Columns

Magazine

holy week and Easter

cultural renewal in our city

evangelism for a new world
celebrating growth

SPRING 2017
FI RST PR ES BY TER I A N C H U RC H O F O R L A N DO
 from david SPRING 2017
For the past month, I have been preaching about
the larger Biblical story what it means, how we understand it and
our role in that story now. It is a compelling story, to say the least,
because no matter where we may enter it, we can always find our-
selves. We can always find connections between the Biblical story
and our current circumstance. Perhaps we identify with Moses and
his lack of confidence, or David and his struggles with sexual temp-
tation, or Demas and his love of the world, or the bleeding woman
who, in her pain, simply reached out to touch Jesus. Regardless, we
are in it because the Bible is the story of all of us and Gods plan to
redeem our very broken lot.

Thus, while you find a lot of human failure in the Biblical story,
you find even more redemption. Yes, there is a lot of falling, but as
Helprin wrote so beautifully, there is also a lot of rising. Jesus de-
scended into death, the death we were due, but He rose from it. We
will celebrate that again at the Dr. Phillips Center in April. Therefore,
Throughout
we should also find ourselves in THAT story. We rise at the speed of
falling. Whatever it is we have done, whatever circumstance we may
his life he had
find ourselves in, whatever pain we may be enduring, there will be suffered
that moment of rising, and the rising is sufficient to overwhelm the
scars of our falling. periods of
It may be difficult to imagine when we are sitting in the middle of
despair only
the valley, but the beauty of Gods plan is that our scars and wounds
get taken up in the larger story of Jesus rising. When He rose, His
to be lifted
scars remained. Thomas touched them. The scars that Jesus endured from them and
on the cross had been taken up into the larger glory of Gods re-
demptive purpose, and ours will as well. Heaven will be all the more
to rise at the
sweet and rich precisely because we were wounded and scarred, pre-
cisely because we were broken and flawed. As we learn in this life,
speed of
the thing that is lost and then found is treasured all the more simply falling.
because it was lost. Without the pain of losing, we would never know
the greater joy of finding, and so it is in Gods plan.

Persevere in whatever place God has you. Be in Gods Word and find
Mark helprin,
your place in the story, but dont forget to also find the ways in which
God is lifting you from it, for one day that will be wholly and completely
a soldier of the
true. In Christ, we rise with Him at the speed of our falling. May God great war.
bless you in this Lenten season as we remember His falling and rising.

With you in the journey,

David

spring 2017 -2- COLUMNS Magazine

 arise
and build
UPDATE
p. 9

contents SPRING 2017

events & highlights featured stories
04 WHERE TO SERVE 12 RENEWING CULTURE by Dr. David Swanson
an adapted excerpt from The Collaborative's 5-day study
05 SAVE THE DATE (so you dont miss the fun)
15 6 APPROACHES TO EVANGELISM by Dr. Case Thorp
06 HOLY WEEK & EASTER the evolution of how First Pres shares the Gospel

09 ARISE AND BUILD update 18 INSTILLING A HEART FOR SERVICE

The Christ School shares ideas for serving as a family
10 CELEBRATING ministry
20 RUNNING THE RACE by Rev. Jack Peebles
23 FAMILY news facing disappointment on the journey of discipleship

ways to grow
08 A LENTEN JOURNEY with Dr. Dan Sharp

22 STOP SIGN PRAYER with Kim Allen

spring 2017 -3- fpco.org

 EASTER in the city
EASTER
For the last two years, weve April 16
hosted Easter worship services
for our city at the Dr. Phillips
Center for the Performing Arts.
Its an incredible opportunity
to welcome guests and visitors
who dont have a church home,
into our church family, and show
them the grace of Jesus Christ.

If you dont have a regular place

to serve, Easter is a great place
to plug in and help out on a
day when we need all hands on
deck. We want to create a warm
welcome and joyful celebration,
and wed love for you to be part
of the team at 9am or 11am.

Sign up! fpco.org/host

SERVE now
sundays Extroverts needed to
welcome guests on
Sunday morning as part
of our Welcome Team.
Make new friends!
fpco.org/servenow

weekly Enjoy coffee and Bible

study with friends in the
homeless community at
Compassion Corner. Call
Spence at 407.383.8566.

weekly Tutors and mentors are

needed for elementary,
middle school and col-
lege students on Mercy
Drive. Email Jenny at
jarrison@fpco.org. LIFEFEST
April 27
save the date SPRING 2017
March April
Young at Heart Luncheon 3/3 VBS Registration Opens 4/1

LifeFest Registration Opens 3/6 Palm Sunday 4/9

Second Sunday 3/12 Maundy Thursday 4/13

Spring SESSION II School of Discipleship Good Friday 4/14

Classes Begin 3/26
Easter Sunday 4/16

Farm-to-Table Fundraising Dinner 4/27

LifeFest Family Retreat 4/28-30

May
Confirmation Sunday 5/14

Second Sunday 5/14

Holiday Weekend Worship 5/28 sign up & learn more

(9:45am & 11am Only)
fpco.org/calendar
Church Closed for Memorial Day 5/29

Legend Community Study & Discipleship Serving Worship & Prayer

HOLY WEEK VBS

begins April 9 save the date
June 26-30

spring 2017 -5- fpco.org

 a Holy season
What is Lent? In a me-centered world, Lent is an opportunity to take a mindful approach to your relationship
with God, and put Him at the forefront of your habits. Forty days are set aside, among other things, to be a kind
of reckoning with God. As you move day-by-day through these next forty days leading up to Easter Sunday,
may you see the health of your faith more clearly than ever before, as we journey with Jesus during His last
days on earth. Make these days a conscious effort to grow in faith.

Lent begins, and with it, Dr. Dan Sharps popular daily devotion series returns.
Read online or have them delivered to your email inbox each day. march 1
Sign up at fpco.org/lent.

Ash Wednesday worship will be at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary on March 1. This day re-
minds us of our mortality and Christs great sufficiency. The ashes are a real, physical
reminder that we have come from dust originally and, in the end, we return to dust.
(Interactive 45-minute service, suitable for the whole family.)

The Last Days of Jesus, our 6-week Lenten sermon series begins. This series will look
at each day in the last week of Jesus life, beginning with Monday. march 5

Maundy Thursday worship will be at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. We will observe commu-
nion, and the Chancel Choir will lead worship with a creative presentation of the Faur april 13
Requiem. (70-minute service)

Good Friday worship will focus on the last hours of Jesus life as he commits himself to
the Cross. This year, our Jewish Christian friends will make a presentation of Christ and
the Passover. Participate, learn, and see the significance of this night in the context of april 14
Christs Jewish faith. 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. (60-minute service, suitable for the whole family.)

spring 2017 -6- COLUMNS Magazine

 Easter
Sunday

First Presbyterian Chruch of Orlando hosts Easter worship, April 16, 2017
9am & 11am at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Celebrate the hope of the resurrection with our city, and bring all your friends.
easterinthecity.com

spring 2017 -7- fpco.org

 real life disciplines

the Lenten journey

by DR. DAN SHARP
Journeying with Jesus
day by day leads to a much
Many of us have taken loved ones to In an effort to help all of us grow
the hospital for surgery. We sit in the deeper grasp of the wonder in our walk with Christ, we have
waiting room during the process, see and significance of the provided a daily devotional for the
them in recovery, sit with them each resurrection. Lenten season. Similar to the Advent
day, take them home, go through Devotional, each day will take an Old
rehab with them, stay with them SUBSCRIBE AT FPCO.ORG/LENT Testament passage and the New Tes-
every day and, Lord willing, they tament fulfillment of that Scripture
eventually recover. There is great in showing how Jesus journey on
Hallelujah! Had so much more depth
joy in an ordeal that concludes with earth fulfilled his Fathers mission
of meaning. How does this sort of
good news. Restored health! Think to restore all people. This is entirely
thing happen? We visit the Lord
how different your response to your new material. Subscribe for FREE
every day.
loved ones recovery would be if you and the devotional will come in your
simply got a note that they had been email box every morning automati-
These daily reflections help us to
sick, but now were in good shape. cally. (You must re-subscribe if you
see the whole of Scripture and Gods
Youd be happy for them, but, I dare signed up for the Advent Devotional.)
plan. In seeing the connections, well
say, less impacted because you did As in previous devotionals, there are
begin to have a greater grasp of the
not go through the ordeal with them pictures of great art as well a musical
glory, wonder, and significance of
in person. You rejoiced from afar. links, and historic prayers includ-
the resurrection as well as begin to
ed in your devotional. Part of the
understand why the early church
I have had dozens of people tell me thought is that through the disci-
celebrated Easter, not as a single day,
after an Easter Sunday service how pline of spending time with the Lord
but as a whole season. The Resurrec-
much more meaningful and joyous each day in the Scriptures, we will
tion celebration continued for fifty
the time of worship was specifically continue that practice the rest of the
days, all the way to Pentecost.
because they had devotional time days of our life. This daily visita-
Some of us have heard about giving
each day of the Lenten season. In tion brings healing to you!
something up for Lent. I would like
addition, they journeyed with Jesus
to propose something a little differ-
from Palm Sunday through Maundy Dr. Dan Sharp, our Minister of Worship,
ent: what discipline could you take
Thursday, Good Friday, to Easter. oversees the Worship Arts department and
on for Lent? What would enable you
This gave them a deeper grasp of leads our Traditional worship service on
to have a Christ-focus each of the
the wonder and significance of the Sunday mornings. dsharp@fpco.org
forty days preceding Easter Sunday
resurrection. In one persons words,
morning?

spring 2017 -8- COLUMNS Magazine

 funds given:
$5.2 MILLION
tithed to mission:
$520,000
remaining to give:
$2.5 MILLION

uture
DEDICATION OF THE CLASSROOM BUILDING AT THE FJKM see the f pe
IVATO THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE IN MADAGASCAR. take sha T
ES A
PICTUR BUILD
RG/
FPCO.O

a campaign update
ARISE AND BUILD is four-year capital campaign begun in October 2014, designed to free our
church from debt and fund foundational ministry. Our debt was paid off in January 2016, and we
only have $2.5 million left to raise of our $7.7 million goal.

Well renovate our Student Ministry this summer.
The building plans are ready to renovate the 3rd floor
of Allen Yowell Hall, including a multi-purpose gathering
area, updated technology and AV resources, and wel-
coming spaces for small groups and study. Continued
giving will ensure we can keep our summer timeline!
Mission giving makes new spaces a reality in Mada-
gascar and the Dominican Republic. Some of our First
Pres team were special guests at the ground breaking of
the Ivato Theological College new classroom building
in Madagascar (seen above). $100,000 of the campaign
supports construction of the classroom building.
The new gym at Mission Emanuel in the Dominican
Republic has been completed, made possible by ARISE
AND BUILD and an extra $100,000 contributed by the
elders of our Session. See pictures and video online at
fpco.org/build.
JOIN IN: If youre part of the First Pres family
and youre not yet participating in ARISE AND
BUILD, youre missing out! Your gift, however
small or large, will help build the Kingdom of
God. Contribute at fpco.org/ariseandbuild.

spring 2017 -9- fpco.org

 First Pres experienced a 15% increase in our

christmasgrowth worship attendance on Christmas Eve

from 2015 to 2016. (A special thanks to
our volunteers, who served on their holiday!)

PHOTOS BY TANNER FOX & SCARLETT STEWART

collaborativecity Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined

The Collaborative for 6 questions and a
conversation on how we can love our city.

PHOTOS BY TANNER FOX

spring 2017 - 10 - COLUMNS Magazine

 Author and speaker Andy Crouch joined Heart

flourishingtogether of the City Foundation, The Collaborative and

the elders of our Session to help teach us the
power of being both strong and weak.

PHOTOS BY TANNER FOX

Women Engagedretreat

Need some time away with God?

Save the date for the Women Engaged
retreat, September 22-24, 2017.

Our planning team is hard at work

designing this event with worship,
fellowship and opportunities to be
still with God.

Details coming soon!

spring 2017 - 11 - fpco.org

renew
features

cult
spring 2017 - 12 - COLUMNS Magazine
wing
ture Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried
you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will
prosper. Jeremiah 29:7

Serving the city

DR. DAVID SWANSON

What do we mean when we talk about renewing culture? What does a flourishing community look like?
Why does it matter if we think of ourselves and express ourselves as a city-center church?

Christians too often live today as if the big, bad world is going so negatively influence them or those
they love, and they isolate themselves from it. To the contrary, God calls us towards the world, not
away from it, and that means we should be especially attentive to cities. Pastor and author Tim Keller
says cities are what shape and influence the world, and the larger the city, the greater the influence.
Almost every significant social change or moral shift or intellectual discovery in human history has
been conceived and developed anchored in a city. What happens in cities then trickles out to the rest of
spring 2017 - 13 - fpco.org
the population. It never happens in reverse; thus,
the church must have a clear, focused strategy to
shape and influence cities.
Without our engagement as a Christian communi-
ty, how will people see a different life? People dont
go to church anymore, so how would they know
So, yes, seeking the peace and prosperity of
the city means that we work on economics.
We work on education. We work on housing.
We work on racial reconciliation.
unless we become the vessels? Scholar Phillip
Ryken writes, God commands Christians to do
anything and everything to further the public good.
Seeking the prosperity of the city means being a
good neighbor. It means shoveling the sidewalk. It
means cleaning the street. It means planting a tree.
It means feeding the poor. It means volunteering
at a local school. It means greeting people at the
store. It means driving safely and helping people
with car trouble. It means shutting down immoral
businesses. It means embracing people from every
ethnic background with the love of Christ.
The result of such living, according to the prophet
Jeremiah, is that when the city prospers, we
prosper. The church prospers. Her witness flour-
ishes because people see us as humble servants
possessed of grace and love that transforms and
changes life. So, yes, seeking the peace and pros-
perity of the city means that we work on econom-
ics. We work on education. We work on housing. We
work on racial reconciliation.
This city matters
When the economy is pumping and people have
jobs because they were trained and educated, they
are able to live into the reason for which God made
them: to work, create and produce in the world for
His glory. They have a sense of accomplishment.
Their self-esteem grows and this lifts all of us.
Thus, if a person chooses to isolate themselves from
the world, they are not actually helping anything.
They are not fostering the Kingdom nor bringing
peace because they are not introducing the agent
of such change: Jesus. Paul writes in Romans 5:1,
spring 2017
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know that true peace is only found in Christ,
but the land of exile in which we now live will only
know that if we intentionally love and serve them,
as we show them how we are different and not by
abdicating truth.
Lets move towards our city and not away from it,
because cities matter. This city matters.
Its not a throw away world, but one that
God will one day come back and redeem
completely. Between now and then, lets
remember that when the city prospers,
so will the church.
Study questions
1. When it comes to the issues that face our
community today, do you find yourself
wanting to withdraw from it, fight it, or just
give up? Why are those unsuccessful strate-
gies for Gods Kingdom?
2. What are some ways that you can become
better informed about our citys needs? What
are some gifts that you have which might be
offered to help meet those needs?
3. When the church serves the commu-
nity without expectation or condi-
tion, why does that have such power?
How does that show forth the gospel?
Co-labor with us
The Collaborative is a new initiative of First Pres,
developed to help people connect the dots between
work and faith. Our goal is to equip people to think
beyond the paycheck and find deeper meaning in
the place they spend most of their waking hours
and energy: their work.
This is an adapted excerpt from The Collaboratives
5-day devotional study, Renewing Culture, by Dr.
David Swanson. If you want to know more about
how your work can be used to help shape our city
for good, subscribe to get the full study delivered
to your email inbox. Sign up at collaborativeorlando.
com/study.
David Swanson is the Senior Pastor of First Pres, casting
the vision of a vibrant city-center church within our 140
year-old church family. dswanson@fpco.org
- 14 - COLUMNS Magazine
features

6
by DR. CASE THORP
approaches
to evangelism
As the pastor leading the evangelism ministries of our
church, I am often asked questions similar to these:

When will we do another City Reach with an altar call?

As the final church home to Bill and Vonette Bright, when
do we train our members in delivering the Four Spiritual
Laws?
When will we plant our next church, and where?
Ive outlined six common models for evangelism in the
American church context. This list isnt exhaustive, but il-
lustrates some of the methods for sharing the Gospel that
we have tried over the years at First Pres.
Youll find each of them in our churchs history or present
programs, and then I provide a bit of commentary on ef-
fectiveness and impact.

These are legitimate questions we always need to ask in one.

some form or another. For a church without an evangelis- The Billy Graham altar call
tic drive is a dying church that, like the Ephesian church
You may have noticed (I know the members who are former
of Revelation 2:4, has lost its first love.
Baptists have!) that we do not usually end our worship
services with an opportunity to respond to the Gospel
Theological convictions, congregational strengths, re-
message via an altar call. Presbyterian worship is based
sources, and past successes all come together to shape a
on a theological explication of worship practices through-
churchs evangelism programs. We must constantly ask
out the Old and New Testaments. Altar calls were not part
ourselves in this rapidly-changing world, What are the
of temple or synagogal worship, nor the post-Resurrection
most effective ways to fulfill the Lords call to go and
house church worship tradition. Yet, our Southern Baptist
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
and Methodist friends institutionalized the post-sermon
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
altar call due to the success of it amidst the evangelistic
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
fervor of the Second Great Awakening (circa 1790-1820).
you? (Matthew 28:19-20)

spring 2017 - 15 - fpco.org

They emulated the Scriptural preaching examples of John
the Baptist and the Apostle Peter at Pentecost to great
success, and placed it after the sermon.
Besides the Scriptural basis for worship proper, another
reason our tradition chooses not to incorporate an altar
call in the liturgy on a regular basis is due to our doctrine
of sin. Our emphasis upon total depravity leads us to be
suspicious of emotional manipulation. If the Holy Spirit
moves and you respond to the work of salvation, great!
Yet, we want to make sure it truly is the Holy Spirit and
not the effect of a passionately delivered sermon, ecstatic
musical presentation, or social pressure pushing you to
respond. While individual responses to the gospel in Re-
formed churches may happen less visibly, they still occur
with great regularity and sincerity.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be
hidden. Matthew 5:14
two.
The Bill Bright personal witness and
logical explanation
Bill Bright, co-founder of Cru with his wife, Vonette,
taught the world a methodology he found quite successful
at UCLA in the 1950s. Bright taught his team to start a con-
versation with a non-believer around a common interest
and then use a small pamphlet containing the Four Spir-
itual Laws to explain the logic of the Gospel. This worked
in a day of greater trust and hegemony. Unfortunately I
have found in my experience that todays prevalence of
suspicion, cynicism, and outright disgust with perceived
Christian beliefs drive people away. It takes so long to
build trust in order to share the greatest news ever, people
rarely give you the chance.
three.
The Social Gospel movement
The Social Gospel Movement (early 20th century) was
shaped by such individuals as Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957)
in the Roman Catholic tradition, and the Baptist Walter
Rauschenbusch for Protestants. They lead other Chris-
tians to address a variety of conditions for the poor like
urban slums, dangerous workplaces, and access to educa-
tion. Their movement overlapped with womens suffrage,
prohibition, and taxation debates.
The impact of this movement is seen today in First Pres
spring 2017 - 16 -
homeless ministry, Compassion Corner and the Good
News Breakfast. As well, our mission work on Mercy Drive
with outreach to at-risk youth from toddlers to college
via FOUR12 (Kids Across America summer camp), and
Oasis. Globally our community develop work with Mission
Emanuel parallels our work in an orphanage and girls
vocational school in Madagascar.
In this method we present the Gospel in both Word and
deed: we demonstrate the love of Jesus through our pres-
ence, relationships, and services. However, unlike pro-
gressive Protestantism, we never fail to articulate that
love in the specifics of Jesus work on the cross. It was this
very balance and approach that called me here almost 12
years ago this spring. First Pres commitment was equally
strong with its compelling preaching ministry and its
deep ministry to vulnerable populations. That was rare
then, and gratefully is on the rise.
four.
Church planting
Did you know that planting a new church is the best way
to invite new adult converts into faith? It is. Clearly this
model is well known, replete throughout the New Tes-
tament, and one First Pres has engaged numerous times
in her history. We currently have a very active Church
Planting Subcommittee of the Evangelism Committee.
We support church plants in Scotland, West Palm Beach,
and Marsh Harbor, The Bahamas. Our leadership gleans
on-going resources, training and networking through the
Redemeer City to City program while praying about local
opportunities.
five.
Bill Hybels relational evangelism
Bill Hybels is the founder and pastor of Willow Creek, a
mega-church outside Chicago known for its leadership
training and excellent evangelism training materials.
Hybels mantra has been be a friend, make a friend, lead
a friend to Christ. We frequently teach His books and
studies, Contagious Christianity, updated now as Walk Across
the Room.
I resonate with this model because it is relationally rooted.
It is in relationship we find an authenticity and comfort
level that allows room for deep and meaningful conver-
sations. It is important, in this model, for one to know
their testimony and some basic theological ideas. Our
workshops in this model havent been the most popular
in the past, but quite effective for those that feel the drive
to share their faith in winsome and effective ways. Keep
alert for our next testimonial workshop.
COLUMNS Magazine
six.
Expanding the reign of The vision of the The Collaborative is a culturally and
the Kingdom of God economically renewed city living out faith through work.

This final methodology is the most complicated, but one We reach this vision by helping to redeem the purpose

our congregation is uniquely equipped to embrace based of work by restoring and renewing Christ-centered indi-

on resources, platform, and city-center location. viduals in their vocations. The programs, resources, and
strategies of The Collaborative equip people to understand

Jesus says in Matthew 5:13-16, work from a biblical perspective; to serve professions and
industries; to derive personal satisfaction from vocation

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, and calling. We connect workers within particular fields

how shall its saltiness be restored? ...You are the light of and industries to develop cross-sector partnerships in

the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. order to address complex social problems. Finally, The
Collaborative mobilizes people and institutions through

John Stott reflects on these words of Jesus in his work, clear and consistent calls to action for engaged agents to

Christian Mission in the Modern World, by writing: change the city for the common good.

Gods mission ... describes everything the church is sent Sound like a lot? Yes, but this evangelistic edge runs

into the world to do. [It] embraces the churchs double throughout The Collaborative. When work becomes the

vocation of service to be the salt of the earth and the platform upon which mature Christians can engage a

light of the world. co-worker, in both conversation and industry action, the
Kingdom of God is revealed. The Holy Spirit does His work,

Stott then connects salt to the preservation of societal Christ is confessed, and the Father is glorified. When

order (justice), and light to the verbal delivery of the Gospel companies and whole industries reflect Biblical values,

(salvation). Unfortunately, modern society likes to put methods, and flourishing, everyone in Orlando benefits.

faith, and people of faith, in a truncated ghetto of ethics

and morality. Evidence of this is seen when someone says, Surely more models of evangelism serve the breadth of

Keep your beliefs to yourself. They have nothing to con- the Christian church in multiple places on this planet.

tribute to the real world. Applying the Bible, Christian And in the coming years more will come about as society

thought, or the experience of the Church to the production evolves. I am grateful to be part of a church that has his-

of BMWs, urban design, or legal philopsophy is a complete torically embraced the call to replicate Christ followers

non-sequitur to most people, Christ followers or not. with a flexibility to adapt to the context around us.

Stott resurrects a Calvinistic approach to our faith by

Case Thorp leads The Collaborative team, and is having too much
breaking down barriers between ones Christian life and
fun doing it. Really. Case is married to Jodi, and they have three
secular life. Rather than operating and ministering with beautiful children, Alexandra, Charles, and Brooks.
a fractured dualism, there should be an integrated whole-
ness between the truth of the Gospel and the practice of The Collaborative exists to help people connect the dots between
our lives. faith and work. To learn more about programs and events aimed
at fulfilling this strategy, visit collaborativeorlando.com.
In order to discover and execute such an integration,
Christians read the Scriptures for a vision of life, voca-
tion, family, and communal engagement that reflects
the redeemed Creation in the fullness of time. What will
parenting look like in the New Jerusalem, established on
earth after Christs return? How will commerce occur
and governments be selected in that day? Reflections like
these lead us to live differently, and invite others into
living as if the Kingdom of God were fully realized.

Our elders are taking this approach with The Collabora-

tive, First Pres cultural and economic renewal initiative
supported in part by the ARISE AND BUILD campaign.

spring 2017 - 17 - fpco.org

INSTILLING A HEART FOR SERVICE
by GRETCHEN MILLER BASSO
What is it about service that
helps young people flourish
throughout their lives?
Dr. Jason Powell, Head of The
Christ School, explains, Our
school unabashedly bears
the name of Jesus Christ, as a
result, we turn to scripture for
guidance for our vision and
mission.
When we engage in serving others,
something behavioral, physical and
spiritual occurswe experience the
Kingdom of God and, as educators, we
know that experiences shape learn-
ing and learning shapes hearts and
minds. Hearts and minds focused on
the Kingdom of God shape desires and
lead to a lifetime of human flourish-
ing as image-bearers of Gods truth
and grace.
To help instill service in the hearts
of students, The Christ School (TCS)
provides hands-on and age-appro-
priate leadership and service oppor-
tunities throughout the Kindergarten
through 8th grade journey.
One of the schools most anticipated
events each year is One Great Day of
Service, an event in which all stu-
dents, teachers, staff members, and
parent volunteers spend an entire day
spring 2017
volunteering at a variety of organiza- on a paper light ornament. Strings
tions in the Central Florida commu- of these lights were displayed in
nity. It is one of the highlights of our classrooms and hallways to show
year, says Dr. Powell. how everyday service and kindness
impacts lives. It is important to let
TCS students continue to serve our students experience service in
throughout the year via classroom many forms. says Mrs. Kleinsteuber.
activities. In addition, 5th - 8th grade It is also important for them to be
students serve through National aware; to see others doing kind acts
Junior Honor Society (NJHS), Student and acknowledge them for doing it.
Council and as Student Ambassadors.
Transitional kindergarten through The Christ Schools tight-knit com-
5th grade students serve the com- munity helps to reinforce service
munity by participating in the Lower learning at home. This past No-
School Service Club where they learn vember, Linda Schneider, TCS mom,
about the missions of nonprofit orga- implemented a blanket and sheet
nizations in Central Florida and work drive to benefit the Coalition for the
on projects to support them. Homeless and local pet rescues. Our
son Evan is in the first grade. He
Our students are always eager to attends The Christ School and is part
find ways to serve the community, of Cub Scouts and
says Nicole Kleinsteuber, TCS 6th
grade teacher. Recently, TCS Student
has been hearing
about the word
whatever
Ambassadors held a Souper Sunday
Drive, and collected cans of soup to
service in both
arenas, says
you did for
benefit Christian Service Center fami- Mrs. Schneider. the least
lies. For Thanksgiving, NJHS students I didnt quite
organized a food drive to benefit think he under- of these
Second Harvest Food Bank. During
Advent, Student Council members
stood what service
actually looked
brothers of
inspired students through Spread
the Light, an initiative to recognize
like so I decided
to do this drive.
mine, you did
positive actions of their peers. When I wanted him to for me.
students or teachers noticed someone be able to see
doing something nice to spread the the populations Matthew 25:40
light, they wrote what they noticed being served and
- 18 - COLUMNS Magazine
the good it was doing. We dont own
a home or have much in the way of
money to donate, but we have a lot
more than most people; a roof over our
head and food on the table. I wanted
Evan to be able to begin to understand
that and see the needs that we can
meet for others, she says.
TCS mom Julie Fetherman also feels
strongly about service learning. I had
been mindfully thinking for weeks
on ways I could incorporate a service
project for our family that would
allow my children to truly understand
the blessings in their life by helping
those who were less fortunate, she
says. Prayers were answered when
I met a family, the DeLucas, through
my son Jamesons soccer team. They
shared their experience with #Hashta-
gLunchbag, a national non-profit orga-
nization that encourages communities
to join together and assemble bagged
lunches and distribute to the home-
less and hungry. We launched our own
chapter, #HashtagLunchbagO-town,
and held our first event Thanksgiving
weekend. This event has sparked ex-
citement and compassion in our chil-
dren. They were so happy to walk up to
anyone and give them a lunch; to say
hello and show that they care. It helped
them get outside of their own heads for
a bit the I want and its unfair - to
see how blessed they really are, as well
spring 2017
as how, even at such a young age, they
can make a difference.
TCS middle school student Gabby
Galvez discusses her experience
serving alongside her mom. My mom
took me to Give Kids the World, where
we painted fences, planted plants, and
laid mulch, says Gabby. It was hard
work and I was really tired, but I didnt
want to leave when it was time to go. It
was so much fun! The project meant a
lot to me because I was honored that
my mom chose me to help. It felt good
to help others, and I hope the people I
helped felt good, too.
TCS student Cole Whitaker recently
served with his brother Jake and
friends at Meals on Wheels. We
went to peoples houses and delivered
Thanksgiving dinner, says Cole. It
made me so happy! When we put a
smile on the recipients faces, it made
me happy for the whole day. I was sad
when we had to leave, because I really
enjoyed visiting with the people we
brought meals.
The Christ School serves children from
transitional kindergarten through 8th Grade,
and is located on the First Presbyterian
Church of Orlando campus. Learn more at
thechristschool.org.
- 19 -
Does your family
have a heart for
service?
Service can be as big as
organizing a drive or as small as
helping around the house. TCS
teachers, parents and staff have
ideas for ways your family can
serve our community:
PRAY for families in need
GATHER gently used blankets
and deliver them to the
Christian Service Center
COLLECT new and gently used
books for children and deliver
them to Bags of Hope Central
Florida
BAKE cookies and deliver them
to a neighbor who would enjoy
a visitor
CREATE thank you cards for
your local police station
WRITE a note of
encouragement to a wounded
hero and share it with
Camaraderie Foundation
READ a book to a younger
sibling, neighbor, or friend
SURPRISE your mail carrier or
sanitation workers with a small
treat or nice card, even when
its not a holiday
fpco.org
running the race
by REV. JACK PEEBLES

spring 2017 - 20 - COLUMNS Magazine

My original article for this edition
of Columns was going to include
reflections on my journey toward my
first marathon. I anticipated offering
thoughts and feelings on reaching
my goal of 26.2 miles. With all of the
early mornings and hours and miles
logged on the running trail, I antic-
ipated a sense of joy and self-sat-
isfaction at the accomplishment of
finishing a marathon. I wanted to
equate my experience to the journey
of discipleship and how the joy of
that journey far exceeds anything we
experience in terms of self-focused
pursuits. However, a funny thing
happened on the way to my goal
I have a condition called spondy-
lolisthesis. You can look it up, but
basically, one of my vertebrae in my
lower spine has shifted and is mis-
aligned. When aggravated, it swells
and puts pressure on the nerves in
my back, including my spinal cord. It
is due to an old injury I experienced
over twenty years ago. Typically, it
causes minor discomfort and can be
managed with Advil, stretching, and
exercise. Every once in a while, how-
ever, the aggravation is more severe.
Partly due to the cold weather, my
back seized up more intensely than I
have experienced in a long time.
It was severe enough that I not only
had to withdraw from the race, but
also knew I could not make it back to
my hotel on my own. While I sat in
the medical tent, I was in so much
pain I seriously considered calling an
ambulance. When the muscles cramp
around the injury, its like a knife
going right into the spinal column.
It is the worst pain I have ever
experienced, and this was one of
the worst episodes Ive had. Adding
insult to injury, I felt that all of the
hours and miles logged for the mar-
athon were wasted. It was definitely
a low point for me.
spring 2017
As I tried to get out of the chair to
make my way back to the bus, I had
to be lifted by two medical volun-
teers. They helped me to walk it
off until I could get on the bus and
make my way back to the lodge.
Every time my back seized, they
caught me so I would not fall. One of
them helped me, not just to the bus,
but rode the bus all the way to the
hotel, walked me up to my room, and
even took off my shoes. Talk about
above and beyond!
"The journey
toward my
marathon is
very much like
the journey
of discipleship.
We can have
goals and
expectations, but
Unfortunately,
life does not
always turn out
the way we hope."
While we were on the bus, we met
a student from Texas Christian
University (TCU), who was running
the half marathon (which had been
cancelled the day before due to
weather) during the marathon race.
He left the race after achieving his
half marathon goal. We struck up a
conversation. After talking for a
while, he asked if I had received a
medal. Upon hearing that I had not,
he gave me the one he had received
- 21 -
upon completion of his half. He had
received both the half and the full-
marathon medals when he finished
and, even though he could and
should have kept it, he chose to give
the marathon medal to me.
As I have reflected on this particular
experience, I have to confess to you
that I was filled with disappointment
about the race. I do not like missing
my goals. I do not like having to
depend on others. In this instance, I
was faced with both.
I dont wish to overstate my expe-
rience, or put it on par with the real
trials and tribulations of life that we
all experience. God, however, in His
infinite wisdom and grace, taught me
a valuable lesson. The journey toward
my marathon is very much like the
journey of discipleship. We can have
goals and expectations, but unfor-
tunately, life doesnt always turn out
the way we hope. As much as we love
the mountain tops, there will be dark
valleys. God does not leave us alone.
He surrounds us with the larger Body
of Christ to help us along the path.
Because of my injury, I was forced to
be on the receiving end of help from
others, and I was blessed immensely.
In addition, I was given the gift of
a medal that I had not earned in
the same way God gives us His gift
of grace, which cannot be earned.
In the end, a day that began with
disappointment was concluded with
gratitude.
Rev. Jack Peebles is our Associate Pastor
of Discipleship and here to help you find
your way on the journey of getting to know
Jesus. If youre ever out on the West Orange
Trail, you might need to help Jack find his
way while he trains for his first full mara-
thon (after some recovery).
jpeebles@fpco.org
fpco.org

stop sign prayer
Kim Allen, director of Childrens Ministry, shares some ideas on how you can share the discipline of
prayer with your children, even during the seemingly mundane parts of our days.
by KIM ALLEN
My friend Courtney has an amaz-
ing routine with her children. Each
morning, as theyre leaving the
neighborhood for school, prayer be-
gins at the first stop sign. You might
be thinking, that would be the last
thing on my mind! However, her
prayer monitors in the back seat
will always remind her if she forgets.
They have a simple prayer that they
recite together and then each child
offers up one of their own requests
and Courtney closes.
There is a simple beauty about
praying with children. They are like
sponges, soaking up the living water
that prayer is. Children are so teach-
able. It is not a performance and no
one is going to care whether we use
a bunch of big impressive words. We
can pray about important stuff, like
our nation, or our school day, or our
cat. Its all important.
After all, prayer is really just com-
munion with God. As parents, we
love a meaningful, heartfelt conver-
spring 2017
where to connect
The Breadbox, our Childrens
Ministry email, arrives monthly
chock-full of information about
SHINE, and tips and resources
on how you can disciple your
small people.
These commandments that I give you
FPCO.ORG/EMAIL
today are to be on your hearts. Impress
them on your children. Talk about them
sation with our children; God invites
when you sit at home and when you walk
us to the same. His desire is rela-
along the road, when you lie down and
tionship, but the benefits of prayer
when you get up. Tie them as symbols
for us are endless:
on your hands and bind them on your
The peace of Gods presence. foreheads. Write them on the doorframes
The preparation of our hearts for of your houses and on your gates.
something that is coming our way,
The whole sit at home and walk
ready or not.
along the road, lie down and get
Laying down a burden too heavy to
up thing is for real. Thats the life
carry.
of a parent; we feel like we are in
Giving up control (or the illusion of
constant motion. Stopping to kneel
control) over something which we
down on the kitchen floor for a holy
would do well to let Him handle.
moment is few and far between. God
Surrendering our dreams to His
knows this. Hes with us all day,
best plans for us.
every day. And He still says, Come!
While its always a great idea to set Even if you are loading car seats or
aside time for concentrated, unin- washing sippie cups or driving to
terrupted prayer, that reality escapes piano lessons. I am with you.
most busy parents on many days.
God may just be using that stop sign
But hold on! God knew that was ex- in your neighborhood as more than
actly what would happen, way back just a stop sign. It may be a sign to
when He told Moses and the Israel- pray with your children, even on the
ites in Deuteronomy 6:6-9: go.
- 22 - COLUMNS Magazine
family news SPRING 2017
congratulations...
Cearan and Erin Caffrey
have twin daughters,
Adeline Mae Caffrey and
Olivia Laine Caffrey, born
August 26, 2016. The proud
grandparents are Dan and
Pam Vierling.
Joshua Palma and Chelsea
Cohen were married October
22, 2016 at the Ritz Carlton in
Orlando. Joshua is the son of
Paul and Cherry Palma.
Brandon and Anna Roush
have a son, Jacob Douglas
Roush, born October 28,
2016, and the grandparents
are Dave and Amanda
Cowan.
August Perrotti and Sabrina
Lawrence were married
November 19, 2016 at the
Lakeshore Center in Ocoee,
FL. Laura Elizabeth Guglielmi
and Daniel Joseph Gamache,
Jr. were married November
19, 2016, in the Sanctuary.
Laura Beth is the daughter
of John and Carrie Beth
Guglielmi.
Gabe and Rachel de Guia
have a son, Luke Gabriel de
Guia, born December 16,
2016.
Caleb and Lauren Lawson
have twin sons, Ashe Wood
Lawson and Ames Carlton
Lawson, born November
23, 2016. The proud
grandparents are Alan and
Julie Lawson.
Gray and Courtney Hill
have a daughter, Rebecca
Betsy Caroline Hill, born
October 11, 2016. The proud
grandparents are John and
Linda Reynolds.
Steven and Bailey Harman
have twin daughters, Harriet
Hattie Lucille Harman and
Hester Grace Harman, born
January 13, 2017.
schedule a baptism x1451
request a hospital visit x1455
plan a wedding x1272
arrange a memorial service x1455
spring 2017
Cameron Vann Byram and
Courtney Alexis Bogert were
married February 11, 2017
in the Sanctuary. Courtney
is the daughter of Ted and
Stacy Bogert.
our sympathy to...
Candee and Bill Brooks on
the death of her father, Lt.
Colonel Dan Jones, October
14, 2016.
Gilbert and Tammas Smith on
the death of his father, Bocky
Smith, October 14, 2016.
The family and friends
of Anne Banta who died
October 15, 2016.
Ken and Susanne Uncapher
on the death of his step-
father, Ted Phelps, October
16, 2016.
Betty Rice on the death of
her son, Bill Rice, October 18,
2016.
Marcia and Irfran Kazmi
on the death of her father,
Richard Fletcher, October 16,
2016 and her brother, Roger
Fletcher, October 27, 2016.
Cindi and Andy Hiltin on the
death of her mother, Phyllis
Cowden, October 19, 2016.
The family and friends of
Nancy Hargis, who died
October 20, 2016.
Harold and Barbara Hedge
on the death of their
grandson, Jimmy Hedge,
October 23, 2016.
Barb and John Whitehouse
on the death of her mother,
Marybelle Snyder, October
24, 2016.
The friends and family of
Joe Guernsey who died
November 1, 2016.
Louise and Bob Walsh on the
death of her step-mother,
Evelyn Claiborne, November
8, 2016.
were here to help
407.423.3441
gift flowers for worship x1462
ask giving questions x1479
change your address x1471
reach security 407.955.0344
- 23 -
Margaret Foster on the death Kim and Mike Penney on
of her son, and Sue and Alex the death of her father, Tom
Hartley on the death of her Shuptar, January 1, 2017.
brother, James Allan Foster, Sue Fenstermaker on the
November 13, 2016. death of her husband, Jim
Fenstermaker, January 7,
Debbie Barnhart on the death
of her husband, Don Barnhart, 2017.
November 22, 2016.
Eileen Chole on the death
Deborah and Mark Neidig on
the death of her mother, Mary
of her husband, Bert Chole, Gillian Smith, January 8, 2017.
November 26, 2016.
Steven and Bailey Harman on
Fi Way on the death of her the death of their daughter,
husband, De Way, November Hester Grace, January 13,
29, 2016. 2017.
The friends and family of Rich and Mike (April) Magee
Charles Stepter, who died on the death of their mother,
November 29, 2016. Betty Magee, January 19,
2017.
The friends and family of May
Porter who died December Jen Carlisle on the death of
1, 2016. her husband, Dan Carlisle,
January 23, 2017.
Julie and Chris Whittaker on
the death of her father, Louis Joe and Eugenia Sefcik on
Simon, December 8, 2016. the death of his father, Rev.
Joseph Sefcik, January 19,
Dr. Kara Birrer on the death
2017 and her mother, Mary
of her father, Van Birrer,
Jean Riddle, February 12,
December 11, 2016.
2017.
Hattie Summer on the death
Cathy Thompson on the
of her husband, Charlie
death of her step-father, Paul
Summer, December 12, 2016.
McKinley, January 16, 2017.
Barbara and John Pinel on
George Huffman on the death
the death of her grandfather,
of his brother, Bruce Huffman,
Albert Bass, December 12,
January 29, 2017.
2016.
Carlos and Rebecca Gimenez
Bill and Carmen Pipkin on
on the death of his mother,
the death of his mother, Ina
Eileen Gimenez, February 5,
Pipkin, December 15, 2016.
2017.
The friends and family of
Ellen Arnold on the death
Karen Hamlett, December 17,
of her father, Robert Hayes,
2016.
February 8, 2017.
Verlene Benzing on the death
Mattie Webb on the death of
of her brother-in-law, Pete
her husband, George Webb,
Hurt, December 23, 2016.
February 8, 2017.
The friends and family of Dale
Jill and Jim Adkinson on the
Carter who died December
death of her grandmother on
23, 2016.
February 9, 2017.
Lacey and Tony Gray on the
Pat Williams on the death of
death of her father, Victor
her husband, Colonel Graybill
Walz, December 28, 2016.
Williams, February 11, 2017.
The friends and family of Judy
Lori and Coy Tipping on the
Kinnard who died December
death of her step-mother,
31, 2016.
Betty Hallmark, February 12,
2017.
reserve a meeting space x1459
ask about this magazine x1467
subscribe to weekly email x1485
fpco.org
 NONPROFIT ORG
PERIODICAL
US POSTAGE

PAID
ORLANDO, FL
106 East Church Street | Orlando, FL 32801 | fpco.org
USPS 604-040

N EXT ISSUE:

Summer 2017
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE
fpco.org/subscribe

CON N ECT:

SUNDAY MORNINGS
8:30, 9:45 & 11am Worship
Broadcast live at fpco.org/live

ON THE INTERWEBS
facebook.com/firstpresorlando
twitter @fpcorlando
fpco.org

WITH HUMANS
407.423.3441

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

COLUMNS, 106 E. Church St. Orlando, FL 32801-3390.

2017 First Presbyterian Church of Orlando COLUMNS.