We just enjoyed our annual congregational campout at Stephen Foster Park in Georgia this past November 12th through the 14th and we are already planning the next one.  The dates will be November 11th through 13th.  If possible, go ahead and make your reservations at www.gastateparks.org/StephenCFoster

2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Saturday, January 16, 2010 will be our fourth MLK Day of Service. We will work with the American Red Cross to distribute Fire Prevention materials as well as help restore an Adult Day Care Center. Hands On Jacksonville will also be present to paint a mural on a Head Start Building and do a Clean It Up, Green It Up with park cleanup and tree planting in the neighborhood. 

Please register to help us at www.handsonjacksonville.org. 

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.

Other HOPE World Wide Events Happening in Jacksonville

Senior Santa Program – December 12/19, 2009

The event will take place on Saturday, December 12th at the Taylor Home on 3730 Spring Park Rd. from 2-4 pm.  In addition, lap robes will be distributed to a local bursing home on Saturday, December 19th.  See Juanita Russell for more information

Christmas Eve Toy Distribution – December 24, 2009

The event will run from 3:oo PM – 6:30 PM at a site to be announced.  You can sign-up in the back of the church or register at www.handsonjacksonville.org.  See Brad Jens for more information.

Building Bridges of HOPE with Seven Bridges – January 12, 2010

An evening of fun at Seven Bridges Restaurant located at  9735 Gate Parkway North next to Tinseltown to benefit the work of HOPE worldwide – Jacksonville Chapter on Tuesday evening, January 12, 2010 from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Join us to enjoy a great evening to benefit HOPE worldwide – Jacksonville Chapter.  There will be fun and games for all with great prizes to be raffled away.  To read more about this event, please read the  event flyer.

HOPE worldwide – Jacksonville Chapter, is a faith-based, non-profit 501(C-3) local and international charity that brings hope and changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver community-based services to the poor and needy.

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

Beginning January 1 2010, sign up for HOPE worldwide programs and you may win a free day at Disneyworld.  You must sign up at www.handsonjacksonville.org.  See www.disneyparks.com to register initially.

The Human Race

5k Walk or Run and 1 mile fun-run to benefit HOPE worldwide programs here in Jacksonville and the Center of HOPE worldwide programs for Orphans with HIV/AIDS in Africa

Saturday, October 10, 2009

St. John’s Town Center

Run or walk begins @ 8:00 am & Fun-run @ 9:00 am

Cost to participate in walk / run is $17.00 till Oct. 3^rd and $12.00 for fun run. Cost increases after Oct. 3^rd.

To Register go to www.hopeww.org/Jacksonville or http://1stplacesports.com/human.htm

The Human Race is a walk / run sponsored by the RITA Foundation and Hands on Jacksonville where Charitable Organizations receive 100% of all donations beyond the registration fees.  All proceeds benefit our Jacksonville Programs and the Center of HOPE worldwide programs for Orphans with HIV/AIDS in Africa.  Please designate your contributions to HOPE worldwide – Jacksonville

Visit our tent & join us for fun and refreshments before and after the run.

Prizes to our participants & contributors: Those who raise over $100.00 will be entered in a drawing to win a choice of Hotel Packages consisting of 1 or 2 night hotel stay at the Hyatt, Renaissance Resort, or a $100.00 Dinner at Espeto’s Brazilian Steak House.  Our runners who raise at least $50.00 receive a HOPE worldwide T-shirt.

All who contribute will be placed in a drawing for Dinner Certificates to Brickstone Pizza, Sushi Cafe, Eddie Bauer Backpacks and more.

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.

Ballroom Dance Date Night

Like hanging out with friends? Like doing new things? Then come check out Jacksonville Church of Christ’s date night where we will learn how to ballroom dance, and where it’s always an “all-ages” event. You’ll enjoy exciting music, engaging talk, and a cool group of outgoing people. YOU are invited to check us out this weekend.

6:30-9:30pm

Childcare will be available only on a reservation bases. (limit 25 children) Must be at least 1 years old.

$10 for the first child and $5 for each additional child.

Snacks & fun provided!

A FAITH-BUILDING OPPORTUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY & THE BIBLE 2009 C-AIM

Last year’s Continuing-AIM (C-AIM) session with David Bercot was a hit. Thanks for your interest and for the great attendance! This is a reminder about the 2009 C-AIM event.

Archaeology and the Bible will be offered 10-12 July. We think this could be a great event for strengthening campus students’ faith – and others’! Teaching in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago (evidences), I was reminded once more of the tremendous potential for faith-building apologetics classes. This would also be a good opportunity for seekers and even skeptics.

John Wilson, our guest speaker, is a university professor (Pepperdine) and professional archaeologist. John Oakes is a university professor in Chemistry & Physics, and travels worldwide — apologetics. Foster Stanback has an excellent class on OT archaeology. He taught it at the teachers’ seminar in Egypt (last July). In addition, Joey Harris and I will co-teach a class on biblical archaeology. Lots of colorful pictures, and tips for how to share the facts in evangelism. A highlight of the conference will be the visit to Emory University’s excellent museum.

The seminar is $10/day, or $25 for the entire weekend. The price includes the ($5.50) Emory University visit, as well as drinks & snacks. Come to part or all of the weekend. BTW, the weekend will be filmed, producing a DVD set (just as we did last year).

Would you please announce the event in your newsletter, e-bulletin, or church announcements?

What is the topic? ARCHAEOLOGY & THE BIBLE

Who is sponsoring it? A.I.M. This is a our annual C-AIM event.

When is the event? The second weekend in July (10th-12th)

Where will it take place? Almost all AIM events take place at the North River Church of Christ, 320 Austin Avenue, Marietta.

Who will benefit? Anyone who seeks more evidence for biblical faith. Esp. helpful for students.

What does it cost?: $25 for the whole weekend, or $10/day.

How do we sign up? Just send an email to let us know you are coming – athensinstitute@bellsouth.net

Friday evening 10 July

7:00-7:30 Reception (drinks/snacks)

7:30-7:45 Intro: “Why Archaeology is Important” – Douglas Jacoby

7:45-8:45 “The Wild World of Archaeology” – John Wilson

9:00 Closing prayer

Saturday 11 July

9:00-9:30 Reception

9:30-10:30 “Evidence for the Exodus” – Foster Stanback

10:45-11:45 “Archaeology in Evangelism” – John Oakes

12:00-1:00 “Excavating the Holy Land” – John Wilson

2:30-3:30 “Archaeological Highlights: O.T. and N.T.” – Jacoby/Harris

3:45-5:00 Question time / Panel discussion

Sunday 12 July

8:30-9:30 “Digging Deeper” – John Wilson

10:00-11:30 Worship with North River Church of Christ

2:00-3:00 Special visit: Emory University Museum

Deb Furlong

AIM Assistant

athensinstitute@bellsouth.net

WHY DO THE NATIONS RAGE?
Gospel Solutions to Prejudice and Separation
2009 International Teaching Seminar, August 14-16
Atlanta, Georgia

by Steve Staten

Can the gospel that is proclaimed for “every nation, tribe, language and people” also be the solution to widespread strife in the world?  If so, then Christians ought to exemplify God’s multi-cultural intent in fellowship and worship.

This seminar is about recognizing biblical solutions to all forms of prejudice and separation that are biblical, timeless and unspecific to geography.  Atlanta is a perfectly suited city for this discussion because it was the cradle of the American Civil Rights movement.  Join us in this seminar as we stare down some of today’s greatest challenges with the Bible and the Gospel.

Friday night, 14 August
7:00     Welcome coffee
8:00     EVEN NINEVEH: GOD’S VIEW OF HIS OFFSPRING — Douglas Jacoby
Our Enemies on the International Scene.  The Scriptures demonstrate God’s heart for all people—even the enemies of His Law and His people.  Let us allow the Scriptures to guide us past our prejudices through sacred stories from the Exodus to the Exile where God’s people were called to overcome their inbred fallacies about others.

Saturday 15 August
8:30-12:30 — Morning program

8:30     Coffee hour

9:30     THERE IS NO SCYTHIAN IN CHRIST — Steve Staten
Class Distinctions in the Fellowship.  Jesus and his apostles faced status issues in the Gospels and Acts.  In time the church reached beyond barbarians to the (presumably more despised) Scythians.  How do traits such as snobbery, envy and entitlement appear in the Scriptures?  Also considers the possibility that subtle class and status prejudice does more harm than obvious prejudices.

10:45     THE WOLF WILL DWELL WITH THE LAMB — Abdel Aziz Sarah
Politics and the Disciple’s Heart.  Must we be Pro-Israel or Pro-Palestine?  There are many political pundits and fear-mongers whose ultimate goals are very different than those of the followers of Christ.  As ministers of reconciliation we should grasp the historical and contemporary issues but keep the eternal perspective in mind.

12:00     Lunch break

1:30      SHORT PRESENTATIONS
The Early Church Fathers on Prejudice and Separation—Joey Harris
Disciples wealthy and poor—Douglas Jacoby

1:45     A Case Study: Atlanta Churches and Diversity

3:15     Break

3:30     PANEL DISCUSSION

Panelists have been asked to prepare opening and closing comments to one of the following questions—(1) “How can we increase diversity in spiritual roles without compromising biblical standards in order to appear diverse?” (2) “What solutions to prejudice are being missed among religious people?” (3) “What light do the Scriptures shed on the relationships between culture, geography, and the ethnic make-up of a congregation?

Richard Alawaye
Ben Barnett

Gordon Ferguson
Joey Harris
Scott Kirkpatrick
Abdel Aziz Sarah
Steve Staten

4:30    Dinner break

Saturday evening program

7:00     NO DIFFERENCE IN THE FARE — Ben Barnett
National Racial Prejudice Enters the Church. An exploration of race issues in the west due to western Eurocentricism.  In America this has resulted in slavery and segregation (Blacks), anti-semitism (Jews), internment (Japanese), Zoot Suit Scapegoating Affair (Hispanics), fear-mongering (Middle Easterners) and her most homogeneous hour among professing Christians—Sunday 11am.  Also covers biblical contributions to the early Civil Rights movement.

Sunday 16 August
8:30    “TO EVERY NATION, TRIBE, LANGUAGE & PEOPLE” — Gordon Ferguson
An oft ignored Part of the Great Commission.  Jesus gave his Galilean followers the mandate to go to train the various ethne (ethnic groups, nations). As evident in the book of Acts, Jesus’ followers gradually overcame many difficulties with the help of the Spirit.  Some challenges were overcome in the baptistery while others took some time.

10:00    Church with North River

12:30     ATLANTA FIELD TRIP (bagged lunch to be provided)
Options for the Saturday afternoon field trip include the Civil War Museum and the King Center.

(1) The Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum, 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30315. Phone:  404-658-7625
Features:  Sit at the center of a sweeping panorama of the Battle of Atlanta, fought on July 22, 1864, during the American Civil War.  Miniature figures in the foreground, music and narration enhance the painting through a theater-in-the-round experience.  See civil war artifacts and a steam locomotive.

(2) The Martin Luther King Center
446 Auburn Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA  30312. Phone:  404/526-8900
Features:  King self guided tour of museum with King memorabilia, photographs and more;  self guided tour of the church and fire station as well; for the homes – tours every 30 minutes in groups of 15 (first come first serve basis – sign-up in the King Center)

Group Rate: Free (accepting all donations)

LOCATION:
320 Austin Avenue, Marietta, Georgia
This is the meeting place of the North River Church of Christ

WHO IS INVITED?
All Christians are invited to this seminar. There is an expectation that participants will come ready to learn, but it is not necessary to be a teacher, church minister, or staff member.

ACCOMMODATION
There are hotels in the area. You may also ask to be housed in homes of North River members (limited availability).

PRICE
$150 is the registration fee (for those who sign up by 1 July). After this time, the price will increase to $180. This is the price for all attending from the US and Canada.

DISCOUNTS

* Congregational discounts: 1/3 off when 5 or more attend from any single congregation, and 1/2 off when 10 or more attend from any single congregation (registration by 1 July). And yes, this discount can be combined with the other discounts below.

* Spouses – 1/2 off.

* Full-time students – 1/2 off.

* Seniors (65 and above) — 1/2 off.

* Children under 18 — 2/3 off.

* Foreign guests (outside US/Canada) — 2/3 off (no spouse discount).

For questions about the combination of discounts, please send an email.

REGISTRATION
Send an email to dj@douglasjacoby.com for further details. Payment can be made by check, bank wire, or credit/debit card (Amex, Visa, MC, Discover).

Dynamic Marriage

• When:  Thursday Evenings, 7pm
  • Start:
    • June 4, 2009 (orientation class)
    • June 11, 2009 (first class of curriculum)
  • End:
    • July 30, 2009
• Where:  Jacksonville Church of Christ, 6118 Bowden Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216  (see our “Location” page for more info)
• Cost:  $140/couple - payment requested no later than May 20th
• Contact:
  • Lyle Layher – (w): 696-5632  (c): 813-2657
  • Julie Layher – (c): 813-3137
• Childcare: – TBD.  We will determine the needs for childcare during our first class (orientation) on June 4th.

For More Information on what this rewarding class consists of , please visit the Dynamic Marriage website:

• www.familydynamics.net

Join us in the Gym every Thursday

8:00 pm – warm ups

8:30 pm – tip off