14 minute read
News From Te Wire
HOT OFF THE CHRISTIAN NEWS WIRE
By Kelly Wise Valdes
Premier Productions Announces Elevation Nights Fall 2021 Tour
Elevation Nights brings the powerful worship experience of Elevation Church into arenas across the country this fall. After a cancelled 2020 tour and almost 15 months of minimal worship services, in an unprecedented way, Elevation Nights is set to lift spirits with a message of faith, hope and love.
Audiences can sign up for the exclusive presale now at elevationnights.com or https://arep.co/t/elevationnights. People who sign up for the presale will be entered into an extraordinary contest to earn points to win two tickets to the tour location of their choice, access to a special Q&A and a flyaway experience to Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina for the next Elevation Worship live recording. Other winners will receive free tickets and early access to unreleased music from Elevation Worship.
This tour is more than a concert, but a full worship experience. The eight-city arena tour will kick of on Tuesday, October 26 in Atlanta, Georgia and will stop in Nashville, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Houston, Texas; Orlando; and Sunrise, before the final show on Thursday, November 4 in Jacksonville.
University of North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell took to social media to share the good news that he had been baptized. Howell wrote on Instagram, “Choosing to follow Christ has been the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.”
Howell, who will start his junior year this fall, frequently posts messages about his faith. In May, he shared a verse from Proverbs in the Bible in an efort to uplift and inspire others. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will be established,” Proverbs 16:3.
The Tar Heel finished his sophomore season with 3,586 passing yards, the third-highest total in the school’s history, and threw three touchdown passes during the Orange Bowl game, bringing his career total to 68. During his freshman year, he was named the 2019 Freshman All-American, ACC Ofensive and Overall Rookie of the Year, and the ACC All-Academic. For more information, follow Howell on Instagram at sam7howell.
Justin Bieber Headlined Christian Event In LA
Pop singer Justin Bieber headlined a Christian-based concert in Los Angeles featuring chart-topping worship artists, including Mavericks City’s Chandler Moore, Kari Jobe and others.
On Instagram, the ‘Holy’ singer revealed the event was named after his first gospel album, Freedom. Titled ‘The Freedom Experience,’ the concert took place on Saturday, July 24 at the 70,000-capacity SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California as part of 1DayLA’s COVID-19 service event.
More than 20,000 people gathered hours before the concert to serves the community of Los Angeles, feeding the homeless and serving various communities.
Bieber was reportedly inspired to join the 1DayLA movement “because of his strong and long-held belief that giving of ourselves in service to others is one of the most important things we can do.” The artist is “committed to the powerful idea that a movement for change can start with individuals helping one another and their community.” Visit www.1DayLA.com.
Comedian Michael Jr. Helps Others Find God-Given Purpose, Upcoming Tour
For Michael Jr., comedy is more than making people laugh—it’s a way to share the Gospel, uplift audiences and motivate them to discover their God-given purpose. From The Tonight Show to Jimmy Kimmel Live, Michael Jr. has graced some of the country’s largest comedy stages. Driven by the belief that laughter can be a source of healing and inspiration, the father of five also shares his gift with those in homeless shelters and prisons.
In his latest book, Funny How Life Works, Michael Jr. shares 25 stories from his life with the stated aim of inspiring readers to
embrace their God-given purpose—or, how he describes it, their ‘punchline.’ The book is also full of wisdom the comedian gleaned from his father.
Michael Jr., who attends Gateway Church in Dallas, Texas, is excited about touring again, which kicked of in July. Whether he’s writing books or touring on the road, Michael Jr. said his walk with the Lord is the most important force in his life, driving his passion for God-glorifying comedy. By spending time in the Scriptures and in prayer, he strives to be obedient to the calling God has placed on his life. For more information, visit www.michaeljr.com.
DRAMA KIDS INTERNATIONAL HELPS LOCAL CHILDREN BUILD CONFIDENCE THROUGH THEATER PERFORMANCES
By Libby Hopkins
In 1985, Helen O’Grady, a popular TV actress in Australia, decided to create a completely new children’s drama program using various fun and fast-paced drama activities to build children’s speaking, acting and social skills. Parents saw the remarkable benefits of class participation and classes built quickly throughout Australia. It was such a success that it was brought to the United States as Drama Kids International. “We are both proud and excited to be the exclusive U.S. provider of the Helen O’Grady Children’s Drama Program,” said Dulcie Mishkin, director of operations for FL Drama Kids of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties. “Today, the Helen O’Grady curriculum has proved so successful that there are over 50,000 students currently attending classes in over 1,500 locations throughout the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe. Our unique kids’ theater classes are internationally known for the creative drama curriculum and teaching methods that are great fun and highly developmental for all children and teens.”
Throughout the pandemic, Drama Kids has been dedicated to continuing its fantastic programming.
“We adapted to an online curriculum, bringing the joy of Drama Kids classes right to children’s homes,” Mishkin said. “Our weekly classes joined longtime students
and new Drama Kids together to learn new skills while our Take 2 Performance Academy classes gave Drama Kids the opportunity to try their hand at online theater performanc-
Troughout the pandemic, Drama Kids Inter- es. In our Take 2 pronational has been dedicated to continuing its gram, we are able to fantastic programming. provide the develop-
mental education that our program is known for as well as a source of fun during a time of uncertainty and constant change.” Now, as Drama Kids transitions back to in-person classes, it is dedicated to teaching children of all ages new ways they can cope and understand the lingering emotions brought on by the pandemic. “By providing them a safe space to explore, our Drama Kids are free to express themselves fully through scenes and characters they create, opening up their imagination and having fun with new and old friends,” Mishkin said. Drama Kids is gearing up for the fall and it is very excited to ofer after-school drama classes. “As we finalize the school year schedule with elementary and middle schools across the Hillsborough and Pasco County areas, we are looking for new areas and schools to bring our program,” Mishin said. If you are interested in bringing Drama Kids to your child’s school, go to www.dramakids.com/brandon-apollo-beach-riverview-plant-city-fl/ and fill out the interest survey on the In-School Programs page or call 489-5899.
Community Food Pantry
2nd & 4th Tursday monthly or by appointment
5920 Robert Tolle Drive Riverview, 33578 813-337-7457 Ofce Hours: Tues & Thur 10am- 2pm www.Mtzionriverview.com FACEBOOK: Mt Zion AME Church Riverview
Church Services 10am Sunday
Youth Church School
12:30pm Sunday (Teens) 2pm Sunday (Youth) 7pm Tuesday (Prayer)
Bible Study
7pm Wednesday (Adults) 7pm Tursday (Teens)
Karen J. Sims, Pastor and Roy Sims (brother)
FUNTAMPA.COM SHARES TAMPA AREA’S HIDDEN GEMS WITH THE COMMUNITY
By Libby Hopkins
Riverview realtor Kerin Clarkin has an alter ego who is a total foodie and locavore. His alter ego is still named Kerin Clarkin, but instead of selling real estate, he is sharing some of the hidden gems of Tampa Bay. “I do a lot of fun things and a lot of the time it involves food,” Clarkin said. “People in Riverview know me as the realtor who does food and fun.”
Because of his reputation for food and fun, Clarkin started his Fun Tampa website. “Fun Tampa is your source for food and fun reviews from diferent places throughout the Tampa Bay area,” Clarkin said. “We only promote locally owned businesses and encourage you to let us know about the coolest places to go.”
Clarkin finds all the best places to go to eat, have fun and party, and he does it all for free. “There are so many places in Tampa and we want you to know about them all, especially the locally owned ones, because supporting local and being a community advocate is extremely important to me,” Clarkin said.
Clarkin believes we live in the best city to have fun. “When people say there is nothing to do in Tampa, I have a hard time believing them,” Clarkin said. “There are so many cool and fun things to do in
Tampa and just outside of Tampa. This is why I do what I do with Fun Tampa; I want our community to know that there are so many things to do in Tampa and a lot of these places and things are so close to them.” Clarkin loves getting suggestions from his followers about local places or restaurants
Riverview realtor Kerin Clarkin has an alter they have been to so ego who is a total foodie and locavore. he can go and check
them out. “I love learning more about new places or new restaurants for me to go and check out,” Clarkin said. “Most of the time, when I go to a new restaurant or place and start doing a live video, the owners are shocked to find out I’m doing this all for free. I’m not doing it to get a free meal or get into a place for free, I’m doing it so their business gets more traffic. It’s all about supporting local.” If you’d like to learn more about Fun Tampa or if you’d like to make a suggestion for Clarkin to visit, you can go to Fun Tampa’s website at www.funtampa.com or email Clarkin at info@funtampa.com.
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 ofer 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?
The word ‘Connecticut’ is based on the Algonquian word ‘Quinnehtukqut,’ which refers to the Connecticut River. The first Catholic Church was built in 1827 near the Connecticut River. In 1941, Father Emilio Iasiello, pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Bridgeport, saw a need to accommodate parishioners living in the northern area of Connecticut.
After searching for the ideal location, Iasiello found a plot of land, and with support of the city’s Italian community, a small colonial style chapel was erected and named for
St. Margaret. On September 20, 1942, it was dedicated by the bishop of Hartford. Inspired by the events of World War
II, Iasiello’s intent was to establish St.
Margaret Chapel as a monument of peace. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, his plans were expanded to add religious statues and chapels where worshippers would ofer their prayers for those serving their country and for those who had given their lives. To fulfill this vision, adjacent properties were purchased, and the land had to be blasted and cleared. In the process, a grotto-like area was created as a perfect spot for a shrine honoring St. Margaret as well as saints from countries around the world, including Italy, Cuba, Mexico,
Portugal and Vietnam. The grounds were landscaped and pools of water were created. The scenery included stone walkways, landscaped hillsides and scenic bridges. Gradually, statues, shrines and chapels were erected, and the St. Margaret Shrine became known as a great refuge of beauty and peace.
Margaret, also known as Margaret of Antioch, is celebrated as a saint on July 20. History tells the story that St. Margaret was martyred in A.D. 304 and is considered the patron saint of expectant mothers. It was believed that St. Margaret promised very powerful indulgences to those who invoked her intercessions, which helped spread her devotion. St. Margaret is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is also thought to be one of the saints who spoke to Joan of Arc.
The St. Margaret Shrine is considered an oasis of prayer in Bridgeport, Connecticut. For more information, visit www.stmargaretshrine.org.
By Kelly Wise Valdes Somewhere along the line during our
trek into modern society, there became a disconnect between our mental and spiritual health. We assume we can be healthy mentally, but not spiritually, and vice versa. But this is a connection that cannot be easily divided; in fact, our relationship with the Lord is deeply dependent on how we think. Christianity is a thinking man’s faith. It is based in the reality of Jesus Christ and who He is, and what He did to purchase our salvation. Once we have been born again, our thought processes, our mindset, our very being is changed. We are a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), and we don’t think the same anymore. In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul tells believers to no longer conform to the patterns of this world—it’s structures, values, ways of thinking—but to be transformed “by the renewing of our minds.” “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 2:5). What is that mindset? He took on the nature of a servant. He placed others above himself. That is the epitome of changing our thinking; because of our sin nature, we are selfish to the core. To overcome that, we need to do battle with the enemy, the one who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour,” (I Peter 5:8). How do we do that? By taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). We learn to “…not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let [our] requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:6-7). We also learn to allow our feelings to be a follower, and not the leader. When we think first, and then let our actions and feelings flow from right thinking, we will keep order and peace and ourselves under control. If we let feelings control our thinking, our words and behaviors will lead to disorder, calamity and chaotic relationships. Mindfulness and intentionality begin with an honest assessment of our need for Christ. Once we have been reconciled and are in the right relationship with him, we can enjoy good mental health. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” (2 Timothy 1:7). So, as Philippians 4:8 encourages us, let us think of things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and good. These are the virtues that will keep us mentally and spiritually strong. Dr. Ripal Patel, DPM “Foot problems? I’m back in Brandon to help.”
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