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Dec. 19,2022 - Dec. 25,2022
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Matthew 1:22 says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophets.” Rarely do we see Christmas as the fulfillment of a plan, yet that is exactly what it is. Before the creation of the world, God established the salvation plan and believers would be saved through a child, the man/God who came from heaven. And definitively, once and for all the supernatural intersected the physical world. Jesus was born.
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Writing my parents each week has been a tremendous exercise as I deliberately stir memories that have been dormant for decades. Christmas if full of hidden jewels for me and I am ever increasingly thankful for my parents and my own family. Today I am remembering travelling with Brenda and my children. We worked just outside of Philly and my parents lived in Virginia. The church we served had a midnight candle lighting service I led. We would pack up the car before church, have the kids all bundled, and as soon as church was over, we would be on the road. The one year I most remember I forgot to fill up the car in advance. Have you ever tried to get gas on Christmas Eve in the 1980’s? Nothing was open. We got within ten miles of my parents before we ran out of gas and this was before cell phones. Needless to say, it was precarious. All we could do was wait. We waited about thirty minutes and my dad showed up. He got anxious when we were late and came looking for us at 1 am, on Christmas morning.
Remembering can be such a celebration. Of course, everyone tells me that is not exactly what happened. Does not matter to me. I am so thankful my memories make me smile.
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I pray you make a memory this year that will make someone smile in the decades to come.
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I love being your pastor,
Ernie
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PROMISELAND CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
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This year we will have one Christmas Eve Service only which focuses on the entire family. In addition to our traditional Christmas Carols, presented by both the Praise Team and Choir, the Promiseland kids and parents will perform "Little Drummer Boy" and the GodGang Youth group will be presenting a live nativity scene along with scripture readings from the Bible. Pastor Ernie will give a short sermon on the final word in the advent series which is "faith" as a gift from God. We will end in our traditional candle lighting ceremony to symbolize the light of Christ coming into the darkness in the world.
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SUNDAY, DEC., 25TH FROM 11:30AM - 1:00PM
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The members, friends and family of Congregation Schaarai Zedek in South Tampa are hosting a (FREE) traditional Christmas Dinner for the community in the FLC Fellowship Hall at Wesley Memorial Church. Pick up or dine in meals are available.
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If you are able to assist, please contact Terri at [email protected].
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Bring in the New Year with a special Communion Service.
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Friday, January 6th, 2023
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church will be hosting Life Line Screening, offering safe, painless, non-invasive preventive health screenings that do not require you to disrobe. These screenings are typically not a part of a routine physical. To be proactive about your health for yourself and your family, register for these health screenings today.
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These four screenings are offered for only $149 and take 60-90 minutes to complete To learn more and to schedule your appointment call 1-800-679-5161, text the word circle to 216-279-1607 or visit Life Line Screening’s website at https://llsa.social/HC. When you are proactive with your health, you have a chance for more tomorrows.
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Flyers with more info are available at the info desk at the back of the church sanctuary.
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We are excited to announce a new Wesley Facebook group will be created for anyone who would like to join in a study of the New Testament under the framework of the 27/90 Study developed by Pastor Ernie Post. We are working out some details this week and after Christmas invites will be sent out to join the group. If you do not already follow Wesley on facebook, please do so now at facebook.com/wesleymemorialtampa.
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Each week a short video along with reading assignments and questions will be posted and everyone will be encouraged to comment and discuss. We hope both newer and more mature Christians, as well as anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible, will join and support each other as we grow in our spiritual journey. Get togethers will be planned occasionally for us to join in person and discuss what we are learning and/or just to have some fun! We encourage all to participate and invite your family and friends! Also, prayerfully consider finding a buddy to get together with weekly to read and discuss the lesson! Pastor Ernie is currently updating the existing workbook which will be ready to download by the start of the study Jan. 9, 2023.
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To get a preview of the study on our Facebook group and join now, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/2790study
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If you do not do Facebook, materials will be available on the website.
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Tracey worked very hard gathering, sorting, and packing all the donations to be sent to Ukraine. Thank You to everyone who donated items for the cause! And a special thank you to Mom and Ginny Winters for all their help getting everything sorted and packed up! It was a Herculean effort. They shipped 8 boxes to Kharkiv!
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The Chancel Choir
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presented a beautiful Cantata "Tapestry of Light" last Sunday!
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They are small but mighty!
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Shaun was recently speaking with the counselor at Dickinson and she mentioned they had a real need for toys and things for some pretty desperate families. Shaun mentioned it to me and asked if we could put a little something together for the newsletter so we did…and WOW did Wesley respond in the most amazing way.
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When we delivered the staff there was so overwhelmed – they couldn’t believe that it took 2 car loads to deliver everything we collected. She had put an angel tree together was asking the teachers to spend their own money to help fill the need as she didn’t realize how much or even if we would be participating. She was blown away and very, very grateful.
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Wesley – we are a small but mighty church, doing the Lord’s work and being a vital part of our community. We truly live out our mission statement.
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From the bottom of our hearts – thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Peace and Joy this holiday season!
Jamie and Shaun
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THANK YOU GODGANG!
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A heartfelt Thank You to GodGang Youth group for gathering up the Christmas stocking stuffers for the residents at Habana Health Care Center! They appreciated it very much! They were delivered but unfortunately the Singspiration last Sunday had to be cancelled due to a Covid outbreak so was not able to get pictures. We are hoping all will be clear for the New Years celebration!
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ART IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!
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Christmas time and end of the school semester can be particuarly stressful for our students. Every year they have made it a practice to de-stress with a painting session. Last week they painted canvases shaped like Christmas trees and ornaments. This gives them the opportunity to make some homemade gifts they can give to a loved one.
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If you would like to have an event or celebration (birth, graduation, marriage, travel, etc.) added to the ANNOUNCEMENTS section, please email [email protected] , including description of announcement along with any photographs.
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Wesley, you are such a faithful church! We thank you for your generous and giving hearts! You can Text To Tithe your offerings for Wesley Memorial UMC at this contact number - 813-699-4304. Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and credit or debit information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt of your donation via email. You can even text “repeat” to make it a recurring donation. Give + Text is one of the fastest and easiest ways to give.
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Or by standard mail by sending cash or check to
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6100 Memorial Hwy, 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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Pastor Ernie is continuing his series "Finding Jesus in the Old Testament". This is a not to be missed study focusing on a spiritual approach to the Old Testament that needs to be watched and shared with neighbors and friends! Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30 am on Facebook or you can watch it later as well.
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"God doesn't give up. He keeps coming. So this Christmas, just remember that God came for you to make you part of His Family."
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We need more Prayer Team Members!
It's really very simple. You will receive an automated email message when someone posts a prayer on the prayer wall. You can pray, hit button that says "I prayed" and comment if you wish, all from the email notification without going to the website. This can be done on your phone, laptop, or computer.
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If you would like to be part of the Prayer Team , text the word "Prayer" to
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813-592-1788. (Save this number in your phone as Wesley Memorial Tampa.)
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Please note, you must wait for text prompts to fill out form with your information.
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If you do not text, you can simply reply to this newsletter.
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Let's be a Praying Church for each other,
the church, and the world!
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Scan the QR code above with your cell phone to go to prayer wall!
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This Sunday the sermon title is:
"Playing Our Part"
Phillippians 1: 3-5
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