Goals for 2017 A new year is upon us. Most people make resolutions for the new year and,

unfortunately, many fail to make it past the first week! Every new year, however, is an opportunity for growth. I would like to suggest that rather than talk about new year’s “resolutions” for this coming year, we set goals for spiritual growth. Here are some suggestions for goals for 2017:

1. I will read through the Bible this year. Reading the Bible is perhaps the

single most important activity any person can do. God speaks to us in his Word, and we will grow spiritually as we read God’s Word attentively and apply it to our lives.

2. I will pray daily. Growing Christians pray. That is a foundational truth. Pray by yourself. Pray with your family. And pray with other people as well. Tell God what is on your heart about yourself and others.

3. I will memorize Scripture. There are many reasons to memorize Scripture. Knowing God’s Word will enable us to answer questions, address problems, and deal with difficulties. But perhaps the best reason to memorize Scripture is to help us avoid sin, as the Psalmist said in Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

4. I will speak about Christ to someone each day. We will all be better witnesses for Christ if we simply talk regularly with others about what we are learning as Christians. Just talk about his righteousness all day long (Psalm 71:24), and witnessing to non-Christians will become much easier.

5. I will share the gospel with someone each week. Romans 10:14 says, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” People come to faith in Jesus because someone shared the gospel with them. Ask God to give you opportunities to share the gospel on a regular basis.

You may want to add other goals as well. However, I have no doubt that if you adopt the goals listed above,

you will grow in 2017. Let me wish you a very happy New Year, and may it be a year of spiritual growth for you!

January 2017 Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, PCA Volume 12 Issue 1

Tampa Bay

Presbyterian Church

Staff

Rev. Freddy Fritz, Pastor

Melissa Bayley,

Office Administrator

Joanne Campbell,

Bookkeeper

Heather Olsen,

NTCA Director

Marianne Cali,

Nursery

Millie Myers,

Pianist

Chris Christopher,

Custodian

From the Pastor’s Desk By Rev. Freddy Fritz

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January Birthdays

NOTE ON THE NORTH FIELD

Prince Construction Company is renting the north field from our church to store equipment and materials for the next 2 years or so while Bruce B. Downs Blvd. is under construction. In exchange for the use of the property, they will repair, rebuild, and reseed our parking lot. Please do not enter the enclosed area on the north field, and exercise caution during construction of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Questions? Talk to any Deacon.

TBPC 2016 End-of-Year Gift: Bert and Cheryl Barber

The End-of-Year Gift for Bert and Cheryl Barber’s Missions Fund came to an end on December 31, 2016. Although we don’t have the final total for the End-of-Year, giving through December 11 was $5,290. Thank you to everyone who supported Bert and Cheryl Barber as they embark on a two-year Missions ministry.

TBPC Ministries Adult Christian Education & Fellowship Ed Jordan Children Vacant Emptynesters Sandy Neal Greeters & Welcome Table Brian Carrier Growth Groups Session Hospitality Joan Kosanovich Men’s Bible Study Jeff Beams Men’s Ministry Brian Carrier Missions Vacant Music Vacant NTCA Heather Olsen Nursery Marianne Cali Outreach Vacant Pacesetters Randi Mallary Pastoral Care Rev. Freddy Fritz Ushers Lenny Chew Women’s Bible Study Melissa Bayley

Women’s Ministry Suzanne Swenson Youth Richard Hunter

Rachel Todd January 1 Lilly Knox January 2 Jeremiah Hawkes January 3 Cheryl Barber January 6 Ruth Anne Jeffries January 9 Todd Gartman January 11 Ed Kociela January 12 Lois Gainer January 13 Robert Almonte January 17 Richard Gainer January 18 Ginny Bremer January 20 Karen Guest January 20 John McNulty January 20 Michele Atkinson January 22 Suzi Hayman January 23 Bill Campbell January 27 Tianhe Zheng January 28 Cris Coffey January 30 Caroline Becker January 31 Rich Jackson January 31 Melissa McNulty January 31

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January Anniversaries

It is Christmas Eve 2016 as I write this Trumpet update. May God’s blessing of joy satisfy our

hearts, his blessing of peace quiet our souls, and his blessing of love refresh our spirit. May all of

his blessings fill our Christmas and the coming year with many reasons for rejoicing.

The 2016 Women’s Ministry brunch was a joyous beginning to Advent. Our speaker, Donna

Lynman, shared with us the story of Elizabeth. There were 102 in attendance and an estimated

55 coordinators, servers, hostesses, and cooks who made it happen. My sincere thanks to all.

Merry Christmas and the very best to you in 2017.

SAVE THE DATES

We are getting 2017 off to a good start with our Sister to Sister

“Soups On” event to be held at the church on Saturday, January 14.

More details will follow in the Sunday Bulletins. All women—members,

visitors and friends are invited to attend.

Saturday, December 2, 2017, is the date for the next Christmas

brunch. We have already begun working on it.

HELP WANTED: The ESL and Women's Bible Study need childcare on Tuesday and Wednesday

mornings during the Spring Semester. This is a paid position, $10 hourly with a two hour minimum.

Applicants should love children and love the Lord. This may be a good fit for an older teen or a

retiree. Childcare screening is required. If you would like to apply or know someone who may be a

good fit, please contact Marianne Cali 813-980-2399 by Monday January 9 in order to proceed

with the Spring Semester.

By Suzanne Swenson

Continued from page 10

Lenny & Cheryl Chew January 1 29 years Jerry & Jeanne Higby January 13 22 years Jeff & Lindsay Montoney January 14 11 years Doug & Suzi Hayman January 17 30 years Luke & Wicke Egbert January 26 9 years

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JANUARY HAPPENINGS AT TBPC

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 8:45-10:00 A.M.: ADULT CE&F CLASSES: Two new classes begin. 1, 2, 3 John, led by Mr. Richard

Thompson, will focus on Christian assurance and how to live our lives in light of today’s challenges in the verse-

by-verse study of these three letters. Resolving Everyday Conflict, a DVD study, facilitated by Pastor Freddy

Fritz that unpacks the amazing things the Bible has to say about conflict and relationships. Topics include when

to overlook an offense, the root cause of conflict, what makes a good apology, what forgiveness really means,

how to deal with difficult people, and much more.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 6:00 PM: CONCERT OF PRAYER: Join us to pray for local and global evangelism and missions.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 9:30-11:30 A.M.: ESL CLASSES: Helping internationals improve their conversational English,

while offering friendship and Bible study opportunities. As ESL resumes for spring, one additional volunteer is

needed for our teaching teams. Working with your partner teacher to prepare a weekly English lesson from a

detailed teachers guide, no teaching experience is necessary. Please contact Holly Hawkes

(hollacej@gmail.com 813-360-2077) for more information.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 6:30 P.M.: KIDS OF THE KING--CHILDREN AGE 5 - GRADE 5: We need a parent or youth intern

to help with the choir. If you are interested or have any questions, please see Rebekah Skopp.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 7:00 P.M.: PIONEER CLUBS: Meetings resume.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 12:30 P.M.: EMPTYNESTERS’ LUNCH: Please join the Emptynesters for great food and

meaningful fellowship at Bonefish Grill, 1640 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel. Please RSVP to Sandy Neal at

813-973-7814 or sandybill1941@gmail.com by Friday, January 13.

Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church 19911 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, Florida 33647 Phone: (813) 973-2484 Email: office@tampabaypresbyterian.org Website: www.tampabaypresbyterian.org