Photo Credit: Cindy Lawrence
From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of our God is to be praised.
~Psalm 113:3
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STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST November 26, 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 28
10 AM
In-Person or Live Stream Worship
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Our Advent theme this year is “The Inn: Housing the Holy!” This Sunday, we will hear from the prophet Jeremiah, and from the Gospel of Matthew. We will learn how Joseph took on the challenge of his life – to make room for Mary and for the child born of the Holy Spirit. We all know the story of the innkeeper who had no room for this desperate family in the Inn. But God is the One who makes room for us, for our loved ones, for strangers – and invites us to do the same!
This is the surprise and joy of this holy season! Join us as we sing carols, light candles, share the Spirit, and learn how we can reach out in Advent.
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SunCoast MCC Upcoming Events |
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Use the link below to download the December
Month At A Glance
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The 2021 Christmas Stocking Campaign will begin December 1st. Please consider giving an end of the year gift to the Church to ensure we finish the year strong and have funds to start the new year.
Look for a mailing this week with more information.
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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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Become a member of Linda's Decorating team and help decorate the church entrance and outside for the Christmas Holidays.
When: Wednesday, December 1
at 9:30 AM
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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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Good Trouble Group Meeting |
The next Good Trouble Group meeting will be Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 PM. We will be discussing how this ministry can support the new Strategic Plan and idenifiy "hot topics" for us to address in the coming year.
You can join us in person or via ZOOM using the link below.
Meeting ID: 876 1442 4627
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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
Masks Required
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Join us for a 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
Masks Required
Friday, December 17 at 2 PM
Tickets are $5 each. You can purchase tickets using the link below or by contacting the Church Office.
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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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Christmas Day Communion Service
Join us for a time a reflection and meditation as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
December 25 at 10AM
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We will be decorating the Chancel with poinsettias this Christmas. If you would like to purchase one to honor or in memory of someone, please use the link to complete the order or call the Church Office during office hours. Each poinsettia will be $15.
All Orders are due by December 12th.
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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 21st are $1,819 for the General Fund* and $755 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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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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Do you have news or information you would like to share?
If so, please download the Updated Communication Form and submit based on the communication needs outlined on the form.
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Information from Venice Pride Inc. |
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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.
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.
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Happy Holidays! Venice Pride Inc is honored to be invited by Project Pride SRQ to join them in representing our LGBTQ+ community and allies at the
Sarasota Holiday Parade
When:
Saturday, December 4th
Time and Place:
Gather at E Main Street (East of 301) between 3:00 PM – 5:15 PM if you want to participate.
Parade Start Time:
6 PM
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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
The Venice Pride Tree is located on the West Blalock side of the Park directly across from the Venice Museum which is between Turin Street and Milan Avenues.
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Learn more about the new Venice Pride, Inc program for 2022 (HERE)
Visit the Venice Pride, Inc. Website at www.veniceFLpride.com
to learn more about these events.
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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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November 21, 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 21st 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:
- wearing masks
- using individual communion cups
- have snacks after Worship outside on Sundays
- greet each other from a distance and refrain from congregating in the building
- be mindful of others when you greet them
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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