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Recent Events - Photo Galleries
Cook Family with "Cross-Tree"On Thursday, June 24, 2008, the trunk of the tree just outside the Sanctuary was saved for future creation of something new from the old. Tim and Diane Cook brought a trailer to transport the estimated 6,000 lbs. trunk. Tim explained that it will take a few years for the wood to dry before slabs can be cut (with additional drying). The hopes are to build a cross from the wood. Thanks to Chuck Turk as well for making these arrangements.
Clearing the Construction Area - July 23-24, 2008
Work has begun! In preparation for building construction, the area outside the church offices had a lot of activity on Wednesday and Thursday, July 23-24! Asphalt was removed, brick walls and driveways pulled up, trees in the center of the lot carefully removed.
Groundbreaking for our Children's Building - July 10, 2008
Approximately 125 people attended the Groundbreaking for the Children's Building, July 10, 2008, 11:00 a.m. Initial groundbreaking dignitaries included Mayor Randall Wise, Levin Lord (Lord & Son Construction, Inc.), James Campbell (official representative from the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and Okaloosa County Commissioner), Chuck Thiele, (Wachovia Bank), Danny Grundhoefer (Quina Grundhoefer Archictects of Pensacola), and Rev. Rurel Ausley, Jr. (Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Niceville). Our Building Committee, led by Chairman John Macon, and our Children's Ministers also took a turn with the shovels, in addition to a few children giving it a try. The program included statement of vision, and prayer for safety during construction.
Softball Champions 2008!
Congrats to both the Men’s and Women’s Softball Teams! They both won the trophy for the Divisional Championship! They wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the fans and the church for their continued support. Click on the thumbnails to view a larger photo of both the men's and the women's teams.
Love at Work - June 2008
Love at Work was our domestic mission trip to Gretna, Florida, which is the poorest area in the state. We did exterior home repairs while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the evenings, the students and adults enjoyed fellowship, worship, and teaching as well as small group time. This year 57 people showed the love of Jesus to the people of Gretna, and was held June 22-28, 2008.
Vacation Bible School - June 2008
Our 2008 Vacation Bible School (June 16-20) was "Power Lab"--where 605 children discovered Jesus' miraculous power--in an exciting week that culminated on Sunday, June 22, with "Children's Celebration Sunday" in four of our worship services. Children and families gave generously to the "Children's Hunger Fund" as this year's mission project. Many, many thanks to all of the adult and youth volunteers who made this week meaningful and fun.
Youth Baptism - June 2008
Youth baptism and year end celebration for grades 6-12 was held June 4, 2008 at the Community Life Center.
Wesley Academy Graduation - June 2008
The Wesley Academy Preschool Graduation 2008 ceremony for 4 year olds was held on Monday, June 2, 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Family and friends enjoyed a delightful program presented by the children, called "Growing up to be Children of God". A time of refreshments followed the program.
Lifesong Musical - May 2008
On Sunday evening, May 18, 6:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary, our Kingdom Kids choir presented a musical, "Lifesong", created by Sue C. Smith and Kris Crunk, and directed by Suzanne Herzog. This was a fun musical about leading like Jesus.
"Bible Heroes" - May 2008
Our Wee Cherubs, Cherubs, Sonshine Singers and Kids for Christ presented the musical, "Bible Heroes" on Sunday, May 4, 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. These young voices gave sweet praise to our Lord and showed off their hard work this year!
Love At Work Training Day - April 2008
Student Ministries' Love At Work training day was held April 26, 2008.
Good Friday Service - March 2008
Our Good Friday Service, “A View of Easter through the Shadow of the Cross,” was held Friday, March 21, 2008, and included meaningful elements of light and shadow, sight and sound and communion together.
Palm Sunday Concert - March 2008
"On a Hill Too Far Away" was presented March 16, 2008, 6:00 p.m. in our Sanctuary. This was a very exciting musical and included orchestra, choir, drama, dance and video elements, under the direction of Andrew Griffin and Larry Lord.
Blitz! 234 teens and adults participated in the Blitz weekend at Blue Lake Camp. Eight committed their lives to Christ for the first time
Sabbath 2008: Enjoy photos of the High School Winter Retreat, held January 18-21.
Missions Conference 2008 - February 2008
"Just Say... GO!" was the theme of our 2008 Missions Conference, held February 23-27. Our visiting missionaries included Brabons, Godwins, Howells, Jacksons, Lennon, Spacht, Wilson II, Williams, and van de Voorde. Joe and Mary Sirico also shared their call to Italy. Besides getting to know these missionaries in classes and groups, they were interviewed during our Sunday evening missions dinner, where our Supper on Saturday ministry served a delicious corn chowder meal. For more information about our mission ventures, including short-term trip opportunities, visit http://www.fumcniceville.org/missions/.
Wesley Academy Preschool Christmas Program - December 2007
Our Wesley Academy preschool students presented "Someone Has a Birthday" to parents and friends on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in our Sanctuary. This special Christmas program, written by Cathy Skogen-Soldner and directed by Suzanne Herzog, included narration and dramatic elements as the children told the story of the birth of Christ in costume and song.
Christmas Concert - December 2007
Held Sunday, December 9, 2007 our “All Bow Down” Praise & Worship Christmas Concert was presented through the combined efforts of our traditional and contemporary music ministries. The program began with a “Sounds of the Season” segment and finished with the praise and worship experience, “All Bow Down.” The concert featured our fine Choir, the FUMC Orchestra, Praise Band and Praise Team singers, as well as the Kingdom Kids and Kids For Christ Children’s Choirs. Dance and movement were also added, along with special multi-media effects. The Worship Concert was under the Direction of Larry Lord, Minister of Music; Andrew Griffin, Creative Arts Minister; and Tom Fitzpatrick, Orchestra Director.
Classical Guitar Concert - November 2007
Our Creative Arts Minister, Andrew Griffin, held his Classical Guitar Concert on November 17 in our Community Life Center. The concert featured music by Bach, Weiss, Tarrega, Barrios, Bonfa and Satie, ranging from the classical and romantic to modern genres. Also a composer, Griffin performed the premier of his own work, "Suite Brasilena," a three-movement piece, written in a modern Brazilian style, dedicated to his friend and mentor, Sergio Mendes, of Brasil 66 fame. The concert was a dynamic, multimedia event, utilizing state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video.
Imagine Celebration Sunday - November 2007
Our Imagine Celebration Sunday was held on Sunday, November 4, at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton College. Celebration music was provided through the combined efforts of our traditional and contemporary music ministries, creative arts ministries, orchestra, and children's choir. Two services were held, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Our 2nd-5th grade children met in the Sprint Theatre for their celebration, which included the kissing of a pig by Sondra Dutram, Children's Minister, thus fulfilling her promise to the children according to their pledges to our Imagine campaign. Our entire celebration was filled with God's presence and those present turned in their Imagine Campaign commitment cards.
Orange Fest 2007 - October 2007
Held October 31, Orange Fest 2007 was a huge success! There were over 600 volunteers, 8 churches, 1 Christian school, that made this event happen! It is estimated that over 7,000 individuals attended this event. There were carnival games, inflatables, music, drama, food, clowns, hayrides, Trunk or Treat, face painting, the Pumpkin Patch, public safety displays, tons of candy, and so much more. What an incredible outreach event into our community as so many came on our campus as well as interacted with so many of our members! Enjoy the pictures of this annual event!
"Meet Me At the Dump" Mexico Mission Trip - October 2007
A special mission trip back to the "Dump" at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, October 6-13, 2007, to continue work on the Upward Soccer League plus the mission that our church supports.
Churchwide Picnic - September 23, 2007
The annual church wide picnic with confirmation baptisms was held September 23, 2007 at Camp Timpoochee. There were activities for every member of the family plus great entertainment and lots of food.
"Upward Soccer" Special Mission Trip - August 2007
Twelve high schoolers and adults went on a special mission trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, August 10-15, 2007, to help start an Upward Soccer League plus work at the mission that our church supports there and that ministers among families at the "Dump".
