The Trumpet

I sometimes hear people say, “I love my church!”

I rarely hear people say, “I don’t love my church.” However, just because I don’t hear people say it doesn’t mean they don’t think it or feel it. So, how can you know if you are losing your love for your church?

Here are a few signs that your love for your church may be waning:

First, you are not so excited about meeting with your church family. There was a time when you felt enthusiastic about getting ready to go to worship services, or Bible studies, or fellowship events. That is no longer the case. You still go, but more out of a sense of duty than out of love for your church family.

Second, you pray less for your church family. You used to pray for church friends and church ministries, but now you struggle even to know what to pray about.

Third, you don’t connect with your friends as much. You used to look forward to getting together with your church friends. You now notice it's been ages since you've done anything with your church friends.

Fourth, you realize that you are more negative about your church. Though God may be at work in your church, you don’t see it. You only see problems and things that are not working.

Fifth, you don’t sing during worship like before. There was a time when you sang with a full-throated voice. Now, you barely mouth the words of the songs.

And finally, you believe that things have changed at your church. You can’t put your finger on it, but something is different. Every day seems to pull you further away from your church family.

If some of these signs resonate with you, here are some suggestions about how to regain your first love:

First, be honest. Tell God about it. Talk to one of your church leaders. Ask them to pray for you about your feelings regarding your church.

Second, examine your heart. Sometimes, an unconfessed sin can cause you to lose your love for your church. If you discover that it is true for you, confess your sin to God.

Third, keep serving. Some people leave the church. They may lose a wonderful opportunity to grow in God’s grace.

And finally, ask God to show you what he is doing in your church. If you look for the negative, you will find it. However, if you ask God to show you where and how he is at work in your church, you might see it. And you will be encouraged.

- Freddy Fritz

The 2026 TBPC Missions Conference proved to be a wonderful weekend of inner reflection, spiritual growth, and sharing. The guest speaker and supported missionaries were the Rev. Leonard Liu from MTW, John and Carol Stodghill (Belize), the Rev. Michael Bridges (VA Hospital), and Lauren Dishman (Colombia).

Even though we encountered a few obstacles like widespread flu and illness throughout the congregation, the illness of 2 missionaries who were slated to come, sickness in Yanet's family right before we started the Saturday night program (Grace was a beautiful stand-in), and the mysterious disappearance of all the plates from the kitchen, those who attended were treated to a fabulous meal prepared by chefs Brian Carrier and Raymond Arias. We also heard a thought-provoking meditation by Leonard Liu, who also preached on Sunday morning.

The previous night, the Missions Committee enjoyed dinner with the missionaries, hosted by Martine Extermann. Other special moments included breakfast with TBPC leaders and missionaries on Saturday, visits from the missionaries during ABF, and a wonderful luncheon after church on Sunday at the BayScape Bistro. Many signed up to "Adopt a Missionary" this year, along with renewed and new pledges of support.

The overwhelming theme presented by Rev. Liu was that our church, as all should, exists primarily to be the missionaries for our Lord and Savior, not just perceive missions as a side adjunct to our church. We were created by God to glorify him and to go out and make fishers of men, as our table decorations so beautifully displayed.

We already have a speaker for next year's conference and pray that this coming year brings safety, support, and a plentiful harvest for these humble and dedicated servants of the Lord who selflessly dedicate their lives, sometimes with much personal sacrifice, to serve the calling that God has placed upon them.

- Jennifer Schumm

(Photo/Bill Clarke & Freddy Fritz)

Lakewood Retreat is just a short trip at only 35 minutes up the road from TBPC. Remember, registration ends March 31 for overnight guests and day visitors, both of which are welcome. Click the button below!

The Missions Committee moved into 2026 with much speed and many accomplishments. January and February were filled with visits from some of our supported missionaries and the Missions Conference.

The Missions Committee will implement the new budget in March. We added 3 new missionaries and added Susan Newkirk back to our list of supported missionaries since she decided to reenter the mission field helping Carla Stevens. Thus, overall, we added 4 missionaries to the total number TBPC supports.

This has only been made possible by the great support of your generous giving to the Missions Fund. Both the Missions Committee and the supported missionaries thank you. Please continue supporting the missionaries with funds and prayers. Click the buttons below for articles written by Chelsea Rollman (a marketing specialist and staff writer at MTW ). She describes different ways you can pray for missionaries, so please read these and use them daily during 2026.

Grace and Peace,

Michael Bridges

Crash Course in Early Church History

Heartwarming WBS friendships and prayer partnerships have certainly helped to take the chill off this unusually chilly Florida winter!

I also just have to say how thrilled I am with our current Ligonier teaching series by Dr. Robert W. Godfrey on church history. Dr. Godfrey is the President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Church History at Westminster Seminary California.

It isn’t that I haven’t studied any church history. I’ve even taught some of it. But I have never been treated to such an overview as I have with this study. I’m sure my enthusiasm is shared by the others who are part of the study. Regrettably, my college professor knew church history meticulously well but somehow didn’t manage to capture my enthusiasm. There was so much detail that I “couldn’t see the forest for the trees!“ Ancient history came alive for me in college when we studied The Progress of Redemption, and American church history during seminary came alive and also personal because I could see my own family in the 20th century. But Dr. Godrey has woven in some of the significant pieces in the middle so that I have a more complete picture.

This study has been especially helpful following our study of Acts through the recent Sunday morning sermon series by Pastor Freddy Fritz and concurrently by studying Acts in WBS last season.

Dr. Godfrey’s astonishing grasp of church history enabled him to summarize the flow of major events in a very clear, concise, and understandable way, so we all feel more comfortable with our own historical Christian roots as believers in Christ! He certainly de-mystified TBPC’s recent foray into the Athanasian Creed.

I was expecting to learn a lot, but I was not expecting to get a much firmer grasp of how the early church developed, wading through the heavy issues of biblical interpretation, the nature of Christ, the nature of the Trinity, and the intersection of the Church with the Roman Empire.

I’m glad Dr. Godfrey also inserts Greek language background when it’s important! Godfrey’s sometimes smirky, dry humor is endearing.

- Eileen Fritz

Some talented ladies worked hard on crocheting baby blankets at the "Loops, Love, & Fellowship"

event sponsored by Women's Ministry on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

(Photo/Brandi Schultz)

Dear TBPC Family,

It has been a joyful and exciting time at NTCA. We are continually grateful for the love, encouragement, and prayers that surround us each day. We recently hosted a special “Donuts with Dad” morning where the dads joined their children for a sweet time of laughter, smiles, and memorable moments together. Oh, and donuts! It was a beautiful reminder of the blessing of family and the importance of these early years.

We also celebrated the 100th Day of School with themed activities that highlighted how much the students have learned and grown since the beginning of the school year. In addition, a local dentist visited the school to teach the children about healthy teeth and good brushing habits in a fun and engaging way. It is incredible to watch the Lord at work as the children learn, play, and grow in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment.

We are thankful for the continued support of our church family and the opportunity to serve in this ministry. Please continue to pray for our students, families, and staff as we seek to glorify God in all that we do each day.

With gratitude & blessings,

Susanne Gonzalez, NTCA Director

The Missions Conference has come and gone, and it can be easy to let the meaning and the impact fade, especially when it comes to children. But it's often children who have the biggest hearts for the lost and the greatest desire for others to know Jesus. Click on the button below to read more about helping kids think about missions.

This past month, the youth group continued learning about the attributes of God in Sunday School, and our own Matthew Stringer taught a lesson on the holiness of God. We discussed the Reformed doctrine of baptism from the Westminster Shorter Catechism during a Sunday evening lesson. We participated in a movie night fundraiser for the RYM Summer Retreat and look forward to another fundraiser in March.

- John Revell

Toney, Anna, Reagan, Morgan, Peyton, and Kiliaen have attended TBPC since November of 2020. You may remember Toney chaired the committee to bring Pastor John Revell to TBPC. (Yes, we know, the jury is still out on whether that endears us to Toney or not!) Anna is the wiz behind all the VBS decorations the last few years, and the rest of the gang can be found chasing, holding, playing with, and being loved by all the younger kids around the church.

How did you find TBPC?

A trusted OPC pastor and friend in Michigan encouraged us to visit. We love that TBPC has a steadfast commitment to regulated worship, unwavering scriptural integrity, careful theological precision, and faithful adherence to Presbyterian polity.

Tell us a little bit about your family and how you like to spend your time.

Anna and I (Toney) both grew up in Tampa. We moved to Kentucky for graduate school in 2006 and returned home in 2014. Both sets of parents, now proud grandparents, also live in town. We love the beach and try to spend as much time on the coast as we can. When we’re not on or near the water, we enjoy watching TV, cooking at home and outdoors, and discovering new places to travel and explore. We (the adults of the family) especially enjoy craft beer and make a point of visiting local breweries wherever we go.

What careers have you been involved in?

I have worked in project management for 15 years, Anna is a full-time homemaker and homeschool teacher, and the children have made something of a career out of aging their parents a little faster than expected.

What's your secret talent?

I have an impressively sharp palate and can usually detect every element in a dish. Even when flavors are layered in a complex blend, I'm almost always able to isolate individual ingredients and name what’s in it. And from there, I can often recreate a recipe simply by relying on how something smells and tastes, working backward to the method.

If you could instantly master any skill or talent, what would you pick?

I have always wanted to learn how to weld, and Anna wishes she could eat green beans without gagging.

Anything else unique about you?

I name my external drives after Victorian or antiquated male names, moving alphabetically each time I retire one. So far, they’ve been Abner, Bernard, Chauncey, Delmar, and Elwood.

Which person in the Bible (other than Jesus) do you think would make the best dinner guest?

Peter would make a fascinating dinner guest. He was bold, impulsive, deeply flawed, and deeply loved by Christ. I suspect the conversation would be honest, unfiltered, and marked by hard-earned humility. As a working fisherman, he likely appreciated simple, hearty fare, and I imagine he would not object to a good beer and a properly cooked medium-rare steak.

What lesson has God been teaching you?

God has been gracious in teaching us endurance through hardship and in showing us that when no solution or light is visible from a human perspective, our hope rests elsewhere.

What is your favorite hymn?

Come Thou Fount

What is your favorite Scripture?

In this season, we have been finding steady comfort in the Psalms. I am particularly drawn to the directness and urgency of the Gospel of Mark, and Anna is encouraged by the quiet providence woven throughout Esther.

And one more question. If Pastor Freddy had a superpower, what would it be?

I’m not entirely sure, but I imagine it would involve a heroic level of patience, grace, humor, and a very meticulous sense of organization.

Robert & Christy Almonte - March 3, 2008

Jeff & Marissa Skipper - March 21, 2008

The debate regarding free will often unfolds with competing, vague definitions. What do we Reformed folk mean when we deny that fallen humanity has free will? The simple answer is, we deny that fallen humans have the willingness to embrace God and do what is good apart from or before God’s action. God must regenerate us, resurrect us, change us – and only then do we choose to follow God (Rom. 6:16-22; Eph. 2:1-6; Acts 16:14; 1 Cor. 2:14-16). Before someone embraces the spiritual realities of Christianity and pursues what is good, the Holy Spirit must first “renew and persuade” their will (WSC #31).

Zooming out from the realm of salvation, we believe that God ordains whatsoever comes to pass, which means everything happens necessarily, in a sense. Every decision we make has been predetermined, and will necessarily play out according to God’s eternal will. Based on this truth of necessity, some have concluded that all human action is compulsory. Therefore, some say, the human will is forced or compelled according to God’s will.

On the contrary, this logical leaping point goes well beyond the doctrine of the Magisterial Reformers. This past month, I discovered that even Martin Luther carefully nuanced this point in his famous Bondage of the Will:

“I could wish, indeed, that a better term was available for our discussion than the accepted one, necessity, which cannot accurately be used of either man’s will or God’s. Its meaning is too harsh, and foreign to the subject; for it suggests some sort of compulsion, and something that is against one’s will, which is no part of the view under debate. The will, whether it be God’s or man’s, does what it does, good or bad, under no compulsion, but just as it wants or pleases, as if totally free.”

“I distinguish two necessities: one I call necessity of force, referring to action; the other I call necessity of infallibility, referring to time. Let him who hears me understand that I am speaking of the latter, not the former; that is, I am not discussing whether Judas became a traitor willingly or unwillingly, but whether it was infallibly bound to come to pass that Judas should willingly betray Christ at a time predetermined by God.”

- John Revell

Keith Mathison of Ligonier created this list with his top recommendations for the most helpful books on church history:

General Church History

1. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church by F.L. Cross

2. The Story of Christianity (2 volumes) by Justo Gonzales

3. Sketches from Church History by S.M. Houghton

4. The Church in History by B.K. Kuiper

5. A History of Christianity by Kenneth Scott Latourette

6. 2000 Years of Christ’s Power (3 volumes) by N.R. Needham

7. History of the Christian Church (8 volumes) Philip Schaff

8. Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley

9. Parade of Faith: A Biographical History of the Christian Church by Ruth A. Tucker

Historical Theology

1. Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine Gregg R. Allison

2. The History of Christian Doctrines by Louis Berkhof

3. Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church Harold O.J. Brown

4. Historical Theology by William Cunningham

5. Thinking with the Church: Essays in Historical Theology by B.A. Gerrish

6. History of Theology by Hägglund Bengt

7. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine (5 volumes) by Jaroslav Pelikan

We would first like to thank everyone for their contributions to both the General and Missions Funds. Through your kind and generous donations, we were able to go from a $20,000 shortage to a $9,000 surplus in the General Fund.

The Diaconate has been and is still working to devise and implement the safety team.

At the time of this writing we are coordinating efforts to help in the setting up and taking down of the sanctuary for the Missions Conference Dinner, so we appreciate all the help throughout the busy weekend.

Lastly, we can finally celebrate the installation of the cross and church name on the side of the building facing Bruce B. Downs Boulevard!

- 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 any of the Deacons (David Cross, Michael Rush, and Derk Shultz - Deacon in Training), or either of the Deacon Assistants (David Lehmann and Ken Smoot) or email us by using the button below.

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

Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 1 and 15 at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m.

Sunday, March 8 and 22 from 5 - 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 8 and 22 at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 14 at 12:30 p.m.

See Brian Carrier for more information!

Sunday, March 15 at 12:30 p.m.

March 16 - 20

Thursday, March 19

• Diaconate 5:30 p.m.
• Session 6 p.m

Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m.

See Brian Carrier for more information!

Saturday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, March 31

We are excited to share that our church is now on Instagram. Follow us at @TampaBayPresbyterianChurch for updates on services, events, and church life. Please consider sharing our page with others to help extend our ministry. Scan the QR code or click the link to check it out!

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.