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July 17, 2023 - July 23,2023
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Hello Wesley,
For my Tuesday morning devotion, I shared from Psalm 46: 10. “Be still and know that I am God.” This is a song, meant to be sung by those who remained behind when the warriors went into the fields and mountains to battle the enemy. Those left behind were expected to sing songs praise while their husbands, brothers and sons went off to war. That is chilling. The psalm ends like this: “Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.” Psalm 46:23-26
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Clearly the battle is not going well. When struggles have power and dominate our energy, it is very difficult to be still. Our minds race to worst cast scenarios. Self-reliance often leads to repeated failures and that is one step closer to apathy, despair. So why sing? And why sing a song of praise when things are so difficult? Why not just sing a lament, a dirge, a song about darkness and defeat? Why not sing Elton John’s Sad Songs over and over again? That is of course, the point. Our song of praise when life is hard becomes a battle cry of hope in God. The more we see life as a defeat, the more our souls long to sing with others who understand and the louder we sing. As I walk throughout Hillsborough County, my soul sings a song of hope. See you Sunday.
I love being your pastor,
Ernie
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FRIDAY NIGHT SONG & PRAYER GATHERING
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Friday, July 21st from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
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We hope that you will join us this Friday! We will be praying for the nation and for the church. 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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Please make every effort to join us this Friday night!
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You are invited to join Pastor Ernie on a hiking adventure this week.
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(park at first or second parking area after you enter park)
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Thursday, July 29th at 8am
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Pastor Ernie will be there early with a cup of coffee.
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VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE HABANA HEALTH CARE MINISTRY!
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Join us for a Meet & Greet on Wed., Aug. 2 from 6-8pm.
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We will have pretzel and popcorn snacks and you can see
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what Wednesday evening for the kids is all about!
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Bring your own portable pool and join us on the front lawn
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Sat., Sept. 16 from 11am -2 pm!
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There will be water, water balloons, slip & slide races,
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hotdogs, chips, drinks and a cool desert!
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Make plans now to join us Nov. 12 for Church in the Woods! If you are interested in camping overnight or renting a canoe or kayak, you will need to make reservations now. See more info here! (Please note: there will be a regular Sunday Worship Service at 10am on the church property for those who are not able to attend.)
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We will be having "Finding God in the Woods" one weekend every month starting in November through April 2024. There will be a brochure available soon with all the dates and locations of upcoming events.
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PROMISELAND
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VBS Keepers of the Kingdom was a great success
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with a total of 36 kids attending!
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Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this happen!
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Click buttons below for some more highlights of the week!
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To see and or download individual photos, visit the Facebook photo album here!
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Kaye Prox Food Bank has a need for extra food items. Please bring in canned or boxed foods every week for the next few months. There is a shelf in the back of the copy room marked "Food Bank" where you can leave your donations.
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The Homeless Ministry now has a good supply of T-shirts!
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We are now collecting tennis shoes for both women and men.
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There is a bin in the copy room you can leave your donations.
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" Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."James 5:16
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CUBA MINISTRY
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DONATIONS SENT TO SISTER CHURCH IN CUBA FROM WESLEY
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On Monday 30 lbs of medicines, hygiene products and children’s VBS (which the Duranona church will be having in August, inviting all the children from the community) were sent to our sister church in Cuba.
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Also, Thursday, this generator (4,000 watts) was sent to them so that they may have electricity throughout the many blackouts happening in that Island, not only depriving them of light but of the need of fans to alleviate the heat and the swarm of flies and mosquitoes at the house church/temple. It may not get there for a couple of months but.... it’ll get there. Cuba experiences hot weather year round.
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All of this is being done by God’s mercy and grace touching your hearts through the donations you contribute to the Cuba account at Wesley church.
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Our Cuban brothers and sisters pray and fast for us and thank you from the bottom of their hearts!!!
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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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This week Pastor Ernie continued his thoughts on learning to be still. Being still does not necessarily mean we need to stop working or planning. It has more to do with an attitude of trusting God no matter what is going on. There is tremendous peace to be found in that. Join Pastor Ernie every Tuesday morning at 7:30am on Facebook or you can watch it later. Click link below for the most recent episode.
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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 to be Still
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Heavenly Father, I know that you are God. I ask that you give me a clear mind. Give me the ability to truly observe everything around me. Still my heart so I can see your creation. Open my eyes to see how you work through events, through people, and through creation to move the gospel forward. Let me praise you above everything else. Amen.
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Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. – Psalms 46:10 [ASV]
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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 July 23, 2023
"Simon and the Woman"
Luke 7:36-50
Pastor Ernie Post
Sunday Worship Service 11:15am
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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