From the Pastor

Can you believe…

…that it’s already December, and Christmas is only 24 days away! I know the year always goes by at the same pace, but it sure seems to have gotten here quicker than I expected. With that being said, this is still my favorite time of the year, and I am excited to spend another year with my Harvester family!

This Sunday we will celebrate the second Sunday in Advent and talk about God’s promise of peace. True peace seems to be extremely elusive in our world today, and so I hope you will join me as we look at the key to finding God’s peace every day that we live. As always, please remember how much I love you and am praying for you — and Merry Christmas!!

Pastor Russ

From Pastor Gary

At times I do some whining about things in the pulpit to drum up attention or volunteers. This year, Holly took on the role of whining to get more cars for Trunk or Treat. To be honest, I often call this method "Godly Guilt." We had a great group of people help put chairs in the middle of the sanctuary two Sunday's ago so that Denny Johnson could clean the carpets. The following week I whined about decorating the sanctuary after second service and in less than an hour, we were completely decorated. Everyone then got to go to their Thanksgiving get togethes without any "Godly Guilt." 

On another note, when first service started this Sunday, there was only one angel left on the angel tree! No "Godly Guilt" was needed to get that job completed. There are going to be some happy kids this Christmas thanks to all of you!!! Harvester Family you are the BEST! 

Jesus did His best to get people to understand what He needed done. I can't help but think there was some "Godly Guilt" in the way He said things to people (especially the religious leaders). Don't wait to be guilted into things, but use that love that Jesus demonstrated all the time to step up and do things without being asked. Praise the people who do demonstrate their love for God and their love for Harvester and the community. God bless you all! 

Go and Make Disciples!

Children's Ministry Director

Holly Hallam

harvesterkids2432@gmail.com

Children's Sunday School is during

the 11am Worship

For Children in Kindergarten through

5th Grade!!!

Nursery is also available at both the

9am & 11am worship!

Children's Ministry News

BIG NEWS - The Sunday School class will be singing at the 11:00 service on December 18th! Please try to have them in Sunday School the next few weeks as we will be using some of our time to rehearse our two songs. We will also be giving them practice video CD's so they can practice at home. We will be creating some special crafts to decorate our Sunday School room. And, of course, we will continue to learn from our Bible stories and videos.

On December 18, your child should arrive at 10:40 and wear anything Christmas (including shirts/pants/shorts/dress/ sweaters/ accessories, hats, etc. - basically anything they feel comfortable wearing).

We finished up the month of November learning about Esther. She faced a massively difficult decision. She could do what was right, even though the risk was huge, or choose an easier path, but she wouldn't be able to save her people. She made the right decision, took the risk, and saved her people. Our bottom line of the lesson was you can do what you should even when you don't know what will happen.  

Our theme for the month of December is "The Big Give - Get Wrapped Up in Christmas". We are looking forward to a GREAT month learning about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Wishing you God's blessings,

Holly, Missy, Cindy and Rachel

Free Family Movie Night



Everyone is welcome to join us for a special Family Movie Night on December 16th at 6:30pm. The feature film is It’s A Wonderful Life. An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. The Star will be shown for younger kids or those big kids at heart in the Kidz Zone.

Thank you to all who have reached out to be a special blessing to a community child in need.

Your kindness will be so appreciated by the children. Your gift may be their only one.

Please have all gifts wrapped with the angel tag securely taped to the package. Return under the Angel Tree by Sunday December 11th at the latest. The gifts will then be taken to the sorting area and families will pick up on the 17th. 

Carry & Concealed Weapon Class

THIS Saturday, December 3rd from 11am to 2pm in the Youth Room. The fee is $40.00, payable to Ex Umbra Defense Solutions. The money will be donated back to the church. On completion students will receive a certificate of training which can be used in making an application for the State of Florida Concealed Weapons License. Sign up on the bulletin board in the church hallway. For more information, contact Bret Bartlett at 813-309-0958.

Hello everyone! We wanted to give you a quick update on our SIT bags that we pack each week. Thanks to everyone who donates to this program! We really rely on you to make packing these bags happen! What a blessing you all are to these children that receive the bags!

Moving into the holiday season, we really could use everyone's help. The week before a holiday, we actually pack 70 bags of food. That way, hopefully, the students will have enough food to help with that extra week (two at Christmas time) until they return to school. That being said, we need some extra supplies! If you can, we could use individual servings of food items such as Vienna sausages, individual peanut butter cups, and fruit cups.

Thank you all for the help you have given this far. We couldn't do it without you!

Hospitality Committee Volunteers Needed

Committee members host and serve refreshments on Sunday mornings after the 9am and 11am worship. If you have a heart for service and the gift of hospitality and would like to serve as Hospitality Host one Sunday a month or once every other month, contact Sheila Fitzgerald at 813-948-2311 or harvesterumc@verizon.net to learn more about this wonderful opportunity that is so appreciated by our congregation.

Sisters In Spirit Beach Retreat

Ladies, we are going back to Anna Maria Island in the Spring on Friday, May 19th through Sunday, May 21st for two nights at the BridgeWalk Resort! The cost is $60 per lady, per night. Here is the link to type in your browser and complete the form to let us know you are interested:

https://form.jotform.com/221378385157160 

More information is available from Linda Smith or Debbie Young.

GriefShare Support Group

The class is for those who want help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. The brochure is titled "Your Journey from Mourning to Joy. The class will be from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the youth room. The class runs for 13 weeks. Each member will receive a workbook and we will watch a video each week as part of the class.

Thank you for your faithful giving!

Attendance, Tithes and Offerings

In Person Attendance Sunday, November 27.......................157

Online Views Sunday, November 27......................................218

     Operating Received Sunday, November 27.............................7,507.69

Weekly Giving Goal......................................................................$8,459.61

      Operating Received Year to Date.............................................$382,072.01

   Operating Year to Date Budget..................................................$406,061.28