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A Welcoming, Diverse And Active Community

STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST

March 24, 2023

We share God's love in a spiritual environment offering truth, trust and transformation!

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Worship Information

Rev. Rick Rhen-Sosbe /

Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

Join us this

Sunday, March 26, 2023

at 10 AM for

In Person or Virtual Worship

“The Journey”

Luke tells us that Jesus “set his face” toward Jerusalem. He was determined to go, even though he knew going would end in his crucifixion. Along his journey, he continued doing ministry.

This Sunday we will hear about the 10 lepers and their cry for mercy and healing. We will consider the one person who, after being healed, returned to Jesus to thank him. What made this gesture of thanks so special and the treatment Jesus gave the one who returned?

What can we take away from this story regarding our own lives as followers of Jesus?

Lent and Easter at SunCoast

Ways to gather during Lent

Sundays, February 26 through March 26 - Each Sunday we will explore the outsiders, outcasts and outlaws that Jesus loved, redeemed and called.

All Church Retreat tomorrow, March 25, 2023, 9 - 2 PM at Lemon Bay Park, focusing on the book “Lent in Plain Sight” led by Pastors
Palm Sunday: April 2, 2023: Palms and Procession, French Horn and all!
Maundy Thursday 11 AM to 2 PM Church open for meditation and prayer
Good Friday: A solemn, moving time of worship on the Cross 7 PM (In person only)
Easter Sunday: Sunrise service at 7 AM, outdoors, with special guest Marsha Stevens-Pino (In person Only)
Easter Celebration Service: 10 AM in the sanctuary, with special guest Marsha Stevens-Pino, SunCoast MCC choir and musicians

For more information on all of these events, use the LINK below to download an information brochure.

Lenten Season Activites

The retreat is based on the book “Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects,” by Jill J. Duffield.

This text helps us experience Lent through everyday objects like dust and bread. Join us for a great opportunity to get to know others in a lovely setting, preparing for Holy Week.

Lemon Bay Park

570 Bay Park Blvd.

Englewood, FL 34223

Please make sure to register to attend the Lenten Retreat on Saturday,

March 25, 2023 by using the link below.

LINK to register for the in person Lenten Retreat

Help us decorate the Sanctuary for Easter Sunday by purchasing an Easter Lily in honor or in memory of someone.

The cost is $20 per plant and can be purchased using the link below or completing the form in the Church lobby.

LINK to Purchase an Easter Flower for the Church

Ways to Engage and Connect with SunCoast MCC

and the Community

March 2023 Board

of Directors Meeting

The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 5 PM. All are welcome to attend either in person or virtually using the link below.

LINK to Join BoD Meeting via Zoom

Trans Visibility Past & Present

Webinar on March 28th

The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network is hosting an illuminating conversation on "Trans Visibility Past and Present" on Tuesday evening, March 28th.

LGBTQ-RAN board member and pastor-activist Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw will facilitate this discussion with Rev. Sarah Flynn and Rev. David Weekley, both of whom transitioned over 45 years ago. They will reflect together on some different realities trans persons faced at that time, along with some reflections on what they have observed over the ensuing decades. You can read more about the presenters and this program at this link.

Sign up here to receive the link to join this Zoom webinar on Tuesday, March 28th, at 5:00pm Pacific/7:00pm Central/8:00pm Eastern.

This webinar is a recognition of the International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Social Action Brunch & Matinee

After church on Palm Sunday (April 2) everyone is invited to a free brunch hosted by Cindy Duranko & Cindy Smith just 2 miles down the road at the Floridian Club immediately following church.

During dessert we start the movie, Serving in Silence. Glenn Close stars in this poignant movie about Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer, who fought and won against the military’s anti-gay policy.

Come enjoy film and fellowship! (Please sign up at the Welcome Table or call the church so we can plan for food.)

Social Justice Book Club

The discussion will be via zoom Monday, April 17th at 7:00 PM

This is a reminder that the book club zoom discussion of Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt, has been changed to Monday, April 17 at 7:00pm.

(Link will be provided in Staying Connected and on the church website.)

ZOOM Link for Social Justice Book Club Meeting

Join us for an afternoon of music as the Venice Sun Coast Wind Ensemble presents:

“A Spring Pops Concert”

Friday, April 14, 2023

2:00 PM

Tickets are $10 and help SunCoast MCC continue the work in our community. You can purchase tickets on line using the link below or from the Church Office.

LINK to Purchase Concert Tickets

Updated Florida 2023 Legislative Session Information

The Florida Coalition for Trans Liberation has created a Legislative Bill Tracker to Keep You Updated on Florida Legislation that Impacts Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People. Use this LINK to learn more about these bills.

Equality Florida is also watching and tracking many of the bills in the 2023 Legislative Session. To read and learn about Equality Florida's summary and recommendations, use this LINK.

To see all the bills being considered in the current session, you can use the link below.

LINK to Florida State Legislative 2023 Session Information

United in the Power of Prayer

Update from Your Pastoral

& Congregational Care Team

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in our distress.

Therefore, we will fear nothing,

even if the earth gives way

and the mountains fall into the

heart of the sea,

even if the waters roar and foam

and the mountains tumble

with their surging.

God is our refuge and strength."

~Psalm 46:1-3

We ask everyone to join us in prayer for:

Jerry F * Dan M * David F * Scott B * Margaret I * Lorna H *

Pat B * Jo-Ann S * Brenda C * Louise M * Sharon S * Vicki W *

Rev. Ruth J-F * Arlen * BJ H * Marty S * Sally *John G & Family *

John V * Rev. Tim H * BJ H

Anyone needing prayer, please email RevGeneHutter@SunCoastMCC.com

Message From the Board Of Directors

Social Hall Renovation Project

Progress continues on our Social Hall renovation. Materials are arriving including flooring, bifold closet doors for the new storage area, new toilets for the restrooms, etc.

Hoping for drywall work this coming week and then starting on flooring afterwards. Stay tuned for more progress!

Weekly Offering and Attendance Information

Thank you for your continued support and generosity of your time, talents and financial gifts.

Giving for the week of March 13 to March 19

Donations were $2,700. This is $1,903 short of our budgeted expenses.

Our Year to Date (YTD) donations are $40,599.

This is $15,936 short of our expenses.

The above includes donations of $6,568 for Pillars. This is $3,532 less than our mortgage payments YTD.

Donate HERE

Attendance

March 19, 2023

61 in person

17 families

live streaming

21 YouTube views

99+ In person & online, we're One Body

Current Protocols for On-site Worship and Meetings

Please remember to stay home if you are not feeling well. This is for your safety as well as the safety of others.

In order to attend indoor Worship, you must be fully vaccinated.

Masks are optional for all indoor activities and Worship until further notice.

If you would prefer to social distance during Church activities and Worship, signs are at the end of each row for you to place allowing you to feel comfortable. Ushers are also available on Sundays to help.

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We Care: We are here to support you! Click on the links below to contact

these ministries.

Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

Rev. Rick Rhen-Sosbe

Congregational & Pastoral Care