Fruit Cove Baptist Church is located south of downtown Jacksonville past Mandarin and the Julington Creek Bridge, just outside of Duval County. The church is located at 501 State Road 13 in St. John’s County.
The church began in 1978 “when a small group of Baptists began meeting in homes in the Fruit Cove area”. At that time, there was a two-lane highway. Today it is hustling and bustling with a four-lane highway, strip malls and several grocery stores.
The Christmas tree for 2022 is a faux fir tree with white snow painted on its branches. There are several trees in the lobby. We used this one for a photo op. Sometimes you’re not ready for the photo and no one got a better one so there’s that. The kids are cute tho….
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Photo-Katie Dingman, Visit: Fruit Cove Baptist, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
Christmas has been a tradition at First Baptist Church Jacksonville for many years. The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville began in 1838, with a handful of people, both Black and White, seeking to serve God. From 1838 until the 1861-Civil War, the church developed and grew having several locations over the years in which to worship. During Civil War times and the Indian Seminole war there were months on end that the church was not even functioning in a group setting so it is unknown if the church decorated their facility in any way. We now have some understanding of this type of situation having gone through the Pandemic beginning in 2020 and not meeting for months and months. Though the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic from March 8 and into the 2021 Christmas season, the First Baptist Church did not meet in person. There were some decorations however because a lot was done online and the podium area was prepared for online worship. Decorations were limited by those who went to the church to perform online services. We are still seeking information and history on the traditions of the Baptist Church in Jacksonville. We hope to have more information over time.
FBC- 2022
From the 1960’s until the present it seems the church had a Christmas Tree in the building at some location. Over the years, the dining hall has definitely been a place of great decoration, color and beauty. For years and years Sunday School classes would have their Christmas parties at the church in one of the divided areas and there would be great fanfare and decoration. Throughout the building for years, beautiful Nativity scenes and the like would be in departments throughout the church. Classrooms were decorated by the members of each class and there was no end to the beautiful and creativity of people who loved the Lord.
Season upon season the church facility was decorated by Virginia Ennis, a faithful member and owner of Gladwell’s Florist. Wreaths, streaming greenery, Christmas trees, ornaments, Nativity scenes depicting the Christ-Child and lighting were seen throughout. For many years this was the way First Baptist decorated the church.
There have been many seasonal traditions through the years including the decoration and lighting of the tree, giving to missions in a wooden manger and the “Chest of Joash”, the traditional pledge card/giving day.
Decorating the church has been important concerning seasonal celebrations at First Baptist Jacksonville. In recent years, staff, leadership and lay members have been decorating and this year was no different. “Serve Day” was used as a way to allow members to take part and many Christmas decorations were set up. It is unclear when the first tree was decorated at the church but for sure, the birth of Christ has been front and center.
This year’s tree is at least 20 feet tall with the songs of the seasons framed and hanging . Go see it. It will not disappoint.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Personal interviews, Personal experience, Buddy Wall, church historian, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
Visit-First Baptist Church- 125 West Ashley Street , Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Having been in the crowds this week in London where people actually and genuinely seemed to love Her Majesty, the Queen of England, Elizabeth II. It was heartwarming. Because of the circumstances of the massive crowds, we spent great amounts of time with groups of people having met them for the first time. In our case we spent as many as 7 hours together. In seven hours you learn a lot about people.
QEII first Christmas broadcast
I don’t know if this story was repeated or if it was true for this man but he told how Queen Elizabeth was the only Queen he knew. She was like his grandmother, he said. He said they would be in their own homes cooking on Christmas Day and they would hear a familiar voice from the television. It would be like their grandmother speaking to them, and telling them everything would be alright. She would tell them about the birth of Christ and His importance encouraging them to follow their dreams and do good. He confirmed that he would miss that from her. What a great influence to the masses far and wide, not just in England.
We don’t have to be Queen Elizabeth to make that same difference. We can be that person to someone in our lives. Go forth friends…
You probably think I fell off of the earth having not written a word for more than a week. Well, I feel as if I did! That’s for sure. Traveling such a great distance in such a short time causes a body to reel! I’m back though, safe and life is finally getting back to normal.
As you well know if you follow Jacksonville Blogger, that my sister, Kathy and I traveled “across the pond” to England to see Queen Elizabeth II, Her Majesty the Queen for the last time. She passed away September 8, 2022 and we went to say our last and final farewell to Her Majesty, the Queen of England.
QEII Official, 1959
It was my sister’s 2nd time visiting her, and my 3rd occasion to see her and we’re richer for it. On two other occasions, I traveled to see her; at Williamsburg, Virginia here in America when she visited the original colonies area and my family traveled to England when William and Kate married in 2009.
The thing about this Queen was her steadfast, continuous and determined actions to truly live for the people. It was hers to do. She didn’t ask for this job and would not even had been Queen had her Father’s brother not abdicated. As you probably know, Edward VIII created a stir when in 1936 he abdicated the throne to marry a divorcee, and American actress, Wallis Simpson. Upon his abdication of the throne, his brother, became King George VI. Elizabeth was not even a teen when her father became king but was groomed to take his place and in June of 1953 did just that vowing to “strive to be worthy of your (the people’s)trust”.
“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust. In this resolve I have my husband to support me. He shares all my ideals and all my affection for you.” Queen Elizabeth II, 1953
It was hers to do. What is it that you and I are to do? Let’s get on with it!
Today we literally wrestled throngs of crowds. The beloved Her Majesty’ Queen Elizabeth II lay in state in Westminister Hall and thousands and thousands came to pay their respects. While many were able to pass her coffin, droves and droves could only pine for the loss to never see her again.
We were able a glimpse of William and Harry in the late afternoon as it was said the grandchildren were there to pay respects .
There will be many stories coming when the internet situation works better.
When living life, its important to say “Lord willing” because we never know so, I say “Lord willing and the Flights go right”, Jacksonville Blogger will be in London to see the Queen’s events regarding her passing.
PA graphic
For so long, many even in Jacksonville such as myself have known only Queen Elizabeth as the “Her Majesty, the Queen of England”. With fondness, we have followed her life and the lives of her husband, children and children’s children.
Jacksonville Blogger will be there to celebrate her life the week of her funeral and events before and after. Stay tuned….
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has died. Her son, Charles III is now king. Here is his statement:
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
Royal Photo of King Charles and QEII
We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
Many in the United Kingdom have only known a woman as the “Defender of the Faith” and now comes King Charles III, her son as King.
We, in Jacksonville mourn Her Majesty the Queen’s loss too.
The Royal Family announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, “Published 8 September 2022”. She was the longest living Monarch ever at 70 years and 214 days.
Royal Photo Press Release
“The following announcement has been issued by Royal Communications: The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to Long tomorrow”.
Somehow, many feel as if we knew Queen Elizabeth II, even those who live in Jacksonville. God Bless her legacy for it will live on into Eternity.
“It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’… Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ’s unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.” (Queen Elizabeth II, Christmas message, 2015)
On Sunday, August 28th, while traveling from Augusta to Jacksonville, I decided to go “the scenic route”. The GPS took me through the little towns in Georgia and down the back roads where there were loads of flora, fauna, farms, and such. Upon stopping at a forever-field of pecan trees, I got out of my car to take a photo because it was so impressive. There were trees as far as the eye could see.
While heading back to my car, I noticed in the not-too-far distance a rather big dog; a blonde lab type. It startled me, being so far out and seeing it by the ditch. Not knowing if he was friendly, I walked straight to the car and just after closing the door found the dog looking in the window at me; paws on the glass! His tail was wagging and that long wet tongue lapping so obviously, he was friendly. Up close, he looked skinny too, so someone had apparently let him out and driven off. How horrible!
My car was a load full of wagon wheels to decorate this fall, 3 very huge ligustrum trees, luggage from my trip and items from shopping with my sister over the weekend. I wondered right then and there where he was going to sit.
Immediately, I got my glass of water and opened the door giving him water to drink. He savoured every lick. Then I thought, about what to do. How would I take him? Where would he fit? What would I do with him once I got him home? I already have a dog and cats galore! The very dog I have was rescued. I have cats galore because when tenants walk away from their homes leaving them there, they end up in my home. Oh my!
It wasn’t long when a lady turned the corner. She rolled her window down and said, “Are you going to rescue that dog?” I said, “Well, I’m from Jacksonville. I just saw him and didn’t know what to do”. She said, “If you help me get him in my car, i’ll take him”, and she did!
Reaching down, he was picked up and put in her front seat. She had already laid down her jacket for him. She said, “People can be awful”. I totally agree but I was totally grateful she wasn’t awful but kind-hearted instead. She must have known he was there and headed to get him.
What would I have done with another animal? For sure, something! There is no way I could have driven off leaving that dog on that lonely road but was so thankful for this woman who took in that stray.
Traveling along further, I saw on a hill a pretty home. On the front lawn was a black, healthy looking dog laying on the lawn looking as if he was waiting on someone. I slowed and passing by noticed he watched me carefully. I turned my car around so as to get a photo. When I did, he ran at me barking as if to say, “Don’t bother my home”.
The story of two dogs…. One dog skinny and hungry for attention; lost and in need of help. The other, waiting on his master, full, happy and protecting the land.
What kind of person would leave an animal out on a lonely road? God Bless the lady who took him. There are good people out there too. 8-28-22
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28: 5-6.
