EAST TAMPA CHRISTIAN CHURCH
7824 S. 24th Ave., Tampa, Fla. 33619 / (813) 626-2507
Terry Tyree, Minister
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Announcements
Prayer
Sermon
Invitation Song
Communion Song
Communion / Offering
Praise Songs
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
God of All My Days
In Christ Alone
My Story
Closing Prayer
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
ON THE CALENDAR
Today: Sunday School /Adults 9 a.m., Children 9 and 10 a.m.
Worship, 10 a.m.
Tuesday: Hunger-Free Mission food and clothes sharing, 10 a.m.
Wednesday: Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m.
Thursday: Bible study, 11 a.m.
THIS AND THAT
Birthday this week: Donna Fairchild (Friday)
Offerings last week: $1,575 (general fund)
Meditations next week: Bob Bellone
FROM THE WORD
You probably realized long ago that you were living in hostile territory. Like a defector from a foreign country, you left the culture of this world and embraced the culture of God’s kingdom as your own, trading your natural homeland for a spiritual one. You belong to the world God created – you were part of his original design – but you no longer belong to the fallen world it has become. You have a citizenship in heaven, even while you walk out your days in this material realm.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, he didn’t take his followers with him. The time had not yet come. There was work to be done, and he sent them on a mission – the same kind of mission he had undertaken when the Father sent him (John 17:18; 20-21). He had already told the disciples they could not go with him to heaven (John 13:36), but he had also told them that he was preparing a place for them to come (John 14:2). He left them but assured them they would not be alone. In fact, he said it was better for him to leave so his Spirit could come to inhabit them (John 16:5-15). His prayer the night before his crucifixion was that they be left right where they are, in the midst of a world of chaos and evil but protected from the evil one.
That’s where we still live. We are in the midst of a world of trouble, but we are confident that Jesus has overcome it, just as he said (John 16:33). He continues to be present in this world through his people. That’s why one of the greatest things we can do for people in need of God is to be there – to be present, in the context of problems and pain, carrying the counsel and companionship of God wherever we can. As long as we live, that’s our ministry, just as Jesus intended.
Chris Tiegreen
ADDITIONAL
LAKE AURORA TRUSTING GOD AND HIS TIMING FOR GROWTH
Lake Aurora Christian Camp and Retreat Center is committed to excellence and is continually investing in its staff, programs, and facility to offer the best in the camping industry with a mindset to serve as Christ and His children.
Its vision includes various projects ready to be taken on when God’s provision is available. For information or to provide financial support, visit lakeaurora.org.
TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
The invitation at the close of each worship service extends an opportunity for anyone outside of Christ to unite with him and become a Christian through belief (John 3:16); repentance (turning away from sin,
Acts 2:38); confession of belief in Christ (Romans 10:10); baptism into Christ for forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-8) and devoting the rest of your life to
Christ (Matthew 10:22).
The Lord’s invitation also is open to anyone desiring to rededicate his or her life to Christ; to baptized
believers wanting to transfer their membership to this congregation, or to request prayer support.
ABOUT US
For more than a half-century, we have been a restoration plea fellowship in unity with other independent New Testament church bodies. Certainly, we are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.
In that regard, we assume no denominational name. We observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday to honor him and reflect upon his great sacrifice on our behalf (Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28, Hebrews 10:25).
We teach directly from the Bible. Where it speaks clearly – such as the Gospel plan of salvation and other directions or commands – we seek unity. In matters of opinion, where the Bible does not expressly speak, we seek liberty. In all things, however, we speak love for one another, just as Jesus loved us and laid down his life for us!
If you agree with these matters, please join us to proclaim salvation and unity to those who need to hear it in the name of our blessed Lord and only Savior, Jesus Christ. We urgently invite you to do so since his glorious return is imminent.
OUR ELDERS
Jim Fairchild (813) 361-7809 jfairchild@famins.com
Dan Hefner (813) 244-9843 danshirlh@msn.com