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
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
Word of God Speak
House of the Lord
Closing Prayer
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
ON THE CALENDAR
Sunday: Sunday School: Adults / Children, 9 a.m., Worship / Nursery, 10 a.m.
Tuesday: Hunger-Free Mission food sharing, 10 a.m.
Wednesday: Bible study and prayer meeting, 6 p.m.
Thursday: Women’s Bible study, 9 a.m.
THIS AND THAT
Birthday this week: Bob Bellone (Wednesday)
Meditations next week: Anthony Jones
Nursery today: Brianna Cheatham
Nursery next week: Tracey Spearman
FROM THE WORD
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
Psalm 90
ADDITIONAL
AGING GRACEFULLY
My good friend Dr. David Faust has written a delightful book titled Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years. He writes, “I am convinced that Scripture has much to teach us about aging, and older people have untapped wisdom and ministry potential to be unleashed. No matter how old you are, you are not too old to make a difference.”
I highly recommend the book for aging adults. It is humorous, inspirational, and challenging. Dr. Faust is the former President of Cincinnati Christian University and an outstanding preacher of the gospel. His latest book shares some interesting insights, such as chapters like “Facing Your Fears about Aging” and “Staying Fit when Your Body Wants to Quit.” All believers nearing retirement age could use his wise counsel to finish strong.
I am not an “expert” on many things, but I feel qualified to comment about such things as retirement and aging because I am 80 years old, and I have been retired for nearly two decades. While I enjoyed each phase of my full-time ministry for 40 years, I can say the last 18 years in retirement have been the best period of my life. I have joked that the best time of your life is when the kids are grown, the bills are paid, and the dog is dead! But all joking aside, I had no idea how enjoyable and significant this last chapter of life would be. …
I believe there are five keys to aging gracefully:
· Be assured of your salvation in Christ. A cruise isn’t enjoyable if you don’t anticipate anchoring in a safe harbor.
· Stay active in service to others. Move from self-indulgence to self-sacrifice, frequently doing something that benefits others.
· Choose to be joyful every day regardless of circumstances. Happiness is not the result of what happens nearly as much as it is a daily choice.
· Become increasingly generous with your resources. Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” Someone else quipped, “Do your givin’ while you’re livin’, then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’!”
· Spend more time thinking about what awaits you in heaven. The Bible says, “Set your affections on things above.” We will spend eternity there … get excited about what lies ahead. The best is yet to be!
Excerpts from Bob Russell (April 14, 2024)
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