The Gulf Breeze August-September 2022, Volume 7 What’s Inside • Pastor Kirt: Running the Reds • Gulf Breeze Anniversary • Even More Blessings for our Ukrainian Family... • Behind The Scenes: An Unexpected Blessing - God at Work Using NCC • Gulf Breeze Monthly Features
Every Wednesday – 4 PM Bible Study with Pastor Kirt
Every Wednesday – 11 AM Issues Hour, Sunshine Room
EVENT CALENDAR
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If your name and birthday are not listed above, call Zen at the NCC office at 239-213-1325.
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Every Monday –Bible Study with Dawn Birch, Sunshine Room and ZOOM 12 noon everyone welcome 6 PM women only (Look for the video in the weekly NCC email for the link to Monday weekly recaps)
Every Sunday – 9:30 AM Prayer in NCC Sunshine Room (upstairs)
Every Friday – 12-1 PM Time of Prayer, NCC Sanctuary. Everyone invited!
First and WednesdaysThird – 12:30 PM Mens’ Lunch after Issues Hour, Blueberry’s Cafe, 3350 Tamiami Trail North
The Next Ladies’ F3 Luncheon will be held in September. Watch for details!
NEW: Look for the Icons in the NCC emails to be connected to the NCC Zoom Room when it’s time for the event to begin: the blue icon (for Dawn’s Bible Study), the black icon (for Pastor Kirt’s Issues Hour), the orange icon (for the Wednesday afternoon Bible study with Pastor Kirt), and the purple icon (for the Sunday Prayer time.)
FALCONERMIKETHOMASJOHNSARAHNANETTE HILDEGARDTONIVERADOUGMICHAELBRUCE14116358 302624212828 2
Running the Reds
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baskets were full of water balloons – four of us in back – Steve drove – on the hunt for girls in cars, guys on sidewalks, target practice at stop lights, and slapping down on the truck bed if we spotted one of Riverside’s finest. The dénouement was up to the top of Allesandro Boulevard, transmission in neutral – then a downhill coast to see if we could make it all the way down to Magnolia Boulevard without stopping at stop lights – so fun!
Peter says, “. . . don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.” In Christ we are free from the law. He has paid the price for our sin. So, do I run the light? No one’s going to get hurt by it. What’s the harm?
I think so too.
By KirtPastorAnderson
As high school kids near the zenith of human wisdom and intelligence, we determined that rather than outsourcing our personal judgment to an inanimate light, we’d make the call – no cars coming so what’s the harm?
I still have a tough time stopping “all the way” at mere stop signs or rights-onreds. Certain things are right – but just seem wrong. Sunday mornings leaving my neighborhood – no cars to the left of me – no cars to the right of me – but I sit waiting for three minutes(!) for the dumb light to change. My sermon swirling through my head, I want to go – but I’ve got church. I can’t sin right before
It just seems wrong that school starts on August 10. When I was in school –during the correct schedule for the year – we did not start until after Labor Day. We had been off since early June, and August was a month of anxiety – only a few weeks and we had to go back. So – we lived like we were dying – baseball, basketball, tennis, the beach, and water-ballooning out in Steve Brown’s dad’s Laundrytruck.
Sounds like a high school kid who never grew up? Sounds like a rationalization that turns freedom into autonomy – like uber-individualism? Self at the center? My truth? Hubris? Pride? The apple?
Thechurch!Apostle
Juliann Thomason***
Pastoryear:Kirt
Anderson
Ann and
Launching Naples Community Church Gulf Breeze in August 2021, our objective was to offer Pastor Kirt a written means to engage our church family and others with his monthly article; strengthen overall communications and connection with our church family, both attendees and those who could not be with us personally to worship; and offer an outreach opportunity to church members for sharing NCC news with family and friends. Little did we know at the time how the Gulf Breeze would involve so many of our Church family in its production – participating in member spotlights, writing and editing articles, providing content information, taking or offering photographs for the publication, offering testimonies or comments in articles and distributing issues. With all of your involvement, the Gulf Breeze, in collaboration with the Member Spotlight program, has become one of the pillars of our communication and engagement mission at NCC. Thank you to the following who have contributed this past
Chip Hull Zen Jordan April O’Leary*
It’s Gulf Breeze Anniversary
Bill CorinneDawnBirchBirchand
Ken Brandle
Dustin Herl*
December 2021 Vo ume 5 The Gulf Breeze Cove S ry Song o C r ma Beh n he S en s Wond f G ow f r NCC Mem e Spo g Ge g To Kn w O e Ano he G y What s Ins de C S Sh H P B h n he S e e A Y S Mem e Spo h So a nd G don on s y What s Inside: Cover Story: What s Inside: September 2021, Volume 2 The Gulf Breeze Behind the Scenes: A Peek Behind the Cabinet Member Spotlight: “A Kiss That Lasted 61 Years” Gulf Breeze Monthly Features The Gulf Breeze March 2022, Volume 3 What’s Inside Pastor Kirt: Life Abundantly! Member Spotlight: How the Impossible became Possible with God Behind The Scenes: March, The Shoulder of Spring at NCC Monthly Features The Gulf Breeze June-July 2022, Volume 6 What’sPastorInsideKirt: Patriots Member Spotlight: Mary & Tom Miller: Reconnected After 44 Years Behind The Scenes: NCC Responds with Awesome Acts of Love GulfBreeze Monthly Features
Bill, Lew and Dawn Allyn** Bob Cook Falconer Jones
Our NCC
Miller** John Summerfield Nancy Thomas Bruce and Glenna Hayhoe** John and Carol Walter Lynn and Ed Wilcox Marti Starkey** Becki MarionQuinnandIan McKeag
Julie Becker Nancy
SWFLBeckyShirleyRichardKimFranMaryYuliyaRichKathyGraceCindyAshleyBrittanyStanDarleneVandermeerRadelSchoenewaldHargroveGallowayandMikeLyster**KehleLeTartePettingillVailandTomMiller**KingandDaughterDiedrichPesslPruittPrint With Abundant Gratitude to God and You All, The Gulf Breeze Editorial Team Kat Langenheim, Chris Pettingill and newest team member, Becki Quinn *Digital **MemberPublisherSpotlight event participants or articles *** Founding Editorial Team member responsible for design and layout4 y G B M F What ns de Augu t 202 Vo ume 1 The Gulf Breeze Cover Story: What ns de Augu t 202 Vo ume 1 The Gulf Breeze September 2021, Volume 2 The Gulf Breeze Behind the Scenes: A Peek Behind the Cabinet Member Spotlight: “A Kiss That Lasted 61 Years” Gulf Breeze Monthly Features The Gulf Breeze February 2022, Volume 2 What’sPastorInsideKirt:Our Valentine Member Spotlight: Seventy Years of Love, Laughter, Faith and Life Behind The Scenes: Love Touches the Soul GulfBreezeMonthly Features C S H P B h S A M b S d G G B M F Wha s In ide: Augus 202 Vo ume The Gulf Breeze Cover Story: Wha s In ide: A g 202 V The Gulf Breeze September 2021, Volume 2 The Gulf Breeze Member Spotlight: “A Kiss That Lasted 61 Years” Gulf Breeze Monthly Features The Gulf Breeze April 2022, Volume 4 What’sPastorInsideKirt:Breaking News: Live Longer! Go to Church! Member Spotlight: The Allyn Family: From Skaneateles to Naples Living the American Dream Behind The Scenes: Budding and Blooming More at NCC GulfBreezeMonthly FeaturesRejoice! C S H P B h S A M b S d G G Wha s In ide: Augus 202 Vo ume The Gulf Breeze Cover Story: Wha s In ide: g The Gulf Breeze September 2021, Volume 2 The Gulf Breeze Member Spotlight: “A Kiss That Lasted 61 Years” Gulf Breeze Monthly Features The Gulf Breeze May 2022, Volume 5 What’sPastorInsideKirt:Mother of All Living Member Spotlight: Mike Cindy Lyster On the Move Together Since BehindTeenagersTheScenes: So Much to Celebrate What is Next? GulfBreezeMonthly Features The Gulf Breeze August 2022, Volume 8 Pastor Kirt: Life Running the Reds Even More Blessings for our Ukrainian Family... Behind The Scenes: An Unexpected Blessing God at Work Using NCC C H P B h pS g Wha s In ide: A g 202 V The Gulf Breeze Cover Story: Wha s In ide: A g 202 V The Gulf Breeze September 2021, Volume 2 The Gulf Breeze Behind the Scenes: A Peek Behind the Cabinet Member Spotlight: “A Kiss That Lasted 61 Years” Gulf Breeze Monthly Features The Gulf Breeze January 2022 What’sPastorInsideKirt:New Year’s Resolution? Member Spotlight: Ann & Rick Scott Behind The Scenes: Looking Back at 2021 GulfBreezeMonthly Features
David and
Steve Chancy Mary Rush
– We are So Grateful!
Jack and
Sonya and Gordon Jones** Lucille Tymann** Rick Scott** Helga
Since our original article in the June/July issue of the Gulf Breeze, much of the checklist has been accomplished for this beautiful and grateful family. Jack Tymann and John Summerfield, along with Yuliya Vail, have been diligent in making connections for them, arranging presentations, meetings and follow-up.
The compassion and love shown this family have been outstanding. The Lord is surely continuing to bless them and our Naples Community Church.
Even More Blessings for our Ukrainian Family...
5
by Chris Pettingill
Vlad, Lena, Grandmother Olha, and young Nick have attended two Rotary Meetings, had follow-up visits with people they met there, and visited the Naples Fire Department where the family was graciously hosted for a fun afternoon where Nick fell in love with their dalmatian mascot, Tank. Each of these visits resulted in an abundance of help, providing money, work opportunity and enjoyment for this family. Bringing additional happiness and relief, their middle daughter, Katya, and her fiancé, Alexei, have recently arrived from the Estonian refugee camp where they had been sheltering since retreating from war-torn Ukraine.
During a June Sunday service, John Summerfield presented a surprise gift of $2,500, generously given by his personal CPA, as well as a contribution from the Naples Fire Department. These gifts, along with another anticipated check, will bring the total of funds raised by NCC efforts and the Pelican Bay Rotary close to $7,250, with more promised. The entire family is extremely grateful for the generosity and love shown to them.
In addition to monetary gifts and contributions of clothing and beds, the family has been blessed by Juliann Thomason, who volunteered to give the family English lessons, which are proceeding well. Young Nick received an unanticipated ride in a private airplane (which he partially piloted) provided by one of the Rotarians. Mom Lena is volunteering and receiving training as a seamstress in a furniture repair company as she awaits a social security card. Dad Vlad, too, is awaiting his social security card and hopes to start work for a private air company at the Naples Airport. Unfortunately, it may take up to ten months. Meanwhile, he will train and volunteer with the firm. Grandmother Olha has received a Pacemaker (with the help of Bill Allyn) and she is doing very well with it.
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I did and was blown away. First, I followed a young mom with a youngster and baby in a stroller eagerly making her way up the stairs into the church ahead of me. Delighted, I helped her. Once inside, Dawn Birch immediately introduced me to Pam Watson. Pam oriented me quickly about the meeting, gave me a Bible verse that I could read, and said I could add a prayer after reading it if I wanted to – no pressure. To further prepare me for the service, she gave me a well-designed flier that explained the purpose of the meeting: “May Your House Be Called a House of Prayer” from Mathew 21:13, followed by two scriptures that referenced key words on the flier: Pray and Revival. Beautiful music set a prayerful tone. The pianist leader, while playing, sang and talked about praising, praying, and surrendering to fully accept and feel the presence of the Lord.
Pettingill
BEHIND THE SCENES An Unexpected BlessingGod at Work Using NCC
Settling into the peace in the room, I looked left and saw a touching inspiration – three rows of little children and their moms – all sitting quietly and attentively. After a series of hymns of praise, each of us was able to read our verses and pray if we felt called. No one was rushed. What was most amazing, each of the children continued to sit quietly and read his or her given Bible verse clearly and sweetly when the mic was handed to each one. Their early faith touched my heart. There was incredible calm. You could feel the Holy Spirit in the
room.ByChris
Who was doing this and why? Seeing it announced as a regular weekly meeting made me wonder. For answers, I went to Dawn Birch, who encouraged me to attend and meet the organizer, Pam Watson.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusts in Him.” (Ps. 34:8).
Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
COME – be a part of the wells of revival that are certainly “bubbling up” underneath Naples Community Church. Encourage others needing or wanting help, physically, mentally, spiritually or otherwise, to come.
Through Dawn Birch, our NCC Prayer Time Leader, Pam met Board President Chip Hull at an NCC Sunday prayer meeting. Pam shared with him the need that she and others saw for a revival of faith in Naples and described how they had been walking and praying around our historically faith-centered block close to City Hall, the epicenter of our town. Viewing NCC as central to the faith community in Naples, they wanted to offer weekly prayer meetings there, open to anyone. Chip Hull, who has championed the power of prayer in our church, with full support from Pastor Kirt, responded with a resounding “Yes!” – and the rest is history.
After the meeting, my first question to Pam was, “What was the impetus for these meetings?” Referring to the scripture above as inspiration, Pam explained that she and others have been praying for revival in Naples for over 20 years. About 4 years ago, a small prayer meeting, held weekly around the corner from the church, was created to start praying for the city. The current worship leader, Dawn, and Alex, who leads on Friday, were a part of the small group leading prayer walks around the perimeter of our church block.
Doors are open noon to 1:00 PM in NCC’s Sanctuary
Isaiah 12:3
You could say that after six months of these prayer meetings, NCC has been blessed as the “epicenter” of prayer and revival in Naples. Through these prayer meetings, with their inspired and committed leadership from multiple denominations, NCC is enabling a limitless outreach effort. I was told that healings have been recorded, addictions set free, diseases vanished, and that inner healings have occurred -- all testimonies of gifts from God. Those so gathered pray for our city, our area, our pastors and our churches, that we would be one body in Christ Jesus. Children are praying, and men and women are gathering to praise the Lord for what He is doing.
Their message to us:
Another example of Pastor Kirt’s vision of NCC being a church for the people and for the city of Naples.
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A Book Review by Kathy LeTarte
The Case for Faith
• Since miracles contradict science, they cannot be true
• Evolution explains life, so God isn’t needed
Lee Strobel was a journalist who began his faith journey in 1979 as an atheist and became a believer and a Christian in 1981. He subsequently wrote The Case for Christ. In The Case For Faith he revisits his journey, interviewing atheists as well as theologians and Biblical scholars, in search of answers to what he calls the Big Eight Objections to belief in God:
Yours will too.
by Lee Strobel
• A loving God would never torture people in hell
Member Spotlight events will resume in October. Wayne and Willi Pederson and Brenda and Pat O’Connor have already agreed to participate in the Fall season. Stay tuned . . .
event with an Anniversary Cake. Thank you, Mary and Tom!
This book contains documented notes, questions for study, and is excellent for your personal Faith journey as well as for group study.
• Since evil and suffering exist, a loving God cannot
• It’s offensive to claim that Jesus is the only way to God
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We can eat a healthy diet, exercise, have a vibrant social life with family and friends, and have enough money for all of our material needs and wants – yet still feel that something is Withoutmissing.
• God isn’t worthy of worship if He kills innocent children
Following all the research he did in writing this book, Strobel wrote: “In the end, my Faith would not just survive, it would thrive.”
• I still have doubts, so I can’t be a Christian
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Faith in God, our lives are meaningless – and we cannot have or even know the joy and fulfillment of a life in Christ. Even in accepting Christ, we may have doubts we are afraid to admit, and questions we are afraid to ask – believing that if we doubt, we certainly cannot be a Christian.
• Church history is littered with oppression and violence
Following the Sunday service on June 26, the actual date of their first anniversary, NCC’s Member Spotlight program featured Mary and Tom Miller. Over 70 people attended and Mary Rush surprised them after the
From Freedom in Christ Ministries . . . ficm.org – and shared with our team by NCC board member John Walter. We welcome the receipt of favorite Bible verses, poems, and quotes from NCC members for consideration in the Gulf Breeze.
Who am I that You should die to take away my sin?
The world has called me “stupid,” “fat,” and “lazy,” “waste of space” And I’ve taken on these labels and forgotten of Your grace I’ve bought the lies that hurt me. By the world I’ve been defined Forgetting You are shaping me. That in Your love I’ve been refined
Who am I that You’d take the time to change me from within? Who am I that You should pour Your Spirit into me? Who am I that You would give Your power to set me free?
You whisper, “You’re My precious child. Find yourself in Me. Forget those other labels. I’ve come to set you free. You’re accepted, you’re forgiven, you’re loved, you are My friend And I will never leave you. I’ll be with you til the end.
I am small and I am weak and often I am wrong I’m sometimes proud and sometimes shy and feel like I don’t belong I’m forgetful and impatient, stubborn and strong-willed I avoid the things that I should do and end up unfulfilled
But through it all You love me, You call me by my name It breaks Your heart to see me, bound by guilt and shame You urge me to let go of all my fears and selfish pride To walk each day in Your light and in Your love abide
We can make a difference. Help the world to know My love I’ve given you My spirit, power from up above I’ll walk each moment with you. Be My hands and feet The lost and lonely need Me. Evil will retreat.
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WHO AM I?
I trust you with My legacy. I’ll keep you in My will We’ll battle through together, and sometimes just be still. I’ve loved you more than you could know, since before the world began Help Me fill the God-shaped void in the heart of every man.”
NCC FUN AND FELLOWSHIP 10
MAKING THE MOST OF SUMMER END Words can go in any direction. Words can share letters as they cross over each other. AUTUMN FAMILY BASEBALL SUMMER GARDEN FRIENDS VACATIONS HARVEST TRAINS SWIMMING BARBECUES RAINS SUMMER STORMS AUTOMOBILES PICNICS AIRPLANES 11
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