saturday, 1/3 sunday, 1/4 sunday, 1/18 tt cc...
TRANSCRIPT
“God is Faithful”
After the choir’s final rehearsal for the Christmas Cantata, Ruth shared a few
closing words and introduced the sentence prayer. Maybe you have utilized this spiritual
practice over Thanksgiving, at camp, or in your own daily prayer life. Without giving an
entire sermon, Ruth asked the choir to each say a prayer beginning with “I am thankful/
grateful for…” It did not take long for people to blast out reasons why they were
thankful. Ranging from personal to community-oriented reasons- people were
thankful. It was refreshing to witness this faith exercise and I was truly thankful for the
choir’s faithfulness and especially their faithfulness in leading worship week-in and
week-out.
All of a sudden, it dawned on me, there was even a much greater reason to be
thankful. It is something that underlines everything else and we often take for granted. So in retrospect, I
am thankful for God’s faithfulness in and through all parts of daily life. Just wrestle with the previous
statement:
No matter what we might face today or tomorrow, God is faithful!
No matter how we might react or respond to circumstances, God is faithful!
No matter if we neglect or flee from God, God is faithful!
No matter the changes or transitions in one’s life, God is faithful!
No matter what (you fill in the blanks), God is faithful!
Perhaps the best news is no matter how big of a mess we might make or get ourselves in, God is
determined to be faithful and be with us. This is the Good News of Christmas. Additionally, this is the kind
of God that is portrayed throughout Scripture and Christian history. Even when Jesus was arrested,
mocked, beaten, and later put to death, he was constantly faithful. In the face of Paul’s numerous hardships
and trials, he still witnessed and professed Jesus’ faithfulness and how God was with him through it
all. And, still today, God is faithful to God’s church! Despite the changes or transitions in our lives, we
have a faithful God who specializes in the faithful business!
Although we are losing our devout Ruth Berry, God continues to be faithful bringing a new,
exceptionally talented director Asya Teruni. As most churches know from past experiences, seeking a
choir director can seem like an impossible task. Nevertheless, God is faithful blessing us with Asya who
will enrich our music ministry. As each of you have made my family feel at home, I encourage everyone to
also make Asya and her family feel at home with our FMCC Family.
Friends, I believe we are in good, faithful hands. I know it! I have experienced it! I pray that as
individuals and as a church family, we continue to experience God’s faithfulness as we also continue to be
faithful to God!
Happy New Year!
In Christ,
Pastor Zach
JA
NU
AR
Y
Saturday, 1/3 10:00 am Take Down Sunday, 1/4 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 9:30 am Youth Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour after service Monday, 1/5 7:00 pm Gulf Shore Singles Club Wednesday, 1/7 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 7:00 pm Choir Thursday, 1/8 10:00am-12:30 pm HOPE Seminar Carpet Installation Friday, 1/9 Carpet Installation Saturday, 1/10 Carpet Installation Sunday, 1/11 Welcome Reception 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 9:30 am Youth Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Welcome Reception for Asya Teruni Tuesday, 1/13 7:00 pm Board Meeting Wednesday, 1/14 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 7:00 pm Choir Practice Friday, 1/16 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast ~ Fellowship Hall 10:00 am-12:30 pm Crafters 4 Christ
Saturday, 1/17 6:30 pm Euchre Sunday, 1/18 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 9:30 am Youth Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour after service Monday, 1/19 7:00 pm Gulf Shore Singles Club Tuesday, 1/20 7:00 pm Corvette club Wednesday, 1/21 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sunday, 1/25 9:30 am Adult Sunday School 9:30 am Youth Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Coffee Hour after service Wednesday, 1/28 11:30 am Sonshine Card Club 7:00 pm Choir Practice Friday, 1/30 10:00 am-12:30 pm Crafters 4 Christ Chalice Saturday, 1/31 Girl Scouts Cookie Rally
Rev. Zachary Seitz
COMING IN FEBRUARY
LIFETOUCH PICTORIAL
DIRECTORY
FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH FORT MYERS, FLORIDA
TThe he CChalicehalice
JANUARY 2015
FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH A Disciples of Christ Congregation
5916 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919
All Are Welcome . . . Come As You Are
SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Ryan McClain, Ensign in US Navy; Grandson of Mary Helen McClain
Stationed on USS George HW Bush, Norfolk, VA; David Day, Captain in US Air Force Grandson of Al & Mary Jane Day Stationed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, DC Patrick Evans, 2nd Class Petty Officer, US Navy, Grandson of Pat Brown
Stationed in Norfolk, VA Justin Nell, 2nd Lieutenant in Army Reserves; Grandson of Pat Brown Brandon Lapehn, Captain in U.S. Army, 101st Airborne; Grandson of Jim & Dorothy Detamore Completed his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He is in Fort Campbell, KY Jake Lowry, Captain, MPH, Nephew of Bob & Wanda Milligan MS US Army Veterinary Corps, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science, Daniel Tipton, US Army, stationed in Oklahoma, and Anthony Tipton, US Coast Guard, Grandsons of Anne Tipton stationed in Bahrain.
January Chalice p. 7
YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
MINISTER Rev. Zach Seitz
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Dr. Asya Teruni
CHURCH SECRETARY Kathi Kensinger
CHURCH BOOKKEEPER Karen Seibert
OFFICERS Moderator: Bill Brainard
Vice Moderator: Bob Skaggs
Secretary: Cora Armstrong
Treasurer: Steve Larson
Financial Secretary: Rick Laughman
Asst. Financial Secretary: Dean Brown
SPIRITUAL LEADERS Elder Chair: Judy Carson
Deacon Chair: Michele Cooper
MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS Outreach: Jan Laughman, Paulette Idol
Jan: [email protected]
Worship: Cora Armstrong
Evangelism: Wanda Milligan
robert.milligan1931@gmail Youth: Tad Wasowicz & Steve Larson
Tad: [email protected]
Steve: [email protected]
Historian: Helen Hutchison
FORT MYERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH 5916 Winkler Road
Ft. Myers, FL 33919
(239) 437-4330 (239) 437-7992
www.disciplesfm.org
Office hours: M-F 9am—2pm
Photography for the January Chalice
provided by Bob Milligan & Kathi Kensinger.
January Chalice p. 2
McDaniel Family (Zach Seitz) Asya Teruni & Family Family of Karlyn Cowan Margarete Gray (Chris Thompson) John LaSota (Shirley Fizer) Carol Woods (Millie Dalrymple) Delores Burchell (Donna Fielding) Tiffani Scheel (Tom Brennan) Leah Reeder (Mary McClain) Ann Mills John Rains Ginny Spradlin Ruth Mason Elaine Maley Sharon Strada (Michele Cooper) Erma Weaver (Steve Weaver) Delores Burchell (Donna Fielding) Connie, Anne Peters, Pam Webster (Shirley Fizer) Connie Morris, (Paulette Idol) Mary Lee Cecil (Luan Dunham) Jean Freshour (Linda Rosenal) Jacinda Gorr (Cora Armstrong) James & Tim Fulcher & family (Peggy Roley) Jewel Carter, Helen Holmes Jami Hallman (Peggy Roley) Kasey McCurdy (Peggy Roley) Stan & Louise Kulig (Paulette Idol) Wade Nye Fay Wattenbarger Brenda Conyers (Bagents) Loretta Nolen, Jessica Pusceddu (Tina Lipes) Ramona Jones (Hutchisons) Kelly Parcher (Pat Dury) Angie Resler (Laughmans) Greg Engel (Ed Bodanske) Evelyn Sumerall (John & Carol Rains) Nancy Lowe (Audrey Sauer) Claude Wattenbarger James Rimes (Sharon Rimes) Stanley Fryza ( Luan Dunham) Duane Covert (Carol Trompeter & Luan Dunham) Marcia Wilson, Marilyn Kohman (Michele Cooper)
As we pray daily, please keep the following
people in your prayers: FMCC PRAYER WALL
SUNDAY MORNING 9:30AM IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
ADULT STUDY led by Pastor Zach
YOUTH led by Tad Wasowicz and Steve Larson
Discussion based study from the Lectionary Texts.
Topics include: The Lord’s Baptism, Discerning
God’s Call, Follow the Leader, Confronting Evil
SUNDAY SCHOOL
I'm very grateful to have the
opportunity to work at Fort Myers
Christian Church. I'm excited to be a part
of the team and I will dedicate all my
experience to continue to improve the
Music Department. We invite everyone
to join and be a part of our church.
MUSICAL NOTES
Asya Teruni
Music Director
WEEKLY SERMON SCHEDULE
1.4.15 “Just Imagine”
1.11.15 “Um, what should I do with this?”
1.18.15 “Reflections on saying Good Bye”
1.25.15 The Good Life “Pursues Something Greater”
Worship in January is going in many ways! We
already started the first Sunday with a New Year’s
message on the importance of not under-imagining
what God might do this new year. Subsequently, on
the 11th, there will be a sermon on the importance of
growing our faith, as well as specifically encouraging
and asking individuals to join Sunday School or a
Small Group.
On January 18, we will have another stand-alone
message which should be a deep message on saying
good-bye to love ones and friends. We will discuss the
real feelings, emotions, and even questions that are
involved. Additionally, we will discuss as disciples of
the Risen Christ how we might have hope in these
difficult, sad times.
Finally, on January 25, we will begin our
Stewardship Campaign which will last 4 weeks. Our
topic is the following: What does it mean to be living
the good life? There is no question that the secular
world advertises and pushes their answer on us.
However, as we take time to discuss and wrestle with
this pivotal question- we will discover that as
Christians we have another answer. The answer is
another way to live life. This will enable us to be more
faithful to Christ, including with our giving to God and
God’s Church.
WORSHIP MATTERS
ONGOING CONCERNS: Betty Willey Doug Jones Ann Lang Mary Kensinger Jane Swartz Dot and Ham Collier Charmie Stevens Barbara Bruce (Bob & Peggy Bruce) Leah Reeder & Rebecca VonWerder (Mary McClain’s daughters) Harry Cotabish Peggy Wood Ruth Munsell Eli Burke (Fay Wattenbarger’s grandson) Herb Cline
BOARD MEETING ♦ TUESDAY ♦ JANUARY 13 ♦7PM All officers, ministry team leaders, elders and
deacons are encouraged to attend.
The Board meeting is open to all.
The JANUARY PRAYER LIST is
available in the Narthex.
Sympathy and Acts of Compassion...
~ for the family of Karlyn Cowan, of Indiana, who
passed away in December.
~ for Asya Teruni and family upon the passing of her
mother on Dec. 12
~ for the family of Gladys McDaniel, Pastor Zach’s
grandmother, who passed away on January 5.
MEET & GREET
Dr. Asya Teruni
On Sunday, January 11, we will have a reception in
our Fellowship Hall to welcome Asya to our church
family. Please make time to meet not only Asya, but
also her husband, Ernest Sarkissian, and hopefully
their sons, Tigran Sarkissian, Armen Sarkissian,
Vahan Teruni, Artyom Teruni, providing their work
schedules allow them to attend.
HOPE SEMINARS Presentation by Hope’s Scott Eding
Hope HealthCare Services provide specialized care
for all people with complex needs
related to life-changing illness.
Help Others Find a Meaningful End of This Life What listening techniques can help people?
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 AT 10:00-12:30 PM with
a break for refreshments
Seminars led by Scott Eding, CT, M Div., BCC.
Scott has served Hope as a chaplain since 2008, visiting
patients and families in Hospice Houses, homes and
facilities. He is currently serving as Hope’s Spiritual Care
Advisor. Scott is an ordained Presbyterian Minister and
Board Certified Chaplain. For more information, call (800) 835-1673 or visit HopeHCS.org.
THANK YOU FROM THE HEARTS
OF YOUR FMCC STAFF The staff and I at FMCC want to give the entire
congregation special thanks for the generous Christmas
gift. Not only are we thankful for the monetary gift,
but also for the privilege to serve here at FMCC. It is a
great feeling to wake up on Mondays to serve such a
faithful and fruitful congregation. We look forward to
a wonderful year in 2015 together! ~Zach
January Chalice p. 6 January Chalice p. 3
The gold ornamental floral arrangements
that grace the altar
have been donated
in memory of Barbara Flanagan
by her daughter, Connie Zeiler.
SONSHINE CARD CLUB ~ WEDNESDAYS 11:30
Meet weekly for lunch at a local restaurant and a card
game of Hand & Foot back at the church. Contact: Pat Newman at 481-1648
JANUARY POTLUCK ~ WILL NOT BE HELD due to
carpet installation. Please join us for the Coffee Hour
Reception on January 11, for Asya Teruni.
CRAFTERS 4 CHRIST ~ C4C MEET FRIDAYS,
JANUARY 16 & 30 ♦ 10AM-12:30 PM Welcome
back, snowbird seamstresses! We welcome all ladies
who enjoy making a difference in other’s lives
through sewing. Items sewn are donated to local &
worldwide organizations in need. Join us in the
Fellowship Hall. Bring a sack lunch. Contact: Helen Hutchison and Nancy Brennan
MEN’S BREAKFAST♦ FRIDAY, JANUARY 16 ♦ 8AM
The Florida “Egg-Crackers” will cook up the BIG
BREAKFAST, served here at FMCC. Monthly
Program will be announced. Tickets $4.00 Contact: Bob Skaggs 239-267-2579
EUCHRE♦SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 ♦ 6:30 pm in the
Fellowship Hall. Bring a snack to share. Sign up in
Fellowship Hall on bulletin board.
Contact Helen Hutchison 995-7629
WINTER GOLF OUTINGS ♦ Six Lakes. Dates TBA
Contact: Walter Hutchison 995-7629
***COMING IN FEBRUARY***
LIFETOUCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
FEBRUARY 12, 13, & 14, 2015 Contact: Wanda Milligan, Cora Armstrong
CARD MAKING CLASS♦SATURDAY, FEB 28♦1-4 PM
with Louise Golicic. Fee $10.00 for several cards. All
supplies included. Bring a friend. It’s great to create
with friends & sharpen skills.
FROM THE MODERATOR ~ Bill Brainard
While our celebration of Christmas has ended for this year, we should all continue to live as if it is right around the
corner. Loving more, giving more, and just being more kind to one another.
The season here at Fort Myers Christian was most joyous; the sanctuary and fellowship hall both looked fantastic.
Our special services were wonderful; the Christmas Eve service was very well attended and very moving. The new
Longest Night service was well attended and I am told it also was a very well done service. [Karen and I were not able
to attend.] We look forward to continuing these and adding even more services where they fit.
As December closes we say a fond farewell to Ruth Berry, our director of music. Ruth is a great servant of the Lord.
Always ready, willing and able to do whatever is needed. She will be missed no doubt. She is moving in the spring to
Michigan to be closer to family. We all wish her all the best.
With that said, we welcome Ms. Asya Minasyan-Teruni to our family. Our new director of music Asya was
educated in Armenia and Russia; has taught in both Armenia and the United States, including Ave Maria and Florida
Gulf Coast Universities. She also has a local studio where she teaches. Her resume includes other church work, and
Asya is looking forward to serving here at FMCC.
Moving into January always means more members are here and more chances for you to serve the church.
Don’t wait to be asked ~ volunteer! ~Bill
PROPERTY
After much effort from Zach and Rick, we are on the schedule to have our carpet in the Fellowship hall replaced the
second week of January. The toilet that caused all of this has been repaired and soon this will all be in the past. Please be careful if you are using the building while the replacement is under way. ~Bill
All articles and items for the Sunday bulletin
are due by Wednesday afternoon for a
Thursday noon print schedule!
THANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOU
How can I ever thank everyone for your wonderful
words of appreciation, best wishes and all the cards
and gifts? I thank everyone for their support and
encouragement during these past seven plus years that
you have been my extended family. And then to give me
such a lovely sendoff really warmed my heart. My
special thanks to the choir members and Bob and
Wanda Milligan for all they have done for me. Their
kindness will never be forgotten. Ruth Berry FMCC HOLIDAY GIFT & CRAFT SALE
We had 15 vendors
with a wonderful
variety of wares ~
from books to soaps
to jellies & jewelry
to painted wooden
and repurposed
items. Santa had a
great time!
~ RUMMAGE SALE ~ Mark your calendars!
Sale dates ~ March 6 & 7, 2015
Bring your treasures and trash,
We’ll turn it into some cash!
Everybody
loves
Santa!
January Chalice p. 4
NEWS FROM THE MINISTRY TEAMS
January Chalice p. 5
OUTREACH MINISTRY
JAN LAUGHMAN, TEAM LEADER We had a very successful CHRISTMAS
OUTREACH. Approximately 32 gifts
were delivered to six Gladiolus
Learning and Development Center families, and
approximately 70 gifts were given to seven
Tanglewood Elementary School families. I am sure
we have helped these
families have a very joyous
Christmas. Thanks to all
who helped.
Thanks to CWF for their
contribution to the
Christmas families. Thanks
to the committee: Paulette
Idol, Elaine Maley, Diane
Bodanske, and Chana
Weaver. Thanks to the Santa
Shoppers & Wrappers: Kate Seitz, Elaine Maley,
Wanda Milligan and Rick. Thanks to the drivers
who delivered the gifts: Ed & Diane Bodanske,
Bob & Janet Herbst, Bob & Wanda Milligan, Walt
& Helen Hutchison, and Pastor Zach & Kate.
Thanks to my husband Rick for being "patient" and
helping with Christmas.
WORSHIP MINISTRY
CORA ARMSTRONG, TEAM LEADER
Our Longest Night Service turned
out to be very moving and beautiful. I
hope everyone takes the time to attend
next year. Christmas Eve service was
so nice; many families attended and
enjoyed the candles and moving sermon from
Pastor Zach. Our new year will provide many
changes and hoped-for-growth for our church. It
is so nice to spend this special time of year with
our winter families and friends. I wish all of you
the best of the New Year, may you come closer to
the love of God and each other. Bless each and
every one of you.
SERVING THE CHURCH IN JANUARY
ELDERS 1/4 & 1/11 Dean Brown, Shirley Fizer
1/18 & 1/25 Ed & Bev LaDuke
DEACONS Paulette Idol, Paul Munsell, Jim Moxley, George & Celia Lendh & Michele Cooper LITURGIST Frank Merideth
PRESENTER OF ELEMENTS 1/04 Janet and Bob Herbst
1/11 Donna and George Briggs
1/18 Jean Bannister, Chet Workman
1/25 Peggy and Bob Bruce
GREETERS Margaret and Marvin Willis
ACOLYTE Chase Lipes
TECH TEAM Dean Brown, Jan Laughman
EVANGELISM MINISTRY
WANDA MILLIGAN, TEAM LEADER
We are working to have a welcome
packet to give to our 2015 visitors. Zach
and I have been putting together things to
give to guests. Ideas we have are a folder
with information about our church, a card
about our youth group, a church business
card, and a Prayer and Praise card. We want to give
information to these guests without overwhelming
them. We hope to have this ready by the time our
northern visitors start coming down for the winter, If you
have any thoughts for this project, please let us know
about your ideas.
In February, we will have a card making class with
Louise Golicic. We had a class several years ago and had
lots of fun. We are welcoming the community and
friends to join us on that date. Look for more
information in this month’s Chalice.
WISH LIST FOR EVERYDAY CAFÉ
Hand can opener,
Canned: tuna, Vienna sausages,
Canned: soup, fruit, milk,
Ramen noodles, Hamburger Helper
***Consider the buy-one-get-one-free items and donate
one to CCMI.***
Please place food donations INSIDE the designated
kitchen cupboard in the kitchen.
EVERYDAY CAFÉ (CCMI) There is currently a short-
age of food and any further donations to this worth-
while effort will be much appreciated. Are you
interested in serving meals at the Café?
Please let Jan Laughman or Paulette Idol know!
Please continue to bring in your BOX TOPS AND
LABELS for the school children! A little goes a
long way! The label collection box is in the Fel-
lowship Hall. GLAD will be thrilled to redeem
these for academic materials. Ten labels is equiva-
lent to $1.00. Contact: Sherry Floore
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
RICK LAUGHMAN
THROUGH DECEMBER 31 THIRD QTR
3RD QTR BUDGET INCOME $ 39,267.57 3RD QTR TOTAL INCOME $ 53,622.07 Guardian Angels $ 678
Soup Kitchen $1,233.83
Christmas Outreach $ 160
Crafters 4 Christ $ 644.55
The CHRISTMAS SPECIAL DAY OFFERING $ 380
Special Day Offering (DOC - Christmas) 100%
stays in our Region.
YOUTH MINISTRY TAD WASOWICZ, STEVE LARSON
YOUTH GROUP has been great through the holiday
season. It's been great revisiting the story
of the birth of Jesus with young, new
perspectives to offer up opinions. We've
also been going over some of the tough
questions, Chase likes to keep us on our
toes! Often times, it's Anthony who
comes up with answers that are wise
beyond his years. We look forward to
continuing our lessons into the new
year. We are all youth at heart,
so feel free to join us at 9:30 before
church anytime you're feeling youthful!
D4C
YOUTH
G R
O U P
DONATIONS FOR THE C4C ~
CRAFTERS FOR CHRIST, are
always welcomed and
appreciated. This year-round
ministry serves a multitude of
children and adults in need ~
from clothing to blankets. Our
talented ladies give of their time
and talents to make a difference
in these lives. You can, too,
with your financial donation for fabric, thread, batting
& backing, trim, and machine repairs.
THE HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW WAS A SUCCESS! C4C SOLD OVER 30 BLANKETS & A DOZEN DRESSES
One of the shoppers donated several bags of fabric
to the ladies after learning of this ministry!
MORE BLANKETS FOR SALE!
You’ll see a colorful assortment of blankets for both
girls and boys in the Fellowship Hall. Cuddle up!
THANK YOU TO THE BELL RINGERS AT THE
SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE PROGRAM at K-Mart with Steve & Chana Weaver, Steve Larson, Jan
& Rick Laughman