4th July 2022

Happy 4^th July everyone.

My message today is about ‘Sending Out, Not Always Bringing In’; surly the message is to be SENT OUT, not contained within the walls of a church. 

Our message, of the Gospel, to the people out in the world is not just for us. It is such a gift to SHARE the Word of God with more than just our church; we are reaching more people - this is so important; we may never know who we reach or see those people. 

The important thing is that the Word reaches them, and will move them to a new journey in their lives.  

We are CALLED to help others, not just our own church, but others, the STRANGERS we meet in life.

People long to be part of a community, it’s what makes us human; we need other people that open themselves up and we should embrace them in. 

We sometimes can get stuck into a groove at times; we just move within our own environs, and don’t go out and meet other people outside our community. 

This is why our online services are so important; they help the stranger find HOPE, PEACE, and a PLACE to DWELL and FIND REST. 

We have all been strangers in a new town or a new country.

Who welcomed us? Who held out the hand of friendship? Who fed us and showed us the way?    

This is a good starting point this week, to ask those questions as we, in the USA, share July 4^th celebrations; many will be sharing their tables with strangers who then become friends; travelers, who then stay. 

We have the gift in our hands, to be like the 72 who were sent out with a message of hope; let us look outward this week and not inward; the more we look, the more we see.

Let’s SHARPEN our FOCUS and look through the LENS of LOVE as we search.

Let us all share the FRUIT of the GIFTS we were given; this fruit is intended for our souls, our mind and our bodies. 

May you be blessed this week by the WORD from a STRANGER. Amen 

In Christ

Rev. Janice

Rev. Janice Bowker

Senior Pastor | God's Acre MCC

Sunday's Service

3rd July 2022

Lord I Lift Your Name on High

Hillsong

FEELING UNWELL?

It's not personal, but if any of you feel unwell, have a temperature, upset tummy or are sick, please stay home, for the protection of our congregation

We are now worshipping

in-person & online; we do still ask that you wear a mask, when inside the church building.

July 2022

10th - In-Person & Online Worship

17th - In-Person & Online Worship

24th - In-Person & Online Worship

31st - In-Person & Online Worship

All services are at 11am, unless otherwise stated and are available via YouTube, Facebook & our Website

August Sabbatical

We wanted to let you all know that, Rev. Janice will be taking a well earned sabbatical, during the month of August. 

Rev. Janice should have taken this a couple of years ago, but Covid happened & it was postponed. She still has two more months banked & will take these at a later date.

All services will be pre-recorded & available online each week, via our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel, so you won't miss out on regular worship.

More information will be available closer to the end of July, so that you will know who to contact in case of an emergency.

*We continue to hold Rev. Janice in our prayers she is our strength and she leads us with grace & faithfulness; we thank her for her guidance & service to our church

*We give thanks for a wonderful online MCC General Conference

*Prayers for God's Acre MCC

*Prayers for Maureen & Rebecca, who both have COVID

*Prayers of comfort for David & Tom, whose dear friend - Ian - passed away on Saturday ; may Ian's family also be held in our prayers this week

*Prayers for David Burgoyne - friend of Jon McBride - who is in hospital

*Continued prayers for May & Claire; You know their needs God

*Continued prayers of healing & strength for Trevin in IN, Deb in PA, Delores in NJ, Ann-Marie & her family, Jon McB in PA, Frank, Anthony in IL, Caroline, Liz & family in the UK, Mary-Jane & Pat in NY, Bert & Sylvia

*Healing for Jean, after her successful hip replacement surgery; also for her husband Harry

*Prayers for our founder - Rev. Elder Troy Perry

*We ask for peace in our world & an end to gun violence

*Prayers for our country, our states & all decision makers

*Prayers for Val B, Gwen PR *Travel mercies for Andrew

*Prayers for Ruthie Roo, as she prepares for more eye surgery this month

*Prayers requested for easy transitions for Jean Daughtry (95) & Ruth (98) both in hospice

*For David S & Fred L in CO

*Ongoing strength for Tammy, as she awaits surgery

*Congratulations to Jill, who was ordained in the UK on Saturday

*We continue to pray for peace, for all in the Ukraine; we pray for invasions to stop & for peace to be restored

*For the prayers that we don't know, but only God knows

Even if it is not your custom to financially support your church, we ask that you pray about this and, perhaps, give what you are able.

We are facing a financial crisis & have a deficit every week.  Please dig deep to help us keep our doors open

We have made it very easy to donate, by using our online option. You can donate online, by clicking on the button below

Or, 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

Please give as you are able.

THANK YOU for supporting your church with your finances.

July Birthdays

14th - John McB (PA)

15th David S (CO)

18th- Bebe B

25th - Toddler Remi S

31st - Camille E

July Anniversaries

16th - Sandy & Letty

24th - Rev. Janice & Marina

24th - Bebe & Murphy



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

BUILDING WORK NEXT TO CHURCH

No further updates this week. If you have any questions, please let Rev. Janice know.

What a wonderful, transformational weekend of MCC General Conference 2022; it was held entirely online & it was one of the best I have ever attended.

Despite not being able to meet in person, the worship was made up of an incredible melting pot of MCC members, from every corner of the world. I saw some familiar faces & some new ones online, & this reminds us all just how far reaching MCC is in the world.

We were able to enjoy worship in many languages & enjoy excellent plenary sessions, with some very interesting & compelling speakers.

We did post the services on our Facebook page, but if anyone is interested in watching any of the services again, please CLICK HERE to view the playlist of services held this weekend.

I, along with our Lay Delegate, will be attending the Business Meeting portion of conference later this month & will vote on bylaw amendments & Governing Board members.

I want to say a big thank you to the MCC Conference Team & also to all of the MCC Staff who worked hard in the background, to bring this wonderful transformational weekend to fruition.