Académique Documents
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C O N TA C T U S
407.423.3441
To arrange a baptism
Contact Worship x1451
I
To join the Chancel Choir
t’s interesting to watch what motivates people to get together.
Contact x1273
For child care reservations - Early Childhood Last April 15, “tax day,” people gathered in 300 cities around
Contact x2250 the country for “tea parties” in protest of higher taxes, among
To reach the Security Office other things. At about the same time, high schools around the
Contact 407-415-9793
country got caught up in issues related to gay rights and the gay
For Weekday School
Contact 407-996-5864 community. Students were encouraged to not speak during the
To find out about Sunday school classes school day as a sign of solidarity with gay students who are bul-
Contact Spiritual Formation x1463
lied or otherwise marginalized. It was called the Day of Silence.
With questions about the FPCO Web site
or this Columns publication To answer that, Christian organizations called on their students to
Contact Communications x1467 have a Day of Truth on the same day. This effort was aimed at not
To reserve meeting space allowing the gay community to co-opt schools–and students—on
Contact Special Services x1469
their behalf. Gatherings took place for both groups to begin and
Hospital Calls: end that day.
Hospitals are no longer able to notify us when
our members are hospitalized. If you know On a more personal level, Orlando city planners have decided
someone who is in the hospital, please notify they want to change the zoning on a piece of land in Baldwin
the Pastoral Care office at x1455.
Park, which happens to be right across the street from my house.
Pastoral Emergencies:
For pastoral emergencies outside of the 8:30am- Zoned “open space” right now (which means a park), the city
5pm church office hours, please leave a voice wanted to change it to “civic,” thus paving the way for a fire sta-
mail message at the main church number. The
message center will page the minister on call, tion to be put there. Well, you can imagine how all of our neigh-
who will reply as soon as possible. bors felt about having a fire station at the entrance to our com-
Need Help? munity, not to mention the lovely sound of sirens going off all
Dependency assistance, cancer support group,
grief support, divorce care, infertility group, night. As a result, for the first time ever, our neighborhood started
please contact Pastoral Care x1455 meeting together. We were motivated.
As I observe these instances and many others, it makes me
wonder about the church—our church—and God’s call to us to
2 | www.fpco.org
Save the Date!
Way
For more details contact our main office at
407.423.3441
Swanson
Camp Geneva - Elementary Overnight Camp
extend God’s Kingdom? I think it should, and I hope it will. July 2009
We must hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, and sometimes, we Combined Adult Sunday School Classes
Food Share Month
hold on to that hope by holding on to others. God IS faithful. He will see
July 13-17, 2009
you through, but also remember that you are a part of something much
Vacation Bible School
larger—a story much grander than your own. And it is that story—His
July 19-24, 2009
story—that will bless your life far beyond even the challenges of your cur- Fun in The Son High School Retreat
rent circumstances.
July 19-25, 2009
Guess what? Our church meets together every Sunday. I hope you’ll join The Great Escape Middle School Retreat
us as we endeavor to seek God through worship and discipleship, share
August 30, 2009
His love by reaching out to others, and serve those in need both here and K-Kids Promotion Sunday
around the world. May God grant you blessings and peace in these summer
August 25, 2009
months, and I remain Weekday School Prayer Walk
September 2009
Under His Mercy, Back to School Date Night
F or any pas-
tor, one of the
greatest achieve-
13, 2009. Rev. Thorp began his studies in June of 2004 through
the support of the Heart of the City Foundation and the Founda-
tion of First Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge, La. His studies
ments that can be have focused on the area of Missional Ecclesiology, essentially
reached is the Doctor the study of how the church is called to be missional in na-
of Ministry degree. It is one that requires great commitment and ture, even in the midst of a changing global and denominational
sacrifice by both the individual and his/her family, not to men- climate. His dissertation was entitled “Developing Missional
tion hours of study, travel, writing, and reading. Earned concur- Leaders for the Central Florida Presbytery Through Theatre: A
rently with one’s ministry, the DMIN is an enormous challenge, Training Method and Experience.”
yet one that also blesses the church as what has been learned A reception honoring Rev. and Mrs. Thorp will be held in the
turns into new, effective ministry. King Parlor following the 11am worship on Sunday, June 28.
Our Session is pleased to announce that our Associate Pastor Please join our Session in congratulating Rev. Thorp for this tre-
for Mission and Evangelism, Rev. Charles S. “Case” Thorp III, mendous accomplishment while also acknowledging his wife,
will receive his Doctor of Ministry degree in a hooding ceremo- Jodi, for her sacrifices in helping to make this possible.
ny at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., on June
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SONday Times:
The Best Day of the Week
By Carol Welker, Director of Children’s Ministry
If you were anywhere near the second floor of Allen Hall on a Sunday night last fall, you know exactly what a good time looks like.
Nearly 100 children gathered there each Sunday for SONday Times, a program where kids sing, learn about praise and worship,
play games, and participate in a group Bible study.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. The kids also went on a field trip
to Westminster Towers, participated in a Christmas concert and held a
build-your-own pizza party, complete with their own wad of dough!
As we begin to focus on seeking, sharing, and serving at FPCO, I can
tell you SONday Times exemplified the best of all three initiatives. New
kids, old kids, and visiting kids came together to find each other and
God in a place that taught His truths and shared His love. They served
alongside their church family through worship and sent get well cards
to those on the hospital lists. They also paid a visit to the residents at
Westminster Towers, brightening their day with music and handmade
gifts. Through their Bible lessons about God’s economy, they learned
how to spend, save, and share, and through the sharing of their “cou-
pons” (which the ministry turned to cash) they donated $356 to the
Russell Home for Atypical Children.
Kids grew in their friendships with each
other, in their relationships with God, and in their
understanding of how they can serve their commu-
nity, at any age. Sounds like a great time, huh? Well
it was! And it will be again. SONday Times will be
back in the fall, bigger and better than
ever! So even though it will soon be
summer, make a note to yourself to be
a part of SONday Times this fall. We
will be back starting September 13,
and hope you will be there, too. Here
is what people are saying about their
experience with SONday Times:
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www.fpco.org
Children’s Choir
Hits a High Note
By Dina DuChene, Member
8 | www.fpco.org
Summer Plans for Adult
Education Classes
By Lori Needham, Prayer and Spiritual Formation Ministry
www.fpco.org | 9
II Found
Found My
My Voice
Voice at
at FPCO
FPCO
I Found My Voice at FPCO
I Found My Voice at FPCO
By Katie Grace Miller, Member
10 | www.fpco.org
me. It was the most powerful thing I had
ever experienced and it was also the time
“I thank God every day for the amazing
that I became most convinced that this is
how Jesus wanted me to spread His Word.
opportunity to come back and serve the church
Singing to the congregation and being a that served me so faithfully during my life.”
leader at only 12 years old empowered
me in my faith to minister to others. There show our congregation that children are should look to them as examples and
were so many opportunities for leader- just as much leaders as the elders and dea- praise Jesus with all our heart, soul, and
ship as well. We sang on Sunday morn- cons. Choirs are a way for them to build mind.
ings on the chancel steps, but we didn’t their relationship with Jesus and create Children’s choir will allow this con-
stop there. The children’s choir partici- the confidence needed in sharing His viction and truth to run deep in the hearts
pated in big concerts and traveled around Word with others. of your children. I found my confidence
the community singing and spreading the Children’s choirs have many oppor- in Christ and my heart for Jesus through
Word of God. Just like in our children’s tunities to perform and lead throughout music. I have heard the excuse before
choirs now, our FPCO kids are receiving the year. You might be thinking, “Every from parents and children, “But I’m just
real life experiences on being the messen- time they sing is a performance, isn’t not good at music!” Not true. God put the
gers of God’s Word! it?” Leading in worship and performing gift of music in everyone, but it’s our job
I continued to attend First Presbyte- are two separate events. An example of a to practice and nurture it to use it for His
rian in my childhood and teenage years performance is when we performed at the glory. Take advantage of this opportunity,
and grew in my relationship with Jesus. Christmas concert this year. People came because before you know it, kids are not
Through music, I came to understand to hear a concert and the event focused kids anymore.
that being a leader in the church doesn’t completely around musical aspects of the There are several opportunities for
mean you have to be the minister and it birth of Jesus. When the children’s choirs children to get involved in music at the
also doesn’t mean you have to be an adult. sing during Sunday service, it is not con- church. SONday Times will start back up
When Jesus created the world, I think He sidered a performance. We want the chil- again in the fall (read Carol Welker’s ar-
purposefully made children and music dren to focus less on the fact that they are ticle “SONday Times: The Best Day of the
like peanut butter and jelly. They just go singing in front of people, and more on Week” for more information). For those
together so well. Children have that abili- the fact that they are singing and lead- with children younger than four years
ty to sing without reservation and to speak ing people deeper into their relationship old, MusikGarten is a wonderful program
the truth honestly. What a wonderful way with Jesus. A performance is defined as that happens year-round to prepare your
to receive the Word of Jesus Christ! something that is for pure entertainment. child’s musical ear for God’s glory. I am
When I came back to Orlando from Although it is very entertaining when the blessed to be able to teach MusikGarten
college, I sang with the Chancel Choir children sing in church, the main focus is classes every once in a while, and it puts
and Canticum Novum, an auditioned en- our Lord. We want children to remember a smile on my face to watch these young
semble. A year into it, Dr. Rebecca Bedell that God has called us to bring people to ones begin their musical journey. I started
came to me and said, “We are going to a personal relationship with Him and one mine early and it has only brought me
begin the children’s choirs and we want of the ways we can do that is by singing grace and persistence in my Christian
you to help us out.” Well, I must say that His praises. faith.
it has been pretty surreal now being the “Do you hear what these children are I thank God every day for the amaz-
leader of the choirs that I was a part of saying?” they asked Him. “Yes,” replied ing opportunity to come back and serve
when I was a child. Jesus. “Have you never read, ‘from the lips the church that served me so faithfully
It is such an amazing experience to of children and infants you have ordained during my life. I look forward to leading
teach children how to become leaders praise?’” Matthew 21:16. the children’s choirs and learning more
through music. God certainly had a plan Jesus has put children in a very high from them every day.
all along for my life at this church: To position in His church. We, as Christians,
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‘Immeasurably More’
Mission Tithe Update:
Before... Today!
Organization Fall, ‘06 Spring, ‘07 Spring, ‘08 Spring, ‘09 Total to Date
Compassion International $ 50,000 $40,000 $50,000 $40,000 $ 180,000
AIDS/HIV Africa Fund
Mission Emanuel $100,000 $40,000 $60,000 $40,000 $ 240,000
New Building Fund- Dominican Republic
Overseas Council $ 50,000 $40,000 $50,000 $40,000 $ 180,000
Seminaries Impacting the Muslim World for Christ
Five Youth Organizations
Student Ventures $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
FCA $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
Young Life $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
House of Hope $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
Frontline Outreach $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
Total amount given in mission work through the Immeasurably More Campaign $914,750
*The Session had originally tagged a New Church Development project to receive Immeasurably More Mission Tithe funds. However, as the
initiative failed to gain momentum, the Homeless Service Center project caught the attention of the Session and a decision was made to direct any
NCD monies towards establishing the Homeless Service Center.
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www.fpco.org 13
Upcoming Events:
Upward Basketball and Cheer Camps for K–5th Grade Kids
Parking
The Recreation Ministry invites you to join us for Upward Basket-
ball or Upward Cheer Camp following Vacation Bible School this
summer; July 13-17, from 1-4pm! Bring your lunch if attending
Garage
VBS and we’ll bring them from VBS, to lunch, and on to Camp!
The fee is $75 if paid by June 26. Registration deadline is July 8.
Registration forms are available at www.fpco.org/upwardcamp to
print, complete and send in with payment or drop off at the Rec
Notice
Ministry between 9am-6pm. For more information, contact An-
gela Brown or Alice Fortunato 407.206.2406 or abrown@fpco.org
or afortunato@fpco.org.
18 | www.fpco.org
News & Notices
Congratulations to: The family and friends of Jane Cole who died April 25, 2009.
Mari Jean Hansen and Kevin Clayton Ball, married on April
4, 2009, in the Sanctuary. Kevin is the son of Robby and Mar- Alice Hart on the death of her father, Harold Brooks, on April
gie Ball and the grandson of Ruth Johnson. 25, 2009.
Jody and Hal Litchford on the death of her father, William Ma-
Chandra Elizabeth Lynn Hodoval and Dustin Brand Broad-
teer, on April 27, 2009.
bent, married on Nov. 22, 2008, in Downtown Atlanta’s
historic North Avenue Presbyterian Church. Chandra is the Nancy and Rick Veteto, on the death of his mother, Christine
daughter of Linnie and Charlie Hodoval. Veteto, on April 28, 2009 and his sister-in-law, Wanda Wester,
on April 30, 2009.
Lauren Anne Voorhees and John Sid Demateis, married on
May 2, 2009, in the Sanctuary. Lauren is the daughter of Sue JoAnne and Glenn BeBout on the death of her mother, Evon
and Gregory Voorhees and the granddaughter of Berta and Hancock, on April 28, 2009.
Donald Voorhees.
The family and friends of Elbert Hennig, who died April 28,
2009.
Maureen Eleanor McGuire and William Franklin Arwood,
married on May 2, 2009, in Knowles Chapel at Rollins Col- Dan Miller on the death of his mother, Garnet Miller, on May
lege, in Winter Park. Maureen is the daughter of Rebecca and 2, 2009.
David Mitchell.
Mary Beth and Dave Riccaboni on the death of his mother, De-
lores Riccaboni, on April 14, 2009.
The vision of First Presbyterian
Mary Ann and Lowrie Brown on the death of his mother, Mar- Church of Orlando is to empower a
garet Brown, on April 21, 2009. Mrs. Brown was the grand- diverse body of confessing believ-
mother of Laura Brown, Lowrie W. “Skipper” Brown and John
ers, who seek to know and worship
M. Brown.
God, share His eternal love, and
Sean McCory on the death of his grandmother, Erna McRory, humbly serve a broken world.
on April 21, 2009.
www.fpco.org | 19
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