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September 16, 2024 - September 22,2024
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As we journey together in faith, we are constantly reminded of the importance of relationships in our lives—relationships that challenge, inspire and stretch us in ways we never imagined.
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In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus offers us a profound story about the complexities of relationships, particularly those that are difficult. The son, lost in the consequences of his own choices, comes to realize the weight of his decisions and returns home. When he does, his father does the unimaginable—he doesn’t meet him with condemnation or a cold shoulder but runs to him, embraces him, and restores him in love.
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This story is a powerful reminder that relationships require us to do the work of reconciliation. We must forgive and offer grace. It’s not easy to love when we’ve been hurt or to embrace someone who has walked away, yet we are called to reflect the love of God, who embraces us when we return, no matter how far we’ve wandered.
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As we prepare to gather this Sunday, I encourage you to reflect on the relationships in your life that need healing or strengthening. Is there someone you need to forgive? Someone you need to welcome back with open arms?
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Let us strive to do the hard work of relationships, trusting that through Christ’s example and God’s boundless love, we can embrace one another with grace, patience, and open hearts.
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May the love of God guide you this week, and I look forward to worshiping together on Sunday.
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SUNDAY, Sept. 22, 2024
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Click here to preview Order of Worship.
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The Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser is this Saturday! If you have not yet purchased your tickets, you can still reserve your tickets by calling the office thru tomorrow at noon to lock in pre-event pricing.
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The Silver Saints will have a Tailgating Luncheon on Sat., Sept. 28 in Fellowship Hall from noon-2:00pm. Be sure to wear your favorite football team jersey! Must RSVP!
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The Silver Saints meet quarterly with a themed luncheon including a devotion, fun games, great fellowship and encouragement. Questions? Contact Susan Ivins.
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We will continue the Tailgating Fun at Habana on Sat., Sept.28 at 2:30pm! Please reply to this email or to [email protected] if you are able to help this month. We always have a good time!
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Click here for a peek into last month's activity!
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Please join us for a House Meeting to learn more about the HOPE ministry and our vision for a more just and compassionate society! We want to hear your concerns for our community and strengthen the bonds that hold us together. Lunch will be provided. Contact: Carol Dittmar, 813-499-1767 or [email protected].
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To learn more about the HOPE organization, click here!
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We require all decorated trunks to be kid friendly and, preferable, faith based.
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For some great decorating ideas, click here!
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Candy donations are needed! Please leave in copy room.
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Please note there is a change of date for the upcoming Craft Fair!
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All proceeds from the Craft Fair go to ministries and missions that the Women of Wesley support. Included in that list are Gurudatt & Nadira Shiwdat-Suriname of World Team, Dave & Julie Eberhard of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Kairos Prison Ministry, , Bridging Freedom, FUMC Children's Home as well as the Wesley Cuba Ministry, Wesley Operation Christmas Child, Wesley Homeless Ministry, Wesley Youth Ministry, and the Wesley Children's Ministry.
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Click here for the monthly calendar!
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PACK - A -SACK
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Schools are getting settled and working with us on deliveries and numbers. I’ll keep you posted as our numbers change and grow. Thank you to everyone that has been reaching out to me about the Sponsor a Child program. This is a new program, where you can give $30 per month and that will help sponsor a child and help us with the purchasing necessary food items. If you would like to participate, simply put PAS/Sponsorship in the memo section of your check. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to Jamie @ 813-967-3800 or [email protected]
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For now our volunteers are busy keeping the shelves stocked and bags packed and ready for delivery. If you would like to help with packing or have a group of people that would like to get together and pack, feel free to contact Jamie and make those arrangements. It’s fun and rewarding.
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We’ll be planning another church packing soon – we’ll move all the inventory to the overflow and give everyone the chance to pack a bag or 2. We are always amazed at how many bags this congregation can pack in one short hour.
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Another need we have this year is help with getting all these food bags down to the Driver volunteer cars on Friday mornings. They have to load all the bags into wagons on the 2nd floor, and make multiple trips to get all the food bags loaded up. So if you think you might have some time on Friday mornings around 10:15-10:30a, we could use extra hands. You can contact Jamie or Shaun for more info or details.
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On behalf of Shaun and I and all the PAS volunteers, we thank you for all your continued support of the Pack a Sack ministry. We are grateful for your support and prayers!
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CUBA MINISTRY
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Visit the Toys for Cuba display at the back of the sanctuary and select an ornament specifying boy or girl and age group from the skinny tree. You can bring your gift back and leave on the table or give directly to Manny and Ashley Cisneros no later than Oct. 12. We need to allow sufficient shipping time to arrive by Christmas. Keep the ornament as a reminder to pray for our sister churches in Cuba. Thank You to Renee Kincaid and the Cisneros family for overseeing this ministry!
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CHRISMON INITIATIVE
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Join us every Tuesday from 2-5pm through November in the multi-purpose room to offer a helping hand for making Chrismons for the upcoming season. So what's the big deal about Chrismons? Click here to learn more!
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THE NEEDLE CRAFT GROUP
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The Needles Group has been working on quilts. Jan Chandler (left) finished today a project she has been working on and Lois Costner (right) is holding up the Raffle Quilt for the Craft Fair this year.
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The Needles Group meets Thursday mornings 9am - noon. They work on projects for various ministries or you can bring in your own project. All are welcome to drop by!
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Daily Christian Living has started up their Bible Study of 1 Corinthians and invite you to come check it out. Connie Pruitt has even offered to pick you up if you need a ride! Contact Connie at (813)494-4049.
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COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES MEETING
The Council of Ministries will be meeting this Sunday., Sept. 22 in the multi-purpose room immediately after the Worship Service, 11:15am. These meetings help the leaders of all the different ministries at Wesley to coordinate and support each other.
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BRIDGES PRESCHOOL: Please visit the Wish List for needs of our preschool ministry. Donations can be shipped directly to Bridges Preschool at 6100 Memorial Hwy., Tampa, FL 33615 or dropped off at the church.
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CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES: For September, please bring in reusable cloth bags. Drop off boxes at sanctuary entries.
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CUBA MINISTRY: Collecting OTC medicines and vitamins to be shipped to our sister churches. Drop off on marked shelf in copy room (across from church office). Also collecting Christmas gifts to send to sister churches in Cuba.
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HOMELESS MINISTRY: Collecting T-shirts for men and women as well as bath towels. Drop off bins in copy room. There is also a need for cash donations to help cover the cost of breakfast served to the homeless community on Sunday mornings.
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PACK-A-SACK: Please consider sponsoring a school child for $30 a month who are identified as at risk of chronic hunger and receive a bag of food to take home on the weekends.
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PROMISELAND: Please bring in bags of candy for Trunk 'r Treat. Leave on counter in copy room or give directly to Rochelle or Dennis.
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RUTH CIRCLE : Collecting diapers, wipes, toiletries and educational supplies for Children's Home Network. Drop off bin in copy room.
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PROMISELAND TRUNK 'R TREAT
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Volunteers are needed to help with Trunk 'r Treat on Oct. 30! If you are interested in helping, please join us this Sunday, September 22nd to learn more. After church we'll head over to Fat Beef Farm Kitchen and Bakery for lunch and some good discussion and prep for our Trunk R Treat plans. Contact Rochelle Mock (813) 215-6433.
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HOMELESS MINISTRY
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The Homeless Ministry needs cooks in the FLC kitchen on Sunday mornings from 7:00 - 8:00am to serve breakfast to our homeless community. If you are able to help, please contact Jim Danielson (813)968-2844 or email [email protected].
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NUTURE MINISTRY
The Nurture Ministry needs stewards who will deliver communion the first Sunday of the month to a church member who, due to health issues, is unable to attend the Worship Service in person. If you are able to help. contact Jean Rowe (813)767-5264 or email [email protected].
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COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEALS
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For the past several years, Wesley has provided a free Community Thanksgiving Meal for the community. For the last few years, Heather White has accepted the responsibility of coordinating this effort. Heather has recently moved out of town and we need someone new to step up to help coordinate this event. Please contact the church office if you are able to help continue this tradition. Ideally, we need someone who has had experience working in the FLC Kitchen.
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To learn more about all the ministry opportunities at Wesley UMC, click here!
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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. Now open on Fridays 9am - noon
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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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