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LOCAL CHURCH DIRECTORY
INSIDE ... Vol. 26 | Iss. 10 | OCT 2022
LIGHTHOUSE GOSPEL MISSION CELEBRATES 70 YEARS By Madeline Gardner
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Faith & Footprints: News From The Wire:
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On September 30, the organization in feeding the Lighthouse Gosthe hungry in Tampa Bay. pel Mission hosted Partnerships with organizaits Annual Partners tions such as Walmart and Banquet to mark 70 Mosaic have allowed the years of inspiring organization to make necesfaith and strength sary purchases, like refrigin Tampa Bay. This erated trucks. Annually, this vision was estabministry now distributes lished on December roughly more than 2.4 million 12, 1952 by Reverpounds of food. end J.A. Lennard to The Lighthouse Remnant The Lighthouse Gospel Mission offers four different ministries to bring about hope mitigate the power Thrift Store is open Monday through discipleship and community efforts. of temptation while to Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. supplying aid in an with Wednesday hours from 8 accommodating environment. a.m.-4 p.m. Clothing and furniture The Lighthouse Gospel Mission donations are accepted here before has since developed four minisbeing cleaned and affordably sold tries working to empower such back to those in need. All proceeds transformation. are returned to the organization and “So many people come with ministries. nothing. We help them rebuild Further expanding, A Taste of their lives and then transiFreedom Food Truck was recently tion them out, setting up acestablished, with proceeds returning countability for them beyond to the organization as well. Pastor that,” said Pastor Tony SamuSamuels stated that he hopes this els, Lighthouse Gospel Mission sustainability encourages more peopresident. ple to join these ministries, even if The Faith Home Ministry they are hesitant to start. serves as a rehabilitation res“Just take it one day at a time. idential program dedicated to You’ll start seeing yourself beyond intensive Bible study, instructyour current situation. Let God clean To further fund its ministries, the newest Lighthouse Gospel ing new members of this disyou up and get your vision back. He’ll cipleship on how to build good Mission ministry is A Taste of Freedom Food Truck, whose give you that picture of your future,” menu ranges from empanadas to sandwiches. practices and develop responsaid Pastor Samuels. the discipleship founded by the Faith sibility in life beyond the LightThe Lighthouse Gospel Mission’s Home Ministry. This church ensures house Gospel Mission. While this is office hours are Monday, Tuesday, an 18-month opportunity, the minis- that these program graduates have and Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 try will cover costs if those attending access to a pastor and a community p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from who understands their background 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For more informacannot afford to do so. Accordingly, the Lighthouse Free- and journey. tion, please visit www.lighthousegosOperation Hope of America assists pelmission.org or call 813-677-5220. dom Center was created based upon
NATIVITY NOVEMBERFEST RETURNS WITH ITS 51ST ANNUAL EVENT By Lily Belcher
Nativity Catholic Church is preparing for Sponsorships are also vital to the sucits 51st annual Novemberfest in the middle of cess of the event. Diamond, gold, silver November that serves as the church’s largest and bronze sponsorships are available to fundraiser and as entertainment for the Brancompanies that want to support the event don community after a two-year hiatus due to and Nativity Catholic Church and will have COVID-19. a banner hung in the tent as recognition. Starting on Thursday, November 17 and runThis year’s diamond sponsors already ning until Sunday, November 20, Novemberfest include Bill’s Prescription Center, Southwill be hosted on the corner of Bryan Road State, Rivard and U.S. Highway 60 on the Nativity Catholic Buick GMC and School and Church campus. While the event is B&B Ice and Waespecially fun for Nativity’s students, who get ter. Gold sponto watch the carnival come to life through their sorships cost classroom windows, the carnival is a staple in The 51st annual Novemberfest will be hosted by Nativity Catholic Church to $1,000, silver sponsorships cost $500 and support its school and ministries. the Brandon community. Each year, the field is bronze sponsorships cost $300. Informacovered in rides, games and food for family and tion on banner sizes, benefits of becoming year, Nativity relies on a team of dedicated volkids of all ages. unteers for set-up, operation, and break-down of a sponsor and the commitment form are available The annual Novemberfest carnival is Nativity the event. Volunteer sign-ups open on October 1. on the Novemberfest website. Catholic Church’s largest fundraiser that helps or- Volunteers will give their time preparing for the With questions about volunteering, contact ganize and run its Faith Formation program and event and running raffle tickets and food booths in Therese Alonso at 689-3395 ext. 2277 or at dosa@ youth ministries. In addition to supporting church the main tent. nativitycatholicschool.org. programs, the money earned during the carnival “Novemberfest is an amazing weekend of fel- For more information about Novemberfest and supports Nativity Catholic School for students in lowship, teamwork, celebration and dedication.” sponsorship information, call the church office at pre-K through eighth grade. according to the website. “We look forward to 813-681-4608 or visit the website at www.nativIn order to make Novemberfest possible each sharing this opportunity with you.” itycatholicchurch.org/novemberfest.