Photo Credit: Cathy Dollar
“But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
~Amos 5:24
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STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST October 8, 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.”
Take a moment to prepare our hearts for Worship by reading the following Celtic Blessing
From the Carmina Gadelica, III, 33
Bless to me, O God,
Each thing my eye sees;
Bless to me, O God,
Each sound my ear hears;
Bless to me, O God,
Each odor that goes to my nostrils;
Bless to me, O God,
Each taste that goes to my lips;
Each note that goes to my song,
Each ray that guides my way,
Each thing that I pursue,
Each lure that tempts my will,
The zeal that seeks my living soul,
The three that seek my heart,
The zeal that seeks my living soul,
The Three that seeks my heart.
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Rev. Vickie Miller
Rev. Nancy Wilson
Sr. Co-Pastors
SunCoast MCC
Join us this
Sunday, October 10th at 10 AM
as we welcome Rebecca Wilson as our Guest Preacher
In-Person or Live Stream Worship
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"Bless to Me"
“Count Your Blessings/Be a Blessing!”
Passages: Special Moments
From birth to death and all the days in between, life is marked by special occasions. Whether we call them milestones, or rites of passage, or thresholds these moments are significant and live on in our memories.
Have you heard of the twelve stones of remembrance? Ever wondered what they are all about? This Sunday we will travel into the Book of Joshua and learn more about how the Children of Israel marked and remembered their journey into the Promised Land.
Join us as we spend some time polishing the meaning of these twelve stones and consider the ways that God’s presence is always with us and blessing us, especially as we cross from one moment into the next.
The scripture is Joshua 4: 1-9
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month |
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How To Celebrate Beyond October 15th
Efforts to celebrate the Hispanic community should continue throughout the year. Remember, Hispanic Heritage Month is not a box to be checked. Use this month as a launchpad for new diverse, equitable and inclusive initiatives in our Church.
Invest in the Community: Find ways to model Truth, Trust and Transformation beyond our organization. How can we make a difference in the community all year?
Practice Inclusivity: Make sure we find ways to include all people in our Church.
Honor Hispanic People: Take the time to learn about the many contributions Hispanic people have made to the world. Reading Hispanic Literature, appreciating Hispanic art and music are just a few ways to learn and celebrate beyond the month.
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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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MCC of New Orleans has been assessing the needs and designing plans for outreach and support in their communities. Attached is a flyer that promotes an event on October 9th. In partnership with local organizations and with generous support from St. John's MCC and other groups in North Carolina, MCC of New Orleans will be distributing food, water, and other building, cleaning, and general supplies to individuals and families still struggling to recover from the hurricane. The needs are many and the suffering is great. In addition to the damage and destruction to homes and possessions, many are unable to return to work and are without sustainable income and means of financial support.
For more information on how you can help, please use the link below. We will also have a basket at both exits for donations this Sunday.
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National Coming Out Day: National Coming Out Day is celebrated on October 11 each year. The first observation was in 1988 and by 1990 it was being celebrated in all 50 states.
CHAPS Sunday: Please consider bringing hygiene items such as soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, etc. with you this Sunday and drop them off for those supported by CHAPS. You can also drop off items at the Church during Office Hours.
Pillars Sunday: This Sunday we hope you will consider giving above your normal donation by giving to the Pillars fund. This fund is used to pay our mortgage each month.
Tree of Life Ribbons for October:
Take a moment before Worship to place a white ribbon on the Tree of Life honoring an October birthday, anniversary or passing of a loved one or friend.
October Birthdays and Anniversary:
Join as we recognize those celebrating this month. Make sure you pickup your special treat as you leave worship.
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Please join us at 6 PM on Mondays for the following Virtual game nights:
10-11: Scavenger Hunt
10-18: Trivia
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"Bless to Me"
Classes-Blended
In-person and via Zoom
When: October 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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When: October 21, 2021
Time: 6:30 PM
Blended Class: In-person or join virtually using the link below
Once a month we are gathering to learn and grow as we seek to overcome racism, and be better allies to one another.
THIS MONTH – We will welcome a special guest, Shirley Bascom, founder and former President of Venice Interfaith Alliance, of which SunCoast MCC is a member.
Shirley will share how her Ba’hai faith undergirds her decades of anti-racism work. She will share the story of how she came to understand white privilege and became activist.
If you join us on October 21, and have never been to one of our meetings, we would ask you to consider viewing this video in advance, which beautifully explains why Black Lives Matter and why it is so important for all of us to engage.
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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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Friendly Competition between other Churches?
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Road trip anyone?
We have been invited (challenged!) to an evening of “Family Feud” at King of Peace MCC in St Pete, Thursday, October 28 at 7 PM.
We need players and spectators – they have a large sanctuary in which we can distance as we participate.
We will need a team of 5, or even 2 teams of 5 to compete.
Sign up in the church lobby or call the church office and let Rev. Nancy know you want to participate.
Several other MCC churches in the area will be participating... SunCoast, we can win this!!
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An Evening with Rev. Nancy Wilson |
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Save The Date!!
On November 1 at 7 PM we are hosting, “A Night with Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson.”
Rev. Nancy will share several of her stories from throughout her career as a Pastor in Los Angles and as the immediate past Moderator for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC) Denomination.
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson served as the head of the global denomination from 2005-2016, and is only one of three people to hold that position in the denomination’s 53 year history.
We hope you can join us as we learn from her vast life experiences. This will be a blended event. You an join us in-person or virtually by visiting our website.
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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 October 3rd are $3,049 for the General Fund* and $655 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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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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Board of Director Elections |
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Are you being called to serve on the SunCoast Board of Directors?
At our next Annual Meeting (scheduled for Sunday, November 14, 2021), all active, voting members will have an opportunity to choose four Board members. We are accepting applications to fill these positions from October 10th through October 24th.
We invite interested individuals to pray about this potential call and complete an application.
For more information on becoming a board member, please use the link below. The applications will be on the website in the Members section or you can pick them up at the Church beginning Sunday, October 10th.
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Stewardship Campaign Update |
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As you consider how you can support the Church, take a minute to reflect on how SunCoast MCC and the denomination have been a blessing you.
The Stewardship Committee continues to meet and prayerfully explored how to ensure SunCoast MCC continues as a beacon of hope and safety within our community.
Use the links below to read the Stewardship Letter and print a Commitment 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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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.
These Blessings will be hung on our Blessing Tree. Please write your blessing on the cards in the mailing or pick one up at the Church.
Please bring them to Church on Sunday or during the week and we will hang them on the tree in the Sanctuary.
Help us fill the tree with Blessings.
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October 3rd 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 October 3rd 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 • Beverly D • Jerry F • Bruce C
Jack B • Pam C • Peter B
Jackie • Margie S • Ginny • Jim F.
Raquel's Goddaughter Mayra •
Lorna's Great-grandson • Elaine H • Sandie S • Finn T
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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:
REV. ELDER CAROLYN J. MOBLEY-BOWIE
(she, her, hers)
Member, MCC Council of Elders
Minister of Music for
Breath of Life Spiritual Center MCC
Saginaw, Michigan, USA
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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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