Local Church Tries Bold New Tactic Of Just Teaching The Bible - From the Babylon Bee

 

Local Church Tries Bold New Tactic Of Just Teaching The Bible

CHURCH·Aug 21, 2023 · BabylonBee.com

GASTONIA, NC — A local church found a new surge in popularity after making the revolutionary decision to forego its normal attempts to appeal to the masses and instead just start teaching the Bible.

"I don't know why we didn't think of this before," said Steve Borden, lead pastor at Abundant River of Faith and Life. "We've done all the other stuff for years — carnivals, classic car shows, sermon series built around clips from popular movies — but it turns out what people actually need in their lives is to hear God's Word. Who would've thought?"

The church had struggled to bring people through the doors on Sunday mornings for the last decade, resorting to revamping its presentation with fog machines, theatrical staging, lighting worthy of a touring rock band, gourmet espresso drinks, and trendy, topical, life-improvement messages. "We thought that would really help us draw new people," Pastor Borden said. "All that ended up happening was filling the building with a bunch of people who loved coffee and free daycare for their kids."

Things changed when one humble congregant (who requested to remain anonymous) suggested the pastoral staff begin just teaching lessons from the Bible itself. "It was a night and day difference," Borden said. "We actually started seeing people's lives change, as if preaching from the Bible has some kind of divine power to really reach a person's heart. They didn't teach me this in seminary. Wild stuff!"

Creation Garden Flowers Lift Our Spirits

 

 Borage is nicknamed Bee Bread.

Having a garden is one way to enjoy endless complaints about how badly some flowers turned out - if at all. For example, I kept watching a plant growing in full sun with plenty of water. I was not sure of its identity, even as it grew almost chest high. Finally, a flower appeared at the top of the plant. "Borage?! Borage?! I waited all summer for one more borage plant?!" 

Most of them are a few inches tall and very easy to grow. They squeeze between other plants anywhere. Borage earns the title Bee Bread for the constant attention bees give to the star-shaped flowers, pink and blue. The bees spread the pollen which get the seeds forming and dropping off for even more gentle, graceful borage.

Charli Sue lives for the chase, her DNA adjusted for the Patterdale Terrier requirement.

I mislabeled the plant, but at least I did not misgender it. I added Charli's middle name, Sue, to avoid the sin of misgendering the tiny, terroist terrier. She is a sweet, quiet, affectionate baby inside - but flies out the backdoor to chase moles, rabbits, and squirrels.

Here are some pleasant surprises and delights from this summer -

1. Russian sunflowers grew up tall and spread in the Butterfly Garden as hoped.
2. Promiscuous comfrey - related to borage - was halted by planting bee balm around them, in the Butterfly Garden.
3. Roses were baffled and held back by a bad combination of rain and drought, but now they are blooming in a rainbow collection colors and fragrances. Recipients include cul-de-sac neighbors, our chapel, and medical offices.
4. Tiny white allium (garlic) flowers bloomed as the last bulb flowers of the summer, tall and delicate, a wonder to see up close.
5. One Clethra grew to 7 feet, bloomed like crazy, a good example for 8 younger plants. 
6. Elderberries (no jokes) bloomed and produced plenty of fruit for the backyard birds and squirrels. A possum became a regular, always looking for that middle of the night snack.
7. Honeysuckle rose lifted itself onto the Cow Squares and inspired more vertical plants in the future.

 Honeysuckle rose is loved for its berries and fragrance, and yes it is a weed.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 12 -"As soon as we believe, we are already with Christ in this inheritance, and are justified."

Text. Mark 7:31-37. And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphata, that is, Be opened. And his ears were opened, and the bond or. his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Link to the Complete Sermon - Luther's Sermons - Mark 7:31-37. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

PART 1. THE STORY OR EXAMPLE ITSELF.

2. First, the story or example before us is good in itself, for here we see that many persons received the poor man, as though his distress were their own, bringing him to Jesus to be helped. By this, both faith and love are shown to us. Faith, in that they had heard of the Lord before, that he was kind and compassionate, and helped all those who came to him. For the Word must first have been heard, and must first have entered the human heart, showing us the mercy of God in such a way that we depend upon it.

Therefore the Word of Christ must here also have taught these people this; otherwise, where it does not come, there faith and works are all in vain.

3. And though this gospel lesson, like the preceding one, does not state that they had previously heard the tidings of the Gospel, yet we must nevertheless conclude, and the fact proves it, that they must have previously heard the good tidings and Gospel of Christ the Lord, through which they believed. For that is properly the Gospel which is called good tidings, a good report, not that which is written on paper, but that which is proclaimed in the world and becomes known by the living voice. Thus doubtless they had heard that Christ was kind, friendly, and helpful, willing to aid everybody; this was the beginning of their faith. Thus you must earnestly search the Gospel, and you will always find, that the tidings must first go forth and lead us to God, in order that he may’ lay the first stone; otherwise, all is lost. In the next place, you will learn that because they have clung to the tidings and trusted them for their comfort, they went thither, and hoped to receive of him what they had heard.

4. Now you here observe the nature of faith which grows out of the Word.

For the Word first sets forth to us the mercy and goodness of God; then faith causes us to cleave unto it with a firm confidence, and to obey the Word. For we are now conscious of this in our hearts, and are satisfied; for as soon as we believe, we are already with Christ in this inheritance, and are justified.

5. In the third place, this Gospel lesson describes the works of love in this, that these people go and care for the poor man, just as Christ, without their merit, and without their doing, sends forth his Word, and spreads abroad his goodness and mercy. Thus as they have laid hold and drank from the fountain, they again flow forth freely, and also impart themselves to their neighbor freely and without any merit. Thus love should do its work, not as though it needs it, but devotes itself solely to the benefit of its neighbor, as Paul, among other things, speaks to the Corinthians about love, Corinthians 13:5: “Love seeketh not its own”; and to the Philippians he says, Philippians 2:4: “Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.”

Happy Birthday, Brett Meyer!

 

Long ago I fashioned the graphic above because Brett Meyer, our congregational president, was challenging the dark forces of Universal Faithless Justification. That dogma, nurtured at Halle University - a combination of Pietism and Rationalism - has unified WELS, ELCA, ELS, LCMS, CLC (sic), and other fragments of Lutherdom. 

Today is Brett's birthday. God's blessings on him and his family.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - Epistle Sermon, 1 Corinthians 15:1ff.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Vimeo link for the Trinity 11 service,

Epistle lesson, 1 Corinthians 15.

The Hymn #200           I Know That My Redeemer Lives  

The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

God is in His holy habitation: 

He is God who setteth the solitary in families.

The God of Israel is He that giveth strength: 

and power unto His people.

Psalm. Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: 

let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Gradual

My heart trusteth in God, and I am helped: 

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; 

and with my song will I praise Him.

V. Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my Rock: 

be not silent to me; hear the voice at my supplications. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Lord, Thou hast been our Dwelling Place in all generations. 

Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #199   Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Resurrection - The Ultimate Proof

The Communion Hymn #207   Like the Golden Sun Ascending - Kingo

[Some parts of the Danish rural population firmly held to Kingo's hymns during the Pietist and Rationalist period, contributing to their survival.]

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #216          On Christ's Ascension

In Our Prayers

• Diagnosis and Treatment - Sarah Buck, Lori Howell, Robert Northcutt, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Kermit and Maria Way, Callie. Mary Howell had good results from testing. Also for prayers - metabolic disorders and stress.
• Dottie cleaned Ranger Bob's home yesterday and today. Three people from the neighborhood mowed his  lawn, including Big John (Bible John), in the heat.

KJV Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

KJV Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Eleventh Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we beseech Thee so to guide and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not forget our sins and be filled with pride, but continue in daily repentance and renewal, seeking our comfort only in the blessed knowledge that Thou wilt be merciful unto us, forgive us our sins, and grant us eternal life; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Resurrection - The Ultimate Proof

KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

Luther questioned whether this lesson belonged with Trinity 11, which reminds people today how much the appointed lessons vary. Also, there are named groups of pericopes (selections) used in worship services. The one-year historic pericopes, which we use, come from the distant past. The most recent one is the three-year set which came from the Church of Rome and spread throughout the liberal mainline denominations, including ELCA, LCMS, WELS, ELS.

Lenker used translators from various Lutheran synods to provide the sermons in his set. He was trained at Hamma in Ohio and taught at Dana (Danish) Seminary.

This passage reminds us that 1) Trinitarian statements are often found in Paul's letters, though denied by the Left; 2) the resurrection of Jesus is basic to everything, from His Incarnation to His Ascension. Every detail matters, which is why the apostates belittle and mock the divine proofs of Jesus' work and wonders. All of this was accomplished by Him to give us security, peace, and hope in the midst of anxieties and fears.

The believers in Corinth provide a wealth of troubles to discuss, and the false teachers inspired even more. That is why 1 and 2 Corinthians are so important to us today. The two letters are remarkable in addressing those issues and teaching us from those controversies. 

Basic to the Gospel are these two points - 

Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins;

Jesus rose from death and ascended to Heaven.

That was a powerful message because over 500 witnessed the risen Christ and spread the Gospel immediately, so the death and resurrection were well known at that time. Even the greatest skeptics have agreed that the empty tomb was not questioned in those days with so many witnesses. The ELCA seminaries got my letter in 1987 asking if any professors taught the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Christ. Only one professor was identified as saying it probably happened. With such teaching of anti-faith, the ELCA seminaries shriveled and soon begged for a place (like a college) to lodge their tiny faculties, because there was no room at the inn. 

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Lenski, 1 and 2 Corinthians, p. 625.

One fact was in Paul’s favor: those who questioned the

resurrection of the dead still believed firmly in the

resurrection of Christ. If they had denied that they

would have departed so completely from the historic

foundation of faith that Paul would have treated them

as apostates. As it is, Paul makes Christ’s resurrection

the fulcrum for his presentation of the doctrine that

we, too, shall be raised from the dead. Thus the first

eleven verses are thetical in form, a restatement of

undisputed facts.

Because the preached Word is effective in making us believe in the Resurrection of Christ, we can fall into doubt about that also applying to us as believers. The Spirit takes from the Son and gives that truth to us. A firm conviction that we will also rise from the dead can conquer self-doubt, moving from the plain facts of mortal life to the everlasting Gospel of eternal life through faith in Him. "Everyone is saved, without Christ" (Universalism) is just as foolish as "Everyone goes to Heaven because God is so gracious" (Unitarians, though they are now almost completely anti-God.)

Because we are sinful by nature, our trust in eternal life comes from the Resurrection of Christ, faith in Him. Note that many false religions teach the righteousness of the Law, which condemns sin and then insists on the Law earning forgiveness in some way.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Paul was not at the cross, empty tomb, or the locked room, but Christ appeared to him. Christ converted Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul became an apostle by virtue of this conversion and face to face meeting. So Paul had firsthand knowledge of Jesus Christ and training by Him. This continued with the groups Paul established or strengthened. 

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

The details are very important to relate, because the risen Lord established the faith of those who had been weakened from the terrible events. And a large body of people also saw and heard the risen Christ. Believers had developed from people Jesus blessed with miracles. The resurrection appearances expanded from that and became the foundation of the Christian Faith growing through persecution. Soon it was not only the apostles and Paul, but also the 500 who spread the divine Word to others. The world was longing for a Savior and they created an enormous number of manuscripts to take to various ethnic groups in their own language and the universal language of Greek.

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

These details are important because they show how extensive the Gospel witness was. As the Savior said before His Ascension, He would rule from Heaven, and the Holy Spirit would teach and guide the Apostles and the new pastors around the world. 

I remember one Objective Justification without Faith expert saying that Thomas did not reach India - it was a myth. I pointed out that one province, Kerala, was majority Christian while the rest of the sub-continent was and is pagan. The tradition for St. Thomas is very strong, even if he did not sign the guestbook.

7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 

Paul was busy persecuting the Christians before Christ appeared before Him. This meant he had to be very humble in facing the Apostles, but he also stuck to the truth of the Gospel when there was conflict about kosher foods.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

We are all likely to smile at Paul's tendency to praise his work, but 1) the biographical information matters, and 2) he always acknowledged God giving him the energy. 

God becoming man - the ultimate proof is Christ crucified and human in every possible way. But He rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven, giving directs to His apostles to carry out the work all over the world, as predicted in the Fourth Gospel.

The Promise of eternal life through faith in Him (the only way we receive grace) comes from God, not our superiority. In these times of turmoil and decay, the Resurrection is the foundation of our peace and joy.

The End

Creation Garden in Transition

 

 Monty Don, gardening expert.

The Joe Pye Weeds have bloomed, hosting the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The plants have done their job, so I am using them for mulch as I cut them down - Little Joe Pye, too. Their enormous production of stems and leaves are ideal for adding more humus to the soil and feeding the small creatures above and below the surface.

I enjoy Monty Don on multiple gardening series. He advocates stuffing the garden full of plants and then thinning them. Many people poke tiny plants into the overturned soil and hope they will have a garden some day.

Last year I started milk weed plants, which thrived this year. I planted two honeysuckle rose vines, which moved someone to yell, "You paid for a weed? My vine was 20 feet long and growing!"

 Cow squares - cows not included.

Honeysuckle is a fan favorite in the South, with unforgettable fragrance and sweet berries - so I wanted support for the two little starts. Jimmy, the repairman, suggested cow squares (not to be confused with square cows). One tendril could not decide where to go, but the other quickly reached six feet. 

The second plant went into the original Butterfly Garden, because I had hopes of it mingling with the fast growing plants around it. Some digging and accidents led to comfrey growing like crazy, mint planted to suffocate the comfrey, Russian sunflowers, two Joe Pyes, and some others growing but not identified. I check on the Honeysuckle Rose to see if it is reaching up on its own. They say, "Honeysuckle rose climbs from the darkness to reach the sun."

Plants commonly called weeds are robust and quick to find a place to thrive. A good way to decide whether it is a weed or not will come from muttering, "What have I done?"

Back to cow squares. Jimmy had plenty so we added the rest of them beyond the Little Joe Pye garden and around the corner.

I am pessimistic about rabbits chewing up edible candidates for the cow squares. Sugar snap peas and cucumbers come to mind. Warty gourds and small pumpkins could work out well, if the squirrels also mind their manners. 

Clethra, also known as Sweet Spice and Cinnabon, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its fragrance. I now have nine of them because plastic collars seemed to keep vegetarian predators away.

In the WELS and Missouri Sects - All Truths Are God's Truths - Except Biblical Truths - Luther and the Book of Concord

 

Only Paul Kelm could encapsulate the errors of Calvinism in so few ill-chosen words. WELS made him appear to be the Second Coming - "When the Son of Man returns, will He find faith?"

 

Tis strange how Ski - a Jeske follower - pretended to have a separate church in a deluxe but broke movie theater. Another Jeske follower replaced Ski and landed on St. Mark's Hour of Power. Kelm briefly sojourned there.

TELL turned into an expensive propaganda tool. The late Robert Hartman just had to boast.

Eight years ago, WELS Pastor Kent Reeder, did his best to out-Kelm Paul Kelm, birthing Illumine, like one of those lab experiments from a midnight monster movie channel. Reeder is on LinkedIn, a good way to find out what individuals say about themselves. One famous LCMS star did that and soon erased his own basic facts - too much revealed.

Luther and the Concordists did not say -

1. Come to my church
2. Find a friend here
3. Embrace the love, have some popcorn and soda
4. Coin a cool name for our (name the sect)  church, and hide the denomination.

The Reformation taught the Bible (Traditional Text, not the Tischendorf-Westcott-Hort) to explain its meaning and to refute errors.

Seductive marketing gimmicks are not effective. They claim the concept but reject the truth - 

The Holy Spirit is always at work in the Word and never apart from the Word.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Holy Trinity Sunday - Guest Sermon - O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!

 

Complete Sermon Link ->Luther's Sermons - Romans 11:33-26. Trinity Sunday

18. Behold, Paul’s purpose in this epistle is to show Christians that these sublime and divine mysteries—that is, God’s actual divine essence and his will, administration and works—are absolutely beyond all human thought, human understanding or wisdom; in short, that they are and ever will be incomprehensible, inscrutable and altogether hidden to human reason.

When reason presumptuously undertakes to solve, to teach and explain these matters, the result is worthless, yea, utter darkness and deception. If anything is to be ascertained, it must be through revelation alone; that is, the Word of God, which was sent from heaven.

19. We do not apply these words of Paul to the question of divine predestination for every human being—who will be saved and who not.

For into these things God would not have us curiously inquire. He has not given us any special revelation in regard to them, but refers all men here to the words of the Gospel. By them they are to be guided. He would have them hear and learn the Gospel, and believing in it they shall be saved.

Therein have all the saints found comfort and assurance in regard to their election to eternal life; not in any special revelation in regard to their predestination, but in faith in Christ. Therefore, where Saint Paul treats of election, in the three chapters preceding this text, he would not have any to inquire or search out whether he has been predestinated or not; but he holds forth the Gospel and faith to all men. So he taught before, that we are saved through faith in Christ. He says (Romans 10:8): “The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart,” and he explains himself by saying that this word should be proclaimed to all men, that they may believe what he says in verses 12 and 13: “For the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

20. But he speaks of the marvelous ruling of God in the Church, according to which they who have the name and honor of being the people of God, and the Church—the people of Israel—are rejected on account of their unbelief. Others, on the other hand, who formerly were not God’s people, but were unbelieving, are now, since they have received the Gospel and believe in Christ, become the true Church in the sight of God, and are saved. Consequently it was on account of their own unbelief that the former were rejected. Then the grace and mercy of God in Christ was offered unto everlasting life, and without any merit of their own, to all such as were formerly in unbelief and sin, if only they would accept and believe it. He declares: “For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.” Romans 11:32.

21. Hereupon follows the text, which Saint Paul begins with emotions of profound astonishment at the judgment and dealings of God in his Church, saying: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!”

United Methodist Church Arrogantly Allows Its Conservative Congregations To Leave the Sect - To Reward the Officials for Their Apostasy

 

Christian colleges are selling their assets to nearby schools. LCMS is accelerating its Geronimo exits.

The Florida United Methodist Conference is letting some parishes leave, as long as they leave a dowry behind. I could mention that none of the Left-wing officials are true to their founders or the Scriptures.

The following churches were approved for disaffiliation, pending completion of all exit requirements.

Atlantic Central District
Church	City	Exit Obligation
Canal Point	Canal Point	$25,538
Community	Belle Glade	$50,069
Community of Hope	Loxahatchee	$863,246
Georgianna	Merritt Island	$349,157
Roseland	Roseland	$88,091
East Central District
Community	DeBary	$88,286
DeLeon Springs	DeLeon Springs	$25,358
Dundee	Dundee	$45,033
First	Clermont	$422,894
First	DeLand	$233,109
First	Tavares	$171,972
Pine Castle	Orlando	$460,335
Gulf Central District
Alturas	Alturas	$15,385
Bay Hope	Lutz	$1,135,566
First	Lutz	$146,535
New Hope	Brandon	$421,470
Palma Ceia	Tampa	$293,576
Sylvan Abbey	Clearwater	$48,414
Tampa Korean	Tampa	$139,350
North Central District
Crystal River	Crystal River	$135,053
Grace at Ft. Clarke	Gainesville	$266,878
Little Chapel-Santos	Ocala	$23,082
New Hope	Citra	$4,491
Spring Life	Spring Hil	$233,984
North East District
Faith	Jacksonville	$65,157
First	Callahan	$36,591
Lakewood	Jacksonville	$358,990
Middleburg	Middleburg	$97,068
Pierson	Pierson	$33,677
Riverdale	St. Augustine	$18,602
St. James	Palatka	$79,258
Welaka	Welaka	$4,500
North West District
First	Alachua	$114,126
First	Lake City	$93,433
Deer Lake	Tallahassee	$134,798
Killearn	Tallahassee	$463,857
Salem	Havanah	$63,585
Waukeenah	Monticello	$24,039
South East District
Community	Marathon	$53,053
Korean American of S Florida	Tamarac	$152,573
North Hialeah Hispanic	Hialeah	$44,957
South West District
Alva	Alva	$56,061
Christ	Lehigh Acres	$107,004
Christ	Venice	$460,688
Edgewater	Port Charlotte	$189,310
Englewood	Englewood	$381,681
Estero	Estero	$291,889
First	Moore Haven	$40,254
First	Sebring	$209,446
First	Clewiston	$69,775
Grace	Cape Coral	$609,539
Oneco	Bradenton	$61,912
Port Charlotte	Port Charlotte	$182,934
St. James/New Beginnings	Sarasota	$69,192
St. John	Sebring	$112,721

Joe Henderson is the News Content Editor for FLUMC.org
jhenderson@flumc.org