The Jacksonville Church of Christ began its year by conducting a 2 hour service designed to encourage and illustrate our desire to create strong bonds within our church through our family groups and to promote an evangelistic spirit through out our congregation. 

This page will contain the different sermon components associated with the service.

Instructions:  To listen to the workshop from the website, click the link.  To download a copy, right-click the link and choose “Save Target As…” from the shortcut menu.

Derek Whooten’s Sermon – Audio File (mp3)

Guy Berndt’s Sermon – Audio File (mp3)

Mark Harris’s Sermon – Audio File (mp3)

Randy Tinnin’s Sermon discussing family groups – Audio File (mp3)

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – Albert G. Russell, 90, passed away Monday, January
4, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. Albert was born February 22, 1919 in
Adrian, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Viola
Kintner Russell who passed away October 1, 2009.

A Memorial Service is set for Sunday, January 17, 2010 @ 3:00 pm at the
Jacksonville Church of Christ

The Lord has taken home a great servant and brother in Albert Russell.
Albert and his wife Viola who passed away this past October 1st, were both
faithful servants for HOPE worldwide Jacksonville after moving here from
Michigan where they began quilting Lap Robes for seniors. They brought their
talents and love here to Jacksonville and offered a valuable addition by
quilting these robes with our volunteers for seniors and new mothers. A Lap
Robe from the Russell’s was a treasure and cherished by each person. They
taught others and joyfully served into their late 80’s. A great example of
older men teaching the younger, Albert brought a great heart and spirit into
each conversation and visit. His laugh and smile brought joy to many and he
was a great dominos player too.  We will miss him dearly but his legacy will
live on in each of us who have known Albert and feel his love and care in
each lap robe he and Viola helped inspire. The HOPE worldwide – Jacksonville
Chapter Lap Robe program has been one of our longest running and most
effective programs creating more than 500 lap robes over the past 10 years.

HOPE worldwide Jacksonville Chapter is helping to support 100,000 Orphan children impacted by HIV/AIDS through their Centers of HOPE worldwide in seven countries. Please support “The Human Race” a 5k walk – run event on Saturday October 10th at the St. John’s Town Center. Walk – Run – or “Just give $10″ to support this great work.” Watch this video to learn more about the needs in Africa.”

Thank You

Jim Mackie

HOPE worldwide—Jacksonville “Season of Service”

Serving vulnerable children, families, and seniors in the Jacksonville Community

Print this full calendar: Season of Service flyer 2009

Saturday Academy

Saturdays, Sept. 12 thru Oct. 24, 2009 9:30 am—12:00 noon

Magic Johnson Center

Since the winter of 2006, this program has provided services and supports the at-risk children and adolescents particularly at the Magic Johnson Center and Hilltop Village Apartments in north Jacksonville. This program provides instruction for 3rd – 5th graders in math, reading, & character building activities in a positive atmosphere. Students receive individual and group assistance in a variety of fun learning activities from volunteers. We seek to build a Strong Mind, A Strong Body and A Strong Character.

National Day of Service and Remembrance

Saturday Sep. 12, 2009 9 am – 12 noon

President Obama has encouraged all Americans to serve our citizens through a collaboration of organizations and volunteers through “United We Serve.” Our Chapter can be a leader in this effort to come together and serve with a rekindled focus on unity.

Harvest Food Baskets for Refugee families

Sundays, November 1st —22nd

Each Family Feeds a Family—Jacksonville area food drive to help refugees and other families during the Thanksgiving holiday. Drop off donations at 6118 Bowden Road on Sundays from 10:00 am -12:00 noon at the Jacksonville Church of Christ .

Blood Drives

Sundays, Sept. 13th & Nov. 22nd – 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Your contribution to the Blood Alliance saves lives every day. Give the Gift of Life!

Lap Robes for Seniors and new Moms

Saturday, Sept. 12 & Oct. 10th – 9 am – 12 pm

Holiday Senior and Children Celebrations

Christmas Celebration for at-risk Children

Thursday, December 24th – 5pm – 7pm

In partnership with the Magic Johnson Center & Hilltop Village Apartments, volunteers will provide support for children & families. Toys will be distributed to the children on Christmas Eve from 5-7 pm @ the Magic Johnson Center, 1646 W. 45th St. This is a culmination of our annual Toy Drive in December. Knowing others care is so important!

Christmas Parties for Seniors at the Taylor Home

Sat., December 12th – 3 – 5 pm

Martin Luther King Day of Service and Celebration

Saturday, January 16, 2010 – 9am – 1pm

Instead of a day off from work or school, Congress asked Americans of all backgrounds and ages to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by turning community concerns into citizen action. The MLK Day of Service brings together people who might not ordinarily meet, breaks down barriers that have divided us in the past, and leads to better understanding and ongoing relationships. Our goal is to engage individuals in a meaningful volunteer experience that will lead to on-going service throughout the year.

To volunteer for any of these events call Jim or Debbie Mackie @ 904-292-2535 or jim_mackie@hopeww.org or to sign-up online at www.handsonjacksonville.org

Season of Service Partners

• The Jacksonville Church of Christ
• Lutheran Social Services
• The American Red Cross
• Magic Johnson Center at Hilltop Village
• Taylor Residences
• The Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville
• Hands On Jacksonville
• American Express Foundation & Charitable Fund
• The Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation
• Aetna Foundation and Charitable Fund
• The Blood Alliance

Secure giving opportunities to support the local and global work are available through personal donations, Employee Matching Gift Programs, United Way, Combined Federal Campaigns, and www.hopeww.org.

[Editor's Note - my apologies, as this is a late post.  This service was actually held May 31, 2009 - Graham Parker]

We had an amazing time worshiping the Lord together at Sunrise Park. Michael welcomed everyone, Johanna Paneto shared about her faithfulness in seeing a mission team come to this area since 2004, Ari Rodriguez from South FL shared about his life and conversion story as he helped us focused on how Jesus reached out to us through the cross, and Jim Mackie preached about having a servant heart. The singing was incredible…we had a couple families from the Satellite Beach group (a branch of Orlando) lead the song service. The May family was the communion team. The fellowship was genuine as you could hear people sharing about their lives with each other. God really moved in our hearts on Sunday. I have only heard about how refreshing and inspiring people were. There were a total of 34 people there, a few children, and during the singing we had a woman that was in the park join us for the message.

- Michael and Jennifer Anton

In January 2009, HOPE worldwide -Jacksonville chapter was able to send nearly 250 backpacks to children in Kabul, Afghanistan. Dan Allison, Country Director for HOPE worldwide said that they had the distribution of the book bags along with some pens, pen holders, and some clothing donated at the U.S. Embassy. There were around 250 children so they added in a few more bags so that everyone got something. The location was a day-orphanage for disadvantaged children who go to school at this location and are fed hot meals each day. They may have parents but the parents have trouble meeting all of their needs. Everyone was really grateful for all of your generosity. Thanks for taking the initiative for this. The adults in the photos are our employees (with Mary in one of them). Sincerely, DAN

The backpacks were donated to HOPE worldwide Jacksonville from the Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville which serves nearly 10,000 children @ Christmas each year. Our Chapter has distributed a number of excess new toys from the CCPOJ to other needy families in Jacksonville for the last 6 years on Christmas Eve. We are grateful for their support.

In 2008, through the generosity of the Jacksonvile Church of Christ we were able to ship 12 large boxes of winter clothing and blankets to families in Kabul, Afghanistan which were distributed by the Allisons and HOPE worldwide – Afghanistan.

Thank You for your generosity and giving spirit.

More information: www.hopeww.org/Jacksonville

These are part of 15 Harvest Baskets that were created by HOPE worldwide volunteers and members of the Jacksonville Church of Christ in November of 2008. What is unique is they are full of items that the refugee families from Miramar (Burma) re-located to Jacksonville can relate to and benefit from. The baskets were filled with food and toiletry items were very useful to each family. Lutheran Social Services helped to identify and distribute the baskets and have been a great partner with HOPE worldwide – Jacksonville.

Hope Basket Photo Slideshow

Jim

We are looking forward to an exciting summer of worship for the children.  I wanted to let all the parents know that we are going to have a special reward for the children and their weekly challenges.  Through June, July, and August if the children do 30 or more weekly challenges then their reward will be a picnic and horse rides.  Starting this coming Sunday when you sign your child in, you will also need to put the number of challenges that your child completed that week.  We will use these numbers to figure out which children will receive the reward.  Thanks for everyone’s participation in making the children’s worship a success.

When I was a part of the campus ministry at Juilliard I knew a young disciple with a huge baritone voice, imposing stature and a lot of charisma. He went on to play numerous roles on Broadway. I had just confided in him about something that had annoyed me. Although I don’t remember what it was, I do remember his response. “Are you Strugglin’ (pronounced STRUUUU-glin’)?!” followed by a high pitched laugh that seemed completely out of place. I started laughing too, and I’ve been laughing at that ever since. Word got around and it wasn’t long before all the disciples would ask each other, “Are you struuuu-glin’?!” To this day when things get tense around the house my wife will ask me, “Are you struuuu-glin’?!” It never fails to break the tension.

I think struggling has come to be associated with having a hard time spiritually. Perhaps the opposite is true. Consider Jacob:

Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau

Genesis 32 1 [a]Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanaim. [b]3 Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. 5 I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’ “ 6 When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, [c] and the flocks and herds and camels as well. 8 He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, [d] the group [e] that is left may escape.” 9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, LORD, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. 11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ “13 He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds.” 17 He instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ 18 then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’ ” 19 He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: “You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. 20 And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’ ” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.” 21 So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

Jacob Wrestles With God

²² That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³ After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. ²⁴ So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶ Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” ²⁷ The man asked him, “What is your name?” ”Jacob,” he answered. ²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, ^[f] because you have struggled with God and with human beings and have overcome.” ²⁹ Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. ³⁰ So Jacob called the place Peniel, ^[g] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” ³¹ The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, ^[h] and he was limping because of his hip. ³² Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

Jacob means he grasps the heel (figuratively, he deceives). Israel means he struggles with God.

Jacob actually got better with age. He started out smart and ambitious, but his success damaged his relationships. In this passage Jacob was struggling. He left his father-in-law Laban after amassing great wealth in livestock. Laban felt cheated and Jacob felt justified. Jacob sent a gift to his brother Esau to try to make peace for having tricked him out of his blessing and birthright. He sent his family and property across the Jabbok ahead of him, divided into two groups so that one group might survive if Esau attacked. God directly intervened by sending this “man” who wrestled with Jacob all night. In the end, Jacob could not be made to give up, so the “man” touched Jacob’s hip socket causing the hip to be wrenched. Who was this guy? Whoever this “man” was, he had authority from God to bless Jacob and give him a new name, Israel, because he struggled with God and with human beings and overcame. Perhaps a more relevant question for us is who is Jacob? Or who was Jacob becoming through his struggles?

Jacob’s nature from the very beginning was to struggle with human beings (Genesis 25:24-26). He was being transformed into a man willing to struggle with God. Over the course of his life, Jacob’s struggles brought out his better nature. How is God allowing me to struggle? Is it bringing out my better nature? Who is transforming me: God or my challenges?

• He struggled to be with his family and to protect them (Genesis 32:22). Am I willing to struggle to be close to my family? What do they need materially, emotionally and spiritually?
• He struggled to make good for his past sins (Genesis 32:6-21). Is repentance as much a part of my life today as when I became a Christian?
• His whole life was a struggle! (Genesis 37 & 47:7-10) When does it get easier? Do I really want it to get easier?

God transforms us through our challenges. The world teaches us that we should expect life to get easier as we advance. As people of faith we understand that the struggle is to draw close to God and glorify Him in our challenges. Life is tough, but it is also inspiring, glorious, awe-inspiring and funny. I’m still struuuu-glin’. Thank God for giving me brothers who help me to have a sense of humor as He uses my struggles to make me a better man.

On May 7th, the Bedoyas arrived in Asuncion, Paraguay to a grand welcome!

Now that's a welcome party!

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