On The

C O N TA C T U S
407.423.3441
To arrange a baptism
Contact Worship x1451

with Dr. David D.

To arrange a wedding
Contact Weddings x1453
To arrange a funeral or memorial service
Contact Pastoral Care x1455
To donate flowers for worship services
Contact Worship x1451 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we
With questions about your pledge,
donation, or budget profess, for He who promised is faithful. Let
Contact Finance x1479
With a change of address us not give up meeting together … but let us
Contact Membership x1471
To purchase a sermon CD or DVD
encourage one another.” Hebrews 10:23-25
Contact x1438

To join the Chancel Choir
Contact x1273
For child care reservations - Early Childhood
Contact x2250
To reach the Security Office
Contact 407-415-9793
For Weekday School
Contact 407-996-5864
To find out about Sunday school classes
Contact Spiritual Formation x1463
With questions about the FPCO Web site
or this Columns publication
Contact Communications x1467
To reserve meeting space
Contact Special Services x1469
Hospital Calls:
Hospitals are no longer able to notify us when
our members are hospitalized. If you know
someone who is in the hospital, please notify
the Pastoral Care office at x1455.
Pastoral Emergencies:
For pastoral emergencies outside of the 8:30am-
5pm church office hours, please leave a voice
mail message at the main church number. The
message center will page the minister on call,
who will reply as soon as possible.
Need Help?
Dependency assistance, cancer support group,
grief support, divorce care, infertility group,
please contact Pastoral Care x1455
I
t’s interesting to watch what motivates people to get together.
Last April 15, “tax day,” people gathered in 300 cities around
the country for “tea parties” in protest of higher taxes, among
other things. At about the same time, high schools around the
country got caught up in issues related to gay rights and the gay
community. Students were encouraged to not speak during the
school day as a sign of solidarity with gay students who are bul-
lied or otherwise marginalized. It was called the Day of Silence.
To answer that, Christian organizations called on their students to
have a Day of Truth on the same day. This effort was aimed at not
allowing the gay community to co-opt schools–and students—on
their behalf. Gatherings took place for both groups to begin and
end that day.
On a more personal level, Orlando city planners have decided
they want to change the zoning on a piece of land in Baldwin
Park, which happens to be right across the street from my house.
Zoned “open space” right now (which means a park), the city
wanted to change it to “civic,” thus paving the way for a fire sta-
tion to be put there. Well, you can imagine how all of our neigh-
bors felt about having a fire station at the entrance to our com-
munity, not to mention the lovely sound of sirens going off all
night. As a result, for the first time ever, our neighborhood started
meeting together. We were motivated.
As I observe these instances and many others, it makes me
wonder about the church—our church—and God’s call to us to

www.twitter.com/fpcorlando “meet together.” I see so many other groups energized, organized,

and passionate about their cause, and then I compare that to the
church, and I wonder, “Do we have that same passion and en-
ergy?” First, as Hebrews reminds us, we need it. We need the en-
Group: First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
couragement that comes from worshipping together and praying

2 | www.fpco.org
 Save the Date!

Way
For more details contact our main office at
407.423.3441

June 14-18, 2009

Swanson
Camp Geneva - Elementary Overnight Camp

June 1-30, 2009

Camp Wee Ones

June 9-July 29, 2009

MusikGarten Summer Classes

June 1-August 13, 2009

Esther-It’s Tough Being a Woman
Bible Study

June 29 - July 3, 2009

FPCO Serves at Daily Bread

June 20-24, 2009

June 22-26, 2009
together. We need to be in the body. At the same time, we are the keepers of July 6-10, 2009
the flame—the light—which a hurting world so desperately needs. Should Darrell Armstrong Basketball Camp
that not drive a passionate response from us? Should that not inspire us July 13-17, 2009
to meet together—to hear from one another—to plan and create ways to Upward Basketball and Cheer Camp

extend God’s Kingdom? I think it should, and I hope it will. July 2009
We must hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, and sometimes, we Combined Adult Sunday School Classes
Food Share Month
hold on to that hope by holding on to others. God IS faithful. He will see
July 13-17, 2009
you through, but also remember that you are a part of something much
Vacation Bible School
larger—a story much grander than your own. And it is that story—His
July 19-24, 2009
story—that will bless your life far beyond even the challenges of your cur- Fun in The Son High School Retreat
rent circumstances.
July 19-25, 2009
Guess what? Our church meets together every Sunday. I hope you’ll join The Great Escape Middle School Retreat
us as we endeavor to seek God through worship and discipleship, share
August 30, 2009
His love by reaching out to others, and serve those in need both here and K-Kids Promotion Sunday
around the world. May God grant you blessings and peace in these summer
August 25, 2009
months, and I remain Weekday School Prayer Walk

September 2009
Under His Mercy, Back to School Date Night

September 13-November 15, 2009

SONday Times

September 1-November 17, 2009

MusikGarten Fall Classes

David September 13-November 15, 2009

Fall Adult Class Events

September 17, 2009

Health and Fitness Fair

October 4-6, 2009

Fusion 2009

October 20, 2009

Kindergarten Readiness Workshop

November 6-8, 2009

The 2009 Marriage Retreat
www.fpco.org | 3
 Paging Dr. Thorp!
Paging Dr. Thorp!
By Dr. David Swanson, Senior Pastor

F or any pas-
tor, one of the
greatest achieve-
ments that can be
reached is the Doctor
of Ministry degree. It is one that requires great commitment and
sacrifice by both the individual and his/her family, not to men-
tion hours of study, travel, writing, and reading. Earned concur-
rently with one’s ministry, the DMIN is an enormous challenge,
yet one that also blesses the church as what has been learned
turns into new, effective ministry.
Our Session is pleased to announce that our Associate Pastor
for Mission and Evangelism, Rev. Charles S. “Case” Thorp III,
will receive his Doctor of Ministry degree in a hooding ceremo-
ny at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., on June
13, 2009. Rev. Thorp began his studies in June of 2004 through
the support of the Heart of the City Foundation and the Founda-
tion of First Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge, La. His studies
have focused on the area of Missional Ecclesiology, essentially
the study of how the church is called to be missional in na-
ture, even in the midst of a changing global and denominational
climate. His dissertation was entitled “Developing Missional
Leaders for the Central Florida Presbytery Through Theatre: A
Training Method and Experience.”
A reception honoring Rev. and Mrs. Thorp will be held in the
King Parlor following the 11am worship on Sunday, June 28.
Please join our Session in congratulating Rev. Thorp for this tre-
mendous accomplishment while also acknowledging his wife,
Jodi, for her sacrifices in helping to make this possible.

Women’s Ministry Brings

‘Women Together’
By Lori Needham, Prayer and Spiritual Formation Ministry

A s the Women’s Ministry continues to evolve and develop

into a ministry that builds community among our wom-
en, you will start to see “Women Together” as the designated
one another. In all things, Christ is the center, and as we form
bonds of friendship, we are reminded by Ecclesiastics 4:9-10,
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for
title for their events. their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his
The Women Together events will permit us to be flexible and companion.”
creative in designing opportunities for women to grow in LIFE,
which stands for Living for Christ, Inviting to Christ, Fellowship
in Christ, and Engaged with Christ. It will offer discipleship and
Watch for future
study events to promote service opportunities, fellowship, or
social events with friends, family, and neighbors. opportunities and
Whatever the event may be, it will be designed to connect
mark your calendar
women with other women to build consistent relationships, en-
courage them to invest time in each other, and develop trust in to attend. You won’t
be disappointed!
4 | www.fpco.org
 Chicago
Mystery
Trip
By Julianne Shirek, Student Ministry

T he weekend of April 17-19, we took a group of 26 middle

school students and leaders to the mysterious destination
of Chicago! For the past few months, we have been training and
then they were let loose in different playgrounds, using the
chalk to write down messages to the children playing there, as
well as anybody else that might walk through. Some students
equipping our middle school students in prayer, service, and even had kids join them as they drew. After we left, each play-
evangelism. We then gave them the opportunity to practice each ground was filled with chalk art that expressed the love of Jesus
of these in a mystery city. The students had no idea where we Christ to every-
were taking them until they showed up at the airport! one that came
Once we arrived, we went directly to the Daily Plaza in down- across it. It
town Chicago. This plaza is directly in front of one of the larg- was a blessing
est government buildings in the city. Students gathered in pairs to see God use
or groups of three and were given the opportunity to approach something as
different people and pray with them. It was amazing to see the simple as side-
students praying with so many different kinds of people from walk chalk to
so many different backgrounds. God was truly at work through impact the city
our students’ prayer ministry. of Chicago.
On Saturday, we were given the opportunity to continue our All in all, God’s hands were on our students as they put feet to
prayer ministry. We went on prayer walks through Indian and their faith. They were definitely challenged to step out of their
Vietnamese neighborhoods, praying for the people living there. comfort zone, and they definitely rose to the occasion. God did
We then had the opportunity to minister to the children of Chi- some amazing things while we were in Chicago, and it was an
cago. Our students were given buckets of sidewalk chalk, and honor to be a part of it.

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 SONday Times:
The Best Day of the Week
By Carol Welker, Director of Children’s Ministry

If you were anywhere near the second floor of Allen Hall on a Sunday night last fall, you know exactly what a good time looks like.
Nearly 100 children gathered there each Sunday for SONday Times, a program where kids sing, learn about praise and worship,
play games, and participate in a group Bible study.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. The kids also went on a field trip
to Westminster Towers, participated in a Christmas concert and held a
build-your-own pizza party, complete with their own wad of dough!
As we begin to focus on seeking, sharing, and serving at FPCO, I can
tell you SONday Times exemplified the best of all three initiatives. New
kids, old kids, and visiting kids came together to find each other and
God in a place that taught His truths and shared His love. They served
alongside their church family through worship and sent get well cards
to those on the hospital lists. They also paid a visit to the residents at
Westminster Towers, brightening their day with music and handmade
gifts. Through their Bible lessons about God’s economy, they learned
how to spend, save, and share, and through the sharing of their “cou-
pons” (which the ministry turned to cash) they donated $356 to the
Russell Home for Atypical Children.
Kids grew in their friendships with each
other, in their relationships with God, and in their
understanding of how they can serve their commu-
nity, at any age. Sounds like a great time, huh? Well
it was! And it will be again. SONday Times will be
back in the fall, bigger and better than
ever! So even though it will soon be
summer, make a note to yourself to be
a part of SONday Times this fall. We
will be back starting September 13,
and hope you will be there, too. Here
is what people are saying about their
experience with SONday Times:

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www.fpco.org |7|7
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 Children’s Choir
Hits a High Note
By Dina DuChene, Member
“M usic classes for toddlers and small children? You
must be kidding! What could children that age pos-
sibly learn from a music class?” Those were my first thoughts
after being approached about the Music Together (now Musik-
Garten) classes that First Presbyterian was offering the young
ones at the Infant Child Care Center. At the time, my son CJ
was two years old–with very little attention span and an ex-
tremely “busy” personality. There was no way he was going to
sit through any class. Nonetheless, I decided to give it a try. If
nothing else, it would be a unique opportunity for me to spend
some time with my son, listening to music in the company of
many other “busy” little bees. Little did I know what an impact
this was going to have on my little boy.
The classes were a wonderful time to watch the children lis-
ten, move, dance, and experience all kinds of different music,
from all kinds of different instruments, in their own way. It
was also fun to see the interaction between the parents and the
children. I mean, that’s what “Music Together” was all about—
experiencing it together with your child. Stephanie Mixner of-
fered different modalities to help the children truly engage and
feel the music. At this point, I was just happy that my son was
having such a fun time, running around with other little ones,
burning off some energy and being exposed to so many sounds.
I was also happy that Stephanie was so patient with all that
energy.
Then, one day out of nowhere, CJ started humming one of the
8 | www.fpco.org
songs we had been listening to. Not only did he seem to get the
tempo, he was actually on key! Even more importantly, it was
coming from his heart; he seemed so happy! During the course
of the various classes we took, we listened to the CDs, sang the
songs and tried out the tempos (that sometimes took the form
of tapping his spoon on the table during dinner). As he grew,
I thought—and feared—that his interest would wane. Quite
the contrary, he seemed to really grow to love music. He even
participated in a music camp at another local church during
the summer and really enjoyed the different instruments they
learned about. He especially loved the guitar and wants to “play
like Wil [Wil Brown]” when he gets older. (Unfortunately, his
music teacher during that camp informed me that although CJ
requested AC/DC, they could not play it at church. We’ll keep
working on that.)
Now six, he participates in Children’s Choir—even with some
of the children with whom he had classes when they were still
in diapers. It is so wonderful to see him singing with the other
children when they participate in church! He loves the music
classes, which is easy to understand with such amazing people
like Ms. Stephanie, Ms. Katie Grace, Ms. Dottie, and all the oth-
ers who make it all happen. I have absolutely no doubt that CJ
would not be involved in the Children’s Choir program today
had it not been for that early childhood exposure to music!
Summer Plans for Adult
Education Classes
By Lori Needham, Prayer and Spiritual Formation Ministry
A s many of us prepare for some much needed summer
vacations, the Prayer and Spiritual Formation Committee
also wanted to give our faithful adult Sunday class leaders some
time off from weekly preparation. During the month of July,
all adult Sunday school classes will merge together to meet in
the Sanctuary during the education hour, 9:45-10:45am. Three
guest teachers have agreed to lead you through these thought-
provoking lessons: Ron Peri, Kent Sterchi, and Rev. Case
Thorp.
Combining the adult education classes will help build unity
among our many classes that are scattered throughout the cam-
pus, and it will also be a great time for you to invite those who
do not regularly attend a weekly Sunday school class to come
and join a larger group and participate in some excellent les-
sons.
When we reconvene in August in our usual classroom set-
tings, perhaps you will have new members in your class to greet
as you prepare for your fall lessons! Please note that no adult
Sunday classrooms will be open in July. This will be a welcome
break for our hardworking team of leaders, as well as our facil-
ity staff who work so tirelessly to set up our class rooms!
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Donna McClel-
lan at 407.423.3441 x1488 or dmcclellan@fpco.org.
www.fpco.org | 9
 II Found
Found My
My Voice
Voice at
at FPCO
FPCO
I Found My Voice at FPCO
I Found My Voice at FPCO
By Katie Grace Miller, Member

I distinctly remember the first time I

got to stand on the blue steps in front
of the congregation at First Presbyterian
Church. I was four years old and in a little
white robe (the ones that the cherub choir
wears today), and back then, we had big
red and purple bows on the front. My
mother always used to say that we looked
like big presents. We were escorted onto
the steps and we sang “If I were a Butter-
fly.” This song is still one of my favorites.
I get a huge rush from leading others in
worship and getting any attention at all
in general, but that day, and many after
that, God put a love in my heart for lead-
ing others in worship through music.
Year after year I looked forward to lead-
ing others in worship at the church. I
loved the way that adults would come up
to us and tell us how beautiful our music
was. Imagine, adults coming up to you as
a kid and telling you how you touched
their heart! Those countless compli-
ments that the children’s choir would
get just filled more of God’s love into my
heart. I sang a solo when I was in middle
school at our annual Christmas concert.
It was Mariah Carey’s “Jesus Born on this
Day” and it was the first time I had ever
sung a solo with a choir singing behind

10 | www.fpco.org
me. It was the most powerful thing I had
ever experienced and it was also the time
that I became most convinced that this is
how Jesus wanted me to spread His Word.
Singing to the congregation and being a
leader at only 12 years old empowered
me in my faith to minister to others. There
were so many opportunities for leader-
ship as well. We sang on Sunday morn-
ings on the chancel steps, but we didn’t
stop there. The children’s choir partici-
pated in big concerts and traveled around
the community singing and spreading the
Word of God. Just like in our children’s
choirs now, our FPCO kids are receiving
real life experiences on being the messen-
gers of God’s Word!
I continued to attend First Presbyte-
rian in my childhood and teenage years
and grew in my relationship with Jesus.
Through music, I came to understand
that being a leader in the church doesn’t
mean you have to be the minister and it
also doesn’t mean you have to be an adult.
When Jesus created the world, I think He
purposefully made children and music
like peanut butter and jelly. They just go
together so well. Children have that abili-
ty to sing without reservation and to speak
the truth honestly. What a wonderful way
to receive the Word of Jesus Christ!
When I came back to Orlando from
college, I sang with the Chancel Choir
and Canticum Novum, an auditioned en-
semble. A year into it, Dr. Rebecca Bedell
came to me and said, “We are going to
begin the children’s choirs and we want
you to help us out.” Well, I must say that
it has been pretty surreal now being the
leader of the choirs that I was a part of
when I was a child.
It is such an amazing experience to
teach children how to become leaders
through music. God certainly had a plan
all along for my life at this church: To
“I thank God every day for the amazing
opportunity to come back and serve the church
that served me so faithfully during my life.”
show our congregation that children are
just as much leaders as the elders and dea-
cons. Choirs are a way for them to build
their relationship with Jesus and create
the confidence needed in sharing His
Word with others.
Children’s choirs have many oppor-
tunities to perform and lead throughout
the year. You might be thinking, “Every
time they sing is a performance, isn’t
it?” Leading in worship and performing
are two separate events. An example of a
performance is when we performed at the
Christmas concert this year. People came
to hear a concert and the event focused
completely around musical aspects of the
birth of Jesus. When the children’s choirs
sing during Sunday service, it is not con-
sidered a performance. We want the chil-
dren to focus less on the fact that they are
singing in front of people, and more on
the fact that they are singing and lead-
ing people deeper into their relationship
with Jesus. A performance is defined as
something that is for pure entertainment.
Although it is very entertaining when the
children sing in church, the main focus is
our Lord. We want children to remember
that God has called us to bring people to
a personal relationship with Him and one
of the ways we can do that is by singing
His praises.
“Do you hear what these children are
saying?” they asked Him. “Yes,” replied
Jesus. “Have you never read, ‘from the lips
of children and infants you have ordained
praise?’” Matthew 21:16.
Jesus has put children in a very high
position in His church. We, as Christians,
should look to them as examples and
praise Jesus with all our heart, soul, and
mind.
Children’s choir will allow this con-
viction and truth to run deep in the hearts
of your children. I found my confidence
in Christ and my heart for Jesus through
music. I have heard the excuse before
from parents and children, “But I’m just
not good at music!” Not true. God put the
gift of music in everyone, but it’s our job
to practice and nurture it to use it for His
glory. Take advantage of this opportunity,
because before you know it, kids are not
kids anymore.
There are several opportunities for
children to get involved in music at the
church. SONday Times will start back up
again in the fall (read Carol Welker’s ar-
ticle “SONday Times: The Best Day of the
Week” for more information). For those
with children younger than four years
old, MusikGarten is a wonderful program
that happens year-round to prepare your
child’s musical ear for God’s glory. I am
blessed to be able to teach MusikGarten
classes every once in a while, and it puts
a smile on my face to watch these young
ones begin their musical journey. I started
mine early and it has only brought me
grace and persistence in my Christian
faith.
I thank God every day for the amaz-
ing opportunity to come back and serve
the church that served me so faithfully
during my life. I look forward to leading
the children’s choirs and learning more
from them every day.
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 ‘Immeasurably More’
Mission Tithe Update:

By Rev. Case Thorp, Associate Pastor for Mission & Evangelism

Before... Today!

W ow, what a change three years, $240,000, and God’s

people can make. Time, money, and resources, all gifts
from God and all directed by His Spirit, have come together to
begun to function as a medical clinic and rehabilitation center.
Soon it will be finished and contain a pharmacy, dental rooms,
counseling suites, and a minor-surgery unit. A line of mothers
see great transformation come to the Mission Emanuel due to and children were waiting to get in where Dr. Maria Mosquea
the Immeasurably More Campaign. would treat their illnesses. I met several families leaving the
When I first visited the Mission Emanuel (ME), a small but clinic with their baby on a path to health and their hearts com-
mighty outreach for Christ in two villages outside Santo Do- forted in knowing that a minor illness would not claim the life
mingo, Dominican Republic, a large hole had been dug in the of their child.
side of a hill. As with many of the half-completed buildings
on the grounds of ME, the leadership of the ministry makes a
conscious decision to move forward with construction as God For his inaugural jour-
provides the resources. If God only provides enough money for ney, Dwight, the FPCO Mis-
a single floor, then that floor is built and iron bars poke out the sion Dino, was pleased with
concrete slabs for another day, another provision. what he saw at Mission
An incredible provision has come through our congrega- Emanuel. He also enjoyed
tion and to the ME. Two-thirds of a 16,000 square-foot building an evening out with Lindsay
is close to completion. The bottom floor will soon hold an edu- and Elliot Drake for dinner.
cational science center for surrounding school children. The Stay tuned for more updates
middle floor, which I toured with tears in my eyes, has already on Dwight, as he travels the world sending word back about FP-
CO’s global mission work!
12 | www.fpco.org

Waiting for the doctor
seems to be a universal
experience!
The highest of health and
safety standards are met in
the water bottling plant.
How, you might ask, can such a medical clinic be sup-
ported year in and year out? It is great to have a fresh new
building, but certainly the expenses of such a program can
be taxing on a ministry primarily dedicated to providing
education through two local schools and providing space
for both Dominican and Haitian churches. The new Cielo
water bottling plant is the answer! This amazing facility,
just opposite the compound from the new building with the
medical clinic, currently produces 400 individual bottles Lindsay and Elliot Drake,
of fresh, purified drinking water and a comparable amount FPCO supported missionaries, are
of five gallon water jugs. Even the local villagers there in now serving full time at Mission
Cielo and Nazaret do not trust the water provided by the Emanuel in the Dominican Re-
city’s waterworks. They will gladly pay for water that has public. They are expecting their
been taken from the city line and purified. The risk of water first child around the beginning
borne illness disappears, jobs are created, and more impor- of June. The Mission Committee
tantly, a profit is made that supports the work of the medi- contributed $100 towards their
cal clinic. Please be in prayer for future contracts with area new rocking chair. The recent
resorts that are considering featuring Cielo water in their men’s short-term mission trip
facilities. Such an arrangement could generate upwards of helped finish off the nursery with
$5,000 per month for the clinic’s operations! some beautiful murals. Mom and
Dad-to-be are quite excited!

Distribution of the Immeasurably More Mission Tithe

The first 10 percent of all proceeds received for the Immeasurably More campaign have been allocated to the following
organizations in the following amounts. For more information on these projects, please contact Rev. Case Thorp.

Organization Fall, ‘06 Spring, ‘07 Spring, ‘08 Spring, ‘09 Total to Date
Compassion International $ 50,000 $40,000 $50,000 $40,000 $ 180,000
AIDS/HIV Africa Fund
Mission Emanuel $100,000 $40,000 $60,000 $40,000 $ 240,000
New Building Fund- Dominican Republic
Overseas Council $ 50,000 $40,000 $50,000 $40,000 $ 180,000
Seminaries Impacting the Muslim World for Christ
Five Youth Organizations
Student Ventures $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
FCA $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
Young Life $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
House of Hope $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000
Frontline Outreach $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 $38,000

*Homeless Service Center $124,750 $124,750

Total amount given in mission work through the Immeasurably More Campaign $914,750

*The Session had originally tagged a New Church Development project to receive Immeasurably More Mission Tithe funds. However, as the
initiative failed to gain momentum, the Homeless Service Center project caught the attention of the Session and a decision was made to direct any
NCD monies towards establishing the Homeless Service Center.

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 Upcoming Events:
Upward Basketball and Cheer Camps for K–5th Grade Kids

Parking
The Recreation Ministry invites you to join us for Upward Basket-
ball or Upward Cheer Camp following Vacation Bible School this
summer; July 13-17, from 1-4pm! Bring your lunch if attending

Garage
VBS and we’ll bring them from VBS, to lunch, and on to Camp!
The fee is $75 if paid by June 26. Registration deadline is July 8.
Registration forms are available at www.fpco.org/upwardcamp to
print, complete and send in with payment or drop off at the Rec

Notice
Ministry between 9am-6pm. For more information, contact An-
gela Brown or Alice Fortunato 407.206.2406 or abrown@fpco.org
or afortunato@fpco.org.

MusikGarten Summer Session to Start June 9

Looking for something to do with your little one over the summer?
MusikGarten is a great way to spend some quality time with your
child while both of you are learning! MusikGarten summer ses-
sion will be June 9–July 28. Register online until June 13. Invite
your friends to join you for this wonderful opportunity for you
and your child! For class descriptions, as well as other informa-
The new downtown movie theater offi-
tion about our program, visit www.fpco.org/childrensmusic. For
cially opened on May 28. The theater is
additional information, contact Stephanie Mixner at 407.423.3441
located in the Plaza building on the cor-
x1186 or smixner@fpco.org.
ner of Church St. and Orange Ave. Parking
Register for Student Ministry Retreats by June 14 for the theater is being provided in sev-
Fun in The Son (July 19-24): High school students will enjoy a eral locations; one of which is the Orange
week-long retreat on the beach packed with great music, amaz- County Administration Garage (FPCO is
ing speakers, awesome tournaments, and plenty of time to make allocated the 5th and 6th floors and Sun-
memories with their friends. The cost will be $480 if registering day mornings)
by June 14.
The parking garage will require the use of
The Great Escape (July 19-25): Middle school students will en- a parking access card, validated ticket, or
joy this amazing week-long camp in Jackson, MS. They will have payment during the following hours:
the opportunity to go canoeing, ride horses, take on the ropes
course, enjoy the famous blob, and so much more. The cost is Monday – Friday: 6am-3am
$500 if registering by June 14. Saturday: 11am-3am
These retreats are the highlight of the year! There is still time to Sunday: 1pm-3am
register at www.fpco.org/register.
FPCO members may purchase a parking
July is Food Share Month!
access card for $10 at the Welcome Cen-
July is Food Share Month with the Christian Service Center.
ter desk, in the EMC lobby desk during
There are two opportunities for you to serve the hungry of Orlan-
regular business hours. The access card
do during the month. The first week of July is historically FPCO’s
is convenient for anyone who uses the
opportunity to serve lunch to the homeless through CSC’s Daily
garage on a daily or weekly basis. If you
Bread program. To serve as an individual or with a group, contact
prefer to validate your parking ticket, the
Susie Kemper at KemperS@ocps.net or 407.273.0687. The second
church receptionist is happy to do so dur-
opportunity is to bring pantry items on Sundays in July, which
ing regular business hours.
will be collected and distributed through the CSC Food Pantry. To
assist with the collection, contact Londra Meade at lmead1@cfl.
rr.com or 407.275.0156.
FPCO business hours are M-F
8:30am-5:00pm

18 | www.fpco.org
News & Notices
Congratulations to:
Mari Jean Hansen and Kevin Clayton Ball, married on April
4, 2009, in the Sanctuary. Kevin is the son of Robby and Mar-
gie Ball and the grandson of Ruth Johnson.
The family and friends of Jane Cole who died April 25, 2009.
Alice Hart on the death of her father, Harold Brooks, on April
25, 2009.

Chandra Elizabeth Lynn Hodoval and Dustin Brand Broad-
bent, married on Nov. 22, 2008, in Downtown Atlanta’s
historic North Avenue Presbyterian Church. Chandra is the
daughter of Linnie and Charlie Hodoval.
Lauren Anne Voorhees and John Sid Demateis, married on
May 2, 2009, in the Sanctuary. Lauren is the daughter of Sue
and Gregory Voorhees and the granddaughter of Berta and
Donald Voorhees.
Maureen Eleanor McGuire and William Franklin Arwood,
married on May 2, 2009, in Knowles Chapel at Rollins Col-
lege, in Winter Park. Maureen is the daughter of Rebecca and
David Mitchell.
Jody and Hal Litchford on the death of her father, William Ma-
teer, on April 27, 2009.
Nancy and Rick Veteto, on the death of his mother, Christine
Veteto, on April 28, 2009 and his sister-in-law, Wanda Wester,
on April 30, 2009.
JoAnne and Glenn BeBout on the death of her mother, Evon
Hancock, on April 28, 2009.
The family and friends of Elbert Hennig, who died April 28,
2009.
Dan Miller on the death of his mother, Garnet Miller, on May
2, 2009.

April ’09 Giving Snapshot

Stephanie and Jeff Muddell, on the birth of their son, Charles
Phillippe Muddell, born May 5, 2009. General Contributions Budgeted Surplus/
Operating (Deficit)
April Gifts $ 502,697 $ 499,562 $3,135
Benita and Samuel Weems, on the birth of their daughter, So-
Fiscal Year-
phia Eaneh Weems, born May 6, 2009.
to-date Gifts $5,840,738 $6,218,835 $(378,097)
Sympathy to: Line of Credit $0
Immeasurably More Outstanding Balance $4,529,649
Myrtle Amundson on the death of her mother, Myrtle Chris-
tine Amundson, on April 8, 2009. IM April Gifts $147,404
IM Fiscal Year-to-date Gifts $1,649,840
Kathleen Young on the death of her sister, Lida Merritt, on (net of 10% tithe to Missions)
April 11, 2009.
Contact Finance for a full revenue & expense summary.
Linda Borkoski on the death of her father, Robert Cannon, on
April 11, 2009. Mr. Cannon was the grandfather of Shannon
Borkoski.

Mary Beth and Dave Riccaboni on the death of his mother, De-
lores Riccaboni, on April 14, 2009.
The vision of First Presbyterian
Mary Ann and Lowrie Brown on the death of his mother, Mar- Church of Orlando is to empower a
garet Brown, on April 21, 2009. Mrs. Brown was the grand- diverse body of confessing believ-
mother of Laura Brown, Lowrie W. “Skipper” Brown and John
ers, who seek to know and worship
M. Brown.
God, share His eternal love, and
Sean McCory on the death of his grandmother, Erna McRory, humbly serve a broken world.
on April 21, 2009.

Jacqueline Ready on the death of her father, Raymond Ready,

on April 24, 2009. Mr. Ready was the grandfather of Raymond
and Alexzandria Roberts.

www.fpco.org | 19
 First Presbyterian Church of Orlando PERIODICALS RATE
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Presbyterian Church. Circulation: 4750. (3750 by US Mail, 1000
by on campus distribution). Periodicals postage paid at Orlando,
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106 East Church Street ©2008 First Presbyterian Church of Orlando COLUMNS.

Orlando, Florida 32801 POSTMASTER: Time Sensitive Material

407.423.3441 | www.fpco.org Please Deliver by June 9, 2009

Traditional Services: Sundays, 8:30 &

11am in the Sanctuary
Genesis Services: Sunday, 8:30 &
11am in Lee Fellowship Hall

The Joy of Giving

By Dr. David Swanson, Senior Pastor

W e have been blessed in the past four months to see a

24 percent increase in giving over the same period in
2008. God is doing some amazing things in our understanding
ing the summer months.
Thanks for your continuing growth in giving, and may God be
glorified in all that we do!
of stewardship!
Monthly Giving and Expenses 2008
During the Economy of God series, we also talked
about the joy of giving regularly. Each Sunday, we
$1,600,000
take up an offering—not as a ploy to pay the elec-
tric bill—but as an act of worship in which we yield
$1,400,000
what belongs to God for His use and glory. If we only
write one check once a year, we miss that opportu-
$1,200,000
nity to worship God in that way. It is also important
to recognize the giving patterns of this congregation.
$1,000,000
As you will see from the enclosed chart, our giving
spikes in December, while it drops to challenging
lows in June, July, August, and September. The red $800,000

line represents our expenses. While giving drops,

our expenses remain the same. Thus, the challenge $600,000
for our church is to learn to give on a regular basis,
regardless of whether we are in town or not, so that $400,000
we can meet our expenses faithfully and avoid the
costly interest payments that come with a need to $200,000
dip into our line of credit. We hope this gives you a
better understanding of the needs of our church dur- $0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

2008 Giving 2008 Expenses