Greetings!

Friday Contemplation

EASTER: Wow, what a morning! The Sunrise Service at Water Works Park was beautiful and powerful. Over 450 people gathered in a beautiful space to remember and respond to the Resurrection. Check out the picture below. A full moon was rising and a cool breeze was blowing. The flower cross and amazing music were enjoyed by friends, family, and pets. If you weren't able to be there, check out my Easter Message. We explored our own tombs and celebrated the Resurrection last Sunday (Magrey's Easter message here),

Starting this Sunday, we will practice living it in the Rise: 12 Steps with Jesus. Rise will offer a 6 week worship series and a congregational booklet that participants can do on your own or in a group. Messages will focus on the steps and how they connect with following Jesus. Everyone has hurts, habits, hang ups, and/or addictions that inhibit them from deeper love of God, others, and themselves. The 12 steps are for you, because in your life you have or will experience powerlessness. Check out the RISE video.

  • Starting the 2nd week in May, two groups will begin that walk people through the 12 Steps. NOTE: You don't have to be an addict/alcoholic.
  • Sunday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m. will be led by Joe. SIGN UP.
  • Tuesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. will be led by me. SIGN UP.

SURRENDER TO WHAT? I remember vividly when I surrendered to the gravity of my situation. I didn't surrender to God, just to the truth that I couldn't fix my life. That's the spiritual principle of Step 1.

Come wave the white flag Sunday.

BTW, I'll be preaching on Sunday and then leaving for Israel until Early May. Hope to see you then!

You are Loved. Justin

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:

ART + OPEN MIC NIGHT: 6 p.m. Friday, Apr. 22 | Sign up to perform

HABITAT SERVE DAY: Our "BIG" Habitat for Humanity build day for our Cafe Manager, Mindi, and her daughter is on April 30. Sign up here.

BUY a BAG of Coffee: We are 35 bags away from our monthly goal.

CAFE is hiring a Part-time Barista. We have opportunities at The Cafe (Tues - Fri) during the week and at Hyde Park on Sunday mornings! Excited to announce that there will be a Portico Coffee Cart Sunday mornings at The Hyde Park Location starting 4/24. Email to explore.

The Rev. Justin LaRosa, LCSW
Director & Minister, The Portico
O: 813.222.2299 | M: 813.444.2941
1001 N. Florida Ave.,
Tampa, FL 33602
Conversation. Connection. Community Change.
Websites for The Portico and The Portico Cafe.
The Portico includes a neighborhood cafe, a historic chapel, spaces to meet and work, and an event space for the public that enhances the social, artistic, and spiritual fabric of Tampa through Conversation, Connection and Community Change!

The Portico Community is a non-conventional church whose mission is to make God’s Love Real through spiritual practices and to serve the city and world in ways that address equality, housing insecurity, and economic challenge. We are a community of Hyde Park United Methodist.

The Portico Cafe is a social enterprise that offers people transitioning from homelessness, addiction, and incarceration--job training, employment ladders, and connections to safe, affordable housing. Support here.
Sunday Gatherings
Grow more deeply in love. Consider these gatherings:


  • Community Meal, 5/8 at Noon: Participate Sunday where we get our "knees under tables" with friends and neighbors who are unsheltered or hungry and occurs immediately after the Sunday Gathering. Click the link to sign up to serve.

  • The Gathering: Thank you for responding to your interest in having weekly Sunday Gatherings. For those of you who plan on being regular, identify your place to serve 1x/month by emailing Justin: SERVE @ The Gathering
Join a Small Group
  • Join a Group - Our community thrives as we gather, grow and serve. The Portico's primary vehicle for that is small groups. We have a bunch. If you can't find one, Justin or Mark B will help you create or join one. These new groups have spots available.
Events, Gathering, Serve
7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 30 | Habitat "Big" Build Serve Day

6 p.m. Friday, Apr. 22 | Art + Open Mic

The Gathering: Weekly Service at The Portico is Coming
Coffee On A Mission
As of today: 65 Bags Sold 

The Mission: 100 Bags in 30 Days 
The Coffee: Locally-roasted Portico Blends (medium and dark) and Don Carlos Espresso
The Cause: Stand against homelessness with every gift or purchase.
Buy, get a subscription, or donate: ThePorticoCafe.org.

We ship ANYWHERE in the U.S. coast to coast. 
The Portico | 1001 N. Florida Avenue | 813.222.2299 | ThePortico.org