God's Acre MCC ~ Weekly Newsletter |
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3rd Week of Advent ~ 14th December 2020 |
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Gaudete Sunday was also known as "Rose Sunday". In churches that have an Advent wreath, the Rose Candle is lit in addition to two blue candles, as we wait and ponder: How was Mary feeling after traveling these many miles? |
Was she feeling afraid, peaceful or eager to bring the baby into the world? Or ,was she patiently waiting with joy, for God’s promise to be fulfilled?
What was Joseph thinking as he supported his wife on the journey to be “counted” at the command of the ruler?
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Was Joseph worried about the dangers of traveling? Was he fearful and alone with Mary, or did they travel with others?
Was their trust in God’s providence so deep, that they traveled in peaceful serenity?
What we do know is that the child was born and He was named Jesus; He is our Savior upon this earth.
May you all have a blessed 3rd week of Advent, as we wait for Jesus to arrive, Amen
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In Christ
Rev. Janice
Rev. Janice Bowker
Senior Pastor | God's Acre MCC
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This Week's Sunday Service
13th December 2020
3rd Sunday of Advent
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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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Breath of Heaven / Mary's Song
Amy Grant
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Hello folks , this is Gwen from Manchester in the UK.
I just love to receive the newsletter each week, it keeps me connected and I feel close to you all. This for me is very important, especially during these very difficult times.
Being able to watch the weekly services online, is a joy and I appreciate just how hard Rev. Janice and Marina are working to make it all possible.
It is really lovely to feel so close to you all each Sunday. I wish you all a very happy & safe Christmas.
Blessings
Gwen
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Christmas greetings & wishes from The Stafford family; we are doing well, but missing everyone & our church family very much.
Stacy, Sami, Remi & Reef
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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
*For continued strength & guidance for all of our members & online viewers
*Prayers for Joe & Wayne, Pam & Wayne, Susan, Barbara, Carole, Karen, Ruby, Peggy
*Prayers for us all, as we make preparations for a 'different' Christmas this year. We especially hold those, who cannot be with family or friends this year.
*Continued prayers for our country, as we continue to see the high daily rise in COVID cases, than anywhere else in the world
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*We pray that all people will act responsibly around COVID-19, thinking of others with unseen, underlying health problems
*Continued prayers for Letty as she cares for Richie in TX
*Continued prayers of healing & 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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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. |
DECEMBER 2020
20th - 4th Sunday of Advent
In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
24th - Christmas Eve
In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
27th - 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
21st January 2021
Board members will meet virtually
for the foreseeable future
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Thank you to those, who have already sent in their financial Christmas gift; we appreciate it very much.
Each year, our Giving Tree brings our fundraising efforts for the year, to a close; it contains gifts tags, with varying $$ amounts on and we ask you to take a tag, and give an extra gift to the church, according to what you can afford.
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It can be any amount from $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or even $1,000, or anythign in between! Every dollar really makes a difference.
So please, give God's Acre a little extra gift this year - we greatly appreciate it.
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DID YOU KNOW? .....
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Act) was passed on March 27, 2020 to help taxpayers, businesses, and nonprofits in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn.
It certainly helped God's Acre this year.
Well, we thought you'd like to be aware of the Act’s added impact on philanthropy.
New universal charitable deduction for 2020
A reduction in taxable income is available in 2020 for donors who do not itemize their deductions, i.e., an “above-the-line” adjustment to income that will reduce a donor’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and consequently taxable income.
The adjustment is available for cash gifts up to $300 per taxpayer or $600 for a married couple.
So, instead of giving the government an additional $300 this year, why not give it to God's Acre instead?
Your gift will be very gratefully received.
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If you'd like to follow along, with the service and readings, please click on the link below, or the photo graphic above, where you be able to view a condensed copy of the Worship Guide for 20th December 2020
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December Birthdays
21st - Karen M
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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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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Welcome once more to 'Tracking the Numbers'; we're are still seeing daily increases case numbers throughout Marion County, the state of Florida & the USA. |
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Here are the latest COVID-19 figures for the last week:
Wow, we are now in the 9+ month of Coronavirus Pandemic around the world.
As of December 6th, Florida passed the million case mark! This is absolutely terrifying, despite a vaccine due to arrive any day now.
Our current total number of Florida COVID cases stands at 1,212,314 - which is a staggeringly huge increase of 162,676 MORE cases since from last Sunday (Dec 6th).
The death toll in Florida has increased to 20,049 which is another large increase of 722 MORE deaths since last week.
Marion county cases have jumped to 15,220, which is yet another big increase of 1,457 MORE cases since last week.
In the church zip code (34482) the number of cases stands at 2,177; this is an increase of 40 additional cases since last Sunday.
We repeat it every week, but even when the vaccine becomes available, it will take several weeks & months before it will be safe enough to return to church.
Even with social distancing & wearing masks - to gather in our sanctuary. 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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As we enter into the last month of 2020, we would like to say Thank You to all of you who have faithfully continued to send a financial gift, to support God's Acre MCC.
We really do value every $ sent - without it, we would not be able to keep up with our financial commitments.
Funds are very tight - it is still a costly business to run an online ministry, as well as maintain the church building and bring quality services to you each week.
It's been a long 8+ months and we greatly appreciate your loyalty & faithfulness to keep our church running.
As you are able, we ask you to please keep supporting & blessing God's Acre financially. Don't forget about our Annual Giving Tree Fundraiser - every $ helps.
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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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