Pastor's Note
My thanks to all who attended and helped make our 2009 Charge Conference a solid time of celebration of our accomplishments as a congregation, and a reminder of where we need to continue to grow.
This weekend we will conclude our "Giving by Grace" series. Last weekend we handed out "First Portion" cards. This is our way of inviting each family or individual to take time to discern their own tithe and offering goal for 2010. This is a spiritual decision between you and God and the cards simply provide a way to focus our prayer and provide an estimate of giving that our leaders can use to wisely budget. Cards will be destroyed once the total is recorded. If you do not yet have a card, they are available at the church office and from the ushers this weekend.
This upcoming weekend, we will celebrate being "Grace Givers" in two ways: We will present our "First Portion" cards in their sealed envelopes to the Lord by collecting and placing them on the Communion Table. Then, at the end of our 10:30 service, our children will bring Operation Christmas Child boxes to the front of the Sanctuary, also as an offering to The Lord.
I pray this season of giving will deepen faith and love for Christ.
In HIM
Pastor Sam
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Worship Ministry
Weekend Worship: Join us for worship this weekend as we celebrate with thankgiving Christ's gift of grace and God's faithful provision! Pastor Sam will complete the sermon series "Giving by Grace" and Operation Christmas Child gifts will be blessed and sent on their way to spread the love of Christ to children all over the world. Thanks be to God!
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship - Keystone Community Church: Harvester will unite with Keystone for a Thanksgiving Celebration on November 25 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for worship at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54, Lutz, FL 33558 www.keystonecommunity.org
Lighting of the Advent Wreath: Families, small groups and individuals are invited to help lead worship during Advent by lighting candles of the Advent wreath during weekend worship services. Please contact Shannon Miller to volunteer. shannon@harvesterumc.org or 404-312-5345
Volunteer for Hanging of the Greens: All are invited to join in worship as we decorate the sanctuary for Christmas during the Hanging of the Greens service on Saturday, November 28 at 5:30 p.m. Individuals and families participate in the decorating during a special time of worship as scripture is read, songs are sung and stories are told. If you wish to volunteer to participate in the service, please contact Shannon Miller by November 22. shannon@harvesterumc.org or 404-312-5345 |
Children's Ministry
Christmas Camp: Our fourth annual "Camp Christmas" is December 12th from 9am-1pm. Kids age 3 by 9/1/09 (potty-trained please) through 5th grade will have a blast at this drop-off camp-style morning that's just for them! Not only with they sing and dance, make crafts and play games, but they will walk away knowing the true meaning of Christmas. At Camp Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and have lots of fun doing it! There are only a few spots left so call the church office soon at 948-2311 to register.
Sunday School: We are currently seeking a teacher for the 4th-5th grade class for the month of December. Please contact Jennifer Smith at jennifer@harvesterumc.org if you can help. Thank you.
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Youth Ministry
There is a new sign up sheet for Sunday Night dinners on the youth bulletin board. Please check it out and see if there is a night you could provide dinner for the youth. Also, on Sunday, December 20th, the youth will be having a progressive dinner for our Christmas party. We are in need of 4 families near the church to host one of the courses (appetizer, salad, meal, dessert). Please contact Shari Dawson if you have any questions about the progressive dinner.
Please mark your calendars: The Next Youth Leadership meeting will be THIS Thursday, November 19, 2009, from 6:30 until 8:00. All youth representatives and any parents are encourage to attend this meeting to help determine activities for youth during December and into 2010. We will be looking at Summer Camp and Mission Trip options.
Christmas Camp will be held at Harvester on Saturday, December 12th and some youth are needed to help. Volunteers need to be available from 8:30 until 1:00. There is a sign up on the Children's Ministry Bulletin Board if you are interested.
Students in Transition Senior Sponsorship: The youth group is sponsoring a senior girl at Land O'Lakes High School this year. Through offerings directly from the youth we will be providing this student with those 'extra' items associated with 12th grade. It is time for caps and gowns to be ordered and they cost $61. Youth, please pray about what you can give towards this expense and drop your offering in the special container this Sunday during dinner.
Family Devotional Time: The link below will take you to a devotion to be used with your entire family. Our Wednesday night youth bible study is studying The Life of Christ: The Basis of Faith. Each week the devotion provided here will tie to the lesson the youth will be covering that Wednesday night. This week's lesson is Tested, Tried & Triumphant. However, the devotions can be used as a stand-alone tool to prompt discussion in your family. So, even if your youth is not participating in the Wednesday night study please take a look at the link below. To access the devotion please click here
Click here for up-to-date information on future youth activities.
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Outreach
Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child Shoebox: Beginning October 24th and through November 22nd we will be collecting shoeboxes filled with gifts of love for children in need. Brochures about this ministry are available at the Welcome Center. Please take a brochure and prayerfully consider this wonderful opportunity to serve. Please contact Jeannette Phillips at jpphil@tampabay.rr.com with any questions you may have. Harvester UMC has a goal to collect 100 of these filled shoeboxes. Can you help us meet that goal?
Christian Social Services is a ministry of local churches which offers food, clothes, supportive services and Christian hospitality to people in the name of Jesus Christ. This time of year CSS looks to churches and businesses in the area to help them with their annual Thanksgiving Food Basket ministry. Thanksgiving Food Baskets will be distributed to families in need right here in Pasco County on November 21st. There are several different ways you can support this Thanksgiving Food Basket ministry.
1)You can make a monetary contribution to CSS
2)You may donate non perishable food items that can be used in the Thanksgiving Food Baskets. GREEN bins with CSS Thanksgiving Food Basket signs on them will be placed outside the Sanctuary doors beginning October 31st through November 15th. 3)You can volunteer to help handout the Thanksgiving Food Baskets. Baskets will be distributed between the hours of 8:30AM and 1:00PM on November 21st at the First United Methodist Church at 6209 Land O Lakes Blvd. No sign up is required.
If you have any questions about this opportunity to serve, please contact Llurah Utt at 996-6926 or email Kathy Lahr at gslahr@yahoo.com
Blue Jean Collection On any given night there are 4000+ homeless people in Pasco County and more than 1500 of them are children. Children and families are the fastest growing population of homeless. Students in Transition is a division of the Pasco County Student Services Department. SIT works in the field to locate children living in a homeless condition to help them get enrolled in school and to obtain all the assistance and supplies they need to achieve their academic goals. Beginning November 14th through November 22nd, PURPLE bins will be labeled and placed inside the Sanctuary for you to place your donations of new or clean, gently used blue jeans. Students in Transition supports not only the students, but also their families so they are in need of blue jeans in all sizes. Please prayerfully consider helping our families in need right here in Pasco County.
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Welcome Center
One of the ways we show our Christian love is with our Welcome Center. The center serves a host of purposes including a place to come for assistance, to socialize, to enjoy refreshments, to pick up printed material about ministry opportunities and most importantly a place to come to see Christ's love in action. Volunteers are needed to host and to supply refreshments for our Welcome Center during the month of December including our Christmas Eve services at 5PM, 7PM and 11PM. We are blessed during this time of year with many visitors and want to ensure that each and everyone of them knows that we have been planning for their arrival and are blessed to have them join us. Please prayerfully considering sharing your gift of hospitality in this very special way. Please contact Anna Mae Griffey by phone at 388-5045 or by email agriffey57@yahoo.com. You will be blessed while being a blessing to others. |
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Order until Friday 11-20
Recently a party was held with local kitchen specialists. If you would like to order items from Pampered Chef or Tastefully Simple, you can still place your order.
A portion of the proceeds go to Harvester's general budget.
If you would like to purchase products, please click on the following links:
After you click 'order on-line', type in Harvester United Methodist Church as the host.
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Worship Times
Saturday
5:30pm
Contemporary Cafe
(nursery available)
Sunday
9:00am
Tradtional Worship
(nursery available)
Sunday
10:30am
Contemporary Worship
(nursery & children's
program available)
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Upcoming Messages
Message Series
"Giving By Grace"
2 Corinthians 8:7
Since you excel in so many ways-in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us- I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
11/21-22 Giving by Grace III
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Youth Schedule
Wednesday, November 18th:
Regular Wednesday night bible study from 6:45 - 7:45 at Harvester. The youth are studying The Life of Christ: The Basis of Faith. This week's lesson is on Revealed Authority. No bible study on November 25th since it is Thanksgiving week. Then on Wednesday, December 2nd, the group will meet at Starbucks for that week only.
Sunday, November 22nd:
NO drama this weekend. Youth Band from 5:00 until 6:00. Regular SNY from 6:00 until 8:00.
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Church Contact Information
Office
(813) 948-2311
Web Site
Ministry Assistant
Teresa Boudreau
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