AGAPE INFORMATION
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love (phileo) of the brethren, fervently love (agape) one another from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have a chance to share in showering our Weekend guests with love from the Great Banquet community! From the time they get up in the morning (about a half past the freckle on their wrist) until the last minute of the weekend when they get their watches back, we will be behind the scenes as a manifestation of God's love.
Table Agape
This is where the Reunion Groups can really help! There is more of a need for agape than ever before. 65 pieces of agape are needed per weekend. Over the course of a Banquet weekend, the Agape team passes out approximately 35 different types of agape. We have come dreadfully close to running out out of agape - we need LOTS! Put "NEFGB" and your name or Reunion Group name on all of the agape. If you need ideas, contact Iris Cruice at viriswood@bellsouth.net. She will be glad to share some creative ideas with you. It would be helpful if you let her know ahead of time what agape your group is providing so that she will know how much we have for the weekend. Remember that agape gifts are to be provided for ALL of the guest and team members and are distributed only by the agape team. Please resist the temptation to give a personal gift, even to a spouse.
If delivered prior to the weekend, agape can be dropped off at the workroom of the MPC office or mailed to:
Mandarin Presbyterian Church
Attn: Northeast Florida Great Banquet
11844 Mandarin Road
Jacksonville, FL 32223
During the weekend, agape may be placed in the gray cart located by the reception area inside the white double doors on the Mandarin Road campus. Don't forget that extra agape to send to other Great Banquet communities is always welcomed and needed.
Banners
Please consider having your Reunion Group create a banner. These can be simple and should be no wider than 48 inches and attched to a dowel with a cord for hanging. Make certain that your banner can be rolled, as that is how they are mailed and stored. On the back, attach a card with your Reunion Group name, community name and a brief message to the guests who are attending the weekend. Banners are displayed during the weekends and then shared with other Great Banquet communities.
Prayer
As the weekends get closer, please sign up for half-hour time slots in the 72-hour prayer vigil. The prayer vigil sign-ups can be accessed through the "Prayer Vigil Sign-Ups" tab located at the bottom of the Community Only section of this website. Procrastinators beware: Unless you love those middle-of-the-night time slots, check the website often and be among the first to sign up!
Enthusiastic Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for 2-3 hour shifts during the Banquet weekends. Morning, afternoon and evening time slots are available. This is a great way to help the Agape team and a chance to once again feel the excitement that only a Great Banquet weekend can bring!
Agape Support Team
Consider joining the Agape Support Team as they work in small ways year-round to prepare for the weekends. There is also a need for an individual to be in charge of mailing banners to other communities on an on-going basis. If interested, please contact Iris Wood at viriswood@bellsouth.net.