Sunday, April 18, 2021
In Person Church and Live Streamed at 9am
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Sermon Series:
"Living The Resurrected Life"
This Weeks Message:
"Resolving Basic Life Issues"
Scripture: Hebrews 11:23-27
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From The Pastor
Glimmers of Hope!
As many of you know, we are in the midst of a new sermon series during this Easter season called, “Living the Resurrected Life.” We are being encouraged to remember that because we have been born again in Christ there should and must be some noticeable changes in our lives. We started the series last Sunday, and will continue this week talking about “Resolving Basic Life Issues.”
I hope you will be present this week (in person or online!) as we will have several surprise celebrations! Unfortunately we will miss Pastor Gary and Holly this week as they will be attending a celebration of their own in Texas, so pray for their safe travels!
We are beginning to see more and more who are able to attend our services, as well as beginning to restart some small group ministries that have had to pause because of Covid. Though we are still under conference mandated restrictions, as people receive the vaccine we will be able to safely gather together once again. Please remain vigilant, and we will let you know of any new updates! Also, please remember that I love and pray for you, and long for the time when we can all gather to sing, worship, and embrace freely again as the Harvester Family!!
Pastor Russ
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Connect with Harvester
For Online Giving click the Harvester link above and look for online giving in the upper right-hand corner.
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From Pastor Gary
As we just finished Easter weekend, and as we are still in the Easter season, we have talked a lot about the sacrifice that Jesus gave for all mankind. This week, I want to write about a man I know who sacrificed for our country, his family, and, sacrificed of himself to be a better person, soldier, husband, dad, and son. His name is Scott Springer. He is our son-in-law and a great one he is! Scott will retire from the Air Force on August 1.
Scott went into the Air Force shortly after high school graduation. He began a career that has been a blessing in many ways. Three years after he began his career he married our daughter, Nichole. Scott began as a jet engine mechanic and later was promoted to instructor of those learning to become jet engine mechanics themselves. Not every person gets to have a jet engine in their class room and then gets to tear it apart and put it back together. Scott later began doing contracting work for the Air Force. Scott got promoted along the way and is now a Master Sergeant. Scott also worked hard to get his Associates Degree, followed by his Bachelor Degree and now has a Masters Degree. He did all of this while working full-time, being a husband and dad, and keeping their houses looking immaculate.
Scott has also worked hard to become a better man of God during this time in his life. It has been a privilege to watch him grow as a man of faith and to lead his family in that direction, too. God watched over Scott during two deployments to the Middle East. God has been with him his whole career and now we get to see where God leads him from here.
This weekend Nichole will celebrate his career with a surprise party in San Antonio. Holly and I will be flying there on Friday morning and attending his celebration on Friday night. We will be flying home on Sunday. We are thankful for the sacrifices that Scott has made for our country and we look forward to what the future holds for him. With all this said, we are even more thankful for the sacrifice our Savior, Jesus Christ, made for us and I know that Scott is as well.
Go and Make Disciples!
Peace,
Pastor Gary
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Don’t forget to check out our Facebook Family Page and our video lessons on YouTube. |
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Reconnect: Build the Bridge
Peace is proving you care more about each other than winning an argument.
Here are some Meal Time Q&A FOR KIDS: What is your favorite thing about Easter? Q&A FOR PARENTS: Why do you think we talk about peace at Easter?
Take time as a family to memorize scripture: “So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build up one another.” Romans 14:19
Remember to post a video of your child sharing their scripture reading on the Harvester Family Facebook Page.
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Sunday, April 18th
Activate! Youth Group
5:30-7PM
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"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
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!
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This class will be from 1:00 to 3:00 for 13 weeks. They are stand alone sessions so you can jump in at any time. Each member will receive a workbook and we will watch a video each week as part of the class.
Brochures are on a table in the hallway and there will be cards to pass to friends, family or neighbors. If you think someone might benefit from this class, invite them to come. If you want to attend, but the time is not good for you, let Pastor Gary know and he will see what we can do (ghallam517@aol.com). We can provide help with the cost of the book if you need help. Please email Pastor Gary at ghallam517@aol.com if you think you might join.
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C.L.A.S.S.
(Christian Life And Service Seminars)
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CLASS 101 (Discovering Church Membership)
TBD
CLASS 201 (Discovering Spiritual Maturity)
Sunday, April 25th from 3-5pm in the Youth Room
CLASS 301 (Discovering My Ministry)
TBD
CLASS 401 (Discovering My Mission)
TBD
Remember that each CLASS must be taken in order (i.e., you must take 101 before 201, and take both 101 and 201 before taking 301, etc.). Childcare is provided upon request.
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If you are interested in taking:
CLASS 101, CLASS 201, CLASS 301 or CLASS 401 email Pastor Russ at revmckee@aol.com and supplies will be ready for you in the CLASS.
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It's Mowing Season Again At Harvester!!! |
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Join the Ground Hogs and help keep our property mowed and looking good! No experience needed and training is provided!
We are down a few guys on our team (due to people relocating) and we could really use the help!
If you are interested or want more information, contact Elvis Goddard at 813-220-2464 or Denny Johnson at 813-431-7939.
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Volunteer at Christian Social Services |
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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!
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Calling All 2021 Graduates!! |
We will be celebrating Harvester's High School and College Graduates on Sunday, May 23rd at the 9am worship. If you or a member of your family are graduating this year, please forward a photo and provide the following information to the church office (harvesterumc@verizon.net) by May 17th:
Graduates Name, school they are graduating from, and degree earned.
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Janet Sass
OCC Project Leader
813-598-1783
Thanks for you continued support!
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Hello Harvester! Don't forget to mark November 7 on your calendar for our church-wide packing party; more details will follow as we get closer and more organized.
Update on our "Spare Change" campaign: Thanks to everyone who has filled bottles, we have collected just over $405 towards the $810 we'll need to cover the 90 boxes we hope to pack at our party, so we are HALFWAY there! This is so awesome! We made up a few more "Spare Change for Children" bottles this week to restock our table in the hallway. Please consider picking one up, filling it with spare change, and bringing it back when you can.
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.
May's collection is for "Hygiene Items" like hairbrushes, soap, combs, toothbrushes and washcloths. Lip balm (like Chap-stick) and deodorant are great but must be in solid form. We have plenty of toothbrushes that were donated last year and I've managed to find all of the washcloths we'll need as well. When purchasing soap, please try to find soap with mild or no fragrance. Some soap fragrances permeate throughout the shoebox and then the entire case the shoeboxes are eventually packed in.
June's collection items are "Toys." Just about anything goes except for war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures or camouflage items that can be worn and make a child look like a soldier. Colorful water pistols are acceptable however (see Amazon list). Liquid-filled balls are on the "don't pack" list because they can break open and ruin the rest of the items in the box. Rubber bouncy balls (see the Amazon list), dolls, jump ropes, soccer balls, yo-yo's, toy musical instruments, etc., are all highly recommended items. We have plenty of Play-Doh and Hot Wheels-type cars thanks to after-Christmas sales at Wal-Mart.
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Students in Transition
(SIT Food Bags)
DONATIONS NEEDED!!
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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 and individual peanut butter cups. No Vienna Sausages are needed at this time.
Thank you for your support!
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Watch our Sermon's Live on
Sunday mornings
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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.
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Virtual Attendance Pad
Now on the
Harvester Web Site!
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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!
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Thank you for your faithful giving!
Attendance, Tithes and Offerings
In Person Attendance Sunday, April 11............44
Online Views Sunday, April 11............................261
Operating Received Sunday, April 11........................$10,245.10
Operating Received Year to Date..............................$107,440.52
Operating Year to Date Budget..................................$126,894.15
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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.
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Thank you to Clarene Cress, Joanie Einemann, Holly Hallam, Deborah Alexander and Delaine Holsopple for helping out a church family member. Your caring hearts are appreciated.
Thank you to our Ground Hogs Elvis Goddard, Denny Johnson, Tom Herrin, Keith Swan, Bob Cursey, Bruce Kitchen, Randy Ayers and Ron Ford for mowing the grounds and keeping our property looking beautiful. We appreciate all of you!
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 everyone that donates food for our weekly SIT Bags (Student's In Transition food bags.) The children greatly appreciate them.
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Pastor Gary is leading a prayer group in praying for Harvester every Thursday evening at 6:15 p.m. on Zoom. Everyone is welcome. Please join us.
Meeting ID: 614 144 8568
Password: 164573
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Church Historian Needed at Harvester |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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Church Contact Information
Office
(813) 948-2311
Web Site
Pastor
Russell O. McKee III
Family Ministries Pastor
Gary Hallam
Worship & Creative Arts
Phillip Brown
Administrative Assistant
Sheila Fitzgerald
Nursery Coordinator
Christina Monette
Director of Children's Ministry
Kristina Nast
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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.
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
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Like us on Facebook!!
Harvester has several groups on Facebook, so check them out!
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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.
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Harvester APP
You can now download the Harvester App through the App Store for either
Apple or Google! Search: HarvesterUMC
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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!
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Be sure to turn your notifications on to receive messages from the church. |
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