FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15,2008/News-Leader RELIGION Checking out the fruit of real worship, whatever form it takes Onto the floor he went. "What are you doing?" I asked my son as he began reaching his hand under the display counter. "There's money down here dad," he said, trying to convince me to let him keep looking. "You can't do that," I told him. "Now come on, get up, the floor's dirty and I really don't want you down there." The truth is I was embarrassed. There was my son, I guess about seven or eight years old at the time, lying on the floor in the checkout aisle at Winn Dixie. With my cart full of groceries half unloaded, and a line of people standing behind me, I did my best not to make a big scene. "Come on, get up," I said again as I continued to offload our groceries in % hopes that nobody was watching. Suddenly, up off the floor he came with eyes wide open, waving a quarter. "Look dad," he said, "I told you there was money down there." *And sure enough, he Rob was right. G ette I've got to be hon- Goyee est and tell you that the kid inside of me PULPIT wanted to get on the NOTES floor with him and see what else we Could find, but you know that wasn't about to happen. "OK," I told him. "That's enough now, come on and help me with these groceries." "Can I go to the gum machine?" he asked as he pointed across the room. "Alright," I said, glad to have him off the floor. "Just come right back when you're done." "OK dad, thanks," he replied as he ran off to sped his newfound quarter. As the cashier and I smiled gently at each other, I was glad to see that the other people in line weren't paying much attention. Then it happened. While I was load- ing the last bit of groceries back into our cart, my son came running back anxious to show me what he had bought. There, in his hand, was a small gum machine ring he had gotten for his sister. "I got it for Rebecca," he said, "Do you think she'll like it?" "Yeah I do," I told him, feeling bad that I was so embarrassed by his previ- ous actions. "I think she's going to like it a lot," I said. 'That's very thoughtful of you." And with that, he smiled and we went on our way. As the pastor of an interdenomina- tional church, and as someone who loves to travel, I've had the privilege of visiting a lot of different congregations throughout the world. From very ortho- dox and liturgical formats to those that are more charismatic and free flowing, I've found that every congregation seems to have its own unique style and way of expressing itself before the Lord. Though many would argue that their way is the only right way, I have to tell you that I shy away from such a pos- ture. It seems plain to me that God is more interested in the fruit of our worship than He is in the style. Like me with my son that day, though I was embarrassed by the fact that he was prostrate on the floor, it was the fruit of his experience that really mattered. He came forth demonstrating the love of God. While I'm by no means suggesting that we all lie on the floor as an expres- sion of our worship, neither am I so quick to judge those who do. Like Mary pouring out her alabaster box at Jesus' feet, though terribly misunderstood by those who were watching her, may our faith and practice be judged primarily by the fruit that it bears. Robert L. Goyette is pastor of Living Waters World Outreach Center E-mail him at rgoy@livingwatersoutreach.org. RELIGION NOTES Salvation Army The Salvation Army Hope SHouse at 410 S. Ninth St., Fernandina Beach, offers a spiri- tually uplifting Christian service every Tuesday starting at 11:30 a.m., with a meal provided imme- diately following. There are spe- cial speakers weekly and every- one is invited. For more information call 321-0435. Barbecue fundraiser The Miracle Faith Church of God, 87688 Roses Bluff Road, Yulee, will sell barbecue and fish dinners from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. each Friday and Saturday in February. For more information, to place an order or for delivery, call the church at 548-8356, Sister Green at 261-7374, Sister Franklin at 548- 0046 or the Rev. Franklin at (352) 348-8141. St Peters celebration As part St. Peter's 150th anniversary celebration, the com- munity is invited to a weekend encounter with "Peter, Disciple and Apostle," today through Feb. 17, led by the Rev. Brian Suntken, rector of Christ Church, Hudson, Ohio. Events kick off with a potluck supper and introduction to "Peter, Disciple and Apostle" from 5:30- 8:15 p.m. tonight "Who Do You Say I Amrb Reflectiohs on'the life of PeteitDisciple and Apostle,''is from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 16. From, 10:10-11 a.m. Feb. 17 is "Peter, Do You Love Me? Feed my Sheep?" - concluding thoughts on "Peter, Disciple and Apostle." Suntken will also be the guest preacher at the 7:30, 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. serv- ices. ? Infant and toddler care will be provided. Call Kristina Smith at 261-4293, ext. 15, or e-mail ksmith@stpetersparish.org. AMELIA ISLAND CHURCH OF CHRIST Where tih. Btble i thjic AueHrin Chni i. rhe head cofldie r uthurch, znJ the- ,m.berorf ae .iupihv Chnr'iuna Meets atL he YMCA 10 00 a.m -Worship 1Q15 Citrona Dr. ll.001 m.-Sunday Sch. For More Information, Call George Williams at t904) 277-9675 Rev. Ray Ramsburg, Pastor Every Sunday - Traditional Worship: 8AM & 11AM Contemporary Praise: 9:30AM Children's Sunday School: 9:30AM Nursery provided at all services First Sunday Each Month - Healing Prayer: 6PM Across from Fort Clinch State Park 261-6306 www.poplcamelia.org Anglican MISSION nsmAMERICAS 86003 Christian Way(Yulee Methodist Church) Yulee, Florida Telephone 904.335.7642 Please join us on Sunday, Bible Study at 6pmr Worship & Lord's Supper at 7 pm, Fellowship 7:45 to 8:15 Come for one or all Optional Healing Prayer offered following Worship Sunday Service 9:30 a.m. 96074 Chester Rd., Yulee www.providenceyulee.com 904-430-3116 Couples night The Rock Church of Northeast Florida will host a Couples Night Out in celebration of Valentine's Day weekend from 6:30-9:30 p.m. tonight. Couples are invited to drop off their children at the church while they go out for a date and spend some time together. This is on a first come basis as the number of children the church can accom- modate is limited. There will be games and pizza for the children. Call (904) 225-4940 or visit www.rcnefl.org. 'Essence of Love' Pastor Harry Johnson and the Solid Rock Church of God by Faith at 86136 Palm Tree Drive in Yulee invite the community to "Celebrate the Essence of Love" in February. The For the Sake of Love Banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Haskell Building, 111 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville. Ticket donation is $30. For infor- matiori contact Deacon Maurice Sims at (904) 874-5376. * * The Women in Love with Jesus Conference is from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 23 with the theme, "Am I my Sister's Keeper?" Guest speaker will be Sister Leonia "Mel" Tyler at the Church of the Nazarene, US 17 North, Yulee. Keynote speaker yill beMinister Kay Sirtb4 Conference registra- tion fee is $20 and includes break- fast For information contact Sister Star Pollard at (904) 583- 2488. Lenten music The Amelia Plantation Chapel will feature organist Peter Deane playing hymns and music for meditation during Lent on Wednesday Feb. 20 and 27 and March 5, 12 and 19, from noon to I !amiJ'l44lrsfuip Center CfuarA hqof G f,r-Y7I- 904l-261-3090 . s --N., . I. I _2 'SOHL I t. I-4 tr.-,:i Fernandina B .1idiFL 3-',-,'4 JOY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH PRESENTLY MEETING AT 719 SOUTH 9"' STREET SUNDAY 10:00 AM FULL GOSPEL / INTERDENOMINATIONAL EDWARD M. COOP, PASTOR 904-753-0146 www.fieldofjoy.org WE ARE A 501 (C)(3) TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION New Website! www.ameliachapel.com 11,' H H1~*.*., .5 l,,rlarvd Everyone Welcome A 1928 Prayer Book Parish The Rev. J. Michael Bowhay, Rector Come Grow With Us 12:30 p.m. All are invited to the chapel, located at 36 Bowman Road out- side the Amelia Island Plantation. Adult potluck The MACs (Mature Adult Christians) of First Presbyterian Church will meet for a potluck luncheon on Feb. 21 at 11:30 a.m. in Jim Thomas Hall. Ed Mathews will present the program on his adventure hiking the Appalachian Trail. Come enjoy the beauty of his photography and experience the excitement as he retells the stories of a dream fulfilled. For more information call 261-3837. Movie night On Feb. 22 Memorial United Methodist Church (downtown) will host a movie night featuring "Amazing Grace," directed by Michael Apted. The show will begin at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. Popcorn and coffee will be served. Prayer breakfast The community is invited to a prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. Feb. 23 at the County Building, 86026 Amelia Island Plantation Outside the Main Gate (904) 277-4414 Pages Dairy Road in Yulee, an outreach project of Impact Your World Church. Breakfast will be continental. Come expecting to change lives. Contact women's ministry leader Eron Thompson at 261- 9072 if you plan to attend. Anniversary celebration Prince Chapel AME Church on Hendricks Road in Nassauville will hold its 119th Anniversary Celebration at 4 p.m. Feb. 24. The community is invited to come and worship. For more information contact Ernie Albert, secretary, at 2614113. Parish renewal St. Michael Catholic Church will host a Parish Renewal with Father Hugh Burns, O.P, Feb. 24- 27 with a 9:30 a.m. morning Mass and homily and 7 p.m. evening talk and prayer. Topics include: Don't worry, be happy Christian Joy at 7 p.m. Feb. 24; What are you afraid of? Dealing with life's fears at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 25; See it big -keep it mo, 1 imr sl lu.xi' w E'\\ 1,.)11 ELIONI T RUI'NK Sfk%.klfWAlSIA!RON BAT i-1N' FE:b Rt A KY )I 1iIPLO UCi H B FROMI 0.v ilAMt 5 it) PM ,3,, Il AIXNOR TH [lIONIT, VEIRA 1B1EACH, 1-1 404.55M4,t44 S H A R 0NBA IT HN, (-,()M (jt.) r ~ufli.2 ~Choi-3'Ham ~.Hfl'i, t.':.rli10C 45 amc IW dr.dnv ..-,, t 4AIA..Ii pm A, iL.!.' P-& Slui, ~:opm F- r~n r- FL 32-H'J4 tr.1i4'41l YULEE UNITED METHODIST & CHURCH Please join us for SUNDAY SERVICES: Church School 9:30AM Worship 11AM Wednesday Study 6:30PM A1A & Christian Way, Yulee 225-5381 Rev. Mark Stiles A.^ L 0 FIRST - PRESBYTERIAN S CHURCH 9 N. 6lh St. 261-3S37 Worship Sertices 8:30 & 1 lam Sunday School 9:45 am Come Worship God In One of Florida's Oldest Sanctuaries! .. . F. -.. . . ,, L t 'h .,', ,.,- ,- ,, ., simple at 7 p.m. Feb. 25; Cool off! Coping with anger at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 26; Brought Near: a sense of belonging in the church at 7 p.m. Feb. 26; Lighten up: a Christian sense of humor at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 27; and Blessed Among Women: Mary, tender and tough at 7 p.m. Feb. 27. Everyone is welcome. For information call 261-3472. Men's Day The Men of Trinity United Methodist Church will observe their annual Men's Day Program at 11 a.m. Feb. 24. Guest speaker will be Minister Derry Mainor of Springhill Baptist Church, Brunswick, Ga. Everyone is invit- ed to attend. Musical worship Popular Christian recording artists, The Pfeifers, will be fea- tured in a musical worship serv- ice at Orange Park Nazarene Church on Feb. 24 during the 10:30 a.m. service. 'Salt and Light' Amelia Plantation Chapel will present Bud Toole at 10:30 a.m. March 2 as part of its "Salt and Light" speaker series. Toole, a founder and board member of East-West Ministries Internation- al, will speak on the topic, "Christianity: Alive in Russia." Toole has trained pastors and women in the underground Christian movement in Eastern European countries for 27 years. He has helped establish orphan- ages, feeding programs and a nursing home for women in Russia. For information, call 277- 4414 or send email to speakers@ameliachapel.com. St. Michael Academy 'Ti.ttlIir U cau Litnila f .