Photo Credit: Park Showalter
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind." ~ Matthew 13:47
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STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST October 1, 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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Bless to Me Series
"I will bless the Lord at all times; God’s praise will always be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1
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The tradition of blessing prayers has endured through centuries among the people called “Celts.” These blessings reveal a sense of the holy in every moment, in every thing, in every person. This is a way of living, of observing and celebrating, blessing and being blessed by the ordinary acts and encounters of life. Inspired by this tradition of Celtic spirituality and featuring the blessing poems of Beth A. Richardson (Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings), spend the next 4 weeks exploring blessings that surround us and live within us.
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Rev. Vickie Miller
Rev. Nancy Wilson
Sr. Co-Pastors
SunCoast MCC
Join us this
Sunday, October 3rd at 10 AM
In-Person or Live Stream Worship
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"Bless to Me"
“Count Your Blessings/Be a Blessing!”
Do you remember the hit song from so many years ago, “Turn, Turn, Turn?” "To everything there is a season, turn, turn turn..."
This Sunday we are considering seasons in our lives – spiritual seasons, personal seasons, special times in the life of our church community.
The book of Galatians makes a powerful promise, “We shall reap (God’s blessings) in due season, if we do not lose heart!”
God is with us in every season of our lives, including this one. Let’s encourage and bless each other as we open our hearts this Sunday.
Join us as we hear a special testimony from two of our church members.
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month |
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Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence in our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community. During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) we recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States as we celebrate their heritage and culture.
In MCC we celebrate our many MCC brothers and sisters who have provided leadership and contribute so much to our churches and denomination. Did you know that MCC has churches in many Hispanic countries: Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Uruguay, Argentina, Columbia, Brazil, Costa Rica? Learn more about how MCC is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month around the world by using the link below.
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation encourages everyone to join us as we RISE together to help uplift women and families in need.
R: Rally
I: In
S: Serving, Supporting, Screening
E: Everyone
If you know someone who is currently undergoing treatment or is a survivor of breast cancer, take time this month to reach out and support them. Consider participating in the Making Strides Sarasota/Manatee Breast Cancer walk on October 16th and don't forget to wear pink this month!
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Upcoming Events at SunCoast MCC |
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SunCoast MCC is known as a praying church. If you feel called to be a prayer partner, we welcome you to join our Prayer Ministry as we pray for the requests that we receive.
If you are unable to attend the Prayer Ministry Meeting on October 3rd, and you would like to be a member of this group, please contact
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Please join us at 6 PM on Mondays for the following Virtual game nights:
10-04: Bingo
10-11: Scavenger Hunt
10-18: Trivia
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"Bless to Me"
Bible Study Classes-Blended
In-person and via Zoom
When: October 5th, 12th, 19th
Time: 6:30 PM
Aligning with our worship series, "Bless to Me," we will explore a deeper understanding of the meaning of “blessing” and how we can dwell on God’s blessings in our lives. Each week we will read blessing scriptures, prayers and liturgies, and spend some individual time writing our own blessings. The class will be based on the book Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings by Beth A. Richardson.
The course will be taught by Rev. Vickie and Rev. Nancy in person at the church, or you may participate through zoom.
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SunCoast MCC Membership Class
October 24, 2021
at 11:30 AM
(after Worship)
Are you interested in learning more about our church and denomination, Metropolitan Community Church?
Our pastors will lead a class for those who are interested in knowing more and are considering joining the church.
We will also get to know each other and answer your questions.
Lunch will be provided.
If you are interested in attending, please call the Church office or email Kim at info@suncoastmcc.com
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Save the date!
The Annual congregational Forum is scheduled for November 7th and the Annual meeting is scheduled for November 14th. Both meetings will be held immediately after worship.
More information will be coming from the Board of Directors regarding the budget, elections and other important topics to be discussed at the Forum and Annual Meeting.
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Celebrating October Birthdays and Anniversaries |
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03 Jay Pennell
04 Sandie Sanderson
05 Paul Butler
06 Howard Cook
06 Jay Torrance
08 Ralph Durst
08 Bernie Jones
10 Teresa Hutter
12 Raquel Castro
13 Roger Miller
18 Doris Galambos
18 Glenn Koch
19 Cindy Smith
21 David Lee
25 Carlos Perez-Varela
28 Mary Hause
29 Carla Lanning
31 Dorothy Bays
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05 Bob Stewart and Bob Langlais
11 Janine and Tonie McCarthy
18 Ralph Durst and Paul Barber
23 Tony Vigilone and Brian Sullivan
24 Carole Weissman
and Bonnie Moore
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Lost Coin Jar September Challenge Final Count |
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Lost Coin Jar Challenge Update
Thank you for making the Lost Coin Challenge such a successful fundraiser.
Your generosity and hard work we collected $1,921.94!
Thanks to the wonderful gift from two of our SunCoast MCC family members, the amount we collected results in a total of $5,765.82 for the Church.
And the Winners are...Find out Sunday Morning!
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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 September 26th are $1,337.05 for the General Fund* and $200 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.)
**Pillar Funds the church's mortgage, insurance & taxes.
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Stewardship Campaign Update |
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Last Sunday, Scott Swonger introduced the 2021 Stewardship Campaign. The Stewardship Committee has been meeting for weeks and prayerfully explored how to ensure SunCoast MCC continues as a beacon of hope and safety within our community.
The Stewardship Team members are
Scott Bickert, Cindy Duranko, Edison Feliciano, Jack Hutter, Sam Sinnett,
Bill Smith, Scott Swonger and Rev. Nancy Wilson.
This week, you should have received a mailing with all the information. Please take the time to prayerfully review the information and commit to being a blessing as we count our blessings together on this journey.
Use the links below to read the Stewardship Letter and print a giving card.
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SunCoast MCC Stewardship Prayer 2021
BOUNTIFUL GOD, thank you for the many blessings You have bestowed on me and all those I love – especially the blessings of the Community and Ministries of SunCoast MCC.
I am grateful for the time, talent and treasure of those who preceded me at SunCoast MCC providing its blessings for me today. Grant me wisdom as I contemplate my financial stewardship obligations so that MCC may thrive today and be there in the future for those who need the blessings of this faithful Community and its many Ministries.
In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray.
Amen
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The Stewardship Team has created a blessing tree that will be planted outside at the end of the campaign. During the month of October, we ask everyone to write something you are thankful for, how the Church has blessed you or how you can be a blessing to others. Please write your blessing on the cards in the mailing. Please bring them to Church on Sunday or during the week and we will hang them on the tree in the Sanctuary. |
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September 26th 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 the recording of the September 26h Worship Service.
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We will include a video celebration of our loved ones for All Saints Day in late October. If you have not previously sent your loved ones' name and photo, please use this email and send it by October 24.
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On Sunday, October 31st, we will be honoring Eve Burchert and others by placing their leaf on the Tree of Life.
If you are interested in honoring a loved one, please complete the form using the link below and drop it off with the memorial donation by October 22nd to allow time for the leaves to be inscribed.
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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:
Micki H • Randy M & Tim M •
BJ H & Denise W •
Bill B • Joe D & Tim H •
Laura M • Greg H •
Doug B • Nikki L •
Jerry F • Bruce C
Jack B • Pam C • Peter B
Jackie • Margie S • Ginny
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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:
MONTEL CHERRY (she/her/hers)
is a member of MCC New York.
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Venice Florida Pride, Inc. Updates
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We have some exciting news to share.
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For the first time, we are participating in the City of Venice Holiday Tree Lighting. The Tree Lighting will occur on December 11th. Stay tuned for updates on when we will be decorating the tree in PRIDE colors. This is an event you will not want to miss!
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The Venice Pride Community Festival has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 11 AM to 4 PM.
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Read the September newsletter, Many Voices (click HERE) that features the ALSO Youth organization. Learn about the inspiring work they are doing, read about their new Executive Director, Mickey Stone, and learn about their newest Programs.
For more information about what's happening at Venice Pride, Inc.
please contact any Board team member.
Rev. Nancy Wilson, President; George Ward, Vice President; Beth Ryan, Treasurer;
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With your help, we can work together to ensure the health and safety of all who enter our Church.
- We ask that everyone wear a mask while in the Church. This is for your safety and the safety of others.
- We will greet each other from a distance for now with no handshakes, hugs, fist pumps or elbow bumps.
- Our Ushers will continue to offer to escort you to a seat, and if you prefer to maintain social distance, they will assist you.
- There will be limited congregational singing.
- We ask you to continue to avoid congregating inside the building before and after Worship.
- And, of course, if you are sick or feel symptoms of COVID, please stay home and enjoy the service online or on YouTube.
Thank you all for your patience and cooperation.
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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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