Re-Living The 50's

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

I’ve got to tell you about some new friends Miss Bessie and I met the other day. I’m talking about all the good people at the Starlight Diner on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, Florida. This new restaurant, which has only been open a week, is a 50’s themed diner where the atmosphere is as fun as the food is delicious. When you walk up to the front door, you are met by a life size statue of Elvis. As you enter, you hear the tunes of the 50’s and early 60’s. I could just imagine dropping my dime into the juke box and selecting Fats Domino, Dion and The Belmonts, and Chuck Berry. I found myself singing along with Little Richard as he sang Long Tall Sally. I would have crooned on, but then came the food. Wow!!! Delicious is not the right word. Not only was the quality of the food 5 star, but the serving sizes were very generous. They offer an extra patty of meat on the burgers, but just a single burger is thick, juicy, and as they said in the fifties, “the cat’s meow.” Their secret to success is simple: all the food is fresh. The burger meat was not pre-pressed and frozen, and the fries and chips were made from fresh cut, real live, honest to goodness potatoes. Along with many different burgers, there are other sandwiches, soups, salads, and of course no 50’s diner would be complete with out the Blue Plate Special. I can’t wait to try the meatloaf, and Miss Bessie has her eye on the liver and onions. They also serve breakfast, and have a nice kid’s menu. They are located at 1141 SW Pine Island Road, in the plaza across the street from the Bonefish Grill. Look for the Fitness Center, and the Starlight is located on the west side of the complex. There is plenty of parking, so if you’re anywhere near Cape Coral/Ft. Myers/ Pine Island, stop in and meet these folks. I promise you a great experience!

We had a good service at church yesterday. Fiddlin’ Bill sang for us, and with his easy going, sincere style, not only sang, but led us in worship. We sang, clapped, and sincerely enjoyed being a Christian. Christianity is not supposed to be a sour puss religion. It is to be enjoyed and celebrated. As you think of all the LORD has done for you, and ponder the promises He has made, you cannot help but to have joy in your heart which overflows into everyday life. As I told the congregation, if you ever find yourself down, depressed, or just plain blue, here are some words from the Book of the Revelation which, if you are a believer, should jump start your joy. If you are not saved, or are unsure, please contact me at fhbcsjc@gmail.com. I’d be happy to show you the way.

Rev. 21:1-5
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. [2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. [4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. [5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

I’m giving final exams at the Seminary tonight, so I guess I’d better head that way. I’ll let you know next week how the finals went, but I have an excellent class of students, so I fully expect to be impressed. Also I’d like to say thanks to all of you who prayed for me, called me, and e-contacted me while I was ill. I feel much better. Thank You!!!

Have a blessed and joyful week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Pastor Bob Felber Does It Again!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

I hope you have had a good, safe, and happy week. Did you get to go to church yesterday? Many of our northern churches had to close due to the harsh winter weather conditions. If yours was one that closed, I hope next week will be better. I trust you are one of those people who enjoy going to church and feel bad whenever you have to miss. May I make a suggestion to you? If you missed hearing a message this week, I’d like to invite you to listen to and view the message preached from our church this past Sunday. It is a short message of about ten minutes and was preached by our associate pastor, Bob Felber. Our video messages are a brief synopsis of the sermons delivered in the morning worship services at friendship Harmony by either Pastor Felber or me. You can see it at www,facebook.com/friendship harmony. You do not need a Facebook account to view any of the messages. All of us here at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church hope the video ministry is a blessing to all who view it.

If you are anywhere near Friendship Harmony this coming Sunday, let me invite you to come and join us as we conclude our Gospel Music Series with a visit from Fiddlin’ Bill. Bill is always a favorite with our people and I couldn’t think of anyone better to sing for us at our final concert of southern gospel music for the 2013/2014 season. The day is also the day of our monthly fellowship carry in dinner. It is shaping up to be a great day, so I hope you can be with us.

I want to thank you for your prayers. I still feel horrible and my voice comes and goes. I am grateful to have a dear friend and colleague like Bob Felber. Whenever I call upon him, he is always so faithful to step in and fill the FHBC pulpit. I totally trust him with the pulpit because I know his desire is to preach God’s word to the very best of his ability. If you have never heard him preach, check out the video at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. It should be ready for viewing by Tuesday morning. Bobby’s preaching will bless your soul. It certainly does mine.

Have a great week and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Busy But Blessed

Good Monday Morning To You!

I had one of those really great days yesterday. It started with a fantastic service at Friendship Harmony. After a good discussion in Sunday School, The Majestic Sounds Quartet from Cincinnati, Ohio sang for us. It was our third anniversary/homecoming and the glory of God rained down upon our service. I gave the group all the time they wanted to sing, then I made a few brief remarks. When the invitation was given, one precious young lady came and received Christ as her Lord and Savior. What a blessing! What a Heaven bought blessing!!

After the service was dismissed, we observed that time honored tradition that most Christians keep: we feasted. I’ll say one thing for Baptist women, they sure can cook. What a meal it was! Later that day I had a luncheon to attend in Ft. Myers, so I decided not to eat too much. What I had decided to do and what I did do was two different things. I put on the feed sack and feasted. Two different ladies made meatloaf, and since that is my favorite food in all the galaxy, I tried a piece of both. They were both magnificent. All the food was good. Next month on March 9, we will do it again. Our featured guest will be Fiddlin’ Bill from right here in our area. Bill is a touring professional, and is always a crowd pleaser. Be sure to mark your calendars now, so that if you are anywhere within driving distance, you can join us. Of course, you are always invited to all FHBC services. They’re all pretty special.

As I said, Bess and I was invited to attend an alumni luncheon from my high school alma mater, Norwood High School. I graduated in 1972 and there were graduates there from as far back as 1962. For me it was an absolute treat. I’ve never been able to attend a class reunion, so this was pretty special. I was even able to reconnect with a couple I went to church with nearly thirty years ago: Paul and Barbara Crosson. Paul was the minister of music at the Tri-County Baptist Church in Cincinnati, and was perhaps the best music director I have ever known. Whether he was leading the choir or the congregation, he pulled better out of you than you thought you could give. Paul's wife, Barbara, is also a Norwood High School graduate.

Today is shaping up to be special as well. Tonight the class I teach at the South West Florida Bible Seminary will be presenting their mid term projects. I do not give a mid term exam, but assign a project that reflects what we are studying. This class is Parabolic Interpretation, so each student is to write their own parable. It can be about anything they wish, religious or secular, but it must follow the interpretive rules. I believe they will do well! I will let you know next week.

By way of an announcement, there will be no video posting tomorrow. With the group singing, we did not tape due to copyright restrictions. You can, however, view past videos if you’d like. You can see them at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. Remember, you do not have to have a Facebook account to view the videos. I hope you will let me know what you think of our new condensed videos. We no longer tape the entire message, but do a “mini message” using the same notes. We try to keep the length to about 10 minutes. Be sure to let me know what you think.

Stay safe and well, so that I can see you again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Picnic At Friendship Harmony

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Let me say how good it is to visit with you this week. Did anything exciting happen to you since we met last? How about writing me and letting me know. You can send me an e-mail to fhbcsjc@gmail.com or preachercooper@hotmail.com. Either way it is always good hearing from you. Recently I heard from a reader in India, and one in Southern California. I also heard from a someone right here on Pine Island that I have not yet had the pleasure to meet. I hope that person comes to Friendship Harmony soon. I love meeting our own local residents.

This past Saturday we had a picnic/concert at the church in honor of the full-time residents who live in the community with the church. As you might know, we are a new church, and we meet at the clubhouse belonging to the Flamingo Bay Association. They very graciously rent their facility to us, and we wanted to give something back. We felt a picnic and concert given in their honor would be in order. As I stated last week, Friendship Harmony is not going to follow the lead of many other Island churches that all but close up shop during the summer. To me, that sends out a wrong message. That tells our full time people that our winter visitors are worth doing things for, but not them. There is a word for that flawed way of thinking. It is pronounced, “Baloney!” Our full timers are most definitely important! They are the back bone of the community, and we at Friendship Harmony appreciate them.

The picnic was absolutely awesome. The food was great, and it was well attended. Our music was provided by Fiddlin’ Bill. Fiddlin Bill, and his wife, Anita, were so gracious to come and help with our picnic. The people at the picnic enjoyed their music. I have already had several ask me when they are coming back. They will be back on March 9, 2014 in our Sunday morning worship service. That will be the day of our fellowship dinner, so if you are here, come and be with us

While I am thinking of it, let me also tell you that Dustin Jenkins from Nashville, Tennessee will be with us on January 12, 2014, and the Majestic Sounds Quartet from Cincinnati, Ohio will be here on February 9, 2014 for our third annual homecoming. We are also working on booking singers for both November and December. We will let you know as soon as these dates are confirmed.

I continued the sermon series called, “The Making Of A Man.” Last week we looked at Solomon, and yesterday we looked at some of the fine traits in the life of Noah. For both messages, and for those coming in the future, we are examining the same three qualities. These people were descent, they were honest, and they were honorable. First, we said he was descent. In Genesis 6: 8-12, we learned that, “Noah found grace in the sight of the LORD. Grace is from the Hebrew word, “chen,” and here it means, “kindness.” What was it that set Noah apart from everyone else? From our passage of Scriptures we see three reasons. Noah was a just man; he was a “perfect man in his generation” (of a consistent character – never departing from the truth); and he walked with God. Interestingly, the same Hebrew word was used to describe Enoch’s walk with God. Noah was a descent man!

Next, Noah was honest. From Genesis 7:5 we learn that, “Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.” God gave the command, Noah wisely agreed to it, and then he kept his word and carried it out. A man’s or a woman’s character is only as good as their word. Are you honest with your word? Can you be counted on to follow through with the commitments you have made? Noah could. It took him 120 years, but he was faithful to it, and he finished the task he told God he would complete. His word and his promise meant something. He was honest!

Finally, he was honorable. The writer of Hebrews 11:7 tells us, Noah, “… condemned the world…” Exactly what did he do? He preached! He proclaimed the message of Salvation to his countrymen while he labored. Peter called him, “a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5) So how is this honorable? It is honorable in that he did the right thing in warning his neighbors of their impending doom, even in the face of their rejection and ridicule. Sometime the honorable thing to do is stand for what is right, even in the face of opposition. Noah was an honorable man!

For you ladies that are here on Pine Island, don’t forget the ladies’ luncheon this coming Thursday at 1:00 pm. It will be at the Island Grill in the Winn Dixie plaza.

Thanks for being such a faithful reader of this blog. You are what makes it all worthwhile. I hope you have a good, healthy, and pleasant week.

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

In Appreciation For Our Fulltime Residents!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!!

How have you, been since we last met? Are you staying busy? I hope it is doing the things you love. Our associate pastor, Bob Felber stays busy in his garden in Kentucky. With much of his harvest, he and Wanda can what they grow, and then bring it with them to Florida. Bess and I really enjoy the beans, kraut, corn, and other things they bring. I’m especially partial to Bob’s sour kraut. It is really good when Wanda fries it. Have you ever had fried kraut? It is delicious! If you would like to try some let me hear from you and the next time she fixes it, I’ll get you an invitation to supper.

Yesterday was a good day at Friendship Harmony, although the attendance was slightly down due to rainy weather. My former pastor, B. J. Thomas, used to say that it only took nineteen raindrops to keep twenty Baptist at home. Even so it was a good service and the LORD really blessed.

I began a new series called, “The Making Of A Man.” We looked at Ezra and saw that he was descent, honest, and honorable. It should be the desire of every Christian to have these three character traits. There were no sermon notes, but you can view the message on YouTube, or on the church facebook page. Most people are viewing by facebook. To find it go to www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. I hope you will help our video ministry to grow. Would you consider sharing the videos on your facebook page?

As some of you know, here in Florida we are honored to have many winter visitors when the north is blanketed by snow, ice, and cold. After Easter our “snowbirds” return home, and church attendance naturally drops. Sadly, many churches go into hibernation mode during the summer. Many cease, or greatly curtail ministry events. To me this is wrong. It sends a wrong message. It tells our full-time residents that they do not matter. They DO matter. They are the backbone of the church. To honor the full time residents of the Flamingo Bay community where Friendship Harmony is located, we are hosting a picnic/gospel music concert this Saturday at Noon. If you are in the area feel free to come and join us. We will be serving hamburgers, hotdogs, and other picnic foods, and Fiddlin Bill will provide the music. It is going to be a great day and we hope our fulltime residents know that they are appreciated. We are also using the occasion to introduce ourselves to those that might not know us. If you cannot be with us, please pray for the success of this event.

Wherever you are, please have a safe and healthy week. For some of you who might not know, the church has a new mailing address. It is P. O. Box 583; St. James City, Florida 33956. Our e-mail address is fhbcsjc@gmail.com. Don’t forget if you have a Bible question that you would like to have answered, please e-mail it to me, and I’ll attempt to get you an answer. Stay well and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Happy Second Anniversary!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!

Last week you did not get a Monday Morning Blog. I was having computer issues, but I believe the kinks have been worked out. Last week Friendship Harmony celebrated its second anniversary as a fully constituted, fully functioning church. It doesn’t seem like two years, but indeed it has been. Friendship Harmony was actually launched on August 29, 2010, but it takes several months to work out the legalities. Sister Jennifer Horton of the Royal Palm Baptist Association was our guide through the process. I speak for our entire Church when I say, “Thank you,” to both Jennifer, and our local Director of Missions, Everett Rafferty. Without them, the process would have been very difficult.

This year we celebrated with the music from Fiddlin’ Bill. Bill sings and saws a hot fiddle. The folks jumped in with him and sang along to most of his songs. It indeed was a Christ honoring time.

What Christian celebration would be complete without food? There was a ton of it! The meal featured turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, and other delicious items. Desserts? There was enough to raise you blood sugar to a thousand. I took it easy on the desserts, but our Associate Pastor, Bob Felber, made his “Black Walnut Cake.” It is by far and away my favorite. I love black walnuts however you care to use them.

Yesterday, I continued the sermon series, God’s Doors. It was number two in a series of four. The notes are below and the video should be on YouTube by mid week. If you missed the notes from message one, from this blog scroll down to the blog from Monday, January 28. The video from part one, as well as other videos can be found at www.youtube.com. At their home page, type Friendship Harmony Baptist Church into the banner. Here are the notes from yesterday’s part two.

God’s Open Doors ©
various
Series: God’s Doors By: Pastor Vic Cooper
2 of 4

Intro: Last time we saw four different open doors. To refresh our memory they were a door of answered prayer, a door of utterance, a door of service, and a door of Heaven. Today we will look at a door of opportunity, a door of faith, and a door of hope.

I. A door of opportunity. Rev. 3:7-8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; [8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
A. Note: The Lord opened the door and put it in place.
B. Note also: The open door is a reward for faithful service.
1. “In this life, the greatest reward for faithful service is more opportunities for service.” Pastor Vic Cooper
2. In the life to come the reward will be the crown of righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:8a Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…
C. Pray and ask God specifically for a door of opportunity.

II. A door of faith. Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
A. You cannot come to Christ without faith. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
B. You cannot have faith unless God gives it. (v27)
C. What it teaches is that, “You had no more to do with your spiritual birth than you did your physicial birth. Pastor B. J. Thomas
D. Pray and ask God for a door of faith.

III. A door of hope. Hosea 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
A. Israel is being promised a future reversal of God’s attitude toward them.
1. The vineyards will grow in the very wilderness through which once they wandered.
2. The Valley of Achor was the site of Achan’s sin. Then it was a door of disaster. (Joshua 7) In the future it will be a door of hope.
B. Israel will be restored - God said so!
C. Pray and ask God for a door of hope.

Conclusion: A door of opportunity, a door of faith, a door of hope. The door is there - the door is open; what will you do.

I hope you are staying warm where you are. It is even cold here. As I write this blog, it is 49 degrees. I know for some of you that might seem warm right about now, but for us 47 feels like 27. By Tuesday we should be back into the low 80’s. By way of an announcement, we are trying raise $5000 for our building fund. Right now, Friendship Harmony meets in rented space. Because of that, we are limited as to what we can do. Many times we would like to have something on Saturday evening, or through the week, but we cannot. If you would like to help, please send your check to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church; 2296 Date Street; St. James City, Florida, 33956. Your gift is tax deductible, and a receipt will be returned to you. Please help us reach our goal! Have a good week and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Video From February 3rd Is Posted

Just a note to let you know that the video from February 3 is posted on YouTube. To view it go to www.youtube.com. At their home page, type in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. Scroll till you find us, but it should come right up. It features Pastor Bob Felber preaching How Far Did Adam Fall? You will be blessed by Pastor Felber's preaching. I always am.

Don't forget if you are in town, our second anniversary homecoming will be this coming Sunday Morning. It will feature music by Fiddlin' Bill and a fellowship meal afterward. Come and join us!

I'll see you right here next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!