|
King of Peace MCC Matters
February 7th, 2024
| |
(JESUS MAFA. Transfiguration, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, Tenn.) | |
|
Sunday, February 11th, 2024
Sermon:
"The Ripple Effect: My Transformation Leads to Our Transformation"
Sacred Text:
Mark 9:2-9
Worship (in-person and online):
10:30 AM
| |
Rev. Gina Durbin is our Preacher This Sunday! | | |
|
Our very own Rev. Gina Durbin will be bringing us the word this Sunday morning. Rev. Gina currently serves as a Hospice Chaplain at AccentCare. She has previously served as an Associate Pastor of King of Peace, Interim Pastor of Suncoast MCC in Venice, and Interim Pastor of Heartland MCC in Springfield, IL. Rev. Gina's energetic and Spirit-filled preaching will stir our hearts. Don't miss the word she has to bring us! | |
|
This Sunday is considered Transfiguration Sunday in the lectionary cycle, because we look at one of the passages from the Synoptic Gospels about Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain. Suddenly while Jesus was standing there, Elijah and Moses appeared and Jesus began to shine with God’s glory and light. The 3 disciples (Peter, James, and John) are frightened and do not know what to do or say. Jesus tells them to not tell anyone what they have seen until after he rises from the dead. The disciples still have no idea what Jesus is talking about! Whew! That is a lot to unpack, isn’t it? We will look at “The Ripple Effect” of that moment and delve deeper into how each of us individually is transformed through prayer, and how living as a follower of Jesus can lead to all of our transformation.
Blessings,
Rev. Gina
| |
Safety Protocols for In-person Worship | |
|
Masks are optional for all those fully-vaccinated. If you have not been fully-vaccinated, we ask that you please continue to wear your mask.
In terms of physical contact, please be sensitive and respect everyone's personal wishes.
If you don't feel well, we ask you to please stay home. This includes fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
| |
|
You can find any regular updates from our Pastoral Search Team by clicking here.
We are nearing the finish line! We are continuing our discernment and due diligence, and hope to have an announcement soon.
If you have any other questions for the Pastoral Search Team, you can email [email protected].
| |
|
Take a few minutes each day this week to pray this prayer for our church, our Pastoral Search Team, and our next Senior Pastor:
God of Hope, we are grateful for our church and the ministry you call us to do in the world. We join our hearts in prayer for the three candidates that have been interviewed to be our next Senior Pastor. Be with our Pastoral Search Team and give them wisdom and guidance from your Spirit as they do their work. May we be a place where faith and real life intersect for healing, hope and service through God’s love.
We pray in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
| |
It's that time again! Join us for our monthly Breakfast Club at Parkside Cafe (8180 49th St. N, Pinellas Park) on Thursday, February 8th at 9 am. This is a great way to meet others who attend King of Peace, and start the day off right! | |
Contribution statements will be available to pick up this Sunday. Those that are not picked up by the 18th will be mailed. | |
|
We will hold our annual Ash Wednesday Service, starting the season of Lent on February 14th at 7 pm. Ash Wednesday helps remind us that God makes beautiful things out of the dust, preparing us for the resurrection power found on Easter!
This year we will have a very special Ash Wednesday service. “New Laces in Old Shoes” is Rebecca’s debut poetry show. Featuring 6 original poems in her authentic style & unique voice, she shares her journey of “untying the knots of church & scripture.” Her words, her heart, her honesty will move you to laugh, cry, ponder, wonder & maybe be inspired to write a poem of your own.
10 Camels is Rebecca’s offering to the world, turning words into water, inviting others to a transformative encounter. Her writing tells a story of finding belonging & facing rejection in the church, illustrating a passionate pursuit to find her place in the story of creation.
Rebecca is a queer poet & storyteller weaving together life experiences with scripture & spirituality. Her words driven by an upbringing in the Vehicle & Motor City. Her heart beating with healing & hope. Living a call to authenticity & creativity.
Follow 10 Camels on social media and subscribe on Substack at 10camels.substack.com for a weekly offering of water-filled words each Wednesday direct to your inbox.
| |
Do you want to know more about King of Peace and MCC worldwide? Do you want to know what it really means to be a member of King of Peace? Then make plans to attend our next Membership Class on Sunday, February 18th, following worship. We will serve a light lunch. This will also be the last opportunity to take membership before we will vote for our next Senior Pastor in the near future. To RSVP to Membership Class, sign up in the foyer or email [email protected]. | |
|
On Sunday, February 25th at 10:30 am, King of Peace MCC welcomes gospel recording artist Marvin Matthews.
A tireless concert artist, Marvin has worked with a host of popular artists including Debbie Boone, Andrae Crouch, the late Bob Hope, Mark Lowry, Little Richard, Karen Wheaton, Deniece Williams, and CeCe Winans. He has been featured on most major Christian networks, including The Word Network, TBN and CBN.
He has appeared on several TV shows including Cornerstone TV-Pittsburgh, PA, Daystar TV-Dallas/Fort Worth Texas, Swan’s Place with Dennis Swanberg, The Hour of Power with Dr. Robert Schuler-Garden Grove, California, The Bobby Jones Gospel Show-BET and the Word Network, to name a few. Bill and Gloria Gaither have featured Marvin on several of their Gaither Homecoming video series presentations.
His exuberant personality combined with his unique vocal talent and compassionate spirit crosses all socio-economic and racial lines. He’s a natural, whether on a concert stage performing with a symphony, or standing in front of a church congregation with his soundtracks. His enthusiasm envelops the listener.
We will be receiving a love offering for Marvin that Sunday. You can listen to samples of his music on Youtube here. Don't miss it. You'll miss out on a blessing!
| |
|
Please stick around after worship on Sunday, February 25th for a special Congregational Forum. Our Lay Delegates would like to discuss the Special General Conference for affirming the Council of Elder appointments for worldwide MCC, which will be voted on February 27th by our Lay Delegates and Clergy.
MCC will offer three virtual forums to introduce the candidates.
Each forum will last approximately 90 minutes and they will have the opportunity to speak, and answer some of your questions. Video recordings of the Forums will be made available.
Those virtual forums will be on:
Monday, Feb. 19th at 6 pm
Thursday, Feb. 22nd at 1 pm
Saturday, Feb. 24th at 8 am
Here is the link for all these forums.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85261431767?pwd=ojz98w7IaC1DbHjk3okz7Uy3q2f6KM.1
MCC has asked that we offer up this prayer during this process:
Come Holy Spirit, Guide and inspire us all in this time of discernment. Bless our Moderator, Cecilia, as she discerns who you have called to serve at such a time as this. Bless all those who have been willing to consider the call to be Elder. May they find their right place to serve your people, through this process. Bless us all, as we seek to do the will of God and follow the example of Jesus. Amen.
If you have any other questions, please see your Lay Delegates: Bob Pope, Cathy Campbell-Heroux and Penny Weston.
| |
|
King of Peace's Soul Food Dinner is back! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 28th at 6:30 pm. We'll meet in the Social Hall for a great comfort meal.
Tickets for the meal are now on sale for $10. Last day to get your ticket is Wednesday, February 21st. If you've been to one of our Soul Food Dinners before, you know this is something you don't want to miss!
| |
Right after the Soul Food Dinner, we hope you'll join us in the sanctuary on Wednesday night, February 28th, at 7:30 pm, for a Night of Gospel Praise. After you fill up your stomachs with great soul food, come have your Spirits filled with scripture and energetic praise music! | |
We are offering a book study before worship on Brian McLaren's "We Make the Road by Walking". Every Sunday, we meet from 9:30-10:15 am, in Room 5. If you miss Sunday School, this is for you! Want to know more about the book or how to order it, click here. See Rob Pannett if you have any questions. | |
Join SunCoast MCC, our Moderator Rev. Cecilia Eggleston and her wife Orgena Rose, Marsha Stevens-Pino, Rev. Nancy Wilson, Rev. Renae and Terrie, and many MCCers on a 6 night cruise aboard the Carnival Paradise on September 30th-October 6th. Make your reservations today! | |
This month, the Good Samaritan Food Pantry is in need of donations of cereal and ramen noodles. If you are able to donate these items, please bring them to church with you on Sunday or you can drop them off at the church office Monday through Thursday from 9 am-5 pm. There will be a shopping cart in the foyer, just inside the front door, where you can please them. | |
Do you know of anyone within our congregation who might need some congregational care or for us to offer their name in prayer during Sunday service? If so, please email [email protected]. | |
|
Covenant Keepers is our Stewardship program for 2024. It provides an opportunity for you to make a covenant with God through King of Peace MCC in six areas of your life: Presence, Spiritual Growth, Prayer, Financial Support, Witness, and Service. This program is designed to help us grow as individuals and together as a Church.
Our theme this year is "There's No Place Like Home." What a journey we have been on to get “home”. As we settle in to our new facility, there is a lot to do at the church and beyond the church. If you haven't yet filled one out, you can still do so. Put it in the offering basket, mail it to the church office (6085 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, FL 33781) or email it to [email protected].
You can get an electronic copy of the Covenant Keeper Commitment Card here.
| |
Drag Bingo at Suncoast MCC | |
To purchase tickets to this event, click on the picture above or click here. | |
Fundraiser for Pinellas Youth Pride | |
|
Total Monthly Budget for 2024: $24,956
Total Income for January 2024: $23,497.59
Total Weekly Budget for 2024: $5,759
Total Income for week of 1/28-2/3: $2,270.74
In-Person attendance for 1/28: 127
Facebook Live attendance for 1/28: 13
Online Views: 468
Class/Event Attendance: 18
| | |
|
Remote Giving Options
with VANCO Mobile
In our continual effort to make giving easy for you, we are offering VANCO Mobile. This mobile app is accessible on your phone or tablet anywhere you are! Best yet, it is easy to use! Or you can access their website at Vancopayments.com. For instructions on how to do this, click here.
If you have any questions about this or need some help, call the church office and ask for Melanie or send her an email at [email protected].
Here are a few other ways to give your tithes/offerings to King of Peace:
- Call in your contribution to VANCO Client Services 800.675.7430
- Mail your contribution to King of Peace MCC (6085 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33781) or you may drop it by the church office Monday - Thursday 9:30 AM - 4PM.
| |
|
The next North American LEAD Retreat
to be held at Church of the Trinity MCC
Sarasota, FL, USA
April 19-21, 2024
LEAD, Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship, is the UFMCC lay leader certificate program. Since its inception in 2011, there have been 13 North American LEAD cohort groups, as well as LEAD cohort groups in the UK, the Philippines, the European Network and Australia. We now have 51 LEAD graduates following their call to lay ministry all over the world. The next LEAD cohort group, North American LEAD 14, is now being planned for Friday, April 19, beginning at 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight-Saving Time, through Sunday, April 21, 6:00 pm Eastern Daylight-Saving Time, at Church of the Trinity MCC, Sarasota, FL, USA.
One of the exciting features about this retreat is that most of the expenses for the retreat will be covered by a fund set up by upRising MCC of Austin, TX, USA. Because of the fund, accepted retreat applicants will not pay the Retreat registration fee (normally $350). In addition, Church of the Trinity will provide housing for participants with its church congregants and provide several meals during the Retreat. Retreat participants will only need to pay for their travel, plus a $50 matriculation fee, to attend the retreat. In addition, all online courses that are required or are electives for completion of the LEAD program will be paid through the fund (a $600 value). The LEAD scholarship fund, The Judy Dale Scholarship for Lay Leadership, may be used to assist with other fees associated with course work or events necessary for the completion of the LEAD certificate requirements.
Applications
Applications will be processed on a “first come, first served” basis until March 11, or until 18 applicants have been accepted to attend the Retreat.
Applications can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1946FBthJkP5mOsXHt_LaooV1EuUD6S9H/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107596378083343173086&rtpof=true&sd=true (to download the Application, click on “File” in the upper left hand corner. A pull-down menu will appear. Click on “Download” and then select “Microsoft Word”.)
More information about the LEAD program can be found in the North American LEAD Manual here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y5eZ1rhXCPo647xrMv2BOnjvsTals5VR/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105065752783664344590&rtpof=true&sd=true (to download the Manual, click on “File” in the upper left hand corner. A pull-down menu will appear. Click on “Download” and then select “Microsoft Word”.
Questions about the retreat or the LEAD program can be directed to Elder Nancy Maxwell at [email protected].
| | | | | |
