Word of the Week
March 4, 2021
From The Pastor
                 
Unpredictable Seasons...
                      
This Saturday Harvester will hold its virtual Wonder Walk as a part of a group that will be in many locations across the Tampa Bay Area to support scholarships for the Rosa Valdez Center for Children. As I look at the weather report for Saturday (on this beautiful Thursday morning!) the forecasters are predicting a 90% chance of rain! This is yet another reminder of how unpredictable the seasons of life can be! We will, none the less gather and walk if at all possible, but more than that is the opportunity to give to a worthy cause in support of children who will benefit from any and all of our efforts. As your pastor I want to thank the tireless efforts of so many who are a part of this annual event and thank all of you who will give and pray for this ministry.
                
I also want to remind you that we will continue our sermon series, "There Is a Time..." this Sunday as we look at the "Season of Self-Doubt." We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and I hope you will plan to be present in-person, or online as we remain united as a church during this pandemic. It is always important for us to worship, pray, and support the ministries of the church as we stay safe together. As always, know that I love and am praying for all of you!
                
Pastor Russ

 
               
The Sunday, March 7th is Communion Sunday.
Be sure to have your bread and juice ready for the 9am service!

 

Connect with Harvester

 

To see additional Harvester Information click on our website 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
                 
Joshua 1:8-9 says this "8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Moses has passed away before entering the Promised Land and God has chosen Joshua to lead them. He does so, even though the odds seemed stacked against them.
                   
Doesn't it sometimes feel like the odds are against us some days, weeks and years? Our prayer list had the names of three members who were having very serious surgeries. A couple of other members were having surgeries that weren't as much life or death surgeries, but none the less could be life changing. Each person on our prayer sheet needs prayer, whether we deem it serious or not.  
                       
Let's learn what Joshua learned. Keep the Book of the Law on our lips, meditate on it day and night. Be strong and courageous. God is with us wherever we go. Where might He be leading each of us?
                             
Go and Make Disciples!
                       
Peace,    
Pastor Gary

 
 

Children's Ministry
 

Super Fan: Cheer Each Other On.
Kindness is showing others they are valuable by how you treat them.
Ephesians 4:32
                   
Go through your closet, toys, or pantry and fill a bag to donate to a local cause. As you are in the car on your way to donate items ask your child, "How do you think these items will show kindness to someone else? What does it feel like to be kind to someone you won't ever meet? Why should we do this?"
                       
Take time as a family to memorize scripture: "You are God's chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don't be proud. Be gentle and patient." Colossians 3:12
                    
Don't forget to check out our Facebook Family Page and our video lessons on YouTube.

 
 
"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, March 7th 
Activate! Youth Group 
5:30-7pm
                                                 
Harvester's Youth Group meets in person on Sunday evenings from 5:30-7pm in the Youth Room. It is open to all Middle School and High School Students. Come join the fun and weekly activities and don't forget to bring your face mask! 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!
   
 

Easter Flowers
                 
Lilies are $10.00 each and can be ordered in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Orders must be in by Sunday, March 21st. Call or email the church office to place your order, 813-948-2311 or harvesterumc@verizon.net   
 

 

  
Daylight Saving Time begins next
Sunday, March 14th 
 

Volunteer at Christian Social Services
   
Christian Social Services Thrift Store and food pantry are open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. They are now able to accept food and other donations. Donors need to call CSS first at 813-995-0088 and check with Tina to be sure the items can be received. 
           
Harvester Helpers can volunteer the last Saturday of each month from 10am to 12pm. No experience needed, just show up!
 
 
 
Ushers & Greeters Needed

 Volunteers are needed at the 9am in person church service on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in serving, contact coordinators Lloyd and Claire Evans at 813-991-4523 or email them at d0naldduck9@yahoo.com or nunclaire@yahoo.

 

Church Historian needed for Harvester!
 
Are you organized and creative, interested in our church's history, have the ability to gather information from various resources and have a servant heart? Then Church Historian could be the position for you!

We are seeking a volunteer to help to continue to maintain our church records by documenting, collecting and preserving materials from our activities, events, milestones and anniversaries! Much of the information is already provided to you through our weekly email newsletter the WOW and bulletin.

Collecting the information and coupling it with materials and/or photos would be all you need to be successful. If you are interested or would like more information, contact the church office at 813-948-2311 or harvesterumc@verizon.net or contact Cindy Kitchen at kitchen.family@verizon.net.

 
          
Students in Transition 
(SIT Food Bags)
DONATIONS NEEDED!!

We are currently packing food bags each week for the children at Marlow Elementary who are at risk of going hungry over the weekends. 
  
We are collecting individual pudding cups, pop tarts, fruit cups, applesauce, cheese & crackers, peanut butter & crackers, cereal bars, crackers, small canned chicken with pop tops, Vienna Sausage and individual peanut butter cups. 

Thank you for your support!

 
 
Hello Harvester! We've received more donated items and shipping costs over the last week. You are all awesome! And here's proof that our Amazon link below is working -- we have all the gloves we need now for our target of filling 90 boxes at our packing party in November!
                       
So here is the link to our OCC List on Amazon.com. I added bulk packs of wooden cross necklaces that work out to be about 46 cents each. These are great to include and don't take up much room at all!
                      
                       
If you're not an Amazon-er or are still hesitant to go shopping, please let me know and I'd be happy to do so for you. Just send me an email at Harvester.OCC@gmail.com or text to 813-598-1783 and we can work out the details.
                   
March's collection items are "Craft Kits" which are great to send. I haven't had a chance to reach out to our Lutz Lowe's to see if they would donate any of their Kids Workshop kits left over from past months. I'll also check with Home Depot to see if they will donate some as well. Hopefully I can get in contact with both stores in the coming week.
                    
Take-home bottles for "Spare Change for Children" are on our table in the hallway. We are making great progress towards covering our 90 boxes ($810, $9 each) but we still have a way to go to meet this goal. Please consider picking up a bottle, filling it with spare change, and bringing it back when you can.
                       
If you have any questions, please email me at Harvester.OCC@gmail.comThanks for you continued support!
                       
Janet Sass
OCC Project Leader
813-598-1783

 


The 2021 Altar Flower Chart is on a bulletin board in the church hallway. You can sign up in memory or in honor of someone. You can also contact the church office and we can sign up for you. We get our beautiful flower arrangements from Publix each week and the cost is $25. Those providing flowers are encouraged to take them home after worship to enjoy.
 

 

Prayer for Harvester 
We will be meeting through Zoom
Contact Pastor Gary if you would like to join 
this group at ghallam517@aol.com 
       
Pastor Gary is leading a prayer group in praying for Harvester every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Everyone is welcome. Please join us.  
                                
Here is the Zoom information you need.  If you need help, please call Pastor Gary at 813-727-5556 and he will get you set up.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6141448568?pwd=Q0RkeXFZelhRdmtONy9mb3k2eXpIdz09

Meeting ID: 614 144 8568
Password: 164573

 
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

 
          
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
Now on the Harvester Web Site!

Help us to still keep track of our attendance at the 9am live streaming service.  

Just click the link and it will take you to the Harvester web site
  
Scroll down a little bit and click on the purple tab that say "Let Us Know You Were There" 

Then type in your name and information then hit "Send"  ! It's just that easy!

If you have any trouble at all, email harvesterumc@verizon.net or call 813-948-2311.

 

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

In Person Attendance Sunday, February 28........36
Online Views Sunday, February 28........................223
         Operating Received Sunday, February 28..............$7,700.00
            Operating Received Year to Date...........................$57,988.79
            Operating Year to Date Budget..............................$76,136.49


 
 





Thank you to George Alexander for coordinating and carrying out various work projects around the church and grounds. The new carpet in the Church Office and Pastor's Offices looks great! We appreciate all you do!

Thank you to Joanie Einemann and Eloisa Garcia for packing up the SIT bags each week that go to the children in need at Marlow Elementary. We appreciate your time and effort!

Thank you to Joanie Einemann for helping out in the Church Office each week. You are truly a blessing!

Thank you to Gail Herrin, Jerry Rowan and Nancy Taylor for all the time and effort you put in at Beverly Sheffield's former residence sorting, cleaning and packing things up. It's a really big job and we are thankful for your servant hearts.

Thank you to everyone that donates food for our weekly SIT Bags (Student's In Transition food bags.) The children greatly appreciate them. 


  
 
 
Church Office Hours

Office hours are 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.  

As you all know, I mostly work from home but do keep some office hours at church. If you should need to get into the church for any reason, feel free to contact me and I can get there quickly. The best way to contact me is my cell 813-857-2602.

 
 

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. 

 
 

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.

 
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 have a really nice 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.

Worship Times &
Sunday School

 

 

Sunday Mornings

 

9:00 a.m. On Campus 

Worship &

Live Streaming

 

Nursery is not available 

at this time.



 

 

 
Upcoming Message


Sunday, March 7, 2021

In Person Church and 
Live Streaming at 9am 

Sermon Series: 
"There Is A Time...,"

Message: "The Season Of Doubt

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7


Pastor Russell O. McKee III


 
Youth Schedule
 

Sunday, March 7, 2021
 
 Activate! Youth Group
5:30 - 7:00 PM

 
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