For the past several years, First Orlando has presented well-known dramatic productions as its entries in the Orlando Fringe Festival. But this year, the church is going dance, with its original presentation of “In His Own Time.” “We were planning to do ‘Godspell,’” said Brenda Henderson, who along with First Orlando’s Pastor of Student Music and Creative Arts, Mike Haight, will be producing the show. “However, ‘Godspell’ fell through and we had an opening and wondered what we could do on such short notice. We knew we had an incredible dance troupe [called Rejoice!], so we offered the spot to them. After praying about it, they said, ‘Yeah, let’s go for it.’ ”

Posted April 29, 2008

Among the many adversaries of Christ were the Pharisees and Sadducees, who doggedly challenged him during his three-year earthly ministry. Jesus minced no words with them. In one encounter, he labeled them a “brood of vipers” and warned of the wroth [wrath] to come (Matthew 3:6-8). He was putting them on notice. If they rejected Him as their Messiah and Lord, not only would they spend an eternity in Hell, but everything into which they had invested their lives would come to naught. Think of it as a retirement plan gone terribly wrong.

Posted April 28, 2008

9/11 is a date burned into our memories. It’s one of those days in which everyone can tell you where they were and what they were doing when a shocking event unfolded — similar to the day Kennedy was assassinated, the Space Shuttle blew apart, or Magic Johnson announced he had AIDS. Perhaps we clicked on CNN shortly after the first plane struck the first tower and watched in horror as the second plane finished the mission. At that moment, we knew it wasn’t an accident and, most likely, was orchestrated terrorism. Our televisions stayed on all day. We covered our faces as some of those trapped on the top floors leapt to their deaths to escape the flames.

Posted April 22, 2008

You don’t want to miss this year’s performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” presented by The First Academy. The beloved musical will be presented April 24 through 26 at Faith Hall. There will be three performances of “Oklahoma!” — 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. New this year is “Dinner and a Show,” a dinner theater option on Friday night. You eat dinner beforehand and then see the show.

Posted April 21, 2008

It’s a little bit jazzy, with a nice blend of horns, electric guitars and drums. It’s very much kicked back — jeans and tennis shoes are the perfect attire. The atmosphere is homey and welcoming, just like visiting your best friend. And the worship is heartfelt and genuine. It’s “Saturday Nights at First Orlando,” where church just isn’t on Sundays anymore, and it’s perfect for those looking for something a little bit different in their worship experience.

Posted April 16, 2008

Not only have the movies given us dynamic images we will never forget, they have also given us some of the greatest modern-day music ever composed. First Orlando plans to honor this musical heritage on Friday, May 2, when our 55-piece orchestra presents “An Evening of Movie Music.” The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Worship Center. It will last about one hour.

Posted April 15, 2008

First Orlando will once again be taking part in the National Day of Prayer national observance. “We will be making Henry Chapel available for our people to pray in,” said John Harris, First Orlando’s Pastor of the Prayer, Hope, Health & Healing Ministry. “We want to see an many people there as possible.” This year’s Day of Prayer is the 57th sponsored by the National Day of Prayer Task Force, whose mission is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: government, military, media, business, education, church and family.

Posted April 10, 2008

With the economy in free-fall and more people losing jobs, the Job Placement Ministry at First Orlando has never been more crucial. “We are getting calls from people every day who have lost their jobs,” said Dr. Charles Bell, Director of the Counseling Center at First Orlando. “People looking for jobs are coming to us for help and we’re doing our best to help them.” The Job Placement Ministry — a part of the Counseling Center — has been in operation for several years, but it has never been as widely sought as it is right now.

Posted April 10, 2008

John Harris, who has been First Orlando’s Men’s Ministry Pastor for the past 10 years, stepped down from that post on Tuesday, April 8, during the finale of the spring 2008 session of Men’s Fraternity. But before you start thinking John is leaving us for good, we assure you that he certainly is not. You see, John has been carrying the load of two jobs for the past year: Men’s Ministry Pastor as well as the director of the Prayer Ministry. John will now be devoting his full efforts exclusively to the Prayer Ministry.

Posted April 9, 2008