December 2018
Dear Congregation Family and Friends,
Silent Night, Holy Night
All is Calm, All is Bright
‘Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
This season, we have been worshipping and preaching around the theme, “Calm and Bright,” to celebrate the 200
th
anniversary of this most beloved Christmas carol.
Join us on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 at 6 PM at SunCoast MCC to celebrate with our MCC church in Stuttgart, Germany, as they sing the song for us in German. Of course there will be candles, special music and an open communion.
Our season comes to fulfillment on Christmas Eve.
MCC offered a "virtual" retreat for all our pastors, during Advent about “being still.” It has been a wonderful time of connecting and reminding our busy pastors not to be too busy … to stop and be still. It is in those moments that God can reach us, if we are open.
This season can be difficult for all of us with all the extra things to do, people and family to visit and events to attend.
One thing SunCoast Church can offer to anyone who comes to a Church service, watches us by live stream or views us on Facebook is an opportunity to be still, to pray, to receive communion, to listen to words and feelings that may have not had a chance to surface in a busy week.
The church can be counter-cultural in this way – a response to the constant, 24 hour a day, multi-tasking, rushing reality that is life in the 21
st
century for many of us.
Find a moment and take a break for stillness in the days ahead, as the New Year approaches. Turn off your car radio, take a break from the news, re-visit a book that inspires you or sit with a friend or family member, quietly, who does not need to be entertained. Or, an old-fashioned idea, come to a welcoming church service and still your mind and your heart.
We are here for you!
Blessings to you and your friends and family!
