ST. LUKE’S COMMUNITY CHURCH
1140 McDuff Avenue SouthwJacksonville, Florida 32205-7551
Phone: (904) 389-7726wFax: (904) 389-7626
stlukescc@bellsouth.netwwww.stlukescommunitychurch.org
Sunday Worship 9:45 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
ACT 29 E-NEWSLETTER
Volume 2, Issue 4 January 28, 2009
St. Luke’s – The name “St. Luke’s” was chosen as our name in 1984 because Saint Luke was the only Gentile writer of the Bible. He was a physician and patron saint of healing. St. Luke’s Gospel is the Gospel of women, gentiles, prodigals, and Samaritans.
Act 29 Newsletter - Saint Luke also wrote the book of Acts, and it’s the New Testament book that records the history of the birth and growth of the church. The Book of Acts ends rather abruptly in the 28th chapter, but the history and growth of the church continues. Our e-newsletter strives to tell that continuing story of church growth and so the name Act 29 was chosen. St. Luke’s Community Church might be considered the 29th act in the drama of God’s redemption.
-Reprinted from Act 29 Newsletter November 1985-
DON’T GO TO CHURCH;
BE THE CHURCH!
That’s right – it is only 3 days until we “Don’t go to church……” as we begin our church development Faith in Action Program called “Don’t Go to Church; Be the Church.”
James 1:22, “..be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…” teaches us we are to be more than “pew-warmers.”
St. Luke’s Community Church will devote the entire month of February to learning to be better Christians and better witnesses as a church through interactive studies of the Gospel of St. Luke. All sermons during February will be drawn from St. Luke. Our Wednesday evenings will be devoted to spiritual development as a Christian Community Church. We will begin every Wednesday evening with a prepared meal (entrée, 2 sides, dessert and drink for $5 per person) at 6:00 PM, so you will not have to go home after work, but just come to Twar Hall for dinner. Following dinner Bil Detore, Clerk of our Church Board, will lead an in-depth study of the founding of the Christian church and the our spiritual responsibilities, individually and collectively as the body of Christ we call the church. All attendees will have participant study kits available.
Saturday, February 21, Rev. Harvey will host a Prayer Breakfastat 9:00 AM in Twar Hall. At 10:00 AM will we go out into our community and distribute invitations to attend the Health Fair the following Saturday. Please call the church office by Wednesday, February 18, and make reservations for the breakfast so that we can properly order and prepare food.
Saturday, February 28, we will be“the church in action”when we host ahealth fair with healthcare providers, counselors, advisors, free health screening, and much more. This will be our February Outreach to the Community to demonstrate our Christian concern for our neighbors.
If you have not ordered your campaign tee shirt see Rev. Harvey or call the church office this week!
A SPECIAL INVITATION
Jacksonville Black Pride extends an invitation to St. Luke’s Community Church to their International Federation Reception in appreciation and honor for the ministries of the church in our city. The reception will be held on Friday, February 6, 2009, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Hotel Downtown. Please see Monique Baker for additional information.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH GROWTH
The needs for our Food Pantry continue to explode! As the economy has worsened, we have seen the numbers of people needing assistance skyrocket. Our church responded tremendously in November and December with contributions of food as we began dedicating your weekly donations to God at the time we dedicated our tithes and offerings. The need has not diminished; it has only grown!! Continue to bring your donations each Sunday, place them in the collection tub in the narthex, and we will continue to dedicate them to God as we reach out in the Name of Christ to those in need. With the growth of our Outreach Ministries to the city we are seeing great response.
On February 28, we will have a wonderful opportunity to meet the needs of hundreds of people in our city when we host our Health Fair. You can speak with any of the Church Board, or Church Staff, or Rev. Harvey about participating in this remarkable event.
The Northeast Florida Chapter of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was requested to vacate the premises where they were located as the space was needed. They are now located on second floor of the Educational Building in the room next to the Office Suite Conference Room. If you would like to assist with the Quilt or make panels in memory of someone, please contact Rev. Harvey so that he can refer you to the proper people.
The 2009 World AIDS Week Committee is being hosted for their monthly meetings in Twar Hall and our church will host the World AIDS Day Memorial Service on December 1, 2009. Rev. Harvey has been an active member of this committee for several years. If you wish to be a part of this ministry see Rev. Harvey.
Northeast Florida AIDS Network (NFAN) has moved their monthly client luncheon meetings to St. Luke’s Community Church. Their luncheon meetings are held the last Friday of each month in Twar Hall.
Holiday Helpers contacted us in December when they suddenly found they were not being permitted to use facilities they had used in previous years for the receiving and wrapping of gifts for the 300-plus children they assist each Christmas, children who are affected and effected by HIV/AIDS. We were able to assist them and they have voted to move their “holiday operations” to Twar Hall.
Community Review Panel of River Region Human Services, holds a monthly luncheon meeting at 2055 Reyko Road to discuss and implement activities to meet the needs of those less-fortunate in our surrounding area. Please see Rev. Harvey if you are interested in serving with him as a representative of our church.
Interfaith-Based Advisory Group meets quarterly at 2055 Reyko Road for a luncheon meeting. This group is composed of faith leaders in our city seeking ways to meet the social needs of our community, as well as promote HIV testing and education and other health issues. Rev. Harvey has been a member of this group for several years and has transferred his membership to the church. The church has 2 additional voting seats available on the group. If you are interested, please see Rev. Harvey.
Minority AIDS Coalition meets monthly for a luncheon meeting at 2055 Reyko Road. This ministry works throughout the area to educate and test for HIV/AIDS. Rev. Harvey, a member for several years, is seeking someone to assist with this program.
Christ taught us to show our Christian love and reach out in His name to those in need, those who are hurting. We are called to be more than “pew-warmers.” It has been proven that churches who only look inward and do not reach outside the doors of their churches eventually implode. God is opening doors for us to reach out and touch lives as never before.
NEW MEMBERS CLASS
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Following Morning Worship
Lunch Provided
Office Suite Conference Room
Second Floor, Educational Building
If you wish to be included in this class, please contact Rev. Harvey or Stephen Jones or the Church Office immediately so that we can properly prepare packets.
WHO HAVE YOU INVITED?
A recent survey in the United States revealed that over 90% of those who do not attend church said they would attend if someone invited them. The #1 reason given for not attending was that they did not feel “wanted” when they did attend. What does that say about those who attend on a regular basis? A church or a private social club?
ONE FROM THE ROAD
(The following is copied with permission of the author. It was first published in “Voice of Trinity” the monthly newsletter of Trinity Lutheran Church. The author, Will Warner, is a congregant of Trinity Lutheran Church.)
I’ve told you about my new-found excitement about the opportunity of sharing the Lord on Greyhound trips, but as I write this I feel I’m failing. Proclaiming is a great first step, but when does “talk the talk” become “walk the walk”?
On a recent full moon trip from Baton Rouge to Jacksonville it was an unruly crowd. Eventually two people were ejected at two different stops.
When you reboard after a stop you go to your same seat. One reboard found a new passenger, a younger man in our two seats I had been sharing with an older woman. I didn’t hear her tell him he had to move as she filed in ahead of me and so I told him again. He got highly offended, stood up, put his chest in my chest and said, “BACK UP!” I didn’t, and we jostled for position. I got in my seat, he got in the seat in front of me, turned and said, “You’re not in charge of this bus,” and I said, “No, but I’m in charge of this seat!” I felt foolish.
Later, an old and obviously homeless man got on in very bad shape, clutching a plastic WalMart bag to his neck. He was very dirty and smelly. Later he made his way to the restroom revealing blood dripping from his neck to the floor. Passenger cries of outrage and ridicule directed towards the driver finally had him ejected to cheers from the people, the young man in front of me helping lead those cheers. I watched out my window as we pulled away and saw this pitiful man walking to who knows where with evening setting in. I was saddened. What would Jesus do? What would the Good Samaritan do? What should I as a Christian do? I’m convinced Jesus would have gotten off and tended to that man. Where do I fit on the spectrum of caring, of involvement? Was prayer enough?
Later a young woman got on board, obviously drunk or impaired by some substance, found her way to the back and for the next hour or so a steady stream of profanity emanated from her which eventually led to the beginning of a fight. Again the crowd called to the driver. Dark by now, he pulled to the side of the highway and turned on the interior lights and called her forward. As she staggered forward she proclaimed, “They want to kill me because I’m white!” I thought, “This isn’t good,” and I blurted out in a humorous tone, “I want to kill you because you are white.” Everyone laughed and what was a tense moment eased up. I failed again – it eased tensions, but it sure didn’t help her. She was ejected at the next stop.
I sat there questioning myself until we made a 15-minute Burger King stop. I was back on the bus wolfing down a Whopper Jr. noticing that the young man in front of me hadn’t gotten off. He was trying in vain to get comfortable, head on window with plastic bags as a makeshift pillow. I carry a small travel pillow and was just about to offer it to him when he sat straight up and bolted off the bus for the BK. Maybe the smell of my burger did it. He had waited too long and the bus started leaving. No one said anything so I yelled, “We’re missing one!” The bus circled around the building and he came dashing out, jumping the hedges to get on board. I thought, “What an idiot!” but at a later stop I complimented him on his speed and we were OK from then on.
My last ride from New York City to Jacksonville, I got to know a young man from Boston. He had $200, two bags of clothes, no job, no car, and knew on one. He came seeking employment as he could find no work at home. I asked his age and he said, “I’ll be 26 on Tuesday.” My son who also tried starting over 3 months ago in Maryland also would turn 26 on that same day. My son is still looking for a job up there. My heart went out to this young man, and I gave him all the fatherly advice I could muster. I asked if he’d been praying and he said, “A lot.” I said, “I’ll pray for you too,” and when we pulled into town I directed him to the Salvation Army. It was getting dark and they have a cut off. I prayed hard he’d get in and they’d aid him in his start here.
As I walked the two blocks that would take me to my city bus for the last few miles to my house, I felt I failed again. Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you took me into your home” (Matt. 25:35). All I did was pray for this man. Where do I fit on the spectrum of care for others? Fortunately we have a Lord who covers the whole spectrum.
When I got to that city bus stop I told a young man waiting there about this guy and he told me he’d found a place by the Greyhound terminal for $85 a month. He only had half that and they put him in a dorm type the night before. He came up with the other half and tonight he would have his own room. He said he’d been so blessed. I felt so humbled. There lies another spectrum of “appreciation.”
The Lord covers the spectrum of care for His children, but we are His hands and feet on this earth. I pray I move up on that spectrum. For this New Year, let’s all try to move up. Gifts financially, and if possible physically, to our homeless shelters would be a good start. People need us. May God bless us this New Year so we can bless others.
God bless and Happy New Year.
Your brother in Christ, Will Warner
If you wish to be added to our prayer list, or know of anyone we should add to our prayer list, please call the church office or Rev. Harvey.
Our 2009 Church Board
Jerry Gardner, Stephen Jones, Bil Detore, Debra Vasquez, Bernadette Stephens
Our Interim Pastor
Rev. Dr. Harvey Carr
Our Minister of Music
Tommy Strong
Our “Don’t Go to Church; Be the Church” Development Program
Our Extended Family
Adam Bowman – Employment
Barbara Stafford – Cancer
Bill Kimak – (West Jax Rehabilitation)
Bill Solomon
Chris Brevaldo – Employment
Connie & Saundra
Dennis Bohlke – Employment
Don’s Father
Don Green
Eric Lawton - Medical Tests
Ernestine Appleton (West Jax Rehabilitation)
Rev. Dr. Jack Inman
Rev. Lee Carlton – Cancer
Lora Leatham – Incurable Brain Cancer
Norma Bishop - Pacemaker Implant
P.J. Britt – Follicular Lymphoma
Prudencia’s Aunt – Cancer
Ray Kelly’s Mother – Surgery to remove kidney
Rich Goicoechea – Emphysema
Rick
Robert Ford
Ruth Hightower – Cancer
Stephen Jones – Jaw Pain
Steve Harper – Employment
Should you know of any of our congregants or friends of the church who are ill and/or hospitalized, please e-mail or phone the church office so that we can properly arrange for prayer and visitation.
St. Luke’s Prayer Warriors
Available to provide you prayer and support
Barbara Stump – Call Anytime. 272-6256 (Home), 318-4187 (Cell)
Don Green – Call Tue., Thurs. – Sat. After 7:00pm, Sundays – afternoon & evening, 772-8466 (Home), 881-5922 (Cell)
Angela Moody – 861-7533
Rev. Jack Inman – 672-9868
THANK YOU PARTY WORLD!
Bill and Alvin with Party World, 7749 Normandy Boulevard, made a very generous donation of $7500 worth (that’s right -- $7500!!!!) of paper plates, cups, cutlery, napkins, table coverings, balloons, etc., to the church. Our Hospitality Team has been overwhelmed at their generosity, not to mention attempting to properly store such a large inventory!! We encourage you to phone them at 781-5353 and express your gratitude or stop by and tell them in person.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Ms. Monique Baker, our Children’s Ministry Leader, directs our Children’s Church where our children have a grand time with Bible studies, videos, crafts and games designed to teach about God and the love of Christ.
They meet every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. Two adults are present with the children at all times.
Parents should bring their children to the Children’s Room located on first floor of the Educational Building (through the front gate and into the courtyard) and sign them in before going to the Worship Service.
We need more adults on the Children’s Ministry Team. If you can take a Sunday to help out with the children please let Monique know. We still need Children’s Bible Story DVD’s for this ministry, like “Veggie Tales” that are available at Wal-Mart.
Keep watching ACT 29 and announcements in services for special events being planned for our children.
ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR TAX FILINGS
Records have been printed for filing with your annual Income Tax Returns. If you have not yet received your report, please see our treasurer, Ayn Triunfo or call the church office for a copy.
Hug-a-Bear Missions Outreach Program
Ending February 14
Did you notice the cuddly stuffed animals scattered throughout the pews on Sunday? Did you get a chance to hug one and whisper a prayer? Some congregants bring them to the communion rail for an extra blessing.
Our Hug-a-Bear Missions Outreach program for those less fortunate at Shulzbacher Homeless Shelter and in nursing homes began January 4 and will continue until February 14 when we will distribute the stuffed animals as gifts. Please bring your gift teddy bears (or any stuffed animal of your choice) and place them on a pew to be hugged and filled with love. When you sit on a pew and discover a cuddly stuffed animal there beside you, give it a big bear hug, whisper a prayer for those less fortunate and/or ill who will receive the stuffed animal, and fill that animal with lots of love.
Valentine’s Dinner/Show/Dance
Our annual valentine’s Dinner/Show/Dance will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 14, in Twar Hall. The dinner will feature Chicken Alfredo. Lillian and Chewy will perform. Admission will be $5 per person. Remember to also tip the performers, as they donate their tips back to the church.
REACHING OUT IN JESUS’ NAME
Website of the month is www.thehungersite.com. Donate food, free mammograms, free child healthcare, free books to promote literacy, protect endangered habitats, free food and care for animals…all by just clicking. There are other sites like this, too, where you can donate by clicking. Check out www.freekibble.com to donate free food to animal shelters and www.cascadeclean.com/en_US/cascadefeedsamerica to donate meals to hungry children.
Dine Out on Sundays
and
The Church Gets Paid
Times Grill, 5149 Normandy Boulevard, 10915 Baymeadows Road, and 13500 Beach Boulevard, include our church in their Community Commitment Program. On Sundays, visit them for a meal and they will return 10% of each meal ticket back to the church. All you need to do is present your church bulletin with payment. They keep the bulletin as a record and send the church quarterly checks. Several of our congregants have been participating in this program the past 6 months, and we have received checks. The food is good and plentiful, the service is excellent, and the church gets paid for your dining out! The program is valid only on Sundays.
FUN AND FELLOWSHIP
The first and third Friday night of each month we gather for BINGO, FUN, FELLOWSHP and PRIZES !! For a $5 donation you will get to play from 7 to 9 p.m.! $5 is added to the 50-number-cover-all when there is no winner. The cash grand prize continues to grow until it is won. February 6 it will be $45. Hotdogs and soft drinks are available for $1 each. Sue Birks, director of the Bingo, is requesting donations of small gifts as prizes Please see Sue if you can assist.
“Reflection” from Rev. Harvey
FOCUS ON GOD
You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. -- Psalm 3:3
I was walking along one day, deeply troubled and feeling quite alone. Pressures and problems seemed too much to bear, and I found nothing to make me feel hopeful. My deep thought was broken by a flutter of wings and a flash of color. A butterfly flitted in front of my face and then alighted on my shoulder. The grace and beauty of the small creature broke through my depression and caused me to smile. The great weight I was feeling in my heart lifted, and I began chastising myself for having been so foolish. In a world where such glory exists, why do we continually allow worldly concerns to occupy so much of our attention? Let God be our glory, and indeed, when we find ourselves most down, God will lift our heads up and show us all the wonders of such a magnificent creation.
Prayer:
Lord, protect me from those things that turn my attention from You. Clear the eyes of my heart so they can focus on the splendor of Your creation. Thank You for the blessings of this day. Amen.
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY
St. Luke’s Community Church’s 35th Anniversary will be celebrated April 25 and 26. We need volunteers to assist with planning of our celebration. The Saturday evening dinner will feature a Polynesian Review. If you would like to assist in this area, please see Michael Vetrano and Rev. Jack Inman as soon as possible.
FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY
Help St. Luke's do our part! PLEASE bring food items to donate and place them in the red bucket in the narthex or the shopping cart in Twar Hall. The food pantry is in need of toilet tissue, disposable razors, bar soap, bottled water, canned vegetables, canned meat, cereal, boxed meals, any non-perishables, etc.
Food given out on January 27: 38 bags (38 families, 127 people), 8 homeless bags, and 13 new clients were served.
WE ALWAYS NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH THE FOOD PANTRY ON TUESDAYS from 10:00am to Noon. St. Luke's co-sponsors with Trinity Lutheran Church @ the corner of McDuff and Park. St. Luke's also has volunteers that work at the food pantry. If you can help, see Michael Vetrano or call the church office.
CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER
Caregiving can be an often lonely, exhausting and frustrating role, but can also be filled with delight and satisfaction. The trick is how to find the balance. To give caregivers the practical information they need to help take care of themselves and their loved ones, please plan to attend:
Saturday, January 31, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mary L. Singleton Senior Center
150 E. First Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206
Adult Home Care Available
Home care for your loved one is available. To register for the workshop and to arrange for home care please call Nikki Tubig at 904-807-1225 by Monday, January 19.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
8:30 – 9 a.m. Registration
9 – 9:55 a.m. Opening Session “Caring for the Caregiver”
Concurrent Workshops
10 – 10:45 a.m. Preservation of Assets, Physical Aspects of Caregiving, or Compassion Fatigue
10:50 – 11:35 a.m. Advance Directives, Fall Prevention, or Choosing Assisted Living or Long Term Care for
Alzheimer’s Patients
11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. Complimentary Lunch and Vendor Fair
Concurrent Workshops
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Long Term Care Insurance, Challenging Behaviors, Hospice Care for Alzheimer’s Patients
1:20 – 2:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Carol O’Dell,Author of “Mothering Mother”
Presented by:
   

HOSPITALITY TEAM WISH LIST
If you can donate or help with any of these items, see Jerry Gardner or any Board Member. Please help out with any of these items needed to improve our kitchen area.
Commercial Cook top/Oven
New Faucets (needed 2)
A/C Unit for Kitchen (currently NO VENTILATION) prefer 200 volt unit due to size of kitchen
HIV/AIDS remains a persistent threat to the health and well-being of many African-American communities. It’s time that we step up our efforts to address this crisis, and meet the serious challenges that confront us everyday.
February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a national mobilization effort designed to encourage African-Americans across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved with HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities.
When we look at HIV/AIDS by race and ethnicity, we see that African-Americans have more illness (even though blacks account for about 13% of the U.S. population, they account for about half [49%] of the people who get HIV and AIDS); shorter survival times (Blacks with AIDS often don’t live as long as people of other races and ethnic groups with AIDS); and more deaths (for African-Americans and other blacks, HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death).
In Duval County, 71% (1,561) of all HIV cases and 63% (3,705) of all AIDS cases are among the African-American citizens. It is the #1 killer of African-Americans aged 25-44 in the State of Florida, many of these having been infected while in their teens.
It has been said that when we come together in unity, we can make a difference in the community. As a person of influence in the African-American community, we ask you to join us in encouraging African-Americans across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved with HIV/AIDS. Statistics show that African Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the epidemic’s beginning. Let’s do our part to make a difference!
As a part of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Program, our HIV/AIDS Ministry will be offering free Confidential and/or Anonymous Testing on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the sacristy. Any person aged 13 and older is guaranteed confidentiality and/or anonymity for HIV testing under the statutes of the State of Florida.
For more information about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), visit www.blackaidsday.org.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
HIV Testing – 1ST and 3RD Sundays of each month @ St. Luke’s Sacristy 1:00pm – 3:00pm
AA – Meetings held in the “Freedom Ministries” room (2nd floor) every Tue. & Fri. at 7:00pm
SLAA – (Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous) Meets every Mon. & Thurs. evening at 7:00pm in the “Freedom Ministries” room (2ND floor)
Retired & Plus 60 Club – Meets the 2ND Thurs. every month at 2:00pm in Twar Hall
PFLAG – Meetings held 3RD Thurs. of the month 7:00pm @ CCOP
NFAN Client Luncheon – Last Friday of every month in Twar Hall
World AIDS Week Committee Luncheon – Second Tuesday of every month in Twar Hall
RECYCLE ALUMINUM CANS
Bring them to the barrels in the courtyard under the stair. Drink cans, vegetable cans, etc. are all great to bring, but please rinse them out so they don’t attract ants. Proceeds go to help our Hospitality Team provide refreshments and supplies to run our kitchen. Many thanks to all who contribute cans.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 
· 1/1 Sue Birks
Don Rull and Robert Woodward’s Anniverary
· 1/5 Eric Rivera
· 1/10 Michelle Robinson and Starlett Gibson’s Anniversary
· 1/11 Ernestine Appleton
· 1/17 Barry Snyder
Candis Scott
Sue Schlegel
· 1/18 Carmen Santos
· 1/19 Dominique Joyne
· 1/20 Jerry Gardner
· 1/25 Pat Farrar
· 1/26 Ray Kelly
· 1/30 Jonathan Teeter
If your special day is not listed above, please e-mail stlukescommunitychurch@gmail.com
Want to add something to in our web site’s calendar of events?? E-mail stlukescommunitychurch@gmail.com
Reminders
Bingo Night- Each month on 1st & 3rd Fridays at 7:00pm @ Twar Hall. $5 donation for all cards played 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be available for $1 each.
Wednesday Bible Study- Join us at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. PLEASE join us and bring your Bible.
Choir Practice Every Sunday 9:15am. See any choir member or Tommy Strong to join!
Board Meeting- 2nd Sunday each month at noon in Twar Hall.
RISEN CHRIST BOOKSTORE- Open every Sunday following Worship.
Potluck – Every fourth Sunday. In Twar Hall, bring a dish to share.
Check out our website for a Calendar of Events: www.stlukescommunitychurch.org
FLOWERS FOR SANCTUARY
A very special “thank you” to Miguel Portillo and Saul Eck for the beautiful flowers placed on the dais each Sunday. If you would like to provide flowers for services, you may call one of our members, Robert Wheeler at American Beauty Florist, 388-0094, or you may call the florist of your choice.
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