Dr. Norman M. Pritchard, Pastor

941-383-8833

Web-site: www.christchurchlbk.org E-mail: info@christchurchoflbk.org

TO:

Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian U.S.A. 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228

They’ll Know We Are Christians By ….

Dr. Norman M. Pritchard, Pastor

In one of his best-known poems, the Scottish poet

Robert Burns wished that (in English translation!)

some power would give us the gift to see ourselves as

others see us.

For Christians in contemporary America, the result

would be less than flattering. We have a major public

relations problem. While each survey produces

results that are weighted by the types of questions

asked, study after study has revealed that our

reputation is low.

Christians today are seen as being narrow, reactionary,

small-minded, judgmental, and, of course,

hypocritical. I often wonder how much of the anti-

religion animus that we hear in the public square

arises from exposure to Christians who exhibit that

kind of behavior! (Interestingly, as I typed the

sentence that began “Christians today are seen as

being …” my computer’s autocorrect offered a

suggestion: “Christians today are narrow,

reactionary ...”! Help! Even the computer judges us

and finds us coming up short!)

This worrying state of affairs shows that we have

work to do - internally, before we can hope that our

faith will make a difference in the wider world by

calling people to the life that God intends for his

world. It is work that the Holy Spirit wishes to do in

us and for us, so that God can work through us in his

mission to the world.

Towards the end of May we celebrated Pentecost,

when we recall the gift of the Holy Spirit filling the

early disciples of Jesus and empowering them to take

the gospel to the world. The Spirit had been

experienced sporadically in the Old Testament, as

various individuals were called and given specific

tasks in God’s service, but at Pentecost the promise

that God had made in Joel to pour out the Spirit “on

all flesh” was fulfilled as all the followers of Jesus

were inspired with gifts for ministry.

The Pastor’s Corner There are three places in the New Testament where

many of the gifts of the Spirit are listed, and these lists

include being apostles, teachers, healers,

compassionate, and generous. There’s even a gift of

church administration! These gifts represent God’s

calling to specific avenues of ministry and service.

Equally important, however, is the working of the Spirit

in each Christian, leading us to more Christ-like lives

and, as a result, a more winsome presence in the world.

In Galatians 5, Paul lists what he calls “the fruit of the

Spirit” and this represents essential characteristics that

Christians are to possess and demonstrate. This is what

Paul wrote:

…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control … (Gal.5:22-23)

Some of these are qualities that individuals may possess

as part of their natural character - we can all think of

persons who display kindness, for example. But taken

together these characteristics add up to the type of

personality that Jesus embodied and that makes him

still so attractive today. And we need the Spirit to get

us to that place!

So, for the months of June and July we’ll take one of

these individual fruits of the Spirit and learn from Jesus

how to develop and exhibit them. I may vary the order

from Paul’s a little, so as to fit in with emphases in our

calendar, like Father’s Day and Independence Day, but

we’ll cover all nine attributes in Paul’s list.

I’m feeling I have a lot to learn but I also feel that if

more Christians produced the fruit of the Spirit our

reputation in the world would improve, and with it our

effectiveness.

I’m sure members and friends will be pleased to learn

that Dr. Bruce Porter makes a welcome return to Christ

Church on June 3 when I am to be away.

JUNE/JULY2018 CHRIST CHURCH OF LBK MONTHLY NEWSLETTER VOL XIII, ISSUE VII

THE GRAPEVINE

“I am the vine, you are the branches.”

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:30 - 1:30

Vision Statement: “Growing in Jesus’ Name”

Members of Session:

Class: 2020 Jean Buckley 2021 Jan Cady 2019 Jerry Fox 2020 Angela Freeman 2019 Bill Gambill 2020 Charlie Gorham 2021 Mark Hausberg 2021 Jack Isherwood 2021 Karen Jennings 2020 Bill Johnson 2019 Elaine McClure 2019 John Shehorn

Deacons:

2020 Duane Compton 2021 Karen Gardiner 2021 Eleanor Kveton 2019 Debra McKenna 2019 Jim Seaton 2020 Susan Stuckert

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will

bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. Isaiah 42: 1-4 NIV

Will you read all of Isaiah 42 and Matthew 12: 1-21 as well?

Holly Braun, Prayer Chain contact Jean Gorham, Prayer Chain Coordinator

E.F.E.L.T. “Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies” sponsored by Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch Elks, delivers backpacks filled with “kid friendly” nutritious meals and snacks to school age children ages 5 to 12 who are homeless or live in food deprived homes.

Many of these children receive meals at school during the week but without our help would go without or with little food over the weekend. Backpacks contain 2 breakfast protein meals, 2 lunch protein meals, 2 dinner protein meals, fruit and vegetable snacks and drinks, a loaf of bread and a small jar of peanut butter.

I am proud to report that the caring congregation of Christ’s Church recently filled to overflowing the collection box in Fellowship Hall. A list of suggested food items is available at the Missions table.

The school year is coming to an end but hunger is not. Food distribution continues throughout the summer at local library locations.

We thank you for your ongoing contributions and support of this heartfelt cause.

Pat Hollis Mission Committee member

End of the season

CHOIR PARTY at the

Seafood Shack

Christ Church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is touching lives and hurting hearts.

To date, our team of prayerful knitters have crafted nearly 150 prayers shawls, each of which have been prayed over and consecrated before our congregation by our Pastor. Did you know . . . the stitch pattern chosen for these handcrafted gifts: “knit 3, purl 3” is rich with meaning and specifically chosen as it symbolizes the Triune God we serve: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

If you would like to bless a friend or loved one with one of our consecrated prayer shawls, please contact one of our Prayer Shawl Ministry Co-Chairs, Holly Fink, Jean Gorham, Deacons Moderator, Debra McKenna, or Caring Ministries Elder, Karen Jennings.

They will help you select and sign out the perfect shawl for your loved one in need. Sign-outs and coordination with Prayer Shawl coordinators are important so our church has a record of who has been blessed. Please also note your shawl comes with a note/scripture verse from our Pastor and suggested guidelines for presentation. The intent of these guidelines is to honor the time, thought and prayer that went into each creation and to ensure that God is at the center of this meaningful ministry.

We are the hands, heart and feet of Christ when we deliver a prayer shawl and place it on the shoulders of one in need.

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40

Audacious Goals for 2021

Established by ECHO:

Plans to Benefit 10 Million

Around the World

Around the world, small-scale farmers work hard to

produce enough food for their families and

communities. However, among the 1 in 9 people

who are chronically hungry, an estimated 70% rely

on small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods. For

more than 35 years, ECHO (Educational Concerns

for Hunger Organization) – a mission partner of

Christ Church – has worked to equip these farmers

with agricultural resources (training, information

and seeds) that improve crop production and reduce

hunger.

ECHO has demonstrated the capacity to engage in

its equipping mission ranging from local villages to

global gatherings, and at every level in between. It

has also seen the clear impact of its engagement:

Reduced hunger and improved lives.

Recently, ECHO undertook a survey to determine

the multiplication impact of the variety of services it

provides. Inherent in ECHO’s model is the

expectation that entrepreneurial farmers trained by

ECHO benefit their families and communities by

multiplying the plants, agricultural practices and

appropriate technologies with which they are

equipped. Multiplication leverages the impact not

only by increasing the number of people impacted

by ECHO, but also by equipping others to be

trainers, thus removing time and financial

constraints to the spread of practical knowledge. In late 2015, ECHO was actively resourcing 10,000

development practitioners, who reported that

through them ECHO had benefited more than 5.8

million women, children and men around the world.

But ECHO has new plans to move beyond even

these impressive numbers.

At the heart of ECHO’s new Strategic Plan is what

they term a “Wildly Important Goal.” Business

guru Jim Collins calls such bold plans BHAGs (Big

Hairy Audacious Goals). The first big goal is to

increase the number of people who annually benefit

from ECHO’s direct trainings from an estimated

300,000 in 2016 to more than 500,000 in 2021.

Secondly, ECHO will expand its engagement with,

and resourcing of, development workers around the

world – increasing those directly served from over

11,000 in 2016 (up from 10,000 in 2015) to more

than 17,500 in 2021. As noted above, through

development workers ECHO has benefited 5.8

million people. Expanding its global services, these

development workers may be able to benefit more

than 10 million people with ECHO resources by

2021.

Infusing all of these strategies for this multiplying

impact is the overarching desire of ECHO to honor

God. Douglas Carlson, the Board Chair, says: “We

seek to do this by following Jesus and giving

witness to His transforming grace in all that we say

and do. We also do this by equipping small-scale

farmers to adopt plants, practices and appropriate

technologies that reflect Biblical stewardship of the

land and all of God’s creation.”

Through its mission partnership with ECHO, Christ

Church hopes to help ECHO achieve these

Audacious Goals. But then, with God’s help,

perhaps these goals are not so audacious after all.

Jerry Fox, Mission Committee

“Growing in Jesus’ name” through Bible studies, Sunday School, Small Groups, and special events. Adult Sunday School: 11:15 a.m. in the Choir Room after the 10:00 service. Dr. Pritchard leads a discussion of the scriptures and sermon topic from that days worship service. The study will explore the passage more deeply than a sermon can and offers the chance to consider issues that the passage raises. All are welcome; no prior Bible Study experience needed. No sign up necessary either. Just show up.

Men’s Bible Study: Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room; we are discussing The Ten Commandments using a study guide by Life Guide Bible Studies. No prior Bible Study experience is necessary. Registration is not required and neither is the study guide purchase but it is available for $10.00. We urge you to sign up even if you may miss some sessions. Register on the website under Learn > Men’s Bible Study, sign up at the Activities Tables, Fellowship Hall or contact Bill Johnson.

Women's Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the office building Meeting Room. On June 6th, we will begin a new video study series, "True Spirituality - Becoming a Romans 12 Christian" by Chip Ingram which instructs on enhancing our relationship with Christ. Sign up in Fellowship Hall. For questions or to obtain a study guide, please contact Vivian Chester. For those returning in the Fall, please make note to join us for the Beth Moore study, "Jesus, the One and Only."

Bible Basics; an introduction to the Bible, (formerly known as Bible 101 / 102) is held in the Meeting Room with one hour sessions 2 days in the month. Join us for a general overview of the Bible, how to navigate it, who wrote it and the types of writings included. Also explore three easy steps for reading the Bible yourself, so you can grow in your love and knowledge of God’s Word. No Bible knowledge required!! For upcoming dates or to put your name on wait list, see the Sunday bulletin, the weekly calendar email, contact Spiritual Growth Bible Studies at the Activities Tables in Fellowship Hall, or contact Barbara Grimes. “Christian Reading Matters” Book Club: We offer a reading and discussion group that will focus on books with a spiritual theme, but not necessarily “religious” books. We meet on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Sign up is required at the Spiritual Growth Activities Tables, watch the weekly bulletin or for more information contact Kristine Bemko.

WORSHIP IN JUNE After a week off, the Pastor continues his series of sermons

on the character of the Christian life, based on what Paul

calls ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ in Galatians 5.

03 Dr. Bruce Porter preaching

10 The Christian Life 2: Joy

Isaiah 62:1-5; Philippians 4:4-8

17 The Christian Life 3: Goodness and Gentleness

Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 11:28-29

24 The Christian Life 4: Patience

Romans 2:1-4; Colossians 1:9-14

WORSHIP IN JULY

01 The Christian Life 5: Kindness

2 Samuel 9:1-8; Titus 3:1-7

08 The Christian Life 6: Faithfulness

Deuteronomy 7:7-11; 2 Timothy 4:1-8

15 The Christian Life 7: Peace

Philippians 4:4-8; Luke 8:42b-48

22 The Christian Life 8: Self Control

Titus 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

29 Dr. Paul Eckel preaching

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

STATED MEETING: APRIL 24, 2018:

Minutes: The minutes of the slated meeting of March 20, 2018 were approved.

Committee Reports:

Deacons: The Deacons have advertised and will oversee the National Day of Prayer on May 3, 2018. The church will be

open from 10a-Noon and 2p-4p and Deacons will be available for intercessory prayer

Administration/Finance:

CCLBK had a strong first quarter. Major renovation of air conditioning for the south building is about to take

place and we are in the process of extending the lease for our major tenant.

Grateful Giving: Mark Hausberg has agreed to work with the Grateful Giving Committee

Missions:

Mission night was a great success, as was the April Mission Trip. Thirty people from Christ Church visited Learn

to Fish, Turning Points, Our Daily Bread and the Dream Center to learn first hand what these missions do. On

April 26, twenty people from Christ Church will prepare and serve lunch to migrant workers in the fields at Beth

El. Fabienne Jean, coordinator of the network of farm organizations in Haiti, was selected as an International

Peacemaker for PC(USA).

Membership:

Angela Freeman made a motion to accept Jamie and Meg McLane as affiliate members. The McLanes come to us

from St. David’s Episcopal Church, Wayne, PA. Jerry Fox seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Spiritual Growth:

Men’s and Women’s Bible studies are continuing. The Committee is re-grouping and planning for the fall.

Fellowship/Education:

Vivian Chester is standing in for Jan Cady as she recovers. Session was presented a calendar of activities planning

for 2018-19.

Building and Grounds:

New reservation forms and guidelines for Church use and AV equipment use were emailed to members of

sessions. The purpose is to formalize church use protocol and establish a schedule of fees for the use of church

space and equipment. A relief committee is working in conjunction with the LBK Police and Fire to establish

plans for the use of the church in the event of a hurricane.

New Business:

Fellowship Hour:

Dr. Pritchard presented ideas to re-format and reduce seating during Fellowship Hour in a way that would promote

more mixing and mingling. While many expressed concern about our older congregation having to stand while

eating, the group agreed we could experiment this summer by taking away one table at a time. Session also

discussed a Grapevine article encouraging members to seek out newcomers during Fellowship Hours. Session

was open to the idea of hiring someone to coordinate fellowship hour and create a sub-committee of Fellowship/

Education to oversee this function.

Look for the Highlighted Collections Bookcase

Whether you have experienced a great tragedy or the smaller sorrows in your life are mounting

up, our books on Grief and Loss can help you live joyfully in the future. Select from more than

two dozen highly rated titles such as Comfort from Beyond, Grieving Mindfully and A Time to

Heal. God knows you are hurting. Let him help you through the pain.

With our large collection of Historical Fiction, you can travel back in time and to the far

corners of the earth. Much more enjoyable than your history class, you get a peek into the

personal lives and culture of ancient times with The Red Tent, war time experiences in Europe

with Atonement or the growing pains of our own nation with Prayers for Sale.

In addition, we offer our newly enlarged collection of Rock, Soul and Folk CDs, as well as

numerous “new to us” faith based, nonfiction and fiction books and DVDs.

Library Hours are: 9:00 to noon Sundays, 8:30 to 1:30 Tuesdays & Thursdays

Recently, Christ Church was asked by our mission partner Beth-El Farmworker Ministry to provide and serve a hot lunch to the migrant farmworkers. But this lunch was not to be served in the dining room at Beth-El but in the fields where the farmworkers pick tomatoes. Eight volunteers, under the guidance of chef Wiley Osborn, cut, chopped and stirred early in the morning as we prepared fajitas, rice, green beans and cake for desert. About 14 volunteers drove out to Wimauma and set up tables in the fields.

The workers, who pick tomatoes from dawn to dusk, have one hour for lunch. Some arrived in a bus;

others walked through the tomato fields to our tables. About 70 migrant farmworkers – both men and

women – walked through the line as we served the fajitas, rice, beans and cake, along with water and

soft drinks. Some said “thank you” in English, most in Spanish, but all were grateful for a substantial

lunch after a long morning picking tomatoes.

pastors )

JUNE 2018 JULY 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

SUMMER

OFFICE HRS

TUES & THUR

8:30 - 1:30

1 2

3 10:00 am

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

DR. BRUCE

PORTER

preaching

4

9:00 am

M.R.

5 6 10:00 am

M.R.

7 8 9

10 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

SUNDAY

SCHOOL

11

9:00 am

M.R.

12 13 10:00 am

M.R.

14 15 16

17 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

SUN. SCHOOL

18

9:00 am

M.R.

19

9:00 am

C.R.

SESSION

MTG

(may be

cancelled)

20 10:00 am

M.R.

21 22 23

DINNER (FH)

& SUNSET

PRAISE

WORSHIP

SERVICE

24 10:00 am WORSHIP

11:15 am

SUNDAY

SCHOOL

25

9:00 am

M.R.

26 27 10:00 am

M.R.

28 29 30

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 10:00 am

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

11:15 am

SUNDAY

SCHOOL

2

9:00 am

M.R.

3 4 5 6 7

8 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

SUNDAY

SCHOOL

9

9:00 am

M.R.

10 11

10:00 am

M.R.

12 13 14

15 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

SUNDAY

SCHOOL

16

9:00 am

M.R.

17 18

10:00 am

M.R.

19 20 21

22 10:00 am

WORSHIP

11:15 am

SUNDAY

SCHOOL

23

9:00 am

M.R.

24 25 10:00 am

M.R.

DINNER AT

BEACH HOUSE

26 27 28

29 10:00 am

WORSHIP

DR. PAUL

ECKEL

preaching

30

9:00 am

M.R.

31