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June 5, 2023 - June 11,2023
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Many have asked what I think about the whole dissifiliation issue currently being discussed...
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First, I never have thought the issue was homosexuality but an ever-widening gap we see in our culture that has infiltrated the church. I do not think God cares about this. I do not believe He cares about the institutional church or what church bumper sticker is on our car. God’s institutional covenant with Israel ended at the cross and the new covenant is personal. Now I am responsible for my own soul and not for yours. You should go with your soul on this and not the party line. If your soul is being fed here at
Wesley as we study the word and work together in service to the community, then stay.
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If it is not, then leave. If that changes with a leadership change in the future, deal with it personally then. I do not believe Jesus asked Brenda why she became a United Methodist. Do not think He cares.
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Second, I believe we are teaching our children how God’s people deal with real conflict. We are being a witness and they are watching. Many of us have deep divides with our parents or children but we would never want them to leave.
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Third, the institutional church is flawed and led by flawed people. No institution is exempt from this. No matter where we land there will be issues. Institutional leaders make mistakes and so do I. Whenever I use their mistakes to take the moral or spiritual high ground, I fail my own soul. God has a way of turning things loose to see what remnant remains. I think the task for us is to seek soul renewal and unity, to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice and I think we need to do this regardless of how this plays out.
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Fourth, for some this is the line in the sand. If that is what your soul is telling you, then find a body that agrees with your soul but know this, the new hermeneutic is not new. We have been interpreting what God intends through His word since Paul wrote the letters. Some believed Paul from the beginning, many did not. This is not the last time our soul will be challenged to respond to a culture that defies the Scripture. Our culture has set its course. If we choose to vote on this, it is very possible we will be voting on something else in four years. If you try to find a body that matches everything in your soul you may end up all alone. I know I would have been OK with that but determined that was not what God wanted me to do. Know that you have been heard. If you choose to leave, leave in peace. I will always love you and my heart is always open. I completely understand and was tempted to do the same. I have chosen to fight for unity and renewal here at Wesley and invite you to do the same.
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To this end I asked the leadership to meet Tuesday night and carry the burden for us. Leadership has determined that we will not bring this to a vote here at Wesley. I understand some are very disappointed with this, I truly do. I do not think anyone should really applaud this decision. I do though believe we need to walk into tomorrow in unity. When there is a great passion around something, it can cause a divide, hurt feeling, winners and losers. I believe we are called to fulfill what Jesus prays in John
17:20-21 “ I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me”
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Our future as a church is as ONE and we begin the path to renewal by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice, setting ourselves aside and humbly saying, “Lord, use me as You desire.”
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I love being your Pastor,
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Please click button below for recording of last night's Q&A.
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Please click button below for full presentation manuscript.
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FRIDAY NIGHT SONG & PRAYER GATHERING
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Friday, May 9th 7:00pm to 8:00pm in the Multi-Purpose Rm.
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We had a great meet up of 12 people last Friday and a very special time lifting up our church. We started out with casual song leading into guided prayer with individuals also sharing their personal prayers The Holy Spirit was moving.
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Please note this Friday there is a wedding rehearsal in the sanctuary so we will meet in the multi-purpose room across from the church office.
We hope that even more people will join us this Friday! Churches that pray together in unity are strengthened to face the spiritual war that surrounds us in this world and to focus on what God has called us to be as the church.
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Our prayers will be focused on strengthening church unity, lifting our Pastor up, as well as prayers for our ministries, leadership and members.
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Please make every effort to join us this Friday night!
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Rides will be provided for those who do not drive at night.
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Please RSVP which class you will be attending!
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We will be celebrating Father's Day between services 10am to 11:15am
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with cake and punch, a photo booth and a special surprise for our fathers!
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Please plan to stay after first service or
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come early for second service to celebrate with us.
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We will also be celebrating two baptisms on Father's Day at the 9am service!
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Ladies, join us for a 7 week study of God's Amazing Book, from June 28 to August 9! This study has been prayerfully designed for those who know nothing about Jesus or the Bible, those who are new to the idea of a weekly Bible study and those who'd like a chance to get a taste of what the Community Bible Study is like. Even those who have been studying the Bible for a while will find a refreshing new way to experience the overview of the Bible!
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This is a great opportunity to invite a friend! The books are free and the homework is short and easy. Please contact Leslie Berlin to register yourself or someone else at 813-494-9063 or [email protected]
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We are engaged in an epic battle for the hearts and minds of our youth. Every day, they're bombarded with lies about who they are, who their Creator is, and where their salvation comes from. Thankfully, God has given his children armor to wear in this battle between truth and lies, light and darkness, good and evil!
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With this VBS, your kids will learn how they can be part of God's kingdom through salvation in his Son and will be equipped with the armor of God to become Keepers of the Kingdom who stand strong in today's battle for truth.
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For more info or to volunteer, contact Rochelle Mock
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SILVER SAINTS
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The Silver Saints had a great indoor camping get together last Saturday! They get together every three months to encourage each other in their spiritual journey . Each meet up has a particular theme.
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If you would like to find out more about the Silver Saints,
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CUBA MINISTRY
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FOR THE WOMEN OF WESLEY (WOW)
FROM PASTORA DARIELIS 6/02/23
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I would like you to tell the women of the Ruth and Naomi circles that the sermon I preached last night reminded me of them, as it was all about the “hands
of Martha and the heart of Maria” . You are generous women, with your hands and with
your hearts, who offer help to the needy, especially our family and the families of Duranona. We are all very grateful for your help, the food, the medicinesand we know you have an enormous heart dedicated to Jesus.
We love you, even though we don’t know you personally. You are in our prayers.
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We covet your prayers for: ^For Duranona sister church
^ For Keiler, the 4-year old son of Yeny and Josue, young couple members of the
church. Keiler is losing his hair and they cannot find a reason. They have to take
him to a hospital in Manzanillo about 35 miles from Duranona. Because of lack of
gasoline and bad roads, getting there won’t be easy.
^ For Methodist Church Annual Conference in about 3 weeks in Havana, when
pastoral changes are made, Pastora Darielis and her husband have to get
transportation to travel from Duranona to Havana (400 miles). It’ll be quite difficult
and costly. Please pray for them to get the means to get there, safely, in God’s
mercy and protection
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GOD GANG
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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
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We want to congratulate Jaymin Anzadule (right) & Jordan Angeles (left) on their High School graduations! We are so proud of them!
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Jaymin graduated from Windsor Academy. He received Eagle Scout Badge. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program. He will be pursuing a career as an EMT. He has a passion for helping others. It has been a privilege to watch Jaymin grow up at Wesley and in the Scouts! He is a leader and we are all excited to see the plans that the Lord has for him!
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Jordan graduated from Jefferson High School. He has a passed his ServSafe Certificate. He has plans for a future in the Culinary Arts. He will be attending HCC in the fall. It has been a privilege to see Jordan grow into the young man that he is. We are also excited to see what the Lord has planned for Jordan’s life!
Please help us celebrate these two young men and their achievements! If you see them give them a heartfelt congratulations!!! --
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GodGang leaves for camp on June 19th and will return on the 23rd!
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Thank You to everyone who contributed towards camp sponsorships so that all our youth could attend. We have everyone covered except maybe one or two. We will be packing sacks with gatorade and snacks for the kids to take on the trip. If you would like to help in this effort, please leave your donation in copy room with a note designating youth camp. We are grateful for all the support that Wesley has given the Youth throughout the years!!
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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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The next several weeks Pastor Ernie will be discussing various personalities in the Bible and what lessons we can learn from that to apply to our lives today. Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30 am on Facebook or you can watch it later as well.
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Post your prayers and praise requests here and pray and comment for others!
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Please make visiting the prayer wall a daily practice!
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A Prayer for Discernment
Father God,
We thank You for this day. Father, You are the same today as You were yesterday, and as You are tomorrow. Since the beginning of mankind, You sought to have a relationship with Your creation, to instruct us in the way that we ought to go. Father, today we pray for discernment. We pray that the Holy Spirit that indwells within us will give us a peace beyond understanding to know precisely when something is You, and when something is not. Father, we want to be obedient to Your call in our lives. We pray for such discernment to not only make wise choices, but in the course of it all to know we can trust Your guiding hand.
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Please note that we are 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 livestream of recent sermons.
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Sunday Sermon June 11, 2023
"The Seven Loves of Peter"
John 21:15-17, Matthew 16: 17-23, Luke 22:31-32
Rev. Rich Cockburn
9am Traditional Service 11:15 Contemporary Service
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