Dr. Paul T. Eckel, Pastor

941-383-8833 941-383-0401 (fax)

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

group voted to continue this study of John’s

Gospel on Sunday mornings following

worship at 11:22! The current plan is to

meet in the Choir Room. We’d love to have

you join us.

Singing. Offering praise to God has

always been a mainstay in Christian worship.

Our beloved Choir brings musical quality

and spiritual sensitivity to Worship. Yet

choirs also provide one further service.

Ask yourself, which home-supply

chain-of-stores used the slogan, “You Can

Do It, We Can Help”? This is also our

Choir’s encouraging word to our singing

Congregation – “You can do it. We can

help.”

During this summer period, we in the

congregation will be supported in our praise

by choir members singing among us in the

pews. Their strong and harmonious voices

can’t help but increase our joy “making

melody in our hearts to the Lord.”

Pastor Paul

Vision Statement: “Growing in Jesus’ Name”

Members of Session: Charlie Gorham, Clerk

Class: 2015, Burt Borgelt, Building/Grounds 2017, Patty Buck, Education/Fellowship 2015, Dick Cardin, Administration/Finance 2015, Michael Chester, Education/Fellowship 2016, Bill Gambill 2015, Karen Gardiner, Caring Ministry 2016, Evey Huntington, Membership 2017, Diana Neely, Worship 2016, Ron Northington, Administration/Finance 2015, Ann Quackenbush, Membership/Involvement 2016, Trish Thaler, Worship 2017, Sandra Warren, Mission

The Pastor’s Corner

In the brief time I’ve been with you, I

have come to understand why Taylor Hill and

Bruce Porter spoke about the joy of sharing in

your lives and working among you. When I

think of joy I can’t help recalling Paul’s

words to the Colossian Church.

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you

richly; teach and admonish one

another in all wisdom; and with

gratitude in your hearts sing psalms,

and hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

And whatever you do, in word or deed,

do everything in the name of the Lord

Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father

through him” (Colossians 3:16-17).

Teaching. At the heart of any church is

its commitment to teach the Faith. Down my

years of ministry, I’ve become increasingly

convinced that Christians today want to claim

and to learn ‘what we believe.’

It’s been gratifying to review your

weekly schedule and to see the number and

quality of Bible studies that go on in Christ

Church. Some of these groups are staying at

their post throughout the summer, some are

taking a summer holiday and one new Bible

Study is being offered.

In the latter category, I take it as an

honor to be teaching a weekly study of John’s

Gospel titled “The Good News – as told by

John.” We will be learning by sharing

together. The group had its first Bible study

this past week. By a two to one margin, the

JUNE/JULY 2014 A Monthly Newsletter - Christ Church of Longboat Key VOL VIII, ISSUE VI

THE GRAPEVINE

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

OFFICE HOURS

SECRETARY SUMMER HOURS: Tues. & Thurs.: 8:30 - 1:30; closed Friday

JUNE 2014 JULY 2014 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

3 4 5

6 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

PROJECT 5000

7 8 9

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

10

11 12

13 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

14

AUGUST/

SEPTEMBER

GRAPEVINE

DEADLINE

15 16

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

17

1:28 p.m.

MIND YOUR

MIND

Islands West

18 19

SUMMER

DINNER

PARTY

Islands

West

20 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

21 22

PAUL AWAY

23

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

24

25 26

27 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

Substitute

Pastor

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

PAUL AWAY

28 29 30

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

31 M.R. =

Meeting

Room

C.R. =

Conference

Room

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

COMMUNION

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

PROJECT 5000

2

3 4

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

5 6 7

8 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

9 10 11

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

12 13 14

15 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

16 17 18

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

19

9:00 a.m.

SESSION

C.R.

1:28 p.m.

MIND YOUR

MIND

Islands West

20

SUMMER

DINNER

PARTY

The Shore

21

22 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

23 24 25

10:00 a.m.

C.R.

26

27 28

29 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP

11:22 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY

30 M.R. =

Meeting

Room

C.R. =

Conference

Room

3 10

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22 NIV.

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10: 9-10 NIV.

One of my favorite daily devotionals is Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman first

published in 1925. One of the gifted contributors is Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), an

English born Baptist preacher. He experienced conversion at age 15 with the above

Isaiah passage.

Each one who calls on the Lord will be saved. What a joy to know this! As our faith

grows in the Lord we are strengthened, encouraged and have hope.

Please call on the Prayer Chain this summer for your needs. We are privileged daily to

hold each one up who asks for prayer.

For prayer requests and/or praises, please call Holly Braun at (941) 387-7415.

SERMONS & SCRIPTURES

JUNE

01 “God Only Knows” Acts 1:6-11; Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

08 “Running before the Wind” Acts 2:1-4 & 16:6-12; John 3:7-8

15 “It’s Not Enough to Say, ‘God’” John 14:6-10 & 15-17

22 “Subjection and Sacrifice” Psalm 127; Malachi 4:5-6 (RSV)

Ephesians 5:21-33

29 “Calm at the Center” Isaiah 26:1-4; John 14:25-27

JULY

06 “If My People…” II Chronicles 7:12-16; I Timothy 2:1-7

13 “Journey Inward - Journey Outward” Isaiah 6:1-8; Mark 3:13-15

20 “55 Years and Counting” Isaiah 5:1-4; John 15:12-17

27 Substitute pastor

JUNE BIRTHDAYS 06/01 Mindy Butler 06/01 Marc Fors 06/04 Harriet Ahstrom 06/04 John Himmelspach 06/09 Paul Groen 06/16 Bill Garner 06/17 Kent Capps 06/18 Robin Bray 06/19 Jackie Dixon 06/19 Eugenia Ruch 06/20 Joe Palumbo 06/20 Jack Schwarz 06/21 Bruce Porter 06/22 Jim Freeman 06/22 Sally Graven 06/23 Donald Good 06/23 Kay Tschannen 06/25 Beverly Sutton 06/26 Katie Rauch 06/27 Phyllis Gillihan 06/27 Snookie Register 06/28 Lee Flower 06/28 Connie Hilwig 06/30 Karen Fors

JULY BIRTHDAYS

07/03 Cindy Alander 07/03 Kirt Bopp 07/03 Eleanor Cloud 07/03 Pat Howatt 07/03 Barbara Moore 07/03 Susan Stuckert 07/04 Marjorie Boulware 07/06 Eleanor McConnell 07/08 Jean Buckley 07/13 Dick Cardin 07/14 Keith Banks 07/14 Elisabeth Buck 07/14 Elizabeth Wild 07/16 Jack Bornhoeft 07/16 Heather Messenger 07/17 Katheryn Himmelspach 07/18 Carol Stanley 07/20 Van Neely 07/21 Jim Shields 07/22 Vera Dragisic 07/25 Rob Jennings 07/25 Hank Schreimann 07/25 Kathleen Semisch 07/26 Bob Eldredge 07/26 Barbara Siemer 07/26 Trish Thaler 07/28 Dorothy Johnson 07/31 Linda Swift

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES 06/04 Bernice & Bob Eldredge 06/06 Joyce & Jerry Fox 06/07 Eleanor & Frank Kveton 06/07 Ginny & Bruce Porter 06/09 Carol & Bob DeVore 06/09 Kathleen & Don Semisch 06/10 Pat & Don Hase 06/15 Judy & Ernie Strauss 06/16 Jackie & John Dixon 06/16 Karen & Andy Sawyer 06/18 Kay & Phil Farmer 06/25 Jan & Paul Eckel 06/29 Barbara & Al Siemer 06/30 Joyce & Jim Huber

JULY ANNIVERSARIES

07/13 Diana & Van Neely 07/16 Peggy & Alan Emerick 07/26 Marcia & Kevin Dolan

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The following actions were taken:

CALLED MEETING -- APRIL 17, 2014

1, Michael Chester reported that donations for the first three months of 2014 are slightly lower than for the same period in 2013. The 3-31-14 financial statement was approved as presented.

2. Dick Cardin led a detailed discussion of Christ Church’s insurance coverage. A motion was unanimously approved to accept the insurance coverage for Christ Church as presented by Dick Cardin. A motion to approve the Record of Deposit and Request for Payment Forms was accepted. These forms are to be used by Committee Chairs and others regarding cash and checks for deposit to Church accounts and when requesting payments from Christ Church funds.

3. Sandy Warren reported that the Mission committee has decided to discontinue support for the Warren Backpack Program. The Sarasota program is now self-sufficient and the Warren Foundation has now moved on to other areas of the country. The Mission committee toured the “Turning Points” program last month and voted to add it to the list of missions that Christ Church supports. In addition the committee has decided to support E.F.E.L.T (Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies). Beverly Sutton accepted a $5,000 grant for Reading Buddies from the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club. John Pol has resigned from the Mission Committee as he and his wife, Carolyn, are planning to move back to Michigan. John Shehorn is going to represent Beth-El Ministries.

4. Michael Chester reported that the Reading Buddies Awards Assembly was very well attended by parents and family members of the children. It was the highest level of attendance in all the years this event has been held. The session approved that the Education/Fellowship Committee establish a “Christian Education Task Force.” The purpose of the task force is to review the various ongoing Bible Study programs being offered and the potential for improving the focus and coordination of all Christian Education programs being offered at Christ Church. A motion was approved that all teachers and curriculum to be taught at Christ Church, including Sunday school classes, be approved by the Session on recommendations from the Christian Education Committee. The leadership of the Education/Fellowship Committee will be transitioning to Patty Buck, with Michael Chester assuming the role of co-chair.

5. Trish Thaler stated that Rev. Paul Eckel will begin a Bible Study Class beginning Monday, May 19. A motion to approve the curriculum of Barbara Grimes’ Wednesday morning Bible Study was not approved. A motion was approved to have Robert Romanski announce to the choir Kathleen Semisch’s retirement as of July 20, 2014. The Congregation will also be advised of her retirement. A retirement party is being planned, in the fall, to recognize her many years of wonderful service to Christ Church.

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS One of our mission projects, Learn to Fish, a recovery center for women, has opened up a new thrift shop at: 810 - 17th Avenue West in Bradenton.

They welcome your donations of furniture and household items.

Please contact them at (941) 751-2255.

Many of us first met Al and Barbara Siemer when they came to our Church with Barbara’s sister, Ginny Porter. They still spend six months in Columbus, OH, where they are also members of Broad Street Presbyterian Church.

Al continues to work at home, ten hours a day, on his several manufacturing and gas and oil businesses.

Barbara, formerly an English teacher, started the Siemer Institute for Family Stability, which has a focus to keep children in school and to help them avoid homelessness. This is a vital prevention program. She states that it is much more economical than helping after they are homeless. Families receive weekly training in budgeting, buying food, and child development. There are currently 72 area families on their wait list.

Barbara has joined our Book Club and is an avid bridge player. We welcome the Siemers as affiliate members to our Church.

Nancy Dixon, a full-time resident, formerly lived in South Windsor, CT. She has been an Information Technologist doing application development for insurance companies; currently as a consultant. Now, working at home, Nancy is a consultant for CDI (consultants for government and industry).

Nancy swims in the Gulf, even in the winter! Brrr! Her three children and five grandchildren will keep her busy all summer at the beach. While visiting and not knowing anyone in our Church, she simply walked in and decided, “This is where I belong,” and recently joined our Church as a regular member.

Nancy is active with Reading Buddies and other events and wants to become very involved, such as joining our choir after summer break and renewing bridge play after thirty years away from it. She is also a baseball addict.

Please introduce yourselves to Nancy in our Coffee Bar area, or she will be happy to have you contact her at 941-312-4138.

HONORING OUR VETERANS

May 18

5

A moment!

For me… life is filled with amazing moments; moments that bring a smile, moments that make you believe, moments that fuel your passion and moments that confirm your life here on earth is making a difference.

I would like to share with you a very special moment that I had recently. I was outside the barn, conducting a fundraising meeting, while watching the Hippotherapy program in action when Kevin arrived for his session. Kevin, who is fifty years of age, has cerebral palsy as well as having suffered a stroke back in ’04, began riding at InStride in late 2010… When he started with us, he used a full walker to get around, one that had a seat as part of the walker so if he needed a rest he could pull the cushion down and sit for a while. Today he arrived without it and walking with the help of a cane. As he passed us, I had to stop the meeting – to announce that I cannot believe he is walking with “just a cane.” Kevin’s first ride was interesting, with all the movement of the horse he had to stop several times during each lap around the arena and he was only able to last 10 minutes before ending what was planned to be a 30 minute ride. Over the next two months he was able

to last a little longer each time before having to stop and the last two Hippotherapy sessions he had lasted the entire 30 minutes!!!

I was so shocked and EXCITED to see him walking around with such ease and confidence, using just his cane. As Kevin was about to pass us again on his way back to the covered arena, I asked him how his day was going. He responded “I do not have my walker today!” Well I guess his day was going pretty well then!! My eyes filled with tears of joy for how far he had come in such a short time and what a difference we truly are all making in Kevin’s life.

The only thing different in Kevin’s life over the last three years has been his weekly Hippotherapy sessions here at InStride. What a wonderful moment…for all of us! Donna Blem, InStride

BEHIND THE SCENES - past and future

Those of you who attend our meetings regularly recognize that we keep "business matters" to a minimum. A struggle to find the balance between rambling chatter and a dearth of communication challenges most all organizations - ours included. In seeking that balance, we use e-blasts to convey some of the "minutiae" of our Group in between meetings. We regularly hope to tickle a creative nerve in some of our

readers to encourage a response with worthy and welcome suggestions. Of course, this Grapevine allows us to spread word of our affairs, including to men new to our Church (who are welcome to join us anytime!).

Perhaps of interest: The Leadership Team comprises five men who do most of the planning (alphabetically, Duane Compton, Tom Dunham, Gordon Lenci, Cash Register and Wayne Swift). We meet 3-4 times a year to deliberate ideas from within our quintet but, as valuably, to consider whatever suggestions come from "the members." Worthy speakers on a variety of topics stand at the heart of our gatherings. We seek to draw talent from within our Church as well as others far afield.

The breakfasts have become an unusually enticing part of our monthly mornings. Wiley Osborn offers a gourmet skill which titillates our taste tongues. He spends a few months on LBK and generously dons his chef's hat during some of those residence months. Cash works closely with Wiley and stands in when the Osborns slalom the Utah avalanches. We have a number of loyal and much appreciated "assistant chefs," including Jim Seaton, who help in significant culinary ways.

SHARE A SLICE or PORTRAIT TIME: Numerous men have stated their wish to hear "what makes John Doe tick?" So from time to time we will have a couple of men speak for "about 3 minutes" to introduce themselves. Background, cherished hobbies, aspects of my career(s) are invited. We toss out snippets of ourselves which might zing a common interest within our gathered members, one that might be followed up over coffee with a friend across the room.

Finances: We balance our uncomplicated fiscal affairs! What we take in from voluntary donations, we pay out. A donation basket at the door covers the cost of breakfast food. Should we have a (rare) need for extra dollars, for the time being at least, modest anonymous gift(s) have been available to cover the matter. We did purchase the two defibrillators last year which ($3000) cost was covered by generous gifts from within our Club. And the Leadership Team has taken it upon ourselves to cover expenses for batteries and pads (several hundred dollars annually) above any portion of which has been covered by an occasional small breakfast basket "overage."

Our uncomplicated purpose is to enjoy fellowship among the men who attend and to offer service to our Church. Some of us volunteered for dishwasher instruction (to assist Wed. Night Dinner); we offer church-wide CPR training (“free" this year. Other past involvements include help with Sale Away and assorted tasks (Christmas decorations e.g.) as they arise.

By the way, attendance count for the year just ending was a squeeze over 200 breakfasts served during the six months. Individual session numbers ranged from about 20 to 50+.

Summer blessings, Gordon Lenci - for the "L" Team

P.S. Perhaps someone will make a motion to offer Honorary Membership to Kathy Butler for all she does to beautify our monthly messages. Meantime, we SALUTE and THANK Her Ladyship !!!!

SNEAK PEAK: Subject to a twist here and there, our 2014-2015 schedule looks something like this:

November 3 Short intros: "share a slice" by perhaps a half dozen men -- 3 minutes max. (No other speaker) An outline will be provided to each presenter. (Please feel encouraged to volunteer) Breakfast by Wiley and/or Cash December 1 Steve Schewe - Fitness instructor and Nutritionist -- "Behind the Scenes of Healthy Living" January 12 (note 2nd Monday) - Matt Walsh - LBK Observer, Editor -- "Behind the Scenes of LBK" February 2 Rob Jennings - "Behind the Scenes of News Anchorman's Desk" March 2 Jon Grimes - "Behind the Scenes of a Hospital" April 13 ?? Tom Bergum - News Reporter - Topic TBD

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Armchair Travel,

Pulitzer Prize Winning Fiction and Modern Vocals

Our Highlighted Collections for June and July

If you are interested in travel this summer, you can use our travel books and guides to plan your next trip or you can crank up the air conditioning and experience the sights of exotic locations from the comfort of your home. Not sure where to go? Try 100 Greatest Trips or one of our other travel anthologies to get you started. Perhaps you missed, or are ready to read again, one of our many Pulitzer Prize winning novels. The Prize is awarded for “distinguished fiction by an American author” with preference given to novels dealing with American life. We have over a dozen winners ranging from Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (1975), set during the Civil War, to the current prize recipient, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, a coming of age tale. In addition, we are bringing out our Modern

Vocals CD collection. Whether you are into

the Broadway and pop songs of Linda Eder,

the Motown sound of Barry White, the smooth

crooning of Harry Connick, Jr., or something in

between, we have the sound you need for

your summer groove.

Library hours are:

Sundays 9:00 to noon

Tuesdays and Thursdays

8:30 to 1:30.

MIND YOUR MIND! Thursdays June 19 & July 17 1:28 - 4:28 p.m. We'll play more fun word games in which you'll be randomly assigned to one or two different teammates for each game. We'll keep score just for the fun of it.

As you see, we're now scheduling it on the third Thursday of each month and with many "snowbirds" gone this summer, you're encouraged to bring a friend or two. The more players we have the more fun we have! We'll choose a handful of these games: Categories, Famous Initials, Name Things , Abbrevia t ions , Unscramble Six-Letter Words, lower case quiz, Quick Crosswords, Slide Words, Famous Fours...just to name a few.

*** Please bring a small plate of snack food to share and your own beverage. Dress is casual. Cups and ice will be provided and there's no charge. Please wear a name tag if you have one...if not, we'll make one for you.

LOCATION: The one-story Islands West beach clubhouse at 2525 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key. Use guest parking spaces and the sidewalk between the tennis court and trees to enter the clubhouse.

If you'd like to join us, please call Nick Kovalakides at 773-3012 or email him at nkovalakides@aol.com BY JUNE 15, AND JULY 13, RESPECTIVELY.