Vol. 25| Iss. 10| October 2021
CRAFT VENDORS AND FOOD TRUCKS NEEDED FOR FIRST ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKET AT WINTER WONDERLAND By Kelly Wise Valdes
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Faith & Footprints: News From The Wire:
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Centerpoint Church is attractions and expand expanding its annual Winour offerings, as it is ter Wonderland to bring our heart to create an even more joy to the loexperience our entire cal community. This year, community can enjoy,” it will offer a variety of said Parker. “Last year, amusements and attracwe had so many kids tions, including a first ancome out to ride our nual Holiday Market. Aptrain and see Santa. It plications for vendors for was a ton of fun.” Church will be hosting its third annual Winter Wonderthe Holiday Market are Centerpoint Visitors to this free, land, which will include the new Holiday Market where visitors can now being accepted. family-friendly event purchase holiday crafts and presents. “We welcome artisans will be entertained by of all kinds to apply,” said Angea variety of amusements and la Parker, director of communiattractions, as well as interaccations for Centerpoint Church. tions with holiday characters “We want to highlight the taland photo ops, free hot cocoa, ented artisans of our commulights and more. nity. Most people attending a “We want all people, of all help small businesses this seaholiday market are looking for ages and demographics, to feel gifts, jewelry, decor or seasonal son. “We know many small busi- welcome to come and enjoy a nesses and artisans have had holiday event with their famiitems and food items.” The Holiday Market will be held a rough couple of years due to lies, neighbors and friends,” said indoors at the Winter Wonder- COVID, so this is an opportunity Parker. land event. Vendors may choose for us to support them while creWinter Wonderland and the either a 6 ft. or 10 ft. space, with ating an experience that our en- Holiday Market are taking place tables available for optional tire community can enjoy,” said on Saturday, December 18 from rental. Standalone vendors, such Parker. “We are hoping to fill our 4-8 p.m. To apply to be a vendor as food trucks or carts, are also entire auditorium with vendors, (craft or food truck), visit www. welcome to apply for space at and we’d love a wide variety of centerpointfl.org/holiday-marthe outdoor venue. All vendors wares.” ket. Centerpoint Church is locatAlthough this is the first year will benefit from extensive paid ed at 1720 S. St. Cloud Ave. in advertising and social media for the Holiday Market, it is the Valrico. For more information, third year for Winter Wonder- call the church office at 689marketing of the event. This first annual Holiday Mar- land, and it promises to the best 1906 or email HolidayMarket@ ket was born from the need to one yet. “Each year, we add new centerpointfl.org.
IMPACT ANNUAL DINNER FEATURES POPULAR SPEAKER PAM STENZEL
By Kate Quesada
Families interested in learning more about IMPACT and helping the program raise funds should mark their calendars for Thursday, October 14, which is when the group will hold the Impact Celebration, its annual fundraising dinner. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Hillsborough County, the IMPACT program promotes healthy lifestyles and relationships to teens through TEEN IMPACT, to parents and to teachers and other youth leaders. “The Impact Celebration is our annual fundraising event to share about the IMPACT program and its efforts in our community,” said Angie Kagey, the group’s executive director. “It includes a complimentary dinner, guest speaker and testimonies.” This year’s event will feature guest speaker Pam Stenzel, founder of Enlighten Communications, Inc., who received her master’s in marriage and family therapy from Liberty University in Liberty University. “Pam tackles today’s tough issues of sex with candor, insight, humor and the challenge for young people to make the healthiest choice and save sex for marriage,” said Kagey. “Pam has
IMPACT is hosting, The Impact Celebration, its annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, October 14.
traveled worldwide, speaking in person to over 500,000 young people each year about issues of sexuality and the importance of sexual integrity—her videos are viewed by millions worldwide.” According to Kagey, Stenzel also serves as the senior regional clinic coordinator for Community Pregnancy Clinics, operating five clinics and two mobile clinics in Southwest Florida and at the University of Florida and serves as chairman of the board of Safe Haven Baby Boxes and over-
sees the 24-hour Safe Haven Crisis hotline. “The purpose of the Impact Celebration is to create community awareness and to raise the necessary funds to support our efforts in educating, equipping and empowering teens towards healthy relationships and to avoid high-risk behaviors,” said Kagey. “Dinner is complimentary. There will be an appeal for financial support at the end of the evening.” The event will start with fellowship and seating at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m. “This year, due to COVID-19, we will adhere to social distancing guidelines,” said Kagey. “The tables will be spread throughout the venue with six to eight guests seated per table at the discretion of table hosts. Guests will be encouraged to wear a mask.” To register, visit www.whatisimpact.com/impact-celebration-rsvp. Sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more, visit www.whatisimpact.com/events. For sponsorships, table hosting and/or attending the event, contact Bill at bkagey@whatisimpact.com or 600-9446, or contact Kagey at akagey@whatisimpact.com or 264-9368.
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ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
October 2021
Volume 25 | Issue 10
ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
DURANT STUDENT ORDAINED AS MINISTER AT EXCITING FAITH ALIVE By Lily Belcher
taking a rigorous schedule of classes, and is the owner and CEO of his candle shop, Woods Wax & Wicks, while preparing to be a minister. “I do scheduling and I pray a lot so that it helps me cope with the different responsibilities I have with school and my ministering,” Woods said about having to balance his schoolwork and calling. In his free time during school, he plans his messages for his sermons at Exciting Pastor Mena Johnson, future Minister Jeremiah Woods Faith Alive, a church in Tampa and Pastor Antonio Hawkins share God’s message at Exciting Faith Alive Mt. Silla in Tampa. that dedicates itself to sharing hope and God’s word to its Jeremiah Woods, a junior at Durant community. High School, will be ordained a minisIn addition to speaking for Exciting ter on Saturday, October 9 after three months of classes to prepare him to Faith Alive, he is the leader of an onanswer his calling. In his class at Ex- line church for teens, where he speaks citing Faith Alive Mt. Silla in Tampa, to 2,000 kids on Saturdays and Sunhe is the youngest future minister and days. He also had the opportunity to give a message as the team chaplain the only minor. “I am currently in a three-month to Durant’s football team on Septemclass with seven other people who are ber 16. Woods is in at least the fifth gencalled to preach,” said Woods. eration of ministers in his family, the Woods had aspired to be a politician for the longest time, but, last year, he most recent before him being his unfelt called to use his speaking skills to cle. “My grandparents are really great preach God’s message. “I am doing this because there is mentors of my ministership and my a calling in my life where it is great- family, especially my pastor. My uner than what I wanted to do, which cle—he’s also a really good mentor to is become a president of the United me and my speaking,” said Woods. For more information on ExcitStates,” explained Woods. “It’s greater than anything else because it is ing Faith Alive, visit its website at efaithalive.net or contact excitingwhat God called me to do.” Woods is still a student at Durant, faithalive5@gmail.com.
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FAMILY FUN AT FALL FARM FESTIVAL AT HORSEPOWER FOR KIDS By Kelly Wise Valdes
HorsePower for Kids is a nonprofit organization that holds its annual fall festival every Saturday and Sunday in October. The money raised during the festival helps fund the care of the animals throughout the year.
HorsePower for Kids is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe and family-friendly petting zoo for people of all ages to enjoy. Not only is the farm family-friendly, but it also provides educational opportunities for children and adults to interact and care for the animals. Gort established HorsePower for Kids in 1994, realizing his dream since his childhood while living in Cuba. Since then, he has been welcoming families from all over the world to the 13.5-acre farm in Tampa to learn, enjoy and have fun. Each year, HorsePower for Kids hosts its annual fall festival, where families can come and enjoy the day for a good cause. The festival takes place every Saturday and Sunday in October from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. “Our farm comes alive with pony rides, petting zoo, hayrides, train rides, bounce houses, live music, vendors and a pumpkin patch,” said Gort. “I would have to say the unicorn pony is very
popular too.” Some of the animals visitors can expect to see include horses, ponies, a cow, sloths, a llama, a zorse (the offspring of a zebra stallion and a horse mare), a camel, a wolfdog, a fox, deer, lemurs, pigs, rabbits, goats, guinea pigs, ferrets, sheep, donkeys, reptiles, birds and more. “It brings us lots of joy as we watch people (especially children) interact with the animals and the smiles that it brings to their faces,” said Gort. The fall festival raises nearly $70,000, which helps pays the yearly bills needed to maintain the farm, including animal feed, care, vet fees, liability insurance, taxes and more. “We are in need of volunteers for our fall festival,” said Gort. “Volunteers are the backbone of HorsePower for Kids.” The cost of the fall festival is $12 per person (babies under 12 months are free) and includes all the farm activities. The food vendors and pumpkin purchases are not included with entrance fee. The event is also alcohol-free and wheelchair accessible. No reservations are needed; however, the gate will close when at capacity. Financial scholarships are available to families who need assistance. The financial application can be found on the website along with the volunteer application. HorsePower for Kids is located at 8005 Racetrack Rd. in Tampa. For more information, call 855-8992 or visit www.horsepowerforkids.com.
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Grace Notes Masquerade By Debora Coty
An ear-piercing scream came from the bedroom. I was helping my daughter, Cricket, move into her new home, and we were all busy in different areas. Obviously, something was wrong. As I dashed into the clothes-strewn room, I found Cricket and her friend, Stephanie, climbing each other like human ladders, squealing like demonized pigs and pointing toward the corner. There quivered a wee baby squirrel, his terrified eyes round as quarters. His mama must have hidden him away in what she thought was a safe, cushy nest of clothes while the moving van doors stood open. Didn’t turn out as safe as she thought. Hiding places are often ineffective, aren’t they? They may be a temporary solution to an unfaceable problem, but seems like we’re always found out sooner or later. Like disobedient Jonah, who ended up human sushi until he realized he could run, but he couldn’t hide from the Almighty. The God who sees.
Or Esther, a Jewess living incognito in Persia until “such a time as this” when she blew her opulent cover to save her people from annihilation. And of course, Joseph, the Egyptian ruler who finally popped his cork at the appearance of his turncoat brothers and admitted he was an undercover Hebrew slave. So why do you and I continue to hide? Why do we conceal parts of ourselves…cloak our true motives… wear masks (even when it’s not October 31)? The Lord sees through our disguises and knows all our hiding places. And that’s a good thing. Because like Jesus reminds us, there’s freedom in truth. “The truth will set you free,” (John 8:32). Freedom. It’s worth the risk of unveiling our masquerade. What mask are you wearing, my friend? Papa God will give you the courage to remove it and bask in the freedom He offers. All you need do is ask.
Debora M. Coty is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of over 40 books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed series. Visit with Debora anytime at www.DeboraCoty.com. Residential • Commercial Exterior Repaint Specialists
NEW HOPE UMC HAS BEEN CRACKING THE PECANS FOR 51 YEARS By Kelly Wise Valdes
cluding Riverview, Apollo Beach, Brandon, Valrico and Seffner; however, some customers order as far away as Orlando for these farm-fresh pecans. The pecans come from South Georgia Pecan Company. The nuts are picked on Monday of the delivery week, boxed on Tuesday and Wednesday and then delivered to the church on The New Hope United Methodist Women are hosting its 51st annual Friday. They are the freshpecan sale. Orders are taking place from Friday, October 1 through est pecans you can get Monday, November 1. without going to the orFor all the pecan fans out there, here chard yourself. is the news you’ve been waiting for. The Prices are again $46 for a 5 lb. box of UMW (United Methodist Women) of pecan halves or pieces and $10 for a 1 New Hope United Methodist Church are lb. bag of pecan halves. Specialty items holding its 51st annual pecan sale, selling include: 1 lb. bag of chocolate amaretto fresh-from-the-grower shelled pecans. for $12, 1 lb. bag of pralines for $12 and Profits from the sale will benefit many the assortment in a Christmas tin (choclocal missions, such as olate amaretto, ECHO, Family Promise, pralines, roasted Hope for Her, Mary & and salted pecan Martha House, Corhalves) for $25. nerstone Ministries, “Our specialty Methodist Children’s items are very Home and Choices. popular,” said Over the years, more Brooks. “And our than $400,000 has most popular been raised and doitems are the 5 nated for these causlb. box of halves es. Other outreach and our chocomissions that are suplate amaretto.” ported through this You can order annual sale are to inin three easy ternational missions in ways from FriCuba, the Dominican day, October 1 to Republic and ZimbaMonday, Novembwe. ber 1: Call Mary Baker from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Barbara Brooks, pecan committee at 643-4493, email bjbrooks5@gmail. chairwoman, is looking forward to an- com or visit www.pecansale.com to order other successful pecan-selling year. “My and pay with a credit card. Please make favorite part is seeing the same custom- checks payable to UMW and mail to P.O. ers year after year and catching up with Box 546, Lithia, FL 33547. Only prepaid them,” said Brooks. “Some have been buy- orders are reserved. Others will be sold ing our pecans since we started 51 years on a first-come, first-served basis. ago. It is extra special seeing those familPick up is on Saturday, November 13, iar faces year after year.” and Monday, November 15 from 8 a.m.This annual pecan sale has grown 5 p.m. (new hours) at New Hope Life to more than 650 customers from the Center, located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Southern Hillsborough County area, in- Brandon (just north of SR 60).
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Volume 25 | Issue 10
CHRISTIAN AUTHOR POSITIONED HERSELF TO PUBLISH FIRST BOOK
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PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (never known to fail)
O Most beautiful flowers of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succeed me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times).
C O M
ASSOCIATED WITH OSPREY OBSERVER
By Kelly Wise Valdes
refined and few times back on the wheel for scolding and remolding,” said Papa. “But during it all, with a hungry heart always seeking and longing for my heart to beat at the same rhythm as our Almighty Father, YHWH, as His will is my life’s journey.” Papa was listening intently with the guidance of the Holy Spirit while writing her book. “The name Positioned came about by hearing for months in my spirit the word—‘position’— therefore, I have a passion affiliated with the title to lead others on how to position in purity before our Almighty YHWH (God) to hear His voice, to praise and to be set free,” said Papa. “Along with the launching of Positioned, there will be a Positioned in Purity website with specific prayers, Positioned is the first book and labor of love published by Kimberley mini courses on how to be set Papa and is now available for purchase on Amazon. Local resident free and delivered. Prophecies, and Osprey Observer writer Tatiana Ortiz is the featured photographer. all materials, teachings and Lakewood Ranch resident Kimberley prayer pamphlets will be free. Papa has launched her first book, Posi- Along with welcoming others to request tioned, which comprises a fascinating col- prayer, myself and the Positioned Team lection of spirit-filled poems, prophecies, will be ready to minister and pray. Again, prayers and Bible scriptures along with my passion is to see the body set free.” beautiful photographs and pictures. There is an upcoming book signing in OcPapa was born and raised in Boston, tober (exact date to be announced) at AnMassachusetts and moved to Lakewood gela’s Pure Salon & Spa in Sarasota. Papa Ranch 25 years ago, where she currently is also available for speaking engagements resides with her family. Her book has been throughout the area, in person or virtually. more than two years in the making, and For more information on upcoming events, her prayers finally came true this past Au- speaking engagements and more, please gust when her book, Positioned, was pub- visit www.positionedinpurity.com. Posilished and made available on Amazon. tioned can be purchased at www.amazon. “For the past 12 years I have been on com and comes in a Kindle version or pathe potter’s wheel being molded, sifted, perback with ‘his’ and ‘her’ covers.
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YOUNG-AT-HEART VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT OUR LADY’S PANTRY By Kelly Wise Valdes
(age 55 and up) Many retirees find to actively adthat volunteering is dress community a fulfilling way to needs. Whether keep active and give you are interback to their comested in helping munities. In fact, kids, the elderly, studies have shown the hungry or any that volunteering other community after retirement can missions, Seniors also help with reducOur Lady’s Pantry in Wimauma is seeking ing stress, improving additional volunteers to assist in unloading in Service can your mood and pre- food trucks and serving in different capacities help you find the volunteer opporventing loneliness. If at the food pantry. you are looking for a local volunteer op- tunity that is right for you. For more inportunity that is making a difference in formation, visit www.seniorsinservice. people’s lives, look no further than Our org. “I don’t know what we would do Lady’s Pantry in Wimauma. Our Lady’s Pantry has been putting without the many volunteers from Sefood on the table of hundreds of men, niors in Service, who show up regularly women and children every week for on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, week after week to help us out,” said Bullaro. more than 20 years. “But it takes many hands to make “We really appreciate their effort and this happen,” said Director Tom Bullaro. their time—especially in the spring and According to Bullaro, the pantry’s two summer, when so many of our snowtrucks travel throughout Hillsborough birds are up north.” Our Lady’s Pantry is looking for adCounty, from Monday through Friday, picking up food from Feeding Tampa ditional volunteers for its food pantry, Bay, grocery stores and food vendors. however you do not have to be affiliatVolunteers are needed on Tuesdays and ed with Seniors in Service to take part. “We also need some young strong reFridays to unpack these trucks, sort the and shelve the food items in the pan- tirees to help us out on Tuesday and Fritry, cooler and freezers for distribution day mornings, but especially when our biggest order comes in on Tuesday,” said each Saturday. The food distribution takes place on Bullaro. Our Lady’s Pantry is located at Saturdays mornings from 7:30-10:30 Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Mission a.m. to provide a wealth of nutritious at 16650 U.S. 301 S. in Wimauma. The pantry is in the classroom building on food to people in need. One essential group of volunteers the far right-hand corner of the mission are members of an organization called campus. Email tom@ourladyspantry. Seniors in Service. Seniors in Service com, call 633-2384 or visit www.ourlainvolves hundreds of senior volunteers dyspantry.com.
October 2021
LIONS CLUB HAS BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
By Libby Hopkins
The FishHawk who just want Lions Club wants to help othyou! The group ers but don’t is looking for know where residents from to start,” Robthe FishHawk erson said. community who “Lions Clubs love to serve International and volunteer to is the world’s become a new largest nonmember of their The FishHawk Lions Club wants you! They are looking for profit service club. “I’m a mom residents from the FishHawk community who love to serve organization, and a real estate made up of and volunteer to become new members of the club. The agent,” said LaT- meetings are held at Grace Community United Methodist nearly 1.5 milonyia Roberson, Church at 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia and on Zoom. lion men and membership coorwomen in over dinator for the Fish200 countries. Hawk Lions Club. Since 1917, Lions “We didn’t know Clubs have aided anyone and one of the blind and vimy other fellow sually impaired real estate agents and made a strong was very active in commitment to the community, so I community serasked him what he did for fun. He told me vice and serving youth throughout the he hangs out with his Lions Club.” world. Its missions include diabetes, hunRoberson’s real estate friend asked her ger, environment and childhood cancer.” to help him form a FishHawk Lions Club. Roberson and the rest of the Lions are “I thought he was crazy at first because excited to find more people who love serwhen you say ‘Lions Club,’ you immediate- vice opportunities just like they do in the ly think of an old men’s club,” Roberson Valrico and Lithia areas. said. “I decided to give it try and help “We only meet once a month and you him.” are free to be as involved as you have The Lions Club first began in 1917 with time,” Roberson said. “Meetings will be a mission to empower Lions Clubs, volun- held at the Grace Community United teers and partners to improve health and Methodist Church, 5708 Lithia Pinecrest well-being. It also wants to strengthen Rd., and on Zoom. Right now, we are just communities and support those in need a branch of the Lions Club. We are hopthrough humanitarian services and grants ing we can get more members so we can that impact lives globally, while encourag- get a website and be able to [do] bigger ing peace and international understand- things for the causes we support.” ing. Lions strive to be global leaders in To learn more about the FishHawk Lions community and humanitarian n services. Club or to join the club, visit its Facebook “The Lions Clubs are for anyone who is page at www.facebook.com/fishhawkservice-minded—basically for people lionsclub.
ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
Volume 25 | Issue 10
Page 7
It’s Time To Fall Back Again
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Why do so many people love the autumn season? Is it the pumpkin spice lattes and fall festivals? Is it the smell of cinnamon and bonfires? Maybe people love the much-needed reprieve from the harshness of the summer heat. Whatever the reason, fall is a season of change. North of us, the leaves begin to change colors beginning in October, which indicates a season of finishing. It signals the rebirth that will happen in the spring—after the vibrant reds and golden colors fade to brown, knowing the green leaves will bloom again. Just as fall signals the coming to the end of something, so should Christians consider this is a time in our lives to a new spiritual rebirth. The autumn leaves must die in order for the season to continue, and we also must take the opportunity to let go of things in order to live the life God wants for us. We all experience ‘seasons of life’ that allow us to grow closer to God. No matter what season you are experiencing right now, know that new growth will happen in every season. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven,” (Ecclesiastes 3:10). Have a blessed October.
Faithful Celebrations: Making Time for God in Autumn By Sharon Ely Pearson Holidays and family events are times for celebration, learning, rituals, food and fun. Many of our experiences in life happen when several generations are together— at church, at home, in our communities. In this book, readers will discover plenty of activities to learn more about the season. These ideas will allow you to create meaningful celebrations within a faith context throughout the season, including music, art, recipes and prayer resources to use in a small, intimate or large multigenerational group.
Devotions for the Fall By Thomas Nelson
Autumn Meditations By Father John Bartunek, LC
Fall is coming; it’s a time to be inspired by the reds and golds of the season and to thank God for His many blessings. With simple and timeless devotions, delicious recipes and ideas for fall traditions, this book will help you kick off and thoroughly enjoy the fall season, including festive photographs, inspiring quotes and prayers, ideas for fun fall activities and traditions as well as fall-inspired recipes to warm your heart.
When was the last time you paused to drink in the colors of the changing leaves of autumn? Fall is a time of renewed activity. While our schedules fill up, we remain in constant motion. We have to make space in our schedules for time to reflect on our faith or it will get lost in the busyness of life. These weekly meditations help us reconnect with autumn, a season that reminds us of the struggles we all experience and the virtues we all need to work on. This book will help you rediscover the beauty of a balanced, God-centered life.
Autumn: A Spiritual Biography of the Season By Susan M. Felch Discover how this transitional season can reveal both the abundance of faith and the limitations of our everyday lives. Autumn, with all its traditional images of colorful trees, frost-covered pumpkins and piles of wood for family bonfires, can be a season filled with anticipation. Autumn also represents the continuation of old routines, and the beginning of the school year, so all require a renewed strength and faith. If summer has been something of a pause, autumn helps us to see the passage of time more clearly through the beauty of God’s handiwork.
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BAPTIST Bay Life Church 1017 Kingsway Ave., Brandon (813) 661-3696 Bell Shoals Baptist - Brandon 2102 Bell Shoals Rd., Brandon (813) 689-4229 Congregación Hispana 2102 Bell Shoals Rd., Brandon (813) 689-4229 ext. 242 Bell Shoals Baptist - Apollo Beach 408 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach (813) 641-2222 Bell Shoals Baptist - Palm River 5415 Palm River Rd.,Tampa (813) 621-2058 Bell Shoals Baptist - Riverview 9990 South Hwy 301, Suite 10024, Riverview (813) 689-4229 First Baptist Church of Brandon 216 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon (813) 689-1204 First Baptist Church of Bloomingdale 3303 Bloomingdale Ave.,Valrico (813) 689-3847 First Baptist Church of Gibsonton 9912 Indiana St., Gibsonton (813) 677-1301 First Baptist Church of Ruskin 820 College Ave. W., Ruskin (813) 645-6439 FishHawk Fellowship 15326 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia, (813) 655-7431 Grace Baptist Church 2909 John Moore Rd., Brandon (813) 689-7190 Journey Church 415 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon (813) 699-8262 Shiloh Baptist Church 1104 Cason St., Plant City (813) 752-8345 CATHOLIC Nativity Catholic Church 705 E Brandon Blvd., Brandon (813) 681-4608 St. Anne Catholic Church 106 11th Ave. NE, Ruskin (813) 645-1714 St. Matthews Anglican Church 10701 Bloomingdale Avenue, Riverview 813-663-0334
October 2021
Grace Community Church 1425 N Valrico Rd., Valrico (813) 689-9781 Harvest Bible Chapel Bloomingdale High School 813-699-0517 Love First Christian Center 12847 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview 813-671-2009 River of Life Christian Center 6605 Krycul Ave, Riverview 813-677-4453 New Life Christian Church 401 S. Saint Cloud Ave, Valrico 813-548-2733 South Bay Church 13498 US 301 S., Riverview 813-677-0721 The Chapel at FishHawk 6026 Churchside Dr., Lithia 813-661-7105 The Crossing Church - Main Campus 10130 Tuscany Ridge Dr., Tampa, (813) 626-0783 The Crossing Church - SouthShore 2409 East College Ave., Ruskin (813) 626-0580 The Palms Church 207 New Hope Rd., Brandon (813) 841-9598 True Sanctuary 6528 US Hwy 301 S., Suite 114, Riverview (813) 319-5862 PENTECOSTAL Destiny Church 2322 11th Ave. SE, Ruskin (813) 645-3337 HighPoint Church of Brandon 2207 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico/Brandon (813) 685-4827 PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Brandon -PCUSA 121 Carver Ave., Brandon (813) 689-4597 Redeemer Church-PCA 12404 Boyette Rd., Riverview (813) 741-1776 Westminster Presbyterian Church PCA 402 E. Lumsden Rd., Brandon (813) 689-6541
St. Stephen Catholic Church 10118 Saint Stephen Circle, Riverview (813) 689-4900 CHURCH OF GOD Boyette Springs Church of God 12114 Boyette Rd., Riverview (813) 671-0086 Plant City Church of God 2103 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City (813) 752-4591 EPISCOPAL Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church 604 N. Valrico Rd., Valrico (813) 689-3130 LUTHERAN Apostles Lutheran Church 200 Kingsway Rd, Brandon (813) 689-2571 Immanuel Lutheran Church 2913 John Moore Rd., Brandon (813) 689-1787 Living Savior Lutheran Church 2650 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico (813) 681-2375 METHODIST First United Methodist Church of Seffner 1310 South Kingsway Rd., Seffner (813) 689-3513 Grace Community United Methodist Church 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Lithia (813) 661-8858 • info@mygraceumc.com Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church 5920 Robert Tolle Drive, Riverview (813) 337-7457 New Hope United Methodist Church 120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon (813) 689-4161 Riverview First United Methodist Church 8002 US Hwy 301., Riverview www.riverviewflumc.org Ruskin United Methodist Church 105 4th Ave. NW, Ruskin (813) 645-1241 South Shore United Methodist Church 11525 Big Bend Rd., Riverview (813) 649-9462 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Calvary Chapel Brandon 1331 Kingsway Rd., Brandon (813) 681-5318 Centerpoint Church 1801 S. Miller Rd., Valrico (813) 689-1906
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Volume 25 | Issue 10
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Pastor’s Corner Jomo Cousins, PhD
CHANGE
Isaiah 43:19 (MSG): 19 Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brandnew. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. With great growth comes growing pains and changes that must be made. Change is defined as a transition from one state or phase to another. Everyone and everything goes through times of change and adjustments to their course. They are inevitable and predictable— seasons change, fashions change, our physical bodies change with age, etc. Most people do not like change, or, more specifically, they fear the unknown because they feel out of control and have trouble adapting to new things. But change can be good! It can force us to be flexible, to transform and to adapt. We must learn how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
Nine Observations About Change: 1. Change is certain. 2. Change is awkward at first. 3. Change is not moved by emotions. 4. Change does not discriminate. 5. Change forces us out of our comfort zones. 6. Change puts a spotlight on those who embrace it. 7. Change is forced on those who will not let go of the past. 8. Change brings out strengths we did not know we had. 9. Change requires perseverance and endurance. People who do not embrace change wholeheartedly are obstacles to those who do. There are leaders and laborers alike who resist change and feel that their duty is to protect their organization from it. Organizations that won’t embrace change, won’t survive. Lord, help me to deal with the changes that are inevitable in my business. Give me the wisdom to adjust and progress with them, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Excerpt from: 60 Prayers in 60 Seconds, Page 16.
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HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS TEAM BRANDON MAKES HEALTH INSURANCE EASY
By Amy Schechter
suffered a lapse in coverage from the loss of a job or you just want to explore your options and find better coverage at a better rate, the Healthcare Solutions Team will be able to show you the best options, and you can avoid the hassle of comparing multiple companies, benefits and rates on your own. HST also specializes in Medicare. With open enrollment for Medicare approaching from Friday, October 15 through Tuesday, December Healthcare Solutions Team Brandon offers 7, it’s important to talk to an agent if medical, dental, vision, life, critical illness and you’re not happy with your benefits. If accident insurance. you are about to turn 65, Ken suggests Your wellness and the health of your famgiving the team a call three to six months ily is especially important now more than before you qualify for Medicare so you can ever, and you deserve insurance that meets run your options and have your products in your needs and your budget. Yet, shopping order. around for insurance can quickly become Finally, HST can help small business confusing and overwhelming. That’s where owners provide the best coverage to their Healthcare Solutions Team (HST) can help. employees at the best prices. They look at The national marketing director and lead the rates businesses currently incur and, in Brandon, Ken Bardales, and his team of based on census data, can tell whether exagents are licensed nationwide. “We are a isting coverage is working or is overpriced. full-access brokerage for health insurance,” The team still provides access to the same said Ken. “We accommodate people with A-rated carriers, and it is very easy to A-rated companies such as Aetna, Cigna switch over when HST finds something that and United Healthcare, just to name a few, will work better at a better cost. Plus, it’s and we make the process very simple. We always free to compare your rates. Go see take clients’ concerns, their wellness, their why so many individuals and business ownfamily, their budget and we match them up ers are happy they called the Healthcare with the right plan. We have access to all Solutions Team. the carriers on the market, and it’s easy to Healthcare Solutions Team Brandon offind the right coverage personalized to their fers both electronic and face-to-face meetsituation.” ings. Walk-ins are welcome, but please call HST specializes in both marketplace and 689-8800 to schedule a same-day appointprivate carriers. They offer medical, dental, ment and avoid any waiting times. To get a vision, life, critical illness and accident insur- quote, visit hst-brandon.com. You can email ance. Additionally, they can provide special Ken directly at kbardales@myhst.com with protection coverages related to COVID-19. questions or to connect. Healthcare SoluThey even have policies that can begin tions Team Brandon is located at 1040 E. within 24 hours for clients. Whether you’ve Brandon Blvd. in Brandon.
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Volume 25 | Issue 10
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TRILOGY DIVE CENTER OFFERS SCUBA DIVING LESSONS LOCALLY By Libby Hopkins There are many reasons than 10 years,” Masto learn how to scuba dive. saro said. “Along with For many it is the love of the public safety diving, ocean, for others it opens we taught tactical doors to new adventures. medicine, advanced Scuba diving will provide life support coursendless opportunities to es and later started explore an undersea world teaching diving medthat few see firsthand, and icine.” local residents now have Last year, Massaro a convenient way to learn decided to open his through Trilogy Dive Center. retail scuba store and “Scuba is something that I focus more on recrealways wanted to do since ational and techniMike Massaro is the owner of the high school,” said Mike cal scuba diving. recently opened Trilogy Dive Center in Massaro. “After graduating Tampa and loves that he gets to teach “We have trained high school, I was focused others the importance of scuba safety over 200 divers on becoming a diver and in the past four both locally and internationally. scuba instructor. I enrolled months and have in an EMT course at HCC to grown our staff of ingive me a medical background structors to a total of and found that I really liked six,” he said. “Five of the EMS. After working a year or six are military veterans so as an EMT, I joined the miland the sixth is a miliitary and put scuba on hold. I tary spouse.” finally found time to get back If you ask Massaro into scuba and became a scuba instruc- what makes Trilogy Dive different from tor.” other dive shops in the area, he’ll tell you Massaro also had great opportunities it’s his staff. as the diving safety officer at Clearwater “Our instructors have backgrounds in Marine Aquarium, working with Florida military diving, special operations, emerInternational University to teach scien- gency medicine and hyperbaric medicine,” tific diving and supporting Aquarius, the he said. “They were military divers, comonly undersea research facility in the mercial divers, military medics, and all world, which is used by the U.S. Navy and have unique skillsets. There isn’t anything NASA’s NEEMO program. our team is not able to teach. Our dive Massaro is the owner of the recently medicine instructors have real, hands-on opened Trilogy Dive Center in Tampa and patient care experience. We didn’t just loves that he gets to teach others the im- learn medicine in a book and pump on a portance of scuba safety both locally and CPR dummy.” internationally. Visit www.trilogyscuba.com or call “Trilogy has been training fire, law en- Massaro at 425-3500. The shop is located forcement and EMS personnel for more at 4501 E. Columbus Dr. in Tampa.
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Page 11
TAMPA BAY SPEECH LANGUAGE & READING CLINIC KEEPS GROWING
By Libby Hopkins
Kogut said. “I have been a speech-language pathologist since 1994 and have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. Private practice has been my passion and I opened this clinic after the birth of my third son, when, due Tampa Bay Speech Language & Reading Clinic has been to health providing speech, language, reading evaluations and therapy complicaservices to infants, toddlers, school-age kids and adults in tions with the Brandon and surrounding areas since 2001. It recently my son, I opened a new location in Apollo Beach. was unable Tampa Bay Speech Language & Reading to return to my hospital position full-time.” Clinic has been providing speech, language, Kogut feels that her staff has played reading evaluations and therapy services an important role in making her practice to infants, toddlers, school-age kids and adults in the Brandon and surrounding ar- grow and thrive. “My team is an incredibly eas since 2001. It also provides physical warm, passionate, caring group of women therapy, handwriting therapy and other who give every child their all,” Kogut said. “We all work together so well, and I atevaluations. The business is growing, as it recent- tribute our success rate for graduation to ly opened another new location in Apollo this teamwork.” Keeping things local is very important Beach. to Kogut and her team as well. “As a small “We opened it September 7, 2021,” said business owner in the Tampa area for 20 Owner and Director Julie Kogut. “We are years, I know how important keeping very excited about this location because things local is for the community,” Kogut we have been helping many families in the said. “My family and I have always supApollo Beach area for years and this new ported other small businesses and I believe location will give them the convenience of that makes our community the amazing something closer to home. The FishHawk place it is to live.” office will remain open in the new location To learn more about the services offered and will continue to serve as it has been.” at Tampa Bay Speech Language & ReadKogut and her staff have a family-based ing Clinic or to schedule an appointment, approach which incorporates the family visit www.tampabayspeech.com or call into the therapy process and makes prog368-2485. Its new Apollo Beach office is ress a lot faster. located at 417 Apollo Beach Blvd., Ste. 417 “We become very close with our families in the Harbor Suites. since we are working so closely with them,”
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VENDORS SOUGHT FOR ANNUAL ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR
By Kathy L. Collins
side under a large oak tree, but these spaces cannot be guaranteed. Setup is at 7 a.m. and takedown is at 3 p.m. According to Lauren Rosario, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church’s fundraising chair, “Vendors that have already signed up include a wide variety of media, including ceramics, wood carving, vintage up cycling, embroidery, jewHoly Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Valrico is seeking artists and craftspeople to be vendors at its 14th annual Whistle Stop Arts elry, painting, candles, home and Crafts Fair this November. Vendors of all kinds are sought accessories and fashion acfor the event, with net proceeds going toward the church’s TLC cessories.” Rosario added, “This event Feeding Ministry. is a great time to kick off Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church holiday shopping.” in Valrico is holding its 14th annual This is a family-friendly event, so no Whistle Stop Arts and Crafts Fair this obscene art or weapons are allowed. November, and it is looking for artists In the past, over 200 people have atand crafts people with items to sell. tended the fair. There is space for 80 Proceeds from the event will fund the vendors, and there will be food and bevchurch’s TLC Feeding Ministry, which erages for sale. provides free hot meals to those in need. The TLC Feeding Ministry provides The fair will be held on Saturday, 400 meals two times a month to those November 6 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the in need who live in the local community. church, located at 604 N. Valrico Rd. in The TLC Feeding Ministry is self-fundValrico. Vendors can find registration ed and run by volunteers. Net proceeds information at https://hiepiscopal.org. from the fair will help support this Vendor applications will be accepted much-needed ministry. through mid-October. Rosario wants vendors to know, and The cost to rent space is between said, “We will have a strong advertising $45 and $55, depending on the size of presence in late October inviting the the space. The smallest space can accommunity to attend. We will also have commodate one 6-foot table with two day-of roadside signage to help get as chairs. The largest space is outdoors and many people as we can to attend this accommodates a 14’x14’ tent. Vendors free event.” must bring all items needed, including For more information, please visit their own tents, tables and chairs. There www.https://hiepiscopal.org. are some spaces in a shaded area out-
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October 2021
Volume 25 | Issue 10
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October 2021
THE FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL IS #1 FOR FUN
Assisted Living
Staff Report
The Florida Strawberry Festival, which will take place in Plant City in March 2022, released the theme for its 87th annual event last month, and it will be ‘#1 for FUN!’
One of area’s most beloved events recently announced its plans for 2022 and an exciting theme to go with it. The Florida Strawberry Festival, which will take place in Plant City in March 2022, released the theme for its 87th annual event last month, and it will be ‘#1 for FUN!’ “Our festival and the City of Plant City hold the strawberry in high regard,” said President Paul Davis. “We’re #1 for wholesome family fun and excitement.” A new theme is created for each year’s festival to offer patrons a glimpse of the experience they will have at the 11-day event. It also unifies vendors, FFA chapters, organizations, corporate partners and exhibitors who create parade floats
and displays throughout the event, said Davis. The festival’s strawberry character featured in each year’s theme artwork is an iconic part of the event’s branding and advertising efforts. In this theme’s artwork, he wears a festival cap, waves a foam finger and holds a plate of strawberries. “We feel like this is a theme other fairs and festivals, in our profession, can relate to,” said Davis. “Like most fairs and festivals, the Florida Strawberry Festival represents a piece of Americana, a time in American history when events like ours brought communities together to c e l e b ra t e the harvest, and that’s #1 in our book.” The Florida Strawb e r r y Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, nearly 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcakes. The 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival takes place March 3-13, 2022 in Plant City and will be ‘#1 for FUN!’ For more information, visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#berryfest22).
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Page 15
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OFFERS HANDS-ON LEARNING By Tatiana Ortiz
Students striv“We are always ing to enhance looking for adult their life skills to volunteers to eihelp them become ther join a club or more productive become project members of society leaders,” Yancy can join the Hillsaid. sborough County The Extension 4-H Youth DevelopService became ment program. The established in youth development 1914 by Conprogram of Florida gress. It aims to Cooperative Extenprovide a way sion is part of the Someone holding a centipede during the Hillsborough for disseminating County 4-H Youth Development program’s open University of Florand implementing house at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. ida’s Institute of research-based Food and Agricultural Sciences. information from land-grant universiThis program is geared toward stu- ties. The University of Florida, located in dents ages 5 to 18. It promotes life skills, Gainesville, is one of Florida’s land-grant civic participation and educational activi- universities. 4-H can be found in all of ties. The Hillsborough County 4-H hosts a the counties in Florida as well as in every club program which covers a wide array state and internationally. of topics, such as photography, livestock, In addition, 4-H has partnered with gardening and dog training. Tufts University in Massachusetts for Brandi Yancy, 4-H Youth Development more than 10 years to study the effectiveagent at Hillsborough County, stated ness of its youth development programs. what makes this program stand out: “I The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Developgrew up in the 4-H program and loved ment conducted by Tufts University disthat it was very much a family-oriented covered that 4-H’ers are four times more activity for me.” likely to give back to their communities, The Hillsborough County 4-H also offers two times more likely to make healthier two after-school programs, such as one choices and much more. on aeronautics, engineering and robotics. For more information, visit http://sfyl. The second after-school program edu- ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/4-h-youth-decates students on water resources, water velopment/. For upcoming events, visit conservation along with steps to protect http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/events/?locafor future use. A 4-H club consists of a tion=hillsborough. If you’re interested in group of five or more students led by one joining or becoming a volunteer, contact or more adult volunteer leaders. 744-5519 ext. 54116 or ext. 54132.
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Volume 25 | Issue 10
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FAITH & FOOTPRINTS
The Little White Church – Eaton, New Hampshire By Kelly Wise Valdes
As autumn approaches, many of us are looking to travel north in search of the vibrant changing colors of the leaves. No doubt that New Hampshire is a prime location for the picturesque fall season. In the little town of Eaton, New Hampshire sits an iconic church appropriately named the Little White Church. The Little White Church, built in 1879, is a town landmark. It’s the quintessential, picture-perfect church, including reflections in the adjoining lake and the church’s white steeple surrounded by the brilliant color of the trees in the surrounding mountains. The historic building is one of the most photographed churches in all of New England. The church was built in 1879 by the Eaton congregation of Free Will Baptists. The building itself can seat 200 people under its 18 ft. vaulted ceiling. The top of the church features a spire that reaches more than 80 ft. off the foundation with a large weathervane situated on top. The steeples are made of wood and require frequent maintenance. In fact, the steeple and belfry had deteriorated so much over the years that it had to be dismantled in 2019 and a funding campaign to replace and rebuild it took place.
But the renovation was no easy task. The Eaton church steeple is three-tiered, with the tower coming out of the gable roof. The next tier is the belfry, which originally began as a lantern or lookout with four large windows. The view from the lookout was considered one of the best views of the landscape in New England, especially during the fall. Renovations on the spire and belfry began in late June 2019 and the spire was lowered to the ground in pieces by rope. Once the spire was rebuilt, the most daunting task was raising the 850-pound bell from storage in the tower up above the belfry floor. The bell, housings and large wooden pulley were strategically and meticulously placed. By the end of 2020, in spite of delays in fundraising and COVID-19, the monumental task was completed. Once again, people gathered for services, weddings, memorials and celebrations at the Little White Church. The building is a mainstay and iconic symbol for the little New England town and visitors are welcome year-round. The Little White Church is located at 2371 Eaton Rd. in Eaton Center, New Hampshire. For more information, visit www. littlewhitechurch.com.
Live Like You Mean It ...
Only You Have The Words That Give Life By Derek Maul
This past Sunday, Rebekah and I headed into the city for church. The pastor told the story of a Major League Baseball player involved in jail ministry. One day, an inmate asked how he made the majors. “When my dad played catch with me, he always said, ‘If you keep throwing like that, one day you’ll be in the majors!’” the ball player said. “And, ‘You’re a natural! If you keep catching like that, you’ll be in the majors!’ My dad encouraged me, and it turns out he was right.” The inmate replied, “I understand. You see, my father always told me I was no good, that I was worthless and that
I wouldn’t amount to anything. He said one day I’d end up in prison. And it turns out he was right.” The sad truth is we live in a social-political climate today where communication seems saturated with discouraging, angry, negative, hateful, divisive, spiteful words. But we have the opportunity to reverse the tide of conflict and negativity. Consider the following (from The Unmaking of a Part-Time Christian, Derek Maul): • The average working vocabulary has been estimated between 10,000 and 25,000 words. I wonder how many of
Expiration 11/01/2021
those are words of grace? • The English language includes upwards of a half-million words; there are certainly enough to choose from if we want to enrich our selections. • If we use words of grace, expressions of life, phrases of encouragement and sayings of benevolence, our thoughts and ultimately our actions are lifted up. • As Christians, we can make the decision to fill our hearts and minds with the powerful and healing words of God. We can cultivate a deliberate vocabulary of grace, words that possess the authority to transform us.
Expiration 11/01/2021
Words not only with the authority to transform us, but with the authority to transform the world around us too. Then Jesus said to the twelve followers, “Will you leave Me also?” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, who else can we go to? Only you have the words that give life…” (John 6:67-68). Derek Maul has written for many news outlets, including the Tampa Tribune, The United Methodist News Service, All Pro Dad, FOCUS Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, Presbyterians Today, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul and many other publications. Read Derek Maul’s daily blog posts at www.derekmaul.wordpress.com
Expiration 11/01/2021
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EAT WELL, AGE WELL PROGRAM TEACHES SENIORS HOW TO PREPARE HEALTHIER DISHES
YOUR MONTHLY CATCH St. Andrew’s Annual Fall Craft Fair
St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church is hosting its annual Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, October 30 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Check out over 70 outside vendors selling unique handcrafted items. For more information, call the church office at 689-6849 or email info@saumc.net. St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church is located at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. in Brandon.
Trunk Or Treat At Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church is hosting its second annual Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, October 24. The community is invited to come out to enjoy this free, family-friendly event. There will be food, games, crafts and more. The church is excited to display unique and fun trunk displays with goodies for children of all ages. Bring your friends, family and neighbors. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church is located at 604 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico. For more information, call the church office at 689-3130 or visit www. hiepiscopal.org.
Tauren Wells In Concert At Bell Shoals Baptist Church Brandon
Join eight-time GRAMMY® nominee Tauren Wells on his nationwide Citizen of Heaven Tour featuring special guests Riley Clemmons and Andrew Ripp. The tour is making a stop on Thursday, October 28 at 7 p.m. at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon. Look for The JOY FM JOY Crew and JOY FM Photo Booth on-site and stop by for some fun in the church lobby. Prices for tickets vary and a limited number of general admission tickets are also available at each campus for $20. For more information, visit www.bellshoals. com or call Sharon Olsen at 689-4229, ext. 268. Bell Shoals Baptist Church is located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon.
Food Pantry ceives $3,000 From Publix
ReGift
For many years, Publix has been a key supporter of Our Lady’s Pantry in Wimauma. This month, Pantry Director Tom Bullaro learned that it would be receiving a generous donation from Publix. Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director of Publix Charities, reached out to Bullaro to let him know that Our Lady’s Pantry would be receiving $3,000 to be used towards the purchase of a new refrigerated truck. Publix Charities is a huge and longtime contributor to the pantry. “This donation of $3,000 is our first gift towards a new refrigerated truck we hope to purchase one day,” said Bullaro. “The new truck is on our wish list to replace our oldest used 2006 truck with more than 260,000 miles.” For more information about Our Lady’s Pantry, visit www.ourladyspantry.com.
for KING & COUNTRY Coming to Tampa
After setting an industry record with six consecutive number one hits, GRAMMY® Award-winning, platinum-selling duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artists for KING & COUNTRY will be coming to Tampa’s AMALIE Arena for their RELATE - The 2021 Fall Tour. After wowing crowds in 2020 with their drive-in theater performances, this 24-date trek will see Joel and Luke Smallbone return to the road in compelling fashion, arranging their electrifying live spectacle for fans. Brand-new, never-performed songs from an upcoming studio project will be featured on the tour’s setlist, along with selections from the previous hit songs. The concert is on Saturday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at AMALIE Arena, located at 401 Channelside Dr. in Tampa. For more information on tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
October 2021
By Tatiana Ortiz
provement in their diet, health and more. In addition, Eat Well, Age Well keeps seniors engaged and active, and it stimulates their minds. Taylor said that with the recipes, it tries to keep them to around five ingredients or less, which includes items that people would have in their pantries. A couple of times, Eat Well, Age Well had some guest presenters that came on. For example, loBrian Taylor, Hillsborough County Aging Services registered dietician, cal award-winning chef hosting a segment of Eat Well, Age Well with special guest Michelle Michelle Faedo made an Faedo, owner of Michelle Faedo’s Tampeño Cuisine. appearance and demonIndividuals seeking to gain better ideas strated how to create on how to prepare healthier meals for her Tampa Cuban sandwich and Spanish their household could tune in via Zoom bean soup. She is known for her world-faor by phone to ‘Eat Well, Age Well.’ This mous Cuban sandwiches and Tampa cuifree monthly program is an online cooking sine. Also, Faedo owns Michelle Faedo’s show that became established in Novem- Tampeño Cuisine in Tampa. ber of 2020 through Hillsborough County Taylor stated what he considers his faAging Services, and it airs on the third vorite aspect of Eat Well, Age Well. Friday of every month at 11 a.m. Eat Well, “Just to be able to talk about food in Age Well is also open to residents who a fun manner and encourage those to bemay not be clients of Hillsborough County come motivated to cook would be what I Aging Services. consider my favorite aspect of this proBrian Taylor, Hillsborough County Ag- gram,” Taylor said. ing Services registered dietician, shared Do not miss out on the next Eat Well, the overall goal of Eat Well, Age Well: Age episode, which will occur on Friday, “Getting people to think about health and October 15 at 11 a.m. The topic on this nutrition, along with providing a way to specific date will be about fun fall foods. reduce social isolation coincides with the For more information, visit https://bit. goal of Eat Well, Age Well.” ly/3jJWdHi. If you’re interested in particIt gives seniors an opportunity to cre- ipating or have questions, email Taylor at ate simple recipes, which can lead to im- taylorbr@hcflgov.net or call 272-5250.
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ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
Volume 25 | Issue 10
Page 19
CLASSES AIM TO GIVE BOYS CONFIDENCE WITH NEW PROGRAM
By Amy Schechter
Girls With Confidence, the popular local organization dedicated to helping girls build self-esteem, leadership and positive relationships, is so excited to announce its counterpart, Boys With Confidence. Nancy Lemon, founder and CEO, is overjoyed to start a wonderful program for young men: Girls With Confidence, the popular local organization dedicated to helping girls “The response has build self-esteem, leadership and positive relationships, is so excited to announce its been phenomenal. counterpart, Boys With Confidence. I think we’re filling and stress as well as learning from up more of the boys’ program than the mistakes without worrying about pergirls’ at the moment. We need to teach fectionism. It builds on these topics young men to respect young women, in middle and high school courses and respect each other and to have strong adds building confidence and self-love, character. Working alongside with both venturing down the road of social meboys and girls has always been the long- dia, developing overall leadership skills term goal.” and understanding different personaliLemon is excited to welcome Greg ties. Rusch as the program director, whose A typical seminar will meet weekly for extensive experience with youth comes four weeks. Lemon explained, “When I from his years spent as a youth pastor decided to start Boys With Confidence, at Grace Community Church and the I asked, what is going to be different Young Life program in the Lithia/Valrico from the girls’ program? Boys don’t necarea. “I believe a lot of the sign-ups are essarily want to do crafts, but they enjoy people who know and trust him,” Lemon using their hands in other ways. We’re added. She knows he has the energy and going to follow the same format of dostrength of character to be an excellent ing a group discussion and doing games/ role model for youth. activities, but with the boys, we’re going With his input, Boys With Confi- to do more experiments and build things. dence developed a curriculum that cov- The topics mirror what the girls are goers many topics important to boys and ing through.” For example, for an upcomyoung men. In elementary school, it cov- ing elementary seminar, they will make ers being brave, trying new things, devel- fuzzy ball shooters with pom-poms, baloping manners and social skills, forming loons and cups. It will also have the boys positive friendships, managing emotions race to chisel LEGO figures from blocks
of ice. Lemon smiled as she explained how this ties into a lesson: “Sometimes, emotions with young men can do one of two things: they may keep them all pent up and not talk about it and we don’t know what’s going on, or they can be the opposite. They share all their emotions at a level of anger or frustration. These activities will help show how we can manage through that frustration whether it’s inside or outside. We want them to manage those emotions properly and talk about their feelings.” Additionally, boys will have the opportunity to work with animals at the petting farm on-site. Boys With Confidence participants can help with the seven goats, 13 chickens and two bunnies. Working with the animals teaches responsibility and proper channeling of emotions.
Much like Girls With Confidence, those in Boys With Confidence will meet by age and grade level. The first series begins this September with Confident Boys designed for elementary students. Guys With Character for older students will come next. Middle school will include grades five through eight and begin in November or December, with the high school program rolling out in the next school year. It also plans to have Boys Night Out, where there will be one-time meetups with food stations, fun activities and games, and Boys Giving Back, where young men can come together to volunteer in the community. Girls With Confidence still offers its proven programs for girls as well as Confident Moms and Ladies Night Out coming up on Thursday, October 21. At this event for moms, it will hold a fundraiser where all the money from the registrations go to its nonprofit, Confidence & Leadership Foundation, which allows Lemon to give children scholarships and work on special projects. Currently, the boys will meet in the same building as Girls With Confidence, but Lemon is already thinking about adding a separate building for the young men. Post-pandemic, she hopes to again be able to offer both programs at local schools. For more information, a full schedule of classes, registration and pricing, call 5712002 or visit www.girlswithconfidence. com. The Girls With Confidence Center is are located conveniently at 10540 Browning Rd. in Lithia.
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ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
October 2021
HOT OFF THE CHRISTIAN NEWS WIRE
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Jeremy Camp’s New Album When You Speak Now Available
GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp released his new album named When You Speak. “This album is the culmination of what God revealed to me during this last season,” said Camp. “These songs are straight from my heart, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear them.” His first single from the new record soared to the top 20 within the first two weeks of release. The music video for When You Speak premiered exclusively on Facebook and gained 7.5 million views in less than a week. The When You Speak Tour kicked off on September 23. For more information, visit www.jeremycamp. com
Natalie Grant And Charlotte Gamble Celebrate Book Release And Tour On the heels of the release of their new book, Dare to
Be: God Is Able. Are You Willing?, which debuted as number one in Amazon’s Devotional Books category, Natalie Grant and Charlotte Gamble announce their Dare To Be Tour, which kicks off on Thursday, November 4. The tour will bring their iconic Dare To Be Live event to 10 cities across the United States, which will include worship, music and two full Bible teaching sessions. The tour will be coming to Tampa on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Tickets for the 2021/2022 Dare to Be Tour are on sale now. For more information on the book and tour, visit www.daretobe.com/events.
The Jesus Music, A Documentary Film Being Released In October
The Jesus Music documentary is already receiving praise for its fascinating interpretation and thorough history of the Christian contemporary music movement. Featuring artists such as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Michael Tait and so many more, The Jesus Music documentary tells the untold story of how Christian music became a worldwide
phenomenon. Lionsgate’s nationwide release is set for Friday, October 1 and tickets can be purchased on www.fandango.com. To see the movie trailer, visit www. lionsgate.com and search for ‘The Jesus Music.’
Christian Magician Wins America’s Got Talent
A Christian magician who gained popularity with tricks about family, hope and generosity won NBC’s America’s Got Tal-
ent and its $1 million prize last month following a final act in which he urged the audience to be more charitable. Dustin Tavella won the contest in what was the closest vote in the 16-year history of the variety talent show. The winner was determined in a vote by viewers. He also won a show in Las Vegas. Each of Tavella’s magic acts had a theme. “When I get to celebrate the principles of God, when I get to celebrate the things that God’s done in our lives, … that, to me, is the main thing that we want to do,” Tavella said. “[It is to] continue to be intentional with every story we get to tell and every bit of airtime.” In recent years, he and his wife, Kari, have been involved in homeless ministry and a crisis pregnancy ministry. Tavella also has partnered with Compassion International, a worldwide Christian ministry for children in poverty. For more information, visit www.dustintavella.com.
ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
Volume 25 | Issue 10
ENJOY THE FALL SEASON IN THE COUNTRY AT THE 10TH ANNUAL FOX SQUIRREL MAZE IN PLANT CITY By Kathy L. Collins
There is no beta beautiful ter place to spend display of a glorious autumn pumpkins day than at the for your fall 10th annual Fox decoratSquirrel Corn ing.” Maze hosted by Fu t c h the Futch family added, “The on their beautiful corn maze Single R Ranch design is in Plant City. The sponsored country fun will in part by take place from D r i s c o l l ’s . Saturday, OctoWe give ber 9 to Sunday, scholarYou will not want to miss the 10th annual Fox SquirOctober 24 from rel Corn Maze at the Futch family’s beautiful Single R ships or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ranch in Plant City. There will be plenty of food, fun d o n a t i o n s Guests are asked and cool beverages to enjoy. This annual fall event is to the Geoto exit the ranch matic Stuperfect for the whole family. by 6 p.m. dent AssoFutch Enterciation at the tainment’s Fox University of Squirrel Corn Florida. They Maze features a are the ones corn maze, pumpthat design kins for sale, a it and lay it sightseeing hayout.” ride, games and Admisan opportunity to sion to the enjoy the great Fox Squirrel outdoors. While Corn Maze is at the Fox Squir$11 plus tax rel Corn Maze, for adults you can also enjoy 18 years and refreshing lemonade, tea or water from older and $10 plus tax for children 3 to 17 one of the amazing vendors. If you time years old. Children 2 years old and youngit correctly, you might be able to listen er are admitted for free. Parking is free. to some toe-tapping bluegrass from the The Admission Booth accepts Visa and Duck Wallow Lane bluegrass band. MasterCard. Vendors only accept cash Next, get a snack from the Pioneer and there are no ATMs on site. Kitchen. You can then head over and The Single R Ranch is located at 3002 check out the yard games, which will Charlie Taylor Rd. in historic Plant City. include things such as corn hole, the gi- For more information on the 10th annugantic slingshot, Squirrel Chute, Dummy al Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, please visit Steer Ropin’, badminton or duck races. http://futchentertainment.com/the-foxJanet Futch said, “This is our 10th an- squirrel-corn-maze/. Make sure to follow nual Fox Squirrel Corn Maze. We offer it on Facebook @ @fscornmaze and Insgreat outdoor family fun. We also have tagram @foxsquirrelcornmaze.
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Page 21
LOCAL RESIDENT’S JEWELRY BUSINESS LETS HER CUSTOMERS BLING ON A BUDGET By Libby Hopkins
Yolanda Harris is a wife having to go elsewhere for of a retired U.S. Army the extra income,” Harris veteran. Harris and her said. “Being able to offer husband recently left the $5 jewelry changed my snowy winters behind life and those who I’m them to enjoy the heat blessed to meet.” of sunny Florida. “I am a Harris’ life has always twin and she is part of my been about supporting Fortune 5 Bling Team,” and helping others, but Harris said. “I do work Paparazzi Accessories has a full-time job; however, allowed her to provide a I’ve been an independent variety of jewelry for evPaparazzi Consultant for eryone because her prodfour years, and I do not Yolanda Harris is a wife of a retired ucts are very affordable. consider my jewelry busi- U.S. Army veteran. Harris and her “In the very beginning, I ness as a job, but a life of husband recently left the snowy win- was not even looking at ters behind them to enjoy the heat of fun.” building a team, but by sunny Florida. She is an independent Paparazzi Accesso- Paparazzi Consultant and brings the building a team, it gives ries is all about change. me the opportunity to bling wherever she goes. Changing the way share with others people look. Changing and build a sisterthe way people feel. hood/brotherhood Changing people’s fuwith people evtures and their lives. erywhere,” Harris Though its fashsaid. “I am my own ion-forward jewelry business owner and and product parties I work my own are centered on fun, hours. I travel with Paparazzi fulfills a serious mission. It my business everywhere by carrying my believes that trendy accessories can be bling bag. I love the fact that you can also available, and affordable, to women ev- bless others by offering fundraisers. With erywhere. It knows that wearing a new having my own schedule, I’m able to travlook and feeling confident in your ap- el anywhere and bring items to any local pearance builds amazing self-worth. Its event. Five-dollar jewelry may not change passion is inspiring dreams, empowering the world, but we believe those who wear talents and reaching goals by sharing its it will.” products and the excitement of Paparazzi. If you would like to learn more about “I have always worked an additional job to Harris’ jewelry business or if you would supplement my income and I enjoy being like to host a Paparazzi party, you can busy, so I wanted to do something that visit Harris’ website at www.honeyzforcould be based on my own time without tune5.com or call Harris at 317-203-9678.
ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
Page 22
DID YOU KNOW? PATRON SAINTS FOR 50 STATES
NASHVILLE, TN – ST. JOSEPH
September 2021
PREPARING FOR THE HARVEST
By Bob Zoellner
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Catholic believers pray for the intercession of the saints in heaven so that they may pray for us on our behalf. Saints are able to intercede on our behalf and offer up to God the prayers of those on Earth. Patron saints are recognized as the heavenly advocates and special intercessors for many things, even states. If you want to ask for the special intercession on behalf of your state, do you know who to pray to? When we think of Tennessee, we often think of mountains, fall landscapes and the birthplace of country music. However, the Catholic Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee has been focused on honoring one of its patron saints: St. Joseph. St. Joseph is one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved saints. For centuries, Catholics have asked for his intercession and protection. He is the patron saint of workers, travelers and immigrants, families, fathers, expectant mothers and unborn children, craftsmen, engineers, house sellers and buyers. He is the patron saint of hundreds of churches and dioceses across the globe—including
the Diocese of Nashville. The diocese is paying its respect during the Year of Saint Joseph, which lasts from Wednesday, December 8, 2020 through Thursday, December 8, 2021. His name, in many languages, is the most common name for cities and places in the world. Even though St. Joseph is honored around the globe, it is said that he lived a very normal life in servitude and obedience to God. St. Joseph is a great model for living a life of virtue. Learning more about the life of St. Joseph teaches the lesson that we don’t have to be center stage to make a difference in people’s lives. Scripture describes Joseph as a “just man” who was obedient to God when faced with difficult circumstances. Joseph’s engagement to Mary was not the same as a modern engagement—it was considered a legal agreement. Under Jewish law of the time, the punishment for an engaged woman found guilty of adultery was death by stoning. As a law-abiding citizen, Joseph would have been expected to leave Mary when he found out she was pregnant. But, God sent an angel to ask Joseph to stay with Mary, and Joseph was obedient. This showed a great deal of courage during this time and culture. This is why Joseph is a perfect saint to turn to as we find ourselves in these difficult times. It’s an opportunity to incorporate St. Joseph’s characteristics in our own lives to be obedient to God and faithful during difficult circumstances.
At some point in all of our lives, we haven’t tended to ourselves as well as we should have. That includes physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, although it is really hard sometimes to separate ourselves into those four categories so neatly. Weariness, poor habits, frustrations, doubt and sometimes just life itself contribute to those times where self-care suffers, and the resulting consequences of that neglect become evident. Hopefully, though, we don’t stay there. It’s just a season, part of the ebb and flow of being human. As Christians, if it is a sin issue, we repent and confess it to Christ, resting confidently that “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (I John 1:9). We then make right what we have to, and move on. Sometimes weariness sets in—many times through no fault of our own, but just due to the circumstances of life— and we need a reset. A recalibration of sorts. A new mindset. God’s word is the perfect place to
start—again. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” (Galatians 5:9). But we have to prepare ourselves to receive what the Bible has to say to us. One of the parables of Jesus (see Matthew 13) tells us His word is like that of a farmer who scatters seed, which only takes hold in the good soil, already prepared and readied for what is being sown. Seed left on the path, where it can quickly be gathered up and eaten by birds, or seed that has fallen on the rocky path won’t take root because the soil isn’t good or deep enough. And the thorny patch simply chokes out the seed’s growth. The Bible says that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He snatches the word away before it can have an impact. Life’s difficulties, the cares of this life and wealth’s deceitfulness, along with the pull of the world’s pleasures, will also make any growth short-lived and unfruitful. But seed sown in good soil—prepared, cared for, tended and kept healthy—produces a 30, 60, or even a 100-fold return on what was sown. But that takes effort, as any farmer can attest. No field readies itself for planting. So, take a break, step back from the busyness of life and tend to the soil of your health. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind by the good seed planted in fertile soil. We do reap what we sow.
Saint Anne Catholic Church ~Masses~ Vigil Saturday 4:30 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m., 10 a.m., & 5 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Spanish) Monday-Friday 8 a.m. Wednesday & Jueves 7 p.m.
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For more information, please check the St. Anne website. Registration is now open for the 2021-2022 Faith Formation year. Please call the office for more information.
U.S. Hwy. 41 • 106 11th Ave NE • Ruskin SaintAnneRuskin.org • 813-645-1714
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Volume 25 | Issue 10
ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
Page 23
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ChristianVoiceMonthly.com
October 2021
