The Trumpet
Church Membership and Worship Attendance
A recent article caught my attention titled “Why Are 30% of Your ‘Active’ Church Members Absent on a Given Sunday?” For many years, I have wondered why so many of our church members miss worship each Sunday.
We submitted our Annual Statistics to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America a few weeks ago. At the end of 2024, our church had 181 communicant members and 34 non-communicant members for a total membership of 215. Our worship attendance for 2024 was 162. That means that 25% of our membership was absent from worship on any given Sunday. Or, to put it differently, one out of four members was absent from worship every Sunday.
That is a staggering number.
Remember that we have visitors who are not members every Sunday, so the number of absent members is higher. So, why are so many of our members absent from worship on any given Sunday?
Let me suggest several reasons for the 25% absence rate.
First, there are legitimate reasons for an absence from worship. People get sick. Elderly Christians especially struggle more with health and often deal with significant medical issues that prevent them from attending anything, let alone worship services. Sometimes, inclement weather prevents people from attending worship.
Second, there is the COVID factor. When COVID-19 hit five years ago (can you believe it has been five years already?), our church did not meet in person for ten Sundays. We installed a camera so that we could live-stream the worship service. I still hear (far too often) people say that they did not make it to the worship service in person but watched the service online. A live-stream worship service is an excellent help to shut-ins and sick people but is not intended as a substitute for in-person worship.
Third, there is the issue of priority. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average absentee rate for full-time employees is 0.8%—less than 1%! Employees show up to keep their jobs, improve their careers, or love what they do. Their attendance at work may be economically motivated, but it is a priority. Fewer than 1% of employees miss work, but 25% of our church members miss worship each Sunday.
My dear brothers and sisters, let me encourage you to worship each Sunday as a top priority. Do so not because we keep statistics on your attendance but because you love worshipping your Creator and Redeemer more than anything else on Lord’s Day.
- Freddy Fritz
Just Your Luck?
“Good luck!”
“You’re so lucky!”
“That’s just the luck of the draw.”
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, it might be a good time for us to reflect on some phrases in our vocabulary we should consider replacing. Sure, they may seem innocent, but as Christians, we don’t believe in luck! We believe in the supreme control of an all-knowing God. We believe he works in and through all things, so there is absolutely nothing left to chance. What could you say instead?
“God bless!” or “I’m praying for you!”
“What a blessing!” or “Such an answer to prayer!”
“I can’t wait to see what God is doing here!”
- Holly Mickler
TBPC’s 2025 Missions Conference
God’s Vision, Our Mission was the theme of this year’s mission conference. From Isaiah 2, the Reverend Mark Bates encouraged us to keep ever before us the vision of a world living in God’s presence. To accomplish that vision, we must embrace the mission God gave the Church to make disciples in every nation and people. It is this called and redeemed community that will dwell forever on the new heavens and earth enjoying the presence of God.
The conference was well attended. On Friday night, seventeen people associated with the Missions Committee met with our visiting missionaries and keynote speaker. Saturday morning the Elders, Deacons, and Missions Committee met with our missionaries and keynote speaker at the Happy Hangar Café to talk about our relationship. Nineteen were in attendance. For our All-Church-Dinner and Program on Saturday night, there were 115 in attendance. It was a wonderful evening filled with great music, special songs from the children and adult choirs, brief updates from the missionaries, and a message from Reverend Bates, who spoke on the topic, “What is the Mission of the Church?”
The conference concluded Sunday morning with worship. Our missionaries shared briefly during the service and Reverend Bates’ sermon was “God’s Vision for the World.” The Brunch Bunch joined with our missionaries, Missions Conference Team, and Missions Committee at the Asian Buffet following the service.
TBPC’s 2025 Missions Conference Team: Raymond and Luptia Arias, Brian and Alisa Carrier, Ed and Debbie Jordan, Bob and Nancy Morrison, Holly Huffer, Bert Barber, Jennifer Schumm, Lillian Ordahl, and Martine Extermann. Melissa Bayley was also of great help to the team. We are grateful for their hard work and labor of love for the Lord.
- Submitted by Scott A. Simmons, Missions Conference Team Chairman
Men's Ministry Bowls
The Men's Ministry held its fifth Bowling Night on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Main Event in Wesley Chapel. There were nine bowlers, three each on three teams, with two games played. The event was a good time for the men in a great battle for tenpin supremacy. Adding to the fun, we had pizza and drinks, which were provided for all to enjoy.
Team One, consisting of Waldo and Christiaan Kemp and Kris Grey, won both games with a total score of 572. Second place, with a score of 529, went to Team Three manned by Billiston Clarke, David Lehman, and Memphis Carrier. Daniel Kemp, Bob Morrison, and I made up Team Two and scored 482.
The Men’s Ministry continues to sponsor several events throughout the year to encourage recreational fellowship. Our focus on the study of God’s word occurs on Saturdays at 8 a.m. in the Youth Room at church. Please feel free to contact me with your questions for further details. Thank you all for your continued support and participation.
- Submitted by Brian Carrier
NTCA
Dear TBPC Family,
There is so much going on at NTCA! First, we had a visit from a local dentist, which was fun and informative. Then we celebrated our 100th day of school, so we are 100 days smarter at NTCA! The children had a blast creating and participating in the many crafts and activities in honor of our 100th day.
We are excited for the rest of the school year and all that is planned for the children and their families. We are especially excited for our Family Fun Night on March 7. This will be a great time of fellowship with our TBPC and NTCA families and of course, tons of FUN! See the flyer below.
The 2025-26 school year registration is currently open and will be closing on February 28, so please make sure to contact the NTCA Office if you are interested in enrolling your child. Open enrollment for the community will start at 6 a.m. on March 3 via our website.
These are exciting times at NTCA, and we praise God for all that he is doing and all that he has done!
- Susanne Gonzalez, NTCA Director
Children
Each of the Global Kidz who attended Children’s Church on February 16 went home with a baggie filled with a picture passport, a blow-up globe, and a Valentine’s card with a wrapped chocolate! Our prayer and purpose is that our Global Kidz might never remember a time where they didn’t know that Jesus loved all the children of the world!
- Eileen Fritz
Let's Get to Know...
Marita Edler
Marita moved to Wesley Chapel in 2020 and started attending TBPC about a year ago in the spring of 2024.
Here are a few more things you can learn about Marita: Bob (my husband) and I moved to Wesley Chapel, FL in 2020 from Carmel, IN where we lived for over 20 years. It was God's grace and the prompting of the Holy Spirit that brought me to TBPC. I moved away from my PCA church family in Carmel to come to Wesley Chapel, and I missed them so much! But God had other plans for me! After the move, I was listening to sermons online (from Indiana and here) and looking for a PCA church in the area. One Sunday, Pastor Freddy was talking about laziness, and convicted by the Holy Spirit, I knew I had to go. From the moment I walked in, I knew God had planted me here, greeted by the warm welcome of Jennifer Schumm, Clydia Craig, and Eileen Fritz, who connected me to WBS Zoom. I'm excited to see how God will use me as a part of the community of TBPC.
What would you like us to know about you? I was born in Bamberg, Germany and came to the US when I was three. Being a military kid, our family moved often, and I'm grateful for the experience God has given me to adapt quickly to wherever I was planted. I'm especially grateful to be planted here at TBPC and love getting to know new people each week!
How do you like to have fun? We love spending time with family and friends! I enjoy sewing, fabric box making and bookbinding (Cartonnage), walks, reading, and trying to grow orchids.
How is God working in your life, or what is a lesson he has taught you recently?
No matter how many times I read Scripture there is always something new to discover, something God shows me to thank him for and praise him for, even when it's a hard lesson to learn.
What is your favorite verse from Scripture? "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) and "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
Tampa Magazine's Top Doctors of 2024
Each year Tampa Magazine asks 12,000 Bay Area doctors to nominate peers they believe show excellence in medicine, those who stand out above others. For 2024, TBPC's own Martine Extermann was recognized with this top honor in the category of Geriatrics!
Obviously highly esteemed by her peers (and patients), Dr. Martine Extermann's roles include Program Leader in the Senior Adult Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, as well Professor of Oncology and Medicine at the University of South Florida.
Please join us in celebrating and thanking God for the gifts he has given Martine which allow her to serve not only the Tampa Bay Area but also patients and doctors around the world.
- Tom Moore & Holly Mickler
(Photo/Moffitt Cancer Center)
Birthdays
- Cindy Burns - March 1
- Marlene Krueger - March 3
- Joshua Kakarla - March 5
- Joel Kakarla - March 5
- Richard Smoot - March 6
- Sia Kagalkar - March 7
- Ken Pothoven - March 8
- Criag Tyler - March 8
- David Cross - March 9
- Ezra Schultz - March 11
- Ashleigh Kemp - March 12
- Samuel Dishman - March 14
- Pharell Karibi-Whyte - March 14
- Valerie Simmons - March 14
- Marissa Skipper - March 14
- Joe Kirkpatrick - March 17
- James Barber - March 20
- Kiliaen Sauls - March 21
- Rebekah Cholak - March 23
- Nancy Kirkpatrick - March 23
- Theresa McCoy - March 25
- Gary Smith - March 25
- Stephanie Smoot - March 25
- Esaie Etienne - March 26
- Karen Stodghill - March 29
- Coleen Knecht - March 30
- David Mickler - March 30
- David Cunningham - March 31
I often see people on Ash Wednesday with ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. What does this mean? Why don't we recognize this practice at our church?
According to one current Roman Catholic source, Ash Wednesday was instituted sometime in the late 6th or early 7th century. The ashes are used as a symbol of the need to repent. Cited are references from the Old Testament related to repentance and the donning of “sackcloth and ashes” as the reason for adopting the Ash Wednesday tradition.
Interestingly, Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation in Roman Catholicism, yet it is a day of abstinence. This requires the cessation of eating meat and some degree of fasting that day and throughout the Lenten season. Some Protestant denominations (Lutherans, Anglicans, and others) recognize and offer a liturgical service on Ash Wednesday.
Our session recognizes the “Regulative Principle of Worship,” meaning that worship must be regulated or warranted by Scripture. In essence, that principle excludes practices such as Ash Wednesday.
In summary, each one of us must decide whether our worship of God is in line with his commands as outlined in Scripture. For an expansion on that thought see the document below. Press the blue button below for even more information on the proper worship of God.
- Submitted by the Editors
Making a Joyful Noise to the Lord
Music is a powerful tool that expresses thoughts, emotions, and connects us with others. It is a fundamental aspect of Christianity, used for celebrations, praising God, lamentation, encouragement, and teaching. God himself sings of his love for us (Zephaniah 3:17).
Christians have a rich history of music that is biblically sound and glorifying to God. Today, musicians and songwriters continue to guide us in worshiping our Savior. Finding modern-day music that is high quality, biblically sound, and God-honoring can be challenging.
I believe Christian music should be excellent because it is made for an excellent God. Over the years, I have sought out the best Christian music for worship and enjoyment. Here are some of the best Christian musicians I’ve found:
- Psallos: Sings entire books of the Bible in creative ways.
- Poor Bishop Hooper: Sets each chapter of Psalms to modern music.
- Slugs and Bugs: Creates family and children’s music based on Scripture.
- Seeds Kids Worship: Produces songs for over 100 passages with hand-motion videos.
- Submitted by Mike Cacioppo
Updates from the Diaconate
The Diaconate would like to express their gratitude to so many people that give their time and talents to TBPC. Whether it is changing sensors for the lights, installing new toilets, helping tear-down/set-up the sanctuary, organizing the storage room, changing all the air filters in the church, vacuuming the sanctuary, or the multitude of other things - the Diaconate is extremely appreciative of each and every person!
This month the Diaconate has been busy. Five new toilets were installed, three in the Women’s Restroom and two in the Men’s Restroom. All 36 of the air filters in the building have been replaced. We have also been working on fixing all of the signs in the parking lot, including the handicapped signs.
There is still one thing that is “a work in progress." We have been having difficulties with the phone line, the Wi-Fi, and the alarm, but we are diligently working with Frontier and ADT to get this resolved.
- Submitted by Mike Rush
As the deacons continue to serve in the areas of benevolence, mercy, and the upkeep of the church’s facilities, we always welcome any assistance. If you have an area of expertise and are willing to offer your services (plumbing, electrical, landscape, etc.), we would appreciate any and all help. You can contact either of the Deacons (David Cross or Michael Rush) or any of the Deacon Assistants (David Lehmann, Jason Rucker, Derk Shultz, and Ken Smoot) or email us by using the button below.
Church Retreat
