A Welcoming, Diverse And Active Community
| | |
|
|
STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST
March 3, 2023
We share God's love in a spiritual environment offering truth, trust and transformation!
{View as Webpage}
| |
|
International Women's Day
March 8, 2023
"Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity."
| |
Lent and Easter at SunCoast | |
|
This year our theme for Lent and Easter at SunCoast MCC is:
"Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts and Outlaws” based on the book by Adam Hamilton, a Progressive Methodist pastor.
We will wander through Luke’s account of Jesus’s life, and we will come to appreciate in a deeper way Jesus’ tendency to have “friends in low places.”
We have books available for purchase. The cost is $10.
Grow with us this season!
| |
|
Ways to gather during Lent
Sundays, February 26 through March 26th - Each Sunday we will explore the outsiders, outcasts and outlaws that Jesus loved, redeemed and called. Additionally, the following opportunities exist:
- March 15, at 5:30 PM: Book Study: "If God is Love, Don't Be A Jerk" led by Rev. Rick
- All Church Retreat March 25, 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, trumpets and all!
- Maundy Thursday, April 6, 11 AM to 2 PM Church open for meditation and prayer
- Good Friday April 7: A solemn, moving time of worship on the Cross 7 PM (In person only)
- Easter Sunday April 9: Sunrise service at 7 AM, outdoors, with special guest Marsha Stevens-Pino (In person only)
- Easter Celebration Service, April 9: 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.
| |
|
The Lenten series and retreat are based on “Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects,” by Jill J. Duffield, as our guide.
The Church has copies for $10 each or you can get the book from Amazon but, it is not required. This text helps us experience Lent through everyday objects like dust, bread, Join us for a great opportunity to get to know others in a lovely setting, preparing for Holy Week.
| |
If you are unable to attend the in person retreat on March 25, 2023, Charlene Bisordi and Rev Nancy will be hosting a virtaul session on March 16, 2023 from 1-3 PM. You can use the link below to participate. | |  |
Please make sure to register to attend the Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 25, 2023 by using the link below or the form in the lobby. | |
|
Help us deocrate the Sancturay for Easter Sunday by purchasing an Easter Lily in honor or memory of someone.
The cost is $20 per plant and can be purchased using the link below or completing the form in the Chuch lobby.
| |
|
SunCoast MCC's Annual Luck of the Irish
Fundraiser is BACK!
| |
|
Feeling Lucky? Buy a ticket and you have a chance to take home some cash!
This year, there will be 3 separate
drawings for the
following prizes if we raise $1000 or more!
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
(or 25%, 15% and 10%
if we raise less than $1,000)
Buy more than one ticket and
go for more than one prize!
Tickets are $20 each. The drawing will take place on Sunday, March 19
during a potluck after Worship.
See any member of the Social Event Team for a ticket, pick one up from the office or purchase them on-line using the link below.
You do not need to be present to win!
| |
We Grieve and Celebrate the Life of Greg Holman | |
|
On February 23, 2023, Greg Holman passed away. Greg joined SunCoast MCC in March of 1998 and loved his Church and Church family. He was always one of the first to volunteer whenever the Church had a need. He loved attending Bible studies and was an avid reader of the Bible. Not only did he help at the Church but he was always helping people in need.
Details of his service will be shared once they are available. Please continue to pray for John and Greg's family during this time.
| |
Ways to Engage with SunCoast MCC and our Community | |
 | |
On March 5, 2023, during the month of Transgender Visibility, Church of the Trinity MCC will be dedicating a Transgender Memorial Garden at 3pm. This is only the second Transgender Memorial Garden in the country to be created and dedicated in memory of those transgender siblings who have been lost because of hate and neglect.
The dedication will take place on the campus of Church of the Trinity MCC where a variety of faith traditions and organizations will take part in dedicating the garden. It will be open to the public to remember those transgender siblings we have lost to hate crimes . . . the ones whose names we know and the thousands more that we do not know.
Stones will be painted by ALSO Youth and placed around the tree in memory of those we have lost in 2022. After November 20th, stones will be available at the garden for anyone to paint or write on in memory of transgender or gender non-conforming people who have been lost because of hate or neglect.
The garden will feature pink and blue flowers and a plaque that reads, "They tried to bury us, they did not know we were seeds." (Dinos Christianopoulos)
| | |
|
Birding Watching
and Brunch
| |
Join Rev. Nancy for a gentle stroll and birdwatching at the Celery Fields in south Sarasota Saturday,
March 11th at 8 AM.
We will meet in the parking lot, explore the nearby garden and board walks. No prior experience necessary. If you have binoculars bring them!
Afterwards, we will have brunch nearby.
Location: Celery Fields
6799 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240
Please email the church office HERE if you plan on particpating or sign up on the form in the Church lobby.
| | |
|
Book Study
Led by Rev. Rick
March 15, 2023
at 5:30 PM
"Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible"
Imagine for a moment what the world might look like if we as people of faith, morality, and conscience actually aspired to this mantra. What if we were fully responsible to create a world that was more loving and equitable than when we arrived? What if we invited one another to share in wide-open, fearless, spiritual communities truly marked by compassion and interdependence? What if we daily challenged ourselves to live a faith that simply made us better humans?
John Pavlovitz explores how we can embody this kinder spirituality where we humbly examine our belief system to understand how it might compel us to act in less-than-loving ways toward others.
You can join this group in person or via virtually using the link below.
Bring your own dinner as we share a time of fellowship and learning.
You can purchase the book yourself or the Church. The cost is $15.
| | |
|
Social Justice Book Club
In honor of Transgender Visibility Month, our book for March is Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt. Here we learn the true story of a twin assigned male at birth, yet identified as a female from a very early age. The author enlightens the reader about the familial, societal, and medical challenges overcome by this family. The discussion will be via zoom Monday, March 20, at 7:00pm. (Link can be found in Staying Connected or on the website.) Books will be available for $10 on Sunday at Suncoast.
| | |
|
The Social Event team has planned another Potluck meal on Sunday, March 19th immediately after worship.
To ensure we have plenty of food to share, we are asking that you bring a dish to share as follows based on your last name:
A-B: Drinks/Bread/Rolls
C-E: Dessert
F-K: Main Dish
L-R: Side Dish (Salad, vegetable, etc).
S-Z: Appetizer
The winning tickets for the Luck of the Irish fundraiser will be drawn during lunch!
| |
|
Join us for a an afternoon 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. | |
|
Use the link below to find ways to engage with other MCC churchs and learn about what is happening in the denomination.
| |
|
|
Please join Rev. Nancy and Rev. Rick on Sunday, March 26, 2023 immediately after Worship in the Library to learn about SunCoast MCC and the denomination.
Please register using the link below or by signing up on the form in the Church Lobby.
A light lunch will be served by Chef Peter!
This is a wonderful time of fellowship and getting to know SunCoast!
| |
Message From the Board Of Directors | |
|
Social Hall Construction Project
Sunday, March 5th is the last day to take books from the Library that you wish to keep and the first day to take books home for recycling / disposal.
All books need to be removed by March 12th.
The Board is forming a “Worker Bee Committee” to be on called for light duty work for the duration of the construction project beginning Tuesday, March 7th.
We will begin with the removal of the bookcases. Please sign up in the Lobby or come on Tuesday at 10:00 AM.
The bookcases are available for anyone who wants them. A donation is not required but appreciated.
| |
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 * John G * Jo-Ann S * Brenda C *
Louise M * Sharon S
| |
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 February 20 to February 26
Donations were $3,266. This is $1,566 short of expenses.
Our Year to Date (YTD) donations are $28,250.
This is $14,756 short of our expenses.
The above includes donations of $5,216 for Pillars. This is $1,517 less than our mortgage payments YTD.
| | | |
|
|
Attendance
February 26, 2023
72 in person
23 families
live streaming
9 YouTube views
104+ 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.
| |
|
We Care: We are here to support you! Click on the links below to contact
these ministries.
| | |
|
3276 E. Venice Ave
Venice, FL 34292
Office Hours:
Tuesday thru Thursday:
10 AM to 3 PM
| | | | |
