March 3, 2021
"WHAT'S HAPPENING"
at
ï»żSpring Hill United Church of Christ
TRADITION

Do you believe? Do you really believe? The years and my attitude have taught me that there isn’t anything that we cannot accomplish if we unite, align and head in the same direction. 
 
I believe in you and your ability to look beyond what is. You / We can create new, bold, and audacious dreams. The dreams of today are the reality of tomorrow. It is only believing beyond our current reality that we can open our hearts and minds to imagine what we want to see tomorrow. We have the power to transform into a congregation that is forward looking and not solely focused on our current or past circumstances.
 
I honor the past and the shoulders of those women, men and siblings that have gotten us this far. Let’s face it, we’ve all had broad shoulders who have supported us as we have stood upon them. Praise God for the faithful of yesteryear. Yet, we all know that we need additional shoulders to stand upon. Those shoulders may already be within the congregation and other new ones from people we haven’t even considered may lead us into this new normal that God is beginning to reveal slowly. 
 
In this new world order and sickness, deaths, masks and infectious diseases, yes COVID, life has forced us to change and do things we never thought we could or should do. And yet, crisis has caused us to move beyond what was and to create something new. For example, I do not see us ever moving back to printed bulletins. We will save the planet (atleast some of it) and use technology (which is great when it works, the way you desire). Videos have become part of our Sunday service by ignorance. When I visited the church, the PowerPoint used had a video. I assumed that this was just part of how you did things. I had never used a video in my services previously. Yet even though I created a new normal, I just thought I was doing things the SHUCC way.
 
What I’ve come to learn is that you folks enjoy the videos, and they are helpful to me as I flow with a theme. Music sends powerful messages. What new things are bubbling up for you? What new messages is God putting in your heart for us to consider? And remember, as long as I’m here, we’ll be working on a shift of the cultural that is our congregation. Please pump out wild dreams and suggestions. Some of them will work and help us become what God intends and break us away from doing things the same way we’ve done them. I’ve asked many congregations what led them to use the systems they use. Most often, I hear, “we’ve always done it that way.” It’s like the Fiddler on the Roof, the lead shares all their traditions and then stops. He asks, “And why do we do it this way? I don’t know.” And he begins to sing Tradition. 
 
We love tradition that is meaningful and has a point. Tradition, because “we’ve always done it that way” tells me we’ve lost something. Let’s rediscover why we do what we do and get rid of the things that make no sense or that no one remembers why we do them anyway. 
 
Let’s not just sing, let’s look at every aspect of what we do and reflect upon why we do it and if that is the best way of doing it today? And whether, doing whatever we do makes since in this time and place. ~ Pastor Justo
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
 
Well, another week has passed and lots of good things are happening. As I mentioned last E-Blast, the Council met on Tuesday, February 23rd, if you wish to have a copy of the minutes please contact the office. We are enjoying the company of more people for our Sunday service and also enjoying a great fellowship time with our coffee and Danish served after the service, outside in the beautiful Florida sunshine.
 
There are plans being developed for a Maundy Thursday Service. We will need soup and bread, as well as servers. If you can help (and I know you want to) please let Annabelle Gibson know, email: rgibson24@tampabay.rr.com or call her at (325) 556-3202

  • Here is something new: (thinking out of the box)
a Sunrise service on Easter Sunday (not 5A.M., but rather 7A.M.) AND better yet, a free pancake breakfast after the service. Now where can you go and get 2 pancakes, 2 sausages, scrambled eggs (pastor is supplying the eggs), coffee or tea and great company?
  • Two things would be helpful. First, if you will be coming please let the office know so we can plan on the amount of food needed. Second, if you can help let us know as soon as you can.

  • Please remember to stay for fellowship hour after service. This coming week we will be celebrating Otto Saalborn’s 90th birthday with cupcakes and cards. If you would like to help out please contact Lynda Spaulding at Lynda34606@gmail.com or (352) 293-4736

  • Do not forget the food pantry. They are seeing more and more people in need each week. It takes a lot of food and funds to meet the need.

  • Hopefully, by the next E-Blast we will have all the information needed for the Annual Meeting.
 
May your day be touched by a bit of Irish luck, brightened by a song in your heart and warmed by the smiles of the people you love.  (Irish Saying)

Blessings to all,
Larry                                                 
Please continue to financially support the church with your tithes and offerings.
Options of sending your support:
  • Drop off at the church office (call 683-4870 for hours open), or put in offering plate on Sunday.
  • Use your personal bank bill-pay to send checks to the church.
  • Mail checks to the church office (4244 Mariner Blvd., SH, FL 34609).
  • On-line giving: click on the yellow PayPal button above.
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS UPDATE

We encourage everyone registered with the church to seek out other vaccination sites, if possible. We will let you know if the church receives any vaccines.


If you have received your vaccination or have an
appointment to receive, please let the office know,
ï»żso we can take you off of our registration list.
ï»żThank you!

Join us on Sunday, March 7, 2021
3rd Sunday of Lent
This service can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:
ï»ż
  1. In person (please call the office each week to make reservations as seating in Fellowship Hall is limited.),
  2. FM radio in the parking lot on Sunday morning (the station will be given out each Sunday morning)
  3. In the comfort of your home - the service will be uploaded to our YouTube channel Sunday afternoon - channel link and details will come with the sermon outline on Sunday morning.
Just in case you missed it -
Worship services are also on the church website: http://www.shucc.org/sermons/

ï»żClick on video of last
Sunday's service
Face Mask 2
MASKS ARE REQUIRED
in the buildings at all times!

Be sure that your
nose and mouth
are covered!
Remember to wear you
NAMETAGS ON SUNDAY!
If you don't have one, please call Marty
at 352-683-4870 and request one.
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry ministry helps us reach our hungry, worried and lonely neighbors with a little bit of food, and a whole lot of love. Thank you to all who give food, finances and/or time to this outreach. 

The food pantry is open on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 9:00 am - 11:00 am.
We are in need of the following:
Cereal / Pasta and sauce / Canned pasta
Canned fruit / Canned veggies / Peanut butter
Jelly / Crackers / Canned meat (tuna, chicken etc.)
Macaroni and cheese / Rice / Beans
Canned soup, chili, stew, etc.
Our Food for Thought program provides snacks for kids at Spring Hill Elementary. This helps the kids concentrate and learn, as well as relieving a financial burden of the teachers, who would normally provide the snacks from their own funds. When you donate to the food pantry, include non-sugary cereal, goldfish crackers, and other non-sugary snacks.
PRAYER CHAIN
If you would like to have someone added to the Prayer Chain
or be part of the Prayer Chain, please call Gloria Bulau 
at 352-686-3312 or send an email to deergloria@tampabay.rr.com. 
ï»żYour request will remain confidential.

Spring Hill United Church of Christ YouTube PAGE
Spring Hill United Church of Christ page Link:

The weekly worship service will be uploaded on
Sunday afternoon for you to watch
ï»żwhenever it is convenient to you. 

Please subscribe to our YouTube page!
Just hit the red Subscribe button - it's FREE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
MARCH
3/4 - Dan Horn
3/5 - Gary Daly
3/6 - Neil Filkins-Chandler
3/6 - Otto Saalborn
3/11 - Marty Hodgkins
3/11 - Vicki Veasey
3/15 - Marlene Mihalus
3/18 - Betsey Ketcham
3/21 - Will Ingersoll
3/21 - Brenda Soldineer
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
3/12 - Chance & Enrique Martinez
Please remember to say Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary to the above. If I have missed anyone, please let the office know.
PLEASE PRAY FOR.......ï»żSherrie Raymond, Scott Harris, David Pulliam, Gail & Tom Calabro, Myrtle Helfers, Nancy McKenney, Ann Miller, Eric Wolf, Carrie Haggerty, Tristan, Patty, Jim Fairchild, Kathy Scheible, Ray & Joan Posney, Baby Dakota,
Janet Pruitt, Sharron Herzog, Randy, Brittany, Horst Hackemer and Joan (Lilly's sister).
Building abundant lives by sharing the LOVE of Jesus.
No Matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. JESUS didn't reject people, neither do we.
4244 Mariner Blvd.  
Spring Hill, FL 34609
352-683-4870