Harborside Blog

Spring 2012 Connect Groups

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:16:00 GMT

Our goal is our congregation’s mission - “to lead people into a grow- ing relationship with Jesus Christ”. Everyone grows spiritually at different rates and in different ways. We want to help each individual follow Jesus each day, one step at a time, in an effort to become more like Him. Connect Groups are an opportunity for us to grow together in biblical knowledge and connect with each other as a church body through prayer, encouragement and accountability.

Groups start the week of May 1st and average 8 weeks in length. Childcare is available for groups meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday Night, and Sunday mornings. There is a group for everyone. It is time to Grow in God's Word and Connect to His Church!

Learn More

Membership Class - July 1st 10:45am

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:37:00 GMT

So, you've been here a time or two...or maybe you've been coming for a lot longer than that. Feeling that heart tug to make it official? We offer this class to help you make an informed decision about your place with this church family.

More info

Shampoo and Evangelism

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:21:00 GMT

Back in the 1980’s Faberge Organics Shampoo flooded the airways with actress, Heather Locklear sharing how their wonderful shampoo had made such a difference in her life that she told two friends about it. Then they told two friends, and so on and so on and so on… The split screens in that commercial were amazing! While I’m not sure how effective the advertising was, in terms of dollars, the concept was catchy.

In the 1990’s Tony Woods was moved to follow Christ through a man who has been used by God over the years – Lee Strobel. Something happened to Tony that day almost 20 years ago that ignited him, to the point that he wants everyone to know who Christ is. Through this journey, Tony has landed at Harborside and has been used by God to help lead our evangelism efforts here at Harborside, including our simulcast last Saturday, Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask, led by… Lee Strobel.

The idea is quite simple: we want to give you all the tools to tell two friends, so that they will tell two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on…

Easter is coming. Give it a shot.

Making A Difference

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:02:00 GMT

Within each of us is a desire to leave a legacy. We don't want to just exist. We want to make a difference. We want to leave a footprint. As Christians, this is taken even further. Not only do we want to make a difference, but we want it to carry eternal weight. We want our temporal actions to be forever noted in eternity. But that isn't just a desire given to us as humans; it's given to us as Christians. And that desire is rooted in our love for one another. We want to make a difference because we love. When Christians come together, the momentum in having that same purpose can leave some definite imprints. The month of February showcased two very different projects, yet with one central impact...that left marks we may never fully realize.

On February 12-15 more than 250 pastors from all over Nicaragua came together in the capitol city of Managua to be inspired and educated to better lead each of their respective congregations. This was the 16th pastors' conference during its 6-year run, with a consistent growth in numbers and passion. The conference has a definite Kingdom focus bringing together multiple denominations, all focused on Christ and Him alone. There is a prominent group that is the backbone of the organization--including Harborside missionary, Brenda Rose. Harborside has had an integral part in these conferences since their inception. During this conference, while Harborside was enjoying the teaching of Steve Keyes from Walk Thru the Bible, Phil Tuttle, that organization's president, was the keynote speaker for the pastors. As we look to the future, we see nothing but growth in Nicaragua. Additionally, we see possible expansion of these conferences into western Africa and Cuba! The real beauty of this is that what we are doing is limitless, because we are empowering indigenous pastors, who are then empowering their own people who have influence and can make a difference!

Closer to home, last weekend more than 400 people gave up a beautiful weekend to directly help four families in need by building each of them a house. This is one of those events that is missional and yet teeters on selfish--because of the satisfaction that comes from it! There were so many stories of people who took pleasure in giving of themselves, even if it was just a morning...it was still something. Our prayer has always been that in some way, this gift of a home, this meeting of a physical need, will eventually lead to the meeting of the greatest need--the spiritual one. But there was another side to the weekend. It was what this project meant to us as a church. It was a weekend where we brought missions to our own backyard, with the hope that our people will get such a taste, they cannot help being moved to see an outside world needing to hear about Christ.

Harborside... it can, it is, and it will continue to make a difference.

Help Build Hope - A Great Success!

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:45:00 GMT

Thanks to all who supported this year’s Help Build Hope project as well as our Middle School trip fundraiser. A special thanks also to the Living Stones Seniors Class for providing those wonderful cookies and brownies!

Mission Aviation Support Association

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:27:00 GMT

Opportunity to Help
Mission Aviation Support Association, a Harborside-supported mission, provides support for mission aviation organizations to participate in Lakeland’s Sun ‘N’ Fun Fly-In, acquainting attenders with their mission activities around the world. Monetary donations and volunteers are needed for this year’s event. Stop @ the Kiosk in the Lobby for more information on how you can help.

More Than 350 Registrations for Connect Groups!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:01:00 GMT

WOW! What a wonderful response to our Winter 2012 Session of Connect Groups! We now have 32 new groups with these more than 350 registrants and 16 existing groups, bringing to the total to more than 500 individuals involved in groups! Thanks for your tremendous response and support, Harborsiders! We applaude your desire to know God and His Word through study, fellowship and accountability in these groups!

Mission trip to Nicaragua

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:51:00 GMT

Mission Trip to Nicaragua
A medical mission team leaves this Saturday, the 7th, to provide medical care as well as basic health teaching. Please remember them in prayer through the week.

Seeing the Hand of God

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 06:22:00 GMT

Thank you to all who attended or helped make it possible to have an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party! After planning and preparing to hold a packing party and not having any idea how it was all going to come together, I was absolutely overwhelmed and humbled at seeing the Hand of God work. I learned firsthand that when you get on board with what God is doing, He blesses it. As the day neared, each item on the checklist was abundantly provided for in such a way that only God could have orchestrated! A giant thanks to the women from Seeds of Faith who led us in prayer and a group of Harborsiders helping pack boxes. Our packing party was a success! Prayers were answered as Harborsiders collected, donated, packed, and wrapped more than double the amount of shoe boxes we collected in 2010. At the end of our first ever Operation Christmas Child Packing Party, our church ended up with 437 boxes! That is 437 chances that we as a church get to share The Gospel with children around the world who may otherwise never get a chance to hear The Good News! As boxes were piling up, a little girl asked, “Are these gifts for God?” “Yes,” I answered, “yes they are. He is going to spread them around the world giving them to children who have nothing.”

Drop N Shop - Deadline this Wednesday!

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:34:00 GMT

Parents, drop off your children ages Pre K-4 through 5th grade for an amazing day of inflatables, crafts, snacks, and a Christmas movie from 9am to Noon on Saturday, December 3, 2011. This is a great way to get your shopping done while your kids are having a blast! Cost: $5 per child (Family max payment of $15.00). However, you must register online by November 30th. Please bring a travel-sized toiletry item to support the Threefold Student Ministries’ mission trip in March.

Date: December 3rd, 2011
Time: 9:00 AM—12:00 PM
Cost: $5.00 per child (Family max payment of $15.00)

Click to register online:
Register

Harborside: Join the Mission

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Our next two-week Harborside: Join the Mission membership class will be on November 13 @ 12:15pm and November 20 @ 10:45am. Lunch and child care will be provided. For further info about who we are and what we do, or how to partner with us in creating, leading, and resourcing our environments, contact us.

Holiday Market

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:30:00 GMT

Becoming A Contagious Christian

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:44:00 GMT

Have you ever wanted to share your faith but just didn't know what to say or did not feel prepared or equipped to communicate your love for Jesus? Well, "Becoming A Contagious Christian" is a great way to learn how to use your God given personality and temperament to be able to confidently communicate the "Good News" about Jesus to your family, friends and co-workers. God has wired each of us individually and uniquely to share His love and this workshop helps you identify just how He made and equipped YOU to be able to be a messenger for the greatest news ever!

Come join us on March 12th from 9am - 4pm and in one day be able to gain the skills necessary to be a difference maker for God's kingdom and experience the unspeakable joy of being used by God to affect someone for all of eternity!

Please feel free to add your comments and questions below!

Neighborhood Family Center

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:57:00 GMT

Dear Harborside Family:

On behalf of the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Angels from Harborside who came bearing gifts for children through our Adopt-A-Family program. Our hearts stopped as we watched in amazement as the basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, purses, make up kits, cologne, perfumes and toys in abundance were unloaded. Another special Angel blessed families with gift cards to McDonald’s. And, to all of those who dropped off gifts and slipped out our doors without being seen, thank you.

With your help we were able to make the holidays brighter for over 690 children totaling 277 families throughout Safety Harbor, Oldsmar and the surrounding communities. It would be difficult for the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center to meet the needs of so many without friends like you.

Again, thank you for being an active part of the Neighborhood Family Center and making a difference to those we serve.

May 2011 be a year of good health, peace and joy for you!

Sincerely,

Dianna Kessel
Family Support Specialist

Please feel free to add your comments and questions below!

Extreme Hope Makeover Results

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:10:00 GMT

On January 8, 2011 the East Pasco Habitat for Humanity dedicated the last Harborside home kit, built at our church last January 2010, which is now a complete house at 14649 8th Street in Dade City, FL. I had the opportunity to be there to witness this dedication and, more importantly, to see the finished house. To my amazement, there are 3 Harborside-built homes right in a row. These homes are in a very depressed area and point of Habitat’s spear to revitalize this depressed area. The land was the former site of a migrant work camp donated by the receiver to Habitat. As you can imagine, the living conditions of the former migrants who lived here were not great. Now, God is transforming this neighborhood and Harborside members are playing an instrumental role in His plans.

I actually met the mother and son who have been blessed with a house. She fought to hold back tears when told of the care and love that went into her house. Anna is so happy to have solid walls where the ones she has now have tarps covering the holes in them. She excited to be free of the rats running freely around her kitchen floor. She’s also looking forward to drinking water from the tap because the water currently flowing in her current house tested positive for ecoli and other harmful bacteria. Over and over she expressed her gratitude!

Anna is a believer and volunteers her time working on her own and other’s homes as well. She attends a Baptist church and thanks God for saving her and her son, Trinity. I was blessed to be a part of this dedication.

There are three additional lots on the backside of this street which are slated for this years homebuilding kits. Our homebuilding project is blessing this neighborhood and impacting those for the Kingdom. Please be a part of this and sign up at the kiosk this Sunday.
- Paul

Please feel free to add your comments and questions below!