Praise the Lord. He is Risen. It’s Easter week and we are looking forward to worshiping together (online) this Sunday at 10:45 a.m. Don’t miss it on our Website or Facebook. Please invite your family and friends to join us.

What’s more, before and after our worship service every Sunday, beginning at 9:15 a.m., all of our adult Core Groups are gathering on Zoom. Whether you are already connected to a Core Group, or want to connect, I am sending this email to update you on a few things.

Update on attendance
This past Sunday (April 5, 2020), we had 220 people in adult Core Groups. This is a super number, more than 90 percent of our average in-person, adult Core Group attendance.

I want to thank all of our Core Group leaders for embracing Zoom and seamlessly adapting to it. I also want to thank all of you who are joining in with your groups for Bible study, prayer, fellowship and mission. It’s life together, and it’s a vital part of the Christian life (1 John 1:3). Keep it up!

Connecting with our adult Core Groups
If you are not yet in a group, or want to join in with your group online, we have the complete list of our adult Core Groups online here -> fbctampa.org/coregroups. Just browse to the group you are interested in joining and click the “Zoom” link, or dial-in with a regular phone call using that group’s corresponding phone number and meeting ID.

Recent changes in some Core Group links
We have had some recent changes in three groups. These changes are already updated on our Website. I want to advise you of those changes also here:

If you are in one of these groups, or you are looking to visit one of these groups, you will want to use this information beginning this Sunday, April 12, 2020.

Zoom security
We’ve read some stories about issues with security in Zoom. We have not had any problems, but apparently some unwanted guests are entering into random meetings and using the screen-share feature inappropriately. Our Core Group leaders are aware of these stories, and are prepared to make some basic changes in the settings of their meetings should it become necessary.

Getting help
I am available by phone to help you and to coach you through the Zoom app or even the conference call feature. Please call me (Boe) on my direct extension (813) 533-5538.

Here’s the list of all of our classes  (… look for more instructions below):

God’s Word often directs Christian fellowship with realities and commands containing the phrase, “one another.” Studying these passages can guide our own attitudes and actions as a local church.

We must begin with a fact, not a command; with what is, not what should be: We are members of one another. As believers in Christ we already belong to each other. By God’s grace, through faith in Jesus, we have been joined inseparably to him and to one another. “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3).”

This fact—that we are members of one another—forms the biblical basis for our right thoughts and actions toward one another. What “already is” becomes the basis for what “ought to be” (Rom 12:3-5; 1 Cor 12:12-27; John 10:16; Eph. 2:11-22; 3:6: 4:2-6; 5:28-30).

What attitudes and actions should mark us? The highest and greatest duty, rooted deeply in the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus and his apostles, is to love one another. No command is repeated so frequently or magnified so intensely. It summarizes all righteousness and completely fulfills God’s law (in both covenants) toward others (Lev 19:18; Matt 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31; John 13:34-35; 15:12,17; Rom 13:8-10; 1 Cor 12:29-14:1; Gal 5:13-14; Eph 5:1-2; 1 Thes 3:12; 4:9-10; 2 Thes 1:3; Heb 10:24; 13:1; Jas 2:8; 1 Pet 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 4:8; 2 Pet 1:7; 1 John 2:10; 3:10-18; 4:7-12,19-21; 2 John 5-6).  Excerpt from The “One Another’s” of Christian Fellowship-  Robert Jones, 2007.

If you want to join ONLINE via Zoom: Just click the appropriate link above and you will be taken straight into the group,

  • and make sure to enable your audio and video (you may need to mouse over or tap the screen and click on the microphone and video icons at the bottom-left of the screen)

If you want to join by PHONE, just dial the appropriate phone number listed above, and then

  • enter the meeting ID
  • enter # (pound)
  • enter # (pound) again

— Note: If you are going to join us online, and you want to download the Zoom app or desktop client ahead of time, just click one of the links below: