The Trumpet

How many of you make New Year’s Resolutions?

Many, if not most, of you do so. Google suggests that the most common New Year’s resolutions consistently center around health (exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight), finances (save money, get out of debt), and personal growth (learn a new skill, read more, spend time with family), with many also focusing on breaking bad habits like smoking or drinking less, and improving mental well-being like stress or sleep.

Interestingly, not one of the typical New Year’s Resolutions suggests anything about caring for our souls. So, once again, I would like to propose some New Year's resolutions to help you care for your soul in 2026.

First, I want to note that the Bible says nothing about New Year’s resolutions. However, it does tell us quite a bit about resolutions in general. These resolutions involve improving our character, sharpening our habits, and living better in the future than we did in the past. In other words, Biblical resolutions help us to become more like Jesus.

I want to suggest that you consider the following four spiritual resolutions for 2026:

1. Read the Bible regularly this year. Growing Christians are reading Christians. Our Session suggests a Bible-reading plan called Seeing Jesus Together to help you develop a healthy Bible-reading habit. You will never grow spiritually if you do not read God’s word regularly. Use this tool to become more disciplined in your Bible reading.

2. Spend time in prayer each day. Growing Christians devote time each day to focused prayer with their Lord. I am not talking about praying before a meal or praying while commuting. I am talking about being alone with your Savior in prayer. Make a list of items to help you pray. The way to increase time spent in prayer is to add more items to your daily prayer list.

3. Worship with God's people each Lord's Day. You will not grow spiritually if you do not worship with God's people each Lord's Day. Don't skip a worship service by spending time with family, vacationing, or doing something that takes you away from worshipping God. Watching a livestream service may be helpful, but it is not the same as worshipping with God's people. A Christian's highest priority is to worship his Savior. This coming year, we are adding two evening services a month on Sunday evenings. These will take place on the first and third Sundays of each month, and also on the fifth Sunday when there are five Sundays.

4. Walk in holiness. Commit to consistently applying God's Word to your life each day. Also, commit to dealing with your sin radically. Quickly repent whenever you know you have broken God's law.

If you practice these four resolutions in 2026, I can assure you that you will grow spiritually. I pray that you will have a spiritually profitable New Year!

- Freddy Fritz

Thank you to all who helped in the "Hanging of the Greens" so that our Worship Center could visually reflect the season in which we celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior.

(Photo/Toni Cacioppo)

Covenant child, Evelyn Miriam Revell, was baptized on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Her parents are John and Hannah Revell, and big brothers are Ethan and Gideon.

(Photo/Melissa Bayley)

New members were introduced on Sunday, December 21, 2025. From left to right, these included Henny Bulten, Sunay Correa, Myriam Rivera, Carol Allison, Tyler Wyss, and Ryan Grosz. The covenant children of Sunay Correa (Gabriela and Isabella) were also baptized.

(Photo/Clydia Criag)

I want to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on three topics related to TBPC Missions. I will describe some of the on-going activities, the upcoming Missions Conference, and share a little information about the 2026 Short-Term Missions trip.

To start, I must say “Thank You" for being a church that is generous and a great supporter of missions. You have continued to bless the missionaries with monthly funding support, and you also enabled the Missions Committee to send a couple of one-time-gifts to the missionaries to help them with their needs. For example, we are sending $3,000.00 to the Dishmans in Colombia to support a project called the Bogota House; whereby, a facility will be constructed to provide for Bible studies, worship meetings, fellowship, etc.

Activities

The Missions Committee recently sent the supported missionaries a Christmas card with a small Christmas gift. Also, we prepared the proposed budget for 2026 and will submit it to the Session for approval. Additionally, the Missions Committee selected 1 of 7 missionary candidates to be added to our list of supported missionaries starting in March 2026. We’ve increased the number of supported missionaries by one. You will have an opportunity soon to adopt this new missionary so that you may pray for, communicate with, and encourage them.

Conference

The Missions Committee has a sub-committee already planning, coordinating, and working to prepare for the upcoming Missions Conference that will be held February 20-22, 2026. Rev Leonard Liu will be the guest speaker, and we will have three missionaries visit TBPC. However, one of our newest additions of supported missionaries will visit TBPC January 9-11, 2026. The Trey and Kikki Adams family will share information about their ministry, and Trey will preach during a worship service. Please plan on attending the worship service and conference.

Short-Term Mission Trip

Once again, there will be an opportunity to go on the mission trip to Belize in 2026. The Missions Committee is starting to identify the needs of the missionaries in Belize and determine what our team will do there. Please consider going on the short-term mission trip tentatively scheduled for July 19-25, 2026.

Again, we are grateful for the support you give to the TBPC Missions. Blessings, peace, hope, and joy.

- Michael Bridges

Hi, TBPC friends!

We are going back to Belize this July. Mark your calendars for the week of July 18 to July 25, 2026. For the last three years, we have been there in Belize City and Belmopan, combining Vacation Bible School and construction work. Both are highly appreciated by the Belizeans. Last summer, Karen Stodghill described our trips as a “shot in the arm” for the Belizean church. It is an event where they can invite friends and neighbors, and an opportunity to learn things they can use later as they work alongside us.

If you are interested in coming, please contact Martine Extermann, Scott Simmons, or Michael Bridges. Our trip will have the same combination of VBS and construction, though the location where we will help is still open. All levels of skill are accepted, and teenagers 14 and older are welcome.

I am a big fan of missions trips. It is an opportunity to live one week closer to God on the front lines and see him in action. If you haven’t done it, try it! If you have done it, you know!

- Martine Extermann

Ladies of TBPC and their guests celebrated the season with their annual Christmas Brunch on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Attendees walked into a beautifully transformed room, with each table decorated in its host's special seasonal touch. Our theme this year was "Adorning the Doctrine of Christ." Guest speaker Amy Starkes shared a wonderful message, and we got to know a little more about Barb Hess as our Box Talk speaker, along with the beautiful, personal testimony of Eileen Fritz.

The women enjoyed great fellowship throughout the morning, along with a little fun with this year's Pass the Gift game. We look forward to seeing you all again next year and want to send a special "Thank you" to all who helped make this year's event possible.

- Brandi Shultz

(Photo/Toni Cacioppo)

Please consider joining one of our upcoming studies starting the first week in January!

Dear TBPC Family,

December was filled with joy and cheer in our NTCA preschool ministry as we celebrated the Christmas season together. Our Christmas program was a true blessing. The children sang their hearts out and did a fantastic job, reflecting all the hard work and practice they put into their songs. We are so thankful for our wonderful team of ladies who faithfully give of themselves each day for the children and play such an important role in our school. As we look ahead, we eagerly anticipate all that the Lord has planned for us. We will continue to trust him and seek his guidance for the remainder of the school year. We are deeply grateful to TBPC for the prayers and continued support. You all are truly a blessing to our preschool and ministry.

With gratitude & blessings,

Susanne Gonzalez, NTCA Director

Do you enjoy making others feel welcome and creating community by reflecting God's love? Please consider the role of Hospitality Coordinator. Speak with Pastor Freddy for more information.

The youth enjoyed a fun evening of Christmas celebrations at

the home of Waldo and Ashleigh Kemp on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Carolers of all ages joined together to serenade residents of Pebble Creek on Sunday, December 21, 2025. After blessing the neighborhood with songs, all enjoyed snacks and fellowship

around a fire at Bert and Cheryl Barber's home.

(Photo/Freddy Fritz & John Revell)

Ryan and Cheri Grosz have attended TBPC since July 2025. They were looking for a Presbyterian church and found TBPC so close to home. Very quickly they've jumped into Bible study groups and love the sense of belonging they have felt from the very first worship service they attended.

Tell us a little bit about your family.

We moved to New Tampa a year ago from Redlands, CA, to be closer to family. Our son-in-law retired after 20 years in the Army, so we moved to the area to be close to them, especially our 3 grandchildren. Ryan was a welder into the early 80’s and then retired as an auto technician for Toyota and then Lexus. I (Cheri) have been in the accounting field, working for an automotive warehouse, a freeway and bridge construction company, and then retired as Director of Accounting and Payroll with the local school district.

How do you like to have fun?

We enjoy spending time with the kids, riding our bikes, and trying to get out and explore our new state.

What lesson has God been teaching you?

Every day we are reminded of his presence. It calms and centers us, knowing we can put our faith in his hands, especially through our medical issues. When Ryan had to have surgery to repair his broken femur, we both had a sense of peace, knowing the Lord is watching over us.

What is your favorite Scripture?

We are still learning the Bible. Hearing Pastor Freddy's sermons each week is helping us understand Scripture better.

Nick & Catalina Betancourt - January 18, 2013

Anup & Seema Kagalkar - January 27, 2013

The errors of the Roman Catholic Church are numerous. Some are minor. Others are monumental. Recently, I found it necessary to go back and review the most egregious Roman Catholic (RC) errors. I have listed them below:

1. The RC doctrine of justification requires some explanation. The RC Catechism actually declares that justification is by grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit. It even says that justification is “the most excellent work of God’s love.” But the problem is that sanctification and justification are melded together in the RC system of salvation. While initial justification is by grace through baptism, subsequent justification by works is necessary after falling into sin. Works are required to get back into a state of grace. The RC doctrine dismantles assurance of salvation.
2. The RC doctrine refuses to elevate Scripture as the alone ultimate authority for Christian doctrine and practice. We readily acknowledge the importance of tradition in documents like the Westminster Standards, which serve as a subordinate authority in our church. But Scripture alone is the final, ultimate, and highest authority.
3. The RC doctrine of transubstantiation fosters superstition and confusion regarding the Lord’s Supper. This might be the most egregious error that is so often overlooked. This overly-developed and convoluted RC doctrine goes way beyond the Scriptures, as well as the teachings of the early Church Fathers. There is a real, spiritual presence of Christ in the Supper, but it is not magical or physical.

- John Revell

While this book is for parents specifically, we all know the dangers in the “screens.” But did you know that Clare Morell has marshalled an army of concerned parents, career tech detectives, psychologists, and experts on abuse in her 2025 release, The Tech Exit to put us through boot camp? Morell names her soldiers, tells their stories, and shares their stats. Battle wounds healed, they have found a place of victory, peace, strength, unity, and fun for their families. They show us how to gain new freedoms from the screen anxiety and expose the hidden horrors and heartbreaks of screen time with an abundance of tech savvy, insightful, workable, flexible age-appropriate resources.

Together, they tackle the futility and frustration of the belief that “screen time limits” is wise and safe, promoting family peace, unity, stress-free family life, and cool tech-savvy friends. Their convincing case of how it actually perpetuates the problems is followed by a proven strategy, helping parents and siblings successfully come through the withdrawal of the “fasting” phase to be able to enjoy each other more fully in an enviable family F.E.A.S.T., resulting in another generation of healthy, self-disciplined kids.

Got kids? Read The Tech Exit. Don't have kids? Try it anyway.

- Eileen Fritz

With the help of many kind volunteers, the Diaconate has been busy taking down and setting up the sanctuary for various events. Also, we are still busy with forming and implementing the safety committee.

The project to display a large cross and “Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church” on the side of the church above the NTCA banner is still in the permitting stage with the county. We are very anxious to get this process completed!

In terms of new projects, the Diaconate is going to look into getting a covered entryway for the church. Our initial thought is that it would be located over the ramp that is located to the left of the current covered entryway.

- 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.

Click on the title above to be taken to the TBPC Calendar.

January 1-2

Saturday, January 3 at 9 a.m.

Sunday, January 4 at 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 4 at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, January 7 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, January 11 at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, January 13 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, January 15

• Diaconate 5:30 p.m.
• Session 6 p.m

Friday, January 16 at 7 p.m.

Main Event

Sunday, January 18 at 12:30 p.m.

K1 Speed

It is the goal of The Trumpet staff to provide articles for learning and growing, news for connecting with our church family, and information on opportunities for service and participation. The views and opinions expressed in The Trumpet have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Session.