Word of the Week
March 26, 2020
 
From The Pastor
                      
Well, it's official...
              
We just got an email from the Bishop of the Florida Conference informing us that all Easter services will need to be live-streamed as well. While that was not a surprise, it has helped us to plan our services accordingly. As many of you know, our choir had been preparing to present an Easter musical celebration. Though it won't happen on Easter, we will reschedule it to another Sunday celebration in the future.  (We've heard of "Christmas in July" before, why not "Easter in August!" Besides, every Sunday service is meant to be a celebration of the resurrection!!)
                     
I know there is no end to all of this in sight, but I want to encourage you to stay strong in your faith. This past Sunday morning I asked each of you to set a timer at 7:19 (am and pm) and to pray intently for at least one minute asking God to move in a mighty way to bring an end to this whole crisis. I have been asked, "Why pray at 7:19?" I will explain that in more detail this Sunday! 
                  
In the mean time, continue to call one another and check on your neighbors. If there are prayer requests or needs please call me or the church office and we will put them on the prayer chain and do what we can to meet those needs. If you have the ability to Skype, or Zoom, or GoToMeeting, or conference call others, or even to continue a Bible study, I would encourage you to explore these options.
                      
This is an interesting time that is causing us to re-think how we can be the church, but together we can find creative ways to show the love of Christ, and share the reason for our hope! As much as I want to see all of you and give you each a big hug I know that's impossible right now, but, as always, know that I love you and am praying for you!!
                    
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
                                     
I preached on forgiveness this Sunday. Maybe you saw it and maybe you didn't. I got a number of compliments on the video page, but know that isn't what I was looking for. The one comment that made me take notice was a comment made by a friend of a friend (sent in a text). This is someone I have never met and they live in Canada (more about this in a moment).  His comment was "The sermon struck a chord with me for some reason...probably because my daughter turns 21 this June, I am 53 and I have a family history of cardiovascular disease."  Isn't it great how God reaches us through sermons or sermon illustrations?
                         
I left the church on Sunday morning and headed to Costco, saw the line outside, and drove to Sam's Club and saw their line and then went to Walgreens. God continued to speak to me about the sermon I had just preached. I wish  this thought would have come to me last week, but one of our members noted that maybe that is all God wanted me to preach about Sunday. So, I will use this space to give you another thought on the sermon on forgiveness.
                           
Jesus used the forgiveness part of the Lord's Prayer to reiterate its importance in Matthew 6:14-15. As I thought about this Sunday afternoon and Monday, I thought about why Jesus was teaching His disciples this important lesson. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to forgive us all for the sins we have committed and will continue to commit. He forgave all of mankind, for every sin ever committed, as He made his way to Golgotha to the cross where He would die. If Paul Harvey were still alive, he would have said, "And now you know, the rest of the story!"
                       
Back to the friend of a friend watching the service Sunday. While watching the livestream of the service, all you have to do is choose share on the screen and it will allow you to have all your Facebook friends watch the service. One of our members did this and a person in Canada watched the service, too. Just an idea!
                                
Write a card or send an email and Make Disciples!  Not allowed to Go right now!  Have a great week!  Hope you see us online this Sunday!    
                                       
Peace,
 
Pastor Gary

 
 

Children's Ministry
 

Happy Thursday Harvester Families!

Please remember to register for VBS, we have one more week for HUMC families before we open it to the public.

Please utilize the ParentCue app for lessons, videos and worship for your children.

I am praying for each and every one of our families. We are only an email, phone call or text away if you need anything.

In Christ,
Kristina Nast 

 
 
"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   

NO Activate! Youth Group ~ 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!
   
 

Stay Connected to Harvester

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



 

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.  



 

Easter Lilies

We are still planning to have Easter Lilies for our Livestream Easter Service on April 12th. If you haven't already placed your order, there is still time. Send an email to harvesterumc@verizon.net to place your order. Lilies are $10.00 each and can be ordered in honor of or in memory of a loved one. After our Easter Service we will have your Lilies available for pick up at the church. We can leave them in our entry way so you don't even have to come inside! Any questions, call Sheila in the church office at 948-2311.

 

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 not 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.

 


Community Egg Hunt 
Cancelled due to the Coronavirus

 



This event has been cancelled until further notice.

 

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.      

 

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 $19,772.40 towards our final goal of $23,000.00! Thanks to everyone who has given thus far!

 
 
Samaritan's Purse
Operation Christmas Child 
Shoe Boxes 

Hello everyone!  Wouldn't it be great if we could include a soccer ball and pump in each of our boxes this year? Here's a chance from Champion Ball to win 50 -- yes, that's FIFTY -- Western Star Soccer Balls, pumps and needles. Please click on the link below and enter your email address to give Harvester a chance to include these in our boxes this year:

                
This is exclusive to OCC participants and they'll pick a name on Easter Sunday.
                       
Thanks!  
                              
Janet
Project Leader
813-598-1783 Cell

 
 
The Breakfast Club 
Cancelled until further notice  

Please consider yourself invited to the Breakfast Club. We meet at Harvester and start serving around 8:30 am. We will have a full breakfast and great conversation. We meet the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month.
 
 It's like Saturday Detention... with breakfast

 
 

Students in Transition (SIT)
Food Bags
 
Harvester has partnered with the Pasco County School District's  Students in Transition Team to help children who have been identified as at chronic risk of going hungry over the weekend. 
                
We have committed to putting together (46) one gallon zip lock freezer bags of non perishable food items each week to provide for these children. This program is very much needed in our area. Our donations go to Pineview Middle School and Marlow Elementary.
                      
Below is a list of food items needed. Please bring only items that do not require any preparation, heating or refrigeration and children can eat without any adult help. 

Individual servings of peanut butter
Small stacks / packages of plain crackers
Vienna sausages (zip top cans)
Baked beans (zip top cans)
Individual cereal boxes
Pop tarts
Granola bars
Cereal bars
Individual fruit cups
Peanut butter / cheese crackers
Pudding cups
Protein bars
 
Thank you for your support!

 
 





A huge "Thank You" to Denny Johnson for steam cleaning the carpet in the Sanctuary and for repairing our Sanctuary chairs. It is a lot of time & work and we really appreciate it! 

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

Women of Faith will not be meeting on Monday, April 6th 

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 .
 
 
 

1 st  & 2 nd  Corinthians
This practical and relevant course deals with church problems in a city plagued by immorality. It applies God's answers to similar problems faced by present-day Christians seeking to advance God's kingdom in their societies.
                 
2020 Bible Study
Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Offering excellent Nursery, Preschool,
and  Homeschool  Ministries
      
Harvester Community Church
2432 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes
        
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Pan Ayers (760)-315-0347  rplayers@sbcglobal.net   
 register @   www.tampanorth.cbsclass.org
 information @  www.communitybiblestudy.org

 

Prayer for Harvester 
We will NOT be meeting on Wednesday, April 1st 
       
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! 

 
 

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 Needed!!!  


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 Corona Virus.

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

Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 3:30 pm. 

The Office will be closed on Monday, April 13th.

 
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, March 29

Online Streaming Only

Message: 
"Teach Us To Pray: 
Deliver Us "

Scripture: Matthew 6:13
 

Pastor Russell O. McKee lll

 
Youth Schedule
 

Sunday, March 29

NO Activate! Youth Group 


 
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