Photo Credit: Linda Staib
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. ~Ephesians 5:13
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STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST November 19, 2021
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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Sunday Worship Information
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Rev. Vickie Miller
Rev. Nancy Wilson
Sr. Co-Pastors
SunCoast MCC
Join us this
Sunday, November 21
10 AM
In-Person or Live Stream Worship
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This is the last Sunday in the Church year – did you know that followers of Jesus follow a different calendar than the “normal” one?
The last Sunday of the year is focused on Jesus, and just what kind of “King” he was... certainly, no ordinary Sovereign... In our scripture, from Luke 23, a thief makes a dying request of a dying Savior. We will look at that powerful story through the lens of SunCoast MCC’s vision of Truth, Trust and Transformation. Are we ready to be transformed? Are we ready to face Advent with hope and commitment?
We will also honor our Transgender siblings at this service, as we pray and act for justice for our whole community.
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Transgender Awareness Week and Day of Remembrance |
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"Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people -- sometimes in the most brutal ways possible -- it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice."
- Transgender Day of Remembrance founder
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SunCoast MCC Upcoming Events |
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VENICE INTERFAITH
COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION
invites you to a
VIRTUAL INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Wednesday
November 24, 2021
7 PM
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Help us clean up the Church as we prepare for Christmas season.
When: Tuesday, November 30th at 10 AM
We will have a few snacks to keep you energized! So, roll up your sleeves and let's work together to keep our Church looking spectacular.
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World AIDS Day
December 1st
Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota will be holding a World AIDS Day Service
December 1 at 6:30 PM.
Our own Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson will be speaking.
All are welcome to attend as we spend time in prayer and meditation for all those impacted by AIDS.
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Advent Retreat: Housing the Holy
Saturday, December 4
9:30 AM - 1 PM
(outside on the church grounds)
During this season of Advent we are invited to open the door to the Holy and make room for the Spirit to occupy our whole selves. There will be a variety of activities, prayer time, communion and lunch together (bring a sack lunch). Sign up in advance in the church lobby or using the link below.
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Choir and Drumming Circle Practice
December 8th
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Drum Circle Practice:
Wednesday, December 8 at 6 PM
Choir Practice:
Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30 PM
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"What Songs Were Sung: A Christmas Renewal"
Christmas Concert and Caroling
Friday, December 10 at 7 PM
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Join us for night of Music and Fellowship
Featuring SunCoast Musicians and Local Artists
Read about the performers below
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Linda Jones received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance from the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. She taught piano in Largo, FL and was a member of the Florida State Music Teachers Association as well as the National Guild of Piano Teachers. She was the staff accompanist at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Clearwater for over 20 years. Linda enjoys gardening, making mosaic art and tending to her 5 parrots. She and her husband, Doug, live in Seminole and have 2 adult children.
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Dr. David Katz received graduate degrees from The Peabody Conservatory of Music and undergraduate degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University in voice and piano. He has served a variety of faith communities including Unitarian Universalist, United Methodist, and Jewish.
He is an active singer, choir director, pianist and organist in the Tampa Bay Area. He is passionate about blending various facets and styles of music and worship to meet the spiritual needs of a community.
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Park Showalter was a voice major with a piano minor in college and has enjoyed singing with many choral groups.
Before moving to Venice, Park sang in the Opera Colorado chorus, the Colorado Symphony chorus, the Columbine Chorale and the Denver Gay Men’s chorus
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Julie Waters is a writer and musician who relocated to Sarasota, Florida, in July 2020 after studying, teaching, and performing in Ithaca, NY, for more than three decades. During that time, Julie performed with ensembles throughout Central New York. She was founding member of the Cayuga Brass Quintet (1990-2010) and performed with the Franklin Brass Works, a brass quintet based in Northeast Pennsylvania from 1984-1989. From 2004 to 2020, Julie was Principal Trumpet of Ithaca’s community Concert Band, serving as board president from 2017-2020.
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Suncoast Wind Ensemble Christmas Concert
Friday, December 17 at 2 PM
Tickets will go on sale in December and will be $5 each. Seating will be limited and masks will be required.
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Christmas Eve Worship Service
Friday, December 24 at 4 PM
The Service will be held outside on our beautiful church grounds.
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Board of Directors Updates |
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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 November 14th are $2,504 for the General Fund* and $705 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.
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Congratulations to Linda Staib and Bob Langlais on their election to the
Board of Directors. Thank you and all the Board members for your service
to SunCoast MCC.
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This Advent season we have several ways for you to support our community partners. We are working with CHAPS and Glendale Elementary School to support those in need.
Below are ways you can get involved beginning November 28th
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We are collecting $10 Walmart gift cards for CHAPS (Charlotte HIV/Aids People Support, Incorporated). It is a nonprofit that serves to provide food and hygiene items without cost to those persons in need who are living with HIV/AIDS and their dependents. Please bring the gift cards to the Church between November 28 - December 13, and place them in the CHAPS stocking on the fireplace.
You can also support CHAPS by picking up a bag from the lobby and participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar. Use the link below to learn more about this project.
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We are working with Glendale Elementary School in South Sarasota County. Glendale is a Title 1 school and has many families in need.
SunCoast MCC is partnering with the school to provide clothing and toys to five children. On November 28th, please consider taking an Angel from the tree in the lobby and help make some Christmas wishes come true. Each angel has specific details for gift ideas.
Please return the items by December 9th so we can deliver them to the the school.
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Special Holiday Note from the
Team at Venice Pride Inc.
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We have two exciting activities you don’t want to miss!
Please mark your calendars.
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(New) LGBTG+ History Program
Giving Tuesday
‒ Now through November 30, 2021
For the first time, we are participating in GivingTuesday. Help us raise funds to sponsor an LGBTQ+ History Program in the Suncoast region of Florida this coming October 2022.
Read More About this New Program and How the Funds will be Used (HERE)
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Please make a contribution to help us fund this new program. The funds will be used to engage a diverse group of speakers, groups, and activities in a way that showcases the rich history of our community.
Be among the first to fund this new program. You can donate now through Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
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Venice Pride, Inc Holiday Tree Lighting at
Monty Andrews Arboretum at Blalock Park,
401 Pensacola Road, Venice, FL
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 FROM 5-6:30 PM
Happy Holidays! We invite you to help us unveil our Venice Pride Holiday Tree on Sunday, December 19th. Our tree will be decorated with holiday rainbow lights and ornaments representing the diversity and many voices of our LGBTQ+ community and allies.
It’s been so long since we have been able to get together and we really look forward to seeing you. This will be a festive event to share stories, meet the team, catchup with friends, make new friends and learn about the events we have planned for 2022.
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United in the Power of Prayer |
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Update from Your Pastoral
& Congregational Care Team
Your need for comforting and lifting prayers is important to us.
We ask everyone to join us in
prayer for:
Randy M & Tim M •
BJ H & Denise W •
Bill B • Joe D & Tim H •
Frank R & Ron S •
Jane S & Dawn B & Family •
de Jesus & Median Families • Paula J • Marty S • Ron L • Beverly D • Jerry F • Jim F • Bruce C • Gloria B • Katie J • Doug B • Sandie S • Mayra • Zami • Laura M • Greg H• Nikki L
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If you have someone in need of prayer that you would like placed on our Prayer List, please contact:
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PRAYER SUBMITTED BY:
LOLA SHAHDADI (She/her/hers)
In addition to being the ASL interpreter for FMCC, Lola Shahdadi has a beautiful family - her wife, Lynne & 6-year-old daughter, Ella. She is also a writer and the author of the blogs “Raising A Baby Activist" (social justice focused) and the former "The Razzle Dazzle Mommy" (parent/adoption focused). You can read and subscribe at www.raisingababyactivist.com
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi
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Thank You to All Our Veterans |
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Use the link to watch the Tribute to Our Veterans that was shown during Worship.
Thank you to all who have served!
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November 14, 2021 Worship Recording |
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Recorded Worship Service
If you were unable to join us last Sunday, we missed you.
You can use the link to watch a recording of the November 14th Worship Service.
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New SunCoast MCC Protocols for Onsite Worship |
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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.
While we are optimistic, we also want to remain cautious and phase in looser restrictions.
For now we will continue
- wearing masks
- using individual communion cups
AND, beginning soon, we will:
- enjoy more congregational singing during worship (with masks)
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hold social time with refreshments outside starting Nov. 21st
- start Choir and drumming practices for fully vaccinated individuals on Dec. 8th; Both groups will be performing in worship (beginning on Dec. 19th)
The board will continue to watch the trends and, as long as they move in the right direction, will lessen restrictions along the way.
The board wishes to thank all of you for your patience and cooperation in our approach to use caution.
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Join our Private Facebook Group
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AmazonSmile
It is free and easy, and a portion of your purchase will be included as an automatic donation to Suncoast MCC.
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We Care: We are here to support you! Click on the links below to contact these ministries.
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3276 E. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34292
(941) 484-7068
Office Hours:
Monday: Office is closed
Tuesday thru Thursday: 10 AM to 3 PM
Friday: Noon to 3 PM
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