How Good is Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe?

In revamping our website we wanted to put our doctrine up there in 2 formats; bullet point and narrative. So, today I was trying to think of an answer to this question:
"How do you tell the gospel in a story?"

Over and over again i returned to this thought: Lewis did it! What aspect of the gospel is missing in LWW. Made me all the more excited about re-reading it this month.

Church Picnic Tonite 6:30pm at Kanapaha Park on Tower Road

thanks

for all of you who have prayed

the pendleys now own the home in kenwood and are moving today

Sunday 10am

no 9am classes this month!

Ray Treadwell preaching at 10am... in the Oak Hall theatre

Backward and Forward

"Living between the two comings of Christ, Christians are to look backward and forward: back to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb, whereby salvation was won for them; forward to their meeting with Christ beyond this world, their personal resurrection, and the joy of being with their Savior in glory forever." --J.I. Packer

Declaration of Independence

I know on Sunday I mentioned that I, as a good American, had read the Declaration of Independence prior to Monday's holiday. Well, actually I just watched the movie "National Treasure." (Nicholas Cage is a great actor.)
But you can read the actual document here: Declaration of Independence

NOTE MEETING LOCATION SUNDAY July 3!! Baughmann Chapel

Is ours Sunday! Join us 10am Directions & Parking

Save the Dates

Wednesday Evening July 13th
All-Church Picnic
At
Kanapaha Park
A-K bring a side dish
L-Z bring a dessert
Drinks, meat, and paper goods will be provided for you.

Sunday July 24th at Hope Church
Book Discussion (of Pilgrim’s Progress & Lion Witch & Wardrobe) and
Children’s Craft Night

Ancient Words

I know some of you will want the lyric to the wonderful song that Kelly MacGregor sang on Sunday morning.

Ancient Words
Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.

CHORUS:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

God gives desire to be generous

end of sermon

Taken today at Vacation Bible School 

Bible School Pics 

I don't own a home in Gainesville right now

Well, at 1pm today I won't. The place where we brought 2 of our children home from the hospital is owned by another. Oh, the faithfulness of God to me, and to my family, that was experienced there. Kim and I have lived under that roof as long as anywhere on earth together. Only our parent's homes have housed us more of our lives. And now it is owned by another. Insert strange, sentimental feelings here.

Distant Relationship with a Loved One

Bono wrote this song while his father was dying w/ terminal cancer
He expresses that strange feeling we all know at some level of not connecting with someone we desperately long to... yet loving them powerfully and wanting that love know

"I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can - you - hear - me -when - I -Sing,
you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me"

U2 - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own:

Should Christians Read Harry Potter

Online Audio that's free for a couple o' days

Comprehensive Coverage

The last verses of psalm 121 exult in the sheer comprehensiveness of God’s care over “you” (in the singular, as if the individual pilgrim is addressed by other pilgrims). “The LORD watches over you” (121:5) — day and night (121:6), your whole life (121:7), in all you do (“your coming and going,” 121:8), “both now and forevermore” (121:8).

This reminded me of the children's encouragement to us Sunday morning... Jesus loves "little me"!

Seminal Books for Me

definition of seminal from dictionary.com: Highly influential in an original way; constituting or providing a basis for further development: example:a seminal idea in the creation of a new theory.

Knowing God, by JI Packer
Desiring God, by John Piper
Truths that Transform, by James Kennedy
Transforming Grace, by Jerry Bridges

....to be continued

Put me in coach

Nicole Mytyk thougtht you might be encouraged by this devotional....

MY son had a great first day at basketball camp; however, the second day he came home discouraged. "I didn't make any baskets today," he said. "Two kids on my team just passed the ball to each other, and nobody else got a chance. I was wide open under the basket, too."

Like the two players on my son's team, in churches we sometimes fall into a pattern of involving the same people or working only within one small, familiar group. We may not see a newcomer who longs to be included but has never been asked or a shy person who has attended the church for years but is afraid to volunteer his or her talents.

On the other hand, if I am one of the people who is called upon, I have to guard against thinking, I'm not good enough, or, They don't really want me to help. Perhaps I need to be bolder in showing others I am open to serving. It's not God's plan for a few people and the pastor to do it all.
The church needs all members of the body working together in ministry and mission.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be open to discovering our spiritual gifts and to
use them to serve you within the body of Christ. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Am I open and ready to serve?

-- Cathy Wesolek (New Mexico, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those feeling left out

From the wedding of 2 members of Christ Community Saturday in St. Augustine. Chris and Anne are now moving to Palo Alto. 

Women's Study Tuesday 7:30pm at Staples' home; Wednesday--Kanapaha Park 6:30pm for Everyone

this week

Tuesday: Women's Study 7:30pm at Staples' home
Wednesday: Night at the Park 6:30-8:30 at Kanapaha Park (This is last chance!)
Thursday:
Friday:

Sunday: 10am worship at Baughman Center on Campus

All week, 9am til NOON, we're co-hosting Vacation Bible School with Faith PRes, at Faith Pres.

Those 16 points in Acts 13

"This text is utterly saturated with God. Sixteen times Paul presses home the truth that God is the central Actor in history. "--John Piper
History Is God's Story:

Good Things Running Wild

This quote will find itself in the wedding tomorrow
"...The more I considered Christianity; the more I found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild. -Orthodoxy"Gems from G. K. Chesterton:

Deep Gladness

Today Kim and I head to St. Augustine where i will officiate the wedding ceremony of 2 of our members, Chris Nyffeler and Anne Osborn. I have deep gladness enjoying this moment as God unites two of His children. Weddings are more and more wetting my appetite for the great Wedding & Wedding Feast to come.

Chris and Anne joined Christ Community as UF students about 3 years ago and Christ Community has played a role in their relationship development. After the wedding they are moving to Palo Alto, California. This is just another way that Christ Community experiences and extends the grace of Jesus Christ.

Audio Bibles on Tape/CD By Max McLean

It is a recent thing for people to have their own bible... most people in redemptive history have primarily listened to God's word
The reader at this site is part of our Manhattan congregation led by Tim Keller

Also, FYI there are
Bible texts available online

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/

NIV http://www.biblegateway.com/

My reading of a portion of Acts 13

A Reader's Guide Through the Wardrobe

This fall IVP will be publishing A Reader's Guide Through the Wardrobe: Exploring C.S. Lewis's Classic Story, by Leland Ryken and Marjorie Lamp Mead. Paul Ford, author of Companion to Narnia and Pocket Companion to Narnia, says this book "is the most thorough literary study of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that I have ever read."IVP | A Reader's Guide Through the Wardrobe

So Simon says, "Read the book in July with Christ Community, get this reader's guide in the fall... THEN see the movie at Christmas."

This song is cheesy...

Until you love or get loved like he's describing... and it came to mind as i read Acts 13.DAN FOGELBERG Longer Lyrics )

Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there’ve been stars up in the heavens
I’ve been in love with you.

Stronger than any mountain cathedral
Truer than any tree ever grew
Deeper than any forest primeval
I am in love with you.

I Love to Tell the Story

This is what happens in Acts 13. There is an old hymn: that contains these words:

"I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God's own holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest."

What i appreciate about these lyrics is that it acknowledges that we who "know the story best" need it "like the rest."

Pray for these guys, they need it. 

Ultimate Frisbee in Ten Simple Rules

Get ready for 6:30pm tonite!Ultimate in Ten Simple Rules

Enjoying My Son's IPOD

Sometimes a lyric in a song just grabs your heart and allows me to enter a part of life that has been elusive. Recently these lyrics, heard on my son's ipod, have done this for me. And i'm glad.

"One day you'll look back, and you'll see
Where you were held now by this love." --U2 Mysterious Ways

Derek Webb:
" i trust no other source or name
nowhere else can i hide
this grace gives me fear, and this grace draws me near
and all that it asks it provides"

Wednesday Nights at the Park

Wednesday June 22 we will be playing Ultimate Frisbee Football. If you don't want to play, come and hang and watch the fun. 6:30pm at Kanapaha Park on Tower Road.

You're Soaking In It

Several of you asked... so here is quote i used prior to the call to worship on sunday. Remember, i took it from a sermon i heard... so grammar and punctuation is probably whacked:

"My conclusion, after living in several countries overseas, and being back in U.S. for 5 years... is that this is the most dangerous culture to live in in the world.

It is this culture which has a silent, seductive, deadly kind of 'tractor beam' that pulls you in, deadens your senses, dumbs down your desires, to where you really want very little more... than simply comfort, entertainment, and security. And it is working on you all the time, relentlessly calling you to this deadened life where your dreams and visions are little higher than for the place you live or what you drive, wear, and eat. It is terrifying to me what this is doing to our people and to our churches." Hunter Dockery, minister at Redeemer Presbyterian in winston salem

Great Changes online

Christ Community Church -

The Spirit Fructifying

Studying to teach on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit... I came across 30.this: "fructifying"
excellent article

Sunday at Christ Community

ESV Bible Online: Passage: Acts 13
And we'll hear from our own Melissa Pope about her upcoming move to the Far East.

Advancing the Gospel

While at General Assembly I always catch up with classmate/friends who are seeking to do the same thing that Christ Community is seeking to do... experience and extend the grace of Jesus Christ. Here is one who is going to work with Asians in London.

Nights in Park is Tomorrow

Tonite: Tuesday... is women's bible study

Wednesday: 6:30pm-8:30pm at Kanapaha Park on Tower Road
Night in the Parkis great time to get together with others from Christ Community... stay as long or little as you can

In Chattanooga This Week

I'm up north attending the Annual General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. What is it like? Great, boring, hear reports of God's work extending the kingdom, hear reports of the Evil One at work in the church. Come to think of it, General Assembly is a lot like everyday life.

Want a Bible Memory Challenge?

Several of us are in the process of trying to memorize Colossians 1. Join us.

This looks good

P & R Publishing: Forthcoming Title

Nights in Park is a Success

The proverbial "good time was had by all". Must say it was wonderful to see children playing and people connecting with each other... and people diving in the wet grass to make plays in softball.
If you were there, i know you won't miss next week.
If you weren't able last night, do try to come one of the next 3 wednesday nights at Kanapaha Park.


Don't forget Saturday night women's event which includes dinner and a fun program.

Kanapaha Park 6:30 TONITE

come hang out, enjoy one another, throw a softball, sweat, swat bugs, stand in the shade, swing a child high and listen to the laughter, etc. we'll be there from 6:30-8:30, but come for whatever part you can

also, this is a good summary of the gospel i came across, tuck it awaytwo ways to live

This Week

New Women's Bible Study Launches--Tuesday Night

Nights in the Park-- Kick back at Kanapaha from 6:30-8:30

Women's Table Event-- Saturday late afternoon

We voted to buy this land

Google Maps - 1603 Sw 122nd St, 32669

The Scream of the Damned

"My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?"

This cry represents the most agonizing protest ever uttered on this planet. It burst forth in a moment of unparalleled pain. It is the scream of the damned--for us. --RC Sproul

Sunday shall be a great day
9am classes for all ages
I'll be teaching adult forum on "The Fruit & Gifts of the Holy Spirit"

10am worship with communion as we reap the benefits of Christ's suffering in our stead

11:20 Congregational meeting (childcare available for littlest ones)

getting ready for Acts 13

To become a Christian a Greek does not have to become a Jew, a plebeian does not have to become
patrician or vica versa. For Christianity is not the product of national and
cultural consciousness--rather it is the shaper of consciousness. Acts 7-12 then
was the second stage, in which the gospel spread across all cultures, and thus we
read at the end of this period (“But the word of God continued to increase and
spread” 12:24).
Now the stage is set for the final stage. “All the time the action has been limited to
the Palestinian and Syrian mainland. Nobody has yet caught the vision of taking
the good news to the nations overseas.” (Stott, p.215) The gospel has spread across
cultures, but now it is about to explode geographically.

prayer meeting wednesday 6:15pm

at hope church, great opportunity to commit Sunday's congregational meeting and land purchase decision to prayer

Congregational meeting Sunday June 5 at 11:25am

pictures and more info here

A Prayer for The Church

O GRACIOUS Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace.
Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it.
Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Does God suffer from character defects?

"Worship is an aspect of religion that I always found difficult to understand. Suppose we postulate an omnipotent being who, for reasons inscrutable to us, decided to create something other than himself. Why should he . . . expect us to worship him? We didn't ask to be created. Our lives are often troubled. We know that human tyrants, puffed up with pride, crave adulation and homage. But a morally perfect God would surely have no character defects. So why are all those people on their knees every Sunday?" --excerpt from March 30, 2003 article in London Financial Times, author Michael Prowse

Withholding Glory is a Crime

On Sunday, based on Acts 12, I said that witholding glory from God was criminal. It is treason against the King of the Universe. What's up with God demanding to be worshipped. Why does He seek our worship? Is God like an insecure high schooler saying, "Love me, love me, love me."?

Sunday I plan to unpack something that is central to my understanding of who God is... The Loving God whose primary objective is self-glorification.

Expelling Sin with a New Affection

This article by Sinclair Ferguson is brief and powerful. Historic Christianity alone offers a power for defeating the dark areas that most all religions are "against".

All Because of a Peanut Butter Pie

That is how it started. Our church in california had a pie auction and my wife inhales peanut butter... so we bought that pie. It was incredible. We didn't know the family that made it, though we were in the same church. We became friends (still are!)... and not just so we could get more pie! Come to Nights in the Park in June. There might not be Peanut Butter Pie... but you just might become friends because of being there together.

Ronnie Neder is Resting at Home & doing well

Ronnie Neder Scheduled to Come Home Today

After some minor complications following a scheduled heart cath, Ronnie spent last night at Shands.

Pray for Ronnie & Arlene Neder

Ronnie is spending the night at Shands after some minor complications following a scheduledCardiac Catheterization this morning. They expect Ronnie to return home on Wednesday.

Women's Bible Study in June

Amazon.com: Books: Becoming a Woman of Freedom

Why Read Pilgrim's Progress, Reason #5

One of the best-selling books of all time, The Pilgrim's Progress holds a unique place in the history of English literature. --so says Amazon.com

Two Quotes

Striking from Acts 12 is God's top priority of bring glory to His name. Look what He will do in order to display the reality that He alone is sovereign and worthy of worship and capable of giving life or taking it. God brings glory to Himself through Peter's escape, but also through James' execution. His great zeal is for the growth of His word... which, of course, is the growth of His fame. Two good quotes hi-lite this:

The highest of missionary motives is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God . . .), but rather zeal—burning and passionate zeal—for the glory of Jesus Christ. . . . Only one imperialism is Christian. . . and that is concern for His Imperial Majesty Jesus Christ, and for the glory of his empire. –John Stott


All the earth-shaking awesome forces unleashed on the world are released by the Lord Jesus Christ. He reigns today. He is in the control room of the universe. He is the only Ultimate Cause; all the sins of man and machinations of Satan ultimately have to enhance the glory and kingdom of our Saviour. This is true of our world today—in wars, famines, earthquakes, or the evil that apparently has the ascendancy. All God’s actions are just and loving. We have become too enemy-conscious, and can over-do the spiritual warfare aspect of intercession. We need to be more God-conscious, so that we can laugh the laugh of faith knowing that we have power over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). He has already lost control because of Calvary where the Lamb was slain. What confidence and rest of heart this gives us as we face a world in turmoil and such spiritual need. --Patrick Johnstone

Why didn't God save James?

That was my son's question when we read Acts 12 last night. My answer? "I don't know. That is the hard thing of God's providence. He loves all His children equally but distributes that love in different ways." Then i remembered these great words in the Heidelberg Catechism...
26. Q. What do you believe when you say: I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and all that is in them,[1] and who still upholds and governs them by His eternal counsel and providence,[2] is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father.[3] In Him I trust so completely as to have no doubt that He will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul,[4] and will also turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this life of sorrow.[5] He is able to do so as almighty God,[6] and willing also as a faithful Father.[7]

[1] Gen. 1 and 2; Ex. 20:11; Job 38 and 39; Ps. 33:6; Is. 44:24; Acts 4:24; 14:15. [2] Ps. 104:27-30; Matt. 6:30; 10:29; Eph. 1:11. [3] John 1:12, 13; Rom. 8:15, 16; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. 1:5. [4] Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25, 26; Luke 12:22-31. [5] Rom. 8:28. [6] Gen. 18:14; Rom. 8:31-39. [7] Matt. 6:32, 33; 7:9-11.

27. Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?

A. God's providence is His almighty and ever present power,[1] whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures,[2] and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty,[3] indeed, all things, come not by chance[4] but by His fatherly hand.[5]

[1] Jer. 23:23, 24; Acts 17:24-28. [2] Heb. 1:3. [3] Jer. 5:24; Acts 14:15-17; John 9:3; Prov. 22:2. [4] Prov. 16:33. [5] Matt. 10:29.

28. Q. What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by His providence?

A. We can be patient in adversity,[1] thankful in prosperity,[2] and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from His love;[3] for all creatures are so completely in His hand that without His will they cannot so much as move.[4]

[1] Job. 1:21, 22; Ps. 39:10; James 1:3. [2] Deut. 8:10; I Thess. 5:18. [3] Ps. 55:22; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:38, 39. [4] Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov. 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.

God Kills Herod!

.... headlines in Jerusalem Sun may have read thus

His Palace might have looked like THIS: herods_palace.swf (application/x-shockwave-flash Object)

Sermon Text Sunday

In Acts 12 there are two communities, the world and the church, arrayed against one another, each
wielding an appropriate weapon. On the one side was the authority of Herod, the power of the sword and the security of the prison. On the other side, the church turned to prayer, which is the only power which the powerless possess.
&
The dramatic details Luke includes in Acts 12 all seem to
emphasize the intervention of God and the passivity of Peter.

--John Stott

Article: The Cross and Criticism - Giving and Taking Criticism as Christians

helpful stuff here

Women't Bible Study Announced!

Tuesday evenings in June. Taught by Debbie Staples. Meeting in her home in Cobblefield. (there are n'hood entries from SW 8th Ave as well as SW 91st) Details to follow.

Jesus Turned Water Into Wine...

... this is our prooftext against the Puritans. --end of quote--

I just heard this from a Christian group i really respect and it made me realize how misunderstood the Puritans are. Perhaps no group of Christians new as much about how to celebrate the good gifts of God than these men and women.

Dick Staub on the Star Wars Myth

Christianity Today Magazine

Land Dedication 

Land Dedication Party 

Wonderful Dedication Service

We had a very brief (it was hot!) dedication service on the new church property. Thrilling it was to think of all that God will do there in coming years.

The party at the Stankunas' house was great and we really found some volleyball talent in the church, specifically Rob Hammersma, Kaylen Holmes, and Ray Treadwell. For purposes of historical accuracy... let the record show that Ray spiked it in my face on one occasion.

9am tomorrow begins my class, "Getting to know the Holy Spirit"
10am worship

Pray for Women's Bible Study

Sunday afternoon i meet with a handful of women to plan the summer bible study.

Dedication of Church Property, 5pm TODAY

I was out there Wednesday. It was very easy to pull my car off of Parker Road onto our property.
Our property is 1.4 miles south of Newberry Road
Our property is .5 mile north of SW 24th Ave

You will see a sign and people there.

After the dedication we'll head around the corner to SW 24th Ave to a party at Stankunas home.

Kim Pendley & Lanya Olmsted taught 1st Grade Sunday School Spring Quarter 

Starts This Sunday

Spiritus Sanctus
Week 1, May 15 The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Week 2, May 22 The Holy Spirit in the New Testament
Week 3, May 29 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Week 4, June 5 Cooperating with the Holy Spirit

The Endless Supplier

"Christ is that Fountain of living water which God has graciously provided for thirsting souls. From Him…there flows an abundant stream for all who travel through the wilderness of this world. In Him, as our Redeemer and Substitute, crucified for our sins and raised again for our justification, there is an endless supply of all that men can need pardon, absolution, mercy, grace, peace, rest, relief, comfort and hope." --J.C. Ryle

This was missing from the great summer flyer we gave out Sunday

"Ladies! Ladies! An evening of good food, fellowship and some games have been planned for us this Summer. Saturday, June 11th at 5pm. Please feel free to invite a lady friend or come alone. More info to come..... questions please call Stacy Morrison at 378-6887

Narnia Movie Trailer

Enjoy this 2 minute trailer that made my children ready for December 9th to get here now! But please, o please, read the book prior to the movie... i hate to be an imagination nazi... but you are always better served letting yourself form images before othersThe Chronicles of Narnia Movie Exclusives

Friday 5pm

Meet at the new church property to dedicate the land... then around the corner for swim party & cookout at Stankunas' home.

Sunday at Christ Community

9am Classes
Adults: Rob Pendley teaching on "The Crusades"

10am
Worship
Classes for younger children

I plan to preach on Acts 11:19-29

9 seconds of audio from Pendley & Neder...SDG!

Young Life Dinner; You are Invited

I wanted to remind you of the YoungLife sponsored fundraiser, The 3rd annual mystery dinner theater.

Who: Anyone who wants to come out and support the YoungLife ministry!

What: We are putting on a murder mystery theater production where the crowd gets to try and figure out "WHO DID IT". There will be a 3 course meal served throughout the night during the play. This meal is catered by Olive Garden and it consists of salad, breadsticks, lasagna, and a dessert.

Where: Vineyard Church off of NW 8th Avenue

When: Saturday May 7th, at 6:30pm

Why: YoungLife takes dozens of believing and unbelieving kids to summer camp every summer. Many of our kids do not have the funds to attend such a summer camp, so the leaders try to raise as much money as they can to lower the cost for each camper to attend camp. If you are familiar with YoungLife, many kids come back saying that it was the "best week of their life!"

If you are interested in attending, please contact Erik Folgate at 871-0794 to purchase tickets. THE COST OF EACH TICKET is $15.00 per person. Half price for small children. (6 and under). If you want to just show up the night of the show, that is OKAY too!!! Hope to see you there, thank you very much for the consideration.

Quotes from my prep for Sunday

Our preaching text sunday is Acts 11:19-30 contains, among other things, an account of the rapid and cross-cultural growth of Christianity. Ever wonder, humanly-speaking, why?
“A reason for Christianity’s success is to be found in its
inclusiveness. More than any of its competitors it attracted all races and
classes....Judaism never quite escaped from its racial
bonds....Christianity however gloried in its appeal to Jew and Gentile,
Greek and barbarian. The philosophies never really won the allegiance of
the masses....they appealed primarily to the educated....Christianity,
however...drew the lowly and unlettered...yet also developed a philosophy
which commanded the respect of many of the learned....Christianity, too, was for both sexes, whereas two of it main rivals were primarily for men.
The Church welcomed both rich and poor. In contrast with it, the
mystery cults were usually for people of means: initiation into them was
expensive....No other [religion] took in so many groups and strata of
society....The query must be raised of why this comprehensiveness came
to be. It was not in Judaism. Why did it appear in Christianity?”
--K.S.Latourette, A History of the Expansion of Christianity vol.1 (Harper
and Row, 1937).

The 9am Class "The Crusades... for Dummies, from a Dummy"
"I say this to those who are present, it meant also for those who are absent. Moreover, Christ commands it. All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested." Urban II, the pope who "launched the 1st Crusade

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

This movie comes out tomorrow. This caused me to realise that i know little about the crusades and desire to know more. Therefore, i'll be teaching a one week course Sunday at 9am... "All you need to know about the crusades in 40 minutes"
We'll cover issues like:
~~History, what happened?
~~Evangelism, "how do you explain that?"
~~Faithfulness to God, "What does it look like for us to be a people who expressly say we exist to extend the kingdom of God?"

1st ever audio update... 30 second update on church property

Prayer

tonite 6:15 at Hope Church...
We shall ask God:
~~to teach us to pray
~~to transform us into a praying church
~~to extend His Kingdom in Gainesville
~~et al

Prayer & Fasting Tomorrow

Let me encourage you to consider making time to come out for a half hour of prayer.
Wednesday 6:15pm Hope Community Church

Opportunities for Youth & Children

Presbyterian Churches across the state of Florida rent CAMP KULAQUA in High Springs each summer. This summer's dates have been announced:

July 4-8 Middle School Conference
July 18-22 High School Conference

www.southlandinfo.com

We will be participating with Faith Presbyterian to put on a Vacation Bible School week. For children 5th grade and below, June 27-July 1.

New Adult Forum

Sunday school for adults:
Sunday May 8 God at the Movies, taught by Rob Pendley
Sunday May 15 The Holy Spirit, a 4 week class taught by Rob Pendley begins

Land Ho!

We are scheduled to purchase our land on Parker Road on Thursday, May 5.

Then, Friday May 13th, we will celebrate with a land dedication, followed by a party.
5pm at the Parker Road land... then 5:30pm dinner/swim/hang out at the Stankunas' home, just around the corner from the land.

Don't Miss This

You will want to block off your calendars for this one...
Friday May 13th at 5pm---until sundown... details forthcoming

Have you seen this?

Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Home

Lord's Supper Service

Sunday we come to the table together.

Just As I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Uganda Awareness

7:30 1st showing of 30 minute dvd
9:15 2nd showing of 30 minute dvd
music by sydney & melissa in between... tonite atChristian Study Center of Gainesville

I'm off to speak 3 times at a men's retreat... will be back to be with you Sunday morning... Deo volente

I'm in meetings today

....serving on the Florida committee forRUF - Reformed University Fellowship

new bible study starts tomorrow

7:00pm in Haile Plantation
all welcome
Topic: The Bible's Teaching on Eternal Rewards

376-6944 for more info

You His Saints

Those words jump out from Psalm 30 today.
"Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name."

We are His people, his holy ones. Sing praises; give thanks.