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July 22, 2024 - July 28 ,2024
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I hope you have enjoyed exploring the Gospel of Mark over the last couple of weeks as much as I have. I believe Barbara Brown Taylor sums it up best. In her book "An Altar in the World," she writes, "The hardest spiritual work in the world is to love the neighbor as the self—to encounter another human being not as someone you can use, change, fix, help, save, enroll, convince or control, but simply as someone who can spring you from the prison of yourself, if you will allow it."
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In Mark Chapter 6, we see Jesus sending out the twelve disciples, instructing them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts. This radical dependence on the hospitality of others and the vulnerability it required must have been both daunting and enlightening for the disciples. Jesus knew that in their encounters with others, they would be challenged to see each person not as a means to an end, but as an opportunity to encounter the divine.
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As we reflect on this and other Gospel stories, we are invited to consider how we encounter others in our own lives. Do we see them as opportunities to extend love and compassion, or do we fall into the trap of trying to fix or control them? Can we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, trusting that in doing so, we might be freed from the prison of self-centeredness and find true connection with God and our neighbors?
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Loving God, give us the grace to see each person we meet through the eyes of Christ, to love them as He loves us, and to be open to the transformative power of genuine, selfless relationship. May we, like the disciples, learn to depend not on our own strength but on the boundless generosity and love of God, made manifest in the world around us. Amen.
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SUNDAY, July 28, 2024
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PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIVESTREAM IS TEMPORARILY PAUSED
WHILE WE WORK TO RESOLVE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
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Click here to preview Order of Worship.
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Please make visiting the prayer wall a daily practice!
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RUAH Youth Group "Lock-In"
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The RUAH Youth had a "Lock-In" this past weekend in the FLC Youth Room and got in some late night bowling and games! All youth 6th-12th grade are invited to join them Sunday evenings at 5:30pm for bible study and fun games. Dinner is served.
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See more photos of the evening here!
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PICNIC IN THE PARK
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We had a fun afternoon at Upper Tampa Bay Park last Sunday. Thanks to Promiseland for sponsoring this church event and to Manny Cisneros for bringing some outdoor fans with him! We hope to do this again in the fall when the weather is a little cooler!
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See more photos of the picnic here!
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We need helpers to clean up around the church, specifically for the Bridges Preschool's upcoming Open House. Please call Janice Small if you are able to help on Sat., Aug. 3 and/or Thurs., Aug. 8.
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HONORING RICH COCKBURN FRIDAY, AUGUST 9TH!
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The church is putting together a reception following Rich's Going Home Service at 10am. If you are able to help by bringing a food dish, please contact Shaun Black at (813)399-0220 or email s9331@aol.com.
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CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES: Collecting school supplies, crayons, pencil sharpeners (no pencils), pens, erasers during the month of July. For August, please bring in spiral notebooks. Drop off boxes at sanctuary entries.
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RUTH CIRCLE : Collecting diapers, wipes, toiletries and educational supplies for Children's Home Network. Drop off bin in copy room.
CUBA MINISTRY: Collecting OTC medicines to be shipped to our sister churches. Drop off on marked shelf in copy room.
HOMELESS MINISTRY: Collecting T-shirts for men and women as well as bath towels. Drop off bins in copy room.
PACK-A-SACK: Collecting cash donations only through the summer. Please place in offering plate in marked envelop or bring by church office.
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Want to learn more about the history of the Methodist Cuban Ministry?
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Methodism took root in “fertile though troubled soil” in Cuba during the last years of the Spanish/American war in the late 1800’s. when the Florida Conference of the Methodist Church South commissioned 2 Cuban pastors living in Key West to open a mission in a Havana hotel. Read more ....
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Learn more how the sister church relationships happen here!
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One of the ministries supported by the Women of Wesley with proceeds from their annual craft fairs are the Shiwdat missionaries.
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Gurudatt & Nadira Shiwdat have been serving through World Team for the past 33 years. They are located in Suriname which is a country located in the upper Northeast region of South America. After many years working among the Guyanese and the unreached Hindustani people to establish reproducing churches among them, there are focusing and immersing themselves in equipping and training local church leaders to make and multiply disciples who will establish indigenous churches in Suriname. They are presently involved in mentoring, coaching, and releasing capable leaders who would reproduce themselves in others.
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You can read an update on what they are doing now here.
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Today the Needlecraft Ladies celebrated Kathy Gruver's birthday! They are also busy making quilts for various ministries. They meet Tuesdays from 9am to noon. All are welcome to drop by for a cup of coffee, just to visit, or help with the quilts or bring their own project.
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Please join us for Friday NIght & Prayer this Friday, July 26 from 7-8pm. We will be praying for our new pastor, Rev. Ontonio, our church, our leaders, our ministries, our community, and our nation. Personal congregational prayers are offered towards the end of the meeting. All are welcome! Let's be a church that prays together!
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We always have fun spending time with the residents of Habana!
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You will be blessed by blessing others!
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Reply to this email if you are able to join us this Saturday!
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PROMISELAND MOVIE NIGHT IN THE COURTYARD
Sat., July 27 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Kids 4 years - 5th Grade
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The Disney movie "Wish" will be featured!
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Bring a pillow! Popcorn and drinks provided! Parents, need a date night?.
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Come learn more about all the things Promiseland does with kids 4 years - 5th grade!
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This will be a time to gather information and register your child. Snacks will be provided. Please RSVP if you plan to come on Wed., July 31.
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Our Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church will be hosting a Life Line Screening event on Friday, August 16, 2024.
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To schedule your appointment, click here or call 888-814-0466 to schedule your appointment! A simple screening can be worth a lifetime.
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We invite your children to bring their backpacks to our worship service on Sunday, Aug. 11th. They can place them on the altar for a special blessing as they commit to study and learning in the upcoming school year.
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Ladies, come join us for Community Bible Study starting August 28. This year we
will be studying the Gospel of Matthew. Together we will meet King Jesus and
discover how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy, bringing rescue and
redemption.
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We meet in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesdays from 9:45 to 11:45 am and have
online classes at the same time. Or you can join us Wednesday evenings from
6:30 to 8:00 pm either in person or online. Our children’s program meets
Wednesday mornings.
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Registration is $35. Contact Celia Petters celiapetters@gmail.com 813-263-6521.
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Click here for monthly calendar!
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We express our gratitude to God through sharing our time and resources. Thank you for your commitment to God’s purposes through our faith community!
There are multiple ways that you can give:
1. Online - https://wesleymemorial.net/give/
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2. Mobile: Text donation amount to 833-505-2066
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3. In-Person - Drop off donation to church office
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4. Mail- Mail donation to 6100 Memorial Highway Tampa, FL 33615
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Office hours are Monday - Thursday 9am-3pm.
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We are here to help you with any of your needs.
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Church Contact Information:
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email: admindesk@wesleymemorial.net
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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