EAST TAMPA CHRISTIAN CHURCH
7824 S. 24th Ave., Tampa, Fla. 33619 / (813) 626-2507
Terry Tyree, Minister
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Announcements
Prayer
Sermon
Invitation Song
Communion Song
Communion / Offering
Praise Songs
Our God
How Great Is Our God
Soul on Fire
No Hold on Me
Closing Prayer
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
ON THE CALENDAR
Sunday - Sunday School: Adults, 9 a.m., Children, 9 and 10 a.m., Worship, 10 a.m.
Tuesday - Hunger-Free Mission food and clothes sharing, 10 a.m.
Wednesday - Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m.
THIS AND THAT
Birthday this week: Jennifer Gentry (Wednesday)
General fund offerings last week: $2,060
Meditations next week: Roger Jenkins
FROM THE WORD
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:
“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
But Jonah ran away from the Lord …
Jonah 1:1-3
ADDITIONAL
WHY DID GOD PICK JONAH AS A PROPHET?
God chose Jonah because Jonah displayed three amazing characteristics you and I might not possess.
First, we find Jonah was a listener. He listened to the voice of God. Somewhere along his lifetime, he developed the acuity to hear God's voice over every other noise in the world. Jonah could distinguish God's voice because he had developed his listening abilities and knew, undeniably, what the voice of the Lord sounded like. God chose Jonah because he could hear God's voice.
Second, we find Jonah was available. He was available to do God's work. Jonah had been available in the past, and God knew Jonah would clear his schedule and carry out the work of the Lord. God knew Jonah would be available this time and probably more times in the future. God chose Jonah because he was available.
Third, we find Jonah was not perfect, but very, very fallible. In the Lord’s eyes, this is actually a very good quality to have. God does not pick the mighty, the proud, the skilled, the learned, or the leaders of this world. He picks people willing to let God work in and through them despite their inabilities. God purposely chooses the foolish things of this world because, for some strange reason, He delights in bringing shame to the world's wisdom. God chose Jonah because he was not the “perfect” candidate.
TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
The invitation at the close of each worship service extends an opportunity for anyone outside of Christ to unite with him and become a Christian through belief (John 3:16); repentance (turning away from sin,
Acts 2:38); confession of belief in Christ (Romans 10:10); baptism into Christ for forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-8) and devoting the rest of your life to
Christ (Matthew 10:22).
The Lord’s invitation also is open to anyone desiring to rededicate his or her life to Christ; to baptized
believers wanting to transfer their membership to this congregation, or to request prayer support.
ABOUT US
For more than a half-century, we have been a restoration plea fellowship in unity with other independent New Testament church bodies. Certainly, we are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.
In that regard, we assume no denominational name. We observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday to honor him and reflect upon his great sacrifice on our behalf (Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28, Hebrews 10:25).
We teach directly from the Bible. Where it speaks clearly – such as the Gospel plan of salvation and other directions or commands – we seek unity. In matters of opinion, where the Bible does not expressly speak, we seek liberty. In all things, however, we speak love for one another, just as Jesus loved us and laid down his life for us!
If you agree with these matters, please join us to proclaim salvation and unity to those who need to hear it in the name of our blessed Lord and only Savior, Jesus Christ. We urgently invite you to do so since his glorious return is imminent.
OUR ELDERS
Jim Fairchild (813) 361-7809 jfairchild@famins.com
Dan Hefner (813) 244-9843 danshirlh@msn.com
EAST TAMPA CHRISTIAN CHURCH
7824 S. 24th Ave., Tampa, Fla. 33619 / (813) 626-2507
Terry Tyree, Minister
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Announcements
Prayer
Sermon
Invitation Song
Communion Song
Communion / Offering
Praise Songs
No Hold on Me
How Great Is Our God
Changed
Closing Prayer
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
ON THE CALENDAR
Suday: Sunday School: Adults, 9 a.m., Children, 9 and 10 a.m., Worship, 10 a.m.
Tuesday: Hunger-Free Mission food sharing, 10 a.m.
Wednesday: Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m
THIS AND THAT
Meditations next week: Bob Bellone
FROM THE WORD
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
ADDITIONAL
A HOPELESS SITUATION
Imagine going down the side of a 200-foot cliff—with a 100-foot rope. At 99 feet down, you find yourself literally dangling “at the end of your rope.” What an apt metaphor for a hopeless situation. Without faith, there are but three options—none of them good:
· Try to climb back up (which is physically impossible for most people).
· Hang on as long as you can in hopes of an eventual rescue.
· Give up and let go.
Eugene Peterson uses this powerful image in his paraphrase of the Bible, which puts ancient thoughts into contemporary terms. Consider the following references from The Message:
· “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.” (Matthew 5:3)
· “The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. ‘Surely,’ he thought, ‘they will respect my son.” (Matthew 21:35)
· “When someone gets to the end of his rope, I [Paul] feel the desperation in my bones.” (2 Corinthians 11:28)’
· “Hurry up and help us; we’re at the end of our rope. You’re famous for helping; God, give us a break.” (Psalm 79:8)
· “Oh, God, my Lord, step in; work a miracle for me—you can do it! Get me out of here—your love is so great!— I’m at the end of my rope, my life in ruins.” (Psalm 109:21)
· God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.” (Psalm 116:1)
· “Hurry with your answer, God! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! That would be certain death.” (Psalm 143:7)
When we are at the end of our rope—and it happens to all of us sooner or later—God is there to rescue us; so don’t give up.
God can help in a number of ways, either directly or indirectly: a timely visit from a friend, some encouraging advice, the perfect Bible verse, or a visit with a minister or counselor.
Peter DeHaan
TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
The invitation at the close of each worship service extends an opportunity for anyone outside of Christ to unite with him and become a Christian through belief (John 3:16); repentance (turning away from sin,
Acts 2:38); confession of belief in Christ (Romans 10:10); baptism into Christ for forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-8) and devoting the rest of your life to
Christ (Matthew 10:22).
The Lord’s invitation also is open to anyone desiring to rededicate his or her life to Christ; to baptized
believers wanting to transfer their membership to this congregation, or to request prayer support.
ABOUT US
For more than a half-century, we have been a restoration plea fellowship in unity with other independent New Testament church bodies. Certainly, we are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.
In that regard, we assume no denominational name. We observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday to honor him and reflect upon his great sacrifice on our behalf (Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28, Hebrews 10:25).
We teach directly from the Bible. Where it speaks clearly – such as the Gospel plan of salvation and other directions or commands – we seek unity. In matters of opinion, where the Bible does not expressly speak, we seek liberty. In all things, however, we speak love for one another, just as Jesus loved us and laid down his life for us!
If you agree with these matters, please join us to proclaim salvation and unity to those who need to hear it in the name of our blessed Lord and only Savior, Jesus Christ. We urgently invite you to do so since his glorious return is imminent.
OUR ELDERS
Jim Fairchild (813) 361-7809 jfairchild@famins.com
Dan Hefner (813) 244-9843 danshirlh@msn.com