Staying Connected with SunCoast MCC

Photo Credit: Mary Convy

STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST MCC, OCTOBER 16, 2020

A welcoming, diverse and active community. We share God's love in a spiritual environment offering truth, trust and transformation.

Worship

The Passionate Jesus:

Grief: Being Present to the Process in Hope

"Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” - John 7:37-38

Sunday – October 18 – 10AM

(series continues through Oct. 25)

Authenticity, Love, Anger, Fear, Grief, Joy – emotions that are all very human and all very Jesus. This series affirms the role of human emotions and that Jesus – fully human as well as divine – indeed had emotions too.

Grief is inevitable because loss and disappointment are inevitable. Currently, many of us are experiencing layers of grief due to the COVID-19 health pandemic. Again this week we look to Jesus’ experiences of the emotion of grief to answer the question, “how do we let grief heal us rather than devastate us in the long run?” Jesus sighs, cries, laments, even groans but never lets sorrow hinder his passion for life. And he responds to other’s grief in ways that can help us help each other.

Scripture Readings: Luke 19:41-44; John 11:32-35

Loving Note from Vickie and Nancy

Dear SunCoast MCC family and friends,

We miss you! It has been 7 months since we held our last in-person Service on March 8. Since then, we have hosted our Services virtually. We surveyed you in May and in September to get your input on reopening. Based on your feedback, you expressed an interest in attending outdoor worship Services with the appropriate social distancing protocols in place.

While we will continue to hold Services virtually, we will also host in-person outdoor Services on the following three Sundays at 10AM — Nov. 8, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 for our congregation and friends.

Three things to know:

Please make a note of these dates. You will be able to watch the Service virtually or in-person. All others Sundays will be hosted virturally only.
We formed a new ministry — Outward Bound. They will be managing the logistics and safety, including making sure everyone knows and follows SunCoast MCC's social distancing protocols. We thank you for doing your part in keeping everyone safe.
Our Recording Worship ministry and others within the congregation are identifying the best way to coordinate the virtual and in-person Services recognizing the inherent technological challenges. We thank you for your continued prayers as we learn together.

Soon, we will provide you more information about the new ministry and the details on how you can participate virtually and in-person on these three Sundays. For now, please save these dates and look for future announcements in Staying Connected and during Service on Sundays.

Grace, Peace and Love,

Rev. Vickie and Rev. Nancy

Updates

From Your Board of Directors

Weekly Offering

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. To minimally cover the Church expenses during this time, we need approximately $6,000 weekly. For week ending October 11, we collected $3,262.00 for General Fund* and $154.00 for Pillars.** Together let's keep our General Fund and Pillars accounts liquid.

(*Funds the church's operating expenses (i.e., utilities, salaries, maintenance of property, worship/multi-media expenses, bank fees, internet, copier, office supplies, tithe, etc. **Funds the church's mortgage, insurance & taxes.)

Donate HERE

7 days left to ... Submit Photos for For All Saints Sunday

During the worship service on November 1, we will be showing photos of our beloved "Saints." Please EMAIL photos of loved ones or dropoff a copy at the church by October 23. Include your name, the name of those in the photo(s) and how you were related. NOTE: If you sent us a picture last year, you do NOT need to send it again.

Send Photo HERE

SunCoast MCC Directory ... Coming Soon!!

Don't forget to sign-up and be listed in the Directory. It will be

published for the private use of SunCoast MCC members and those friends of our church. Under NO circumstances should the information be shared with anyone other than SunCoast MCC members and those friends who are listed in the directory and used only for socializing and for Church related activities.

Sign-up HERE

From Your Pastoral and Congregational Care Team

Your need for comforting and lifting prayers are important to us. We ask everyone to join us in prayer for:

Maggi V.
Sharon V.B.
Judy M.
Sue M.
Deb H.
Maggi B.
Kathy T.
Gilbert H.

Submit Prayer Request HERE

Visit Website HERE

Events

Mondays – October 19 through October 26 – 6PM

Bragging Rights for October 12

1st place - Cindy S., Cindy D. & Jenna

2nd place - Janine, Tonie, Kim & Tammy

3rd place - tie - Bill, George & Park and Lisa, Renae & Terrie

Thanks to Audrey for hosting!

Zoom ID: 949 7879 7860 | Passcode: suncoast

Join TRIVIA HERE

Wednesdays (Outdoor on the Church grounds. No experience necessary.)

October 21 – 6PM
November 18 – 5:30PM
December 16 – 5:30PM

Drum Circle

Come together in joy and fellowship. Please bring a lawn chair, bug spray, sunscreen, water and a drum if you have it. Let us know if you need a drum or if you have your own.

Email Dr. David Katz HERE

Thursdays – October 22 through November 19 – 6PM

American Sign Language Class

Learn a song in sign language that will be featured during a Service in November.

Zoom ID: 917 2672 6707 | Passcode: suncoast

Join ASL Class HERE

Saturday – October 31 – 6:45PM to 8:45PM (for SunCoast MCC and guests only)

Halloween Outdoor Movie Night – "Hocus Pocus"

Bring your popcorn and watch a favorite Walt Disney Movie – "Hocus Pocus" on a large size inflatable screen outdoors on the Church grounds. To ensure social distancing, registration is required. Email and let us know if you will remain in your vehicle (i.e., truck bed) or how many chairs you will bring for your household.

Saturday – November 7 – 1PM to 3PM

"Ride for Pride": 3rd Annual Venice Pride Event

Sponsored by Venice Pride, Inc.

This year, Venice Pride, Inc. is hosting a car parade through the City of Venice on a planned route. You may decorate your vehicles. Venice Pride, Inc. will have t-shirts and flags available for sale.

To participate you need to:

Register in advance. One registration is required per each vehicle. You do NOT need to register each person that is carpooling.
Register either as a Sponsor by Oct. 22 or as a Participant by Nov. 1.
Gather at SunCoast MCC's parking lot at 1PM to confirm with Venice Pride, Inc. that your vehicle is registered.

Contact Venice Pride, Inc.: (941) 484-7068 | info@veniceflpride.com

Sunday – November 15 – Congregational Forum (Virtual) – 11:15AM

Sunday – November 22 – Annual Meeting (Virtual) – 11:15AM

Meetings to Elect Board Members and to Approve Budget

At our Congregational meeting we will review the 2021 Budget and learn about those candidates who are interested in running for the Board.

At our Annual meeting we will hold elections and approve our 2021 Budget. At this meeting, all active voting members will vote for five Board members. Three will serve a two year term and two will serve a one year term. If you are interested in serving on the Board, we are accepting applications through October 23.

Send me a Board Application HERE