PASTORS LETTER Greengs in the name of our Lord and

Savior,

Have you ever really thought about that

greeng? What does it mean to greet

and welcome someone in the name of our

Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ? When I

think of greeng or welcoming someone

in the name of Jesus the Christ it means I

open my arms, I welcome you with an

open heart, open mind. I welcome you as

an equal without any condions.

When we, as a church, welcome people to

our worshiping community Jesus should

be our example of welcome and greeng.

We should be thankful when we have

guests si&ng in our pew, when we have

crying babies, when we have exuberant

teenagers, when we have people who

maybe look, dress or smell dierently than

we. When these people are in our pews

then we are a growing congregaon and

we should do all we can to make sure

these guests know we are truly glad they

are with us.

The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus

never-ending oer of welcome, mercy,

grace and love. The neat thing about Je-

sus oer of welcome is that it wasnt just

oered on the Sabbath. The example of

Jesus welcome should be seen in every-

thing we do as individuals and as a church.

We should never be the ones who point

ngers, who whisper under our breath, or

who shoo someone away.

Recently, a church member sent me an arcle

about the act of welcoming people in church. The

arcle centered on a welcome sign posted on the

doors of St. Clements Church in Essex, England.

This sign stands not only as a welcome to all who

stop by, but also a reminder to the membership of

who is welcomed by God. I have enclosed the

words of the welcome sign here in the Link as a

reminder to all of us what it means when we say,

and embody, the words on our banner in front of

the church, Everyone Welcome.

With the welcoming arms of Christ,

WORSHIP SERVICE - SUNDAY 10:00 A.M.

Welcome Sign

on the door at

St. Clements Church in

Essex, England.

Please go to page 2 to

read the enre sign.

Pastor Andy Gans Visitation Pastor (Ret.) Tom McNeil Music Director Rick Roberts Executive Assistant Pat Brown Nursery Attendant Tammy Keeslar

13 NE 36th Ave Ocala, FL 34470

Office: (352) 694-4121 Fax: (352) 694-5226

www.fortking.org fortking@earthlink.net

Proofreaders Susan Jensen, John Stewart Contributors Members of Fort King Assemblers Phyllis Altonn, Bobbie Burns, Kay Dahlen, Joyce Gauntt, Pat Merrill and Alice Reffner. Bulk Mail John Stewart

2

PASTORS LETTER (continued)

We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, lthy rich,

comfortable, or dirt poor. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new borns, skinny as a rake or

could aord to lose a few pounds. Youre welcome if you are Old Leigh, New Leigh, Not Leigh, or just passing by.

We welcome you if you can sing like Pavaro& or cant carry a note in a bucket. Youre welcome here if youre just

browsing, just woke up or just got out of prison. We dont care if youre more Chrisan than the Archbishop of

Canterbury, or havent been in church since li8le Jacks christening.

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing

up too fast. We welcome keep-t mums, football dads, starving arsts, tree-huggers, la8e-sippers, vegetarians,

junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or sll addicted. We welcome you if youre having

problems or youre down in the dumps or if you dont like organized religion. Weve been there too!

If you blew all your money on the horses, youre welcome here. We oer a welcome to those who think the earth

is at, work too hard, dont work, cant spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We oer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer

right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost on the London Road and wound up here by

mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts and you!

(Source: jbbarnes88 from photograph located at St Clements Church, Leigh-on-sea, Essex, England)

ADMINISTRATION and FINANCE

June 2015 Financial Results

Operang Income for June 2015 Expenses for June 2015

Year-to-date income is $2,305.25 over budget for Operang Income (pledges, members giCs and loose oerings).

The year-to-date expenses are currently under budget but they are expected to even out as the year progresses.

Overall, the nances are within expectaon at midpoint for 2015. Maintaining a posive income to budget is key.

Thank you all for your generosity! Please connue to stay on course with your Commitment.

The Finance Ministry is sll in need of new members to join their ministry. Please contact Steve Layendecker or

any other Finance Ministry member (David MacKay, Carole DeLucian or Bob Henry). Not sure if the Finance

Ministry is for you? Just stop by for a visit at our next meeng on August 11th; well show you what its all about.

Steve Layendecker

Chair Finance Ministry

Total Actual $23,856.00 Total Actual $18,243.08

Total Budget $23,427.17 Total Budget $23,418.41

Variance + $ 428.83 Variance -$ 5,175.33

3

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Dear Fort King Presbyterian Church,

I am sll amazed by your generosity and pres-ence at my ordinaon service. It was a special day. I will treasure your smiling faces as I was able to share communion with you from the table. It was a dierent perspecve.

Thanks for hosng the service, for the food, the fellowship, and especially the Pitcher and Basin. Im excited to put is to use. It is an honor to connue the journey with you all.

Blessings, Cheryl Gans

ARE YOU PREPARED? Summer is here and with it the risk of hurricanes and tropical

storms. Marion County Emergency Management is prepared to help. They can

provide transportaon to shelters when necessary and they have special needs

shelters for people who are dependent on electricity or oxygen, need assistance with

daily living, etc. Call (352) 369-8136 for more informaon or to get a pre-registraon

form for their emergency program.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their

support, prayers, calls, cards and visits

during my most recent hospital stay and

connuing illness. Words cannot express

how much Richard and I appreciate all you do.

God bless and love,

Colleen Livingston

Thanks to all for your prayers and con-

cerns over the past few years. The love

and well wishes from my church family

have made life worth living. Gods bless-

ings on each of you. Thank you again for all

your prayers, cards, calls, and for your love.

Sincerely,

Bobbi Burns

Thank you for your generous contribuons of me, food, and love, all of which made Cheryl Gans praise-worthy event so special!

Alan Mease Bernice Henry Bob Henry Carole DeLucian Debbie Bush Debbie Pangrass Elena Whitaker Joanie Wood John Wolf Judith Bullen Larry Bush Liesha Herron

Lorraine Fuller Mary Beth Neely Onalee Mease Pat Brown

Warmly, Becky and John Wolf

Wishing you the very best on your special day!

Happy Birthday

4

CONGREGATIONAL CARE (continued)

The Congregaonal Care Ministry Seeking Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to assist with providing meals for church members and their

family following release from the hospital, a death in the family, a new addion to

the family, etc. We are also in need of addional volunteers willing to provide a food

item for memorial recepons. Example - cookies, brownies, fruit tray, vegetable tray,

sandwiches, etc. Please contact Bernice Henry at 352-694-6798 if you are willing to

assist our ministry with either of these funcons. Your support is greatly appreciated.

CONNECTIONS

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Come and join us for an intergeneraonal event, full of fun, fellowship and a li0le taste of

good old-fashioned Ice Cream!

When: Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Fort King Presbyterian Fellowship Hall

Program: Remembering our Roots while Forming our Future

The Reverend Bruce Seaman will be our guest speaker this year. Leaning on the history of

this churchs founding and its ministry through the years, Bruce will talk with us about this

citys struggles and strides with race and religious cultures.

5

RALLY DAY

August 30, 2015

Join us for Rally Day on August 30th at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall We will have breakfast

together. Even if you are not a regular Sunday School person, bring a dish to share

and enjoy the fellowship. See if what is planned for fall adult study might scratch where

you itch, or create an itch where you need to scratch.

SUNDAY ADULT STUDY CLASS RESUMES

September 6, 2015 Our theme in September and October is: FKPC at FIFTY - Looking Back,

Looking Around, and Looking Ahead

What were our beginnings? What was happening in Ocala and in the naon in 1965 and how did that

mold the beginning of this Church?

What does the Bible teach about Gods demand for jusce? How has this church responded over its 50 years?

Where are we today as a congregaon? As a community? What are the pressing issues of our me?

What role has adult study played over the years? Has it ma8ered? Why bother?

What are our dreams for the future? For worship? For study? For living out the good news of Gods grace

through acts of compassion, service, jusce, and reconciliaon? Can we partner with those of other faith

tradions?

We hope you will join us each Sunday as we look back at FKPCs story, share our own stories and convicons, and

dream our dreams for a faithful future. Join us in the Session Room as we grow in spirit together.

CHILDRENS DISCIPLESHIP

RALLY DAY and

COVERED DISH BREAKFAST

August 30, 2015

Please join the Discipleship Ministries as we celebrate Rally Day 2015 and kick o the

new Sunday School year. On Sunday, August 30th, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall at

9:00 a.m. for a covered dish breakfast. Please bring your favorite breakfast dish to share.

The Adult, Youth, and Children's Discipleship Ministry teams will present their programs

for the upcoming year.

Also, please bring a non-perishable food item for our Sunday School mission project,

Food4Kids. Last year, we collected more than 100 baskets of food for this very important

program which provides food for school children and their families in the Ocala area. What

a fantasc job FKPC did; we collected over 30 baskets more than the previous year. The kids

thank you for your great generosity!

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP

6

50th CELEBRATION

The Beginning..by Gene AndrewsThe Beginning..by Gene AndrewsThe Beginning..by Gene AndrewsThe Beginning..by Gene Andrews

We connue to celebrate Fort King Presbyterians 50 years of ministry by looking back to our early beginnings.

Last month Buddy and Anne MacKay shared how and why the church was started. This month we hear from

another charter member of the church, Gene Andrews. Gene shares his insights on the culture and environment

that existed in Marion County which led our charter members to push for jusce and equality for all people.

Below is Genes descripon of the racial tensions in Marion County from 1963 to 1966.

During that me period I (Gene Andrews) was a Criminal Invesgator (one of two) in the Marion County

Sheri's Department. At that me the Department consisted of 26 total employees. The county was seg-

regated - schools, restaurants, public drinking fountains, restrooms, movie theaters, etc. As a ma8er of

fact, the Ocala Police Department had two black ocers as did the Sheri's Department. These ocers

only patrolled on the west side of Pine Street except for West Broadway from Magnolia to Pine. They did

not arrest white people. The black depues only handled issues relang to black people. The City and

County jails were segregated.

All of the schools were segregated, including aCer-school acvies, sports, band and clubs. As best that I

can recall, there were no black public elected ocials. The courthouse was located on the square. On

the exterior of the building were public drinking fountains for blacks and whites, also restrooms. The

stores located around the square that had lunch counters only served black people back in the kitchen.

This also was the situaon at the Bus Staon on North Magnolia. In fact, black people were not per-

mi8ed in the Waing Room.

Starng in 1964, business establishments were located on all four sides of the square. There were

clothing stores, drug stores, dime stores, a restaurant, two banks and others. It was during this me

period that the demonstraons started, mostly on Saturday mornings. Black cizens would gather on

West Broadway, on the west side of Pine Street and proceed up Broadway to the Square. They would

then proceed to march on the sidewalk around the square unl aCer the noonme. The demonstrators

would sing and chant, somemes carry placards; however, there were no signicant acts of violence.

Groups of white cizens such as the KKK, the White Cizens Council and others would gather on the

sidewalk to watch the group demonstrang. Shortly aCer President Kennedy was assassinated on No-

vember 22, 1963, several professors from the University of Florida and Florida State University came to

Ocala in support of Ocalas black cizens. There were sll no acts of violence; all was very peaceful!

On one parcular occasion, the Sheri received informaon that Reverend Shu8lesworth from Alabama

was going to appear for a rally at the War Memorial. The Sheri requested I install a tape recorder under

the stage to record what the Reverend had to say. About midaCernoon of that day, I took the equipment

and crawled under the stage area to install the tape recorder and a microphone. As I was about to crawl

out, people started coming into the building to decorate for the rally. I couldn't come out from under the

stage for many hours. There were other occasions when I was instructed to install electronic surveillance

equipment during this period.

During 1964 and 1965 numerous ministers would come from Tampa to have rallies in the small historically

black churches throughout the county, to basically raise money and instruct others in how to protest etc.

We gleaned informaon from the phone calls and therefore were able to address any acts of potenal

violence etc. I also a8ended some of the rallies.

7

Then during the same me period we received informaon from the Sheri in Leon County that the

FREEDOM RIDERS were in a Greyhound Bus and on the way to Ocala. Their intenon was to eat in the

restaurant and demonstrate at the bus staon on North Magnolia. We were there when the bus arrived and

the three RIDERS (two black ministers and one white minister) got o the bus and started to enter the

waing room. As they approached the door several people started to come out, this resulted in shoving and

pushing, so we ordered the white customers to leave, which they did, then ordered the RIDERS back onto

the bus. They refused and we arrested all three for Failure to Obey. They posted bond. Later, they were

convicted and appealed their case which ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court. The convicon was upheld.

Gene provides us a wonderful window into those days when our church

began. I am thankful that Gene and several others realized the division that

was taking place in American and Marion County culture stood against the

Gospels command to Love your neighbor as yourself. It is my prayer that

this church connues the work of our early members as we work for peace,

jusce and equal rights for all of Gods people.

50th CELEBRATION (continued)

GROUP ACTIVITIES

Crafty Ladies Come join the Crafty Ladies every Thursday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to join our group, come for a visit and see what we are doing and how you can help. We welcome new people and new talents! We hope to see all of you there.

Mens Night Out The next Mens Night Out is in September. Stay tuned for more details later this summer.

Sassy Seniors The Sassy Seniors will not be going out for lunch during August, or September. Lunches will resume on October 13th.

Tai Chi Classes Tai Chi will not meet during August. We will resume classes in September. Hope to see you then!

- Mary Beth Neely and Donna Lavery

8

GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN PRESENT

A NIGHT OF ITALY

SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Presbyterian Women are proud to announce that they will sponsor A Night of Italy again this year. You will

be elegantly served in the Fellowship Hall turned into the Fort King Italian Restaurant where you will be

served our delicious Italian fare by our very ecient PW waitresses.

Tickets will go on sale in mid-August. The cost is $10.00 for adults and youth (6th grade and up) and $5.00 for

children through 5th grade. Children under 5 are free. The dinner will consist of your choice of spaghe& or

stued ravioli, Caesar salad, bread, dessert and beverage.

LIBRARY CORNER

The following are short reviews of just four of the many new informave books added re-

cently to our church library:`

THE BIBLE IS FOR LIVING by Philip J. King is an inspiring guide to what the Bible has to say

to us today as individuals as well as cizens of the world. King is one of the leading Bible

scholars of our me, having been a professor of Biblical Studies at Boston College for many

years. He also has parcipated in eight archaeological excavaons in the Middle East. He

writes with clarity and insight from his life's experiences to make this 181-page book a book to read and contem-

plate. (Thank you Tom McNeil for donang this book.)

THE BIBLE AS IT WAS by James L. Kugel is a 680-page tome which provides a detailed look at how the Penta-

teuch, or Torah, was interpreted in anquity. This scholarly research earned for the author the Grawemeyer

Award in Religion which recognizes outstanding works that promote understanding of the relaonship between

human beings and the divine. (Thank you Ray Ruark for donang this book.)

BETWEEN GOD AND MAN: AN INTERPRETATION OF JUDAISM is a collecon of wrings by Abraham Joshua

Heschel, one of the great Jewish teachers of the 20th century. As one reviewer stated: "His thoughts brim with

insights, challenges, moral inspiraon, and a profound understanding that Judaism's intenon is to make people

holy and good." (Thank you Buddy MacKay for donang this book.)

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD . . . WHY CAN'T WE? by James M. Young, Jr. This author lives and

works in Ocala and was one of the speakers at our Adult VBS this year. If you missed his presentaon on July 2nd,

read this book and become acquainted with both the historic and current experiences involving race relaons in

our own community. There is hope for improvement if we all work together with respect and understanding.

9

MISSION

LIBRARY CORNER (continued)

If you prefer light reading, check the bullen board outside the library door for a lisng of recently acquired c-

on books that will be on the "NEW FICTION" bookshelf along the back wall in the library. Most of these con

books will be kept in the library for one year only and then removed to make room for newer ones. Therefore, if

you see a tle or author that interests you, be8er check it out before it is gone for good!!

Summer library hours are 9:30 am to 11:30 am on Sundays. On weekdays when the church oce is open, just

ask Pat in the oce to unlock the library for you. Please don't forget to sign and date the check-out cards for all

items that you borrow, then place the cards in the gray box on the small table. Thank you and enjoy the books!

THIRD ANNUAL

TOOLS FOR TEACHERS DRIVE! The Mission Ministry would like to show support for our teachers by collecng

school supplies needed for students in Marion County. Below is a list of items our

teachers use to manage and teach in their classrooms. Thank you for your support!

Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. The Mission Ministry invites everyone to a8end the August 23rd Blood Drive in the church parking

lot. A Mission Ministry member will be in the Narthex on August 9th and 16th to sign up donors. WE

NEED BLOOD so please help if you can. It takes so li8le to give so much! Please contact Bill Reed or

any Mission Ministry member if you have any quesons.

Copy Paper- white & bright colors

Spiral notebooks (College ruled)

Filler Paper (College ruled)

Pencils & Pens

Cap Erasers

Crayons 16 or 24 count

Watercolor paint set (Crayola or Prang)

Sharpie Markers

Glue Scks

Liquid Glue Bo8les

Gli8er

Pipe Cleaners

Prong Folders

Pocket Folders (6 dierent colors)

Pink Erasers

Index Cards (3 X 5 lined)

Post-it notes

Tissues

Dry Erase Markers

Dry Erasers

Hand Wipes

Plasc Sleeves

Printer Cartridges # HP92 black ink

Manila Folders

Blank CDs and CD cases

Amazon GiC Card

10

MISSION MINISTRY SESSION

PROPERTY MINISTRY

There was no Session meeng in July. The next Session meeng is August 18th at 6:00 p.m.

WORSHIP

SAILING IN THE GREAT SEA OF LIFE

While in England in 2007, we visited Bath Abbey. There are many outstanding features of

the Abbey. The architecture, stained glass windows, the lace ceiling throughout the Ab-

bey and, of course, the magnicent Klaus Organ. One of the stained glass windows that

caught my a8enon was a depicon of Jesus and the Disciples at the Sea of Galilee. Anoth-

er item of interest was the number of notable sea-faring individuals who were members of

Bath Abbey, among them Admiral Horao Nelson. I could not help but think of the great

hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save.

The words were wri8en by William Whing in 1860. Interesngly, he wrote the lyrics as a

poem for a student about to sail for America. William Whing (1825-1878) was born in Ken-

sington, England, and educated at Chapham and Winchester. Because of his musical ability, he became master

of Winchester College Choristers' School. While best known for Eternal Father, Whing also published two po-

etry collecons: Rural Thoughts, and Edgar Thorpe, or the Warfare of Life. He died at Winchester.

The tune was wri8en by John B. Dykes in 1861. Dykes &ngly named the tune aCer a locale associated with a

Biblical shipwreck. Melita was the island the Apostle Paul reached aCer his ship went down (Acts 28:1); today

we know it as the isle of Malta.

John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) was born in Hull, England, and by age 12 was the assistant organist at St. John's

Church in Hull where his grandfather was Vicar. He studied at Wakeeld and St. Catherine's College, earning a

B.A. in Classics in 1847. He cofounded the Cambridge University Musical Society. He was ordained deacon in

1847 and curate at Malton in 1848. For a short me, he was canon of Durham Cathedral, then precentor (1849-

1862). In 1862 he became vicar of St. Oswald's, Durham. He published sermons and arcles on religion but is

best known for over 300 hymn tunes he composed. John Bacchus Dykes was born in Hull, Yorkshire, in 1823. His

father was a bank manager. His grandfather was the well known old-school evangelical priest, the Reverend

Thomas Dykes. The musical talents of the young John Dykes came out early. He could play by ear even before he

received any instrucon in music. He played the organ in his grandfather's church at the age of ten. John Dykes

received his educaon at Wakeeld proprietary school and Cambridge University. He graduated with Mathe-

macal Honours in 1847 the same year that he was made Deacon. He was priested the following year. He

served his curacy at Malton in Yorkshire and in 1849 he became at once Minor Canon and Precentor of Durham

Cathedral as well as gaining a Doctorate in Music in the University of Durham. He married Susan Kingston in

1850 and together they had two sons and four daughters. Dr. Dyke's Precentorship ended in 1862 when he

accepted the Vicarage of St. Oswald's in Durham. His musical ability and loving character had strongly inuenced

the Cathedral both musically and morally. His me at St. Oswald's led to a remarkable raising of the standards in

Bath Abbey Stained

Glass Window

11

WORSHIP (continued)

the presentaon of services. His preaching drew people from all over the city. Sadly, aCer some 12 years he

came into conict with his Bishop. These were the years when 'ritualism' was strongly resisted by many bish-

ops. Dr. Dyke's struggles to maintain this great parish, now of course with no assistance from curates, led to a

breakdown of both physical and mental health. He was nally laid to rest in his own churchyard of St. Oswald's

on January 28, 1876. His music is not found only in Anglican hymnals both Presbyterian and Congregaonal

books contain some of his work. Among others are ones which we frequently use in our own worship: Lead

Kindly Light, Praise to the Holiest in the Height, The King of Love My Shepherd Is, Jesus, Lover of My

Soul, Our Blest Redeemer, Holy, Holy, Holy, and Eternal Father, Strong to Save. Our worship would be

much the poorer without these powerful messages of hope and love. He died in Sussex at age 53.

The rst verse refers to God the Father's forbidding the waters to ood the earth as described in Psalm 104

(Psalm 104:5-9). The second verse refers to Jesus miracles of slling a storm and walking on the waters of the

Sea of Galilee (Ma8hew 8:23-27, Ma8hew 14:22-33). The third verse references the Holy Spirits role in the

creaon of the earth in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 1:1) while the nal verse is a reference to Psalm 107

(Psalm 107:1, 23-29) O give thanks to the Lord for his mercy endureth forever (vs.1) and They that go down

to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonder in the

deep. For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind which li%eth up the wave thereof. They mount up to

the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and

stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he

bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are s(ll. (vs. 23-

29)

In America, "Eternal Father" is oCen called the "Navy Hymn," because it is sung at the Naval Academy in

Annapolis, Maryland. It is also sung on ships of the Brish Royal Navy and has been translated into French. It

was the favorite hymn of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and was sung at his funeral in Hyde Park, New York,

in April 1945. The Navy Band played it in 1963 as U.S. President John Kennedy's body was carried up the steps

of the U.S. Capitol to lie in state. Roosevelt served as Secretary of the Navy, and Kennedy was a PT boat com-

mander in World War II. The hymn was played by the Navy Band and the Coast Guard Band during the funeral

of U.S. former President Ronald Reagan. The hymn was also played at the Memorial Ceremony in Norfolk, VA

for the USS Cole (DDG-67) aCer the bombing of the ship in October 2000. It was performed by the U.S. Navy

Sea Chanters at the State Funeral of U.S. former President Gerald R. Ford, who had served in the Navy during

World War II in the Pacic Theater.

As I travel through this wonderful life I, like you, encounter storms that cause my

sailing to falter, insll doubt and fear of the future and its outcome, concerns of

health and aging, and my ability to connue to serve our Father in music ministry.

During those mes, I oCen contemplate this beauful hymn and its reassuring

words. My soul is calmed just by the Fathers whisper, Peace, be sll.

With a song in my heart,

Rick

The Lace Ceiling of Bath Abbey

12

THE SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN and JESUS OF NAZARETH

The Healing of Social Barriers --- Mark 7:24-30 (See modicaon of story in Ma8hew 15:21-28)

While most historical scholarship can nd li8le in the story that can be veried factually, nor words that can

be decisively a8ributed to Jesus of Nazareth, there are four important observaons:

A. The Syrophoenician woman, a Genle, did not subscribe to a religious creed or belief system, let alone par-

cipate in a Jewish religious community (N. Perrin 1967 Rediscovering the Teaching of Jesus 138). She

reached out over religious and social barriers that separate, and that takes courage and is an act of faith.

B. Her ACT of coming to Jesus, a Jew, to request exorcism of a demon from her li+le daughter did NOT en-

tail the usual DO UT DES: You do X for me, I do Y for you. Ma8hew called her act one of FAITH because it

was simple and direct, with one purpose in mind: To cast the demon out of her daughter (Mark 7:26)

C. What is revealed in this story is twofold:

1. Jesus did not hesitate to enter Genle non-Jewish territory. Although he wanted privacy and quiet,

his reputaon was known. Did Jesus intend to extend his ministry to non-Jews as well, or is this a

point Mark wanted to make, to jusfy the early Churchs mission to Genles? Or, was it to face up to

the tensions between Genles and Jews?

2. What becomes immediately obvious in the conversaon between Jesus and the woman is an

underlying tension between Jew and Genle: Genles were regarded as dogs. In this instance, the

woman gets the best of Jesus by her quick wit and reparte, and her request is granted (See J. Reed

2002 Archaeology and the Galilean Jesus 164).

D. The Mark-text is packed with verb-acon; the story is told with almost breathless intensity:

-v. 24: having arisen from there, he departed

having entered a house, he did not want

he wasnt able to escape noce

-v. 25: a woman having heard about him and came and fell down

-v. 26: and she begged him to cast

-v. 29: he has exited

-v. 30: and she went and found the child lying and the demon gone.

Thus, Marks text goes beyond a simple story-telling; this was acon-packed, a cli-hanger, if you will. Whats

going to happen next? Scholars have noted this about Marks text: it reects the way stories were told in Ara-

maic and Hebrew; noce all the ands in the story typical Semite story-telling. It is a very early story about

Jesus of Nazareth; i.e., Mark did not make this story up out of thin air!

Ah! There is more.

Just what is meant by demon, or demonized?

WORSHIP (continued)

13

WORSHIP (continued)

- Such verbiage had been used in Greek by Homer in the 8th century BCE. It had been used for people

who seemed to be somewhat quirky mentally; perhaps emo(onally should be included.

- Scholars have found references to demons and demonized people, parcularly on inscripons and

papyrus, on which incantaons were set forth against demons. A characterisc feature was to

pronounce names wrongly so as to confuse the demon, to misname the God of Abraham by the

name of Abraan, Isak, Israma (Abraham, Isaac, Israel) in order to ll demons with shuddering

and dread (G. A. Deissmann 1923 Bible Studies 288; see also Deissmann 1922 Light from the Ancient

East 255 for papyri magical texts). Jesus did not put on this kind of performance!

- Mark 5:1-10 refers to demon-possession with the name of LEGION, referring to Legio X Fretensis of

5000 men and 120 cavalrymen in Syria staoned near Decapolis, a clear reference to the brutal

oppressive force of the Imperial Roman military on local people. It is noteworthy that the insignia of

this Legion was the image of a boar a male pig! So, it was not surprising that the Legion exited the

man into pigs! Uh huh!! Thus demons refer not only to personal behaviors that dont match ex-

pected social deportment, but the eects of oppressive social pressures put onto people to make

them behave in certain ways. When they dont, they have a demon.

Secondly, the woman tells Jesus her li+le daughter had a demon. Li+le daughter has reference to both

endearment, tender aecon, and a girl of marriageable age. Peasant culture had this view about girls:

For girls there were no independent careers to compete with motherhood; and to remain unmarried

or to have no ospring was a bi+er misfortune.

Marriages were usually arranged by the parents of the par(es; and

A girl might be betrothed by her father while s(ll a minor (i.e. Ketunah, under 12 years and a day)!

(G. F. Moore 1954 Judaism in the First Centuries of the Chris(an Era Vol. II 120-121).

We simply have no informaon as to what the demon was in this girl; we can imagine, in light of the above

expectaons for a female child, that she was throwing a hissy-t because she didnt want to get married to a

man chosen by her parents; or, did she rebel because the mother forbade her from a relaonship with a

young man of her own choosing? She had a demon, and now, at Jesus word, she was cured. The one

thing we are told is that the child was bedfast, prostrate and exhausted, but on her way to recovery. Which

makes one wonder: was the healing or exorcism the point of the story, or a by-product of the courage to

cross social barriers and to go beyond social pressures to confront those who are from the other side of the

tracks? Only when we do, will we as human beings be able to overcome our quirks and social pressures to

conform, to uncover our humanity. Which is precisely consistent with what Jesus taught and did in his life.

Something to think about.

Tom

14

FLOWER CALENDAR

Thank you to these people as they share in donang owers for the following worship services:

August 2, 2015 In loving memory of Harry Flink from Maria Madigan and his family!

August 9, 2015 In loving memory of Jims mother, Edna, for her birthday from Jim and Donna Johnson.

August 16, 2015 With love to my two daughters, Judith Bullen and Pam Lewin, from Lena Lewin.

August 23, 2015 From Marianne Fullarton, in loving memory of Dave on the anniversary of their wed-

ding.

August 30, 2015 In celebraon of our 50th

wedding anniversary from Harvey and Kathy Bohner.

September 6, 2015 In honor of our 63rd wedding anniversary from Jack and Sue Harshman.

September 13, 2015 OPEN

September 20, 2015 OPEN

September 27, 2015 From Dorothy Roth in loving memory of Merl on their wedding date.

October 4, 2015 OPEN

October 11, 2015 In loving memory of Julien from Kay Dahlen.

October 18, 2015 From David and Martha MacKay in celebraon of their 30th wedding anniversary.

October 25, 2015 OPEN

November 1, 2015 From Larry and Debbie Bush in celebraon of our 29th wedding anniversary.

November 8, 2015 OPEN

November 15, 2015 OPEN

November 22, 2015 From Joy Hunt in memory of my beloved husband, Jim.

November 29, 2015 through December 27, 2015..poinseIas will be placed in the sanctuary.

Please Note: If you would like to commemorate a special event/occasion/memory etc. for a specic date, please

call me as soon as possible. It is never too early to select your chosen date. Please dont hesitate to call me if

there is a Sunday you would like to commemorate by sharing with the church some type of owers or plant of

your choice. The owers or plant could be from your yard, a supermarket, a orist, or etc.

Thank you,

Nancy Hall

694-3221

WORSHIP (continued)

15

AUGUST 2015 Italicized items are non-FKPC activities using FKPC facilities

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 COMMUNION

by Intinction

9:30-11:30 Library

9:30 Choir Practice

10:00 Worship

11:00 Poetry

Connections

4:00 Small Group

Study (off-site)

3

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00 Mission

Ministry

6:00-8:00 Marions

United (CE)

4

9:30 Prayer

Shawl

4:00 Congregational

Care

5:00 Property

Ministry

5:30 Connections

Ministry

7:00 Boy Scouts

5

1:30 Worship

Ministry (SR)

6

7:30-9:00 BNI (FH)

1:00 Adult

Discipleship

1:00 Crafts

7:00 Discipleship

Ministries

7:00 AA (FH)

7

8

9

9:30-11:30 Library

9:30 Choir Practice

10:00 Worship

4:00 Small Group

Study (off-site)

5:30 Ice Cream

Social (FH)

10

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00-8:00 Marions

United (CE)

11

6:00 Finance

Ministry

7:00 Boy Scouts

12

6:00 50th

Celebration Mtg

13

7:30-9:00 BNI (FH)

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (FH)

14

15

16

9:30-11:30 Library

9:30 Choir Practice

10:00 Worship

4:00 Small Group

Study (off-site)

17

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00-8:00 Marions

United (CE)

18

6:00 Session

7:00 Boy Scouts

19

20

7:30-9:00 BNI (FH)

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (FH)

21

22

23 MISSION SUNDAY

2 Cents-A-Meal

Food 4 Kids

Equal Exchange

BLOOD DRIVE

9:30-11:30 Library

9:30 Choir Practice

10:00 Worship

4:00 Small Group

Study (off-site)

24

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00-8:00 Marions

United (CE)

25

7:00 Boy Scouts

26

27

7:30-9:00 BNI (FH)

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (FH)

28

1:00-3:00

Turning Point

Set- Up

29

9:00-3:00

Turning

Point

30 RALLY DAY

9:30-12:00 Library

10:00 Choir Practice

10:30 Worship

4:00 Small Group

Study (off-site)

31

7:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:00 TOPS (FH)

6:00-8:00 Marions

United (CE)

16

FORT KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

13 NE 36th Avenue

Ocala, Florida 34470

Non-Profit

Organization

US Postage Paid

Ocala, FL 34478

Permit #100

RETURNED SERVICE REQUESTED

Label

Boy Scout Fundraiser

Ft. Kings Boy Scout Troop #196 is selling meat sticks as a fundraiser for their various scouting activities. The meat sticks are made at Ocala based Country Meats, an FDA certified facility. The sticks sell for $1.00 each. If interested, contact Bob Barton 425-8500. See a sample on the church bulletin board.