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 ewsletter
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Dear Friends,
Wishing everyone a very happy July 4th holiday!
Scott Welch, Senior Pastor
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Royal Family Kids' Camp
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Royal Family Kids' Camp is a week-long, faith- based camp dedicated to creating positive memories in the lives of abused children with a desire to stop the cycle of abuse.
Royal Family was created to give the "thrown- away" children of our communities the opportunity to see they do matter, that they are children of God; that He loves and values them.
The name Royal Family expresses how important these children are; throughout the week of camp, it is our goal to treat the campers as Royalty in everything we do, from the bus ride to camp to the simple things: like playing what they want to play, giving them choices and the opportunity to succeed - particularly as they begin the journey of healing from some of their hurts.
As a community, FreshStart stepped out in faith to minister to hurting children. To accomplish this goal, we were able to raise the needed funding and obtain / train the needed staff for our week of camp.
During the week of June 8 - 13, FreshStart extended this incredible opportunity of hope and joy to 27 children from within the Tampa Bay area. The campers, along with 34 staff, experienced a week of love and compassion.
WOW, what a blessing to be able to share the hope of Jesus to these 27 kids. Lives were changed forever. We had campers that were so excited about receiving a new Bible that each night they slept with it under their pillow.
Another camper received a new pair of shoes and was so excited she could hardly keep her feet on the ground - and she danced around the room showing everyone!
We had an amazing week, and we experienced difficulties - but with God's help and the efforts of all of our staff, we were able to accomplish a week in which children did experience positive memories that will last them a lifetime.
All of our staff have shared that they have never felt so used of God in such a positive way, and they, along with our campers, are anticipating Royal Family in the Summer of 2009!
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Transition Team
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 As you know we are leaving the facility we at FreshStart have called church for the last six years. In preparation for this move, a Transition Team has been organized.
This team located a local school for us to meet in while we continue to explore the posibility of building on our land. Starting Sunday, Oct. 5, we will begin meeting at Forest Lakes Elementary School in Oldsmar.
This is only the beginning though. The team is currently looking for office and storage space for our church office, and for the things we will use at the school each weekend.
They are also working with the Celebration Team to determine what we will need to set up each week. We also have plans for a rummage sale this summer.
If you can help with any of these things, contact the church office. |
This summer and Jesus' Plan for Kingdom Living
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Jesus sat on a hillside and shared with a large group of people the basic foundations of the Kingdom Life. We now call them the Beatitudes, which are a part of the Sermon on the Mount!
Join us this summer as we apply these foundational principles to our lives!
June 29 - Pour in Spirit?
July 6 - Why Mourn?
July 13 - Weakness or Meekness
July 20 - Hungry for What?
July 27 - Mercy!
Aug. 3 - How's your Heart?
Aug. 10 - Peacekeeper or Peacemaker?
Aug. 17 - When Persecuted
Aug. 24 - What You Are!
Aug. 31 - The Law - Which Ones Apply?
Sept. 7 - Problems with A Brother
Sept. 14 - Marriage, Adultery & Divorce in the Kingdom
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Outreach Team
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FreshStart's Outreach Team exists to assist our church as we bring the Kingdom to the community. Our desire is to help people in many kinds of needs, showing the love of Jesus through all that we do. Our attempt to reach the needs of people is being done through:
- A2N
- Food Pantry
- First Touch Ministry, a ministry to women as they transition from prison back into their families and community
- Royal Family, a camp for abused and neglected children in our community, designed to "create positive memories" in hurting children
- Special Community Events.
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FreshStart Kids Summer Schedule
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 July 13-18 - Vacation Bible School: "Outrigger Island:" Living God's Unshakable Truth
Sunday, July 13 - Friday, July 18
Sunday Afternoon VBS Kickoff
Monday - Friday: Dinner & VBS 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Closing program, Friday Evening at Pickup Ages 3 thru 5th Grade
Aug. 18 - Back to School Game Night for all kids - fifth grade.
Vacation Bible School
Sunday, July 13 - Friday, July 18
Sunday Afternoon - July 13, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - VBS 'Kick- off"
Monday - Friday dinner & VBS 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Closing program, Friday evening at pickup.
Ages 3 - fifth grade.
Set sail for Outrigger Island!
Join us as we swim, paddle & sail, you will experience a week of nonstop action as we learn to: Live God's Unshakeable Truth.
We will explore five Bible truths:
- God is real
- Jesus is God's Son
- Jesus is the only way
- The Bible is God's Word
- My actions show what I believe.
We will learn how to know, speak and live the truth. Each evening the children & staff will be served with a light dinner, followed with the evening program.
VBS T-shirts are available for $5. |
Super Summer Studies
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It is unbelievable what you can learn in a short time. This summer, you have the opportunity to join in on more great learning opportunities that may turn some spiritual "light bulbs" on for you. Join us for one or both of these great classes:
July 26 - The Life of Jesus Made Simple! Aug. 23 - Revelations Made Simple!
Each class takes place on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. - noon. The cost is $10 for a notebook and information (unless you have the notebook; then it is $5.00 for the new material pages).
Sign up at the Welcome Center today!
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Parenting Weekend - Sept. 12-14 - Daytona Beach
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 This will be a GREAT time for your entire family - filled with fun activities, family time and teaching on how our families can enjoy the best that God has for us! The WHOLE WEEKEND at the El Caribe Resort is only $399 for your entire family. Sign up today at the Welcome Center with your deposit! |
Fusion Summer Schedule
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 Fusion Pool Party - Calling all sixth through twelfth graders: We are celebrating the beginning of another summer on Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Dylan and Danielle Gouletas.
Bring your bathing suits and an appetite. We also have a special gift for each student who attends. You can get directions and sign up for the party at the Welcome Center. |
Jobs
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 Friends, all of us are feeling the pinch of gas prices and the economy. Many of our people have also lost their jobs and are looking for work.
If you hear of people that are hiring, would you please send us an e-mail at the church, so we can make the opportunity known?
Also if you are looking for a job and have a resume you would like us to post on A2N, please send it to us. This economy will present knew ways for us to be about Kingdom Living! |
A message from the Doc!
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Managing Conflict - Part 6
This month, let's take a look at a strategy for managing conflicts.
Take the issue to God.br>
Consider these issues before the Lord:
- Is this problem a one-time event, which I can forgive and forget without bringing it up?
- Is this a real issue or a trivial one, which hides a deeper grievance?
- Is it primarily my problem and not the other person's?
- Am I willing to be honest and caring?
- Am I ready to present a specific request for change?
Bring up the issue.
Open the issue with a statement like, "I have got a problem I need to talk over. When is a good time?" Explain the problem.
Share what the problem is, and how you feel about it. Keep your statements short and simple. Propose a tentative solution.
Say what you would like done to correct the problem, realizing that this is a tentative attempt to find a mutually satisfactory solution.
The other person responds to you.
This is his/her opportunity to tell how he feels about the issue and your proposal for solving it. The other person has three alternatives at this point:
- He/she may agree with your request
- He/she may disagree completely
- He/she may suggest an alternate solution - a totally new proposal or some modification of your proposal.
If you come to an agreement, try to negotiate a contract for change.
Take an intermission.
If a solution isn't reached quickly, let the issue rest for a day or two. It is usually much easier to discover a solution after time, which allows God to reveal creative alternatives, and to bring healing for hurt feelings. Ask for and grant forgiveness of each other. As you work through the process, demonstrate your forgiveness by your actions.
Review the conflict, alone and together.
Take time to rethink the conflict. It takes work, patience and energy to manage conflicts.
Don't quit too early!
"DOC"
Richard J. Stiliha
Dr. Richard Stiliha is the pastoral counselor at FreshStart Church. He holds office hours by appointment only and is available to the community as well as our church family. To make an appointment or for additional information, call the church office at 813-814-1128.
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