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
Above All
Fear Is a Liar
My Story
Drops in the Ocean
Closing Prayer
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
ON THE CALENDAR
Sunday 26th: Sunday School /Adults 9 a.m., Children 9 and 10 a.m.
Worship 10 a.m.
Tuesday 28th - Hunger-Free Mission / Worship, 9:30 a.m.
Food and clothing distribution, 10 a.m.
Wednesday 29th - Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m.
Thursday 30th - Bible study, 11 a.m.
April 9 Easter sunrise service in pavilion, 7:30 a.m.
April 21-22 - Women’s retreat No. 1, Lake Aurora Christian Camp
April 22-23 - Women’s retreat No. 2, Lake Aurora Christian Camp
May 30 - July 28: Lake Aurora summer camps / visit lakeaurora.org
THIS AND THAT
Birthdays this week: Anne McQueen (Monday), Charles Tyree (Tuesday)
Offerings last week: $1,370 (general fund)
Meditations next week: Jim Fairchild
FROM THE WORD
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
LUKE 16:19-31
ADDITIONAL
The Importance of Compassion and Generosity
Jesus tells a parable about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. The rich man lived a life of luxury and abundance, while Lazarus suffered from illness and poverty. After they both died, Lazarus was taken to Abraham's side in heaven, while the rich man was tormented in Hades. This parable serves as a reminder to us about the importance of compassion and generosity towards others, and the eternal consequences of our actions.
This parable reminds us of the stark difference in living conditions between the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man had all that he wanted, while Lazarus was barely surviving. But the tables turned in the afterlife, with Lazarus experiencing the ultimate comfort, and the rich man enduring eternal torment. Jesus is not condemning the rich for their wealth, but is cautioning them to be mindful of the needs of others. This is a powerful message for us today, as we are often consumed with our own wants and needs, forgetting about those who are less fortunate. Let us be reminded that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to use our resources to help those in need.
Prayers:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this reminder to be mindful of the needs of others. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to be generous with the resources you have given us. We pray for those who are suffering from poverty, illness, and other challenges, that they may find comfort and hope in you. We also ask for your forgiveness for the times we have been selfish and forgotten about those in need. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
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