God's Acre MCC ~ Weekly Newsletter |
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We are currently having some very unseasonal weather; it is extremely cold and a bit of a shock to us Floridians.
However, we are fortunate if we can live in a warm house; we are fortunate if we have heating and food in our cupboards.
There are many people, who live in Ocala, who do not have a home, who do not have food and who rely upon soup kitchens, shelters and anything they can get to keep away the cold.
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We have all had a tough year; many people are no longer employed and are in need. I would like to urge you all to donate to the food banks, the soup kitchens and the shelters.
Take a look in your cupboards - do you have some extra food to share? Take a look in your closet’s and see what else you might be able to offer to the homeless.
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We all have far more than we need; it’s a really good thing to donate. As Jesus teaches us, whatever we do for others in the world we are doing for Him.
So let’s end this year by being generous and giving what we can, to a shelter, soup kitchen or one of the food banks in Ocala. They are always looking for food, clothing or bedding; so let’s all do something good as we end this year.
I know many of you have, but if you haven’t already done so, please think about helping to keep people fed, warm and comfortable, as we move into 2021. Amen
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In Christ
Rev. Janice
Rev. Janice Bowker
Senior Pastor | God's Acre MCC
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Christmas Eve Service
24th December 2020
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This Week's Sunday Service
27th December 2020
1st Sunday after Christmas
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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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20th - Joe F
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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As we enter into the last week in 2020, we just wanted to say Thank You, to all who have faithfully continued, each month, to send a financial gift, to support God's Acre MCC.
As you are able, we ask you to please keep supporting & blessing God's Acre with your financial gifts.
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Whilst the church building remains closed, for in-person gatherings, we are doing our best to bring online worship, prayers and other church activities, to you virtually. |
JANUARY 2021
3rd - In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
10th - In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
17th - In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
24th - In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
31st - In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
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Board Members &
Lay Delegate Info
Moderator: Rev. Janice Bowker
Vice Moderator: Alan R
Treasurer: Maureen P
Clerk: Gena T
Lay Delegate & Social Media Admin: Marina L
Next Board Meeting
31st January 2021
Board members will meet virtually
for the foreseeable future
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We ask for the following prayers this week:
*Continued prayers of thanks for Rev. Janice; thank you for her continued hard work, guidance & strength; for her leadership & for being our shepherd in times of trial
*Prayers of healing & pain relief for Deb in DE & John F in Australia
*For continued strength & guidance for all of our members & online viewers
*Prayers for Betty - Paul's mum - who has COVID. Strength for Paul & Roy also, at this time
*Prayers for Megan, Blake & Luis
*Prayers for all of us, as we make preparations for a 'NEW' Year; we pray that 2021 brings better fortune, decrease in COVID cases worldwide & peace & safety for all
*Continued prayers for our country, as we continue to see the high daily rise in COVID cases, than anywhere else in the world, despite the vaccine
*Prayers for unseen angels, who surprise us with their kindness & generosity
*We pray that all people will act responsibly around COVID-19, thinking of others with unseen, underlying health problems
*Prayers for Toni, Tim, Val, Delores, Tom, David, Nick D,
*Continued prayers for Letty as she cares for Richie in TX
*Continued prayers of strength for Jane & Jeanne
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*Help every person to know peace, patience & kindness in these coming weeks
*We give thanks for everyone receiving this newsletter and watching our services online
*For all the prayers on the hearts of the people that we don't yet know about; may God grant peace & healing
*We pray for our MCC Staff; we give thanks for all their hard work in supporting our churches, our pastors & congregations
*Thank you God for ALL that you give us each day
*Thanks for ALL essential workers, doctors, nurses, first responders, grocery store workers, utility workers
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If you'd like to follow along, with the service and readings, for next Sunday please click on the link below, where you be able to view a condensed copy of the Worship Guide for 3rd January 2021
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Don't forget that, during this time of social distancing, isolation and uncertainty, if you need to chat, have a prayer request, if you have a concern, or if you'd like to pass on some good news, Rev. Janice is available.
You can email or text & she will get back to you as soon as she is able. You can also call directly and, as long as she's not in a meeting, she will be happy to talk to you.
Don't forget to check in on Facebook too. Rev. Janice loves hearing from you all.
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Here are the latest COVID-19 figures for the last week:
Even though the vaccines have started to arrive in Florida, we are not out of the woods; we still need to exercise extreme care & caution, when we are out & about; we are told that it may still be several weeks, or even months, before any of us begin to receive our first dose of the vaccine.
Even then, we will still need to wear masks & practice social distancing when outside our own household bubbles. Marion county cases have jumped to 16,835, which is yet another increase of 535 MORE cases since last week.
In the church zip code alone (34482) there is an increase of 68 additional cases since last Sunday.
Yes, we repeat it every week, and even with the vaccine, it will take several weeks & months before it will be safe enough to return to church, even with social distancing & wearing masks. The only safe practice, right now, is to continue offering the online pre-recorded services, for the foreseeable future.
As we keep repeating we cannot become complacent. We HAVE to keep following the health guidelines, now more than ever before, if we are going to keep ourselves and our families, neighbors and friends safe.
KEEP SAFE - WEAR A MASK - WASH YOUR HANDS - KEEP 6 FEET APART - STAY ALERT - STOP THE SPREAD
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✔️Stay home and away from others
✔️Stay in touch with your health care
provider
✔️Alert close contact individuals to
self-isolate for 14 days
✔️Call the COVID-19 call center for
questions at: 1 (866) 779-6121
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Ongoing Fundraiser at Racewash
Just enter the 4 digit code: 7070
when you select your preferred wash
God's Acre will 10% from every wash
You can still help God's Acre & still maintain a safe social distance!
TWO GREAT LOCATIONS
3065 SE 24th Street
5199 SW 49th Court
2 more Ocala locations coming very soon - both on SR200 - watch this space
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If you haven't done so already, it's very easy to give your weekly, or monthly, offering; EVERY $ really does make a difference.
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
It really does mean a great deal that you continue to support God's Acre MCC.
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Worship Address: 700 NW 57th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34482
Mailing Address: PO Box 770240, Ocala, FL 34477-0240
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