MAY-AUGUST 2011

Westminster Window
Westminster Presbyterian Church Bob Brunson, Senior Pastor
Worship

Teaching

Nurture

Reaching

Dear Friends,
I have been working in Outlook today, and thats gotten me thinking. Now, I didnt say I was working on my outlook, mind you. No, as many of you know, Outlook is a software program that Bill Gates and his Microsoft crew invented to help us keep track of our schedule and appointments and tasks, and its a very helpful piece of technology...when it works. Of course, when it doesnt work as expected, Outlook can affect ones outRev. Bob Brunson look in a negative fashion, thus requiring work...and thus bringing us back to where we startedwhich is to say that I have been working in Outlook today, and thats gotten me thinking. One of the amazing things about Outlook is that you can tell it to remind you of things that you might otherwise forget, like birthdays and anniversaries and holidays both familiar and obscure, and it will. In addition, it can remind you of jobs that need doing, and even remind you to do the same job daily, weekly, monthly or annually, freeing your mind for more important thingsor so the theory goes. If I could only train Outlook to actually do some of the things it so faithfully reminds me to do, wed be in business. As we come to the end of the Spring and the beginning of Summer, perhaps it would be good to set a few reminders for ourselves as we launch forward into yet another season. So, what do we need to remember? Here are a few things to consider:
First, lets remember to be grateful. I know that we usually talk about gratitude when football is on TV and the turkey is in the oven, but gratitude to God for all the good things Hes done for us and all the good things He has for us is always in season. God has been kind to us in many ways in 2011, and we need to thank Him for them. Second, lets remember to maintain our balance. Ive always found Summer to be a challenging time, largely because the freedoms of Summer disrupt the routines and disciplines necessary to maintain a solid center of gravity as believers. A life centered on worship and the community of Christ to which Hes given us is just as necessary when the sun is high and the afternoon rains fall as it is when paradise is fully in session here in the wintertime. Lets not forget to build times with the Lord into busy travel and play schedules, even if we have to work just a little harder than normal to do it. Third, lets remember to catch our breath. After looking at reminder #2 there, it might be tempting to think that Im opposed to having fun in the Summer. Quite the contrary were going to have some fun as a congregation, were going to keep a little different pace, and I would encourage you to do the same in the little congregation of your household as well. And finally, lets remember to look to the future. Even while we step away from the ordinary to enjoy Summers different pace, lets remember that there is still much for us to do as we pursue the gathering and perfecting of those God is calling to Himself through our ministry together as a church that longs to be healthy, holy and happy in the gospel in the months and years to come.

In This Issue

Worship Missions Youth WOW Children Summit Hope

[2] [3] [4][5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

lets remember to be grateful to maintain our balance to catch our breath to look to the future.
- Pastor Bob Brunson

May the Lord bless you richly this summer! Bob

May-August 2011 Page 1

Worship at Westminster
Randy Thomas, Director of Worship

Spring &
Summer 2011
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints.
Ps. 149:1
Founders Picnic at Lakes Park ! We sang, honored our veterans, and took time to glorify God and thank Him for being with us every step of the way. In August, we return to our regular Potluck Fellowship on campus. Whew! Now, well press on (Phil. 3:14) toward a very busy fall. By Gods grace, Westminster is growing and thriving. Now, let me encourage you to roll up your sleeves and join in the work! With everyone pitching in, its not a burdensome thingits a joy! As the Apostle Paul taught in Ephesians, Chapter 4, we are to be unified in our efforts: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Beloved, we each have different skills, and ways that God enables us to serve one anotherto equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. God has equipped us to equip one another. Isnt that great? No job is unimportant and no talent is unneeded. We have great diversity in our gifts, in order to show great unity in our mission. Lets serve each other this summer as the body of Christ!

Randy Thomas

Its been a whirlwind of activity at Westminster! So many of our folks are getting involved and getting things done! We kicked off 2011 with an invigorating Wednesday Night Live schedule of classes and choir. Meanwhile, our Sunday worship services swelled in size. Perhaps more importantly, we have felt a renewal of brotherly love in our fellowship. God is good, all the time! Our March 19th USO Show/ Big Band 40s Night was the hit of the season. Our folks recounted some of the hardships and blessings of the World War II era. We dressed in 40s garb, so we could dance and look the part. Pat and Mike McGinnis taught us how to cut a rug. We had a parade of great singers and talent, capped off with the amazing WPC Big Band! It was so cool, Im sure well find a time to bring the Big Band back again!

On April 6th, our beloved Common Ground Youth and awesome DV8 band capped off our Wednesday Night Live seasonal run. Also in April, we added a monthly Bring Praise! Sunday night fellowship to our regular schedule of services, increasing our prayer time together. On April 13th, we had about 80 people enjoy our 5th Annual Christian Passover Seder in the Fellowship Hall. We worshiped on Palm Sunday, the 17th, attended the somber Seven Last Words service on the 22nd, followed by a joyous Resurrection Sunday on the 24th! We continue to meet the 2nd Sunday of each month for a very special hour of Bring Praise, a time of prayer and praise together. And what about the first Sunday of each month? This is when we resumed our Potluck Fellowship following the 11:00 a.m. service on May 1st and again on June 5th. July 3rd was our smokin hot Annual May-August 2011

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George an amazing story

By Vangie Peaslee
In March of 1978, we were living in Puebla, Mexico. Paul served as Field Director for the country. He made careful arrangements to insure a mission team from a church in Oak Park, IL would have a wonderful ten day visit. He planned an itinerary so that the guests could see not only what our CAM Missionaries were doing but included visits for archeological sites, museums, a restaurant that featured a bull fight (the bull was a calf and one of our guests was the toreador!) a visit to the then new Campus Crusade Center in Cuernavaca, and a visit to the Wycliffe Bible Translators base in Mexico City. Those were Pauls plans, but God added a few more of his own. The team arrived on a Saturday and included eight men and Tommy, a teenage son of one of the men. That mans name was George. Sunday morning we attended a small, recently built church that was complete except for adding a fence and gate around the property. The previous day Paul had asked two of the men to give a brief testimony in the Sunday service. Paul would translate to Spanish so the people could understand. George was one of the chosen. He was apprehensive because he had never given a public testimony. Afterward he was extremely happy knowing that he had done it! The week was full with the above activities. For transport, we were using our VW van, and one of our guests was driving a borrowed car. We were trying to get to our hotel in Mexico City when we got

MISSIONS

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations - Matthew 28:19

caught in a demonstration by the petroleum workers. It was really scary, but we all arrived safely at the hotel. Our rooms were assigned and we were given a room on the second floor, and the mens rooms were on the sixth. After we had eaten , had devotions together and went to our rooms, we felt the building shake, a tremor enough to shake but not harm. Those in the upper floors felt it more than we did. It soon passed, but by now the guys were ready to go home! However, there were still things to see and do. The next day it was raining. Nevertheless, souvenirs had to be purchased so we went to the big Mercado with its jewelry, hats, purses, etc., etc. Later that evening we had team devotions in our room. Tommy was there and said his dad wasnt feeling well. About an hour after everyone had returned to their rooms, Tommy called us and said he thought his dad was having a heart attack! We immediately called for the hotel home. When I couldnt get through to any airline services, it occurred to me to call the pastor of the church in Oak Park and see if he could make the arrangements from that end. Yes, they could get them on a 5:00 a.m. flight. We took them to the airport, but what about George? When offices opened in the morning, Paul and another member of the team spent hours making legal arrangements to get the body shipped back to the US. A few months later, a money gift was sent to be used to make a wrought iron gate for the little church where George gave his personal testimony. What a beautiful memorial. Every time we visited the Momoxpan church, we thought of George. But that isnt the end of Georges story. Twelve years later in March of 1990, we were in Oak Park to participate in a Missions Conference at the church that had sent the team. We stopped by the church to find out where we were to stay. The church secretary called the lady in care of assigning the places. The lady was saving her house in case someone had been left out, and she invited us to stay with her. The surprise was that this woman was Georges widow! She was still hurting from losing her husband. We were able to talk through some issues to help her understand about Gods love and ways. We told her about how much he had enjoyed himself and about his last days. She was very appreciative and told us she was glad that we had come, especially at that timethe anniversary of Georges homegoing. Coincidence? We dont think so!! We thank God daily for His guidance in our lives. His plans are so much better than ours!

doctor. In the meanwhile, one of the team members and I tried to resuscitate George. We worked for a long time, hoping the doctor would come, but he didnt arrive until much later and it was too late. We had finally given up on our efforts. We could tell only Georges body was there. He had gone to his heavenly home. Here we were in the biggest city in Mexico. We had had a busy day and now it was already the next day. We were tired and confused. We needed to make some arrangements with the airline to get Tommy and several of the men

Someone asked Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved? It is more a question with me whether wewho have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have notcan be saved.
Charles Spurgeon
May-August 2011 Page 3

common ground

Youth

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7
We recently celebrated the graduation of six members of our youth group. One of the joys of being a member of this church family is that we can all share a small bit of the pride their parents feel in their accomplishments. We praise God for their spiritual growth and scholastic success. On the other hand, we know the youth group will miss their leadership and spiritual maturity. They have poured their hearts and souls into helping create a special place for young Christians to enjoy fellowship, find foundational faith teaching, and grow unique friendships that will last a lifetime. They have left some mighty big shoes to fill. We recently got the graduates to slow down just long enough to share some of their thoughts on their time with Common Ground. We also asked what theyre looking forward to as they begin the next phase of their lives. Colton Ely graduated from Ft. Myers High and will attend Edison College this fall. He is excited to take college classes and begin the college life experience. He is also eager to see how God intends to use these experiences and this new-found knowledge in his adult life. Colton wants everyone to know how much he has been blessed to grow up in and be a part of the Westminster family and the youth group. Colton s fondest memories of Common Ground include participating in events such as Fear Factor. Ashley Forrester graduated from Cypress Lake High School and will become a Gator at the University of Florida . She is most looking forward to dancing (which will be her major) every day, exploring the campus, joining RUF, and skiing on Lake Wauburg . In addition to events such as lock-ins, shaving cream sock wars, and trips, some of her fondest Common Ground memories include DV8 practice led by Paul Carroll , Forrest Moretz s lessons (complete with his terrible sense of humor), building deep friendships, getting to know God better, and realizing how much she loves to serve. As a parting thought, Ashley urges those still involved in our youth group to Go BURN for Gods glory and dont ever stop, even if it gets hot. Remember, you cannot out-run His love or out-sin His grace. Do all that you do to the glory of God, because He made you, and life just seems to go better and be
continued.

Josh

ey effr J

Ashl ey

Robbie

Colton

May-August 2011

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...continued

Away we go...
easier when applying this philosophy to life. She would like to add one more thing. Listen to the old people. Despite common belief, they are actually awesome. Amen. I think. Jeffrey Harvey graduated from Ft. Myers High and will attend FGCU. He is eagerly anticipating utilizing his college life experiences and education to continue the transition from childhood to adulthood. He is already involved in a campus ministry. Jeffrey says we have a great youth group, and he hopes everyone in the group works on building relationships with all members of the church family, not just the other youth. He told me a little bit about a game the youth group used to play called Fortress, which evidently could only be properly conducted at midnight. It sounded dangerous, which might at least partially explain why its no longer played at least not that we know of. Robbie Linklater hasnt yet graduated from high school, but he did graduate to a new adventure in his life. He completed his junior year of high school at Evangelical Christian School and will soon begin his senior year in a one-year program at the University of North Carolina College of the Arts, where he will concentrate on drama. He is eager to learn more about acting, becoming more independent, and beginning the college experience. Among Robbies most memorable Common Ground experiences were the lock-ins, shaving cream sock wars, and his work with the Drameo team. He encourages his entire church family to continue growing in Christ and learning and growing in fellowship with each other. Josh Moretz graduated from Southwest Florida Christian Academy and will attend FGCU, where he knows he will have the opportunity to meet new people and experience new things in an entirely new atmosphere. The memory from Common Ground that Josh will most fondly hold was his first youth leader weekend. This was a retreat that allowed the student leaders
May-August 2011

to spend an extended amount of time together. They created lasting friendships and developed a common faith purpose. His message to the youth group is that while high school can be a difficult time of life, and it can feel as if lasts forever, its important to recognize and enjoy the little things that will generate lasting memories. Alex von Zittwitz graduated from Hibernian, a private school, and will attend FGCU. Hed like to let everyone know that graduation was awesome, and that WPC has been a true blessing in his life by encouraging him and helping him grow in his knowledge of the Lord. As he starts his college adventure, he is especially looking forward to meeting new people. Alex also talked about how much fun he had playing games with the youth group, especially the notorious Fortress. As we send Colton, Ashley, Jeffrey, Robbie, Josh, and Alex on to the next phase of their natural and spiritual lives, Colossians 1:9-14 comes to mind: we have not stopped praying for you and : asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. Ephesians 2:22

Women of Westminster
March brought us a lovely time together at

Divine Design Tea with guest speaker, Reci Hedman.

We shared scones, finger sandwiches, delectable dessertsand, of course, several of our favorite teas! The various teapots and cups were gathered from amongst our Westminster sisters, with many borrowed from Yvonne Schneff. Did you know there was a time Yvonne almost opened a tea room? The Taste of WOW was a smashing success! We enjoyed the many dishes brought by the ladies, were delighted by the culinary gifts of Kathryn Kelly, and shared in a special devotion by Pam Stanley.

W O W
May-August 2011

Please continue to send us your favorite recipes for our new Westminster cookbook! These do not need to be original recipes - just favorites. Submit as many as you like! The WOW Book Club was designed to provide a time of gathering for the women in the church to share in thoughtful discussion of good books, both fiction and non-fiction, with an emphasis on how these works impact our faith in todays world. We meet once a month for coffee and discussion at Pam Stanleys. Past reads include The Hole in

A Severe Mercy, The Help. We are currently reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn and will meet August 17.

Be sure to mark your calendar for our Annual WOW Retreat coming October 28-29! We will welcome Bette Morgan as our Our Gospel, Hotel on the Corner guest speaker and enjoy the fine of Bitter and Sweet, A Praying Life, cooking of our own Tammy Jones!

Our Goal

To explore how and why God puts us together to become His dwelling place.
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Coral, Thank you, Miss Coral for teaching, nurturing, and guiding our children for these many years. We love and appreciate you!
I loved the lessons, teaching, bible stories and everything about childrens church. I love Miss Coral.

Kids!! Heres your chance

to win a free ice cream!!!
What should our new kids page be called?
Kids (12 and under) we need a catchy name for the kids page and are looking to YOU for help! Please submit your idea to the office or email to office@wpcfortmyers.org. A Loveboat ice cream certificate will be given to the winner!

y an R

Da n te

I love Ms. Coral. I learned about sitting in church, the bread and wine, and bible stories from Ms. Coral.

Dear Miss Coral, Thanks for being my teacher. I loved the snacks we had. I loved playing on the playground with Dante and Ryan. Love, Austin

tin us A

Hey kids! Submit your artwork to the office for the next newsletter! Show us what autumn looks like to you.

Naomi
volunteers in the nursery on Sunday
mornings.

...for the kingdom of heaven

May-August 2011 Page 7

Summit Christian School

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. -Proverbs 22:6

Whats ahead at SCS...

Myers August 1 from Michigan . They are newly weds and are currently on a mission trip in Guatemala . We welcome them to Summit and to Fort Myers . Summit has several needs for the coming school year relating to staffing. Our PE teacher, Mrs. Christi Cerwinsky, will be teaching full time at Evangelical Christian School in the fall. We will miss her in PE and her family at Summit . We do need someone to teach PE for grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. We also need someone for our after-school care program and someone for cleaning. Anyone interested in either of these part time positions may call the school office at 482-7007 for more information. I continue to be amazed at the manner in which God provides. Not only does God call us as His children, redeem us for our sin, and declare us righteous because of the righteousness of Christ; God also provides for our daily needs. Yes, I am familiar with Romans 8:32, He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us allhow will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? I shouldnt be surprised, but I always am overwhelmed. Throughout this past year I have seen the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of His people. It is with this promise that I am looking forward to another school year and awaiting the good things that God will do.

by John DeMaster

The hallways at Summit Christian School are quiet but cluttered during July. Earlier this week you would have seen Mr. Tom working on some maintenance items and moving furniture for cleaning. Next week the carpets will be cleaned courtesy of Mr. Jeff Harvey, whose generosity we appreciate. In the office we keep regular hours during the summer preparing for the coming school year, which by the way is coming one week earlier than in the past. That means one less week for Mrs. Kathy Stanley to collect information from parents and one less week for me working in preparation for returning teachers. This year we hired two teachers for the fall, Mrs. Helen Adams to teach 4th grade, and Mr. Kyle Mast for middle school science and social studies. Mrs. Adams taught 5th grade at Summit two years ago. She and her husband live on Sanibel Island and attend Sanibel Community Church . Mr. Kyle Mast is a graduate from Calvin College . He and his wife Kristen will be arriving in Fort

May-August 2011

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HOPE Biblical Counseling and Training Center

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
THEOLOGY OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING CLASS

HOPE HAS RECEIVED CERTIFICATION FROM NANC!

After a long application process, the NANC (Natl. Assoc. of Nouthetic Counselors) Board, upon recommendation of NANC Training Center Committee, has approved HOPE as a NANC Certified Counseling & Training Center! PTL!

In HOPEs Theology class this Spring, 57 students from 27 different churches were thrilled with the exciting and intense learning of Systematic Theology and how it is applies to Biblical Counseling. Since HOPEs counseling is primarily intense discipleship, it is essential to have a strong doctrinal foundation. Our teachers not only gave amazing content, but they made the learning very enjoyable. Here are a few comments of students: Ive known about Reformed Theology, but this has put some blocks in the holes of my understandingwhat a great course. I am thrilled to get this kind of teaching! Where else could you go to find a lineup of teachers like thisthis is amazing! What great teaching we have been hearing! Ive been so blessed! A very stimulating class caused me to think, to reaffirm my beliefs. Thank you, Lord, for wonderful teachers and a great class.

Rev. Tony Chin

Dr Mark Gonzales

In addition, our students can receive International Association of Biblical Counseling (IABC) Certification, and we are also recommended by the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC). In summary, we now have certification, affiliation and recommendations from the three main Biblical Counseling Associations: NANC, IABC, and ABC. Thank you Lord! We rejoice at the news and look forward to fruitful relationships with all three organizations. BARBIE BRANSON, HOPES NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
HOPE is thrilled to have Barbie Branson as our newest staff member! She has wonderful insights and a godly spiritand keeps us organized! Barbie is married to a Youth/Education Pastor, has 2 teenagers, and lives in Cape Coral. At her home church, she assists her husband with the youth and discipleship ministry.

Rev Andy Mag-

Rev. Don Schneff

Rev. Bob Brunson

WHAT A WONDERFUL B.A.B.E. EVENT

Chris Minott and Dr. Virginia Stewart ministered at B.A.B.E. [Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed, Eternally Significant] an outreach to teen girls and their Momsin Lehigh. As advertised, it was the straight dish on topics the girls deal with everyday. This was an opportunity to help the girls think through some tough issues, and we were part of a panel helping Moms parent their teen girls.

THANK YOU, T.J. AND KATIE!

T. J. and Katie Freeman, students in HOPEs classes and church planters at Viewpoint Church, have donated a photography session to HOPE as part of their photography business (www.tjfreemanphotography.com ). T.J. said, I have seen more people led toward maturity in Christ through Biblical Counseling than any other ministry. As a shepherd, I would love to see this intense form of discipleship as a staple of the church. May-August 2011 Page 9