Staying Connected with SunCoast MCC January 14, 2022

Photo Credit: Linda Staib

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; ~1 Thessalonians 1:2

STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST January 14, 2022

We are a welcoming, diverse and active community. We share God's love in a spiritual environment offering truth, trust and transformation!

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Upcoming Worship Information

"We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization" ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join Venice Interfaith Community Association (VICA) in a

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

When:

Monday, January 17 at 7 PM

Where:

Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 790 South Tamiami Trail, Venice

Guest Speaker:

Dr. John Walker, Pastor, Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Guest Vocalist:

Brenda Watty (of the Marvelettes)

Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

Pastor SunCoast MCC

Join us this

Sunday, January 16 at 10 AM

for Worship

In-Person or Live Stream

“Good Trouble”

Did you know that Dr. King quoted the Prophet Amos in his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington? “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream,” rang out on that day, as a modern prophet quoted a Biblical one. . .

This Sunday, we will also hear how Jesus got into some “Good Trouble” at the very beginning of his ministry, in the Gospel of John, at a wedding, of all things!

We will learn more about what the Honorable John Lewis meant by that provocative phrase, and how it can inspire us in these times!

Watch the Sunday Service HERE

Upcoming Calendar of Events

Important Music Ministry Update

With the rise of COVID cases, we have decided to suspend choir and drumming circle practices and performances. Rehearsals will resume in March. Our focus is the safety and health of our members and musicians.

VICA is hosting a winter series of programs focusing on Interfaith Responses to the Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The programs will be held Monday nights at 7 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 790 South Tamiami Trail, Venice

January 24:

Lifting Up Our Children in the Wake of the Pandemic: Supporting Resilience and Fostering Joy

January 31:

Turning Mourning into Dancing: Changing Sackcloth into Garments of Joy

Use the link below to download the flyer with additional information

VICA 2022 Winter Series

Beyond These Walls is hosting a night of music with Shawn Thomas. You can learn more about the artist by visiting his website at shawnthomasonline.com

When:

Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 7 PM

Where:

Beyond These Walls

2000 Rio de Janeiro Ave

Punta Gorda, FL

Welcome Rev. Rick and Michael

Join us as we welcome Rev. Rick Rhen-Sosbe as the Assistant Pastor of SunCoast MCC.

Rev. Rick will be preaching Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 10 AM. We will be blessing Michael and him as they join the SunCoast MCC family and community.

A Night with Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

Join us in our second in the series of nights with Rev. Nancy as she continues to share stories about her journey with MCC and her life experiences.

This month, Rev. Nancy will share stories from her time in Los Angeles.

Monday, February 7 at 7 PM

SunCoast MCC

This will be a hybrid event allowing those who cannot join us in person to participate virtually.

Ten Easy Ways to Get Acquainted or Re-Acquainted with the Bible in 2022

Zoom Class with Rev. Nancy Wilson

Wednesdays, February 9 and 16

7 PM – 8:15

This series can be useful for those who have known, read, and loved the Bible for a long time; or for those who have never really read the Bible on their own.

We will focus on some easy and practical ways to open the Bible as a source of strength and hope in these times.

Have a Bible handy if you have one, or borrow one from our SunCoast MCC Library!

ZOOM Link is below for the class.

Meeting ID: 880 8024 8824

ZOOM Link for Bible Study Class

Venice Pride Inc., Festival Update

Below is a message from the Venice Pride, Inc. Board of Directors

While the annual Pride Festival is one of the most important events we host for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, we are postponing the February Pride Festival until Saturday, November 12, 2022.

This was a tough decision, however we take the challenges presented by COVID-19 seriously and do not believe the timing is right to host the Pride Festival during the current surge. If you have registered as a sponsor or vendor for the Pride Festival, we will be contacting you directly.

Ministry Opportunity

Our Liturgical Arts Team, Rev. Gene and Bill B. are looking for a few good folks to help with beautifying our sanctuary according to the season and themes of worship.

If you can sew, or enjoy creativity, have experience in set design, or like going to yard sales; if you are able to help lift furniture or art objects. . . or are just interested in learning more, please let Rev. Gene know or you can email the Church at info@suncoastmcc.com

Board of Directors Updates

2021 Giving Statements

We have prepared your 2021 giving statements and will have those ready to be picked up before or after Worship this Sunday. These statements only include contributions made with cash or checks.

If you contributed electronically using EasyTithe, you will receive an email with those contributions beginning Monday,

January 17, 2022.

Please make sure to monitor your email (including Junk/Spam) for an email from EasyTithe.com

Weekly Offering

Thank you for your continued support and generosity, especially in light of these challenging times. Based on our monthly mortgage and expenses, we need $4,800 each week. The counts for the week of January 9 are $4,106 for the General Fund* and $675 for the Pillars Fund**.

*Funds the church's expenses (i.e. utilities, salaries, maintenance of property, worship/multi-media expenses, bank fees, internet, copier, office supplies, tithe, etc.).

**Pillars Funds the church's mortgage, insurance & taxes.

Donate HERE

United in the Power of Prayer

Update from Your Pastoral

& Congregational Care Team

In Charity, kindly remember in prayer members and friends of our SunCoast Community – those who are confined to home, in a health care facility or hospital

and those who are alone. May Almighty God, Physician of souls and bodies, extend healing to ease their every pain and suffering.

May they, may we, be granted healing, strength, and spiritual comfort.

We ask everyone to join us in prayer for:

Randy M & Tim M * BJ H & Denise W * Joe D & Tim H * Bill B * Frank R * Ron S * Paula J * Marty S * Jerry F * Bruce C * Mayra * Zami * Laura M * Greg H * Nikki L * Family of John G * Phyllis M * Barbara S * Judy * Gracie M * Joffrey S * Terrie B * Pam C * Lorna H

If you have someone in need of prayer to be placed on our Prayer List

or If you would like to become a member of our Prayer Team

Please Contact:

RevGeneHutter@SunCoastMCC.com

Updated SunCoast MCC Protocols for Onsite Worship

During the December Board of Directors meeting, the members reviewed the current data and have developed the following UPDATED protocols.

The Board of Directors regularly revisits the safety protocols in relation to COVID-19.

We continue to monitor the local statistics and will make changes when possible.

1) We will facilitate social distancing at indoor and outdoor gatherings (indoors, people will be encouraged to sit with people they feel comfortable sitting near, people can sit farther apart, ushers will help people who need it). Chairs will be further apart outside, in small clusters.

2) In order to attend indoor worship, you must be fully vaccinated.

3) Social hour after church has been suspended for two months, at which time we will review the situation.

4) We will offer one outdoor service per month.

5) Masks are required for indoor services.

6) Masks are required while walking to the outdoor worship area, and as you leave. If you feel comfortable, you may remove your mask during services that are held outside.