February Trumpet Blast 2016

Trumpet Blast

Newsletter

St. Paul's Church

February 26, 2016

Dear St. Paul's,

Many of you have asked me about my recent trip to Fairfield for my Dad's memorial service. I had the honor of giving the homily, and I thought I would share the heart of that message with you here:

Good morning and welcome. Thank you so much for coming to celebrate our Dad's life. It's great to be back in Fairfield and see so many old friends. It means so much to us to feel your love and support. Dad was amazing because he helped me through the awkward transitions of life. I suspect all of us have experienced awkward transitions. Most of the time, they're not much fun! Dad was there for me especially during those times, and I'm going to tell you how he did that in just a minute.

Jeff Lockhart, Walter Robbins & Jon Robbins

When Jesus talks to the disciples in the passage from John 14, it was one of those awkward transitions of life. He said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me..." Here's what was happening in that moment. Jesus had just shared the Last Supper with them. He had washed their feet. And then He told them "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." Jesus was their best friend, their big brother, their Messiah, and now he was going, and the disciples were filled with great anxiety and fear. Thomas said, "We don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

One of my best memories of Dad was when I was 4 years old learning to swim down at the club. Dad would come off the golf course, and come to the beach and he went swimming with us in the pool. I remember standing on the edge of the diving board looking down at the water and being terrified. I figured for sure I was going to sink like a stone to the bottom, but Dad just kept reassuring me, "You can do it." When I finally jumped in and first hit the water, and started to go down to the bottom, I thought, "This isn't going very well." When I finally came to the surface, my dad was not far away, like a big island in a chaotic and scary world. I thought "If I can just make it to my dad, then I'll be fine." And so I swam to him, wrapped my arms around his neck and he swam me to safety. Dad was always there for me in the awkward transitions of life.

At 1:45 p.m. last Thursday, my Dad took his last breath, and he began that great journey that each of us will need to make someday. And what happened next is a bit of a mystery, because the Bible doesn't give us a lot details. But I believe that when he took that last breath, Dad plunged into the abyss. But when he did, Jesus was right there. Dad wrapped his arms around Jesus' neck, and Jesus took him home.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me." Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust God in the awkward transitions of life. Amen.

Gratefully in Christ,

Pr. Jon

READ ABOUT ALL THE EVENTS AT

ST. PAUL'S IN MARCH...

Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast -

We Have 8 tickets Left At The St. Paul's Table

This year the event will be held at the Indian River County Fairgrounds this Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 7:30 AM. Award-winning musician Twila Paris will be performing and the keynote speaker will be Tony Perkins, the President of Family Research Council. If you are interested, please write "Prayer Breakfast" on the Friendship Form this Sunday or call the church office by Monday morning. Tickets are $30.00.

Click here for video: https://youtu.be/g4E8EeetyKA

SPC FARMER'S MARKET BOOTH

WILL BE IN HUMISTON PARK

SATURDAY

MARCH 12TH & 19TH

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Come out and join us as we meet the community

FOR ALL CURRENT &

POTENTIAL USHERS

SUNDAY - MARCH 6th

AFTER THE 10:00 AM SERVICE

AT THE GARDEN CLUB, 2526 17th AVE.

PLEASE JOIN PASTOR JON FOR A SHORT

TIME OF TRAINING FOR THIS VITAL

MINISTRY AT ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

PLEASE INDICATE YOUR ATTENDANCE ON

THE FRIENDSHIP FORM ON SUNDAY OR

CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE. THANK YOU.

Denise Webster and Belize children on 2015 Mission Trip

Mission Trip to Belize

St. Paul's will once again be traveling to Belize on a Mission Trip June 11 - 19, 2016. Let Pastor Jon or the church office know if you have an interest in coming along for VBS, construction projects or medical assistance. Application and deposit is due immediately. See Bob Webster for questions or further information.

During Lent we will be challenging young and old to "Give Up & Give Back." Each week of Lent you will be asked to 'give up' something for the week, and then you will be asked to 'give back' by bringing in various supplies to be used on the Mission Trip to Belize.

This is how the Lenten discipline will work:

Week One - Wed. February 10- Sat. February 20, 2016

Give Up - All Sweets (candy, cakes, cookies, dessert)

And sweeten a child's life when you

Give Back - School Supplies (colored pencils, notebooks, pens, pencils, scissors)

Week Two - Sunday, February 21 - Sat. February 27, 2016

Give Up - Coffee, tea & chocolate (No Caffeine)

And help a baby sleep tight when you

Give Back - Baby Supplies (Diapers, baby wipes, sample size baby powder, & lotion) Week Three - Sunday, February 28 - Sat. March 5, 2016

Give Up - Alcohol, juice and soda (Drink Water)

And help the people of Belize stay clean when you

Give Back - Personal Hygiene Prod's (sample size toothpaste & brushes, sanitary napkins & deodorant)

Week Four - Sunday, March 6 - Sat. March 12, 2016

Give Up - Salty Snacks (pretzels, popcorn, any kind of chips)

And help those in Belize to stay healthy when you

Give Back - Medical supplies (band aids, 1^st aid cream, Advil, vitamins for kids & adults, cold & cough syrup)

Week Five - Sunday, March 13 - Sat. March 19, 2016

Give Up - All electronic games and/or TV

And help supply entertainment for kids when you

Give Back - Toys/Games -jump ropes, balls, beads, board games, sm new stuffed animals

Week Six - Sunday, March 20 - Sat. March 26, 2016

Give Up - Going out to eat or ordering in (No Restaurants)

And make the life of those in Belize a little easier when you

Give Back - Misc. Items (Ziploc bags, kit. towels, duct tape, reading glasses, kid's socks

Items may be brought in weekly & placed in the box at the back of the church, to the office during the week, or you may choose to bring all of your items in on Easter Sunday.

Set aside time each day to pray for the people of Belize and the Mission Trip.

Lester Heyer, nursing home recipient of Valentine's Day gifts from the Skimmers

SKIMMERS

The Skimmers completed their study of Revelation.  We ended the unit by playing a game of Jeopardy to review.  I was astounded at all they had learned over the last couple of months. They never cease to amaze me!
 
The children have now decided to turn their attention to the beginning of the Bible.  So we have started a unit on Genesis.  Of course our first lesson, this week, was "Creation."  The children had the opportunity to be creators themselves, by turning junk I found in the office into a unique creation of their own.

The Skimmers had an opportunity to reach out into the community in a couple ways in February.  They made Valentines for our soldiers which were sent via the Military Moms.  And we made cute Valentine monkeys, dogs & cats complete with a sweet treat for the nursing home where Norma's Dad resides.  Her Dad had a great time handing out the Valentine's to all of his friends.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The children's Lenten theme is "Walk His Way."  Each week the children will be encouraged to follow in Jesus' footsteps through parable Bible stories and activities.  They will be encouraged to "give up" things each week of Lent, to help them remember Jesus gave His life for us.  And to "give back" by doing good deeds, just like Jesus did.  Through these lessons the children will discover how we can attempt to live and serve as Jesus did in the kind of kingdom he envisioned.

  
EASTER EGG HUNT


Don't forget children of all ages are welcome to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, March 27
th
 immediately following the 10:00 service.  The eggs will be hidden all around the beautiful garden behind the Garden Club.  
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR EASTER BASKET!  

Sunday AM Bible Study

"The Book of Revelation" adult Bible study, led by Bill Proctor, meets each Sunday morning at 9:00 AM. This is an ongoing program, no sign up is necessary. Bring your Bible.

"Life as a Journey in Pilgrimage"

The first semester of this Monday evening class has concluded and will resume after Easter with Semester II, focusing on the Holy Land.

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Join Pastor Jon at 6:00 PM for a Bible study on II Timothy which meets at the church office building (664 Azalea Lane - downstairs). All are welcome.

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE

AT THE GARDEN CLUB

PALM SUNDAY March 20 - 8 & 10 AM SERVICES

MAUNDY THURSDAY March 24 - 6 PM SERVICE

GOOD FRIDAY March 25 - 6 PM SERVICE

EASTER SUNDAY March 27 - 8 & 10 AM SERVICES

& CHILDREN'S EASTER EGG HUNT

AFTER THE 10 AM SERVICE

St. Paul's Vero Beach and St. Andrews Gainesville are planning a ten-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land tentatively scheduled for November 1-11, 2016. The trip will be led by Bishop Ron Kuykendall, Pr. Jon Robbins, and D. Lorne Coyle. There will be availability for up to 40 participants. Because of Lorne's extensive experience in planning trips of this kind, you can feel confident that everything will be arranged to ensure your safety and comfort. This is a very exciting opportunity, and we hope that you will pray about joining us on this life-changing journey to the land where Jesus walked. Please contact Norma in the church office by March 1st if you are interested and would like additional information as it becomes available.

SIMPLE SUPPERS

These informal meals, held once a month, give you the opportunity to get to know each other better. Let us know if you want to join in by calling Dean or Christine at 234-2398 or the church office or by writing "simple supper" on the friendship form at church.

Rendering of proposed SPC building

FLAMEVINE LANE PROPERTY UPDATE

Latest pictures showing work on the drainage system.

THE IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER HAS BEEN

MADE PERMANENT

Congress has extended the IRA Charitable Rollover and made it permanent . This means that you can reduce your taxes every year by making a gift directly from your IRA to St. Paul's Church. If you are 70.5 or older, the IRA Charitable Rollover permits you to roll over up to $100,000 from your IRA to St. Paul's Church and avoid paying federal income tax. An IRA rollover gift will qualify for your required minimum distribution, permitting you to lower your income and taxes every year while helping the church.

Contact the church office to learn more about how to make a direct transfer from your IRA to us, help further our mission and enjoy valuable tax savings this year.