Fall-Stewardship PCPC Life: Oct. 1, 2023

PCPC LIFE

palma ceia Presbyterian Church

Upcoming Adult Faith Formation Offerings

• Questions Jesus Asked: Wednesdays, Sept. 20 – Oct. 25, 6:30-7:30pm

• A Deeper Look at the Lectionary: Sundays, Oct. 1-Oct. 15, 10-10:50am

• Short Stories by Jesus: Sundays, Oct. 22 – Nov. 26, 10-10:50am

Support Group:

Good Grief: Sundays, Sept. 17-Nov. 5, 4-5pm

Upcoming Special Dates/Services

Oct. 1: World Communion Sunday, Stewardship

Kickoff Sunday

Oct. 8: Blessing of the Animals in morning services and at Vespers

Oct. 29: Reformation Sunday

Nov. 5: All Saints Sunday

Nov. 12: Stewardship Celebration Sunday

Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Eve Service at 6pm

Save the Date:

Dec. 3: Living Nativity

Children and Families Upcoming Events

• Play Group on the Playground at 4pm: Oct. 3, Oct. 19, Nov. 7, Nov. 16, Dec. 5

• Parents’ Night Out: Nov. 10, 5:30-8:30pm for ages Nursery-5th grade

• 3rd Grade Bible Presentations at all morning services Oct. 29 followed by Bible Blitz at 12:15

Stewardship Insert begins on Page 4!

See this year’s stewardship theme come to life as we come together as one body in Christ.

Please wear the assigned colors: Adults: Blue; Youth 6th-college: Green; Children 1st-5th: Red; Kindergarten & younger: Yellow

FALL LIFE OF THE CHURCH

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

by Allison Kelly

The theme for Faith Formation for this year with Children and Families is Rooted and Grounded in Love. It comes from Ephesians 3:17-18, “I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”

MUSIC

About 45 families from birth through fifth grade all gathered in the Fellowship Hall to launch our new year. We recently oriented 30 leaders, and 16 more who are willing to help, for Faith & Fellowship Hour. We are actively rooting and grounding our children in worship, music, education, fellowship, and service.

We gather in the Chapel each Sunday for all ages to sing some old songs and learn new ones. By tying the stories to the lectionary passages illuminated in the worship services, we seek to experience each story more fully in different environments across the morning of worship, Godly Play, children’s worship bag content, the Prayground, and Faith and Fellowship Hour. We plan to offer five outreach service Sundays during the year that benefit various local ministries such as Love INC, Rise Against Hunger, End 68 Hours, as well as treats for our seasoned seniors and college-aged members.

Save the Date:

Tampa Oratorio Singers presents Handel’s Messiah at PCPC December 4 & 5 at 7:00 pm.

Joyful Noise Choir Singing Dates:

October 1 at 11am, October 15 at 11am, November 12 at 11am, & December 10 at 11am

Junior Choir Singing Dates:

October 15 at 11am, October 22 at 11am, November 12 at 11am, & December 3 at 11am

Subject to change!

Youth at PCPC

LIFT (for Middle Schoolers) meets every Sunday morning from 10:00am-10:45am in the Couch Room (Eastminster 204).

Middle School meets on Wednesdays from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Gym and will continue with our 6-week series, Under Construction.

High School meets on Wednesdays from 7:30pm-8:45pm in the Youth Room and will continue to rotate through lessons on Mind, Heart, and Community.

MnMs (for High Schoolers) meets every Monday evening from 7:30pm-8:30pm in the Couch Room (Eastminster 204).

Special Events:

Oct. 4 - Messy Game Night

Oct. 25 - Halloween Party

Dec. 6 - White Elephant Christmas Party!

This summer, high school youth from PCPC participated in a week long service trip to Spokane, WA. We offered a free VBS to a particularly vulnerable population in the West Central neighborhood (the second poorest zip code in Washington), volunteered at various shelter and recovery ministries, and learned a great deal more about God’s heart for all people. Our team bonded quickly, supported each other fully, and grew in so many ways over the course of the week. It was such a blessing! Thanks to all who supported us and prayed for us!

A Report on the Women’s Conference in Montreat

by Rev. Nicole Partin Abdnour

In August, 11 women from PCPC traveled to Montreat, NC to join up with 600 women for the 2023 Women’s Connection Conference. They enjoyed uplifting and joyful worship, engaging and thought-provoking bible study and keynote, as well as glorious weather and warm, nurturing community.

Save the date for next year’s conference (August 9-11, 2024) Email Pastor Nicole at nicole@palmaceia.org to be placed on an “interested” list if you’d like to receive direct communication when planning begins for PCPC’s 2024 trip to the Women’s Connection.

Wednesday Night Dinners are served every Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall between 5:15 and 6:15. All are welcome! The cost is $5/adult, $3/child, or $15 max per family.

Oct. 4: Shepherd’s Pie

Oct. 11: “Italian Night”: Tuscan Chicken & Pasta

Oct. 18: Smothered Pork Chops/Peppers and Onions

Oct. 25: Taco Bar w/ Hamburger and Shredded Chicken

Nov. 1: Red Beans and Rice w/ Sausage

Nov. 8: Baked Chicken

Nov. 15: Turkey & Gravy with all the fixin’s Subject to change!

PCPC Stewardship Season 2024 TOGETHER IN CHRIST

Dear Friends,

“We, who are many, are one body in Christ.” - Romans 12:4

You are a part of a beautiful picture! In the fellowship of the church, each one of us is an important piece in the portrayal of Christ; together we are a mosaic of Christ’s love.

Mosaics are some of the earliest Christian art. Archeologists have found mosaics in the floor of Christian churches from the earliest centuries. In addition to the beauty of the many tile and marble pictures created, I think Christians found in the medium many coming together as one an expression of their experience of Christian fellowship.

In Romans 12:5 the apostle Paul tells the church, “We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”

Nearly 2,000 years later I find that to be still profoundly true of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. It is in our life together we make our best witness to Jesus Christ. Indeed, in our life together we become a part of the body of Christ here in Tampa, and thus we are vitally important to one another and to the larger community.

My wife and son-in-law like to work jigsaw puzzles together. I’ve heard their lamentation when the picture comes together but a missing piece leaves an obvious hole. In the same way, every part of the PCPC mosaic is critical to our presentation of Christ.

Your participation is important in PCPC’s presentation of Jesus Christ. Your presence, prayers, and gifts are a part of the beauty of our mosaic. Thank you for being a part of this mosaic!

Stewardship season is the opportunity to commit to being in the picture again. Please prayerfully consider being a part of Christ’s image at PCPC in the year ahead.

“We who are many are one body in Christ!” Together we are better!

In Christian Hope,

John T. DeBevoise Pastor

“We, who are many, are one body in Christ.”

Romans 12:4

For as in one body we have many members and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the encourager, in encouragement; the giver, in sincerity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness ...

Together in Christ

This year’s stewardship season is called Together in Christ. After last year’s call to come home, we are celebrating being together as one body in Christ. Like Paul’s letter to the Romans, PCPC is made up of a diverse group of many members, visitors, pastors, staff, and friends. Every person has their own place and function within the church, just like the mosaic that Pastor John pointed out in his introductory passage.

Part of coming together for Christ’s church is illustrated by the way that different individuals devote their time, talent, and treasure to benefit our members and the community. This newsletter highlights the various efforts where PCPC’s family has demonstrated that generosity and love.

We are so thankful to each and every one of you for coming Together in Christ and showing your continued care for one another and for PCPC.

Stewardship is about acting on our God-given authority of managing His creation and reflecting the image of our creator through the responsibility of taking care of our church and the community through service, time and financial support.

We pray that you will consider making a pledge to make a financial contribution to PCPC in 2024 to allow this church to continue to come together as one.

Worship

“The compassionate and caring life is always a grateful life. Our beloved PCPC reminds us that all our gifts are gifts of God’s love and that every grace bestowed upon us is from Him. This proclamation by our church, manifested in its deeds as well as its message, provides an invaluable strength to our membership, the community in which we live, and far beyond. When our actions of stewardship, done in humility, are born out of gratefulness they become joyful and liberating. Our giving becomes receiving and those whom we help are helping us as well.”

-Paul Clark

Faith Formation Music

Y O U T H

Every summer, the young people of this church have the opportunity to share in formative experiences through service and fellowship. The trips and programs we facilitate can only happen because of the support and generosity of this church. For us to be good stewards of the relationships we are developing and the faith we are nurturing, we depend on the good stewardship of this community’s resources. Indeed, we come together as one body to share in the love of Christ!”

-Rev. Kenny Hubbell

Children Preschool

Because of your generous investment in our children, you made it possible for our church to offer 620 hours of ministries with children and their families during the past year. These hours included offerings of service, education, fellowship, play, and worship. What an incredible foundation you are building for a lifetime of learning through your sustaining gifts.”

-Allison Kelly

Fellowship

The Impact of Your Gifts

Over the last year, your financial gifts have allowed PCPC to offer a variety of opportunities:

• You invested in maturing in faith and discipleship for a lifetime by giving out small milestones at each stage to educate and nurture that says, “God is here” with you.

• You invested in designing our ministries to connect multiple generations through Service Hour Sundays to benefit the community and connect with seasoned seniors.

• You invested in moving to one-size-fits-all ministries that provide a variety of experiences and content for diverse needs and interests, in a variety of formats to enhance the whole family like offering playgroups, Splash Days, and Touch the Water.

PCPC thrives because the congregation provides both the financial support and their time & dedication to fulfill and grow the various ministries and programs that it offers throughout the year. In this newsletter, we are showing you just some of the highlights over the past year. While this list isn’t fully comprehensive of all the ways our members give back, it gives a snapshot of how TOGETHER IN CHRIST, you are furthering the mission of this Church and God’s mission across the community and beyond.

OutreachCongregational Care

How to Pledge

To help the church officers in planning a budget for the coming year, please indicate what you intend to contribute (i.e., pledge) to the 2024 General Fund by giving a one-time or multiple gifts for an Annual Total Amount via one of the following avenues:

• Complete the 2024 Stewardship Campaign pledge form included in this newsletter. (Additional copies of this form can be downloaded from our website at the link in the next bullet point or picked up in our church office.)

• Enter your pledge directly on our website at www.palmaceia.org/pledge.

• Scan and email your pledge form to the Finance office at: Finance@palmaceia.org

• Text the keyword PLEDGE to PCPC’s new text messaging phone number at 833-225-9311. An automated reply message will send you a link to the online pledge form.

• Scan the QR code on this page to be taken directly to the online pledge form. For assistance, contact Kelley Fowler, PCPC’s Bookkeeper, at finance@palmaceia.org.

Upcoming Stewardship Events

Sun., Oct. 1: Stewardship Kickoff Sunday!

Sun., Nov 12: Stewardship Celebration Sunday!

On both days, breakfast, coffee, and juice will be available in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30-11:30.

PCPC Vision

We are called to be a community of disciples in Jesus Christ, who, seeking unity in the faith, are living out our lives in joyful obedience to God’s Word: worshipping Christ, learning in Christ, growing in Christ, caring with Christ, acting for Christ, reformed in Christ.

FALL LIFE OF THE CHURCH

KINDNESS MATTERS

by Sylvia Campbell

Each Saturday morning at sunrise, a group of volunteers — many from PCPC — walks through downtown Tampa, pulling carts filled with food, hot coffee, frozen water bottles, clothing, books, glasses, toiletries, and other supplies needed by those who live on the streets. Publix gift cards are also shared, allowing autonomy and the ability to buy a hot meal or a cold drink. A recent grant from the Tampa Bay Presbytery will cover a portion of the costs of the Publix cards for the next year. The support of this church adds to the gifts that help the mission.

It is hard to imagine having a concrete sidewalk for one’s bed; it is hard to imagine no shelter from the heat of the summer or the storms that come so quickly. It is hard to imagine being invisible to those who pass by, as they are not seen by so many in our community. Most of those encountered are trying to find jobs, are trying to find housing, are trying to move on. But the obstacles are often immense.

By seeing each individual, by knowing their names, by sharing their stories, dignity is given to those encountered, and a bridge is offered during a time of crisis.

We who walk the streets are only a small part of this outreach. We are so grateful for the support, the kindness and the love shared to those who are so in need in our community. We thank you.

you lay

you lay upon the hard cold bench covered in the tattered blanket. you lay.

quietly sleeping in the dawn. you lay.

people pass by running biking carrying on their morning

you lay on the cold hard bench and I

I wonder what has brought you to this place, this moment, this day

what path have you walked

what world has been presented to you how would you answer if I said for you, what does tomorrow hold?

as you lay sleeping quietly invisible

yet your existence screaming to me as you lay on this hard cold bench this early dawn.

EARTH CARE

By John Wells

IT’S ALMOST TIME TO CLEAN OUT YOUR ELECTRONICS!

NOVEMBER 5 IS COMING SOON!

For the past 3 years, your donations to PCPC of outdated electronic equipment (old laptops, cellphones, tablets, printers, desktops) have gone almost exclusively to Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF). HEF works with a local electronics recycling company, eSmart Recycling, and receives a portion of funds from the donated equipment to provide laptops to students who don’t have access to computers. Recycling is done following industry standards, protecting data by destroying hard drives and sensitive information, saving electronics from going to the landfill.

Before donating to HEF, inaccessible computer hard drives have been rendered unusable to further protect data security. As a prudent practice, we recommend that personal data be removed prior to donating to PCPC.

Materials Accepted:

• Computers/tablets/laptops and peripherals

• Printers/scanners/copiers/fax machines

• Monitors (No CRT TV’s or CRT monitors please)

• VHS and CD Players

• Stereos

• Telephones & cell phones

• UPS Units

• Switches and routers

• Mixed wires and circuit boards

• Cameras and audio/video equipment

In celebration of the third anniversary of supporting HEF and local students, and in keeping with PCPC’s Earth Care commitments, bring your old electronics to Church on “Fall Back” Sunday, November 5th — use your extra hour to help local students in need! More details will follow.

Questions? Contact John Wells at jdwells01@gmail.com. Thanks for your concern for our earth, and for local students!

FALL LIFE OF THE CHURCH

NEW MEMBERS CLASSES AT PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN

October 22nd, 10-11am

November 26th, 10-11am

PCPC’s New Member Class is for anyone who has an interest in learning more about Palma Ceia Presbyterian, its ministries, and membership. All are welcome in the Hospitality Room next to the chapel (bottom floor, facing the Courtyard), and we look forward to seeing you. Email receptionist@palmaceia.org if you have any questions or to let us know you plan to attend.

BE THE TIE THAT BINDS

THANK YOU!!!!

“The Tie That Binds” knitters meet weekly on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 in the Hospitality Room. Join us! No experience is required — we’ll teach you!

Contact Kerry Powers (813-784-7883) or Nancy Nelson (813-240-0244) for more information.

Thank you for your backpack and school supplies donations! We collected over 150+ backpacks and filled all of them, with supplies to spare, and distributed them to Beth-El Farmworker Ministry and local underserved schools. This is Pastor John delivering backpacks and school supplies to Al Chiaramonte Elementary School.

A NOTE FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE

Upcoming Books:

Oct.17: Clementine by Sonia Purnell

Nov. 21: The Latecomers by Helen Klein Ross

Dec. 19: Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

If you intend to donate stock to be credited for 2023 tax purposes, please initiate your transfer to our broker by early December. Contact Kelley Fowler at finance@palmaceia.org for instructions.

Thank you for your generosity.

A Prayer for Stewardship

O Lord, giver of life and source of our freedom, we are reminded by the Psalmist that Yours is “the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.”

We know that it is from Your hand that we have received all that we have, and are, and will be. Gracious and loving God, we understand that You call us to be stewards of Your abundance, the caretakers of all You have entrusted to us. Help us always to use your gifts wisely and teach us to share them generously. May our faithful stewardship bear witness to the love of Christ in our lives.

We pray with grateful hearts, in Jesus’ name, Amen.