Should I Have FaceBook Page?

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The antidote to technological isolation
by Jon Ferguson

I have over 800 friends on Facebook and about the same number of Twitter followers. I have additional acquaintances on Plaxo and LinkedIn, not to mention all my Outlook contacts. I can access the New York Times, CNN, and almost every version of the Bible on my Blackberry or laptop in seconds. I have instant access to incredible amounts of information and literally thousands of people. Yet sometimes I wonder if I’m any more connected or better informed than I was before all this accessibility.

We can have a false sense of community because we have contact with so many people, but often have no real connections. We can have loads of information at our fingertips, but rarely interact with it in a way that makes a difference or results in life-change.

Jesus offers a solution to this kind of technological isolation. One day a man asked Jesus, “What is the most important commandment?” In Jesus’ day, people had taken the Bible and boiled it down to 613 commandments. So the guy is saying, “Help me out here, cut through this information overload and just tell me which is the most important commandment? He was asking Jesus, “What’s the big idea?”

Jesus responds by saying the most important one is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” In the same breath he says, “And the second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. No commandment is more important than these.”

Why did Jesus give the two most important commands and not just the one? He adds this second thing so that we don’t fall into a “just Jesus and me” kind of spirituality that can lead to isolation. When Jesus says to love other people with the same kind of focus and energy that you love yourself, he is echoing God’s original dream in Genesis. Jesus doesn’t say love your neighbor as yourself because that’s what nice and good – what Christian people should do. It’s because it’s how we are hard-wired to live. It’s what it means to be a Christ-follower.

"We can have a false sense of community because we have contact with so many people, but often have no real connections. "

Jon Ferguson

Thoughts on Easter 2009

All of the area churches were buzzing last week as we all talked about their upcoming Easter worship services. Seemed like we were all excited. I know I was. It's not that this one day is more important than any other Sunday, but that many nominal Christians and relatively unchurched individuals show up at our worship on Easter. Some are coming for the right reasons, some for the wrong, but for a variety of cultural and spiritual reasons most of our churches have higher attendance numbers on Easter than most other Sundays. And this exciting.

But I think we can easily get confused. It's not exciting simply because attendance is higher. And it shouldn't be exciting because we put on a big show. It isn't about the big band, the cool music, great choir, or whatever else we are tempted to exalt for a big show.

It's exciting because worshipping our risen Savior is exciting. It's exciting because as we make much of Christ, many more have the opportunity to hear his story and his words, and by God's grace many will believe! And, it is in many ways just like any other Sunday-- the gospel is preached and people need to live a cross-centered life in the power of the resurrection. Now after saying all that....I thought the Easter sunrise service at Lake Avalon was amazing with the fog over the lake and the sun peeking through right at the end of the service. I also liked the format we used during the 9:30 service at Cambier of 4 messages with four songs. We will use this same worship format during the Christmas eve service. The music was phenomenal but the greatest part of the service to me (as it is every Sunday) is the massive amount of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who show up so early each and every Sunday morning to basically build a church in the park.

Tomorrow Never Comes

Hi everyone,
Another fun service Sunday with over 100 wedding rededications! A special thank you to Jim & Lisa Lyle for being so brave renewing their vows in front of over 1100 Sunday (and that is with the iccky weather). You are all the best.

I shared a poem in Sunday's message on love that lasts. The poem is Originally titled Tomorrow Never Comes," it was actually written by Norma Cornett Marek in 1989 as, in her words, "a tribute to a beloved child I lost, in hopes it would cause people to never be careless or too busy to let our loved ones know we love them.""I am honored that it was used for the Sept. 11th tragedy as a tribute" Marek told BreakTheChain.org. "I really do not see why this certain poem is so coveted. It is a mother's heart speaking, not a great poem by any means, yet many seem to think so."

If I knew it was the last time I’d see you fall asleep
I’d tuck you in more tightly and pray your soul to keep.

If I knew it was the last time I’d see you out the door,
I’d hug and kiss you one more time and call you back for more.

If I knew it was the last time I’d get to share your day.
I know that I’d make certain it didn’t slip away.

We assume we’ll have tomorrow to correct an oversight.
That we’ll always have another chance to make everything all right.

That there will always be another day to say that I love you.
There will always be another chance to ask, “What can I do?”

But just in case I might be wrong and today is all I get
I want to say that I love you so that you will not forget.

Tomorrow is not promised that we’ll see another night.
Today could be my last chance to love and hold you tight.

Instead of waiting for tomorrow, show your love somehow.
For if tomorrow never comes you’ll wish you’d done it now.

That you didn’t take the extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
Instead you were busy, too busy for the one that you now miss.

Hold your loved one close today and whisper in their ear
Tell them that you love them and why you hold them dear

Say “I’m sorry, please forgive me, you’re the best, it’s ok”
So if tomorrow never comes you’ll not regret today.

Food for Haiti

Saturday, was a very exciting day!! Over 500 of us showed up to help make food packets for the children in Haiti. It was so much fun!! I was a “weigh person” which means I was responsible for weighing each bag of food to an exact amount per bag (14 grams each). It was great to meet new people, laugh and talk amongst everyone at our table. Each person had a different responsibility and we alternated getting tickled by each other’s antics during the process. We all looked goofy in our hair nets and even wore them to church the next day to show our support for the project. Thanks for the experience!!

Love,
Polly Graziano

What an amazing service yesterday! The weather was beautiful (the rain and clouds held off until well after the service was over). Several of you have already sent me (we written) copies of your letter to the editor and some of you have received this response..."who is trying to make you leave this park?" You have asked me for more specifics on this, so here is a quick synopsis...

The Community Services Advisory Board has made Celebration Community Beach Church’s exit from Cambier park a priority. After several months where the church put up with accusations, innuendo and downright deception from this board, the city attorney stepped in an issued a legal opinion that some members of the board disagreed with, the result being of Audrey Bender resigning from the board in protest. However, they were able to have this discussed at the January workshop of the Naples City Council. And we are now on the agenda for the November 2009 workshop. Why November 2009? Because in November 2010, our use agreement with the city will be up for renewal and some members of city council want to make sure that we have plenty of time to locate a new church location. So, yes….there is an organized effort including a letter of protest filed with the city from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Remember, in your letters to the papers and city council...BE POSITIVE!!!!!

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP CELEBRATION BEACH CHURCH STAY IN CAMBIER PARK?

1. PRAY. Pray for our church leaders, Naples City Council Members, and for all our members and attendees.

2. SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
(This is effective whether you live in the City or the County.)

Here’s how:

Email: letters@naplesnews.com

Mail: Naples Daily News
ATTN: Letters to the Editor
1075 Central Avenue
Naples, FL 34102

Fax: # 263-4816
If you have questions, call: # 263-4773

Rules of engagement: 250 words or less; Must include full name, address and phone (address & phone will not be printed.); If mailed or faxed, letter must be signed; last but not least - WRITE SOMETHING POSITIVE…NOTHING NEGATIVE!

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Editor,

I’d like to share my personal experience with you about Celebration Beach Church and what it means to me. A friend invited me to the service at Cambier Park several years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. The music is upbeat, the sermon topics are bible based and relevant to my daily life, I see friends and familiar faces all around me, and Pastor Gene’s jokes make me laugh long after I’ve left the park. Life isn’t always easy, in fact things are especially difficult right now, but Celebration Beach Church picks me up and helps me find joy in each and every day. What better place to be with God than in nature! Celebration Beach Church is a great asset to the community and an important part of my Naples lifestyle.

WARNING – if you go, it may be habit forming!
Valerie Pike (25 year, full-time, Naples resident)

3. SEND A LETTER TO NAPLES CITY COUNCIL
(Most effective for City Residents.)

Here’s how:

Mail: Naples City Council
735 Eighth Street South
Naples, FL 34102

Fax: # 213-1010
If you have questions, call: # 213-1000

Mayor: Bill Barnett, mayor@naplesgov.com
Council Members:

Penny Taylor, ptaylor@naplesgov.com
Theresa Heitmann, theitmann@naplesgov.com
Gary Price II, gprice@naplesgov.com
John Sorey III, jsorey@naplesgov.com
Margaret ‘Dee’ Sullick, msullick@naplesgov.com
Bill Wilkomm III, bwilcomm@naplesgov.com

Only one rule: WRITE SOMETHING POSITIVE…NOTHING NEGATIVE!

SAMPLE LETTER

(Date)
(Name of Naples City Council Member)
(Address)
RE: Leasing Cambier Park to Celebration Beach Church

Dear (Naples City Council Member),

I am writing to you in support of renewing Celebration Beach Church’s non-exclusive lease at Cambier Park in November 2010. As a constituent of the City of Naples I thought I should bring to your attention the positive effects of this motion:

If the lease is renewed:

1. The City upholds the federal laws of treating religious organizations the same as it treats non-religious organizations.


2. The City generates much needed revenue, helps downtown businesses, and increases utilization of City Parks.


3. The City promotes healthy enjoyment of the great outdoors.


4. The City leads by example in the every growing ‘green movement’.


5. Lives may be changed for the better because Celebration Beach Church is in the Park. Life hurts, God heals.


6. People may be drawn to the City of Naples because they’ve found a church they can call ‘home’.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my opinion on this matter. I hope that my expressed concern will make a difference in your decision.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your City of Naples Address)
(Your phone number)

Best of Naples

Hi everybody,
Check out the plaque...pretty cool!

Equal Access

Hello everyone,

By now, you have read today's article in the Naples Daily News.

Several of you asked my opinion of the article and I said I would try to put something up on the blog today, so here it is.

This is not a separation of church and state issue even though Ms. Bender seems to think so.

This is not a real estate issue even though several members of City Council seems to think so.

This is an equal access issue!

Any organization can use the park but a church? The city attorney has said that you cannot refuse Celebration the use of the park because of religion.

Here is a new word for you..."Christophobic." These are people that are afraid of Christians....afraid that our God will rub off on them somehow! We want people to want what we have, not to be fearful of it.

And just another random thought... Whatever happened to tolerance in our country? In the next few weeks, I will be talking about these issues. But I would love to hear from you and let me know what you think or suggestions?

Remember, the greater the opportunity, the greater the obstacles! Our goal has always been to be an asset to Naples. I want the community to say, 'We need Celebration for the love they show others.'

BTW....great service today with 1000+ to hear Randy Kington! Be sure to check out the great photos on the website.

Pastor Gene

Weddings in Naples

I have just returned from fulfilling a dream come true. I officiated a wedding in the Disney wedding pavilion at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Here at Celebration we receive numerous requests on a weekly basis about how to get married in Florida. So, in this blog, we will try to help. For those who dream of a romantic outdoor wedding, Naples Florida beckons. With its endless sunshine, warm weather year 'round and beautiful beaches, Naples is the perfect place to hold nuptials. Our favorite location is at the south gazebo at Lowdermilk Beach park (see the photo above). Follow these simple guidelines to be on your way to wedded bliss.

To get married in Florida, visiting couples need only go together to the nearest clerk of the circuit court office to obtain a marriage license. Marriage licenses are good for 60 days. The standard fee is $96.00, which can typically be paid with cash or by charge or personal check.Florida residents must wait three days to get a license. However residents who can provide documentation showing they completed a state-approved marriage preparation course within the year don't have to wait the three days.

The pastors at Celebration use the "Pre-Marriage Awareness Inventory" with topics including conflict management, financial and parenting responsibilities. As a bonus, residents who take the course get a reduction of $34.50 off the license fee. And it's not necessary for residents to obtain licenses from their home county. As soon as a license is obtained, a wedding ceremony can be performed anywhere in the state. To obtain a marriage license, U.S citizens must provide their social security numbers and photo identification, such as driver's licenses. International visitors must bring passports, or naturalization or immigration numbers.

Also, people who have been married previously must provide the date of divorce, annulment or spouse's death.With a few exceptions, both the bride and groom are required to be 18. Florida doesn't require blood tests or medical exams. Contact the local clerk of the circuit court for further information. Also. at Celebration, we can provide wonderful music and photography services. You can call the church office at 239-649-1588.