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Jan. 1,2024 - Jan. 7,2024
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Happy New Year! I have been working diligently to come up with a teaching plan for the rest of my time here at Wesley. I am feeling a need to be at Church on Sundays and still want to do a couple of the lessons I have prepared for God in the Woods. I would like to make a couple of changes. Instead of doing God in the Woods on Sunday mornings, I would like to focus on two Saturdays and have them closer to the church so people can more easily attend, one at John Chestnut Park and the other at the beach with a baptism in the Gulf. We have had several folks say they are ready to be baptized and I would like to honor that.
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I am also beginning to work with Charlie Dittmar on a night for the church to meet at MOSI for “God in the Stars.” I have not finalized any dates yet and will likely just wait till the weather is a little more cooperative.
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For our teaching this coming year, we will begin with a series on covenant theology, then look at the “I AM” sayings of Jesus as He identifies his person and work and finish with other writers’ descriptions of Jesus, particularly John in Revelation. This will be a challenging and rewarding time together.
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I love being your pastor,
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Friday Night Song & Prayer will restart this Friday, Jan. 5th at 7pm!
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As a Christian and as a church, we have two weapons to fight oppression:
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Please join us as we pray that our new future pastor is Godly
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and biblically grounded in the truth;
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for Pastor Ernie as he transitions into a new phase of his life;
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for new church leaders to answer God's call and
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lead us into the future in accordance with God's will;
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for Wesley to stand strong against the forces of culture
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that are tearing down Christianity;
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for the Wesley family to become true disciples of God's truth
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and have a lasting impact in our community;
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Personal prayer requests will be addressed at the close of the meeting.
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This year let us all vow to "do better".
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Join us this Sunday for the first Communion of the New Year!
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This Sunday, Promiseland will be discussing with the kids the meaning of Epiphany.
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Please join us and bring your gold Myrrh and Frankincense!
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Pastor Ernie invites you to join him at the grand opening of Empath Life on Thursday, January 11th at 10am. Empath Life (Living Independently for the Elderly) provides comprehensive medical care and support services to Hillsborough seniors with chronic health conditions. This specialized and all-encompassing care allows seniors to continue to live comfortable and safely in their homes. Brochures are available on the information desk at the back of the Wesley sanctuary or learn more at EmpathLIFE.org.
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All are welcome to join us for an organizational meeting for our HOPE ministry at Wesley. We will focus on building relationships and preparing for our Spring events.
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HABANA HEALTH CARE MINISTRY
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At Habana Health Care Center last Saturday we prepared our hearts for the New Year with singing, an art activity, a devotional and....cake!
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See more moments of our afternoon by clicking the button below!
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Our next get together at Habana is Sat., Jan. 27 at 2pm. We plan to bring mini valentine boxes of chocolates as we prepare our hearts for the upcoming Valentine's Day 2024. If you would like to contribute, please bring in mini heart boxes of chocolates which are available in Dollar Tree stores. There is a marked shelf for Habana in the copy room across from the office where you can leave your contribution.
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We are approaching our second year anniversary of the Habana Ministry this Valentines Day. Two years ago we adopted Habana during Pastor Ernie's series on Philippians as a way for the church to show the love of Jesus. A committee did a lot of legwork preparing, the whole congregation helped put together an array of Valentine goodies and decorations at the end of a Sunday service and a small group delivered to Habana. Visitations were set up for the last Friday and Saturday of the month for Wesley members to interact with residents in the activity room. It soon evolved into an art and music activity the last Saturday of each month. Thank You to all who have participated and/or supported this ministry with your time and gifts! We are always looking for new volunteers! Reply to this email if you are able to help the end of this month.
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LENTEN DEVOTIONAL
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We are working on our Lenten devotional and could use your help. Our devotional is themed “I See You” and is centered on the times in our lives when we see God the clearest. We would like to receive a photo from you that help you know God is close.
There are several ideas circulating: a sunrise or sunset, flowers, nature, a family get together, people helping one another, opening a gift, the joy of being together. We want to encourage you to get your camera, take a photo and send it to [email protected] so we can put a story together, a whole church story, that we can share this Lenten season. Give your kids the camera, let them take a photo, have some fun. Please send only photos you have taken yourself or have permission to use. The photos have to be in to Terri no later than January 15. Lent begins February 14 and it takes about three weeks to publish.
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THE NEEDLES GROUP
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The Needles group received a donation of fleece materials and they have made them into blankets for the Homeless Ministry! The Needles group meets every Thursday from 9am to noon. They work on projects for various ministries or you can bring in a personal project to work on. All are welcome to stop by and have a cup of coffee!
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Pack a Sack update…We will be back delivering next Friday.
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During this time, we will be collecting food items to restock our shelves.
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Here are a few items we are in need of:
Peanut Butter Crackers
Juice boxes or pouches
Applesauce or fruit cups – small individual cups
Nature’s bakery fig bars or Nutrigrain bars
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You can bring the items to the church during normal business hours or bring with you on Sunday to church. You can also call Jaime directly to have food donations picked up.
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We are also in need of monetary donations as we purchase some foods to balance out the food bags. Please put in marked envelope in offering or bring to church office. We couldn’t do this without each and every one of you and we are grateful for your continued support.
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Please be in prayer for all the Pack a Sack children and
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in prayer for our current needs.
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CUBA MINISTRY
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NEWS FROM DURAÑONA SISTER CHURCH – 12/30/23
Pastora Darielies sends all Wesley brothers and sisters the following verse:
“All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
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Grace be with you all.” Titus 3:15. Read her message below:
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The pastor's words (received in a translated email) have caused a deep impact in my heart and soul. WOW! To hear that there are still people in the world with the desire to call us friends and partners in the gospel redouble our efforts in crying out and fasting for Wesley’s pastor and sister church who have shown us love that only can come from the Kingdom of God. May God bless you and keep you, opening the doors of
heaven in great favor for each and everyone of you! May everything you have invested in blessing us be rewarded abundantly by our great God! The Word of God says: “ Blessed is he who blesses and gives to the poor because on the evil day Jehovah will deliver him.” Wesley has been a great blessing to us and we have no words to express our gratitude!
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Now, with great joy we want to thank the Lord because, in the Sunday services, we have had an attendance of 50+ people, worshiping and exalting our good God. This has been in spite of having a very cold season. Usually, winter goes unnoticed but, this year, we are having inclement weather with strong winds and still people come to church, looking for food of body and soul.
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As a “special Christmas gift” from you, we received the 2 boxes (one /22 lbs. & the
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other 44 lbs.)- with coffee, children’s shoes, socks, a doll, medicines so badly needed and so much appreciated. We received the mosquito repellent bracelets and the flashlights… all such a blessing! The bracelets will be distributed to those who attend the next worship service. Please give Ashley and Manny a very special “thank you” We
are praying always for them and their family that God will strengthen them in body and spirit, giving them special joy in serving God in this wonderful ministry
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THE MESSIAH IS AMONG US
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If you did not receive a "Holy Moments" book on Christmas Eve, there are still plenty available at the information desk at the back of the sanctuary. Also, if you did receive one , please feel free to take more to share with family, friends, and neighbors. This is a book meant to be shared.
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NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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We need four volunteers, each available one Sunday a month during the worship service, to provide back up when the nursery has both infants and toddlers. Contact the church office if you are able to help. [email protected]
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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 talked about how Christmastime and New Years is a good time to think about how we can do better. You can listen to Coffee with Ernie every Tuesday morning on Facebook at 7:30am or you can watch later.
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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 Do Better
Dear Father God, our Lord and Savior,
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I ask forgiveness for times I have fallen short of Your plan and purpose for my life. Create in me a clean heart, God, and help me to have the faith and courage to overcome any fears. Lord, there is so much uncertainty in life, but I trust that you will guide me and sustain me. Please give me the courage to be the person, friend and loved one You created me to be. May I be ever aware that the Messiah is among us and let that be a guiding force in everything I think, say, and do.
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O God, everywhere I walk, let it be on your path. Everything I see, let it be through your eyes. Everything I say, may it honor You. Everything I do, let it be in Your will. For every hardship I face, let me place it in your hands. Renew in me the wonder and joy of Your everyday miracles. May I rejoice in You each and every day despite what is going on around me and be a shining light to those who sit in darkness.
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In Jesus' Holy Name we pray, Amen.
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Be sure to subscribe to our You Tube channel!
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Jan. 7, 2024
10:00 am Worship Service
"Introduction to Covenant Theology"
Genesis, Exodus, 2 Samuel, Revelation
Pastor Ernie Post
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Please help the church save money on paper and printing by checking in virtually on Sunday Service and receiving a bulletin. The QR code will be posted on the outside and inside of sanctuary entries, in the pews, and at the coffee station. Give it a try and see if it works for you. Paper bulletins will still be available if preferred.
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*Please note: When registering for check in, it is only required to input one contact - cell phone OR email (although both are preferred.) All other requests are optional and can be bypassed by simply pressing the done button.
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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