East Tampa Christian Church
Welcome to East Tampa Christian Church
Welcome to our website! We are a restoration plea fellowship of independent New Testament churches that have been serving our community for over 50 years. Our church is open to all who seek to deepen their faith and grow in the love of Jesus. We invite you to explore our page to discover the daily devotional, the latest on the calendar, our From The Word Weekly Bible Verse, and learn about the various ministries and missions we offer.
Our worship services are based on the Bible and we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our faith journey. We observe the Lord's Supper every Sunday as a way to honor and reflect on Jesus' sacrifice for us.
We believe in the importance of repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We invite all who share these beliefs to join us in proclaiming salvation and unity to those in need of hearing the message of Jesus Christ.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells his disciples a parable about a persistent widow who kept coming to an unjust judge with her plea for justice against her adversary. Although the judge didn't fear God or care what people thought, he granted the widow's request simply because of her persistence.
This parable is a reminder of the power of prayer and persistence in our faith journey. We may face difficult situations or adversaries in life, but we should always remember to pray and not give up. God hears our prayers and is always with us, ready to grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night.
As we go through our daily lives, let us remember to pray without ceasing and trust in God's timing and plan for our lives. We may not always receive immediate answers to our prayers, but we can have faith that God will see that we get justice and help us in our times of need. Let us persist in prayer and continue to trust in God's unfailing love and faithfulness.
From The Word
14 One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing.
16 Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.”
18 Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.
19 Then she told her servants, “Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. 20 As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them.
21 David had just said, “It’s been useless—all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. 22 May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!”
23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground.
24 She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 25 Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent.
26 “And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal. 27 And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.
28 “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live.
29 “Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.
30 “When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, 31 my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”
32 David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.
33 “May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
34 “Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.”
35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.”
36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until daybreak.
37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone.
38 About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died.
39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.”
Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.
40 His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.”
41 She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”
42 Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by her five female servants, went with David’s messengers and became his wife.
1 SAMUEL 25
Calendar
Sunday: Sunday School: Adults, 9 a.m., Children, 9 and 10 a.m., Worship, 10 a.m.
Tuesday: Hunger-Free Mission food sharing, 10 a.m.
Wednesday: Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m
Ministries
We are excited to share with you all of the amazing ministries and opportunities for growth and service that are available here at our church. Although many of these programs are currently in the planning stages, our goal is to make them a reality through the support and involvement of members like you.
The Fellowship Ministry is responsible for creating opportunities for members of the congregation to come together for social and recreational activities. This includes tasks such as organizing potluck dinners, game nights, and other social events. The goal of this ministry is to create a sense of community within the congregation and to foster relationships among members.
The Administration Ministry is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the church's operations. This includes financial management, budgeting, and overall organizational structure. The goal of this ministry is to ensure that the church is running smoothly and efficiently, allowing the other ministries to focus on their specific areas of service.
The Building and Grounds Ministry is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the church's physical property. This includes tasks such as cleaning, landscaping, and repairs. The goal of this ministry is to ensure that the church's property is well-maintained and presents a positive image to the community.
The Communication Ministry is responsible for ensuring that the church's message is effectively communicated to the congregation and the community. This includes tasks such as creating and distributing the weekly bulletin, updating the church website, and maintaining the church sign. The goal of this ministry is to ensure that the church's message is effectively communicated and that the congregation is informed of all upcoming events and activities.
The Encouragement Ministry is responsible for reaching out to members of the congregation who may be going through difficult times. This includes tasks such as making phone calls, sending cards, and visiting people in their homes. The goal of this ministry is to provide emotional and spiritual support to those in need.
The Missions Ministry is responsible for coordinating the church's outreach efforts. This includes tasks such as organizing mission trips, collecting donations for humanitarian aid, and supporting global missions organizations. The goal of this ministry is to share the love of God with people in need and to make a positive impact on the world.
The Praise Team Ministry is responsible for leading the congregation in worship through music. This includes tasks such as selecting songs, rehearsing, and leading the congregation in singing. The goal of this ministry is to lead the congregation in worship and to create a joyful and uplifting atmosphere.
The Teaching Ministry is responsible for providing Bible studies, sermons, and other educational opportunities for the congregation. This includes tasks such as selecting curriculum, preparing lesson plans, and delivering sermons. The goal of this ministry is to provide biblical instruction and guidance to the congregation.
The Transportation Ministry is responsible for providing transportation for members of the congregation who are unable to drive themselves to church. This includes tasks such as scheduling rides, driving the church van, and providing transportation to events and activities. The goal of this ministry is to ensure that all members of the congregation are able to participate in church activities.
The Welcome Team Ministry is responsible for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors and newcomers to the church. This includes tasks such as greeting people at the door, providing information about the church, and answering questions. The goal of this ministry is to make visitors and newcomers feel comfortable and welcome.
The Greetings Ministry is responsible for reaching out to members of the congregation who may be going through difficult times. This includes tasks such as making phone calls, sending cards, and visiting people in their homes. The goal of this ministry is to provide emotional and spiritual support to those in need and to let them know that they are not alone.
Our Communion Meditations Ministry is focused on helping our members reflect on the significance of the sacrament of Communion, and to deepen their spiritual connection to God. Through guided meditations and group discussions, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of this sacred ritual.
Our Children's Ministry is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for children of all ages to learn about God's love and teachings. Our programs include Sunday school classes, vacation Bible school, and special events throughout the year. Our goal is to help children develop a personal relationship with Jesus and grow in their faith.
Our Youth Ministry is designed to provide a fun and engaging environment for teens to grow in their faith. Our programs include youth group meetings, Bible studies, retreats, and mission trips. We strive to create a community where teens can build relationships with one another and with God.
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We invite you to take an active role in bringing these ministries to life and helping us create a thriving community where everyone can grow and flourish in their faith. So don't be discouraged by what may seem like a work in progress - we are confident that with your help, we can make these programs and services a reality for everyone
Missions
Our Hunger-Free Mission is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food and resources, regardless of their circumstances. We believe that it is our responsibility as members of our community and as children of God to help those who are struggling to make ends meet. Whether it's through food donations, food drives, or community outreach programs, we strive to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
