Royal Palm Christian Church » March 2009

INQUIRER’S CLASS FOR THOSE CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP

Jamie Chung — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:51:25 +0000

Have you been considering becoming a member of Royal Palm Christian Church? Do you have questions that you’ve been wondering about? Come to the Inquirer’s Class led by our minister, Craig Watts. It will be after church on April 5th and will last approximately two hours – lunch will be provided. Basic information about the church will be offered. Questions will be welcomed. Whether you are checking out the church casually or seriously planning on becoming a member, please feel free to come.

Global Ministries News

Jamie Chung — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:50:40 +0000

At the February Christian Women’s Fellowship dinner we enjoyed an informative visit with Scott Couper, a missioner serving in South Africa and affiliated with Global Ministries. We were also delighted to have a few of our
Brothers in Christ present. We’ll post monthly missionary stories on the
bulletin board, and we ask that you keep these missioners in your prayers. For more information, visit www.globalministries.org.

Views and Reviews – “Show Up”

Jamie Chung — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:49:19 +0000

Someone told me about seeing a woman
with a necklace upon which hung two words:
SHOW UP. Those words are simple but
powerful. Someone once said that 90% of
success is simply showing up. There is a lot of
truth in that claim. Nothing much is possible if
you aren’t present. But if you do show up,
there’s no telling what might be possible.
Showing up is fundamental. It is the base
live of commitment. It is the minimal – but
important – evidence of investment in any
important venture. A student may not get all
A’s but if he or she consistently shows up and
pays attention in class that counts for a lot.
Showing up provides that opportunity for
education. Showing up displays an intention to
learn. Just being there makes a good
statement.
Showing up is indispensable for Christian
growth. Those who drift in and out of church
are not likely to grow. They miss the
opportunity. Growth in physical fitness is not
going to happen for someone who goes to the
gym only when the mood hits him or her. It
happens by showing up consistently and doing
some exercise, even if not a great deal, whether
in the mood or not. To exercise just when the
mood hits increases the chance of getting a
pulled muscle and causing pain without gain.
I’ve known some people who have claimed
that the single most important indication of
spiritual health is faithful attendance in church.
Perhaps that view is a bit excessive. We can
easily think of people who have been in church
every time the doors are open yet they are
mean, insensitive and morally unscrupulous.
Still for Christian spirituality, showing up in
worship is crucial both as evidence of spiritual
seriousness and as a means of spiritual growth.
Christian spirituality is not something that
develops primarily in our private life. It is
something that develops in a faith community.
As we pray, sing, learn and serve with others,
our Lord is present among us. “Where two or
three are gathered in my name, I am with
them,” taught Jesus. Commitment to him and
commitment to a particular body of people are
two parts of one spiritual reality. Showing up
before the Lord is not always something best
done alone. This is because God has chosen to
use other people to convey God’s grace, truth
and love to us. And God uses us as a means of
blessing for others, often in subtle ways of
which we are not aware. When we don’t show
up we miss out on the working of God for us
through others and through us for others.
My spiritual life is not just all about me. Your
spiritual life is not just all about you. It’s about
us. We come together in church to get and to
give, to gain and to contribute, to receive from
others and to offer to others. Your presence
matters both for you and for others. And, so,
as the woman’s necklace put it, SHOW UP for
your self and for others.
Grace and Peace,
Craig

March Church Calendar

Alice Price — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:27:37 +0000

Membership & Baptism Class

Alice Price — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:08:57 +0000

A class will be offered to any young person who is considering baptism and church membership. It will begin on Sunday, March 1^st, after the 10:45 worship service in the conference room. Lunch will be served. While we have no “official” age for baptism, we want the child to be old enough to make his or her own decision of faith and to understand something of the meaning of baptism and what it means to be a member of the church. Commonly this is around fifth grade.

What Is Lent?

Jamie Chung — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:50:26 +0000

Before we celebrate Easter, we prepare our hearts in Lent. Starting with Ash Wednesday – February 25^th this year – and for the next six weeks, we get ready to rejoice over the greatest event in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We get ready through prayer, meditation, fasting (for some) and giving. Lent is a time of self-examination and rededication.

Sure the resurrection of Jesus is something that should always evoke our joy. And every day is a good time for prayer, meditation and generosity. But it can be helpful to have special times that are dedicated to specific purposes. Lent is not “biblical” in any strict sense. But it can be helpful if it is observed with a God-seeking heart.

What can you do during Lent? Here are a few possibilities. (1) If you are not already doing so, designate a time each day to read a brief portion of scripture. (2) Begin and end each day in prayer, giving thanks, seeking guidance, offering praise. (3) Choose a worthy project and contribute your time. (4) Write several cards each week to offer encouragement, thanks, and love to people you know. (5) Give up a meal – or more – and contribute the money it would have cost to a charity or to church.

Please plan to attend our Ash Wednesday service at the beginning of Lent and our Maundy Thursday service during the last week of Lent. You will find that it makes Easter all the more joyful.

Disciples of Christ President Preaches at Inauguration Prayer Service

Jamie Chung — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:44:05 +0000

Disciples of Christ General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins, gave the sermon last month at the National Prayer Service in Washington, D.C. on the day following the inauguration of President Obama, Disciples. She was the first woman ever to be invited to give this address. Her sermon was presented before the President and First Lady, the Vice President and his wife, the members of the Supreme Court, former President Clinton and many others.

The National Prayer Service has been held the day after the inauguration since the days of George Washington. Disciples of Christ leaders were especially prominent this year. Cynthia Hale, an African-American senior minister at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, GA read the scripture for the service. Michael Kinnamon, ordained Disciples minister and Secretary General of the National Council of Churches, had been invited to say the benediction for the service but had to decline.

An online video can be found by going to the bottom of the following webpage: www.disciples.org/tabid/176/General-Minister-And-President-Preaches-At-Nationa.aspx

March Preschool Happenings

Jamie Chung — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:25:39 +0000

3/6 Farm Breakfast Celebration

3/9 In House Registration begins

3/10 & 11 Children’s Sharing with Pastor Craig

3/16 Open Registration begins

3/19 & 20 Trike-A-Thon (for St. Jude’s)

3/25 Preschool Staff Meeting

3/27 Planning Day – Preschool closed / Full Time Care open

Preschool News From Suzanne

Jamie Chung — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:24:55 +0000

Mark your calendars. Registration for VPK and Preschool classes begins on Monday, March 9^th for currently enrolled families and church members. Registration opens to all on March 16^th. Children born 9/2/04 – 9/1/05 are eligible to enroll in the state funded VPK program. Registration for summer classes opens on March 23^rd. Stop by the office beginning March 2^nd to pick up paperwork, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.

Many thanks to Ms. Reggie and her crew for all of their extra effort to provide us with a fun filled Bingo for Books event. Every child in attendance won a beautiful book of their choice. The pizza and brownies were yummy, but the fun we shared together makes for great memories.