Leaders and Intercessors July 28, 2008

Dear Kirk Leaders and Intercessors, 

 

LOW DRAMA-HIGH HOPES

The summer is moving forward, and the strength God has provided each day has not lifted. We rejoice. The peace, love and unity within the church is palatable and beautiful. We give thanks. While there have been many projects and ministry activities, there is quiet favor within the church over it all. Thanks be to God. There are signs of health and signs of life everywhere. 

 

STRONG MEN

More and more we see the men of The Kirk stepping up. Some are volunteering daily. Relationships between men are growing and a community of brothers is being established. It is inspirational. Our Men’s Breakfast this past Saturday brought encouragement to nineteen men. How about that for a midsummer miracle. We already have a fantastic group of women, and they have been strong together for years. Such things produce a solid core of Christians for our church.

 

REDEEMED JUNK

In our first ever Klutter Kloset garage sale last weekend, we profited $1,000. One man’s junk is another man’s…oh you know that one, don’t you. This was a nice shot in the arm financially. I am reminded that God is able to take broken, stained and cast away people and redeem us. He has done so with the price of His Son. 

 

SPLITTING OUR STOCK

The Youth and Family Committee acted this week to promote Shannon Piazza to a new role. She will be moving from ministry to our teens to directing an outreach to single moms. Mike and Katie VanGessel and Adam and Christy Hyatt are stepping in as team leaders for the High School/Junior High youth group. Both developments are a positive with great growth potential. 

 

NEW MEMBER

We celebrate new member Charlie Holmberg. Charlie lived for years on Long Island, then moved to Louisiana. He now lives in Scottish Towers behind the church. He loved his church in Louisiana and feared he would never find a church like that again, but he testified yesterday in worship that God has met his church need and provided the same kind of loving congregation.  We welcome you Charlie. 

 

PRAY FOR

Don Graus – in and out of Countryside Hospital last week and surprised us by being in church yesterday.

Emma Taft – Largo Medical Center

Bonnie Guerin – pain is gone in hips and she is home with rehab doing great.

Kenn Gangel – health

 

MS. FAN THE FLAME

Yesterday at the 10:30 am service, we celebrated the winner of Ms. Fan the Flame–Mrs. Mary Robe. She was given a beautiful dozen yellow roses and the church affirmed their love for her and all the ladies who participated with a round of applause. Ms. Fan the Flame raised over $700. This project, along with other events and the ongoing generous support by members and friends, continues to keep the church paying every bill in a summer that has passed every expectation. We move into August with faith that each day the Lord’s goodness will meet all the needs of His ministry. 

 

SPEAKING OF GREAT WOMEN

We celebrated the 100th birthday of Peg Hunter. The party was held at the home of family friends. Peg was delighted with the stack of notes of encouragement when I handed them to her. The highlight of the celebration is that Peg’s sister came and they haven’t seen each other for seven years. Peg (Margaret) and Leland Hunter were very good workers at The Kirk over the years. Leland died several years ago. Peg continues to keep up her optimistic and funny outlook on life. 

 

KIRK CAFÉ

Thanks to all the workers and cooks for yesterday’s Kirk Café. Another great event full of fun and new friendships. A nice turnout for sure. 

 

CHURCH COUNCIL

Our council met last Monday. Fred Garrett again led a tremendous meeting. There was laughter, prayer, discussions and decisions, but mostly we continue forward with unity, love, peace and joy in our common faith of serving Jesus Christ and His church. Let’s remember friends…It’s all about Jesus. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

 

Keep praying and believing – God is at work!

Pastor Jerry

Leaders and Intercessors July 3, 2008

Dear Leaders and Intercessors,

 

God Bless America, land that we love!  We live in the most sending nation!  We are obeying the great commission to “go into all the world and make disciples” more than any other.  We produce freedom through the gospel. 

 

SOUL WATCH

Two weeks ago a young women who attends one of the support groups here at The Kirk came in for some spiritual counsel.  How fun it is to talk about Jesus and his love for people.  The result is a young mom with a new commitment to Jesus Christ.  I rejoice not only because her name is in the Lambs book of life but because she is also now active in one of our Bible Study groups.  This is God’s work and it is joyful work indeed.

 

A TARGET OF GOD’S LOVE

The Junior High Youth Group of Cape Christian Church (a church south of Sarasota) sent a work crew to the Kirk last summer to do some service projects.  They enjoyed the projects and decided to come again this summer.  They were with us Monday through Thursday of this week and wow did they make a difference in our children’s ministry area off the fellowship hall.  These 13 energetic teens and leaders expanded our children’s room into the back youth area and painted.  They also cleaned and painted the outside back wall of the church and cleaned up around the church resulting in six dumpsters full of debris being taken away.  As a kindness from the city of Dunedin we were only charged for one load.  How nice.  You might want to step in to the children’s room this week and give it a look.  You’ll be impressed.  Let the children come!

 

STRONG POINTS

June’s worship attendance was good.  Both worship services are holding there own.  We had more in worship in June this year than last year and that is only comparing the first four Sundays (there was a fifth Sunday in June this year).  We want to thank Debbie, Adam, Christy and Jayne for putting on one of the best Kirk Cafés ever.  Yum, pot roast.  Ada Haas told me afterwards, “That was the best meal I’ve ever had at this church!”  That’s a big compliment indeed.  Thanks also to everyone who attended.  The café rode the coat tail of a knock your socks off Men’s Breakfast the day before.  Cresting at 15 men in attendance the men’s group celebrated friendship around plates full of tasty omelets prepared by Chef Orlando.  Eating is not the only thing Christians do, the men also used the opportunity to engage in a discussion on the Lordship of Christ and to involve ourselves themselves in various church projects. 

 

KLUTTER KLOSET

One of the projects the men are taking up is a gigantic garage sale here at the church on Saturday, July 19 from 8 am – 1 pm.  Called the Klutter Kloset, we know that this event, like the women’s rummage sale, will raise important funds to keep the church strong through the summer.  Donations and workers are welcome.

 

EVERY BILL PAID

It is official, we have paid every bill in June and we are now working on trusting God for the month of July.  We need approximately $7,000 by the 15th and 30th of each month.  So far this year these goals have been met…which is historic because no money from savings has been needed to reach these bi-monthly targets.  This is due to the kindness of God and the generosity of God’s people, rents and special fund raisers.   One special fund raiser, the Ms. Fan the Flame project, has been a blessing.  It will end next week and has already raised over $700.  What a nice way to underwrite the ministry and tell the women we love them!

 

NEW MEMBER

Faith, hope and love are alive in the hearts of our members and friends.  A new member this week in our dear friend Lucille Miraglia. Lucille lives back in Scottish Towers and we are so happy that she has joined the church.  Lucille has been loved into the church by Mary and Emma and Steve and Paul and Peggy and so many over in Scottish Towers.  Lucille Miraglia becomes our 13th new member this year.  Our prayer goal is 30. 

 

EXTRA PRAYERS

Please be in prayer for Mildred Marlatt.  Mildred’s younger son, Rich, died unexpectedly (mid 50s).  She has gone to D.C. to be with the family.  May God bless and comfort her.  We also are praying for Bonnie Guerin as this coming week she has surgery on her hip.  Also, I know you’ve prayed for Bob Robe a lot but it is important right now especially to keep him in your prayers.  Please also give extra intercession to a special evangelism project we have coming this Monday.  Dave Boyle and I have been talking about how to love all the many great people who come to this church for AA, Al-Anon and Alateen support.  This Monday we are going to be out under the awning in the back passing out cold cans of Pepsi, Iced tea and the like.  We want them to know we love them and God does, too!   If you want to bring a case of soda or tea or water to the church this Sunday we’ll toss them into coolers and give them away this Monday. 

 

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July.  Those nearby, I’ll see you in church this Sunday…the flags are up in the sanctuary so come and sing America the Beautiful with me.  Remember, everyone, our 24 hour prayer vigil is Saturday, July 19-20, 8 am – 8 am.  Sign up for an hour.  If you are a snowbird, you can take an hour too.  Write me and I’ll put you on the schedule.  God knows no boundaries!

 

Much love in Christ,

 

Pastor Jerry

Leaders and Intercessors June 19, 2008

DEAR LEADERS AND INTERCESSORS,

 

Greetings in the great name of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ!  As is my promise here is another installment of Leaders and Intercessors email.  I want to keep you informed, inspired and encouraged in the wonderful actions of God in our church. 

 

SOULS AND CHURCH GROWTH

I am thrilled to report that the church is growing in two ways.  First through new members.  Not only was Shannon Piazza our new youth director added to our church family as a new member, but last Sunday Phil Peters turned in a blue card saying he wanted to join the church.  Phil is a wonderful 28 year old, son of member Linda and he has a giant heart and a sincere faith.  We also celebrate the news of two teenagers who accepted Christ at youth group two Sundays ago. These teens were visitors to our family service and youth group. Shannon was able to lead these students who had come at 4 pm for youth group in a discussion and then prayer of faith to receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.  Way to go Shannon.  Way to go Kirk.  Way to go God! 

 

A DREAM AND A LETTER

Two weeks ago one of our elders had a dream.  In his dream he related that someone would be leaving a sum of $30-35,000 to the church in a bequest.  He told me of this dream and we chuckled together about it saying, “Next time dream bigger”.  To our surprise the day after his dream the church received in the mail a letter from a lawyer announcing that our friend and member Lloyd Hennessy who passed away several months ago had left a percentage of his estate to The Kirk. You’ll never guess how much the gift is for….Somewhere between $30,000 and $35,000.  When members give legacy gifts their life and faith carries on.  How kind of Lloyd to plan his estate to bless the church and the Lord’s work upon his death.  Regarding the dream I can only say that it must have been God saying, “I gave advanced notice so you would know it is Me ultimately behind the gift blessing, supporting and providing.  I AM WITH YOU.” 

 

14 MEN 

A week from now we will have our first summer men’s breakfast (Saturday, June 28 at 9:00 am). Steve and Paul have recruited retired chef Orlando from back in Scottish Towers so the breakfast will be one for the books.  Certainly one evidence of a healthy church is when the men are strong in the work of the Lord and fellowshipping together.   It is exciting that so many are gathering in June.  

 

WOMEN TOO

Please share with the women of the church an upcoming opportunity.  Debbie and I cordially invite all the women of the Kirk to our home on Tuesday, July 8 at 12 noon for a luncheon and devotional.  This is our usually schedule brown bag lunch where I meet with the ladies at the church.  We thought mid summer was a nice time to appreciate the year round gals and love on them a bit.  Lunch will be provided by Debbie so you know it will be good.  I will share a brief devotional talk.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Paul Scherer went into Helen Ellis Hospital this week with some heart fluctuation.  He will be there until Friday as they are finishing up tests. 

Bonnie Guerin wrote yesterday and we now know she will have hip surgery on July 8 at noon. 

Bob Robe has finished all of his cancer treatments.  He is tired but he and Mary keep on going! 

Earl Rodgers wrote this week to report that his daughter Jennifer Beck is very bad with cancer and that doctors have given up. He asks for a miracle.

Pat Engle, friend of the Kirk is having some problems with skin cancer and we are praying for him. 

 

THANKSGIVING

We appreciate all the offerings, Fan the Flame gifts and Adopt-A-Bill underwriting of our members and friends.  Your giving has provided for the church’s needs and I thank you for supporting the Lord’s work at the church.

 

WORSHIP, PRAYER, CALLING

Our Sunday services continue with peace and unity and faith is growing.  People like the services in the style they choose and there is harmony in the church over this.  We continue in our devotion to the scriptures and are learning about God’s Glory at 10:30 am worship and discovering God’s design for the family at 9:00 am worship.  Prayer is key and you are invited to pray during our next 24 hour prayer vigil on Saturday, July 19th.  If you are a snowbird you can still take an hour…8 am – 8 am.  Email or call and we’ll put you on the schedule.  I report evangelism calling continues on Mondays and we appreciate all the prayer support you can muster. 

 

Let me leave you with a scripture:  Ephesians 3:20  ”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

 

Gathering People Into God’s Embrace,

Pastor Jerry