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 ewsletter
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Totally Thankful
Fasten your seatbelts; the Holiday Season is fast approaching! Before we get lost in it (and I will be challenging you not to with everything that I have) I would like to take a few moments and let you know why I am truly thankful to be the Pastor of Freshstart. It might surprise you; it is for different reasons then might be typical. Here are some of them:
I am thankful for:
1. The woman at Freshstart the cook's dinner for the Carnies every year after the OctoberFeast.
2. The man who has sat by the dying mother of a friend for the last couple of months
3. For the Woman who makes sandwiches and delivers lunch to a local high school football team every day, cause they cannot afford it.
4. For a father at Freshstart who is rearranging his priorities to be a more focused husband and wife
5. For the woman at Freshstart who is relying on God to help her through the pain of a divorce
6. For the men and women who are wrestling through life groups together
7. For the willingness of many at Freshstart to truly look at what God called the church to be; today especially in our unique time in History!
I am truly thankful for the people that give sacrificially of themselves, adventuring in the Kingdom of God! Jesus Christ came to save us from a meaningless existence on this planet. Many have embraced God's salvation beyond earth, but have never dared to live in the Kingdom! We have a lot to learn about that, but I am so thankful for the people at Freshstart that are seeking to learn, and live in the Kingdom here on Earth!
Have a wonderful day! I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Scott Welch, Senior Pastor
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Upcoming Children's Events
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Thanksgiving
T. G. I. F.
It's Friday night & time for your kid's to "come out & play! Friday, November 14, from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm we have scheduled a "Turkey Hunt" forall children birth thru 5th grade. The evening will include dinner & snack, a "Turkey Hunt", movie & more!
December T. G. I. F.
"Santa Claus" is coming to Town!" Friday, December 12, from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm we have scheduled a "Kid's Christmas Dream" for all children birth thru 5th grade. The evening will include dinner, visit & games with Santa, Christmas shop for family and a "Hayride".
Children's Christmas Choir caroling
Saturday, December 6th our elementary age children will visit a local Nursing Home and share a little Christmas with residence.
Sunday, December 7th, during FreshStart's, 10:00 am worship service our preschool and elementary children will be performing several Christmas carols for our worship, there is nothing like experiencing Christmas thru the eye's of a child.
Ministry
FreshStart Preschoolers
Our preschoolers are learning that God Love's them & that; He made them and all the things around them. Each week our trained & screened Pre-K volunteers lead our little ones thru various learning experiences that show that express, of how much God does love them.
FreshStart Elementary / Extreme
Our Elementary ministry is called EXTREME, because we are extreme in how we want our children to grow as Jesus did, Luke 2:52 "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men."
Parents, we encourage you to purchase a virtue pack from the children's check-in. There is a cost $10.00 for each pack. This virtue pack will assist you and your child as they learn our virtue for the month of November, which is Gratitude, Letting others know that you see how they've helped you.
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THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE: Wednesday November 3, 2008 - 7:00PM
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This is a great way to start your Family Thanksgiving Celebration. Our Service will feature a powerful Drama, multi-media, music and a special time of communion. Plan to join us in our Old Building at the Tri County Business Park, 13810 Wright Circle, Tampa. We have a special gift for your Thanksgiving Day Table!
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FUSION
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Every Sunday Night from 6:00 -7:30 Middle School and High School Students meet at the Tri- County business Park for FUSION. We have a great meal together, hang out with Friends, play some crazy games and have a time in God's Word! During the Month of November we will be delivery food to Metropolitan Ministries and planning our Summer Missions Trip. Don't miss it on Sunday Nights. Fusion will meet every Sunday Night in November except Nov. 30th! Come out and join us and bring a friend!
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COUNSELING SERVICES
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Did you know that Freshstart offers ongoing counseling services? If you or someone you know is in need of counseling don't hesitate to give the office a call and set up an appointment. Marriage Counseling, Family Counseling or Individual appointments are available. All appointments are confidential; in order to help you in whatever way is necessary. You are not alone, make the call or refer a friend, there is someone her to listen.
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93rd Annual Turkey Bowl
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Clean up the cleats and come out to join us on for the 93rd Annual Turkey Bowl. Pastor Scott still thinks he can play football, so on Thanksgiving Morning at 10:00am, (Pastor Scott's High School use to play on Thanksgiving Morning and he's never gotten it out of his system) come on out to Roger's Park (behind the fire station on Pine Ave.) and play a little flag football. This game is open to anyone that dare play; men, woman and kids (who can walk and run among big people) If you are not playing just bring a lawn chair and cheer on your favorite team. Or if you have an oxygen tank, bring it for Pastor Scott. So put the Turkey in the oven and this year, don't sit around and watch it cook (for a watched turkey never boils, or something like that) but come out and play some football.
There is a signup sheet at the Welcome center, if you are planning to play, put your name down so we can make sure Pastor Scott's team wins! Hope to see you there!
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FOR SALE
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 After a very successful Rummage Sale, we are seeking to sell some of the bigger items at the church. If you know anyone who would be interested in any of these items please have them call the church office. We are listing them on the internet for sale, but would love to see someone who needs these items receive them:
-Church chairs
- Children's tables
-Children's chairs
-2 Wheel Chairs
-2 Basketball hoops
-Stage pieces
-theater curtain
-assorted lumber
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FUND RAISING TEAMS
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 We are seeking to raise $135,000.00 toward our land this year. There are several fund raising teams that will be meeting soon:
- Golf Tournament
- Raffles
- Coupons
- Thons
- Foundations
- Student Ministry
We will need everyone's help on one of these teams. If you have not had the opportunity to sign up yet, call the church office or sign up@ the welcome center.
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CHURCH CLEAN UP
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 In 60 days we must vacate our old church building. We have a lot of clean up to do which will save us a whole lot of money. We would like to complete this project by November 30th. During the month of November we will be working Monday Nights from 7-9 and Saturday morning from 7-10 am. Come out and join the fun as we prepare to hand the building back in a way that reflects Kingdom Livers! |
THE BOTTOM LINE
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 Friends, all of us are feeling the pinch of gas prices and the economy. Many of our people have also lost their jobs and are looking for work. If you hear of people that are hiring, would you please send us an E- mail at the church so we can make the opportunity known? Also if you are looking for a job and have a resume you would like us to post on A2N please send it to us. This economy will present knew ways for us to be about Kingdom Living! |
Jobs.....
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 Friends, all of us are feeling the pinch of gas prices and the economy. Many of our people have also lost their jobs and are looking for work. If you hear of people that are hiring, would you please send us an E- mail at the church so we can make the opportunity known? Also if you are looking for a job and have a resume you would like us to post on A2N please send it to us. This economy will present knew ways for us to be about Kingdom Living! |
Missed A Service?
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If you were unable to attend service and would like to find out what you missed, check out the following areas on www.freshstartchurch.com:
Click on Resources / then choose MultiMedia:
- View Video of the entire service.
- Listen to Audio Only of the service.
- Download the entire service to your I-Pod.
Online Giving
- Many people have chosen this option to give securely on-line. Just click on "Online Giving" on the left side of the home page to check it out.
www.freshstartchurch.com
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A message from the Doc!
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BITTERNESS-Part 1
What is bitterness? It is an attitude of extended and intense anger and hostility. It is often accompanied by resentment and a desire to "get even." It is a result of not forgiving an offender and letting hurt and anger grow until the pain and resentment sour the person's view of life.
We can also say that bitterness is a sin that destroys life. Hebrews 12:15 warns that bitterness corrupts by its poison. Romans 12:17 commands us not to seek revenge, but rather to let God avenge.
Some key elements of bitterness include:
Unresolved anger-when anger is unresolved and allowed to run its course, it turns into bitterness.
Inability to grieve-experiences of trauma and loss, and relationships that don't live up to expectations and fail to meet legitimate needs can result in feelings of sadness and loss.
Lack of control-when other people don't meet a person's needs, he or she can become obsessed with thoughts of, "If they would just do this..."
Resentment-despising the offender
Obsessive thoughts of revenge-daydreams about ways to make the person pay.
Sarcasm-seemingly innocent humor that bites.
Critical or unkind comments-open, negative remarks.
Self-righteousness-the perception that "I'd never do to anyone what you did to me."
Hostility-action designed to punish
Aggressiveness in relationships-using demands, outbursts, and violence to cause others to cower.
What are some things that we can do to help overcome this problem of bitterness?
1. Acceptance
· Make a list of the people who have hurt you.
· Next to each name, write what you needed from that person.
· Next to that, write how it made you feel when that person dedn't meet your need.
· Then, write whether you think that person will ever be able to meet your need. Be honest.
2. Look for Support
· Find a community of support. If you move, pray that God will provide people to give you love, encouragement and support.
· Be proactive and look for those whom God has provided to be a part of your life. Strengthen any healthy relationships you have.
· Be part of a life or share group.
3. Forgive
· Ask God to help you forgive. Forgiveness is letting go of anger and your quest for revenge. Realize that you are powerless to forgive through your own strength, but God doesn't ask you to do something without giving you His strength and power to do it.
· Ask God to help you feel compassion for your offender. Psalm 78:38 says that God is full of compassion. As an act of your will, choose to pray that God will bless the person who hurt you.
Next month in part 2, we will examine some biblical insights into this issue of bitterness.
"Doc"
"DOC"
Richard J. Stiliha
Dr. Richard Stiliha is the pastoral counselor at FreshStart Church. He holds office hours by appointment only and is available to the community as well as our church family. To make an appointment or for additional information, call the church office at 813-814-1128.
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