The Trumpet

October 31, 1517 is an important date in Church History.

It is the day on which Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. It is the day that is considered the start of the Protestant Reformation.

What is the significance of the Protestant Reformation?

It is essential to note that Martin Luther did not intend to establish a new denomination. He tried to reform and correct the errors of the Roman Catholic Church.

One of Luther’s initial concerns was the sale of indulgences. These were payments made by people to reduce their punishment for sins. Luther saw this as a manipulation of the people and a contradiction of the Bible’s teaching that a person is saved by grace alone (sola gratia) through faith alone (sola fide) in Christ alone (solus Christus).

Luther also rejected the Pope’s claim to be the ultimate spiritual authority. He argued that Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) is the supreme authority in matters of faith and practice. He believed that people could (and should) read the Scriptures for themselves in their own language. To that end, he translated the Bible into German.

Luther was also concerned that far too many clergy lived lavish lifestyles and had significant moral failures that the Roman Catholic Church did not address. He wanted clergy to live modest and exemplary lives before the people of God.

Luther came to believe in the priesthood of all believers. He taught that all Christians had access to God through Jesus Christ. He argued against the practice that Christians needed a priest to mediate their access to God.

Tragically, Martin Luther’s call for reform was brushed aside. He was eventually excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X on January 3, 1521.

Thus began the Protestant Reformation. These were not minor differences, but significant theological errors, many of which remain in the Roman Catholic Church.

On October 26, 2025, we will join with other PCA churches in the Tampa Bay area for a joint Reformation Worship Service. This year, it will be hosted by the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Brandon, FL. The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service, with youth ministries from our PCA churches joining for a combined youth event at that time.

I hope you will join us as we consider the significance of the Protestant Reformation.

- Freddy Fritz

Of course, the Reformers were serious about truth — but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun remembering them today. How about a few lighthearted, historically flavored jokes to brighten your Reformation season? These are here sola-ly for laughs (I'll show myself out)...

What did Luther say when he made the game-winning basket?

Nailed it!

Why did Ulrich Zwingli get in trouble for eating sausage during Lent?
Because it was the wurst possible timing.

Why did John Calvin write so many commentaries?
Because he knew his readers were predestined to need a lot of footnotes.

Why did the Reformers insist on translating the Bible into common languages?
So everyone could finally argue about how to pronounce “Habakkuk.”

Why did Luther refuse to use GPS?

He believed solus Christus – Christ is the only way and the truth and the life.

It is rumored Calvin owned only one dog in his life. What was his name?

Sola Fido

What was the Reformers' favorite shoe brand?

Sola Scriptura because it was the sole authority.

Bach used to sign his music S.D.G.
That’s the original way of saying, “All glory goes to God — mic drop.”

- Holly Mickler

Join this 31-day journey to celebrate and learn more about Christian heroes of the Reformation. Click the button below to visit Desiring God and register for the daily email or to learn how to subscribe for the podcast version.

Have you adopted one of our supported missionaries to pray for, encourage, and communicate with? On September 21, members had the opportunity to do so, but if you missed this, please find someone on the Missions Committee to find out how to sign up to support a missionary.

While I have your attention, have you ever considered becoming a missionary? If so, please read the article below written by Laura Dougherty on Sep 2, 2025. She, along with her husband, Derek, and two children, served in church-planting with MTW’s team in Cusco, Peru from 2016-2021. While we do not financially support the Dougherty family, we believe their insights can help us be more mission-minded.

- Michael Bridges

On Sunday evening, September 21, Rev. Aldo Mondin, had a significant role in the service to “particularize” University Presbyterian Church as part of the Presbyterian Church in America. Rev. Wright Bushing was duly installed as the first pastor.

Aldo and RUF have partnered with Wright and UPC, which rents the church building from St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Temple Terrace. RUF meet there on Tuesdays. One Tuesday a month, Bert and Cheryl Barber and their team treat RUFers to meals during the school year. About 180-250 students attend each Tuesday night, with an average of 30 also attending the UPC worship service at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Smilingly, Aldo confessed that he didn’t mind having his picture taken “in his element" with pizza loaded on his plate after the service. Chatting with him in the photo is PCA Retired Pastor, David O’Doud, who has been a great help to UPC and RUF.

TBPC supports Aldo and Abby Mondin and family, both financially and in prayer. The TBPC family has much to celebrate for all that God is doing in this wonderful partnership!

- Eileen Fritz

Whether you're involved in WBS this season or not, you might enjoy a playlist of hymns inspired by our study book.

TBPC Men’s Ministry provided a breakfast and devotional time on Saturday, September 6. Brian and Alisa Carrier did the cooking and serving, and it was a delicious, hearty breakfast with plenty of eggs, bacon, and sausage, along with French toast and mixed fruit. Thanks, Brian and Alisa! Rod Proctor provided an inspired teaching from the men’s ongoing study of Philippians. The Men’s Ministry will be providing a Men’s Breakfast every 3 months, so watch for future announcements.

- David Lehmann

Dear TBPC Family,

NTCA is in full swing, with children happily learning and exploring each day! One of our highlights was our first chapel. The children sang songs of praise, prayed together, and learned about the story of God's creation – marveling at how he made the world and everything in it. We also had fun meeting Germaine the Germ while learning about staying healthy. We are so thankful for these special times and look forward to all the Lord has planned for us. Thank you, church family, for your faithful prayers and continued support. It truly makes a difference in the lives of the children! 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.

Christians are set apart as holy, having been brought out of the darkness and into the kingdom of the Son (Col. 1:12-13). So we are already holy in union with Christ, and we already have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20). And yet we must pursue sanctification as well. We must put on Christ and put away sin (Rom. 13:14; Col. 3:8-14). But we tend to overlook some particular facets of holiness.

Purity

• Christians refuse to be yoked with this unbelieving world (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Instead, we are to “cleanse ourselves of every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).
  
• The Apostle Paul’s mission was “to present [the church] as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2).
• James calls us to "keep ourselves unstained from the world" (Jas. 1:27).

Unity

• Holiness can be measured by how our engagements in the church either foster unity and peace, or dissension and self-centeredness. Maintaining the bond of peace in the local body of Christ requires us to pursue unity through humility and love (Eph. 4:3; Phil. 2:2-3; Col. 3:14).

  
  

Modesty

• Men are called to peaceful and patient conduct. Women are especially encouraged to present themselves with modesty in their dress and adornment (1 Tim. 2:8-10).

• After Peter urges us to abstain from the passions of the flesh, he adds that we should conduct ourselves honorably – which is to say, modestly (1 Peter 2:11-12).

One way to maintain purity and unity in the church is actually through modesty. When we present ourselves to each other and to the world with modesty – with humility, dignity, and self-control – we both set ourselves apart as the church and protect the harmony we share. Our speech, demeanor, and attire are all bound up with modesty. But the starting point of modesty is a pure heart that desires unity in the local church over and above personal preferences (Matt. 5:8). I exhort us all to pursue this virtue of modesty for the glory of God and the good of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

- John Revell

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, the youth met at the home of Toney and Anna Sauls for a meal and Q & A with Pastor John and other volunteers.

Sunday School kicked off this past month, and we look forward to digging into God's Word using the Show Me Jesus curriculum. Each week your child will receive a folded worksheet, which contains Bible readings for the week. This is a great resource to help them spend time in God's Word on a daily basis.

In Children's Church, we started using a new curriculum from Ligonier Ministries, Growing in God's Word, which will guide children through a clear, yearlong overview of Scripture, grounded in Reformed theology. Please note that during Children's Church we take a collection for our missionaries, Rev. Esaie and Natacha Etienne, and their school in Haiti. If your children receive an allowance, this is a great opportunity to teach them to give from their allowance for this collection.

- Ashleigh Kemp

The Lintons have attended TBPC for about 2 years. After driving by the church one day, they did some research and thought it could be a good fit. And aren't we thankful!

Tell us a little bit about your family.

We (Rohan, Trudy-Ann, Joyce, and Joseph) moved to Tampa about 2.5 years ago from Connecticut. Rohan and I (Trudy-Ann) were both born in Jamaica and have been married for 10 years. We have enjoyed careers in finance and accounting.

How do you like to have fun?

We enjoy family movie nights on Fridays and going to the beach. We also like family-friendly outings to the aquarium, parks, festivals, or just playing in the backyard.

What lesson has God been teaching you?

God is helping us learn more about patience and trust. He has been faithful as we have witnessed the growth and development of our children.

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

Rohan wants to invite John to discuss eschatology and apostleship, and I would invite King David and Paul because I'm interested in the lives they led.

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

For me, it would be singing and playing an instrument. Rohan picks software engineering, specifically coding.

What is your favorite verse from Scripture?

Rohan - My favorite is Psalm 110:1 because it's a reminder that Jesus will be victorious over all. I also like Isaiah 53:5 as a beautiful picture of God's love for us.

Trudy - Mine is Romans 8:28 because it shows God is ultimately in control, and he is working on my behalf regardless of how things may seem.

If Pastor Freddy was a superhero, what would his superpower be?

The ability to read minds!

What is your favorite hymn?

Rohan - Amazing Grace and There is a Fountain

Trudy-Ann - My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, In Christ Alone, and All Glory Be to Christ

Asher Betancourt - October 02

Anna Sauls - October 04

Jennifer Schumm - October 06

Christopher Powe - October 08

Morgan Sauls - October 09

Grace Betancourt - October 11

Joyce McNulty - October 11

Abraham Bayard - October 12

Karthi Selvaraj - October 12

Drew Irick - October 13

John Stodghill - October 14

Isabel Schultz - October 15

Emily Washburn - October 15

Bonnie Hutton - October 17

Laurent Calcul - October 22

Theo Smoot - October 22

Sarah D'Virgilio - October 23

Alan Polasky - October 23

Alice Wiens - October 23

Laura Highfill - October 24

Jeff Skipper - October 25

Ken Smoot - October 27

Marisa Starr-Braschler - October 27

Bill Clarke - October 29

Rosa Mojica - October 30

Hannah Revell - October 30

Tokini & Zainab Karibi-Whyte - October 23, 2004

Pastor John Revell recently preached on James 2:14-26, sharing with the congregation the relationship between faith and good works. Perhaps you'd like to know more about this topic, so click on the button below to dig deeper.

Taking a slight turn to catch one of the hues of the multi-faceted Hebrew word for “love” (hesed), Sam Storms chooses the English word “steadfast,” as he writes in hopes of believers “experiencing the life-changing power of God’s unchanging affection” in his recent release, The Steadfast Love of the Lord.

Storms’ warm, conversational style engages his readers, as he dazzles the various hues of hesed and rightly makes us want them for ourselves. The hue that seems to be most brilliantly displayed in this conversation really is the steadfast love of the Lord, no matter how painful it is for him to have to discipline us at times.

Storms convincingly insists from Zephaniah 3:17 that “merriment, elation, hoopla, unbridled glee, raucous mirth” is the way that God really steadfastly feels about us! The KJV translates it, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” The ESV has it, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Storms suggests that that we could embrace both from this multifaceted steadfast hesed love!

Reader beware! If you have invested yourself in building a strong case for why God doesn't really delight in you as one of his own, Storms might sweetly slash it to bits!

- Eileen Fritz

This month the Diaconate completed 2 major projects and one small project. Additionally, there is still one major project that is in process.

1) Tree Works Environmental Tree Care did extensive work with the removal and pruning of trees. Here is a summary of what was done:

• They pruned dead limbs over the playground area.
  
• They cut back limbs away from the church.
  
• They cut 3 dead maple trees down to low stumps.
  
• They removed several small, low palms near both entrances.
  
• They elevated low limbs around parking lots and driveways to provide clearance for vehicles and pedestrians.
  
• They cut back limbs overhanging the driveway at the north end of the property.
  

2) The monument sign was refreshed/repaired.

3) We repaired several light fixtures in NTCA classrooms.

Lastly, a large cross and “Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church” should be installed and completed in about 6 to 8 weeks. These will be displayed on the side of the church above NTCA.

- 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.

Wednesday, October 1 at 7 p.m.

All men are invited to hit the links!

Saturday, October 4 at 1 p.m.

Plantation Palms Golf Club

Sunday, October 5 at 12:30 p.m.

A portion of sales goes to support NTCA!

Tuesday, October 7 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Chuck E. Cheese

6170 Wesley Grove Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, 33544

Saturday, October 11 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Ashleigh Kemp's Home

16128 Colchester Palms Drive

Tampa, FL 33647

Registered at Amazon

Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 18 from 8:30 a.m - 4 p.m.

Registration Required!

Redeemer Church

12404 Boyette Rd.

Riverview, FL 33569

Sunday, October 19 at 12:30 p.m.

TBD

Thursday, October 23

• Diaconate 5:30 p.m.
• Session 6 p.m

Friday, October 24 at 5:30 p.m.

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.