Easter Newsletter from Palma Ceia Presbyterian by PalmaCeiaPresbyterian

3501W.SanJoseSt.Tampa,FL33629 www.palmaceia.org 813-253-6047

PCPCLIFE PALMACEIAPresbyterianChurch

Easter2025

oly Week-Easter CALENDAR

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Monday, April 14

10:00 am: EasterGatheringintheBel-MarRoomat PCPC,CH311,on3rdfloor.

Fellowship, prayer & a reflection on the events of Holy Week

Wednesday, April 16

12:00 pm: MidweekLentenServiceintheChapel

Thursday, April 17: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is a service observed by Christians around the world. The name is drawn from the " new commandment" that Jesus gives His disciples at the institution of the Last Supper. The new commandment is that they love one another as He has loved them. The central point of both services is the sacrament of the Lord's Supper

12:30 pm: MaundyThursdayService

5:00 pm: MaundyThursdayMeal

6:30 pm: MaundyThursdayService

5:30-6:30 pm: CourtyardSpacetoExperience Scripture

9:00 pm: Peter’sDenialCourtyardService

Friday, April 18: Good Friday

Classic, solemn services observed by Christians around the world remembering Jesus' crucifixion and the scriptural reflections around it.

12:00 pm: GoodFridayServiceinSanctuary 6:00 pm: GoodFridayServiceinSanctuary

Saturday, April 19: Easter Eve

5:30pm: ServiceintheWorshipSpaceatCasaBelMar(4003S.ManhattanAve.)

Sunday, April 20: Easter

In between services all morning, there will be refreshments and an Easter celebration in the Courtyard of PCPC.

6:30 am: Sunrise Service on the front lawn of Bayshore Presbyterian

8:30 am: Traditional Service in Sanctuary

9:00 am: Contemporary Service in Gym

11:00 am: Traditional Service in Sanctuary

6:00 pm: Easter Vespers Service

Adult Faith Formation

Sunday Morning Class: Paul: In Fresh Perspective

March 30 – May 11

Using new research and reflections in N.T. Wright’s book by the same name, Marsha Rydberg leads us in a renewed exploration of how Paul’s encounter with Christ redefined Paul’s life, mission, and hope for the world

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women's April Bible Study groups meet Monday, April 14th with three choices for study and fellowship “Earlybirds” meet in a member's home at 10:30 for coffee, followed by the study; “Daytimers” meet in a member's home at 11:00 with study first, followed by lunch; “Night Owls” meet in a member's home at 6:30 for dinner, followed by the study. Check the Sunday Weekly bulletin insert for specific locations of each gathering.

Night Owls will meet again May 12th; however, Earlybirds and Daytimers will not have a study separate from the General Membership Meeting

PW End-of-Year Celebration and General PW Membership Meeting

Thursday, May 15th, 11:00 Fellowship Hall

All women of the church are invited to attend. Meeting begins promptly at 11, with a potluck lunch to follow and birthday cake to celebrate another fabulous year. Past presidents will be honored, along with Honorary Life Members.

PODCASTS

Sermons at PCPC Are Now a Podcast! On YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, search “Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Sermons.”

2 Other Weekly Podcasts: Living with the Lectionary (formerly Lectionary Call-In Podcast) A First Look at the Lectionary You asked, we delivered!

In February, PCPC welcomed Rev. Norm Hatter, a former stated clerk of Tampa Bay Presbytery and now a retired pastor within this Presbytery Rev. Hatter personally met Martin Luther King, Jr in the 1960's and shared the experiences and the history that led him to that moment and beyond

Rev Hatter shared being a part of those who marched over the Edmund Pettis bridge, and hearing Dr. King preach in a church in Selma. Participants dialogued with Rev. Hatter about the requirements of faithfulness in a moment and the ripples of a moment across the whole journey of Christian life.

More Adult Faith Formation Opportunities at palmaceia.org/adult-education

FELLOWSHIP

465 of you attended our annual Birthday Bash at Wednesday Night Dinner April 2! At this themed dinner, we honor our members age 80+.

Our youngest and oldest guests at the party, Paula

Upcoming Wednesday Night Dinner Menus*:

April 16: WND moves to Thursday this week

THURSDAY, April 17: Greek Lemon Chicken

April 23: Mojo Roasted Pork

April 30: Fajitas

May 7: Shrimp Boil

May 14: Spaghetti

*subject to change

Tulips

Saturday, April

Ages 3-103+

MOVING AHEAD OUT FRONT!

After monts of demolition, assessment, engineering design and preparations, the Church portico repair is moving forward! Extensive termite damage has thrown several curves at the team, but now that the remediation is behind us, reconstruction can proceed. You’ll be seeing the new rafters and trusses being installed as the portico begins to look more “normal!”

The shiny steel columns will allow the removal of the scaffold shoring that has kept the portico in place. But don’t worry, we’ve got columns and capitals coming to duplicate what was there before Installation of the columns will likely be done this summer.

As you may have seen, the steeple cross has been painted and is ready for reinstallation. The steeple at the very top was damaged Hurricane Milton, and a replacement top is being engineered and fabricated. ooking forward to lifting the cross into soon as possible.

Fellowship Hall decorated with fine china Tea, sandwiches, scones, and more

Piano music

Wear your favorite fancy hat!

$10/adult, $5/child Tickets

for your forbearance during this e project and to Sinclair Construction Roof Smith for their quality ishments!

Pictured:

Wilson, age 92, and John Palmer, age 1!

Fun at our All-Church Pop-Up At the Park in March!

Children & Families

Summer Ministries Holy Week-Easter

April 13th is Palm Sunday ....

Children are invited to be a part of the palm waving procession! Gather in the courtyard ahead of the 8:30 and 11:00 am services

Children at the Connection Service will also be waving palms during the Children’s Message You do not need to arrive early

Breathe. Read. Wonder. Pray. in our Maundy Thursday Stations in the Courtyard on April 17th, 5:30-6:30pm.

April 20th is Easter Sunday ...

Children are welcome at all services (8:30am, 9am, 11am, and 6pm). We’ll have yearly favorite activity

Crosses and Cascarones in the Courtyard with refreshments in between morning services.

Q: What are cascarones?

A: Confetti-filled eggs for cracking on a loved one ’ s head! It’s a celebration!

Wonder Wednesdays

June 4th, June 25th, & July 9th 3:30-5pm

Meet in CH101 (Godly Play Room)

Primarily for children age 6 and under

On these three Wednesdays, everyone will hear a Bible Story in the Godly Play style, interact with the story, create an art project, and have a chance to play in one of our preschool classrooms from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Splish Splash Sundays on

the Playground

June 1st , June 22nd, & July 13th, 3-4pm

On these three Sundays, we will have “Summer Splish & Splash” inside the playground--a variety of water play-primarily for age 6 and under. This is an opportunity for you and your child to get out and cool down by splashing and interacting with other children around the same age

Play and Stay Open Gym

June 25th & July 9th 3:30-5pm

On these two Wednesdays, we will have open gym for elementary-aged children Adults are asked to stay while their children play onsite

Summer Day Camps

VBS

MUSICAMP

June 2nd- June 6th, 9-3pm PLUS

June 7, 9-10:30 Dress Rehearsal

June 8, 11:00 Performance

For rising 2nd - rising 8th graders

Participants will learn a musical, “Malice in the Palace,” based on the Old Testament story of Esther

June 9th-13th, 9-12pm

As of this newsletter’s printing, we still have spots for your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grader!

Adult and High School

Youth volunteers are enthusiastically welcome!

Cedarkirk Day Camp

Transportation

July 28-Aug. 1, 8am-5:30pm K-6th graders

PCPC is providing daily transportation to Cedarkirk’s late July day camp. Register for Day Camp separately on Cedarkirk’s website.

VBS Leader Orientation

Sunday, May 18th, 4-5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall

5th Grade Rise Up Move UP!

Sunday, May 18th at 10am

5th graders and parents are invited to the Youth Room (Eastminster 206) to get to know their 6th grade leaders, Kate & Kenny! Email Allison@palmaceia.org with any Q's.

Music & Movement continues to meet on Wednesdays from 5:10-5:40 in WM 202/204, except April 16. The last Music & Movement of the Season is May 7

Justice Seekers for 4th & 5th graders meets every Sunday from 4-5:15 except April 20 (Easter). The last Justice Seekers of the season is May 4th, where we will head to Cedarkirk. Meet in the church parking lot at 1:15pm and return at 6:00pm.

Play Groups on the Playground

Play Group provides a fun and safe environment for all children where parents/grandparents/ caretakers can enjoy fellowship. Anyone in the community is welcome!

Upcoming Dates, all 4-5:30pm

Thursday, April 24

Tuesday, April 29

Monday, May 5

Tuesday, May 13

We give thanks to God for this year’s Faith and Fellowship Hour leaders through who helped us celebrate and learn about the life-changing stories that happen At the Table. From eating with outcasts and strangers to appearing around a table in Emmaus, Jesus called them all friends, and we celebrate our ties that bind us together through faith and trust in Jesus, our Bread of Life.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him…Luke 24:31

A Huge Thanks To Leaders...

4th and 5th Grade: Maggie Packer and Michael Packer, Trey Smith, Mary Tag

2nd & 3rd Grade: Robin Flournoy, Cindy Goding, Elizabeth and Graham Clark

K-1st Grade: Megan Pearce and many substitutes during the year

Pre-K3 & 4: Robert Smedley, Allison Smedley, Bri Anne Palmer, John Holmes

Super Assistant for all ages: Julie Linhart

Music Leaders: Kelly Slovinac, Pam Tucker, and Mary Fran Meyer

Nursery Teachers: Shirley Miller, Janae Gipson, Anita Taylor, Cyndi Canup

Staff: Anna Shuford and Allison Kelly

OUTREACH

Donations Always Accepted

Clothing, food & toiletries for the missions we serve: End 68 Hours, Faith Café, Abe Brown Ministries, RAMWI Refugees, Beth-El Farmworkers & our Little Free Pantry. We also collect vases for our weekly flowers distribution. Bring items to Church office donation cart.

Spend Mother’s Day Making a Difference

Faith Café: Volunteers needed to serve dinner Sunday, May 11 from 4:30-6:30pm We also seek volunteers to help serve lunch Friday, May 30, 10:30am-1pm Sign up at faithcafetampa org/volunteer

Honduras Mission Trip: June 8-15, 2025

PCPC members who want to experience the deep joy of a Honduras mission trip can do so by joining with First Presbyterian, St Pete, on their annual trip No special skills are required The cost of the trip is $1,500 per person. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Kem Toole at 703-927-0136 or kemtoole.tampa@gmail.com.

Fill the Electronics Bin!

The electronics collection continues at PCPC! You're filling our storage bin with unwanted devices: TVs, computer equipment, printers, UPS batteries and basically anything with a wire on it. We've recently scheduled monthly pickups for donations, all of which benefit local students in need.

Through Hillsborough Education Foundation's (HEF) agreement with eSmart, an electronics recycler, HEF gets credit from every donation towards refurbished laptops to distribute to public school students! This also supports PCPC's Earth Care efforts to keep electronics out of landfills.

Please remove personal data prior to donating, and contact John Wells at jdwells01@gmail com with questions Thanks for caring for these students and for the earth!

Distribution of “Christmas Around the World” Gifts

Your gifts to Christmas Around the World have changed lives for so many and will continue to give hope and healing throughout the year to come Designed to provide significant assistance to vulnerable communities, this initiative aims to promote solidarity and improve the living conditions of those in need.

Through gifts given over Christmas 2024, school supplies were delivered, hygiene kits were distributed, and food and supplies were shared with the most needy in the village of Mombin Crochu, Haiti Families received chickens and goats Funds have been sent to Honduras for medical supplies in the clinic More school supplies and soccer balls will be distributed during this summer ’ s mission trip

“We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Christmas Around the World program for the generous gifts. This support has a significant impact on our community, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to the most vulnerable Thanks to your help, we are able to improve the living conditions of many individuals and families . Thank you so much for your generosity and solidarity.”

-Dr. Miles Cherefant, Medical Director, Mombin Crochu Hospital

COVENANT CIRCLE: BRIEF HISTORY &

ByJohnNelson

LUNCHEO

TheCovenantCirclehasbeeninexistenceatPCPCfor30yearsnow.JohnTapley,the headofthetrustdepartmentofalargenationalbank,wasourfirstchairman.Inourinitial meetings,weaskedJohntoeducateus--whatwerethebiggestobstacleshefacedwhensetting upatrustaccount?Johnquicklyanswered:Gatheringbasicinformationandferretingoutthewishesofthe principalathis/herdeath.JohnTapleycontinued:Itishumannaturetoputoffthingslikecreatingawill, estateplanning,andsettingupatrust.However,whenthatjudgmentdaycomes,andnothinghasbeen done,mostfamiliesarebewildered–leftwrestlingwithwheretheassetsarelocatedandstrugglingto ascertainthewishesofthedeceased…Notagoodsituation.

Asaresult,theCovenantCirclecreated“AGuideforEndofLifePlanning.”Manyofyouhavealreadyfilled outyourcopyofAGuideforEndofLifePlanning.Great!Congratulations!Forthosethathavenotdoneso, anupdatedcopyisfreeforyourtaking.PickoneupinthePCPCoffice.Fortheloveofyourfamily,spend anhourofyourprecioustimetofillintheblanksofAGuideforEndofLifePlanning.Letafamilymember knowwhereyoufiledit.Provideacopytoyourfinancialplanner,CPA,andattorney.

Covenant Circle Luncheon: Mark your calendars - May 18, 2025, Noon, Fellowship Hall. All are invited to hear Pastor John DeBevoise share the past, present and future PCPC financial health, consequential benefits and our exciting future plans. Reservations are not required. You can also pick up A Guide for End of Life Planning at the luncheon.

MUSIC notes

Tampa Oratorio Singers Concert: Brahms Requiem Sunday, April 13 at 4:00 pm in the PCPC Sanctuary

Tampa Oratorio Singers will present Brahms’ Requiem, London Edition, with Dale Williams and Gregorio Zamparas performing 4-hand piano. Free tickets for PCPC members in the Church Office, or see Pastor John D. on Sunday morning, April 13th, or purchase tickets at tostampa.org.

Florida Wind Band Concert: “In The Spring”

Saturday, May 17 at 6:00 PM in the PCPC Sanctuary

Be transported into the heart of the lively spring season season with music that captures the essence of renewal, joy, and transformation Get ready for a performance bursting with energy, passion, and spirit