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SOLD OUT NEWSLETTER First anniversary edition

Publication XII www.iamsoldout.com August 2019

INSPIRATIONAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS BIRTHDAYS

MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to take the word of God out into a broken world to those who struggle and feel lonely, hopeless and abandoned. Going out and sharing the message that there is hope. That Jesus Christ saves souls from the muck and mire setting the lost on a solid foundation.

The purpose of this newsletter is to inform, inspire, and invite anyone seeking a

loving and caring Church Family. All are welcome (Adults 18 and over) to join us

in praise and worship. Doors open at 9:15 am Sundays. See calendar for details.

FOOD PANTRY

Food Pantry is held on the First and Third Saturday (August 3rd and 17th) of each Month. Come to the Coffee House 8:00 am to 10:00 am

SOLD OUT STORE HOUSE

Is open whenever our doors are open

DONATIONS ARE WELCOME

THE CONTINENTAL INN

Is Located at 12810 US Highway19N Clearwater, Florida 33764

Contact Dawn @ 727-458-7124

SOLD OUT COFFEE HOUSE

Come join us for coffee and fellowship

every Saturday morning from 8:00 am

to 10:00 am.

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THE SOLD OUT BAND

The Sold Out Band is the worship band for Sold Out Ministries Inc. and is available to play

at your next event. Be sure to visit our website, email us at soldoutallin@gmail.com. Contact

Milt @ (727) 458-9905 or Dawn @ (727) 458-7124

THE BLANK PAGE

The blank page is an artist’s canvas to paint a masterpiece. It is a sculptor’s lump of clay to

be molded into something magnificent. It’s a place for a writer to assemble the right words

in the right order to create an unforgettable story. All three are gifts from God.

I continue to encourage, challenge, and invite anyone who wishes to contribute to this

newsletter. See Jim Ellis for details.

Food for Thought This month the Sold Out Newsletter celebrates one year of publication. A variety of

subjects have filled these pages. As we have grown and changed this past year, so has our

newsletter. It has matured and evolved from the very first issue in August 2018. I feel that

this issue should be something special. Let’s take a look back at the past year.

In August, our first issue, the Sold Out Coffee House was opened. The Sold Out Store

House was given recognition. Peace was the topic of Food For Thought.

The format of the second issue in September saw very little change. The Food for

Thought was on Contentment.

October saw dramatic change on the front page. Our Sold Out mission statement was

created and added. Also added was the Sold Out Band Statement.

November, our fourth publication, and Thanksgiving issue asked, “What are you

thankful for?” As an invitation to contribute to “Food For Thought” the “Blank Page” was

created, and an insert for the upcoming Night of Hope event at Tropicana Field on

December 2nd.

December, number five, was of course the Christmas Issue. Food for thought talked

about nostalgia and the real meaning of Christmas.

January welcomed in the New Year 2019. Remembering the Dec. 2nd Night of Hope

and our Sold Out Christmas Party.

February was written but never printed due to a change in my path. March and April

were missed.

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The month of May saw the return of our newsletter. Including the story of the path

change that God had put me on. That going to jail was not about me, but about doing His

will. Letting others know that there is good news and hope for the future. The February

newsletter was never published because I was in Jail. Included in the May issue was the

subject of freedom originally intended for February.

In the month of June the Food Pantry was added to the Sold Out events list. The

subject of Food for Thought was Indecision. And names of those celebrating birthdays at

the end of the month were added.

July Food for thought was on Obedience, yielding to Authority. Also, over time the

coffee house has become a popular place for fellowship, and our newsletter has gained

popularity.

This month of August 2019 has a special meaning. Not only has this Sold Out

Newsletter been a complete success reaching many people in many places.

FRIENDSHIP

Always be a friend to those who are friends with Jesus

I always try to come up with a paragraph or two that will get the attention of Our

Newsletter readers. This month my thoughts are on the importance of friendship. Or a word

that I often use; camaraderie. This world can be a very lonely place without someone to

spend time with and share our joys and burdens. There have been periods in my life where

there were friends all around me, and times when my behavior drove them away; leaving

me miserable. Back in the days when I was a drinker, the bottle was my only friend and I

did not care. I thought I was okay, independent, spending all my time solo, believing that I

didn’t need anyone. I see now that it just couldn’t be. Everyone needs someone to associate

with. What do you do when everything feels bad? And there is no one to help ease the pain.

With no one to help, the only relief known is to call on the alcohol or drug.

The value of a friend: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for

their labor. For if they fall, one can lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when

he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again if two lie down together, they will keep

warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two

can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

After nine years sober the truth has been revealed; that I was not happy being

alone. That being alone in my own thoughts, living life my way, caused me to make bad

decisions. That the bottle was not my friend, but the fiend trying to destroy me. How did I

get away from the deceptive evil one? I discovered that I had a friend in Jesus who could

remove the belief that I didn’t need anyone. He took me away from worldly ways and my

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addiction to alcohol and opened the door to a relationship with God and other people.

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity

with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy

of God.” (James 4:4)

“I went out to find a friend & there were none to be found. I went out to be a friend &

they were everywhere.” (Unknown)

Even though I still enjoy some solitary time, which I believe can be healthy, there

exists a need to be with friends. Either with one friend to share time together, or with a

group (esprit de corps). I have found that I need that camaraderie; being with those who

share the same interests and are familiar and enjoyable to be with. Many times, for

example, I have gone with a small group to a movie. I may not care for the movie much but

as I always say, it is all about the camaraderie.

THE ABC’S OF FRIENDSHIP

Accept you as you are.

Believes in you.

Calls just to say Hi.

Doesn’t give up on you.

Envisions the whole you (even the unfinished parts).

Forgives your mistakes.

Gives unconditionally.

Helps you.

Invites others over.

Just wants to be with you.

Keeps you close at heart.

Loves you for who you are.

Makes a difference in your life.

Never judges you.

Offers support.

Picks you up.

Quiets your fears.

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Raises your spirit.

Says nice things to you.

Tells you the truth, when you need to hear it.

Understands you.

Values you.

Walks beside you.

Xplains things you don’t understand.

Yells at you when you won’t listen.

Zaps you back into reality.

SECOND THOUGHT The Sold Out Coffeehouse continues be a great Saturday morning opportunity to

come together in fellowship. A Saturday morning at the Coffee House sets the tone for the

day. So what goes on from 8:00 to 10:00 every Saturday morning? The doors open at 8:00.

At that time there are people gathering at the door. When the door opens the aroma of

fresh coffee and breakfast being prepared wakes the senses. People greet each other with

handshakes, fist bumps and hugs. As coffee is served, conversation and laughter fill the air.

All of life’s worries and concerns melt away as attention is directed to one another. Soon

the room is silenced for prayer to bless the food prepared, and the abundant donations of

bread and pastries that come each week. On the first and third Saturday a food pantry

supported by Liberty Worship is held.

Sunday mornings the Sold Out Family comes together once more to fellowship, share

a hearty breakfast, sing praises with the Sold Out Band, hear the word of God and pray for

one another. It is also time to greet and get to know newcomers, offering support and words

of encouragement.

Every Thursday evening we gather for Bible Study. Over the past few weeks we have

been studying with deep discussion, First and Second Peter, verse by verse. Being together,

enjoying fellowship, a snack and the word of God makes a Thursday evening uplifting, a

Spiritual recharge until we meet again on Saturday morning at the coffee house.

There have been many memorable special events with the Sold Out Band. Recently

in the month of July the Sold Out Band appeared at The Celebrate Recovery Community

picnic. Many of us from the Sold Out Family attended. Due to the heat of summer and the

rainy weather, the picnic was held indoors. It was still a blessed day of fellowship, praise

and Worship and great food. Then at the end of the day, even with the rain, a movie, The

Life of Steve McQueen was shown outside, undercover, in the breezeway of the United

Methodist Church.

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There have been many events over the past 18 months, both here at the Continental

and “on the road”. Events that I have had the opportunity to capture on video and to

photograph. Being there with my camera capturing priceless moments allows me to do

what I feel called to do. A year ago I was blessed with creating this newsletter. Another one

of the things I enjoy creating. I have used my God given talents to create this newsletter

and commit to continue monthly publications maintaining what this paper is all about. To

inform, inspire and let readers know there is a place to worship and be encouraged. To

fellowship with like-minded Christians being an important member of the Sold Out Family.

Jim Ellis ✍

SOLD OUT EVENTS

EVERY SUNDAY Sold Out Worship Service starts at 10:00 am. Doors

open at 9:15 Sold Out Store house is open.

BIBLE STUDY Every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm. Doors open at 6:15

pm.

COFFEE HOUSE Come join us for coffee and fellowship every Saturday

morning from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Food Pantry is held on the first

and third Saturday during coffee house.

Monday August 5th Sold Out Band at Celebrate Recovery Abundant

Life 6:15 pm 1550 Belcher Rd. Largo, Fl.

Friday August 9th Big Birthday celebration for Milt. Bucs Watch party,

games, karaoke, food and snacks. 7:00 pm

BIRTHDAYS ARE CELEBRATED ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH

MONTH. SEE ANDREA FOR DETAILS

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SOLD OUT FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST

MILT R. 8/9

CHUCK M. 8/10

LEE H. 8/14

JIM E. 8/25

PASTOR MILT SR. 8/28

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A LOOK BACK

Fall for Jesus Concert and BBQ

Saturday October 20, 2018

SOLD OUT Pumpkin Carving

Sunday October 28, 2018 NIGHT OF HOPE

Sunday December 2, 2018

SOLD OUT Christmas Party

December 20, 2018

Palm Sunday

April 14, 2019

Easter Sunday

April 21, 2019

Tree Of Life Concert

May 24, 2019 Celebrate Recovery

Community Picnic

July 20, 2019

FIRST SOLD OUT NEWSLETTER

FRONT PAGE

AUGUST 2018