FOCUS - First Evangelical Church
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
FOCUS
SEPTEMBER 2020 - MMX X ISSUE VIX
E-NEWS
735 RIDGE L AKE BOULEVARD | MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38120
PA S T O R ’ S P E N S É E S The Principality and Power of News
happened. Where we stand politically or
socially is everything now. This is not to
The News our betterment. Even among evangeli-
By Cole Huffman
cals, the News has replaced the Word as
“Societies become modern . . . when our central authority, and I believe the
news replaces religion as our central petty divisions among us are a kind of
source of guidance and our touch- resulting judgment on us. Judgment al-
stone of authority. In the developed ways starts with God’s people (1 Peter
economies, the news now occupies 4:17). God gives us over to being led by
a position of power at least equal to punditry. Cultural resentment replaces
that formerly enjoyed by the faiths repentance. Eventually, God shelves us
. . . We approach it with some of mative power it has. Media sources play and gives His gospel to a people more
the same deferential expectations up their trustworthiness in fact gather- fully His, who will produce its fruit.
we would have harbored for the ing, but much of modern journalism is
faiths. Here, too, we hope to receive styled. That means we’re conditioned to Charles Spurgeon said that discernment
revelations, learn who is good and take sides. The point in News-making is is not knowing the difference between
bad, fathom suffering and under- no longer to inform but interpret. Pun- right and wrong, it’s knowing the dif-
stand the unfolding logic of exis- dits function like quasi-religious fig- ference between right and almost right.
tence. And here, too, if we refuse to ures. If I like their interpretation, I give News, even when it reports accurately,
take part in the rituals, there could them my trust if not my devotion. will never be more than almost right.
be imputations of heresy.” Democracy may die in darkness, but
What’s wrong with that, you ask? Take News is insufficient light by itself.
Those words are from Alain de Botton’s Alain de Botton’s last two lines above:
book The News: A User’s Manual. Please My calling is to promote the unity of
read his sentences again. He’s saying the “Here, too [in News], we hope to the church around the centrality of Je-
News is more formative than the Word. receive revelations, learn who is sus’ preeminent way, truth, and life. The
good and bad, fathom suffering and News is hardly an ally or asset in this
Christians reflexively deny that. Nothing understand the unfolding logic of when we immerse ourselves in its polit-
is more formative or powerful than the existence. And here, too, if we refuse ical and social preoccupations. We need
Word of God, we say. But what is being to take part in the rituals, there could to come up for air more.
pointed out to us is a kind of reigning be imputations of heresy.”
power we give the News (I’ll capitalize I’ve drafted a small prayer to say before
it, opposite Word). The News is even a If everybody has been glued to a turning/clicking on the News. Feel free
principality, to think biblically about major News event all week but the to use it if you like:
the kind of influence “principalities and pastor doesn’t address it on Sunday, he
powers” exert (Eph. 6:12). is thought by some to be unconcerned, “Lord, I’m about to peruse things hap-
uncaring, or complicit in silence. If he pening in the world, with commentary.
My contention here is not that we should does address something from the News, This world is Yours, and eventually your
give up the News. There is a public others hold their breath: Does he take glory will fill it whole. Keep me from
service to journalism, and my critique the “right” view? (Which is the view of filling up on fear and agitation and dis-
does not apply evenly to every pundit. their favored News personalities, and trust. Keep me from gullibility and self-
We often speak of “the media” in whole- Christian radio personalities.) If he’s righteousness. May I not invite worries.
sale terms, mostly negatively, and that’s out of step with that messaging, there
not entirely fair. The purpose of this is no burning at the stake anymore—the “I seek to be informed by reports but
article is to second Alain de Botton’s fate of ancient heretics—but there is the formed by your Spirit. May the Word be
notion that News is “our central source firing squad of social media, and some more to me than the News. If I can do
of guidance and touchstone of author- moving toward the exits hoping to find anything about where the world is most
ity,” to admit this is true even of the a church whose pastor has the right po- broken, show me the way and give me
evangelical church, and to call this out litical and social opinions. the courage to follow it. Let me not be-
as a form of being “blown about by every come preoccupied with lesser kingdoms.
wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). You really haven’t lived until you’re
considered too liberal for rock-ribbed “Keep falsehood and lies far from me.
The News doesn’t just report, it indoc- conservatives and too conservative for Yours is the kingdom, and the power,
trinates. We give a lot of thought to the woke evangelicals. Whatever happened and the glory, forever. Amen.”
News but almost no thought to this for- to just teach the Bible?
CHURCH-WIDE New On Staff
The Votes Are In
A huge thanks to all members who Session 2020–2021
participated in our unprecedented, Chairman of Session, Eric Fuhrman
COVID-driven vote by mail “congrega- Vice Chairman of Session, Ken Eriksen
tional meeting” to elect officers, Global Secretary of Session, Jack Pepper
Missions Team members, and affirm the Lynn Ballinger
budget. We are happy to announce that Mickey Bowdon
ALL candidates for positions and the Chris Cannon
budget were approved overwhelmingly. John Reid Curlin
Hickman Ewing
Bryan Miller
Board of Deacons 2020–2021 Andy Pierce Luke Hall
Chairman of Deacons, Ralph Hughes Joel Scoggins Technical Director
Vice Chairman of Deacons, Jim Graham James Taylor Luke was born and raised in the
Secretary of Deacons, Jeff Shifflette John Touliatos Mid-South area and has been
Treasurer, Frank Cook Kevin Weaver married to his wife Kourtney for
Assistant Treasurer, Rob Westmoreland three years. Luke has worked in
Randy Anderson the AVL industry for the past eight
Wes Banks Global Missions Team years as a news videographer and
Gil Brandon 2020–2021 at Briarcrest Christian School this
David Coates Chairman, Scott Arnwine past year. Luke is passionate about
Chuck Downs Brittain Ball using his gifts and experience to
Ben Duffy Zoe Bozeman serve the Lord.
Mike Fergus Jan Carrier
Dan Frazier Bill Granger
Lex Hester Bernie Housholder
Sam Hezlep Liz Jarvis GriefShare
Jonathan Klassy Lauren Jordan Thursdays, beginning September 10
Matt Mrok Kate Patrick 6:30 p.m., Zoom | Cost: $15
Pat Person Nelle Percer Facilitated by Lorinda Hill
Nate Roelofs Bethany Scoggins Are you going through a season of grief
Justin Templeton Shea Ward and not sure how to handle it? You do
Terry Tippett Steven Yeo not need to grieve alone. GriefShare
will walk you through the journey of
grief and provide support along the
way. This 13-week series includes vid-
eos, workbooks, small group discussion
via Zoom, personal study, and reflec-
tion. Register at www.firstevan.org/
griefshare. A Zoom link will be provided
after registration. Workbooks can be
picked up at First Evan.
Sunshine Boxes for Seniors 1. Books, devotionals, puzzle books,
Boxes due Sunday, September 6 coloring books, and pencils
These boxes will be given out to 2. Journal with pens
people in our congregation who are 3. Non-perishable snacks such as
homebound or due to the pandemic, microwaveable popcorn, pretzels,
are unable to attend church services. chips, chocolates, granola bars, Blood Drive
These Sunshine Boxes are a tangible sweets (sugar free options too) Wednesday, September 30
expression of our love for these special 4. Non-slip slippers and non- 4:30–7:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall
members of our congregation. Boxes slip socks The COVID-19 pandemic has only
can be dropped off at the church dur- 5. Toiletry items such as travel-size accentuated the need for blood dona-
ing church hours or on Sunday. To the shampoo, conditioner, tions. First Evan is sponsoring a blood
right is a list of recommended items to deodorant and toothpaste, drive at the church with social distanc-
include. Thanks in advance for minis- lip balm, lotion ing. Masks will be required. Sign up
tering to our church family in this way. 6. Pictures colored by kids to donate beginning Friday, Septem-
7. Note from and photo of family ber 4 here.
RECREATION AND FELLOWSHIP
Recreation and Fellowship Director Jeffery Johnson
Wrote and Published a Coaching Book.
Youth sports coaches, many of mentor young lives. Great Coaches
which are volunteers, are the Have Faith: Sports Guide For Aspiring
foundation of youth sports in Coaches will provide a framework for
the United States. Forty million training young athletes that any sport
young people between the ages lover can follow. You will learn a step-
of six and eighteen, participate by-step process for using sports as a
in youth sports and deserve to tool to grow the athletes you love. For
be taught by caring and compe- details and to purchase your copy, visit
tent individuals. “It has been www.greatcoacheshavefaith.com.
estimated that 90% of youth
sports coaches in the United
States do not have formal
training in coach education
or youth development” (Ew-
ing et al., 1996) Everyone be-
lieves they can coach until they
are in a position to lead and
All About Health & Wellness
By Jeffery Johnson
I'm convinced that COVID-19 has Tend to SELF, then everyone ELSE.
stolen more than just our physical Mandie has done hair and make-up
health. For many, it has stolen our professionally for Netflix, and wants to
sense of peace, and stability while si- teach women how to love themselves
multaneously affecting our mental well physically, emotionally, and spiri-
health. As a Certified Personal Trainer, tually. I’m thoroughly impressed with
I’m not legally allowed to give medi- her attention to detail in helping
cal advice on any wellness area outside women, and I’m sure you will be as well.
of physical. However, I’ve decided to Drive-In Movie Night
partner with individuals certified to do Below are some consequences of not Friday, September 25, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
so. The Recreation Ministry has com- practicing self-care: West Parking Lot (by Gym)
mitted ourselves to provide you with • Increase in stress FEC families are
as many wellness resources as possible • Decrease in mood, energy, and encouraged to
to survive this pandemic intact. focus register for this
• Struggle expressing yourself in free drive-in
To start, I want to bring to your at- healthy ways movie night to
tention the wonderful opportunity • Lack of empathy and compas- enjoy together-
my wife Mandie has been laboring in sion for others apart time as we
for months. She is a Licensed Cos- • Decrease in self-esteem grab snacks and
metologist, and started a Beauty unbuckle for a
& Wellness company called Bawse Looking forward to sharing what I have great family-
Wives Club which is a premier quar- in store next! friendly movie:
terly self-care box for women. Her Toy Story 4. All
primary goal is to serve wives that are welcome!
have been caught in the hustle and Limited spots
grind of family life, kids, house duties, available. So,
and that pay little attention to their sign up today
own needs. She believes that every here.
woman deserves to be pampered and
should establish a routine of relax-
ation, maintenance, and intentional-
ity into their day. Her motto is simple:
KIDS MEN
Back Porch Bible Study Child Dedication
COMING SOON! Sunday, October 11
This month we will have Bible study 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
for 4th and 5th grade boys and girls! If you wish to dedicate your child,
Details to come in the parent please register at www.firstevan.
SHINE! email. org/childdedication by no later than
Friday, September 25.
Men's Bib le Stu d y
“ Th e G o sp el A ccord i ng
t o Jo h n” Led by B ud d y J one s
Mondays, September 14–December 7
6:30–8:00 p.m., Zoom or
Wednesdays, September 16–December 9
6:30–7:30 a.m., Zoom
This fall we will study the first twelve
chapters of John. Participants will be
sent a weekly study guide and will meet
via Zoom for discussion groups led by a
group leader and a lecture based on the
assigned passage. Men can join in at any
time, even if they miss a week. To regis-
ter, click here. Contact Buddy Jones at
buddyjones0@gmail.com with questions.
WORSHIP
Worship Services
Please make sure and register for
in-person 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
services. Masks are required.
Bap tisms
During the coronavirus, baptisms will
occur on a rolling basis. Only one per-
son or family will be baptized per week
so that water is not shared. Please
contact Jan Spurlin in the Worship
Office if you would like to be baptized.
Ellie Tashie
Baptized August 16, 2020
STUDENTS
Impact Home Group Book Study Impact Midweek in the Park
Miss Impact
Sundays, September 13–November 1 Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
7:00–8:00 p.m., Jake Ferwerda's Johnson Road Park (2970 Johnson
Home in East Memphis Road, Germantown, TN 38139)
Students will meet in-person and Middle school students will meet at
SEPT 11 , 2020 discuss David Platt’s book, Something Johnson Road Park every Wednesday
Miss Impact6(girls
pm - only)
10 pm Needs to Change. Students will be night to play games and talk about
Friday, September 11,
anna's 6:00–10:00 p.m.
house asked to sign up for this 8-week study our theme this year, “This is Living.”
Anna Phillips's House:-) (1347 Wilbec Rd., as we will be providing the books. We encourage students to wear masks,
Memphis, TN 38117) Registration here. bring their own chair, and a Bible.
Girls, join us for a night full of teach-
ing, fellowship, and FUN! We are go-
ing to have dinner, listen to a speaker,
do some crafting, and finish the night
out with a movie! This is a FREE event!
Sign up today here.
College Bible Study:
A Deep Dive Into Paul's Epistles
Wednesdays, September 2–October 7
8:30 p.m., Outside Locations TBA.
We will be taking a deep dive into some
of Paul’s New Testament writings. Over
six weeks, we will take big picture looks
into his Prison and Pastoral Epistles
starting with Ephesians. We are so
excited to start out this fall semester
by immersing ourselves in the Word.
Common Ground Midweek Stay tuned for location (as it might
Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m., Johnson Road Park change from week to week), but it will
(2970 Johnson Road, Germantown, TN 38139) be taking place outdoors/in spaces we
There will be fellowship time and a short message for the students to discuss. can social distance. Contact Josh Hudson
We cannot wait to get back into some sort of rhythm in the fall school year. at jhudson@firstevan.org with questions.
GLOBAL MISSIONS
World P rayer Focu s
Sunday, September 13, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall OR Zoom
Pray for current missionaries, persecuted
Christians, the spread of the gospel
around the world, as well as Memphis
ministries (local and global), our city,
state, and nation. Contact missions@
A Miracle Behind the Iron Curtain By Gabor Gresz firstevan.org for Zoom ID.
About 15 people were involved in ning to the street, but I was in bed, badly
the underground ministry of Cru in hurt. At that moment I felt that someone
Hungary during communism. In the had prayed for me for a long time. This Missionary in Residence Update
summer of 1985 we experienced the moment was necessary for me to wake
unforgettable evidence of God’s love up from my deadly dream of pursuing my
and power while studying the Bible sinful life. After that earthquake, I gave
at a camp. We spent a whole night my life to Jesus. God has blessed me with
praying through Acts 4:23-31, ask- a beautiful family and I’m an elder in our
ing God to tear down the ‘Spiritual church. I want to thank those young peo-
Iron Curtain’ around people’s hearts. ple who prayed for me 35 years ago and I
It was appropriate to pray as the first want to support this ministry.”
century believers had because we
had been intimidated by the com- 35 years ago we had no idea how God
munist police when they arrested me would use that moment. But He con-
for sharing my faith and searched tinues to confirm that He answers
our home for Christian literature. prayer. He uses the weak and the aver-
age, and has the power to change the
Acts 4:31 says, “After they prayed, the course of history.
place where they were meeting was
shaken. And they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of Ron Man, our Missionary in Residence,
God boldly.” Around 5:00 a.m. the has continued his overseas teaching
whole town shook. It was the largest ministry during this time of shelter-
earthquake in the history of Hungary, ing—only via Zoom. In May he taught a
registering 5.2 on the Richter scale. We Doctor of Ministry course for Singapore
don’t think the timing of the earth- Bible College for a week; the students
quake was coincidental, hitting just as were from Singapore, Vietnam, Indone-
we finished praying. We had no idea sia, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Kenya and Myan-
of the political and spiritual earth- mar. Since they could not travel to Sin-
quakes God was preparing to bring: the Gabor and Edina Gresz are National Partners gapore either, the Zoom class involved
fall of communism, and the birth of a of First Evan, providing leadership to “Church eight countries—saving a lot of travel
ministry for thousands of students to Movements,” a division of Cru, with over 80 full- costs for all involved, including Ron!
hear the gospel in 62 countries. time staff. They are originally from Hungary, (see photo) And in June-July Ron taught
but live in Olathe, Kansas now. They are a two-week course for Jordan Evangeli-
We recently heard from a new Cru staff examples of the axiom in missions today of cal Theological Seminary, with 6 Egyp-
member in Hungary. She had just met “From everywhere, to everywhere.” tians and 2 Jordanians (all of them se-
with a man to talk about her ministry, questered in Jordan); this was Ron’s
and she shared this “earthquake” story, first time Zooming with translation, but
as it marked an important part of our it went fine.
ministry in Hungary. The man was in
total shock because that earthquake It was disappointing for Ron to not get
led to his conversion 35 years ago! to be with the students in person, but
he is thankful that the teaching can
He said, “As a teenager I lived a terrible continue in what, for the time being
life. I didn’t care about this whole ‘Jesus at least, is the “new normal.” Ron also
tale,’ I just wanted to party all night …. wrote a piece entitled “Missions in a
I woke up at dawn because the whole Covid Crisis: Creativity Implications”
ground shook beneath my bed, and a for the website of the Mission Commis-
vase fell on my head. Everyone was run- Rahel, Renato, Gergo Gresz sion of the World Evangelical Alliance.
MEMPHIS MINISTRIES WOMEN
P recept Upon P re cept
“ R evel a t i o n Pa r t 3 ”
Tuesdays, September 8–November 24
6:00–8:00 p.m., Zoom
Explore the relationship of Revela-
tion to the Gospels: the prophecies
and teachings they contain about the
last days. RSVP by September 4 to
sarabutler6@gmail.com or 901-491-0101.
You will need to order your workbook.
Equi p p i n g E l e c ti ve Advance Memphis Fundraiser:
“U nc o m mon Groun d” Ar t for Jobs Reimagined Cultivate Online with Kelly Minter
Multiple Offerings Beginning the Thursday, September 24, 5:30–8:00 p.m. Saturday, September 12
Week of September 8 This annual fundraiser for Advance 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | Cost: $20
Uncommon Ground by Tim Keller is a Memphis will now be virtual and there Join Kelly Minter for an event filled
collection of essays, from Christians are three ways to get involved: vol- with worship, prayer, (virtual) commu-
in an array of professions, answer- unteer, host, and support! You can nity, and teaching from God’s Word.
ing this important question: How can volunteer by clicking here to find
Christians interact with those around their calendar of opportunities. You
them in ways that show respect to can host a watch party in your home H eart to H eart B i bl e St udy
those whose beliefs are radically dif- of the event by contacting Advance “O n B en d ed K n ee :
ferent while remaining faithful to the Memphis staff member Kelsey Dees St r en gt h en ed Th r oug h P raye r”
gospel? We will offer this book study at kdees@advancememphis.org. You Wr i t t en by C r i cke t t Ke e t h
multiple times per week, both in per- can support the cause by purchasing Beginning the week of September 14
son and on Zoom, with a maximum of art by visiting www.advancememphis. Cost: $10 | Register online here
eight people per offering. Click here org the night of the event.
to find more details and to register.
St re e t s Mi n i s tr i e s Vir tual L ife C hoices 4 0 D ays f or Lif e
Learnin g C e n te r Life Choices and the Memphis Coali-
Streets Ministries is hosting a Virtual tion for Life have an annual prayer
Learning Center for Shelby County campaign at the Life Choices office F I R S T E V A N G E L I C A L C H U R C H
School students and is in need of vol- on Poplar Avenue in Midtown. Reg-
H E A R T T O H E A R T W O M E N ’ S B I B L E S T U D Y
unteers. You can volunteer at their Gra- istrants will pray in front of the Life
ham Heights location (next to Kings- Choices building for a two-hour shift.
bury High School) or at their Vance First Evan is sponsoring each Tues-
location (next to FedEx Forum). Click day from September 22–October 27,
here to find a link to a volunteer but you can sign up for any day be- Join us for an
form, which will put you in touch with tween September 22–November 1 8-week Bible study
a Streets staff person for follow-up. here. looking at prayers
to strengthen us in written by Crickett Keeth
Life Choices has two locations in these challenging times from Exodus,
Memphis to offer care for women in Habakkuk, Jonah, 2 Thessalonians, Rev-
Eiko n M i n i s tr i e s S c hool crisis pregnancy, with post abortion elation, and other books. Small groups
Sup p ly D r i ve care or adoption. will meet at various times either via
Eikon Ministries in Binghampton is in Zoom or off-site in a socially-dis-
need of school supplies for students in • If you would like to become more tanced setting. You can also do the
their Club Nathan ministry. Supplies familiar with Life Choices, their study on your own. Video lectures will
include: college or wide-ruled note- services and volunteer opportuni- be available online weekly.
book paper, pencils, erasers, pencil ties: Center Tour on Thursday,
sharpeners, pens, rulers, crayons/ September 3, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Contact Sharon Mrok at smrok@
colored pencils/markers, three-ring 5575 Raleigh-Lagrange. firstevan.org or Crickett Keeth at
binders, spiral notebooks/composi- RSVP here. ckeeth@firstevan.org if you missed the
tion notebooks, subject dividers, book pickup, and we will make arrange-
and folders. You can drop off any do- • If you already know that you ments. Register online at www.firstevan.
nations to the First Evan office and we would like to volunteer: org/h2h.
will deliver them. Training Session, Saturday,
September 19, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 All First Evan ladies, please stop
p.m., 5575 Raleigh-LaGrange. by the Fellowship Hall foyer to
RSVP here. pick up your free Strengthened gift!
You can also read
