Praising God as We Tour Our New Home!

IMG_20130810_165256 As of Thursday, August 8th, Fr. David and the and the leadership of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church entered into a lease agreement that will allow Church of the Messiah the full use of FCPC’s education building.  Their “education building” allows us to have a sanctuary worship space, conference room, kitchen, youth room, two kids’ church classrooms, a nursery, and two offices all in the same building!  This means that very soon Church is leaving Jacksonville University!  Starting this Sunday, August 11, after our regular 10:30 service in the Sam R. Marks Chapel at Jacksonville University, we will caravan as a group the 1.2 miles to our new location to pray over the building, get a pre-renovation tour, and thank God for this amazing opportunity! (You can click HERE if you would like to see a map.)  Then on Saturday, August 31, we are having a Parish Office Moving Day as we relocate our offices from our old offices on Regency Square Boulevard to our new home!  We will need all hands (and trucks) on deck for that day!  Renovations to our new sanctuary worship space begin as soon as the city approves the permits and we anticipate, by God’s grace, worshiping in our new church home in early October.  We promise to have information to you as quickly as we receive it.  For now, join us this Sunday in praying over and thanking God for a new tabernacle while we continue to build God a temple.

This Tuesday Is Parish Council

On Tuesday night, at 7 pm in the parish office, we will hold our monthly Parish Council meeting. Parish Council is the regular meeting of all of our ministry leaders to coordinate the ministries and activities of Church of the Messiah for the next few months. Ministry leaders please plan on attending or contact Carla at the Parish Office if you are unavailable. Those not attending the meeting, please pray that the Lord’s will be done in all events and projects which Church of the Messiah undertakes.

Bishop David Simpson Visits Church of the Messiah This Sunday!

Bishop David Simpson PreachingBe sure to attend Church of the Messiah this Sunday, August 4th, as we are blessed with a special visit from our Bishop David Simpson.  Bishop Simpson and his wife Toni arrived in Jacksonville on Thursday afternoon and will be in north Florida for a few more days.  This Sunday, Church of the Messiah has the privilege of hearing one of the CEC’s most anointed bishops and preachers.

Bishop Simpson has been in ordained ministry for over 36 years, with 17 of those years in the Charismatic Episcopal Church  where he has served as the Rector of Church of the Resurrection in Miramar, Florida.  This Fall Bishop Simpson will celebrate his sixth anniversary as the Bishop of the Diocese of Florida.

While in Seminary, Bishop Simpson married his college sweetheart Toni.  They have three grown children and have, as of a few weeks ago, now six grand children!  Join us as we welcome our bishop.  He is sure to bring an inspired Word of God.  The service will begin at 10:30 in the Sam R. Marks Chapel at Jacksonville University.  All are welcome!

Save the Date! Women’s Retreat Information is Now Available!

Well in advance of anything the men would have put together, the women already have their first flyer ready with all the information the ladies need to start planning for the upcoming women’s retreat this October.  Download the beautiful flyer created by Brooke Shimp by clicking HERE.  The theme for the weekend is “Empowered & Impassioned” and the retreat leader will be Amelia Gailliard.  The retreat will begin Friday, October 5, and run through Sunday morning, October 7.  Once again the retreat will be at the beautiful and scenic Epworth-by-the-Sea on St. Simon’s Island, GA. Mark your calendars now and start saving.  It looks like it is shaping up to be an amazingly anointed weekend!

“Christmas in July” Baby Shower for Emergency Pregnancy Services is Saturday!

1005431_10100377804518907_1083086520_nThis Saturday, July 13th, Church of the Messiah’s Women’s Ministry will hold its annual “Christmas in July” Baby Shower for Emergency Pregnancy Services.  This year, the shower begins at 10am at the home of Jill (& Craig) Stafford (click HERE for a map).  EPS most needs: diaper bags, diapers (sizes 4, 5, & 6), bottles, clothing, wipes, baby formula, bibs, or cash donations.  To view the full-size version of the flyer click HERE.  To RSVP or for more information, please contact Janice Paysinger at 703-9866.

Don’t Forget the Ultreya TONIGHT!

UltreyaThere is an Ultreya tonight, July 9th, at the home of Greg and Diane Looker (Click HERE for a map).  Dinner is pot-luck and begins at 6pm with the grouping beginning at 7pm.  We will conclude with the Holy Eucharist.  Childcare will be provided.  The Ultreya is open to anyone who has attended Tres Arroyos or any other three-day retreat along the lines of Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, Awakenings, Lighthouse Via De Christo, etc…

Foundation Day Sunday, 23 June

My dear brothers in the Lord,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Be assured that my prayers are with you.  I am reminded every day as I do the Daily Office or Preside at a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist that not only do we pray individually but our prayers are intimately connected.

On the Sunday closest to June 26th we are required by Canon Law to take up an offering. Which has come to be known as “The Foundation Day Offering.”  It should be noted that this is not an “option” or a “suggestion” but is part of vows to obey the Canons of the Church.  That aside this is a Thank-offering for the birth of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

God called our Communion into existence.  It is now 21 years since the consecration of Austin Randolph Adler as the first Bishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  Since then thousands of Churches have join us and we have Churches all around the world.  Daily we get inquiries about joining us.  We have so much to be thankful for in our Church.

The Foundation Day Offering is given to the Patriarch to be used for the purchase of buildings or property.  The small amount that has been collected has been dispersed in grants and loans to many churches.  This past year we were able to help three churches secure buildings.

We also invest money for the future.  Right now we have 100,000 USD in the bank.  It is collecting interest and we expect the amount to grow so that in the years to come we can have a much larger pool of monies to help.

Growth is happening around the world.  I just heard from Abp. Paulo about the growth in Brazil.  He suggests that we could see more Dioceses in the near future.  There are also so many new churches in Africa, Asia, and the United States.  We are building together.

Please take up the Foundation Day Offering.  Then send the monies to the Patriarch’s Office.

Again be assured of my prayers,

Under His mercy,

The Most Rev. Craig W. Bates,

Patriarch, ICCEC.

from the www.cechome.com

The Ultreya for Tuesday Has Been Cancelled

imagesThe Ultreya that was scheduled for this Tuesday has been cancelled.  The next Ultreya will be Tuesday, July 9th, at the home of Greg and Diane Looker.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

Sunday is the Last Day to Order Gumbo!

imagesThe Youth Group is selling Gumbo once again to raise money for our Summer fun.  This Sunday, May 26th, is the last day to get your orders in.  One serving is $10 and comes with a generous portion of chicken and andouille (sausage) gumbo with rice and, of course, a piece of french bread.  In a change from previous sales, the youth will be gathering to make the food and then we will be delivering the food to you on Saturday, June 1st.  The money we raise from this we go to off-set the cost of the Diocesan Youth Retreat and Southeastern Provincial Convocation the week of June 16th through 22nd.  Thanks for supporting the Youth Group!

Remembering Mark Goodman

487493_10200445361190998_1144341860_nAn old friend of Church of the Messiah, Mark Goodman has gone to be with the Lord this week.  Wednesday afternoon, with his wife and children around him, Mark ended his three year battle with cancer.  There will be a memorial service this Saturday, May 25th, at The Covenant Center in Lakeland, Florida (click HERE for a map).  The service begins at 3pm.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

 

Rest eternal grant to Mark, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon him.

May his soul, and the souls of the the faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.