UNEXPECTED

BLESSINGPage 6

Vol 48, #7 July, 2008

 WHEN WAS THE
ON THE WAY
with Dr. David D. Swanson
LAST TIME Dear FPCO Family and Friends,

YOU INVITED Not long ago, I had a difficult conversation with someone whose life had become
quite painful. With a bewildered look on his face he said, “I just don’t know how I got
here.” In his mind, he was clearly off the path – lost – and couldn’t figure out how he
SOMEONE TO had arrived there or what he needed to do to get back.
I think many of us reach such a place at some point in our lives. We’re a bit like

CHURCH? the prodigal son – making our own choices, defying our Father, and living in a far away
place – until we realize that we need to get back home. I came across a story in the
Wall Street Journal that reminded me of God’s faithful, enduring love for His children.
It was about a 15-year-old girl in China named Huimei who was caught in the terrible
earthquake that took place last May. Her parents, Liu and Tang, were migrant workers

The topic of living in Beijing, earning enough money to send their daughter to school, but still 800
miles from the tiny mountainside village that was home.
On the Monday of the earthquake, all they knew was that Huimei’s school had
this fall’s sermon collapsed. Her fate was unknown, and so they began the grueling 800 mile trek back
home, a journey that took three days by boat, by foot, and by train. With no money
series, beginning and little food, they traveled with 16 others from their home village. The destruction
around them created additional hardship – roads and railways destroyed – crevices

September 7, to somehow get over – but they kept going. Carrying all their worldly belongings on
their backs, they climbed the last stretch to their village and found the school director,
only to receive the crushing news that Huimei had not survived. She was one of 270
is appealing to students lost in that school’s collapse.
Such news is difficult for us to hear. Loss like this seems so unfair, so void of God’s
those seeking to presence, and yet it mirrors physically what is happening spiritually. We live in a dan-
gerous time where the moral and ethical foundations of our culture seem near collapse.
understand more And sometimes we get caught in it. Sometimes, people perish. Yet the hope of the gos-
pel is the relentless, sacrificial nature of God who comes to us – pursues us – sacrifices
about Christianity. Himself for us. No matter the obstacle – even death – He comes.
I hope you know that today. I hope you know that God’s love for you is so deep – so
rich – so complete – that He will pursue you to the ends of the earth that you may not
Why not Commit perish. In light of that, how could you see yourself as anything but precious in the sight
of God? My hope as your pastor is that we can create a community of faith in which
to praying over the that love is known, felt and shared.
Be in prayer for our church as we move through a busy summer and get ready for
summer about who an exciting fall in which we will explore the question of “Who is God?” The works of
Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins are pushing the
you might invite question, so I’m going to spend ten weeks looking at it. These
men say God does not exist and they give plenty of reasons

to church to hear to support their thesis. We’ll look at their statements, at the
world and at Scripture, and see how it all holds up.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon. In the
this message. meantime, I remain
Yours in the Ministry of Christ,

David
2 | www.fpco.org
 C ME TO ME ALL
WHO ARE HEAVY LADEN
On Sunday, June 8, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
commissioned seven new Stephen Ministers for service. They
are: Lee Ballard, Debbie Barnhart, Betsy Guerrero, Betty Rice,
Maitreya Sims, Robert Smith and Brenda Tompkins. These sev-
en people have been through 50 hours of specialized training in
Christian care giving and join a team of 30 Stephen Ministers at
First Presbyterian. Stephen Ministers provide confidential one-
on-one Christian care to people experiencing a crisis or going
through a difficult time.
Here is the story of one of the new Stephen Ministers,
Robert Smith:
It was on November 14, 2007, that I received a letter and
application form giving me an overview of the forthcoming
training program for Stephen Ministers. This was to commence
from January, 2008, and would entail intensive training and
study. It would be a commitment for not less than two years. I
did not respond for some time as I felt that if I was to take on the
responsibility of becoming a care giver, I needed to feel that this
was the path to follow and it was the Lord’s will and not mine.
Upon my arrival for the first training session, I was
minister has. We are armed with this belief, and acknowledg-
greeted warmly by the course principle. With warmth and
ing that we will only be effective in our ministry if we are open
understanding, she showed this was without a doubt, a car-
to the Lord, to let Him work through our short comings, never
ing and loving ministry that was Christ-centered and not
to impose our will on the care receiver but to be there to sup-
man-centered. This first meeting was to get an overview of the
port and to show the love of Christ through our commitment to
program and meet our fellow students. In total twenty-one,
them during their time of need.
fourteen ladies and seven men, were from different denomi-
We see families that are broken by divorce, violence,
nations, backgrounds, cultures and age groups - from early
drugs, alcohol addiction, child abuse, grief of losing a partner,
twenties to the more senior years. Without exception, putting
loneliness, homelessness. I believe that we should do the things
aside our religious doctrine, we all had the same desire to be
we can do, and let the Lord do the things that we cannot do. If
open to the will of our Lord Jesus, by letting His spirit fill us
only more of us took the time to extend the hand of friendship
and work through us and build a caring relationship with
and to show kindness, a smile to that one person that we meet
those that need support during a crisis time in life.
in our daily lives, who knows what doors would open for us all
Over the weeks and months that followed, the bond be-
to become care givers to a hurting world?
tween us became stronger – it felt that as strong as any fam-
I am confident that anyone reading this will, with the
ily (in some cases more). The openness and trust that we dis-
power of the Holy Spirit, take this challenge and become a care
played to each other were evident: that we ourselves, are not
giver. Just start in your own family and see where it leads. I
without fears, hurts and disappointments in our lives and
would simply ask for your prayer support to keep us humble
need to feel the that we can share our intimate and personal
and to seek our Savior’s guidance in a caring ministry. n
issues within the confines of confidentiality, compassion and
Christian care. It is these qualities that I believe every Stephen

www.fpco.org | 3
 MY FAITH IS A PRIVATE MATTER…
In the Spring of 2005 a newly formed Men’s Ministry Com-
mittee took shape. The purpose of this group was to serve the
men of FPCO in their journey of faith. The question that we
sought to answer was, “What do men need to grow in their
walks with the Lord?” Two issues quickly surfaced. First, a
regular time to gather with friends both new and old for fel-
lowship and spiritual input. Thus, Thirsty Thursday emerged
under the tireless leadership of Keith Holcomb and his crew.
Second, there was a strong sense of conviction, mostly from our
own personal experiences, that men needed a place to connect,
to be known, to love and be loved in order to grow.
By the Fall of 2006, with leaders in place, it was time to chal-
lenge every man at FPCO to “Rise Up” and join a small group Bi-
ble study. Our goal was that no man be left behind. The response
was incredible, although we still have a ways to go before we see
every man in our church experiencing this sort of community.
For many of the men who signed up this was a first. “My
faith is a private matter,” had been their mantra for years.
Although our spiritual journeys begin because of a personal
choice to accept Jesus Christ as our savior, the Christian life is
not a private one. The Bible refers to the church as “the body of
Christ” – and no part of the body operates in isolation. Even the
epistles were written to a community of believers in Ephesus,
Corinth, etc.
Below is the story of one man of FPCO, Greg Ickes, and his
journey to the reality that faith is not a private matter.
“I can remember being in church a couple years back
and I believe it was Paul Ellis & Daryl Carter who spoke
about a Men’s Ministry initiative to form “small groups”
within the church. At the time, I can remember being in-
trigued by the thought of the small group concept but prob-
The Man in the Mirror
EXPERIENCE
CONFERENCE
October 18, 2008
8am – 1 pm
Lee Fellowship Hall
4 | www.fpco.org
By Daryl Carter
ably not intrigued enough to go sign up on my own.
Personally, I had been going to church for most of my life
but I had not consistently attended any type of extracurricu-
lar church activity since I was involved with a youth group in
middle school. Also, I was the type of person that would tell
you that my religion was a private matter and I was not real
comfortable discussing Christian ideas/concepts with other
people. Well, my wife and I walked out of church one Sunday
and went over to say hello to Paul Ellis and he handed me a
sign-up form and said you NEED to sign up. That was about
all the pushing I needed and within a few weeks our small
group had formed, consisting of approximately 12 men that
were in a similar “season” of life.
Our group was led by Paul Ellis & Coy Tipping. At our
first meeting we all decided the best time to meet was Tuesday
mornings at 6:30am. I have to say that I initially wasn’t thrilled
with the early morning time slot but it didn’t take long for me
to look forward to getting together with everybody on Tuesday
mornings. We have been meeting now for over 20 months and
the group has grown pretty close to each other during that peri-
od. We have shared many life experiences together, which have
included new babies, career changes, baptisms, family deaths,
parenting struggles and the list goes on & on.
Around a year or so after the formation of our group, we had
completed a few different studies and started to talk about what
we should do next. Dr. Bill Cain came to speak to our group and
he challenged us to consider putting together our own 10-week
Alpha course. I can speak for the group that this fell outside of
everybody’s comfort zone and personally, I quickly went back
to my roots of “religion is a personal matter for me.” After sev-
eral weeks of discussion, deep thought & prayer…the group de-
cided that Alpha was the way to go for us. Over the next couple
of months, many of us stepped far outside our comfort zone and
extended invites to family, friends, co-workers, etc.
We are almost finished with our Alpha series and it has far
exceeded my expectations. We have consistently had 40 men
in attendance and the mix of people includes non-believers,
people from other religions, general skeptics, people raised in
the church but who are apathetic with their faith, and believ-
ers looking to build on their faith. The series has provided a
safe environment for these men to talk openly about the tough
questions of faith and attempt to seek answers to those ques-
tions. The general consensus from the Alpha group is they
want something to go on. Therefore, we are putting together
another series that will provide a weekly opportunity for this
same group of men to come together and continue to explore
Christianity.
OR IS IT?
…
In hindsight, the last 18 months of my life have been pretty
hectic. My wife and I struggled to get pregnant, our dog passed
away, the company I worked for was acquired, I changed jobs
& helped start a new business, we got a new puppy, we bought
a new house, we had our first child, my wife went back to work
part-time, my brother had a child with Down Syndrome, my
sister got married, we gave away our new puppy, we had our
baby baptized and I am involved in leading an Alpha course. As
I reflect on that period, I am pretty lucky to have been able to
share all of these life experiences with the other men in our small
group, and they were gracious enough to provide me with sup-
port, advice, prayer and friendship.
Lastly, my wife and I have been going to FPCO for
more than 6 years and we have always thought it
was a wonderful church with a great Sunday
sermon. But I can honestly say that I was
missing out for many of those years
by not participating in some
kind of small group, Bi-
ble study or Sunday
school class. Being
involved in a small
group has allowed
me to dive much
deeper into my own
faith and has allowed
me to feel much more
connected to the life
of the Church.” n

www.fpco.org | 5
 SET MY SPIRIT FREE

By Joni Eareckson Tada

For years, I was one of those who insisted, “Handicaps hap-

pen to other people, other families. Wheelchairs will never be
seen in our home.” I wasn’t being a snob; I was simply being
realistic. My family was the athletic type, always up for a game
of tennis or packing a knapsack for a hike. Why, my three older
sisters and I never so much as sprained an ankle.
All that changed on a hot July afternoon in 1967 when my
sister Kathy and I went to a beach on the Chesapeake Bay for
a swim. The water was dark and murky in the later afternoon
sun and I didn’t bother to check the depth when I hoisted my-
self onto a raft anchored offshore. I positioned my feet on the
edge, took a deep breath and plunged into
the water. Sprong! My head hit something
hard and snapped back. I felt a strange
electric shock in the back of my neck. Un-
derwater and dazed, I felt myself floating,
drifting, unable to surface to the top.
My lungs were screaming for air, but
just as I opened my mouth to “breathe” Joni and her dad at the beach.
water, I felt my sister’s arms around me,
lifting me to fresh air. “Kathy,” I spluttered I really noticed the change in oc-
when I saw my lifeless arm slung over cupational therapy. Weeks earlier, I
her shoulder, “I can’t feel!” A sunbather had stubbornly refused to learn how
rushed into the water to bring his raft. to write with a pencil clenched be-
Someone called an ambulance. Within an tween my teeth. But that was before
hour, nurses in the hospital emergency I met Tom, a young ventilator-de-
room were cutting off my wet bathing suit, pendent quadriplegic who was much
rings and necklace. My head was spinning and I began to lose more paralyzed then me. His attitude was buoyant and enthusi-
consciousness when I heard a buzzing drill near my head. astic as he willingly permitted the therapist to put the pen in his
My diving accident catapulted me into the strange, fright- mouth. I was ashamed of my grumbling and complaining.
ening world of antiseptic smells, tubes and machines. For God used the prayers of my friends and the example of
months I lay on a Stryker frame, a long canvas “sandwich,” Tom to show me the truth of Romans 8:28, “In all things God
on which I was face up for several hours and then flipped face works for the good of those who love Him.” Maybe God’s idea
down to prevent pressure sores. It didn’t help. I lost so much of good for me might not include being back up on my feet, but
weight those first months that my bones literally began to stick His good would include a more flexible attitude, an apprecia-
to my flesh. That meant more operations and more months on tion for small things, a deeper gratitude for friendships, and a
the Stryker frame. Deep, dark depression set in. “How could character which would reflect patience, endurance and joy that
you have allowed this to happen to me, God?” I asked. “I was a did not depend on circumstances.
Christian before my accident and if this is your idea of an an- And now, more than 30 years later, I would say the same. It
swer to prayer for a closer walk with you, then I’ll never trust hasn’t been easy, but God’s power and strength still come shin-
you with another prayer again!” ing through. Besides, He knows exactly how I feel. He once suf-
Little did I realize that friends were praying for me around fered, too. And because Jesus could turn His cross into a sym-
the clock. As weeks wore on, I began to sense a difference. My bol of hope and freedom, can I do any less? My wheelchair is
anger was subsiding. My depression was slowly lifting. God, the prison God has used to set my spirit free!
unbeknownst to me, was wearing down my resistance through
the power and pressure of prayer. Learn more about Joni’s Ministry: www.joniandfriends.org. n

6 | www.fpco.org
www.fpco.org | 7
 Learning that is Christ-centered and
Academically Rigorous
In chapter 6 of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he
writes that Christian parents are to bring their children up in
the training and instruction of the Lord.
At The Christ School (TCS), we find ourselves counter-cul-
ture with the mainstream educational environment in America-
our school not only allows God’s truth to be proclaimed, The
Christ School boldly states its Christ-centered position. Today’s
postmodern world confronts our children with many ideas of
truth. We believe that all truth comes from God and the best
way for students to have a meaningful understanding of His
truth is through the integration of faith into the daily school-
ing environment. Students must not only know God’s truth, but
must also be able to weigh other ideas against God’s truth in
order to make determinations about their authenticity. At TCS,
we provide families with a distinct learning environment that
combines an academically rigorous experience with the oppor-
tunity to see the pattern of God’s truth in all that is discovered.
Our passion is that students will leave TCS equipped for leader-
ship with a Biblical world and life view.
Each weekday, nearly 400 students in grades kindergar-
8 | www.fpco.org
By Dr. Jason Powell
ten through eight fill classrooms on
the FPCO campus to make our mission
statement come to life. The mission of
The Christ School is to provide a loving,
Christ-centered environment in which
children will grow intellectually, spiri-
tually, physically and socially. Chris-
tian educators will provide nurturing
guidance so that the children will learn
to love themselves and others as Christ
loved the Church, and will demonstrate
that love in service to others. Our vi-
sion is to partner with the church and
families to actively participate in King-
dom building in the Central Florida community and beyond.
The intellectual development of our students is our first pri-
ority. Rather than a spiritualized youth ministry, our primary
focus is a strong educational program. It is through this rich aca-
demic experience that our students can begin to gain the wisdom,
knowledge, and understanding that will prepare them for a life
of Christian leadership. We ensure that our curriculum is aligned
with national standards and that our teachers are equipped with
the best tools including integrated classroom technology and
research-based professional development opportunities. 98% of
our 2008 graduates have been accepted into a private high school
or public high school specialized program of their first choice.
Some of the colleges TCS
alumni are currently at-
tending include: Clemson
University, Florida State
University, Harvard Uni-
versity, Rollins College,
the U.S. Naval Academy,
University of Alabama, Univer-
sity of Central Florida, Universi-
ty of Florida, Stetson University,
Swarthmore College, Vanderbilt
University, Wake Forest Univer-
sity, and Yale University.
The spiritual development
of our students makes our school
distinct from other downtown
school options. We believe as
Paul wrote in chapter 2 of Colos-
sians, that our students should
be “…encouraged in heart and
united in love, so that they may
have the full riches of complete
understanding, in order that
they may know the mystery of
God, namely, Christ, in whom
are hidden all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge.” We be-
lieve that it is our responsibility
to foster the Biblical epistemolo-
gy of our students; that is, to help
them understand the answer to
the following questions: 1) How
do we know what we know and
2) How do we know that what
we know is true? Our students
begin each day with chapel and study God’s word in Bible class.
All of our teachers are Christians and are expected to integrate
faith development in their teaching of reading, writing, mathe-
matics, science, social studies, physical education, and the arts.
It is through our faith integrated curriculum that we seek to
establish a Bible-based platform from which our students will
view themselves and the world.
The physical development of our students is fostered
through many opportunities for activity. Physical education
classes are offered daily and TCS students have access to First
Presbyterian’s NBA-regulation gym, as well as outdoor green
spaces and playgrounds. Students also have the opportunity to
participate in fine and performing arts programs with classes in
art, band, dance, and drama as well as inter-scholastic sports
programs that include basketball, cheerleading, cross country,
golf, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Addition-
ally, TCS students who excel in sports outside of school such
as competitive gymnastics and tennis are provided with flex-
ible scheduling that allows them to further develop their talents
while remaining enrolled in school.
The social development of our students provides them with
experiences to grow their faith from their head to their heart
and hands. Our downtown location provides hands-on expo-
sure to local government, urban arts, and the business district.
Students regularly participate in walking lunches to downtown
venues. Additionally, our students demonstrate their faith by
serving others through school-wide, community, and interna-
tional service projects. In middle school, our students further
develop their leadership skills through participation in the Fel-
lowship of Christian Athletes, Student Government, and the
National Junior Honor Society.
The Christ School is proud to be a ministry partner with
the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. We ask that you pray
for the work of our school as we develop Christian leaders who
will reflect God’s glory. Additionally, we would be more than
happy to provide you with a tour or more information about
our school. We are currently enrolling students for the 2008-09
school year. n
You are Invited to
The Christ School’s
OPEN HOUSE
Friday, July 11 at 11am-1pm
Lunch is provided
RSVP: 407.849.1665 or
sdarin@thechristschool.org
www.fpco.org | 9
 THE WORST YEAR,
THE BEST YEAR
A PERSONAL TESTIMONY

Dr. Swanson is honored to hear from members about how God is transforming their lives.
May this reflection on a spiritual journey inspire all and encourage your own relationship check
with God.
…your small group programs, and this church in general, have been of particular importance
to me recently. Although I know it is my fault, this past year has easily been the worst year of my
life, but yet it has also been the most spiritually productive year of my life. For that reason, I also
consider it to be the best year of my life. Quite a paradox. I have had no job, no income, no self-
esteem, and most importantly, no pride in anything whatsoever that I have ever done. I have lost
everything financially that I had earned over my entire career. I told my wife that I started out of
college with three pieces of furniture and a broken TV. I went on to be successful by most people’s
earthly standards, but other than stuff accumulated during that period, I have returned to exactly
where I was when I got out of school (with the exception of not even having a job to go to each
day). That is why I can call it the worst year of my life. On the other hand, the good things that
have happened this year are eternal, and FAR outnumber those temporary things. I don’t even
know how to cover it because it is so huge and I have to get my thoughts organized, but the high-
lights of the good that has happened over the last year are these:

1)
I have learned what a personal relationship with our Lord is. I always thought I had one, but I didn’t. I prayed almost
every day. We went to church. We said a blessing before each meal. We have Christian symbols on our cars. We had
our child in Pre-K at the church and made sure to teach her all of the Bible stories and that Jesus is the only person
who loves her more than we do. I told anyone who asked that I was a believer. Beyond that, we went about our lives
like I suppose many other families do. Long story short, I have come to learn more of what constitutes a relationship
and dependence on God for everything. Those things we were doing were part of being a Christian, but have little or nothing to do
with having a personal relationship with the Lord. This jobless period (or what I call my “time in the wilderness”) has been used by
God to “force” me into a personal relationship with Him. One I could have read about and studied in Sunday School for years
and not “gotten” until this kind of adversity hit me. I am quite sure that the adversary intended to use this experience to break up
my marriage and family and my faith in God, but I must praise God for turning the tables on Satan.

2)
I have learned that even though I thought I was not a prideful person, I was. I would have never, ever bragged to
anyone on how much money I earned (not that I was by any means “rich”) or how “good” something I had was, but I
would have been quick to tell you that I was proud of how I was able to provide for my family in terms of the basics –
food, shelter, etc. Well, through an unbelievably generous gift to my family from my father-in-law (which was really
a blessing from God the whole time and I was too prideful to see it), I have learned that I NEVER did provide any
of those things – GOD provided everything and always had. My pride had me thinking my hard work paid off with my ability to
take care of my family. Yes, I went to work each day, but God not only provided the job originally years ago, but also gave me the
physical and mental strength to accomplish each and every daily task. I knew this as a concept before I lost my job and I did thank
God for my job, but that did not teach me a thing. It was just something I repeated each night. Despite having almost no financial
resources right now, God provides for my family in abundance. Keith Wright once told me that I would be amazed at God’s provi-
sion, and he was and still is correct – I am amazed each day. I have no job and have not earned a single penny since last June, but
yet I have wanted for nothing. My family starts each day with a group prayer and we thank God for all of His blessings – none of
which we deserve and all of which are from Him.

10 | www.fpco.org
 3)
I have learned what spiritual warfare is from a personal per-
spective. This is something else I could go on and on about,
but I have learned that fighting the adversary is real and re-
quires constant attention. This war has consisted of many
battles – some of which I have lost to be sure, but my hope
and prayer is to win the war. I realize that God uses spiritual warfare to
accomplish His will and I am confident His purposes will be fulfilled, but
getting there is not easy AT ALL. This spiritual WAR has caused me to real-
ize that I will not be content with being a Sunday Christian like I have been
my whole life. I want to work to advance God’s Kingdom. I have always
been a Christian, but now I want to be a true FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ
and I want to ensure others make the same commitment. I just need some
direction while I get the rest of my life/career figured out. I pray daily for
this direction and guidance. It is really my prayer that the two can go hand-
in-hand somehow and am eagerly awaiting God’s answer.

4)
I have had countless family experiences that would not have
happened if I were working each day or if my life had re-
mained as it was. God blessed us through our families to
make it possible for my daughter to go to The Christ School,
so I have been able to drive her to school and go on almost all
field trips. I have also been able to watch my son grow through his whole
second year of life. My relationship with my wife has also been strength-
ened through this period of my life. At no time have I ever been more sure
that she was the answer to prayer as I have been from the moment I lost
my job. I have not heard a single disparaging comment from her. All of her
words have been of encouragement. Every time I got down on myself, she
was there to pick me up.

IS GOD
MOVING IN
YOUR LIFE?
Share your testimony with other mem-
bers through our Web site. MYFPCO
is a social community where church
members can share their experiences,
engage in discussion and build rela-
tionships. Whether in person or online,
First Presbyterian seeks to be a vibrant
community of believers who experi-
ence life together.

MYFPCO.org
www.fpco.org | 11
 WALKING TO HELP
THOSE IN NEED
By Melissa Ramb
On Saturday, April 24, 2008, walkers crowded Lake Eola in
downtown Orlando. The event was the annual AIDS walk and
Marnie Waldrop and I were among the walkers. I was struck by
the diversity of those attending; there were families with chil-
dren in strollers, groups, couples, singles, and many four legged
walkers. While diversity surrounded us, the common goal was
to raise money and awareness for a disease that has claimed the
lives of more than 25 million people since it was first recognized
in 1981. In 2007, it is estimated that the AIDS pandemic killed
2.1 million people, including 330,000 children. In the face of
such overwhelming statistics, could our donations and a few
laps around Lake Eola really make a difference?
That morning I met a childhood friend of Marnie’s, John
Barber, who suffers from the disease, as well as a group of doc-
tors whose life work is with HIV/AIDS patients. As we circled the
lake, I listened to these individuals talk and watched the close ca-
maraderie of friendship and support. With each lap, HIV/AIDS
became less of a statistic and more personal. I was surrounded
by bright, talented, and articulate people, some of whom suffered
from the disease and others who loved people who suffered. I
confess that, at times, I was challenged by my own discomfort.
What if I said the wrong thing or offended someone? Many knew
that Marnie and I were walking on behalf of the AIDS Task Force
at First Presbyterian and I wondered what they thought of our
church. Would they come to worship if we invited them? And if
they came, would they find First Presbyterian to be a place that
ministered to their needs, that encouraged them to grow spiritu-
ally, and supported them relationally?
12 | www.fpco.org
Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed
me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and
you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36). I believe that with
these words, Jesus calls us into service to those in need. I was
honored to be a very small part of a morning that raised over
$130,000 for outreach and education programs, case manage-
ment, testing, counseling, food pantry, and insurance services
to those with HIV and AIDS. It is my prayer that this is just the
beginning for me and for our church in our ministry to those
with HIV and AIDS. We may be taking baby steps but let us
continue together on the “…race that is marked out for us. Let
us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2). n
HIV/AIDS Ministry Next Step: Our HIV/AIDS
team will launch a downtown support group on Septem-
ber 18. Andy Blanchard, an FPCO Coalition Counselor,
and Allison Reed, Stephen Ministry, are working with Dr.
Swanson to develop this program. The Ministry team will
reach out to downtown church pastors and doctors’ offices
to help get the word out. If you would like to join this team,
please contact Paula Lindrum in Dr. Swanson’s office.
 JULY BRINGS MISSION FOCUS TO
CHRISTIAN SERVICE CENTER
The Christian Service Center provides the
hurting of our community with programs designed
to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
In 1977 First Presbyterian helped to establish The
Center, which is now supported by area churches,
businesses, civic organizations, foundations, and
individuals.
On May 2, the Christian Service Center’s Daily
Bread Program celebrated the serving of its three
millionth free meal! The Daily Bread program
serves free noontime meals from soup kitchens
and dining facilities in downtown Orlando and
Ocoee. Dr. Swanson and Rev. Thorp participated
in marking this milestone of service.
First Presbyterian member Londra Mead
shares her family’s Daily Bread experience:
My oldest daughter and her family, who
live in Texas, visit me every Christmas. This past
year I thought that my two teenage grandchil-
dren might wish to share their Christmas joy with those less
fortunate by serving lunch to the homeless.
As a liaison to the Christian Service Center, I naturally
thought of our volunteering there. We included other family
members as well as younger grandchildren, ages 9 and 10, in
the group. To see a homeless family with nothing but the clothes
on their back during the holiday period when there’s so much
overabundance of food and gifts in our own lives, is an experi-
ence that you, and your children, will never forget. We were
truly doing God’s work, and it was a privilege to serve them.
My sixteen-year-old grandson Alec shared:
“I had no idea that there were so many children and fam- about the realities of our community and the opportunity to be
ilies on the street. When you think of the homeless, an older Jesus to others.
man’s face always comes to mind. This experience gave me a Each year First Presbyterian serves free lunches during
glimpse into their lives and it was sobering. I really enjoyed the first week of July to those in need at the Daily Bread pro-
knowing that I was helping them to survive. Actually, it filled gram. If you would like to help, please call Susie Kemper at
me with great joy and I hope it did for them. I am very grateful 407-273-0687.
for all that I have and am grateful for the opportunity to serve. July is Food Share Month. Help restock the Christian Ser-
It is just one way of giving back.” vice Center food pantry with canned goods. Bring your dona-
I would encourage the families of our church to take advan- tions to church every Sunday in July. Look for collection bins in
tage of this opportunity both to serve and educate your families the Welcome Center and under the Angel Wing. n

www.fpco.org | 13
 DOWNTOWN CHURCHES

UNITE
TO SERVE HOMELESS
By Rev. Case Thorp

The Compassion Corner Ministry Team remains active in service since the physical space for ministry was closed in
late April. IDignity is a joint effort among the downtown churches to bring together the elements necessary for a home-
less individual to get the identification necessary to obtain a job, rent an apartment, and take advantage of the many social
services offered in the city.
Alex Hartley, a faithful volunteer in FPCO’s homeless ministry, reflects on his experience:
Our goal was to assist the homeless and others in need of state issued I.D.’s like Driver Licenses. These I.D.’s
help make it possible for our brothers and sisters in need to receive services, apply for work, and establish or
re-establish themselves in the community. Prior to being involved with this ministry, I had no idea the extraor-
dinary need that exists regarding something I take for granted daily. Just having the ability and resources
necessary for obtaining personal identification is such a blessing! However, it can be very challenging to obtain
if you are homeless and having difficulty with daily living.
Upon entering the mission, there were dozens of people awaiting this important offering. I was impressed
with the incredible effort put forth by so many volunteers to gather names and information then direct people
to the different services being provided. It was encouraging and spiritually uplifting to work along side fellow
believers and getting to know members of other congregations.
We had volunteers from several local churches and representatives from the state to assist in providing the
I.D.’s. We were clearly putting feet and hands to our faith, creating an opportunity to share Christ by simply be-
ing available and teachable. Having spent many hours over the past three years leading Biblically-based stud-
ies at Compassion Corner with the homeless, I learned that small gestures of love, encouragement, hope, and
charity can make a great deal of difference in the lives of those we touch. Knowing people by name and listening
to their stories, then praying with them and for them honors Christ and our commitment to Him.
It is my hope to serve with IDignity again in the future and I would encourage others to volunteer as well.
Through God’s grace and the spirit of giving time and talent to those in need, lives were positively impacted,
including each of us that were able to serve.

IDignity founding churches are The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, FPCO, First United Methodist Church of Orlando,
St. James Catholic Cathedral and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Two events have occurred already and a third is scheduled for Thursday, July 17 at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.
If you would like to serve on that day, please contact Dawn Neff at MSLavelle1@aol.com or by calling 407- 647-3940. n

14 | www.fpco.org
UPDATE:
COMPASSION
CORNER
A special taskforce appointed
by the Mission Committee and
Session continues to work with
the leaders of Compassion Cor-
ner to find a temporary site to
do ministry. One option came
very close to working, but did
not go through. Two other po-
tential options are being pur-
sued. Meanwhile, our church
leaders are praying through an
opportunity for a permanent
home and greater scope of
ministry to bless the homeless
in the name of Christ. Compas-
sion Corner Transition Task-
force members include: Buz
Ausley, Sara Holcomb, Chris
King, Dawn Neff, Jack Wal-
ston, and Rev. Case Thorp.

www.fpco.org | 15
 GRADUATING SENIORS CELEBRATE WITH
THEIR CHURCH FAMILY
By Jonathan Christian, Student Ministry High School Coordinator
bit·ter·sweet (adj) both pleasant and painful or regretful
This is a word that I have always been familiar with, but
had not really experienced until the parting of this graduating
class of 2008. If I am honest with myself, my heart sinks a
little bit when I realize that this group will not be darkening
the doors of the high school Haze room anymore. You see, this
has been an exceptional class. From the moment I met them
as sophomores they have impressed me. This is a group that
genuinely cares about growing in their faith, a group that asks
challenging questions, and a group that gets excited when they
make spiritual discoveries. Whether it has been through youth
group attendance, leading underclassmen in small groups or
making new people feel welcome, this group has exhibited an
uncanny gift to lead others. It is for all of these reasons that it
has been slightly bitter to bid them farewell.
But, living up to its definition, I am thankful that the
16 | www.fpco.org
word bittersweet has two sides. You see, the reasons that
make their departure bitter are the very same reasons that
make their transition so sweet. In my estimation, close to
20 schools across the country will get to experience what the
Student Ministry at FPCO has experienced: remarkable indi-
viduals who love people and really love the Lord. That means
that small colleges, military academies and large universities
alike are in for quite a treat this fall! I believe that the spiritual
footprints this class will leave on their respective campuses
will not only advance God’s kingdom but grow it as well. It is
when I come to this realization that the “sweet” overtakes the
“bitter” in my mixed emotions and I find myself overwhelmed
with gratitude for the opportunity to play a small part in such
a phenomenal class.
God bless you all! n

SUNDAY MORNING
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
CLASSES
PASS THE WORD!
“I have loved the class taught by Cleat”, says a member
of the Pass the Word Sunday School class. “He is always well
prepared and it is always a challenge to my spiritual growth.
We are currently studying the book of Revelation and Cleat
takes care to always present different points of view for the
book and closes with a personal application to ponder for the
following week. I believe that anyone who seriously wants a
good study would benefit from taking this class. The people
who attend are friendly and caring and it serves as a small
group for my husband and I since it is difficult for us to get
into downtown midweek to participate in other groups.”
Cleat Simmons (pictured above) welcomes new mem-
bers to this diverse small group that enjoys studying from
the Bible while extracting the ancient wisdom and discuss-
ing the practical applications of that wisdom to our modern
times and culture. Pass the Word meets at 9:45am in Room
241-Allen Hall. Bring your Bible! n
YOWELL
CLASS
By Michael D. Ashington-Pickett
Diversity in how we worship is one of the
qualities that First Presbyterian Church values
and strives to achieve. This is seen not just in
our worship services at 8:30 and 11:00, but in
our Sunday School classes as well. The Yowell
class is a great example. By far, this class has
been in existence the longest (since 1906) and
demonstrates on a weekly basis a tradition of
fellowship, hymn sing and great Bible teaching.
Long time church members Buz Ausley, Bill
O’Dell and Leon Handley do a superb job teach-
ing from both the Old and New Testaments and
provide in-depth insight as they communicate
the message in a practical way that encourages
spiritual growth.
If you are looking for that special class that
will stimulate your morning of worship and
study, join them at 9:45am in the Reformation
Chapel.
If you have questions about Sunday School
offerings, please contact Rev. Donna McClellan
at 407-423-3441 x1488 or email dmcclellan@
fpco.org. All classes extend an open invitation
to join! n
www.fpco.org | 17
18 | www.fpco.org
SECOND MILE FUND
ESTABLISHED TO HELP CHANGE PEOPLE LIKE

C.J. BELLAMY
By Amy Bishop, Heart of the City Foundation

C.J. Bellamy was a junior at Edgewater High School and a

member of the varsity basketball team when a random drive-by
shooting at a gas station on Colonial Drive left him paralyzed
from the waist down. He is a bright student and well respected
in the community, but his parents are financially stretched in
caring for C.J. and his two siblings.
Two members of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando,
Mike McClanahan and Doug Woodman, were moved to make
a difference in C.J.’s life and in the lives of other disadvantaged
youths in the future. Their vision brought The Second Mile
Fund to life through The Heart of the City Foundation. The
Second Mile Fund has donated $23,000 in conjunction with
a $15,000 donation from Wayne Densch Charities to retrofit
the Bellamys’ home to allow C.J. to have some independence
and live more comfortably. The Bellamys’ home can now ac-
commodate CJ with ramps and a handicap accessible bedroom
and bathroom.
The goal is to continue to build the endowment in the
Second Mile Fund so that it can continue to help families
with special circumstances like C.J.’s. The Heart of the City
Foundation exists to fulfill the ministry and mission of First
Presbyterian Church of Orlando and its members and wel-
comes the opportunity to explore ways to help members
give to God’s work in creative ways. Please consider a tax-
deductible donation to the Heart of the City Foundation –
Second Mile Fund. n

www.fpco.org | 19
 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

20 | www.fpco.org
COMING THIS FALL…
By Lori Needham, Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
First Presbyterian is excited about this fall’s opportuni-
ties for youngsters, youth and adults to be on campus en-
gaged in study opportunities that will promote our spiritual
growth while deepening our connection to this faith commu-
nity. This year, our study time on campus will be late Sunday
afternoon, from 4:30–6:30pm, beginning September 14. Of-
ferings will include:
Adult Bible Studies: Watch for further details on in-depth
Bible class offerings hosted by pastors and leaders that will
whet your appetite to be in The Word!
Drug Proofing Your Kids: A class for parents with chil-
dren between the ages of 8 and 13. Developed by Focus on the
Family the class provides parents insight and education about
drugs and the consequences of children getting involved in
this addiction. It will equip you to recognize signs of children
taking drugs, it will help you educate your children in making
good choices and will offer prevention tools. This is an eight
week course with a fee of $30 per participant which covers
materials.
SONDAY TIMES: HOW DO YOU SPEND
YOUR TIME WITH THE SON?
By Carol Welker, Director of Children’s Ministry
Coming this fall, September 14 to be exact, is a whole new
program on Sundays. We are officially moving Wednesday to
Sunday. And in that move, we are expanding. We will gather for
two hours of music, music activity, recreation and Bible study.
Sonday Times is a time for children Kindergarten thru
5th grade to come together for incredible sound and mu-
sic experiences, fun and crazy recreation and relational and
engaging Bible study. A joint effort by the Worship Arts and
Children’s Ministries, your kid couldn’t get a better way to
spend Sunday afternoons!
Programming will take place between 4:30-6:30pm, from
September 14 through November 16. Between 4:30-5:30pm
kids will be with our Worship Arts staff experiencing music
SUNDAYS!
Fit for Life: Great emphasis is placed on our physical health
today, but there is much more to health than just our bodies.
Join two-time Mr. Olympia Simon Morgan and his wife, Kris,
as they help us become “Fit for Life.” Each class will include
training on one element of nutrition (i.e. proteins), one part of
the body (hamstrings), and one truth of Scripture (forgiveness).
You’ll get in a good workout all the way around! Put on your
workout clothes and join us in the gym!
Life Group Support: For existing Life Communities, Disciple-
ship & Spiritual Formation will provide appropriate meeting space
for your group to gather on Sunday afternoons. There are many
great studies available for check-out. If you’d like to review the
study offerings in the Resource Center or reserve meeting space,
contact Lori Needham at 407-423-3441 or lneedham@fpco.org
Also available on Sunday afternoons will be child care for
children through Pre-kindergarten, Children’s and Student
Ministry offerings and family style meals. If you have ques-
tions, contact Rev. Donna McClellan at dmcclellan@fpco.org
or 407-423-3441 x1488. n
in ways in which they have never dreamed. Song, drums,
bells, and who knows what else will come resounding from
the rooms as kids learn and participate in music in creative,
fun and interactive ways. At 5:30pm they will transit to be
with our Children’s Ministry staff for some energy-filled
games that will not be forgotten. To be followed by Bible
study that will bring practical help from God into the kids’
daily lives.
So to answer the question, how do you spend your time
with the Son? I spend my time engaged in music, relationships,
and having fun. And best of all there’s no traffic. So make plans
now to get your kids involved on Sunday afternoons in Sonday
Times! n
www.fpco.org | 21
 SUMMER
FACILITIES PROJECTS
By Dr. Keith Wright, Executive Pastor

During the summer months, we will be conducting a number of facility projects on the
FPCO campus—to spruce things up, to address maintenance issues, and to assure that our
buildings are in the best possible condition for the fall ministry schedule. You will notice our
staff and outside contractors hard at work on several large scale projects:
Great Lawn Conditioning—By the end of the school year, combined with the impact of
the drought, the Great Lawn looks more like the “Great Weed Patch.” We will be laying down
topsoil, over-seeding, and treating the lawn for weed and insect control to restore it to its
intended condition.
Reformation Chapel Roof Replacement—Following the hurricanes of 2005, we made
major repairs to the Sanctuary Roof and the Clayton Life Center. Then our premiums
for our wind policy increased dramatically, forcing us to find a new insurance car-
rier. The good news is that we found coverage at an acceptable price. The bad news
is that they would not cover the Chapel roof for wind due to the age and structural
integrity of the existing roof. A new “Welsh Grey” slate roof will be installed…
much to the joy of Rev. Sam Knight.
Yowell and Allen Hall Projects—Due to normal wear and tear, carpeting in
selected rooms in Allen and Yowell Halls will be replaced. We will also replace
all 218 window blinds in the building.
Edington Ministry Center Lobby and Great Hall Floors—The EMC lobby
is not only our main campus entry point, but also our receiving area. After
several years of foot traffic and receiving shipments, some marble tiles are
cracked and the grout needs replacing in some areas. We will recondition
the EMC marble flooring to prevent further damage, and to restore the
tile’s beauty.
Lee Fellowship Hall Floor Reconditioning—During the first two
weeks of August we will strip, sand, clean, seal, and coat the LFH
floor. The Lee Fellowship Hall is one of our most used rooms, and
is also the venue for our two Genesis worship services. Please
note that the LFH will be closed on Sunday, August 10, in order
to accommodate this project. We will combine worship ser-
vices in the Sanctuary on that date, and the BASIC, class will
not meet.
Our staff will also be doing our normal summer routine of
painting, planting, mulching, deep cleaning, pressure washing,
and general maintenance. n

22 | www.fpco.org
 NEWS & NOTICES
Congratulations to: Columns is Available Paperless
Jan Piatt and Scott Freeman who were married May 10, 2008 The option is now available if you would like to receive the
in the Reformation Chapel. FPCO Columns newsletter electronically. Register to receive
Ashley and Ross Johnston on the birth of their son, Bennett an email with the Columns in PDF format which you can view,
Lawrence Johnston, on May 9, 2008. Proud grandparents are save or print from home. To register for the Paperless Columns,
Lacey and Tony Gray. please visit fpco.org/paperless.

Melissa and Terrence Hart on the birth of their son, Brennen Upcoming Events:
Joseph Hart, on May 9, 2008. Proud grandparents are Barbara
and Craig Clayton and great-grandparents are Mary Damon July 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children’s Vacation Bible School
and Malcolm Clayton.
July 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High School Fun in the Son Trip
Middle School Great Escape Trip
Sympathy to:
Marian “Sunny” Driver on the death of her daughter, Lynn July 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Student Katrina Mission Trip
Stokely, on January 27, 2008. Aug 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Called to Serve sermon series begins
Laura and Day Dantzler on the death of her father, William Aug 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Combined worship services in sanctuary
Carl Laughlin, on May 9, 2008. Mr. Laughlin was the grandfa-
at 8:30 & 11am
ther of Lauren Ashe and Day Dantzler, Jr.
Dianne and Mac Gifford on the death of his father, Arnold Gif- Sept 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prayer Service
ford, on May 9, 2008. Sept 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Discipleship Sundays begin
Leslie and Mark Sand on the death of her father, William Hen-
Sept 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DivorceCare (adults & kids)
ry Ebling, on May 10, 2008. Mr. Ebling was the grandfather of
begins 13 week session
Justin, Matthew, Ryan and Chris Sand.
Catherine and Rich Gaines on the death of her father, Bob Sept 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celtic Healing Service
Scott, on May 12, 2008. Nov 7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marriage Retreat with
The family and friends of Jo Adams, who died May 12, 2008. Dr. David and Leigh Swanson
Pam and Kris Bonhagen on the death of his father, Jerry Carl
Bonhagen, on May 15, 2008. Mr. Bonhagen was the grandfa-
ther of Wesley and Will Bonhagen.
Millie and Ray VanOrman on the death of their son, Randy
VanOrman, on May 18, 2008.
Betty and Jim Smeenge on the death of his mother, Joan
May ‘08 Giving Snapshot
Smeenge, on May 28, 2008. Mrs. Smeenge was the grandmoth-
er of Jim Smeenge III, John Smeenge and Elizabeth Smeenge General Operating Contributions Budgeted Surplus
Heiden. (Deficit)
May Gifts $495,315 $486,041 $9,274
Ann Hughes on the death of her husband, Wallace Hughes, on
May 29, 2008. Year-to-date Gifts $2,488,979 $2,747,215 ($258,236)

Lynne and Charles Gill on the death of her mother, Janet Day, Cash In Bank $626,966 Line of Credit $0
on May 28, 2008.
Immeasurably More Outstanding Balance $6,389,649

Healing and Wholeness Service IM May Gifts $53,893

Taking Summer Hiatus Year-to-date Gifts $593,368
Please take note that our Healing & Wholeness Service regular- Contact Dr. Keith Wright for a full revenue & expense summary
ly held on the third Sunday of the month will not occur during
the summer. No services will be held July or August.

www.fpco.org | 23
CHILDREN’S MUSIC MINISTRY
CHANGING & GROWING!
By Dr. Rebecca Bedell

The Children’s Music Ministry at FPCO is indeed changing a Christian component called God’s Children Sing. The Musik-
and growing. We are excited about teaching your children in the garten program is the most pedagogically sound available, cov-
fall and wanted to give you a sneak peak at our new staff, Chil- ering children birth to age nine – a complete bridge from early
dren’s Choirs and Pre-school Music Ministry! childhood to piano lessons. The curriculum is uniquely effective
The Worship Arts Ministry would like to welcome Stepha- because it has been designed with learning sequences that re-
nie Mixner as our new Coordinator for Children’s Music Minis- peat and build patterns to continually reinforce and stimulate
try! Stephanie has just completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in our students. Students will enjoy their classes more and want to
Music from Rollins College. Stephanie has been an active teacher continue with their musical training! For more information log
for both the pre-school music program and with our children’s on to www.musikgarten.org.
choirs at FPCO for several years. Welcome aboard Stephanie!
Children’s Choirs (Kindergarten – grade 5) will be held on Please watch the August Columns for registration informa-
Sunday afternoons. The children’s programming in coordina- tion for Musikgarten and Children’s Choirs, or check the Wor-
tion with Children’s Ministry will be from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. ship Arts Web site! n
We look forward to having you join us!
Pre-School Music: For five years our pre-school
music program has been growing. We have used a
couple of different curricula, but didn’t quite feel we
had found the right fit for our children and families
at FPCO. After some extensive research, we have
found our glass slipper! Beginning this Fall, our pre-
school children will be able to participate with their
parents in Musikgarten. We chose Musikgarten due
to its comprehensive pedagogy, its teacher train-
ing and teacher standards, and because it contains

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Traditional Services: 8:30am & 11am

Genesis Services: 8:30am & 11am
Sunday School: 9:45am