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For the month of August, we are excited to begin a 5-week sermon series titled Words Matter. Throughout this series, we will dive into the New Testament Book of James. This small book, reflecting wisdom from Proverbs and Jesus' teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, repeatedly addresses how we as believers communicate with God, with one another, and with the world around us. Together, we’ll examine common communication hurdles and discover practical, Christ-centered wisdom for our everyday speech. Along the way, we’ll also integrate helpful communication tools inspired by Jefferson Fisher’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. We concluded Week 5 of our series, Words Matter on August 30. Our spiritual homework was to go deeper into James 5, reading the passage using the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina (click button below for guide). So, how did you do with reading James 5? In what ways did the Holy Spirit speak to you through the text? The last sermon, Speaking Words That Heal, asked us to lean into our Conversation Challenge which was: Actio (Live It Out). Put what you have received into practice by living out God's message in your daily life. No long post will be written here! Simply, use this space to reflect upon the last several weeks. With each message and scripture reading, God invited us to look at the areas of our lives where our words needed to matter more. What is the message that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you live out? How will you carry that message into the world? Prayer: God, thank You for meeting us through these weeks of reflection, Scripture, and conversation. You have reminded us that our words carry weight—they can heal, encourage, restore, or wound. Holy Spirit, help us live out what You have spoken to us. Give us wisdom to know what to say, courage to say what is right, and grace to let our lives speak when words are not needed. May what we have received not remain in this space, but go with us into our homes, our workplaces, our relationships, and our community. Let our words and our lives reflect Your love. In Jesus’s name, Amen. Let us go in peace and be doers of the word! Words Matter Lectio Divina Bible Study & Practice: Click HERE to download our Words Matter sermon series Lectio Divina weekly bible study and practice. Words Matter Sermon Series Replays: Words matter. Catch the series on YouTube and discover the power of what you say. Grace and Peace, Rev. Charisse Jones Director, Office of Communications St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #sermonseries #wordsmatter #communication #bookofjames #biblestudy

For the month of August, we are excited to begin a 5-week sermon series titled Words Matter. Throughout this series, we will dive into the New Testament Book of James. This small book, reflecting wisdom from Proverbs and Jesus' teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, repeatedly addresses how we as believers communicate with God, with one another, and with the world around us. Together, we’ll examine common communication hurdles and discover practical, Christ-centered wisdom for our everyday speech. Along the way, we’ll also integrate helpful communication tools inspired by Jefferson Fisher’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. For Week 4 of our series, Words Matter, our spiritual homework was to go deeper into James 4, reading the passage using the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina (click button below for guide). So, how did you do with reading James 4? In what ways did the Holy Spirit speak to you through the text? This past week's sermon, Conflict Beneath the Surface, asked us to lean into, our Conversation Challenge which was: Get curious instead of defensive. Ask, "Help me understand what brought you to that conclusion." Replacing assumptions with curiosity, which uncovers what's really driving disagreement. James 4 is basically a heart check. Not the kind of heart check received during an annual physical with a primary physician. This is a spiritual checkup in which God invites us to look beneath the surface of our conflicts and examine what is happening within us. I was thinking about reality tv. If you have ever watched a reality tv show, then you know that those shows are riddled with conflict, tension, outbursts, and hurt feelings among the group of people whose lives the cameras are following. There may be some good glimmers or funny moments at times, but for the most part, the relationships can be quite messy. Watching those shows, it’s easy to point out what someone did doing wrong or the rude manner in which words are spoken. Better yet, as a viewer, we may know something that happened behind the seasons that a person on the show may not be aware of before a conflict arises. In contrast, for the majority of people, our lives are not televised. There are no sets, cameras, and directors cutting the scenes. We are living the daily realities of life in our homes, our neighborhoods, workplaces, at the grocery store, in traffic, and online. Caring for loved ones, working two to three jobs to make ends meet, dealing with family estrangement or no contact, or addressing our own personal mental and physical health concerns. We will not be 100% privy to the lives of others, and what we think we know about people who are familiar to us, may not be (and probably is not) the full story. People put on “happy faces” all the time but are dealing with serious stuff. Which is why before we assume someone’s intentions, become defensive, or project our hurt or inner conflict onto another person, we have to be willing to ask: What is really going on in my heart? At times, our strongest reactions are connected to wounds in us that existed long before the conversation or interaction with another person began. Inner conflict can shape how we hear words, interpret actions, and respond to people. I like to call it a “filter” or lens by which our own experiences shape how we perceive and interpret the words and actions of others. When we do the inner work of healing with God (and when needed, in tandem with a good counselor or therapist), our heart lenses or filters become clearer, we can get unclogged from all of the gunk and yucky stuff. The seeds of the fruit of the Spirit can grow in good soil, fertile ground. We are then able to see people the way God sees them. The invitation is not to ignore what others have said or done. We are each responsible and accountable for our actions. This is simply to examine ourselves before we make someone else responsible for what we are carrying. What hurt am I bringing into this conversation? What am I assuming? What am I afraid of? What do I need to surrender to God? Those are the things we need to lay at the feet of Jesus and invite the Holy Spirit to work in us. James reminds us that humility changes the way we approach conflict. When we pause long enough to let God search our hearts, we create room for grace, wisdom, and truth…on both sides. Was there a situation that came up for you this week in which you made the effort to not be on the defense and instead of making assumptions, choose curiosity? Verbally and/or in written word? How did you feel? Is there anything that you would have said or done differently? Prayer: Gracious God, help us to pause before we react, listen before we assume, and choose curiosity over defensiveness. Give us the humility to ask, “Help me understand,” and the patience to truly hear the answer. When disagreements arise, remind us that there is often more beneath the surface than we can see. Help our words create space for understanding, compassion, and connection. And when we fall short, give us the grace to reflect, learn, seek repair, seek forgiveness, and choose a better response next time. Amen. Join us in practicing to be doers of the word! Words Matter Lectio Divina Bible Study & Practice: Click HERE to download our Words Matter sermon series Lectio Divina weekly bible study and practice. Words Matter Sermon Series Replays: Words matter. Catch the series on YouTube and discover the power of what you say. Grace and Peace, Rev. Charisse Jones Director, Office of Communications St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #sermonseries #wordsmatter #communication #bookofjames #biblestudy

For the month of August, we are excited to begin a 5-week sermon series titled Words Matter. Throughout this series, we will dive into the New Testament Book of James. This small book, reflecting wisdom from Proverbs and Jesus' teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, repeatedly addresses how we as believers communicate with God, with one another, and with the world around us. Together, we’ll examine common communication hurdles and discover practical, Christ-centered wisdom for our everyday speech. Along the way, we’ll also integrate helpful communication tools inspired by Jefferson Fisher’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. For Week 3 of our series, Words Matter, our spiritual homework was to go deeper into James 3, reading the passage using the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina (click button below for guide). So, how did you do with reading James 3? In what ways did the Holy Spirit speak to you through the text? This week, our Conversation Challenge was this: Always respond, never react. Your tone communicates as much as your vocabulary. A calm tone reflects wisdom rather than impulse. When emotions are heightened, our nervous system responds in-kind; blood pressure rises, the heart begins to beat more rapidly, we may feel a pit in our stomach, our breathing can become shallow, we may feel a lump in our throat, and our thoughts can begin to move really fast. That’s a whole lot going on with our bodies! And before you know it, hurtful words spill out that we wish could take back. This is why pausing is important. That old “take a deep breath and count to ten” is a step to help keep our hearts and mouths in check. Taking it further, deep, intentional breathing settles the nervous system which in turn helps to relax the body, mind, and spirit. With God’s breath, humans became an animated physical being with a spiritual nature (Genesis 2:7). Our breath not only sustains us in this physical body but is also miraculous. You don’t have to wait until tempers erupt to practice intentional breathing. Try it when you awake in the morning, during your prayer time, when walking, reading your Bible, before you send that email or text, make that call, whenever…and notice how your body and spirit respond. Jesus modeled intentionality for us; with His words, His tone, and with His presence. He didn’t allow confrontation, confusion, or conflict to determine His response. He was firm, truthful, and compassionate without beating anyone down with His words or tone. Even in His pause, Jesus’s presence was felt. His authority was calm in the boat with the disciples during the storm (Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25). Jesus led with love. He became God’s love for us. He is love. A calm tone is a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEB Was there a situation that came up for you this week in which you made the effort to pause and be mindful of your tone before responding? Verbally and in written word? How did you feel? Is there anything that you would have said or done differently? Prayer: Gracious God, thank you that we made it through another week. As we reflect on James 3, we are reminded that our words carry power and so does the way we deliver them. Thank You for those times when Your Spirit invited us to pause before speaking, to listen before responding, and to choose wisdom over impulse. Forgive us for the times our reactions were quicker than our discernment, and our tone said more than our words intended. Holy Spirit, lead us in reaching out to repair relationships where we have caused harm. Give us the wisdom to know when to speak, the humility to listen, and the self-control to remain calm when emotions rise. Holy Spirit, keep working on our hearts before You work through our mouths. Let us surrender to self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. Let our conversations bring healing rather than harm, understanding rather than division, and grace rather than judgment. May our words and the way we speak them reflect who we are becoming in You. In Jesus’s name, Amen. Join us in practicing to be doers of the word! Words Matter Lectio Divina Bible Study & Practice: Click HERE to download our Words Matter sermon series Lectio Divina weekly bible study and practice. Words Matter Sermon Series Replays: Words matter. Catch the series on YouTube and discover the power of what you say. Grace and Peace, Rev. Charisse Jones Director, Office of Communications St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #sermonseries #wordsmatter #communication #bookofjames #biblestudy

For the month of August, we are excited to begin a 5-week sermon series titled Words Matter. Throughout this series, we will dive into the New Testament Book of James. This small book, reflecting wisdom from Proverbs and Jesus' teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, repeatedly addresses how we as believers communicate with God, with one another, and with the world around us. Together, we’ll examine common communication hurdles and discover practical, Christ-centered wisdom for our everyday speech. Along the way, we’ll also integrate helpful communication tools inspired by Jefferson Fisher’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. For Week 2 of our series, Words Matter, our spiritual homework was to go deeper into James 2, reading the passage using the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina (click button below for guide). Reading scripture Lectio Divina style is both a prayerful and meditative spiritual practice to help us hear God's voice, deepen our relationship with Him, and live out His Word. The Week 2 sermon, The Tongue that Shapes Lives, gave us some food for reflection. So, how did you do with reading James 2? In what ways did the Holy Spirit speak to you through the text? This week, our Conversation Challenge was this: Don't match another person's emotional intensity. Always pause before you respond. A brief pause keeps words from becoming destructive. From the workplace, social media, to family and friendships, self-regulating can be challenging in situations when emotions are running high, but it is the most helpful thing we can do during interpersonal communications; both in-person and online. Was there a situation that came up for you this week in which you made the effort to pause before responding? To first listen and understand the other person’s point of view? How did you feel? Is there anything that you would have said or done differently? Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for reminding us that our words have the power to build up or tear down. When emotions run high, teach us to pause before we respond. Fill our hearts with Your peace so that our words reflect kindness, wisdom, and the love of Christ. May our conversations bring healing, encouragement, and hope, and may our lives be a living expression of our faith. In Jesus' name, Amen. Join us in practicing to be doers of the word! Words Matter Lectio Divina Bible Study & Practice: Click HERE to download our Words Matter sermon series Lectio Divina weekly bible study and practice. Words Matter Sermon Series Replays: Words matter. Catch the series on YouTube and discover the power of what you say. Grace and Peace, Rev. Charisse Jones Director, Office of Communications St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #sermonseries #wordsmatter #communication #bookofjames #biblestudy

For the month of August, we are excited to begin a 5-week sermon series titled Words Matter. Throughout this series, we will dive into the New Testament Book of James. This small book, reflecting wisdom from Proverbs and Jesus' teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, repeatedly addresses how we as believers communicate with God, with one another, and with the world around us. Together, we’ll examine common communication hurdles and discover practical, Christ-centered wisdom for our everyday speech. Along the way, we’ll also integrate helpful communication tools inspired by Jefferson Fisher’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. In Week 1 of our series, Words Matter, our spiritual homework was to dive deeper into James 1, reading the passage using Lectio Divina, an ancient Christian practice of prayerfully reading Scripture to listen for God's voice, deepen your relationship with Him, and live out His Word. We learned the five traditional steps of Lectio Divina to help us navigate our reading: Lectio (Read). Read a short passage of Scripture slowly and attentively, noticing any word or phrase that stands out. Meditatio (Reflect). Reflect on the passage and consider what God may be saying to you through it. Oratio (Pray). Respond to God in prayer, sharing your thoughts, feelings, gratitude, or requests. Contemplatio (Contemplate). Rest quietly in God's presence, allowing His word to sink deeply into your heart. Actio (Live It Out). Put what you have received into practice by living out God's message in your daily life. Reading through the James 1, Lectio Divina style, what was your experience? In what ways did the Holy Spirit speak to you through the text? From our reading, we were also given a Conversation Challenge to guide us in our interactions: The goal is to never win an argument. Instead, seek to understand before trying to be understood. Ask more questions than you make statements. Ask one more question before giving an opinion. Was there a situation that came up for you in which you made the effort to first listen and understand? Or a conversation that was brought back to your remembrance that you felt led to revisit? How did that feel? Is there anything that you would have said or done differently? Prayer: God, thank You for reminding us that our words matter. As we end this first week, help us slow down, listen with open hearts, and seek to understand others as we desire also to be understood. Give us the humility to ask more questions, the wisdom to pause before speaking, and the grace to choose words that bring life instead of harm. May our conversations reflect Your love, our listening reflect Your compassion, and our words build bridges, offer hope, and point others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Join us in practicing to be doers of the word! Words Matter Lectio Divina Bible Study & Practice: Click HERE to download our Words Matter sermon series Lectio Divina weekly bible study and practice. Words Matter Sermon Series Replays: Words matter. Catch the series on YouTube and discover the power of what you say. Grace and Peace, Rev. Charisse Jones Director, Office of Communications St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #sermonseries #wordsmatter #communication #bookofjames #biblestudy

St. Andrew’s Family and Friends, as we enter the 2026 hurricane season, June 1 through November 30, we want to provide you with tools and information to help you stay safe and prepared. Whether you’ve weathered many storms, or this is your first season in Tampa, now is the time to make a plan, prepare your storm kit, and review emergency resources. Below, you’ll find important instructions and resources to help you prepare: How We’ll Communicate While your source for information on local weather and evacuation orders will be Hillsborough County and the State of Florida, we will keep you informed as best we can via email and text (if you are opted-in) about specific church community issues. Review and confirm your contact information is current in Church Center and Instant Church Directory Online now so we can reach you quickly in the event of an emergency. We will also provide updates via our social media channels. Be sure to follow us Facebook and Instagram. Florida Resident Preparedness Checklist We encourage everyone to build a hurricane supply kit and have at least 7 days of essential supplies on hand for each person (and pet) in your home. For a complete disaster supply checklist, visit and download the Florida Emergency Management Disaster Supply Checklist, Build a Kit: Stock up on essentials like food, water, medications and supplies in case of prolonged outages or road closures. Here’s how to build a kit to help you prepare. Stay Connected with Local Alerts Download utility apps to receive real-time utility updates. We will provide you with information on power restoration if we lose power, water or internet at the church campus. Spectrum Outage Hillsborough County Emergency Management TECO Outage Map Evacuation Zones & Planning Follow local officials closely for guidance. If your zone is ordered to evacuate, you should leave to ensure your safety. You can check your evacuation zone and find shelter locations at your local emergency management website: Evacuation Zone. Special Needs & Medical Devices If you or someone in your household relies on medical equipment or needs mobility assistance, please plan ahead. In the event of a storm, power may be out for an extended time. We encourage members with special needs to pre-register for a special needs shelter or arrange alternate accommodations with generator support. Get more information on emergency planning for special needs.. Pet Planning Don't forget to plan for your pets. Pack food, leashes, crates, and any necessary medications. Not all shelters accept animals, so make alternate arrangements if needed. Get more information on emergency planning for pets. HELPFUL RESOURCES Hillsborough County Management Services Florida Emergency Management FEMA – fema.gov Download the FEMA app to get real-time weather alerts and locate nearby shelters. Download for iPhone or Android. STATE OF FLORIDA RESOURCES Florida Division of Emergency Management Essential Guide to Hurricane Preparedness Florida Disaster Evacuation Zones Florida Traveler Information System Price Gouging Report Line: 1-866-9NO-SCAM Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection: (850) 245-2010 Florida Division of Emergency Management: (800) 342-3557 LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office: (813) 247-8000 Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office: (727) 464-3000 Pasco County Sheriff’s Office: (727) 847-5878 Hernando County Sheriff’s Office: (352) 754-6830 Citrus County Sheriff’s Office: (352) 249-2790 Manatee County Sheriff’s Office: (941) 747-3011 Polk County Sheriff’s Office: (863) 298-6962 Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: (941) 316-1201 Thank you for taking the time to plan and prepare yourself, your family, and pets for potential severe weather this hurricane season. We hope our area is not faced with a storm threat this year but it's always better to be prepared. If you are in need of assistance, our pastoral team and staff are here to help however possible. Rev. Charisse Jones Director, Office of Communications St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #hurricaneseason

At St. Andrew’s, Youth Ministry is more than just another thing to do during the week for our local middle schoolers and high schoolers; it is a place where students can grow in their faith, build friendships, and have fun while being fully themselves. We want every middle and high school student who walks through our doors to know they are loved, valued, and welcomed exactly as they are. One of the things that makes our Youth Ministry so special is the wide range of students involved. From students just entering middle school to seniors preparing to step into the real world, every stage of life is represented. It creates a unique community where younger students can look up to older ones, and older students can encourage and support those coming behind them. On any given Sunday, you can find us playing games, laughing together, worshipping, eating snacks, having small group conversations, and learning more about God. Every week is different, but every week is centered around building community and growing closer to Christ together. Throughout the year, we also spend a lot of time outside the church walls. Whether it is camps, retreats, service projects, or fun outings around the community, there is always something happening in Youth Ministry. These moments give students the chance to connect with one another, step outside their comfort zones, and make memories that last long after graduation. Our youth are all around the life of the church, not just on Sundays in youth group. Every week you can see them serving in Kids Ministry on Sunday mornings, helping lead and care for younger children, and jumping in wherever they’re needed. They also show up throughout the year in different seasons of church life like in the fall at events like The Pumpkin Patch. In the winter, you’ll find them at the 11pm Christmas Eve worship service and helping decorate the Christmas tree in the courtyard. In the spring, youth are present at meaningful services like Good Friday. These are moments they show up for, and they look forward to being part of these key events in the life of the church every year. Serving others is also a huge part of who we are. Our students have opportunities to serve through local ministries, church events, and mission trips. This summer, our youth will be traveling to Boston for a mission trip where they will partner with local organizations and serve communities in need. We believe mission work helps students live out their faith in meaningful and hands-on ways while learning what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ. For me, mission work has always had a special place in my heart thanks to the work my parents have done, and I am glad to share my love of missions with our youth. Youth Ministry is a place where students can grow in their faith, build meaningful friendships, and walk through life together. It is about walking through life together, asking questions, encouraging one another, and growing in faith side by side. We are grateful for the students, leaders, and families that make this ministry such a special place, and we are excited to continue seeing how God moves through the next generation. Aubrey Warren Director of Youth Ministry St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #YouthMinistry

St. Andrew's is blessed to host several thriving Scout groups, including Cub Scout packs for boys and girls ages 5–11, and a Scout Troop for youth ages 11–14. But there is another exciting and lesser-known program at our church. Venturing Crew 584, part of Scouting America, offers a dynamic opportunity for older high school, and even college-age youth ages 14–20. Venturing is a co-ed program designed to help young people grow in leadership, character, and service while having a truly great time along the way. It is one of the most flexible and engaging youth programs available today. And as an integral part of the Scouting program, our members live and honor the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Our Venturers participate in a wide variety of activities shaped by their own interests—from outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, and water sports, to meaningful community service projects, leadership development, and learning new life skills. Because the program is youth-led, members don’t just participate—they lead. They plan activities, administer their own program, and develop confidence, teamwork, and communication skills that last a lifetime. Scouting America Venturing Crew 584 in action enjoying outdoor activities and learning leadership skills. Our Crew meets Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center-Room 309. Over the past year, our crew has actively served St. Andrew's through activities such as Scout Sunday, The Food Pantry, The Pumpkin Patch and Granny's Attic, as well as other community events throughout Brandon and the greater Tampa Bay area. One of the greatest strengths of Venturing is its welcoming, energetic, and inclusive environment. Young men and women work side by side, build strong friendships, and encourage one another to grow in confidence, purpose, and faith. It’s a place where youth can truly discover their strengths, take on real challenges, and make a lasting difference—while having a lot of fun doing it. Scouting America Venturing Crew 584 offers dynamic opportunities for young people ages 14–20. Venturing Crews are encouraged to design programs that reflect the interests of their members, and our crew does something especially unique. Most of our youth also serve as summer camp staff at nearby Scout camps, gaining tremendous leadership experience for older teens that few other youth programs can match. We welcome new members ages 14–20, and prior Scouting experience is not required. Some of our members had never been in Scouts before joining our crew. If you or your teen is curious about Venturing Crew 584, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to Earl Richardson, Scout Leader at Earlr1488@gmail.com with any questions—and come see what Venturing all is about! Earl Richardson, Scout Leader St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #ScoutingAmerica

What is a prayer shawl you might ask? I think of a prayer shawl as a hug from God offering warmth and comfort. Shawl making begins with a prayer and blessing for the intended recipient and these intentions are carried out throughout the making of the shawl with one final blessing offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Shawls can be used for those unable to leave their homes, for those experiencing medical issues or recovering from surgery, and as a comfort in times of loss or stress. Prayer shawls are also given in celebration...of a marriage, a birthday, a graduation. We have prayer shawls available in the Sanctuary as well as in a basket in the Narthex that can be picked up on Sundays for yourself or for gifting. Gift bags are also available in the Narthex. This year we have also been sharing our prayer shawls with the Campaign Against Human Trafficking, Best Care Senior Living, James A. Haley VA Medical Clinics, and Vitality Respite Center. Our Prayer Shawl Ministry consists of crocheters and knitters of all levels from those with no experience that want to learn to those with years of experience. We are always happy to welcome new members! If you are interested in our group, please join us! If you do not have any experience or have not crocheted or knitted in a while, please do not let that be a deterrent. We are excited to teach you; to help you brush up on a skill you maybe have not used in a while or to learn something new. We meet the first and third Monday of the month from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in Disciples' Hall-Room 420 and every first and third Wednesday evening of the month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center-Room 302. Hope to see you there! Click here for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Holly Midboe, Ministry Leader Prayer Shawl Ministry St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #PrayerShawlMinistry

There is so much fun happening in Kids Ministry, and we can’t wait to share all the exciting things coming up! Join us for these upcoming events: Spark Party – May 6 at 6:30 PM (Powell Hall) Get ready for an unforgettable night! Our Spark Party is coming up on May 6 at 6:30 PM in Powell Hall, and it’s going to be a blast. This is our midweek connection time where we keep our hearts focused on Jesus all week long—and we’re ending the year in a BIG way. We’ll be celebrating with a high-energy Praise Paradise party featuring music by Forrest Frank. It’s going to be fun, upbeat, and full of joy as we wrap up an amazing year of Spark together. Please note: There will be no Spark during Summer Break. Kids Min Family Fun Night – May 29 (6–8 PM) Mark your calendars for May 29 from 6–8 PM for our Kids Ministry Family Fun Night in the FLC! This is a night you won’t want to miss with a huge inflatable obstacle course for the kids, little bouncy house for our younger kiddos and a potluck-style dinner—bring your favorite dish to share. This will be a special evening of fun, fellowship, and celebration as we wrap up the school year and kick off summertime together as a church family. We ask that you please register for this event on our church website or click this link: https://saumclife.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3600406 VBS 2026 – Save the Date! (July 13–17) We are already getting excited for Vacation Bible School, happening July 13–17. This year’s theme will help cool us off in the summer heat: Snowball Mountain Challenge ️featuring our fun friend Ollie the Seal! Kids will have an amazing time with friends, learn that God is our strength and grow in their faith in a fun and engaging way. Sign-ups begin May 1 for both attendees and volunteers, so don’t wait, reserve your spot! Registration for Children Registration for Volunteers Don’t Miss It! We have an incredible season ahead filled with opportunities for kids and families to grow, connect, and have fun together. As always, please join us in Kids Ministry every Sunday at 9:45 AM – K-5th graders in Powell Hall; Nursery –VPK in Children’s Center. Remember, we have our fantastic Sensory/Calm Space for children in K-5th grades in Powell Hall on Sunday mornings as well. We have a wonderful team of volunteers to assist each child with their individual needs. We want to make sure ALL children and families are able to learn and worship at church. Spread the word. Be sure to mark your calendars, we can’t wait to see you there! If you have any questions at all, please never hesitate to reach out to me, Christine Knudsen, Director of Children's Ministry, at christine.knudsen@saumc.net. #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #Children'sMinistry

As Methodists we are called to be caretakers of God's creation. All of creation is the Lord's and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, soil, air, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God's creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings.  About a year ago, we started a new Creation Care Ministry at St. Andrew's because God has granted us stewardship of creation and we need to meet these stewardship duties through acts of loving care and respect.  Twenty-three members signed up to be a part of the “Green Team”. The initial focus for the team was to look at how we might take better care of God’s church and campus grounds.  We saw that a lot of trash and debris was present around the church grounds which were not being cleaned up.  Green Team members volunteered to walk the campus periodically to pick up trash and debris. The team noticed that paper and other recyclable materials were ending up in the church’s waste bin to be thrown away.  The church has no recycling service to collect and recycle paper and other items in the church office, kitchen or St. Andrew's Academy. Blue bins were placed in each of these areas to collect recyclables. Volunteers from the team signed up to periodically empty the bins and take the contents home for recycling.   Another focus for the team is to eliminate the use of plastic and Styrofoam containers. We worked with the kitchen crew to use compostable bowls in place of foam dishes and with the Meals on Wheels ministry to replace foam with paper-based take-out containers. United Women in Faith went further and hosted a meal with bamboo flatware and compostable disposable plates.  We will continue to encourage all our ministries to eliminate the use of plastic and Styrofoam wherever possible. One of the fun things we did this year was to build a children’s garden (pictured below). The Green Team and St. Andrew's Academy staff wanted to give the children an opportunity to see the miracle of planting a tiny seed and watching it grow into a beautiful plant.  In March, the team constructed a raised bed garden in the playground area. . Beginning this Sunday, the Green Team is excited to announce a new effort: collect and recycle plastic bags and wrap we commonly have in our household.  Each Sunday, we will collect the bags and send them to NexTrex, a manufacturer that produces an earth-friendly composite decking and railing from the plastic. White bins for collecting plastic bags are located in the breezeway area on Sunday mornings. Signage on the side of the white bins will show you what type of items we can collect. We are asking everyone to collect and bring their household bags to church on Sundays!   The Creation Care Team encourages you to help us to be good stewards of God’s creation by reusing, replacing, and recycling plastics and paper at home, at church and at work. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact George Miller at georgefmiller@gmail.com . George Miller, Creation Care Team Leader St. Andrew's United Methodist Church Brandon, Florida #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #CreationCareTeam #stewardship #earth #environment #community

I first heard that St. Andrew’s had a Justice Ministry in August of 2020. I am a bit embarrassed to admit I did not know there was any difference between ministries of mercy and ministries of justice. Before I arrived here at St. Andrew's, I had never participated in a Justice Ministry. I was so intrigued to hear about HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality). In case you are a bit lost about which ministry I am referring to, here is what the HOPE website says about the ministry of justice. "Since 1988, HOPE has organized faith communities to build power to address root causes of poverty and injustice in Hillsborough County, FL. We are a non-partisan and nonprofit organization. HOPE is a coalition of nearly 30 member congregations representing thousands of Hillsborough County residents." Visit HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality) to read more about HOPE's impact in the Tampa Bay Area. So let me tell you about my first time participating in this ministry. One night a year, all the churches connected to HOPE (29 as of now) gather in a large church and invite Tampa politicians and elected officials to come hear our requests for justice. The goal is that these leaders see us as a voting population that has something to say about our community. This yearly event is called Nehemiah Action which is traditionally during the spring. This year it is on Monday, April 20, in the evening. That first time Gary and I attended, we drove all the way over to Carollwood (FL) in heavy traffic. Not a great start. When we arrived, I did not think the church hosting the event was organized enough in their parking lot. I really did not have a good attitude, and I did not understand what I was about to participate in. Then the event began. I realized I was surrounded by hundreds of people who also drove a long way and were also not thrilled with the parking. Yet they understood that this evening was not about anyone’s comfort. This event was about joining our voices so our Tampa politicians would hear from Tampa residents about problems, like a lack of affordable housing or a lack of help for people with mental health challenges. That night I heard stories that broke my heart. Yet I also saw the hearts of hundreds of people who felt the same way about these injustices as I did. Crowded into a large sanctuary with people who cared about others just like I did gave me a deep sense of hope. I have not stopped attending since. I hope you will join us on Monday, April 20 for the next Nehemiah Action . The more people who attend, the greater our voice and the greater our hope for change in our city that needs justice for all. Chartered bus transportation is available for a small cost to the Nehemiah Action if you prefer not to drive. Click HERE for more information on transportation to the event. If you would like to learn more about St. Andrew's Justice Ministry and their work with HOPE, visit our Justice Ministry webpage and our Justice Ministry Facebook page. Jayne Rideout, Senior Pastor St. Andrew's United Methodist Church Brandon, Florida #saumcbrandon #reachcreateserve #JusticeMinistry #HOPE #community