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South Pinellas County Chapter
As Paul Harvey would say, "And now the rest of the story..."
This page contains the continuation of stories that have been introduced in our Chapter Newsletter.
Enjoy these tid-bits, prayer concerns, and things to think about.
Dylan Crane

Dylan Crane, a young, bright, John Hopkins Middle School student went to his heavenly home on June 8, 2005. If you recall, our latest Newsletter contained excerpts from a letter from Jacob Stewart, a friend trying to help the Cranes with a great financial need. Dylan was also featured in a St. Petersburg Times, Floridian story on Sunday, May 22. He was making a documentary film about his journey with his illness. He wanted other kids diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma to have an idea of what to expect in their own courses of treatment. Dylan’s film, My Cancer Miracle, started out as a 7th grade project. The documentary debuted on television as part of the All Children's Hospital telethon, won first place in Florida's regional student media awards, and took first place in a national competition in Indiana.

Today we grieve with Dylan’s family and friends, but rejoice that his battle is over. Here is Jacob’s letter in its entirety:

Rise up Brothers and Sisters Rise up!

A plea from Jacob Stewart

As I begin this I first ask that if the children in your life are healthy kiss them and thank God for your blessings, If they are ill empathize with this story and if the have been taken home to our Father at a time that in our humanness we feel is premature be assured that you will be reunited with them in our Father's house when your time on earth is through.

It was a normal day at school as we entered our class last year. I walked in to paper balls flying, the sound of teenage banter and laughter. I sat at my desk and my friend Dylan said "guess what I'm leaving early" No fair! Where are you going? I am going to the Doc. Really, for what? My leg hurts. Dylan, don't you know that all teenage boys' legs hurt, it is growing pains. (Those of you who know me know I am 13years old and 6 ft tall and you don't reach this height so rapidly with out a bit of pain.) Dylan left. I engaged in the paper ball fight and beamed my friend Sam right between the eyes. Anyway a few days past and Dylan didn't return to school. My teacher Mr. Howard asked us to sit down he had to tell us something. You see Dylan wasn't having growing pains; He has cancer, a very aggressive bone cancer. This journey for Dylan began a year ago. He has had the bones in his leg replaced with titanium and many Chemo treatments. Right now he is feeling Okay, aside from the loss of hair, weakness and his continued battle against his disease. He is building his strength to undergo some stem cell treatment that he will begin in a few weeks. This treatment is believed to make him feel sick again and like a normal 12 year old his biggest concern was his birthday party. His mom understanding how important a 13th birthday is threw him a surprise bash. When I first arrived I felt uncomfortable not because .of Dylan, but because of our friends. They acted like he had cancer, shushing each other and walking around so calming. In my head I was screaming to God, make them stop! It is his Birthday, a party, let him forget he has cancer and enjoy the day. God was listening and with in minutes my friends began to act like normal zany teenagers. The party ended and it was time for me to depart, when I said good bye to Dylan he threw a crazy looking stuffed bird at me and said "remember me!" I know he was asking for prayers. You see I am known as the very Christian kid, Jesus Freak, the boy with the speed dial connection to God. I share my faith with my friends and I am surprised by how receptive and excepting they are, As well as stunned by how  many don't know about God at all. I left knowing that bird would remind to pray for Dylan often, but more, I wanted to do more! How can I do more? And then out of no where it came to me. I can do little, but my family, my family of Christ can do much. Dylan's family is a typical family with children this age they do okay financially, however this wasn't in the financial plan. His dad continues to work and his Mom works whenever she can depending on Dylan's needs. You know how insurance works, out of pocket expense are incredible, and lots of that type of treatment isn't covered excuses. So I ask you, Instead of pizza night next week eat Franks and Beans, instead of the fair, go to the beach, maybe you don't have to make a sacrifice to financially help this family and if that is the your situation give generously. We can all give something so I beg you to give. Let's come together as a family and affect a family in need.

My Mom and I will be bringing dinner to Dylan's Family on May 20th. Please make monetary donations to support this family and we will present the gift with the meal. Be with us in Prayer on the 20th, that we aggressively share the hope of Jesus with Dylan and his family as they aggressively fight this cancer!

Please memo checks Dylan's Fund

          Your brother in Christ.

                   Jacob Stewart

Donations may be sent to:

Dylan’s Fund
c/o Garden of Peace Lutheran Church
6161 22nd Ave, N
St. Petersburg, FL 33710

I’m sure the Crane’s would still appreciate your gifts.


Continuation of "What Gifts" from the Spring/Early summer Newsletter.

How many of us have unused God-given gifts? Scripture tells us that God gives us these gifts according to His grace, not as a reward for spiritual maturity. We can’t earn our gifts, that’s why they’re called “gifts!” We don’t know what to do with these gifts, so we often put them away in an empty closet and forget about them. Maybe you have a gift of singing but can’t seem to take that first step to choir practice. Perhaps you have a gift of creativity but are too afraid to express your ideas.

Remember the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)? Jesus tells us to use what we’ve been given. So open your closet, dust off those gifts, and put them into use! How do we do that? Begin by praying and studying Scripture. The following gift definitions and biblical references are from the ELCA’s Opening Your Spiritual Gifts, written by Neal Boese and Patricia Haller and produced by the Education and Evangelism team of the division for Congregational Ministries.

~       Administration – the gift that enables a believer to formulate, direct, and carry out plans necessary to fulfill a purpose. (1 Corinthians 12:28, Acts 14:23)

~       Artistry – the gift that gives the believer the skill of creating artistic expressions that produce a spiritual response of strength and inspiration. (Exodus 31:1-11, Psalm 149:3a)

~       Discernment – the gift that motivates a believer to seek God’s will and purpose and apply that understanding to individual and congregational situations. (John 16:6-15, Romans 9:1, 1 Corinthians 2:9-16)

~       Evangelism – the gift that moves believers to reach nonbelievers in such a way that they are baptized and become active members of the Christian community. (Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 4:11-16, Acts 2:36-40)

~       Exhortation – the gift that moves the believer to reach out with Christian love and presence to people in personal conflict or facing a spiritual void. (John 14:1, II Timothy 1:16-18, III John 5-8)

~       Faith – the gift that gives a believer the eyes to see the Spirit at work and the ability to trust the Spirit’s leading without indication of where it all might lead. (Genesis 12:1-4a, Mark 5:25-34, I Thessalonians 1:8-10)

~       Giving – the gift that enables a believer to recognize God’s blessing and to respond to those blessings by generously and sacrificially giving of one’s resources – talent, time, and treasure. (II Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 21:1-4)

~       Hospitality – the gift that causes a believer to joyfully welcome and receive guests and those in need of food and lodging. (Romans 12:13, Romans 16:23a, Luke 10:38)

~       Intercession – the gift that enables a believer to pray with certainty that prayer is heard and, when requests are made, answers will come. (Matthew 6:6-15, Luke 11:1-10, Ephesians 6:18)

~       Knowledge – the gift that drives a person to learn, analyze, and uncover new insight with regard to the bible and faith. (1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:6, Romans 12:2)

~       Leadership – the gift that gives a believer the confidence to step forward, give direction, and provide motivation to fulfill a dream or complete a task. (Romans 12:8, John 21:15-17, II Timothy 4:1-5)

~       Mercy – the gift that motivates a believer to feel deeply for those in physical, spiritual, or emotional need and then act to meet that need. (Luke 7:12-15, Luke 10:30-37, Matthew 25:34-36)

~       Music: Vocal – the gift that gives a believer the capability and opportunity to present personal witness and inspiration to others through singing. (Psalm 96:1-9, Psalm 100:1-2, Psalm 149:1-2)

~       Music: Instrumental – the gift that inspires a believer to express personal faith and provide inspiration and comfort through the playing of a musical instrument. (Psalm 33:1-5, Psalm 150, I Samuel 16:14-23)

~       Pastoring (Shepherding) – the gift that gives a believer the confidence, capability, and compassion to provide spiritual leadership and direction for individuals or groups of believers. (I Timothy 4:12-16, I Timothy 3:1-3, II Timothy 4:1-2)

~       Service (Helps) – the gift that enables a believer to work gladly behind the scenes in order that God’s work is fulfilled. (Luke 23:50-54, Romans 16:1-16, Philippians 2:19-23)

~       Skilled Craft – the gift that enables a believer to create, build, maintain, or repair items used within the church. (Exodus 30:1-6, Exodus 31:3-5, Ezekiel 27:4-11)

~       Teaching – the gift that enables a believer to communicate a personal understanding of the bible and faith in such as way that it becomes clear and understood by others. (1 Corinthians 12:28, Matthew 5:1-12, Acts 18:24-48)

~       Wisdom – the gift that allows the believers to sort through opinions, facts, and thoughts in order to determine what solution would be best for the individual believer or the community of believers. (1 Corinthians 2:6-13, James 3:13-18, II Chronicles 1:7-11)

~       Writing – the gift that gives a believer the ability to express truth in a written form; a form that can edify, instruct, and strengthen the community of believers. (I John 2:1-6, 12-14, I Timothy 3:14-15, Jude 3)

 

Now that you’ve read about some gifts, consider these questions:

What brings me joy and fulfillment?

Have I consciously asked God to reveal my spiritual gifts to me?

Can I set aside some special time this week to read these gift descriptions and the Scriptural references?

Review the Scripture references of those gifts listed you think might be yours. Ask someone close to you to suggest the gifts they think you have. Then together re-review the appropriate Scripture references.

Prayer: Giver of all gifts, thank you for all you have given me. Help me rediscover my spiritual gifts and to use them in my daily life to bring glory to You and serve the needs of others. Direct me to my congregational ministries where I can learn to use the gifts you have given me and edify the body of Christ. In Your Name I pray. Amen

“Not all of the gifts identified in Scripture are used... The spectacular gifts, such as speaking in tongues, healing and miracles, prophecy, and bold proclamation of God, and some of the non-spectacular gifts, such as martyrdom, and celibacy, have not been included. Although these gifts exist, they are not commonly utilized in the mainstream of congregational life. Since the objective of spiritual gift deployment is to unify and produce growth through service, only the service related gifts have been included.” ELCA’s Opening Your Spiritual Gifts, written by Neal Boese and Patricia Haller and produced by the Education and Evangelism team of the division for Congregational Ministries.

 




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