Senior Co-Pastors Rev. Vickie Miller | Rev. Nancy Wilson

SUNCOAST MCC NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 12, 2020

Sun. | Mar. 15 | 10AM The Teaching: Risking Challenge Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson The last week of Jesus' life, he doesn’t “lay low.” He puts himself out there, susceptible to those who want to trap him, twist his words, get him to say something damning. He cannot turn from his vocation—he is not only a master teacher, but prophet and voice of the Divine. It is his ability to draw the people to his teachings that pose a threat, a challenge, to the authorities. We place ourselves in the crowd this week, to be moved and motivated by Jesus for our lives—to get a faithful perspective. What would we have seen, heard and felt? What do we do now? Live Stream on Sundays 10AM EST (click here) Readings Matthew 22:15-22 REMINDER!! Don't Forget to Vote Eligible individuals can register to vote at any time. The deadline to register in order to participate in an upcoming election is 29 days before the election. Registration deadlines for 2020: Presidential Preference Primary Election: Feb. 18 General Election: Oct. 5 2020 Election Dates: Primary Election: Mar. 17 General Election: Nov. 3

Join Us in Worship Lent Entering the Passion Of Jesus Through Apr. 5 Schedule and topics below. All sermons are recorded and available on our Website.

Mar. 8: THE TEMPLE Risking Righteous Anger

Mar. 15: THE TEACHING Risking Challenge

Mar. 22: THE FIRST DINNER Risking Rejection

Mar. 29: THE LAST SUPPER Risking the Loss of Friends

Apr. 5: ThE GARDEN Risking Temptation

Apr. 10: GOOD FRIDAY In Remembrance

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS

SUN COAST WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT Fri. | Mar. 13 2PM The Theme is Jump, Jive, and Swing! Join us for an afternoon of music. All are welcome. Admission $5 PP

LUCK OF THE IRISH 50/50 Raffle $20 per ticket Drawing: Mar. 22 Only 150 tickets will be sold. The winner will be announced on Mar. 22 during Service. Tickets available now at SunCoast.

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALENDAR Mar. 2020 13 Sun Coast Wind Ensemble Concert 2pm 14 Landscaping team meeting 8am 14 Translife support group 10am 17 Lenten Study Jesus' Tough Teaching 17 AED/CPR Training at Fire Dept. Station 57, 5300 E. Laurel Road, Venice at 9:30am. Sign up in Church Lobby 22 SunCoast Congregational Forum 11:45am 22 Mission Team Meeting 11:45am 22 Luck of the Irish Drawing 11:45 23 Board of Directors Meeting 6:00pm 29 Special Service with Rev. Brad Rice Apr. 2020 03 Drag Queen Bingo 7pm 04 Kayaking 10 Good Friday 11 Trans Life Support Group 10am 12 Easter Sunday with Guest Artist Sarah-Helen Land 19 Backstage Concert with Trinity and SunCoast choirs 26 Membership Class, immediately after worship Events (click here)

LENTEN STUDY "What's So Holy about Holy Week?" 5:45PM Soup & Bread Dinner & 6:30PM Study Tuesdays Mar. 17, 24 & 31 Join Rev. Nancy and Rev. Vickie for four Tuesdays in Lent for a Lenten meal and study as we explore in more depth Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. March 17 Jesus’ Tough Teachings March 24 Dinner with Friends and Annointing March 31 The Passover Meal, Jesus’ Last Supper SUNCOAST MCC CONGREGATIONAL FORUM following Worship, Mar. 22 Featuring updates of finances, lay delegate and visioning efforts. All members and friends of SunCoast should plan to attend.

SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICE WITH REV. BRAD RICE Sun. | Mar. 29 | 10AM Rev. Brad Rice will bring our message. A long-time friend and supporter of SunCoast MCC, we welcome this opportunity to worship with Rev. Brad. Join us in welcoming Rev. Brad.

EASTER SUNDAY WITH GUEST ARTIST SARAH-HELEN LAND Sun. | Apr. 12 | 10AM Sarah-Helen Land is a lyric soprano and actor with a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Juilliard School, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Furman University ranked among the top 10 music schools in the nation. Join us in welcoming Sarah-Helen Land.

Backstreet Returns to SunCoast MCC Combined with Trinity and SunCoast Sun. | Apr. 19 | 4PM | Tickets $20 After an 11-year summer break, the popular gay men's cabaret ensemble is back. Directed by George Drummond, founding director of the Baltimore Men's Chorus and the Gulf Coast Men's Chorus. "Never Turning Back" is a fun musical look at our strides from Stonewall to today. Joined by Trinity and SunCoast choirs.

EVERYBODY YOGA WITH REV. NAOMI KING, RYT-200 WednesdaysThrough Apr. 22 at 4:45PM to 6:00PM Cost per Class gratitude donation (50% of which supports the ministries of SunCoast MCC) Yoga is an embodied spiritual practice that seeks liberation and unity within ourselves and for all beings. Contrary to many media images or studio practices in the West, yoga is for every body, not only athletic bodies. This energizing and centering class involves breath practices (pranayama and pratyahara), movement (asana), and meditation (dharana and dhyana). Participants may practice seated in a chair, using a mat, or flowing between a chair and a mat.  Gear:  Bring a yoga mat (unless working totally from a locking wheelchair) and a beach towel. Wear comfortable clothing. Minimum Ability Level:  Beginner-friendly

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS VIRUS We will continue to monitor the Coronavirus virus and provide updates as appropriate. CLICK HERE to read the steps and plan SunCoast MCC is taking at this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Church office.

SUNCOAST MCC's 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PHOTOS NOW AVAILABLE. CLICK HERE.

SUPPORT FAMILY PROMISE CENTER The local Family Promise center here in Venice not only trains people, including people from our church, to help with the church-based housing program, but they operate a center during day time hours for families with children. Family Promise has current needs, and we are invited to help supply some of those needs: (Bottled Water, Lysol spray and wipes, Bleach and Anti-bacterial hand soap. If you can help provide some of these items, please bring them to Church and deposit them in the special container for that purpose. We will get it to them.

SUNCOAST MCC MEET UP GROUPS What are Meetup Groups? A way to connect with each other around common interests, make new friends and help newcomers feel welcomed! The Groups: Consist of 12 - 15 people Last 8 weeks Meet in convenient locations and homes Study, make friends, and share life together The Groups are being formed now. Call the church office for more details.

HOSPITALITY HELP NEEDED If your last name starts with the letters "F-L", please bring a goodie tray this month. We need fruit and healthy snacks. Additional volunteers are needed every month on the second and third Sunday of each month. Contact the church office to volunteer!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CORNER SUNCOAST MCC in 2020 OUR YEAR OF PLENTY

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN We recently announced our 2020 Capital Campaign. Your loving gifts will help. Our goal is to raise $130K in the first six months with a “stretch” goal of $150K. Our intention is to allocate $100K to pay down a portion of the mortgage when we refinance. The remainder will be allocated to shore up our Pillars Fund that supports our monthly mortgage payment. We want to lower the burden of our monthly mortgage payments to free us to serve more people!  How You Can Help Our Board has designated our annual Easter Offering to the Capital Campaign. We invite you to participate! There is a brochure and envelope in your seat-back at Church if you are able to make a donation. Watch for a “thermometer” monitoring our progress. Your prayers are the most important source of energy and encouragement! Read the Testimonial by some of those participating in the Campaign. Our Dreams Continue! Regularly we will share the stories and motivations driving the Capital Campaign 2020. Checkout the following testimonial.

JOIN US IN PRAYER “O Creator, save us; O Parent, grant us success.” Psalm 118:25 “God, when we rejoice in you and depend on you for everything; then we are free to experience your abundance. Give us insight to see how to turn, how to lead, how to be. We need your help because we no longer want to act as though this journey is one we make alone. When we reach a goal, the glory is Yours, Precious Creator! We love you, we need you, and we thank you.” Inspired by – One Minute Prayers from the Bible Capital Campaign Capital Campaign team Kathy Hanas Dorothy Bays Jack Hutter Rev. Nancy Wilson Liz Bisordi If you have any suggestions or questions, speak to a capital campaign team member.

TESTIMONIALS Why I am giving to the Capital Campaign? "I was raised with a strong faith in God. In 1995 my world fell apart. I wandered for 15 years disillusioned that maybe God did hate me because I was gay. In 2004, I met a man who was active in the MCC church. I heard about Rev. Troy Perry and how he lived his faith, reaching out to gay people in his community. God did love me. The MCC church literally saved my life. Since then, I have led to give and give. Imagine how many others we could help in our community with money we give to the bank each month! I wholeheartedly support our campaign to reduce/eliminate our mortgage, I pray that you will join me." Joe Shields

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES UPDATES

2020 ALL FLORIDA NETWORK GATHERING  MAY 29 & 30, 2020 At King of Peace MCC 3150 5th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33713 SPECIAL GUESTS Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, MCC Moderator and Velma Garcia, Network Facilitator Worship * Fellowship * Workshops * Discussion Groups More details about hotels and any costs will be available soon!! Click here to subscribe to MCC's newsletter

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