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Jan. 9, 2023 - Jan. 15,2023
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Recently I read Psalm 88. It ends, “You have taken from me friend and neighbor—darkness is my closest friend.” Psalm 88:18
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I have known many people who understand this on a deep level. I do. It is not a rejection of faith but faith with a bullhorn. In darkness is when we believe more deeply and most powerfully because it is there that we have no strength of self. We are undone. No matter which way we turn, there is only darkness. Trusted friends disappear for no one really wants to be next to us. I have stood with people I love through these days, usually saying almost nothing.
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This past week two people close to me talked about the darkness, perhaps because they knew I understood. They both heard me say, “hello darkness my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again…” If we are not careful, or enter the darkness without faith, it can and will own us. Faith is that still small spark, something I cannot touch or see. I know not when it comes but I have learned the source. When all around us is harder that we can bear, faith resonates with the invisible within. Deep calls out to deep.
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I believe not for my eternity. I believe because it helps me know I am walking toward the light. Each and every step of faith I take brings me closer to the unseen. I know the sun will rise. If not today, then in my forever. If for no other reason, this is sufficient for faith to be mine and I am grateful.
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I love being your pastor,
Ernie
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Tuesday, Jan. 17
9:00am - 11:00am
Please join us to lift up to the Lord the Administrative Board members and their plans, discussions and decisions to be made at their next meeting.
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This prayer gathering is for the sole purpose of asking for God’s guidance in giving our leaders discernment as we go forward. This is a shared commitment we all make as brothers and sisters in Wesley to pray and contend for the faith and our church. If you are unable to come to the gathering this month, please, during this time, lift up your prayers at home, work, school, wherever you.
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Contact Renee by email [email protected] or call her (813-885-5674) for any other information or inquiry.
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Monday, Jan. 30th at 6:30pm
FLC Fellowship Hall
Wesley HOPE Network Members invite anyone interested in learning about HOPE to join them at the Jan. 30th meeting in the FLC. We will be discussing the current issues that will be presented at the Nehemiah Action on March 20. We will also be talking about how we can get as many people as possible to attend the Nehemiah Action on March 20. This is a worthy organization that deseves our support as they make a lot of progress in issues of concern within Hillsborough County. Hope to see you there!
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Service 7:00 PM
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We will be having a Lenten Covenant Renewal with Cuba starting Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023
thru Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
with instruction on how we can support
the Cuba Medicine Program.
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We are in to our first week of the home bible study 27/90. This study is facilitated by a Facebook group where we can interact and share our thoughts. We will also occasionally meet after church for lunch and talk about the study. You can join in at any time. If you don't do Facebook, all the materials are available on the website on the drop down menu under Messages. Pastor Ernie is encouraging everyone to find someone you can share this study with and step into our role of discipleship.
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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 has made a Promise. And He won't let it fail. Even though we may not see it today as being good, we have to walk into the Promise. If we don't trust in the Promise, we become paralyzed. I have to trust God and get up and go. We have the Promise Maker on our side."
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"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks to them."
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Please note that over the next month we are slowly transitioning to a new You Tube Channel. During this time livestreams will be posted on both channels. This button goes to the new You Tube Channel. Please be sure to subcribe! Also, please note, on both channels you must go to the Live button on the top menu button to see recent sermons. Thank You for your patience as we continue to work out issues with the You Tube channel.
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Sunday Sermon Jan. 15, 2023
"A Lesson in Purpose"
Matthew 7:15-20
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9am Traditional Service 11:15am Contemporary Service
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