Creator God, For a lot of students, at least here in this part of the world, this is the last week of vacation before school starts again. So we lift up their journey through it. Bring them to one more good and safe walk this week with friendships, summer opportunities, family gatherings, and expectation. For others Good Shepherd, the week contains challenges and burdens, opportunities desired yet which seem hopelessly out of reach. Lord we add our prayers to those of the discouraged and desperate. We pray for those whose week involves backpacks and beaches, and for those whose week involves trauma and hunger. For yet others, God of the New Creation, the week ahead looks like the same old grind. They neither expect change nor hope for it. But with you God, all things are possible. Even change in their circumstances. And for all of us Lord of Time, it is the first week in a new month. You have created and are giving. Help us to be faithful disciples following Jesus in our own journey through it. We pray remembering You love justice and mercy, and in Jesus' name. Amen.
UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE
Sunday, August 2, 5-6:30pm
End-of-Summer Centennial Celebration for all ages
Sunday, August 9
Back-to-School Blessing in all services
Sunday, August 16
Chancel Choir Returns in worship services
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday Night Dinner Resumes
Children’s Choir Rehearsals Resume Music & Movement Resumes Youth Group Resumes (See pg. 4)
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER MENUS*
August 19
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
August 26
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
September 2
Meatloaf
September 9
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
September 16
Spaghetti
September 23
Mojo Pork with Yellow Rice
September 30
Chicken Cacciatore
*always subject to change
Children & Families
e y D a t e s
Aug. 9: Back-to-School Blessing in all Services (8:30, 9, 11am, bring your backpacks!)
Aug. 16: Godly Play Orientation during every morning service
Aug. 19: Wednesday Night Dinners Resume (5-6pm)
Aug. 19: Music & Movement Resumes (5:10-5:40pm)
Aug. 19: Children’s Choir Rehearsals Resume (5-5:45pm)
Aug. 23: Sunday School Kickoff/Breakfast in Fellowship Hall (10-10:50am )
Aug. 23: Justice Seekers meets offsite for ice cream at 4pm
Aug. 30: Sunday School resumes normal pattern by meeting in Chapel (10am)
Sept. 7: Godly Play Orientation during each morning service
Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4: Welcome to Worship for 2 graders (10-10:50am except 10/4) nd
Oct. 16: Centennial Pizza Dance Party (all ages, including adults)
Oct. 25: Third Grade Bible Presentation
Volunteer with us!
We have many opportunities to serve this fall with Sunday School and with Godly Play! They are filling up fast and you will also want to be a part of what our cherished children are learning. Assisting or teaching is the best way to learn.
Please visit kidspcpc.com/volunteer to learn how you can serve in small, meaningful ways for an hour a month or more often.
Welcome to Worship for 2nd Graders and Parent(s) Sundays, Sept. 13, 20, 27 from 10-10:50am, incl. helping with communion during worship services Oct. 4th
In Welcome to Worship, 2nd graders transition out of Godly Play and are welcomed into full worship participation with the community of believers. Second graders and a parent/ guardian are invited to this special opportunity. We will investigate and explore the whos, wheres, and whys of worship within the Presbyterian tradition, in addition to Tasting the Bread when learning about the Sacrament of Communion.
Led by Allison Kelly, Anna Shuford, pastors, and friends
3 Grade Bible Presentation & Class rd Sunday, October 25th
Third graders will be presented with a Bible at all worship services. A “Bible Blitz” class will be offered to parents and children to teach foundational tools for exploring the bible for a lifelong journey of reading and study. Children who missed the opportunity in the past are welcome to attend.
Sunday School
You may be familiar with “Faith and Fellowship Hour” as the name for our 10:00 Sunday morning education time.
The children’s ministry team, in an effort to use more common language across generations, is referring to it as “Sunday School” this year. They are hopeful it will spark a new conversation about engaging in faith formation in our families.
Go to kidspcpc.com to see galleries of Sunday morning fun together.
Sunday School Kickoff Breakfast: Aug. 23
PreK-3 children and all new children to Sunday School will receive new Bibles from their Sunday School Teachers on 8/23.
Highlights from VBS 2026: The 23 Psalm rd by Allison Kelly, Director of Children & Families
During this year’s VBS, we experienced the journey through the lush green landscapes of Emerald Crossing by learning the powerful words of the 23rd Psalm. We created light jars for the dark valleys we encounter and painted thank-you cubes that we could roll at our tables to spark gratitude. Snacks included shamrock biscuits, trail mix crosses, and border collie paw print tortillas. During Tie-Dye Tuesday, we soaked our t-shirts in shades of green and cooled off with flavored ice. We welcomed farm animals from Adopt a Hen—three goats and a mini-cow—to help us imagine Irish farm life. Music also helped us learn the 23rd Psalm, and Celtic dancers even taught us an Irish dance. Through the joy of movement, The Rock helped us play some fun green meadow games.
We are grateful to Alexa Parker and Kim Carswell for shepherding our flock of:
160 registered children
45 adults
24 youth
Alexa and Kim have had a large role in VBS for a total of eight years and will be handing over the leadership next year to some gifted women: Ansley Castillo, Betsy Grizzard, and Natalie Rhinehart. We also want to recognize Jana Alexander, who served as Tie-Dye Coordinator for the last 10 years. Jana has helped over 1,000 kids tie-dye shirts at VBS. To see photos and videos, go to kidspcpc.com or our YouTube channel!
Adult Faith Formation
Sunday Mornings, 10-10:50am in the PW Room (3 floor, Covenant Hall/Middle Building) rd
“The Sermon on the Mount” Sundays, July 12 - August 16
Exploring Amy-Jill Levine’s study of the Sermon on the Mount, participants discover how Jesus’ teachings challenge, inspire, and shape faithful living in today’s world.
“From Daughters to Disciples” Sundays, August 23 - September 27
This study considers every female character who contributes to the New Testament stories. With questions and discussion, we will look at what each women’s story means for us today.
Compassionate Outreach
Honduras Mission Trip
In late June, four members of PCPC joined 18 others, ages 14–83, on a mission trip to Honduras primarily sponsored by First Presbyterian Church St. Petersburg. The group stayed at the guesthouse of the New Hope Clinic (La Clínica Nueva Esperanza) in San Francisco de Orica and conducted health screenings in four of the more than 50 communities served by the clinic. Working alongside Dr. Davila, the clinic’s medical director, the clinic dentist, six translators, Dr. Davila’s two physician nieces, and his daughter, we provided 794 health screenings, 217 Pap smears (a record!), 239 breast exams, dental care for 156 people, and immediate care for 249 adults with high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar. We also distributed 345 reading glasses and 261 sunglasses to field workers. In addition, we reached 1,219 schoolchildren, providing each with a health kit and leaving every school with soccer balls, jump ropes, and frisbees. Thanks be to God for a safe and productive trip!
Thank you for your generosity! Donations continue to arrive for our School Supplies Drive, benefiting Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, FED, and local public school students. We are grateful for everyone who has already contributed and welcome additional supplies as we work together to help students start the school year prepared and confident. Every donation makes a difference.
If you would like to be part of the conversation, or if you are ready for a commitment card, please speak with one of the pastors, email john@palmaceia.org, or approach one of the pastors at the front of the worship spaces after the worship service on any Sunday.
This summer, we received permitting from the City of Tampa to replace the fence around the Preschool Playground. The city required that we first have a tree removed. Tree removal occurred in mid-July. Now that that is complete, you’ll begin to see the fence being repaired. Awnings that had developed significant rust-related structural concernsarebeingreplacedaswell.
Mission Accomplished: Termite Tenting
In 2016, we tented PCPC for termites. This summer, the time came to do it again. Tenting is one of the less glamorous but essential ways we care for a 100-year-old church campus. The process may have been inconvenient for a few days, but we're confident the termites were even less enthusiastic about it than we were.
A Note from the Finance Office
As we anticipate the fastapproaching Stewardship and Budgeting time of year, please give prayerful consideration to your PCPC Stewardship pledge commitment needed for everincreasing costs of our daily operations as well as the Centennial Campaign need for major repairs and enhancements to be a safe, welcoming, and vibrant church for generations to come.
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Instead of selling, donation of a bu
condi
ion seemed most appropriate. Russell Johnson, Area Director of Young Life was called for
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
The Library Gets A Makeover!
If you missed the Library Open House in July, no problem! You can come to the Library any time the church is open, look around, and check out a book
Thank you to Rev. Chuck Jones, Allison Kelly, and Anna Shuford for organizing and curating. (Yes, there is a section for children!)
End-of-Summer
Centennial Celebration
Centennial Celebration Events
Sunday, August 2nd, 5-6:30pm: End-ofSummer Centennial Celebration
Join us in the Fellowship Hall for burgers, hot dogs, and all the fixin’ s. Plus, stop by the
Sanctuary for an old-fashioned sing along featuring hymns from the 1920's!
Friday, October 16th, 5:30-7pm:
Centennial Concert, Dance, and Pizza Party
A celebration for all ages, from 0–103! The Praise Band will play fun music to enjoy or dance to. Both the Joyful Noise and Junior
Choirs will share their talents with us. Pizza will
be served, and activities for little ones will be available. Come join the fun in the Gym and help us celebrate 100 years of serving Christ!
Sunday, November 1st (All Saints Day)
During each worship service, we will hear fun and touching memories from members who have grown up at PCPC. What a wonderful way to celebrate our church and remember the saints who have gone on to glory.
Mark your calendar now for Sunday, February 7, 2027!
This is PCPC’ s 100th Birthday Dinner, celebrating 100 years since the church’ s incorporation. From 5:00–7:00 p.m., the Gym will be transformed into a beautiful venue where a true Tampa meal will be served. Following dinner, we will gather in the Sanctuary for communion. The evening will conclude with birthday cake in the Courtyard for everyone.
All ages are welcome. An optional pizza dinner with activities for children ages 4–11 will take place simultaneously in the Fellowship Hall
Nursery care will be available for the littlest ones. Both dinners are ticketed events.
Tickets will go on sale in November. More information will be forthcoming
In 2027, PCPC’s Presbyterian Women (PW) will celebrate 100 years of faithful service. Just one month after the church was incorporated in 1927, the women of PCPC organized as the Women’s Auxiliary and immediately became active in the life of the church and community.
From the beginning, they studied God’s Word, organized church events, and raised funds to support the growing congregation. They purchased a communion set for the church, provided relief for victims of the 1926 East Coast hurricane, and in 1930 presented the church with a hand-tinted portrait of Rev. Haverkamp, PCPC’s first pastor. That portrait still hangs in Fellowship Hall today.
Over the years, PCPC’s women helped fund the construction of the Sanctuary, supported soldiers during World War II and the Korean War, welcomed service members from MacDill Air Force Base into their homes, and assisted families and charitable organizations throughout Tampa and beyond.
Today, Presbyterian Women continue that tradition of service through ministries such as Helping Hearts, Celebration of Life receptions, prayer shawls, baby caps for premature infants at Tampa General Hospital, and blankets for graduating seniors.
The organization has evolved over the years, changing its name from the Women’s Auxiliary to Women of the Church in 1948 and later to Presbyterian Women in the 1980s. Through every generation, however, its commitment to faith, fellowship, and service has remained the same.
Presbyterian Women This Year
Presbyterian Women invite all women of the church to join us for fellowship, Bible study, and service. With five active circles meeting at different times each month, there is a place for everyone.
Learn more at our PW Kickoff Luncheon and General Meeting in September. Watch the bulletin and weekly eNews for the date, time, and details. Circle meetings begin in October:
Early Birds – Second Monday, 10:30 a.m.
Daytimers – Second Monday, 11:00 a.m.
Evening Circle – Second Monday, 6:30 p.m.
Late Nights with the Lord (Women in their 30's and 40's) – Second Monday, 7:30 p.m.
Flourish & Fellowship (Women in their 20's-40's) – Third Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
Circles meet in members’ homes for fellowship, refreshments, and Bible study. Monthly dates and locations will be published in the bulletin.
If you have never joined a circle, make this your year. We would love to welcome you. For more information, contact Jeanne Rowe at 813-833-5270.
PCPC Welcomes Familiar & Friendly faces
PALMA CEIA PRESBYTERIAN WELCOMES TODD DONOVAN
Interim Choir Director
We are pleased to welcome Todd Donovan as PCPC's Interim Choir Director. Todd brings more than 30 years of experience in church music leadership, education, and performance. He has served churches as a music director and worship pastor, directed choirs of all ages, and led worship in both traditional and contemporary settings.
Todd holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Eckerd College, a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of South Florida. In addition to his church leadership experience, he remains active as a performer and soloist, serving as bass soloist for the Classical Music Festival in Austria and the Tampa Oratorio Singers.
Todd currently teaches elementary art and private voice and looks forward to getting to know the congregation and helping lead our worship through music in the months ahead.
We are pleased to welcome Josh Colombini as PCPC's Facilities Manager. Josh brings more than 15 years of experience in facilities management, construction, maintenance, and operations. He has worked across residential, commercial, industrial, and hospitality settings, with expertise in a wide range of trades including plumbing, electrical work, roofing, remodeling, painting, and HVAC systems.
Before joining PCPC, Josh served in leadership roles with hotel operations and facility services companies, helping oversee maintenance teams, large-scale projects, and branch operations. He relocated to Tampa in 2025 and is excited to use his experience to help care for and improve PCPC's campus.
Josh and his wife, Jenna, have been married since 2014 and have two daughters, Loralei and Evie. In his free time, he enjoys visiting Disney, spending time at the beach, and being with his family.
WELCOME BACK, JODI LEKANIDES! Youth Coordinator
We are happy to have Jodi (Traster) Lekanides back on staff again as our Youth Coordinator. She stepped in as Kate Donaldson stepped away in May.
We have had so many wonderful babies born in the last six months, and we would love to have some extra hands and hearts serving alongside the staff to hold them in the nursery during the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services. You will need to accept a background check. Contact Anna Shuford Anna@palmaceia.org, if you are available on any of these Sundays:
Aug 9
Aug 16
Aug 23
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Oct 4
Interested in Singing?
Are you a past/present choir member interested in joining the Chancel Choir again? Or are you a “new voice” and feel like now is the time to share your time & talent with us? Reach out to Interim Choir Director Todd Donovan at music@palmaceia.org and try out!
