Young at Heart Ministry

The Senior Adult Ministry of First Christian Church exists for the purpose of providing Christ-centered activity addressing the spiritual, educational, and social needs of church members and friends.

We do not think in terms of sponsoring a "senior citizens group," rather, we seek to identify a large and diverse fellowship of men and women who have entered a different phase of life — people who have adult children, people who are retired, people who are pursuing second careers, people who have lost their spouses, and grandparents of all ages.

While some people have greater physical and emotional needs than others, all share in the common need for salvation in Christ and the consequent need to be valued and productive servants of the church. Our objective is not to isolate senior adults as caretaking liabilities but to integrate their gifts and energies for the benefit of the church family.

• A ministry of Christian fellowship maintaining the cohesiveness of the church family.
• A ministry of Christian encouragement reinforcing the value of each individual to the church family and to God.
• A ministry of Christian fellowship building positive and fulfilling relationships.
• A ministry of Christian compassion providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
• A ministry of Christian outreach—not limiting efforts to members of the local congregation, but responding to all people, as we have opportunity to share the love of Christ.

Foundation

The Senior Adult Ministry of First Christian Church will always be anchored to the instruction and counsel of God's Word.

WISDOM to be respected. "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Job 12:12 NIV

PRODUCTIVITY to be valued. "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green . . ." Psalm 92:12-14 NIV

LEARNING to be continued. "Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good." Titus 2:2-3 NIV

MOTIVATION to be encouraged. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it." Philippians 3:12-13 NIV

RENEWAL to be nurtured. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. " II Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

Activities

The Senior Adult Ministry of First Christian Church will conduct a variety of programs and service projects focused upon spiritual, educational, and social needs.

"Young at Heart" is used interchangeably with "Senior Adult" to describe our ever expanding 55 and up fellowship. Under the "Young at Heart" banner, we enjoy monthly activities, a weekly Bible study, and other fellowship gatherings. The Young at Heart choir rehearses on a weekly basis and presents special music for the church family during Sunday worship on occasion.

Consistent with our objectives, however, we do not intend to develop an all-inclusive senior adult program isolated from other First Christian ministries. The Young at Heart are encouraged to be involved in all mainstream activities of the church family. Opportunities for Christian service abound. Sunday School classes are especially important for everyone as well as Wednesday night Bible Studies, Women's Christian Fellowship, Weekday Volunteering, Children's Ministry, and many other opportunities.

Young at Heart Dinner/Luncheon Programs are held in the church fellowship hall (to your right as you enter the main doors). The times for each program are as announced. Some are luncheons and some are evening meals. Sign up sheets will be on the counter by the nursery 2 weeks prior to each of these programs. Please sign your name to make a reservation. Although most of our meals are pitch-in, the Thanksgiving Dinner in November is fully provided.

Young at Heart Out to Lunch will be featured one Wednesday a month. It's a nice time to get together after Bible study and go out to eat together as a group.

Young at Heart Day Trips are scheduled on an occasional basis. There are many interesting sights to be seen and experiences to enjoy here in Central Florida. Let's enjoy these things together! Detailed information for each of these outings will be made available through flyers and the Young at Heart news sheet. Times and costs (if any) will be included in this information in advance of each trip.

Young at Heart Extended Trips are a new feature to the senior adult ministry. Our first group traveled to Atlanta to see the Atlanta Passion Play and Stone Mountain. There is no regular time for these trips to occur, but information will be given well in advance so that you may make plans. These trips are a wonderful way to get to know each other better and enjoy the beauty of our country!

Young at Heart Bible Study meets regularly on Wednesday mornings in the Chapel. It is so important for senior adults as well as every age group to join together in the study of God's word.

Young at Heart Choir rehearses every Wednesday morning before the Bible study. Singing praise is good for the soul and good for the senior adult. Many of our seniors also sing in the regular Adult Choir which rehearses Wednesday evenings. The Young at Heart Choir presents special music for the church family at Sunday worship as well as to other groups on occasion.

Bible Fellowship classes are available for the senior adult at First Christian Church. Many of the Young at Heart attend the Trinity class and Kornerstone class.