Holy Week Updates from around the Presbytery of Tampa Bay

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Our Mission:

To identify and strengthen leaders

so that every congregation

makes new and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.

Holy Week looks different this year . . .

. . . but it's still Palm/Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Day are still coming!

As Holy Week approaches under a new statewide "Safer at Home" order, the Coordinating Team of the Presbytery voted unanimously this week to affirm and reaffirm Presbytery Coach and Coordinator Patrice Hatley’s words to ministers and clerks of session when she wrote on March 14 urging them to suspend all in-person worship and other activities regardless of how many people would be gathering. You can read the Coordinating Team's letter sent yesterday to all minister members and clerks of session of the Presbytery by clicking here .

Today, we're sending a letter from Patrice to all of you who are members or participants in the congregations and ministries of the Presbytery . Starting with "Dear Church," she's not writing to the ministers and clerks this time but, as a Ruling Elder who coaches and cares for all the ministers who serve in our congregations and ministries, Patrice has a word for you about your pastors, chaplains, and other ministers. She writes: "Holy Week approaches in circumstances we could not have imagined only a month ago. From one day to the next the rules keep changing. What we went to bed planning for the next day, changes when we wake up, and all day long. And yet our solid foundation, Jesus Christ, does not change."

Please click here or on the image to open and read a copy of "Dear Church."

Although Holy Week and Easter will certainly look different this year, they are still happening! The list below of online worship and devotional services has grown, and I've added a few Holy Week notes from churches that sent info to me.

If your church IS offering online or other kinds of Holy Week opportunities for worship or devotional reflection, please take part -- and send in your offering, too! 😉

And, if your church isn't offering an online service and you'd like to participate in one, see below for opportunities --- many of which are recorded for later viewing for your convenience so you can participate in your church's service AND see someone else's, too, if you'd like!

Be sure, too, to see the note below about a special presbytery-wide live-streamed worship service at 7:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday for those who are not offering an online service that night. Of course, you can also view a recording of it after your service is over on Maundy Thursday or anytime between then and and Easter Day as part of personal Good Friday or Holy Saturday devotions.

And, look for info below on a special Easter service recorded last week featuring the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, with remote appearances by the Rev. Cindy Kohlmann and Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly. It will be available for viewing starting on Good Friday.

Finally, at the end of this email, I've again include the link to the PC(USA)'s COVID-19 web page with resources for congregations and members, and some updated info on the CARES Act and churches.

Blessings,

Bill

Rev. William A. Wildhack III

Stated Clerk and Manager of Communications

(813) 868-4800, opt. 2

statedclerk@pbty.com

P.S. Each time I've written recently, recommendations and guidance from the CDC and political leaders has changed within a few days -- if not hours -- of hitting "send" on an eNews. As always in these days of evolving medical and political guidance, this email reflects the information as I understand it and available to me at the time of writing -- but be sure to click through links to original sources and updated info, and please do not rely on the Presbytery of Tampa Bay eNews for medical or legal advice.

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My work---and this newsletter---is supported by per capita funds from congregations in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, which also help unite all Presbyterians in sharing God’s love through mission and ministry. Thank you!

Presbytery of Tampa Bay Live-Stream Maundy Thursday Worship

The Presbytery of Tampa Bay invites you to join us in a communal Passion service on Maundy Thursday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. (or view a recording of it later)

Our worship will include voices from across the presbytery, opportunities for contemplation and prayer, as well as a ritual washing and the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

If your church DOES NOT offer online worship on Maundy Thursday, we extend the invitation to you to join us on Facebook or YouTube.
If your church DOES offer online worship on Maundy Thursday, we invite you to view the service anytime after your service through Easter Day.

While all you need to participate in this virtual service is a faithful spirit , participants are invited to prepare their spaces as well as their hearts for worship.

Before the service you're invited to light a candle if you choose; to set out your elements for communion if you choose to participate; to have your Bible available if you like to read along.

For the Lord’s Supper, you need only use what is already in your home ; there is no need to leave your home for specific elements. This meal is sacred because it unites us across time and space, not because of anything inherent in the elements themselves. Our tradition reminds us that the elements we use for communion are to be common and easily accessible to the community; in this challenging season, the words in the Directory for Worship that “the bread and cup are shared in the manner most appropriate to the occasion” take on new layers of meaning, and we recognize that being able to share common elements in this particular time is both a memory and a hope, even if not a present reality. But, we can still share this meal.

We look forward to gathering with you at this most holy time.

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Look for the Facebook event soon on our page at https://www.facebook.com/PresbyteryOfTampaBay/ .

The service will also be live-streamed on the Presbytery's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_kBW67yziu45eNLQdOjY8w/featured

Please direct questions to Libby Shannon, Assoc. Presbyter for Emerging Ministries, at libby@pbty.com .

Online Worship Opportunities around the Presbytery of Tampa Bay

Many churches in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay are offering worship experiences — in a variety of formats — online both on Sunday and on other days of the week

This issue includes info on special Holy Week services we know of, but please visit the links or contact churches directly for more information since their websites or Facebook pages have more -- and may have more current -- information than what we know about!

If you’re at one of the churches in this Presbytery offering an online worship and don’t see your service listed below — or see an error — please send an email to info@pbty.com for adding to later updates.

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Church on the Bayou, Tarpon Springs

"Join us each Sunday at 10:30 am for live virtual service on Facebook"

https://www.churchonthebayou.org/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Church-on-the-Bayou-Presbyterian-Church-USA-386895604657441/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Qm6jhw20SyehBv-uB7Qxw

Christ Presbyterian Church, Largo

Virtual Sunday Worship 10 AM EDT

--> https://www.largocpc.org and Facebook Live @christpc

Virtual Bible Study Wednesday 4 PM EDT

--> Facebook Live @christpc

First Presbyterian Church, Auburndale

Weekly recorded sermons and midweek messages

https://www.firstpresaub.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8_D66U1Uo5bulYadrYKrUQ

First Presbyterian Church of Brandon

https://fpcbrandon.org/

--> Daily devotion listed under Media: Daily Devotion

Find them on Facebook @fpcbrandon or https://www.facebook.com/fpcbrandon/

Facebook live:

--> Daily reflection at 11AM Monday -- Thursday

--> Children's message -- on occasion

--> Sunday Service -- 9:30 AM

First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, 10:30 a.m.

https://www.fpcdunedin.org/

First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 10:30 a.m.

https://fpclakeland.org

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmUVW6hCkmBENsOwEsrJN3Q?reload=9

First Presbyterian Church, Safety Harbor

Find them on Facebook @FPCSafetyHarbor or https://www.facebook.com/FPCSafetyHarbor/

First Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg, 11:00 a.m.

https://www.fpcstpete.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYcYHUzgbUrt_w04s4Vb5_g

First Presbyterian Church, Tampa, 10:00 a.m.

https://firstprestampa.org/

https://www.facebook.com/firstprestampa/

Recordings available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHvvmueEkxUIaTl11BMKLDw

First Presbyterian Chuch of Winter Haven

--> Heart of Worship service at 9:15 a.m.

--> Traditional Service at 11:00 a.m.

http://www.firstprewh.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FPCWinterHaven/

https://www.youtube.com/cha…/UC3MV5kN2y2eWBUEZbeBcyrA/videos

First Presbyterian Church, Zephyrhills, 10:00 a.m.

http://firstpcz.org/

https://www.facebook.com/1st-Presbyterian-Church-of-Zephyrhills-FL-462730180354/

Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, Tampa, 10:30 a.m.

https://www.foresthillstampa.church/

https://www.facebook.com/ForestHillsPresbyterianChurchTampa/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyow2C8gWcpId8H8PCe1Ug

Gulfport Presbyterian Church

http://gpchfl.com/

--> Facebook Live worship Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

https://www.facebook.com/Gulfport-Presbyterian-Church-129924033702443/

Recording on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKDnc8O6FKGhyPgY9j4b6xA

--> "During Holy Week a short meditation will be posted each day on each of these platforms."

Hope Community Church, North Lakeland, 10:00 a.m.

http://www.hopelakeland.org/

https://www.facebook.com/Hope-Community-Church-of-North-Lakeland-109283762445024/

Hope Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven, 9:30 a.m.

https://www.facebook.com/Hope-Presbyterian-Church-171730186214905/

Hyde Park Presbyterian Church

https://hydeparkpres.com/

https://youtu.be/v-FHmdUcCmk

Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church, 10:00 a.m.

https://www.lakeseminolepc.org/

https://www.facebook.com/Lake-Seminole-Presbyterian-Church-153974773682/

Lutz Community Church, 10:30 a.m.

https://www.facebook.com/lutzcc/

Maximo Presbyterian Church, 9:00 a.m.

https://www.facebook.com/MaximoPresbyterian/

McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church, Bartow

Recorded sermons posted weekly

http://bartowmmpc.com/sermons/

Northwood Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, 9:30 and 11am

http://northwoodpc.org/

https://www.facebook.com/npc.clearwater/

Nuevo Camino Worshipping Community at Beth-El

https://beth-el.org/

Find them on Facebook @befarmworker or https://www.facebook.com/befarmworker/

Pastor Tamara Leonard-Lara uploads recorded meditations to her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tamara.l.lara

Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 8:30, 9, 11, and 6pm

https://www.palmaceia.org

https://www.facebook.com/PalmaCeiaPresbyterianChurch/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHsDJBBpH96MQ_sqPJJ2ng

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Sun City Center

Live-streaming every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

--> Maundy Thursday Service at 7 PM

--> Good Friday Service at 7 PM

http://andy.church/ or http://standrewpresbyterianscc.org/

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

https://sapcd.org/

Livestreaming on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/St-Andrews-Presbyterian-Church-185581080715/

Temple Terrace Presbyterian Church

"We create a video for upload to YouTube and link to it from our website, with a new page for each worship service. We announce all services on Facebook and post a reminder ~8 AM Sunday morning."

https://www.ttpresbyterian.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ttpresbyterian/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS2I3r_P3YmAiKhXDpJjgEg

Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clearwater

Facebook Live each Sunday at 10:30. (The service remains on Facebook for viewing at other times.)

https://www.facebook.com/trinitypresbyterianclearwater/

Village Presbyterian Church, Tampa

"Village Church is providing online worship at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday on Facebook, our webpage, and via email."

http://vp.church/

https://www.facebook.com/villageprestampa/

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See you online!

PC(USA) leadership shares a special Easter worship video filmed at the Presbyterian Center

From the link:

“You are welcome to use the video however you like,” the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett say in a letter to Presbyterians. “We hope it is helpful for congregations that are unable to hold their own virtual worship. Even congregations that are already streaming worship may wish to watch. You may choose to create a sense of community by asking your congregation to watch the video at an appointed time.”

The worship video will be available in English, Spanish and Korean. PC(USA) congregations are invited to share their own joyous expressions of Easter on the Church’s Facebook page.

Online Easter celebration to be released April 9

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - Dressed in the white robes of Easter, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett - together with remote appearances by the Rev.

Read more
www.presbyterianmission.org

In other news around our region

On Friday, April 3, the Tampa Bay Times published a story on how Christians around Tampa Bay are celebrating Easter differently this year. As we put this eNews together, the photograph with the story is of PC(USA) Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson being filmed for the online Easter service mentioned above. Be sure to click through not only to see how our siblings in Christ are celebrating this Holy Week, but also comments by Patrice Hatley and a mention of Lake Alfred Presbyterian Church, too!

Amid coronavirus constraints, Tampa Bay Christians will...

Christianity's holiest week traditionally begins with a joyful waving of palm fronds, continues with solemnity and culminates in triumph at Easter. But from cathedrals to chapels, this week will be different this year, as the world copes with the ...

Read more
www.tampabay.com

CARES Act and Churches

For church leaders: here's what you need to know today about the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):

It offers loans to help with payroll and compensation costs, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and debt service payments, with no payments due before 2021.
It provides for a large portion of the loans to be forgiven, including money spent for those specific items in the first eight weeks after receiving the loan.
It is administered by local banks. Contact the bank where your church or ministry keeps its business bank accounts for information on how to apply.

Polity note from PTB Stated Clerk Bill Wildhack: From recent emails among other stated clerks and the PC(USA)'s Associate Director for Constitutional Interpretation, it's become clear that unsecured loans (such as CARES Act Payroll Protection Loans) that do not require collateral do not require presbytery approval. In other words (as one summed it up), "if the loan does not require security which includes real property, the Book of Order is silent; since the Session approves budget, the Session could choose to enter into the loan."

ICYMI: The PC(USA) has a LOT of helpful resources for congregations and members!

Check at the top of the web page to see when it was last updated.

Just before sending this eNews, it said "Updated April 3, 2020 4:16 p.m. ET"

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members

Along with our brothers and sisters all around the world, we’re now coming to terms with the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. It is our hope and goal to equip churches and worshipers with useful information and resources . . .

Read more
www.pcusa.org

This site is expanding and being updated frequently, so check back from time to see what's new! Here are the headings of the sections you'll find on the page to give you an idea of what you'll find:

Livestreaming and Online Worship Resources for Congregations
Digital Worship Services for Members — Listings and Resources
Worship and Sacramental Celebrations
Resources for Mid Councils
Stewardship Resources
Documents and Helpful Information from the PC(USA) and the U.S. Government
Responding to Community Needs
Pastoral Opportunities to Stay Connected With Members and Colleagues
Connect with God, Nature, Each Other and the Blessings that Sustain

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Thanks for reading all the way to the end! -- Bill