Greetings in Gods holy name, One thing I have learned, and am very appreciative of, over my years here

is how welcoming our church is. I know most churches say that their congregations are welcoming, but I believe we really are. I have heard many people, insiders and outsiders, over the years say how welcoming and genuinely friendly our church family is. What a great witness to Gods love! One of the ways we feel we share the love of God and are friendly is during the Passing of the Peace, also affectionately known as Meet & Greet. This does seem like a wonderful time of welcoming, but I wonder if everyone feels that way? The Worship Ministry and the Session have taken up that question for discussion at recent meetings. One member shared the following article from Christian Century. The article looks at this time of greeting one another. I have included the article in this Link so you too can reflect on the way we Pass the Peace of Christ each Sunday. I will include responses to the article in the April Link. Blessings,

Members only?

Christian Century, Jan 06, 2014 by John M. Buchanan When the church was under siege, the ritual of passing the peace was important to members who were meeting in secret and literally holding on to one another for dear life. Today its meant to serve an important function in worship. (continues on back)

Pastor ........................................ Andy Gans Visitation Pastor (Ret.) ............ Tom McNeil Music Director .......................... Rick Roberts Executive Assistant................... Chris Muramatsu Nursery Attendant.................... Tammy Keeslar Proofreaders.............................. Susan M. Jensen and John Stewart

Contributors...............................Members of Ft. King Assembling ................................. Phyllis Altonn, Bobbie Burns, Kay Dahlen, Joyce Gauntt, Eleanor Hayesmore, Pat Merrill, Carol Primm, Roselle Pringle, Judith Simonin, Aileen Zimmerman Bulk Mail Handling...................John Stewart

Worship: Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Office: (352) 694694-4121 FAX: (352) 694-5226 13 NE 36TH AVENUE OCALA, FLORIDA 34470 www.fortking.org [email protected]

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Financial Status as of January 31, 2014

Total Offerings Actual = $23,860.70 Total Offerings Budget = $24,677.85 Variance = - $817.50 Total Expenses Actual = $21,160.92 Total Expenses Budget = $26,251.17 Variance = - $5,090.25 Our expenses are somewhat misleading as there were $3,650 budgeted in January for items that will be paid for in February. To summarize: we spent $1,440 less than we expected (not counting the above mentioned $3,650) and we received $817 less in offerings than expected. This left us $623 to the good in January. This $623 was saved in items such as Utilities, Postage etc. as well our Ministries not spending their budgeted dollars. Contact Steve Layendecker, Chair of Finance, with any questions 694-1014 or [email protected].

CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Thank You
The Muckenfuss family - Jane, Jim and Mark would like to express our thanks to the caring folks at FKPC for their prayers, cards, love and friendship during the recent loss of our husband and father, Rudy. The prayer shawl helped to warm him and we thank the church for providing it. And thanks to the ladies who prepared and served the refreshments at the reception. Many, many thanks to everyone and to Andy with his visits and prayers which comforted us in our darkest hours. Thank you!

CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)

March Birthdays

Thank You
My dear Ft. King Family, Your outpouring of love and concern was deeply felt by Dave, me and our family during the last several months when he was ill. After Daves passing, it was even more evident when Rev. Gans conducted a touching and meaningful memorial service followed by a beautiful reception. You all came together to show your love in so many ways printing the program, placing camellias and fern on white tablecloths, providing an enormous array of food, and offering words of condolence to us in the receiving line. We wish to thank you for the heartfelt cards, plants, flowers, food, visits, telephone calls, and emails that gave us so much support throughout this time. We are all in Gods midst and His love surrounds all of us. Marianne Fullarton and family

DISCIPLESHIP (continued)

Sunday School for Children

Sunday School will continue to meet in the Christian Education Building immediately following the childrens sermon each Sunday with the exception of the first Sunday of the month. The children are included in the worship on that first Sunday for the celebration of the Lords Supper. The teachers for March will be Sheletha and Joe Strawder. We especially appreciate the dedication of all our teachers.

Library Corner
The most recent addition to the church library is a well-researched and well-written book by Stephen R. Haynes about the campaign for desegregation of southern churches in the 1960s. The book is entitled "The Last Segregated Hour" which refers to the fact that, although many institutions and activities were beginning to integrate, most churches in the south were still adamantly segregated. The author is the current Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College in Memphis. In the 1960s, Rhodes was known as Southwestern, a segregated Presbyterian college. White activist students at Southwestern joined forces with black students from other area colleges and, in small groups, would try to attend services at some of the segregated churches. When denied entrance, they would protest non-violently by kneeling on the sidewalks and quietly praying. Professor Haynes conducted nearly 150 interviews between 2003 and 2012 with protestors, pastors, church members, reporters and others who had first-hand knowledge of the "kneel-ins". FKPC's former pastor and his wife, Jim Bullock and Ervin Haas Bullock, are two of the desegregation activists interviewed by Haynes. An index in the back of the book lists all the pages on which their names are mentioned. In the words of one reviewer of the book: "The dramatic stories of courage and resistance that populate this important book demonstrate the complex relationship between religion and social justice, documenting the historic struggle to persuade the region's faith-based institutions to practice what they preach." This book is a fascinating study of a little-known tactic of the desegregation movement which will appeal not only to scholars of religion and history but also to pastors and church people concerned about fostering racially diverse congregations. Check it out! The church library is open every Sunday morning from 9:00 until at least 11:45; other times by request.

GROUP ACTIVITIES
Crafty Ladies
Crafty Ladies meet on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to see all of you there. If you would like to join our group, come for a visit some Thursday and see what we are doing and how you can help. We welcome new people and new talents!

Sassy Seniors
All widows and single ladies are welcome to join Sassy Seniors on Wednesday, March 12th at 1:00 p.m. This months luncheon will be at Feta-Downtown at 306 SW Broadway St.

Card Making Ministry

Card Making Ministry meets on the 2nd Friday of every month at 10:00 a.m. until about Noon. We will meet off-site. Please contact Prudence Pritz if you are interested in joining this group.

Mens Night Out

Mens Night Out will not meet in March. If you would like to host Mens Night Out at 6:30 p.m. on April 14th, please contact John Stewart at 236-1557.

Presbyterian Women Circles

All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all activities of Presbyterian Women. You are cordially invited to attend one of the Circle meetings. Deborah Circle meets at the church, in the Session Room, on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Deborah Circle will meet on March 18th. Esther Circle meets on the second Monday of each month in the evening at members homes. Esther Circle will meet on March 10th, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Heidi Lawson.

SESSION

Session Notes for February 18, 2014

Church Family Celebrations: The pastor-led devotions was about a passage from Pauls letter to the Corinthians and he used the story of his own (Andys) efforts at baking cheesecake and how, like the cheesecake that came out lopsided, falling, etc., we can still enjoy being followers of Jesus -- who accepts as we are. The adult Bible study classes coordinated by Buddy MacKay have been well attended. The childrens ministry class on the Lords Table was successful! Margy Marshall has two more great grandchildren on the way. Pat Merrill has a grandson who has been awarded a National Merit Scholarship Troop 196 and Scout Sunday was well received by the congregation. The Troop successfully camped at Santos. Motions and Other Session Items: The Minutes of the special called session meeting of January 19, 2014; as well as the minutes of the congregational and corporate meetings also of January 19, 2014 were approved. Upon motion, the policy on the Pastors Discretionary Fund was approved. David MacKay, treasurer of the FKPC Corporation, was elected treasurer of the church, effective January 1, 2014. The transfer of Carol Butler and Kaitlyn Fuller to First Baptist Church at the Villages and Cross Roads United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, respectively, and removal from the rolls of this church at their request, was approved by the session. The session approved Rick Roberts and Cate Martin as Directors of the VBS program for June 22-26, 2014. The session approved Communion as part of the following special services: Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday; Easter sunrise service; and Christmas Eve services. The session approved the churchs 2013 Statistical Report after some discussion about obtaining more accurate age demographic information about the congregation The Pastor has been invited to a reinvigorating CREDO retreat in October 2014. The Pastor is a Presbytery commissioner to the PCUSA General Assembly meeting this June and Ruling Elder Bob Schlegel is an alternate.

WORSHIP
Attention Poets and Creative Writers
One of our Lenten Wednesday night programs will focus on poetry and/or storytelling. I am looking for writers, readers, and storytellers to help me prepare a 45 minute presentation for Wednesday, April 9th. I would love to hear your stories or poems or perhaps you have a favorite poem written by someone else that you would like to read. Please contact me by the end of March and we will pull this together. Kathy Kuhns ([email protected]), 352.622.4073.

During Lent, take time for reflection . . .

The Worship Ministry invites everyone in our Church family and all of your friends to gather each Wednesday during Lent for a period of alternative worship and reflection. This will be an opportunity for the spiritual renewal that precedes Easters promised new life. Wednesday, March 5 Ash Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary 7 p.m. The Rev. Andy Gans will lead us in a celebration of Communion and with a distribution of ashes Wednesday, March 12 Reflection through Dance and Movement 6 p.m. in the Session Room -- Led by Cate Martin Wednesday, March 19 Reflection through Silence 6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Joanne Ohlman Wednesday, March 26 Reflection through Music 6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Rick Roberts Wednesday, April 2 Reflection through Jamaican Worship 6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Judith Bullen and Pam Lewin Wednesday, April 9 Reflection Reflection through Poetry 6 p.m. in the Session Room Led by Kathy Kuhns

WORSHIP (continued)
Something to Think About The Temptations of Jesus of Nazareth -1
Luke 4:14:1-13//Matt. 4:14:1-11 see Mark 1:121:12-13 Please have Luke 4:1 4:1-13 open as we study this material.
The Synoptic Gospels did not write a history of Jesus of Nazareth but their storystory-interpretations of the meaning of the life and death of Jesus for people caught up in Imperial Roman society and culture. The perspective of the Gospelers is not just that such-and-so events happened in Palestine; it is rather that what happened in Palestine has cosmicsignificance: human violence and conflict have an impact on the matter of divine and human justice on earth. Jesus death was instigated by some leaders of his own people; their will was carried out (even if Pilate washed his hands of the whole affair!) by Imperial Roman authority. What had infected Jesus own people was later identified as satan, not an external outside force, but the source and representation of conflict within the community! (Elaine Pagels 1996 The Origin of Satan 34; read her first chapter most enlightening and then the book!) Secondly, the Temptation story is haggadah, a Hebrew word meaning to walk, go, i.e. a manner of living; to search out the meaning and implications of sayings and events; and, a sermon homily, applying the meaning of a text to ones daily life. This was the practice in synagogues and in early churches. The sermonic teaching would include exhortation, along with religious, moral, historical, and allegorical materials as illustrative of a main point. This is precisely the function of the Temptation story: to give an overview of events in Jesus life and ministry, and to see that, if we choose to follow Jesus, this could happen to us as well! Thirdly, the Hebrew meaning of the idea of temptation is: to try to force Gods hand to see if God will do what He has promised; to manipulate God so that God will act in such a way that is consistent with my selfself-interest what I want for me! Oh, do we humans try to do this with one another in our human and social relationships? When we look at the Matthew/Luke temptation story, the order of the tempting is different; we will follow Lukes order, as that is probably the original. A. The Greek text says: since you are the Son of God clearly indicates both Christian language and belief in Jesus as the King King-Messiah of Israel who was called Gods son (See Psalm 2:7). Jesus response to command this stone to become bread (Luke 4:3) is a quotation from the Greek translation (called the Septuagint, LXX) of the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy 8:3: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every decree The point is: being human goes beyond having a full stomach, or being economically comfortable, because all life is dependent upon the creative acts of God, and Gods provision goes beyond what we can do to provide for ourselves. B. The Luke-text presents the second tempting: All the empires of the world in a moment of

time to you will I give all this authority and their glory Worship me and itll all be yours.
The LXX translation of Deuteronomy 6:13 (see also 10:20) is used as Jesus response: You shall worship the Lord your God and him only will you serve.

WORSHIP (continued)

Both the LXX and Hebrew texts have the word fear, as in The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear means precisely this: I recognize that I, a human being, am not my own creator or sustainer I did not create myself nor am I the Lord of the universe! Therefore, I have no authority or right to play God with the lives of human beings or with my own life, regardless of who makes an offer that cant be refused! C. The Temple incident is the third tempting for Luke: since you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here (the pinnacle of the Temple God will protect his own Son from harm)- lest you strike your foot against a stone. Jesus response again is taken from the LXX Deuteronomy 6:16: You

shall not tempt the Lord your God.

As said above, to tempt means to manipulate a person to fulfill ones own self-interest and to see if the other person will keep his/her word. To try to trick God into acting on behalf of my self-interest is an act of tempting God. Okay, the above is what the Gospel-text is communicating. Lets summarize for our situation if we intend to be followers of Jesus of Nazareth: 1. We may be invited to provide for and to solve all the problems of human need. To acquiesce to such an invitation means to play God with the lives of other people: such was/is the expectation for an

Economic Messiah.
2. We may be called upon to serve a Political Messianic function of rulership, dominion, and power over the lives of human beings; and, 3. We may be invited to participate in a Religious Messianic function. Not only will there be only one true religion, but well be the ones in power over all. The history of human religion, and in particular of the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam shows rather clearly that weve not done very well as messianic rulers over human beings. To be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth means precisely to give up messianic aspirations and dreams of power. Luke 22:25-27 and Mark 10:42-44 preserve Jesus perspective: those who rule lord it over them (the people) and strong men tyrannize them! But, Its not going to be like that with you! You must be a ser-

vant! vant!
Jesus was not a MessiahMessiah-King at all; he was a servant this is what the temptation-story is all about. Indeed, the temptationtemptation-story is a commentary on and a response to Psalm 2: It says explicitly we cannot understand Jesus of Nazareth in terms of Psalm 2 MessiahMessiah-KingKing-Son of God concepts, nor our mission and minis-

try as a church.
Something to think about. Shalom, Tom

WORSHIP (continued)

Flower Calendar
Please note: I am trying to work ahead on the flowers, so if you would like to provide flowers to commemorate a special event/occasion/memory etc. for a specific date, please call me as soon as possible. Thank you. Please also note: It is never too early to call me to select your chosen date. Dates in late 2014 are already being selected, so please dont hesitate to call me if there is a Sunday you would like to commemorate by sharing with the church some type of flowers or plant of your choice. (It could be fresh, silk, dried, etc. from your yard, a supermarket, a florist, etc.) As of this mailing, the following people will be providing flowers in March, April May and June 2014. If you would like to provide flowers on a date of your choice, please call Nancy Hall at 694-3221. Thank you. Thank you to these people as they share in donating the flowers for the following worship services: March 2, 2014---In celebration of life, from Colleen and Richard Livingston March 9, 2014---In honor of March birthdays of Claudia (Schulze) Freudenburg, Gertrud and Bonnie Schulze March 16, 2014---In celebration of my mothers 95th birthday, from Maria Madigan March 23, 2014---From Jean Brown, Hal, Douglas, Bruce, and Lynn in loving memory of husband and father, Halowell E. Brown March 30, 2013---OPEN April 6, 2014---From Gouley Andrews April 13, 2014---In celebration of Trent and Liesha Herrons 29th wedding anniversary April 20, 2014---Easter (Easter lilies in the Sanctuary) April 27, 2014---In loving memory of Ray (April 2007) from Sue and the girls May 4, 2014---Celebrating the life of my dear wife, Nel, from Charles Kirk May 11, 2014---OPEN (Mothers Day) May 18, 2014---From John and Jean Stewart in celebration of their 59th wedding anniversary May 25, 2014---From Pat and Jerry Merrill in recognition of our 59th wedding anniversary June 1, 2014---From Nancy Stephenson in loving memory of her parents, Ted and Violet Wikary June 8, 2014---In memory of our parents, Aleta, Max, and Robert, from the Repp family June 15, 2014---From Bernice and Bob Henry in celebration of their 54th wedding anniversary June 22, 2014---OPEN June 29, 2014---In honor of our 52nd wedding anniversary from Charles and Mary Ellen Vowinkel

10

March 2014
Italicized items are non-FKPC activities using FKPC facilities

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday Saturday
1 9-3 Turning Point (FH)

3 9:00 - 11:45 Library 7:30 Mens Bible 9:15 Adult Ed & Study Youth 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 11:30 Discipleship 5:00 TOPS (FH) Youth Ministry 5:30 Mission Ministry 12:00 Faith Leaders 6:00 - 8:00 Marions 5:00 PYC United (CE) 9 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:15 Adult Ed. & Youth 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 11:30 Congregational Care Ministry 12:00 Faith Leaders 5:00 PYC 5:00 High Tide 16 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:15 Adult Ed. & Youth 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 12:00 Faith Leaders 5:00 PYC 10 7:30 Mens Bible Study 9:30 Small Group

4 10:00 Prayer Shawl Ministry

10:00 PW 11:00 Adult Coordinators Discipleship Ministry

6:00 Connections Ministry 7:00 Ash 11:00 Crafts Wednesday Service 6:30 Worship Ministry 8:00 Choir Practice 7:00 AA (FH) 11 12 13 14 15

1:00 Sassy Seniors 11:00 Crafts (off-site) 6:00 Finance Ministry 6:00 Lenten Wednesday

5:00 TOPS (FH) 6:00 - 8:00 Marions United (CE) 7:00 Esther Circle (off-site) 17 7:30 Mens Bible Study 5:00 TOPS (FH) 6:00 - 8:00 Marions United (CE)

10:00 Card Making Ministry (off-site)

7:00 AA (FH) 7:00 Discipleship 7:00 Choir Practice Ministry Children 18 20 19

21

22

10:00 Deborah Circle

3:00 Pastoral Care 11:00 Crafts Team 6:00 Lenten Wednesday 7:00 AA (FH) 7:00 Choir Practice 27 26

6:00 Session

23 Food4Kids & 2 Cents A Meal 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:15 Adult Ed. & Youth 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 12:00 Faith Leaders 5:00 PYC 5:00 High Tide 30 9:00 - 11:45 Library 9:15 Adult Ed. & Youth 10:00 Choir Practice 10:30 Worship 12:00 Faith Leaders 5:00 PYC

24 7:30 Mens Bible Study 9:30 Small Group Study

25

28

29

11:00 Crafts

6:00 Lenten Wednesday 5:00 TOPS (FH) 6:00 - 8:00 Marions United (CE) 31 7:30 Mens Bible Study 5:00 TOPS (FH) 6:00 - 8:00 Marions United (CE) 7:00 Choir Practice 7:00 AA (FH)

11

FORT KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 13 N.E. 36th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34470

Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Ocala, FL 34478 Permit #100

RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED

Label

(continue from page 1) But I have come to dread this part of the service. I have visited two small congregations several times lately. Both include the passing of the peace. The presiding clergyperson invites worshipers to greet one another with a handshake and the words Peace be with you. (Why dont we say, The peace of Christ be with you? We dont mean the generic 1960s peace that was communicated with a V sign.) After the clergyperson says, The peace of the Lord be with you, and we respond, And also with you, all hell breaks loose. People leave their seats, walk around and greet nearly everyone else in the room. Robust conversations ensue. There is laughter, sometime raucous, as two members share an inside joke. People discuss the results of a football game or yesterdays storm. As a visitor, I shake the hands of the people immediately around me and then venture tentatively into the aisle. There I encounter a barrier that might as well be a sign announcing Members Only. Im on my own and not sure what to do. I feel as if Ive intruded in someone elses family reunion. I slink back to my pew, pick up the hymnal and read a few verses. The ritual thats intended to affirm community often does anything but that if you happen to be a visitor. Instead, congregation members are communicating clearly to strangers that their church is a closed corporation. To be fair, in both congregations there was a person who seemed to understand what was happening and greeted me warmly, asking my name. But most were busy renewing existing relationships. The same dynamic is in place at the coffee hour. Good friends, longtime members of the congregation, are so happy to see one another that a visitor may stand apart and alone, balancing a coffee cup and cookie and carefully examining the pattern of the tiles in the fellowship hall ceiling. The hospitality of welcoming the stranger is not only good manners but also Christian spiritual practice. But sometimes a Christian ritual thats meant to affirm community, love and unity among believers can be exclusive, awkward and off-putting to people who are new or not part of the community. When this becomes true about the passing of the peace, when its become a liturgical social hour for members only, we need to reevaluate it.