God's Acre MCC ~ Weekly Newsletter |
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Memorial Day - 31st May 2021 |
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Yesterday I was preaching about how the Holy Spirit changes us; it also changes buildings - inside and out; the Holy Spirit is certainly moving in our church. The board and I are working tirelessly to get the church ready for re-opening.
There will, inevitably, be physical changes to the building, in order to ensure it’s safe for everybody, who wishes to return. We want everyone to have the best worship experience possible AND remain safe.
To that end, board members and I have met in the church to evaluate what needs to change; we have to re-organize the seating, and ensure that we have the correct spacing, so that people can sit comfortably and enjoy the worship.
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Our building has been closed now for 14 months and with this, comes additional maintenance and cleaning. All this has to occur before we can go back to worship; unfortunately that also comes at a cost.
It is certainly not my custom to personally ask for donations; however, if we want to physically come back to worshipping in the church, we need financial donations to get us back on track.
We have made a list of our needs and have an order placed (on hold) for our requirements; what we need now is the ability to pay for it.
Unfortunately, our tithing has not met our needs (as you will read a little further in this week’s newsletter); we find ourselves in a position where we need to ask for additional, special donations (over and above our budgeted tithing) to pay for our requirements.
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It’s my duty, as your pastor, to look after the financial and spiritual needs of this church and its building. I am eager to get back to worshipping once again, in a safe way.
And so, I make this appeal to everyone today; I ask that you pray about your giving and what you can give to God's Acre this week / this month.
Below, we are publishing a list of items that are already ordered, but not yet paid for; if you are able to help us purchase these I’d be very grateful.
I’m fully aware that so many people have found hardship during this time of Covid - myself included; I have prayed for each one of you, our church and our building, every day for the last 14 months.
If we want to reopen, we will also need committed volunteers each week, to enable us to re-open our doors once again. I ask you, once again, to pray about the giving of your time, talent and treasure to the church; only with your help can we re-open our doors.
In Christ
Rev. Janice
Rev. Janice Bowker
Senior Pastor | God's Acre MCC
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This Week's Service
30th May 2021
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To ensure the best sound quality, please make sure that your volume is turned up, or that your speakers and/or headphones are plugged in.
If you have a SMART TV, you can also view our services directly on your TV via our:
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Holy Ground
Geron Davis & Tim Pedigo
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June 2021
6th - Online Virtual Worship
13th - Online Virtual Worship
20th - Online Virtual Worship
27th - Online Virtual Worship
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*Continued prayers for Rev. Janice, as she continues to guide & shepherd; we thank you for her hard work & grace
*Prayers of thanks & praise that baby Tate is now home with his mum, dad & big brother
*Prayers for Rev. Janice & our board, as they work on the best & safest way to re-open our church, for in-person worship
*Continued prayers of healing for Marti (Jane & Jeanne's sister), Janine, Rebecca & Hettie
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*On this Memorial Day, we honor those willing to give up their lives, that we may gather so freely
*For our members, their families & friends
*For our state, our country & the world
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June
5th - Marina L
6th - Keith S
14th - Sami S
If you have a birthday or anniversary, and it is not listed, please let us know, so that we can add you to the list
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Giving v Budget
Below is an outline of our monthly income needed and the actual income received.
The board set a very bare bones budget, at our last congregational meeting and, as you will see, we are not receiving the funds needed each week, just to keep the building running each month.
If we are to re-open, we do need to raise our weekly income above the $1,000 needed each week.
January 2021
Budget: $5,000
Received: $3,134
In Deficit By: -$1,866
February 2021
Budget: $4,000
Received: $2,601
In Deficit By: -$1,399
March 2021
Budget: $4,000
Received: $3,605
In-Deficit: -$395
April 2021
Budget: $4,000
Received: $2,666
In-Deficit: -$1,334
May 2021
Budget: $5,000
Received: $3470
In Deficit by: -$1,530
January to May 2021 Budget: $22,000
Received: $15,476
Deficit January to May 2021:
-$6,524
The board & Rev. Janice would like to say a big thank you, to those who have remained faithful with their giving these past 14 month. Thank you for your faithfulness to God.
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Church Needs to Re-Open
Donations Needed:
Anti-Bacterial Spray | Anti-Bacterial Wipes | Sanitizing Hand Gel | Disposable Masks | Digital Thermometer
If you are able to donate any of these items, please let us know; we can arrange for you to drop off.
Items on Amazon Wish-List:
Plexiglass Screens
Microphone Cables
Cables Floor Guards
Pure Steam Cleaner (Chairs/Floor)
Individual Packs for Communion
These items are on provisional order; by ordering through our Amazon Smile account, we will also be helping to raise some additional funds for our church.
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As you can see, from the Budget v Income section above, we are seriously down on our weekly giving; in order to be able to re-open, we need to raise $550 to complete this order.
We also need to ask our certified electrician to come & check / move some of our existing equipment - we have budgeted $400 for this; we will need to raise these funds also.
In total, we are looking to raise an additional $950, over & above our monthly budget income, before we can re-open.
If you are able to donate some additional funds, please let us know. You can send a check or donate via our online button. Every $$$ really does bring us closer to seeing you all again in person.
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The hard work, of preparing the church for re-opening continues, as you have read above; there is much to be done before we can come back together, to in-person worship.
In order to re-open safely, we need to deep clean the sanctuary, including all the furniture; we have a shopping list of supplies we need, and are asking for help with the expenses.
We are asking for volunteers, who can offer their time & talent to the needs of our church. We are looking closely at the survey results - we have had some responses, but we need your input.
Florida COVID-19 cases currently stand at: 2,320,818 - that's a rise of 12,552 new cases this week.
In Marion County, cases rise to 31,868 that's a slightly lower increase on last week, by 145 new cases.
PLEASE keep supporting your church, as much as you are able - we need your financial support; it is greatly appreciated.
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Sadly, we are not bringing in enough funds each week, to meet our budget, as you have already read. We are asking for your help.
If you haven't already done so, or if it's not your custom to support your church financially, please consider giving so that we can keep the church building running AND afford to reopen.
It's very easy to donate online - whether it's weekly or monthly, $5 or $1,000, EVERY $$$ really does make a huge impact & and big difference to our budget.
You can also mail in a check, payable to God's Acre MCC, to our PO Box mailing address.
God's Acre MCC
PO Box 770240
Ocala
Fl 34477-0240
Thank you for your generous financial support.
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Board Members &
Lay Delegate Info
Moderator: Rev. Janice Bowker
Vice Moderator: Alan R
Treasurer: Maureen P
Clerk: Sandy B
Lay Delegate & Social Media Admin:
Marina L
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Ongoing Racewash Fundraiser
Just enter 7070
when you select your preferred wash & God's Acre will receive 10% donation
FOUR GREAT LOCATIONS
Fore Ranch
On Top of the World
College Road
Maricamp Publix
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If you use Amazon, how about trying AmazonSmile? Every time you shop online, using AmazonSmile, you can help God's Acre raise more money.
It's Easy, Just Get the App
Download (or update) to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
Join AmazonSmile
Simply sign up by selecting your favorite charity: God's Acre MCC, Inc
Turn on AmazonSmile
Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
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Worship Address: Online Worship Only During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Mailing Address: PO Box 770240, Ocala, FL 34477-0240
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