Family Night of Praise
5:30 p.m. Friday, April 26. Join us for a family-friendly night of worship and fun! Enjoy pizza and a mix of contemporary Christian hits and VBS classics. Bring your family and invite friends for a lively evening together!
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5:30 p.m. Friday, April 26. Join us for a family-friendly night of worship and fun! Enjoy pizza and a mix of contemporary Christian hits and VBS classics. Bring your family and invite friends for a lively evening together!
Dear Easter People,
We are currently in our worship series “Life’s Highs and Lows,” based on the Psalms. Each week, we explore a different landscape image from a psalm and how it connects to God and the human experience. Last week’s service was about the mountains in Psalm 121, which you can view online here. This Sunday we’ll unpack the beauty of Psalm 23. By the time the series is over, we will ponder moments in our lives that are like deserts, skies, rivers, and roads.
This journey through the Psalms would not feel complete without some acknowledgment of Psalm 46. It contains the often-quoted verse 10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
It is a verse that is quite conducive to a special form of prayer called the “breath prayer,” practiced by Christian mystics for generations. In her book Paths to Prayer: Finding Your Own Way to the Presence of God, Patricia Brown shares one way to practice breath prayer based on this psalm.
It involves inhaling and exhaling for counts of five, along with holding one’s breath for a few seconds between each exhale and inhale. Momentarily holding your breath allows for a slight build-up of carbon dioxide which helps relieve anxiety and stress. Patricia Brown also notes that in those satisfying moments of taking in a full breath, Christian mystics believed that the Spirit of God is most fully recognized. Holding that full, beautiful breath for a few seconds can be an act of resonance with God’s presence.
In January 2020, Patricia Brown provided a workshop for our entire church leadership, and she led us in this guided exercise, based on Psalm 46:10, which I invite you to experience now:
THE BREATH PRAYER
Sit with you back straight and your palms on your lap, face up or down, with your feet flat on the floor.
Close your eyes.
Remember in this moment that God holds you in a loving presence, just as water filling every nook and cranny.
Now, slowly count to five, taking in a deep breath: (1…2…3…4…5) and hold that breath in for a second or two. This is the place where the mystics say God dwells.
Now begin to exhale slowly (1…2…3…4…5) and hold for a few seconds.
Continue that pattern of silent breathing, counting to five with each inhale and exhale, holding a pause in between.
Patricia Brown then read each of the following lines, slowly, with enough time in between for people to take their five counts of inhaling, exhaling, and holding.
Be still, and know that I am God… (inhale, pause, exhale, pause)
Be still, and know that I am… (inhale, pause, exhale, pause)
Be still, and know… (inhale, pause, exhale, pause)
Be still… (inhale, pause, exhale, pause)
Be… (inhale, pause, exhale, pause)
[SILENCE]
Now gently, slowly open your eyes.
How are you feeling? As the spirit releases you from this time of breath prayer, carry its calm awareness with you as you move on with your day.
I hope that you will find moments during this Easter season to practice the sacred act of breath prayer, giving thanks for the presence of God that is as close to you as your own breath.
Grace and Peace,
MIDWEEK MESSAGE WILL RETURN MID-MAY
As I finish my preparations for General Conference from April 23 to May 3, I will be taking a break from writing the Midweek Message until mid-May. I may share a special pastoral word if the need arises from the events of General Conference. As always, keep up with all the exciting things happening at Hyde Park United Methodist on our website.
One-time gatherings to help you connect with people from Hyde Park United Methodist in your neighborhood! Gather with each other over food and conversation. Meet others who live nearby.
When? Gatherings are happening in April and May.
Where? Homes of church members.
What’s the commitment? One evening. That’s it.
Do you need Bible knowledge? Nope! Everyone is welcome.
How does it work?
Questions? Contact John Barolo to learn more.
Registration for church families begins February 25 and for general community begins March 10.
Cost: $50 for Preschool – Grade 4 and $75 for Tweens
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 12:00PM.
* Note: rising 5th and 6th graders have extended programming (until 3 p.m.) Tuesday and Thursday during VBS
Adult and youth volunteer registration is now open! Early child registration is available for adult volunteers upon completion of the volunteer form.
Mini-VBS and Nursery care is available for children of volunteers. This is not a drop-off program but reserved for those volunteering. A link will be available once adult registration has been completed.
Volunteer Training: Thank you for serving at SCUBA VBS! Please mark your calendar for our mandatory VBS Volunteer Training on Wednesday, June 12 at 5:45 p.m.
Decorations and Construction: If you like crafting, being creative or even using a hammer, join the VBS Construction & Decoration Team on select Thursday mornings (9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.).
Amazon Wish List: Have a heart to serve but limited time? Check out this amazon wishlist for VBS supply needs!
Have questions? Ask us here or contact the church office at 813-253-5388.
A parent email will be sent the week before VBS to all parents of registered children with crew information. This email will also contain pick-up passes which must be shown to your child’s crew leader at dismissal/pick up each day.
Morning drop off: Campers should be seated in the Sanctuary with their crew by 9 a.m. for opening worship each day. Doors open at 8:50 a.m., please escort your child inside the Sanctuary to their crew’s pew and drop off to their crew leaders.
Afternoon pick up: Dismissal will start at 12:10 p.m. each day.* Children should be picked up from their crew pew in the Sanctuary.
*Note: rising 5th and 6th graders will have extended hours on Tuesday, with dismissal at 3 p.m. from the Magnolia building. Dismissal on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday will be from the Sanctuary balcony at 12:15 p.m.
All parents are invited to watch closing worship in the Harnish Center. (11 :35 a.m.- 12:10). If you need to get your children before dismissal, please come to campus before 11:40 a.m. and we will locate your child for you.
Each day your child should wear their VBS T-shirt. T-shirts can be picked up each Sunday in June in the Courtyard from 9 a.m. – noon. T-shirts can also be picked up in the church’s Ministry Office 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Shirts must be picked up by Sunday, June 26. If we have shirts left over, additional shirts can be purchased beginning Wednesday of VBS week (at the VBS info tent in the Sanctuary Courtyard. $5 each).
Please use a black Sharpie marker to write your child’s first name and crew number on the FRONT of the shirt. This will act as their nametag (Using a flat cardboard piece inside the shirt helps when you do this). We also suggest comfortable shorts and closed-toed shoes for their safety.
YES, BUT THEY WILL NEED TO HAVE A COMPLETED PICK-UP PASS FOR YOUR CHILD TO PRESENT TO YOUR CHILD’S CREW LEADER. We are accepting pictures of completed Pick-Up Passes on smart phones as well. If your child’s pick-up person does not have a pass, they will be asked to go to our info tent outside in the Courtyard. They will need to show their driver’s license and we will check registration forms to see who has been authorized to pick up your child. If you did not list them as an authorized person to pick up your child in your child’s registration, we will call you to confirm authorization.
Yes! Join us for worship Sunday, June 30.
A soil ceremony was held on Ash Wednesday at The Portico. The ceremony honors those lynched between 1892-1934 within the Tampa community. This was the second ceremony held at The Portico. This year the church honored Lewis Jackson. See the full story here.
Good day,
I wanted to reach out and thank all our community partners and ask you to please extend my gratitude to your staff and many, many volunteers. You opened your hearts and shelters to provide our most vulnerable population, a hot meal, and a warm place to sleep. This is such a gift, especially over the Christmas holidays. You took time away from your family and loved ones, to help those in need. It sure was cold!
I also want to extend my appreciation to our CWS spokesperson, Vicki Walker, from Hyde Park United Methodist Church, for talking with so many news outlets over the multi-day activation. Her team was also interviewed and even our newest partners joining last week, Church of God of Prophecy, did an amazing job on Bay News 9.
Every volunteer and guest I talked to was so kind and grateful to give, grateful to receive.
Together you provided 1,204 nights assistance to more than 300 individuals. With wind chill dipping in the 20’s and 30’s, that would have been detrimental sleeping outdoors or places unfit for human habitation.
I look forward to working with you and your organizations as needed throughout the winter. Also, wishing each of you and your friends and family, a happy and healthy new year.
Please feel free to provide feedback so, we can continue to support our community partners, and provide the best experience to those both providing and needing a warm place on a cold night.
Kind regards,
Julie Watkinson
Community Relations Coordinator
Department of Homeless and Community Services
Hyde Park United Methodist is part of a network of shelters that provide warm, secure space for those experiencing homelessness. The program is administered by Hillsborough County government, which monitors weather conditions and issues an alert when the weather forecast shows temperatures will drop below 40°F. Once that notice is issued, our team of volunteers mobilizes to setup and open the shelter.
Hyde Park United Methodist’s Cold Weather Shelter is located at its Hyde Park Campus, 500 W. Platt Street, Tampa, 33606.
Cold weather is expected this week
Potential Cold Weather Shelter Jan 13-14. Sign up here to serve.
Potential Cold Weather Shelter Jan 14-15. Sign up here to serve.
Potential Cold Weather Shelter Jan 15-16. Sign up here to serve.
Read the Cold Weather Shelter Guest Rules here.
Location of the Cold Weather Shelter: Hyde Park United Methodist, 500 W. Platt Street, Tampa 33606
Email Don Aiken, church liaison, for more information or to volunteer.
Shining the Light Ministries, our mission partner in Nicaragua, provides agriculture training and support to low income families in the area around Leon. Their focus is in three areas: Gardens, Poultry and Sewing.
Here is an excerpt from their latest newsletter:
THE LONG AWAITED VISIT
In the past 2 years our staff has experienced much of the same trials and sorrows from COVID as we have had here in the States. From the loss of our spiritual Leader in 2020 to almost losing Pastor Angel and most of the staff having COVID. I am very impressed by the perseverance and dedication from all at Asociación Brillando La LuzDe Cristo En Nicaragua. Everywhere I went where there were groups of people and almost everyone was wearing masks. We have been able to keep a supply of masks and sanitizer in the office.
Shining the Light Ministries, our mission partner in Nicaragua, provides agriculture training and support to low income families in the area around Leon. Their focus is in three areas: Gardens, Poultry and Sewing.
Here is an excerpt from their latest newsletter:
2021 4TH QUARTER REPORT
We want to thank God for allowing us to finish strong in 2021. We are grateful that He continues to give us the opportunity to serve our people through Shining the Light Ministries and Asociación Brillando La luz de Cristo en Nicaragua. Over the last 3 months we have been able to see God’s fingerprint on all the projects that have been going on here. Even though our country is still facing a very difficult time with Covid-19 and the election results, we continue to be able to work together alongside local churches, partner ministries, and our communities in and around León.