments will be welcome. Please register on the MNA web site, or send an email to rhaynes@pcanet.org, or call them at 636 299 1424.



Financial Donations: we anticipate great financial needs, both for the expenses of relief operations and for direct assistance to PCA families. Please prayerfully consider making a generous financial contribution. Checks should be made to MNA, designated for Hurricane Relief. You may also donate by credit card on the MNA web site, or by sending your credit card donation information in writing to MNA.



Donations of food, clothes, etc: for now, make these kinds of donations to other organizations who are making appeals for them in your area. If we later seek specific types of donations, we will let you know. "

this week's sermon text...& a comment

2 Corinthians 3:12-18: "The word katoptrizesqai, it is true, has a double signification among the Greeks, for it sometimes means to hold out a mirror to be looked into, and at other times to look into a mirror when presented. 23 The old interpreter, however, has correctly judged, that the second of these is the more suitable to the passage before us. I have accordingly followed his rendering. 24 Nor is it without good reason, that Paul has added a term of universality -- 'We all,' says he; for he takes in the whole body of the Church. It is a conclusion that suits well with the doctrine stated previously -- that we have in the gospel a clear revelation from God. As to this, we shall see something farther in the fourth chapter.

He points out, however, at the same time, both the strength of the revelation, and our daily progress. 25 For he has employed such a similitude to denote three things: first, That we have no occasion to fear obscurity, when we approach the gospel, for God there clearly discovers to us His face; 26 secondly, That it is not befitting, that it should be a dead contemplation, but that we should be transformed by means of it into the image of God; and, thirdly, that the one and the other are not accomplished in us in one moment, but we must be constantly making progress both in the knowledge of God, and in conformity to His image, for this is the meaning of the expression -- from glory to glory."

Calvin on 2 corinthians 3-18

2 Corinthians 3:12-18:

from our disaster relief people

Before we move in to help, we have to have contact with our churches to know the damage, to know where we can stage so we can bring in our volunteers.
To volunteer please send email inquiries to rhaynes AT pcanet DOT org
Please be patient as we continue to assess the needs for volunteers.

Words from "Young Adult" Community Group

"There is a new Bible study group starting this week, creatively entitled the "Young Adults Group." We are really excited about the new group - many of us don't know each other well yet, so it is a great time to join. At this point, it looks like we have a nice mix of singles and couples, and a nice variety of ages among "young adults" (by the way, if you think of yourself as a "young adult" then, as far as we're concerned, you are!). We hope this group can be a source of fellowship for many of the young adults in our midst who are either working, grad students, professional students, or others who are no longer part of "student ministries" or who would like a church-based group in addition to their student ministry participation.

For those interested, our first meeting is (and future weekly meetings will be) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. We meet at Rob and Sarah Hamersma's house, 2631 NW 33rd Place (feel free to call us at 352-376-1471 if you need directions) . We'll have dessert first, with some time for chatting and meeting people, and then we'll do our first study. We are going to be studying Nehemiah, using J.I. Packer's book "A Passion for Faithfulness." Since we don't have the books yet, we are going to start out this week by having a discussion of the general story and context of Nehemiah. We've asked people to read or skim the book of Nehemiah so that you can assemble any questions or thoughts that might be helpful in the discussion. We look forward to seeing many of you there!"

The Holy Spirit and the Last Days

article by a great teacher, for those of you spending time on this issue right nowKerux...The Online Journal of Biblical Theology

Market Street Pub Men's Group

will begin meeting again on Tuesday September 6th... Larry Eubanks & billy Crow are contacts for that

I just got this note about KATRINA

Please contact your congregations and ask for volunteers who may be wiling to
go for a few days to the disaster area and volunteer. For those who cannot go
and offer personal aid, please also consider asking for financial contributions
to help the victims and help fund those who can go and transport goods or offer
service. If anyone wants to make financial contributions please encourage them
to make contributions to your churches and then in turn you can send the funds
on to Pinewood PCA but please include a note or clear identification that the
funds are to be used for "Disaster Relief". As you can imagine, one major
expense is going to be fuel cost to transport the goods needed by those in this
disaster. Pinewood already has a trailer loaded with goods that wil be taken
over as soon as the authorities will allow. --from the Disaster Relief committee of The North Florida Presbytery (of which Christ community is a mission)
more later...

Katrina and Youth Workers

In the flurry of people speaking this morning i neglected to pray about Hurrican Katrina. As i write this it seems poised to strike the Miss/La/Alabama coast. Please join me in praying that God would have mercy and that people would be given faith and strength. We will respond in some way. You can keep an eye on this website for ways you can be of help.

http://www.pca-mna.org/disaster%20ministries/disaster.htm


On another note, Christ Community is rich with good people who want to pour into the lives of youth and children. This is a great gift. Pray for their effectiveness and for the word of God to increase in and through our youth and children.

all FRESHMEN are invited to lunch at Lammers

Sunday at Christ Community

Promises to be a wonderful day together. There is Sunday School teacher training at 8:45am in the Media Center (Library).

Small Group Training in Room 11.

At 10am we worship in the theater. CHildren's church will be offered to kindergarten thru grade 2. Older than grade 2? Then you're gonna hear Steve Lammers preaching on Psalm 23.

Club 45 leadership team meets at 5pm at church house.

(Our "normal" sunday schedule returns Sept 11)

A Different Understanding of Friends

Friends, it is clear from Jesus' words in John 15, are those who are loved RATHER than those who love. --BB Warfield, from an amazing article i'm reading called
THE EMOTIONAL LIFE OF OUR LORD

Lewis & Tolkien avoided the "Christian Ghetto"

When C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien decided nobody was writing good children's stories any more, they set out to write the best ones anywhere and they did. It wouldn't have occurred to them to retreat to a default role as "Christian children's book writers." They were both Christians who could write and so they wrote the best stuff they could and brought it to the open market.--Dick Staub

So excited

This fall on sunday mornings i'll be preaching on the person of Jesus. Here's an old hymn that--if read reflectively--can get you excited about dwelling upon our Savior.

1. The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.

2. His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

3. For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

4. I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

5. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

A Yet to be Named Group

is having a BBQ sunday from 1pm until...

Led by Rob & Sarah Hammersma they are inviting all types, particularly post-university twentysomethings.

For more info contact Rob or Sarah at sarah.hamersma AT cba DOT ufl.edu
or rhamersma AT hotmail DOT com

open house 

open house for "church house" was a blast yesterday... thanks to Jason & Mandi Tovey and others who helped! 

Introducing Club 45

A place for 4th and 5th graders to come together monthly to

Learn
Grow
Have fun


AGENDA:
~Boys & Girls Small Group Bible Study
~Games



DATES

September 11th Club 45 4:30-6:30pm

October 9th Club 45

November 13th Club 45

All 2nd Sundays so far

December 11th or 18th, depending on Christmas


Interested in being on the servant/leader team?

Planning Meeting will be Sunday August 28th at 5:30pm—6:30pm at the Church House

Better than coffee?

If you are like me it is difficult to start day w/out the fruit of heaven--coffee! Yet Martin Luther had a good idea:
"In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and say: 'God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen." Further directions follow: say the Apostles Creed, pray the Lord's Prayer. … Then "you are to go to your work joyfully."

I guess this could be done with coffee in hand.

SUNDAY 10am...
Park Far Away
Sit Towards Middle
Expect to receive

You were created for community

In their book Resident Aliens, Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon say that, "American Christians have fallen into the bad habit of acting as if the church really does not matter as we go about trying to live like Christians." I think they present a valid critique of the way many Christians today view their role in the church. The importance of the church in the life of the Christian could scarcely be overestimated. The church forms community that provides the support and authority necessary for individual believers ultimately to be successful in their Christian lives. Those Protestants who downplay the importance of the church may well have taken the Reformation ideal of sola scriptura too far. For while Scripture is the only infallible guide to Christian faith and life, it is clear from those Scriptures that the church is to function as the community which binds believers together into the Body of Christ, and serves as a moral and spiritual authority—though not infallible—in the life of the Christian. It is true that the church—or more precisely, various local congregations—have often failed to function as the community they were intended to be. As a result many believers have felt hurt and absented themselves from that community. While this sort of hurt is understandable as a human response to an imperfect church, it does not excuse those believers who have been hurt from participation in the community. Each of us must continually remind ourselves that we are members of the Body of Christ because of who we are, not because of the benefits we obtain from that membership. Indeed, participation in the community of God is something for which humans were created; to the extent that we do not participate in the community, we fail to fulfill one of the purposes for our existence. And when we do not enjoy the community for which we were created, we are often tempted to look elsewhere for what prove to be poor substitutes.

great question

"Ellis Potter, a Zen Buddhist who became a Christian and a worker at Francis Schaeffer’s Christian retreat center, L’Abri, was fond of posing a thought experiment. Imagine asking ten non-Christians this question: “If you converted to Christianity today, do you think your life would be larger, fuller, richer, more attractive and creative, more involved with the people, circumstances, art, and culture around you? Or do you think your life would be smaller, narrower, more withdrawn, judgmental, and negative, less winsome and creative, less involved with the people, art, circumstances, and culture around you?”" found in an article on the life & music of johnny cash
Johnny Cash: Clouded by Pain, Colored by Grace :

Good News from Mississippi

Redeemer Presbyterian Church: Crossing Racial Divides - byFaith Online

Community

While i've been thinking about spiritual friendship in the recent past... these lines from U2 seem to get at something very true about biblical fellowship.

Tough, you think you’ve got the stuff
You’re telling me and anyone
You’re hard enough

You don’t have to put up a fight
You don’t have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Gathering for Women

tonite at Kelly MacGregor's... to hang out and create note cards & envelopes that are used to make a written contact from the church leadership a bit more unique...

372-5204

The Mark of the Christian - Francis Schaeffer

This is more a booklet than book. Truly perspective-altering.

Called together for a purpose

“Cotton Mather’s idea was to see clusters of believers who ‘would now and then spend half an hour together by themselves, in considering on that question, WHAT GOOD IS THERE TO BE DONE?’. His goal was that every believer be encouraged to develop an eye for human need, to see ‘who is any special adversity; and what shall be done to help “Our union with the Messiah and his desire to continue his earthly ministry by living his life through us are so strong that we may be said to share his three offices of leadership. We are priests as we pray for those near us and draw
them into the sphere of God’s mercy and blessing. We are prophets as we hold a biblicalstraightedge against whatever is crooked around us. And we are kings as we use whatever powers we have to straighten what is crooked, reshaping whatever falls within the scope of our responsibility until it reflects the order of heaven.” --Richard F. Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life, p. 168
19 Serving--Developing Mercy Ministries.pdf (application/pdf Object)

enda da summa

Well, the end of the summer is here. Sunday should be a great day of seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Couple of reminders.

Parking... will be an issue for us for the next months. I want to strongly encourage those who are physically able to park AS FAR AWAY as possible. No martyrs, please. If you are older, handicapped, or with young children... park close... park in the round circle drive that goes around the fountain.

Our 9:00am Sunday School classes are still NOT HAPPENING. They will return, with a tan and a new attitude, on September 11.
I know some of you have special training classes this Sunday. THOSE are on and childcare will be provided.
10:00am worship in the theatre... your arrival in the room by 9:59 would be so wonderfully helpful. Sitting towards the front and middle would be the cherry on top.

Think on this:
You too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ

These People

In my youth I was moving from city to city, going from school to school. I was given gatherings of people to study with, work with, play with--but it was fairly transient. And then it no longer was transient (when my education and preparation were done)---this was it. A congregation, improbably named the people of God. These people, for good or ill, but these people. --Eugene Peterson, on "Community" in the book Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places

The 6 Defeaters

A couple of years ago several young professionals in Manhattan were gathered to create a list. A list that answers the question: What are the main reasons you are not a Christian? After much discussion and pruning, being led by a faithful Christian... they came up with these:

1. There cannot be one religion that is right and the others are wrong.
2. There is too much evil and suffering in the world.
3. Human choice is too sacred. If I yield to any authority outside myself, I feel like I have given up some of what makes me human. I must decide my own ethics.
4. The record of Christians. Crusades, inquisitions, racism, need i go on?
5. I cannot believe in and love a god who demands a blood sacrifice before he can accept me. Sounds like divine child abuse, doesn't it?
6. The bible. An individual or culture embracing the bible's teaching will be regressive. Especially in issues of Race, gender, and sexuality

Do any of these resonate with you? Have you heard similar from your friends, family, co-workers?

When things don't go the way they should,
God always makes them turn for good. --Bill Piper

new community group launching sunday

A community group meeting in the SouthWest starts meeting this sunday evening. Billy & Lorall Crow live just off Archer Road and invite you to come Sunday. Call them with questions 495-3525

Upcoming Open House

Sunday August 21st, immediately after the worship service at Oak Hall... plan to drive to the new church property on Parker Road for an Open House. 8/21/2005

10am tomorrow morning... Lord's Supper together

our 9am hour is still NOT HAPPENING... turn off the tv, read/pray/talk during this "extra" hour you have at home

Quiet Before the Storm

In the next couple of weeks tens of thousands of humans (mostly 18-23) will be coming to Gainesville.

I've been praying that God would make Christ Community and the entire Church of Gainesville would welcome them and seek to be a place of grace and truth during their time in our fair city. Join me.

On that note, ask yourself this question:
"What is stopping me from asking one of these students to join me and my family for lunch?"
If you aren't satisfied with your response, I'd suggest you walk up and issue an invitation. There should be plenty of opportunities beginning August 14.

Sunday

SUnday we'll look at what was happening to make Jesus be sorrowful, even to death.

Then we will eat and drink to celebrate what He accomplished. Please think on this.

ESV Bible Online: Passage: Mark 14:22-42: "�My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.� [2] 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him."

Prayer

on this 1st wednesday of month... remember to pray for advance of God's Kingdom in and thru Christ Community
also
1. A minister on the staff of one of our churches in Jax (Jan Werson of Christ Church on St. Augustine Road) lost his 28 yr old daughter this week. She was tragically killed while jogging. Support the family in prayer please.
2. I speak at Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on campus tonite. Partner with me by praying for God's Spirit to fill me.
3. Melissa Pope has arrived for the purpose of loving the Chinese people and teaching them English. PRay for her adjustment.

One more thing, if you (or someone you know), needs a free fridge, contact valerie payne
valpayne AT ufl DOT edu

Also, y'days quote was from Bono of U2.

40 points to the one who guesses correctly

Without googling this... who do you think might have said it?

"Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: 'I'm the Messiah.' I'm saying: 'I am God incarnate.' . . . So what you're left with is either Christ was who He said He was—the Messiah—or a complete nutcase. . . . The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that's farfetched."

Thoughtful Lecture

If you are a listener to online audio AND interested in faithfulness to God in serving in this "postmodern" day... I think you'd be strengthened by the lecture on this page:
Entitled
"July 12, 2005
Family Bible Conference
Dr. Richard Pratt
Postmodernism Seminar
(62:17)
"

A problem or an opportunity?

There will be no corporate gathering to pray tomorrow. We've been offering gatherings at Hope Church and church office but won't be tomorrow. Please consider carving out a few minutes, between sundown tonite and sundown Wednesday, to pray for the advance of the Kingdom of God in and through Christ Community Church.
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done...

Sunday We Eat

Institution of the Lord's Supper

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the [1] covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
ESV Bible Online: Passage: mark 14:22-25

Spurgeon was helpful this morning

This morning i took my copy of Spurgeon's Morning and Evening out on the back porch with my coffee. Here's what he said that helped me. Perhaps you will be strengthened by God thru Spurgeon as well.

"Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean to-day in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: 'He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.' Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but he will not quench thee; he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaketh so gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey him, and come to him even now?" CHS

Rest of devotionala>: