Word of the Week
May 21, 2020
From The Pastor
        
Celebrating Sacrifices!
                  
This weekend we will celebrate the accomplishments of those in our church family who are graduating from various educational institutions. Their sacrifices and hard work has finally paid off and we have twelve who have reached this major accomplishment! Unfortunately, because of the pandemic graduations will be completely unique, though we still congratulate each one!
                      
We will also honor those men and women in our Harvester family who have sacrificed at least a part of their lives, and some who have paid the ultimate price, for our freedom. It is always important for us to remember, honor, and celebrate these folks in our midst and to prayerfully thank them for their service to our country.
                
This Sunday Pastor Gary will preach a sermon encouraging us to be unified as a church and as a nation, while Kim and I will be attending the commencement of our daughter, Emily, as she graduates this weekend as the Valedictorian! I pray you have a great weekend, and that we will be together soon! Remember that I love you and am praying for all of you!! Stay safe!
                  
Pastor Russ

 

Connect with Harvester

 

To see additional Harvester Information click on this link  http://www.harvesterumc.com/

 

For Online Giving click the Harvester link above and look for online giving in the upper right-hand corner

 
 
From Pastor Gary       

Rumor has it there is a pandemic going on. It works out well with all these government people telling us to stay home get to know your family again. Did you know that Holly Hallam's middle name is Lynne? Yep, I found that out the other day. How would I know there was an e on the end of her middle name? This talking thing isn't so bad when you think about it. I found out that she is going to retire on May 29. It's been nice having some "us" time!
                                    
Here is another thing that happened to me in the last week: I turned 63 on Sunday and I sat down Sunday afternoon waiting on family and friends to call me and to check the sleeping condition of my recliner and Holly told me to come outside. Right then my watch alarmed me that someone was at the front door. It was the Amazon man and I just figured Holly wanted a picture of him and me on my birthday, but he left and all of a sudden there were cars honking and people shouting and laughing.  It was our Harvester family doing a drive by Happy Birthday for me. You should have seen it. Cars going two different directions, people shouting, kids with their heads sticking out of sun roofs. It was hilarious! There were cards and gifts and food and a loving bunch of people who: 1. Wanted to get out of the house. 2.  Hadn't driven in a while and had to ensure the car still ran. 3.  Showed some love to this pastor. Holly Hallam gets credit for coming up with the idea and it was a great one. Thank you for all that came by.
                            
Eventually, we are going to be able to worship together at Harvester again. There is a team that has been assembled to begin making plans for our reopening. On Tuesday, they met for the first time (on Zoom) and have begun talking through procedures, safety concerns, and ideas for how things might look when we return. We already know that the earliest we will meet will be June 17 and that could easily change 1-20 times between now and then. More news to follow on this as plans and dates are given to us.
                       
Go and Make Disciples!
Peace,
Pastor Gary

 
 

Children's Ministry
 

Parents and families we are so excited for our first Children's Church Zoom Call!
Join your favorite teachers for a fun video and a great time of fellowship. 
We have missed all our children and are excited for this opportunity to see them.
Please save the Zoom Call information listed below!
See you on Sunday! 

Kristina Nast is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: HUMC Children's Church
Time: May 24, 2020 10:00 AM 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72125808088?pwd=OXBWMXJ4dW5NWXI4VStOSVloTnYwUT09

Meeting ID: 721 2580 8088
Password: godisgood

Stay safe,
Kristina

 
 
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 
1 Timothy 4:12   

Sunday, May 24th 
No Activate! ~ Happy Memorial Day!  
                                                 
 ~ Stay home and stay safe! 
                  
Open to all Middle School and Senior High students. For more information, contact Pastor Russ at  revmckee@aol.com
                         
Youth & Parents: Join our Instagram  @harvesterstudents  to keep in touch, and up to date on Activate Youth Group happenings!
   
 

We will be celebrating Harvester's High School and College Graduates with a virtual slideshow this Sunday, May 24th at the 9am live streaming service. If you would like to send a card to congratulate our Graduates, here is their information:

Caroline Henk - Land O Lakes High School.  1135 Fox Chapel Drive, Lutz, FL 33549

Marina Carrow - Allendale Academy, High School Graduate
Also a graduate of the Academy for Dental Assistants 
15623 Heartleaf Court, Land O Lakes, FL 34638

Jake Sutton - Land O Lakes Christian School, High School Graduate.  23715 Estero Court, Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Cyrus Baker - Land O Lakes High School.  4008 Marlow Loop,  Land O Lakes, FL 34639

P.J. Strommer - Land O Lakes Hight School.  23320 Orleans Place, Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Sebastian Sosa - Academy at the Lakes High School 22923 Yarn Court, Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Rachel Sisemore - Pasco Hernando State College.  23452 Abercorn Lane, Land O Lakes, FL 34639-8813

Ryan Scates - University of South Florida.  4834 Trinidad Drive, Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Austin Scates - Marchman Technical College.  4834 Trinidad Drive, Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Parker Phillips - University of Central Florida. 15243 Sugargrove Way, Orlando, FL 32828-6638

Christopher Nichols - University of South Florida. 1 0420 N. McKinley Drive, Apt. #8303, Tampa, FL 33612

Stephen Nichols - University Technical Institute.  550 Harbor Cove Lane, #1800C, Charleston, SC 29412

 
          
Watch our Sermon's Live on Sunday mornings 
You can watch even WITHOUT your own facebook account!

No Facebook account? No problem! Click the link below and watch our Sermon's live on Harvester's Facebook page at  9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings or tune in later to watch the video. 


Just click the link the link above and it will take you directly to the Harvester facebook page. To the left of the screen, click on "Videos". Then it will take you to our most recent sermon's. When you click on the most recent video, in the bottom right corner on the video screen, there is another volume button. Make sure it is all the way up. 
 
 
          
Virtual Attendance Pad

Help us to still keep track of our attendance at the 9am live streaming service.  Click on our link   https://www.facebook.com/harvesterumc/ 
  
That will take you to the Harvester Community Church facebook page. To the left of the screen the "Home" tab will be highlighted. All you need to do is scroll way down our page until you see a large picture of our attendance pad. Click the link above the picture and it will take you to a sign in form. Let me know if you have any trouble finding it by emailing harvesterumc@verizon.net  

 

Harvester's Member Directory

Would you like to reach out to our Harvester Members and check to see that they are doing okay during this time of  concern and safety? Many would love a call or to receive a note just letting them know we are thinking about them and praying for them. You might also want to offer assistance to those who might need something. Let's all come together and see if we can be a blessing to each other. Below is a link to our Harvester's Member Directory. Just click the link and download the directory.  



 

Roof Campaign Update

Our goal is to raise $23,000 over 3 years to pay for a new roof on the original building. $52 per year or $1 per Sunday each year per member will reach the goal. Thanks be to God we met the goal for the first and second year! 

We are in our final year and have raised at total of $22,909.40 towards our final goal of $23,000.00! Thanks to everyone who has given thus far!

 
 

Join the Ground Hogs!

Our mowing team is in need of two more volunteers interested in mowing our church grounds. We currently have two teams that rotate mowing weeks. If we add two more people then we would have three mowing teams and could rotate the teams every third week! Anyone interested in helping can contact Simon FitzPatrick at 203-554-4010 or contact the church office at 813-948-2311


 



Discipleship Ministries is piloting an Online Basic Lay Servant course to run May 26 - June 15.
This is the gateway course to all other Lay Servant certifications such as: Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, Certified Lay Minister.
 
If you are interested, contact Gregory at the email listed below. 
 
Gregory S. Uchimura
Director of Lay Servant Ministries
Gulf Central District
Florida Conference
United Methodist Church
P - 813-394-6980
 
 


 First United Methodist Church of Land O Lakes is currently looking to fill two part-time positions. One is for Church Administrator and the other is for Church Bookkeeper. 

Feel free to share this information. Th e job descriptions can be viewed at    https://www.indeed.com/

Or email harvesterumc@verizon.net and Sheila will email you the job descriptions.


 
 
Samaritan's Purse
Operation Christmas Child 
Shoe Boxes 



Hi everyone!  Hope you are all staying healthy and safe.  Once things get back to the "new normal," here are the target collection items for the rest of the year:
  • May -- Hygiene items
  • June -- Toys
  • July -- Clothing Items
  • August -- School Supplies
  • September -- Games
  • October -- Personal and/or Harvester Letters/Photos
  • November -- Packing Party!
  • December -- Prayers for our Boxes
Thanks again for all your help and support!

Janet Sass
Project Leader
813-598-1783 Cell

 

Thank you for your faithful giving!
   
Attendance, Tithes and Offerings

Online Views Sunday, May 17....................630
Operating Received Sunday, May 17........$8,879.00
Operating Received Year to Date..............$172,451.60
Operating Year to Date Budget.................$169,192.20
Roof Fund Received Month to Date.........$2,869.00
Roof Fund Total to Date............................$22,909.40

 

Harvester and the Daring Faith Team are working on planning for Harvester's 25th Anniversary Celebration!


We would like to collect pictures and "memories" from our church members from their time with Harvester - please think about any special, funny, touching moments you have had at Harvester or because of Harvester and share them by emailing to  harvesterdaringfaith@gmail.com or writing them out and dropping them in the Harvester Memories box that is in the main church hallway.

We would also like to do some short video member interviews where members can share about an experience with Harvester that can be shared. Please email  harvesterdaringfaith@gmail.com or drop a note in the Harvester Memories box if you would be willing to participate! We would love a variety of content - Harvester helping you come to Christ (anyone take Pastor Gary's Evangelism class or Class 401?), memories of getting married/baptized, funny memories, memories of meeting lifetime friends, etc.

 

SAVE THE DATE!!!! 
The 2nd Annual Harvester Craft Fair will take place on 
Saturday, OCT. 24, 2020. 

Please mark your calendars....all of them...so that you will be prepared and ready! What is your Craft?  Art?  Quilting?  Sewing? Needlepoint? Cross-stitch? Knitting? Crocheting? Wood Crafts? Candles? Floral? Wreaths? Fall Decorations? Sculpting? Pottery? The Missions Committee would love to display and sell your donated items, so don't let this date sneak up on you! Do you like to make baskets? These were a huge hit last year, and we'd like to do it again. Again, this takes planning and time, so don't let the date sneak up on you! Are you a baker of good yummies? It can be cookies, cupcakes, cakes, brownies, blondies, breads, muffins, biscuits with country ham, scones, breakfast bars, pies, etc. (Are you hungry yet?) Don't forget to save the date! We don't want to miss out on your delicious sweets and breads!! Do you want to be a vendor and sell your own crafts? Save the Date!!! Harvester's 2nd Annual Craft Fair....October 24, 2020.      

 
 





Thank you to Denny Johnson and Matthew Johnson for buffing and re-waxing the floors in the Youth Wing, Children's Wing, Main Hallway, Fellowship Hall and now the hallway between the Music Room & Library! Wow, have you been busy! They look terrific! We appreciate all your hard work.   

Thank you to our Ground Hogs, Simon FitzPatrick, Tom Herrin, Denny Johnson, Randy Ayers, Bruce Kitchen and Keith Swan for keeping our grounds mowed and looking terrific! We appreciate all of you!

Thank you to Mary Lou Bartlett for coming in each Tuesday to count the offering that was mailed in to Harvester and for taking it to the bank. We appreciate your time and help. 

Thank you to Denny Johnson, George Alexander and Lloyd Evans for helping with various work projects around the church and grounds. We appreciate you!
  
 

Women of Faith will not be meeting on June 1st  

Women of Faith meet on the first Monday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the adult Sunday School Rooms 117 & 118.

Come for fellowship, prayer and devotional. This is not a Bible study, so there will be no homework.  For more information, please contact Eloisa Garcia at  caseysgrandma@tampabay.rr.com , or Delaine Holsopple at dbholsopple2@gmail.com .
 
 

Prayer for Harvester 
We will be meeting through Zoom
Contact Pastor Gary if you would like to join this group
ghallam517@aol.com 
       
Pastor Gary is leading a prayer group in praying for Harvester the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Everyone is welcome. Please join us.
      
PHONE ALERT!  PHONE ALERT!
For those who are unable to make it to the Wednesday prayer group, I am asking that you set a recurring alarm on your phone for a time and day of your choice to take time to pray specifically for your church and God's will to be done at Harvester! The more we talk to God about what He wants from us, the faster we can begin working on it. Thank you everyone for helping us to bombard Heaven with our requests! 

 



This event has been postponed until Friday, September 11, 2020.

 
 

Like us on Facebook!!
Harvester has several new groups on Facebook, so check them out!



Harvester Women - Sisters in Spirit 

Harvester Youth - Activate

Harvester Kids - Children's Ministry   ***this is a closed group - meaning that only members will be able to see the information in it for the safety of our children -- but all you have to do to be a part of it is request to join -- there are 3 questions (are you a member/regular attendee of Harvester?, What Harvester Children's activities have you/do you plan to attend?  What ages are your children? Once the admin approves it, you will have access to the pages.

 
 

Congregational Care For Our Harvester Family
        
Our Congregational Care Team leaders are  Deborah Alexander (813-994-2538) and co-chair Sandi Newby (813-996-2825). If it is an emergency and you need someone immediately, call or text Pastor Gary at 813-727-5556. Please feel free to call the church 813-948-2311 anytime day or night for things that don't need immediate attention. As soon as someone is in the office, they will return your call or forward your message to the appropriate person. The church office hours are 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday. 

 
Room Availability At Harvester  

Any Ministry Team, Bible Study Group or anyone needing to reserve a room, multiple rooms or the church property, please contact Sheila in the church office to confirm availability and to schedule your meeting and/or event at harvesterumc@verizon.net or (813) 948-2311

 

CSS Volunteers 
Cancelled until further notice

Volunteers are needed at Christian Social Services anytime Tuesday through Saturday from 10am - 4pm. Come for an hour or stay longer! No experience or special ability needed, just a willingness to help! It's a great place for youth to get credit for school (youth younger than 15 yrs. old must be accompanied by an adult.) Call or email Llurah Utt with questions, concerns or just show up at CSS ask for Tina and she'll be SO HAPPY to get you started. You will be a blessing and YOU WILL BE BLESSED! Llurah - (813) 996-6926 or  thriftygirls2@yahoo.com   

 

 
Larry Young and the prayer group are NOT meeting on Friday mornings at 10:00 am due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

There are so many in our church and beyond that are in need of prayer.Contact Larry Young and the prayer chain at  813-846-4342 if you have a prayer concern. We can all stay connected and pray for each other.


 
Church Library 

Our Church Library is available for everyone to use! Stop by and check out some materials and feel free to borrow what you like! We are always accepting donations of  Christian books (non fiction or fiction) and are happy to add them to the collection.
 
 
 
Harvester APP
   
You can now download the  Harvester App   through the App Store for either Apple or Google! Search: HarvesterUMC
 
With our App you can:
View previous sermons
See our church calendar
Find out more information about HUMC
Submit a prayer request
Make a donation
Read the Bible
Receive updates about Harvester
And so much more!
Be sure to turn your notifications on to receive messages from the church.

 
 
Church Office Hours

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

Our Office is still up and running Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 3:30 pm.  Contact Sheila at 813-948-2311 or email harvesterumc@verizon.net with any questions, concerns or needs. 


Worship Times &
Sunday School

 

 

Sunday Mornings

 

9:00 a.m.

Traditional Worship

Nursery available

 

11:00 a.m.

Contemporary Worship

 

11:00 a.m.

Nursery 

Children's Worship Hour

Middle School Sunday School 

 

5th Sundays Combined Worship at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon 

 

 
Upcoming Message


Sunday, May 24th  

Online Streaming at 9am 

Series: 
"What Do You Do 
When You Don't Know What To Do? "

Message:
"God, Bless The USA!"

Scripture: 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Pastor Gary Hallam

 
Youth Schedule
 

Sunday, May 24th
 
No Activate! 
the week 

Happy Memorial Day! 


 
Church Contact
Information


 Office
(813) 948-2311

Web Site

Pastor
Russell O. McKee lll
revmckee@aol.com 

 
Family Ministries Pastor
Gary Hallam
ghallam517@aol.com 

Worship & Creative Arts
Phillip Brown
pbrown110@verizon.net 

Administrative Assistant
Sheila Fitzgerald
harvesterumc@verizon.net 
 
Nursery Coordinator
Christina Monette
christinajp@aol.com 

Director of Children's Ministry
Kristina Nast
kknast13@gmail.com