The church is a very unique and special creation of God. By design it is full of individuality that is designed to function as a whole. The master plan and purpose for the church is possible because of the way God builds and fills the church. Within every church are special, chosen and gifted individuals with specific assignments given by God to compliment the mission of the church. If just one or two people use their gift and no one else does, the design of the church cannot function to its full potential. When God made you he gave each of you a specific personality and spiritual gift(s). He then chose a place (church) for you to use your gift and placed you there because he wanted and needed your gift and personality to fulfill the purpose of that particular church. I have met people who have done almost everything imaginable because they wanted to see the church become a success. The outcome is that person gets burned out and used up and there are things that get left undone. Until we know and become comfortable with the gift and personality God has given to each of us, we will never find contentment and peace. No one person can do everything well. There are people with natural talent that get things done, but there is no joy because they are acting outside of their giftedness and the area God has called them. I challenge each person to discover your God given personality and spiritual gift. Then look for a place in the church to use that gift. You might say,” I don’t see anywhere to use my gift”. Then you are not looking for it because it is there, right in front of you. All you have to do is volunteer. Simply say “Here I am Lord, use me”. Do what you are called and gifted to do and you will be energized. Work outside of your giftedness and you will get tired and bitter. I know what my gift is and when I am using it I find the joy of Christ. When I am not working in my giftedness then joy is drained and it becomes a chore. A word of caution. Do not let this become an excuse to become lazy.

Summer is over, and all the kids are back in school. We ask that you pray for our students, teachers, schools, and all involved in the education and safety of our youth during the school year.

September 7, 8, 9th the youth will be attending Rock the Universe at Universal Studios. This is going to be a great time for them and we are excited for this event. We ask that you pray for everyone involved in this trip. We will be spending the weekend there and attending a church service there on Sunday morning. I pray that God will be working in many lives at this event and there will be lives changed!

On September 23rd we invite everyone to stay for lunch after Sunday Services! The youth will be helping to prepare lunch and serving a family style meal. We will be serving Beef Stroganoff, salad, green beans, bread and for dessert you will have your choice of Apple or Peach crisp with ice cream. This is a fund raiser for the youth department, cost for lunch will be $10 per person. We hope you will make plans to stay for lunch and enjoy the fellowship.

We are always looking for more volunteers and/or chaperones to assist with the youth department. If this is something God has laid on your heart, please contact Tony Ridge 407-832-1162. God is doing remarkable things in this area of his church. We would love to have you be a part of it!

Please continue to come out on Sunday’s to Beef O’Bradys – Davenport and The Grille at Cypresswood – Winter Haven on Friday evenings for our Spirit Day’s!  This is a fantastic way to have a nice evening out and support the youth! We want to thank Duncan and Mary Ann Owen so graciously setting up these Spirit Day’s!

We will also be starting back up the Chick-fil-a fundraiser in September. We will have the date and times on Sunday morning announcement slides. Keep an eye out for it!