BLESS

Church family! 

As we enter into the week of Thanksgiving, we have much to be thankful for. Beyond the personal blessings we’ve uniquely enjoyed this year, our church family experienced a most meaningful and memorable year. We fully embraced our plan to live as a blessed people who bless people.

Beginning last January, we narrowed our focus to encourage and equip one another for mission. Through BLESS boxes, family parties, memorable worship, Bible studies, and intentional care, we can now see the increase in both our health and happiness. As the year progressed, we turned our focus outward to BLESS those where we live, work, and play. From the excitement of Back to School Splash to the simplicity of sharing meals, we used our time, talents, and treasure to reach people where we live, work, and play with the good news of Jesus. As we enter into the last month of 2019, let’s finish strong what we prayerfully started. 

First, let’s fulfill what we’ve promised missionally. December will be our month to emphasize sharing. We will equip you with strategic resources to fuel your sharing efforts. What better season than Christmas to share the good news of Jesus with our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family! 

Secondly, let’s fulfill what we’ve promised financially. In January 2019, we unpacked our vision for this year that included the financial strategy to achieve these goals for BLESS. You prayerfully and intentionally set personal and familial goals for giving. Based on your collective responses, we establish a giving goal of $176,800. As of last weekend, we’ve received 89% ($157,498) of our yearly budget. For those of you who turned in a ministry plan response card, you’ll receive a reminder of the commitments you made for 2019 of your time, talents, and treasure. Thank you so much for giving faithfully and generously! Your sacrificial giving has not only blessed countless of people where we live, work, and play, but also provided for the Allamon and Thompson families. 

Finally, let’s fund a plan to send our very own missionary! Garrett Messineo is working with the International Mission Board to go on a five month trip to Nepal (see below for more information). As you’re well aware, Garret spent a week in Nepal this past July. Currently, Garret still feels called by God to declare the gospel to the unreached people groups of south Asia. Consequently, I believe our church has a divine opportunity that will take the good news of Jesus to reach the people of Nepal.

When we pass our established goal of $176,800, our leadership prayerfully desires to use any additional giving to fund Garret’s trip as well as contribute towards the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through the SBC. Since the cost for Garret’s trip is $5,000, we believe it in our capabilities to reach this amount and even beyond. Many of you established a systematic giving plan based of your 2019 commitment. Would you prayerfully consider how you could uniquely bless Garret and fuel the spread of the gospel beyond your current giving? 

As you celebrate Thanksgiving and anticipate Christmas over these next few weeks, please pray that God would bless our financial resources to multiply the efforts to delight in, display, and declare the good news of Jesus in Tampa Bay and in south Asia.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

God Bless,

Pastor Ken

September BLESS Emphasis | Listening With Intention

Two ways to fulfill this goal:

Discover Your Neighbor | Discover Your Neighbor Worksheet

Over the next few weeks, use the “Discover Your Neighbor Worksheet” as a guide to connect with those where you live, work, and play. This simple tool creates a path for deeper conversation and meaningful prayer. Even if you already can answer many of the questions on the worksheet, consider taking time to learn more about those around you over a cup of coffee, a meal, or even a just passing conversation. (Click here to download worksheet)

Bless Your Neighbor | BCF Birthday Gift

On our BCF Birthday Celebration (9/29), we want provide you with a gift to give. Ideally, you would take these next few weeks to learn more about someone where you live, work, or play, and then use this gift to bless them. We will provide the materials and resources for you to show and share the good news of Jesus. 

June Emphasis | Sharing The Gospel & Your Story

Three ways to fulfill this goal: 

Read | “What Is The Gospel?” Booklet

In your box, you’ll find a booklet entitled What is the Gospel?. The greater we understand and believe the gospel the more comfortable we will be to share this good news with others. This short and poignant resource will give you an opportunity to dive into a healthy explanation of the good news of Jesus Christ. You will also be given a tool to help you collect your thoughts and to reflect on what you read. Please make time to utilize this dynamic resource. 

Write | Your Gospel Story 

After you’ve read through the booklet, access the worksheet again to write out the gospel in your own words and how the gospel is changing you. This will be a helpful means of gaining clarity in both your understanding of the gospel but also in your ability to share what God has done in your own life. 

Share | Your Gospel Story & A Meal

Finally, use the Chick-Fil-A gift card to share a meal with someone in our church. When you meet, share what you’ve written in your worksheet. This experience will not only strengthen your faith and love for God but also will prepare you for future opportunities to share this good news with others. 

February Emphasis | Begin With Prayer…for one-another

Three ways to fulfill this goal:

Read—“Beginning A Praying Life”

Beginning a Praying Life is a booklet based on the bestselling book A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller. This handy, pocket-sized primer is an easy way to inspire someone who is new to prayer, or to reignite passion in someone who is stuck in attempts to develop a consistent prayer life. It identifies six cures for cynicism in prayer, and each one becomes a bit more challenging: (1) Be warm but wary, (2) learn to hope again, (3) develop a childlike spirit, (4) cultivate a thankful spirit, (5) practice repentance, and (6) develop an eye for Jesus. Personal stories are woven throughout, and often the author showcases his own lack of faith to prove his point. Beginning a Praying Life makes for a practical handout to begin a lifelong change of heart about why and how to pray (taken from the website).

Write—BCF Prayer Journal

You’ve been given a journal to accompany your journey in prayer. Use this journal to jot down what the Lord is teaching you, to scribble thoughts that come to mind throughout the day, and to incorporate names of people that God leads your way within our church. Even if writing is not a strong suit of yours, make time to put down how God is using this emphasis on prayer to change you.

Pray—Personally & At Prayer Gatherings

Consider starting and ending your days in February with prayer. Use your prayer journal to pray over people in our church that God brings to mind. Consider asking and then praying for the following:

• • Where is pain? Pray for healing and grace to endure
  • Where is brokenness? Pray for restoration and reconciliation
  • Where is a lack of resources? Pray for faith and provision
  • Where is sin? Pray for confession and forgiveness.

Also, make your plans for the following Payer Sessions:

• • Facebook Live Sessions: 2/6, 2/13, 2/20 @ 8:30 pm
  • Prayer Gathering: 2/27 @ 7:00 pm. Location TBD