God's Acre MCC ~ Weekly Newsletter |
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4th Week of Advent ~ 21st December 2020 |
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I wanted to reflect this morning, on the very beginnings of what we now know to be Christmas. How very few people gathered together, around the manger, looking at the Christ child.
There were animals and shepherds on that first night. It was a very quiet, intimate, affair with only one thing on their minds - to witness the beginning of a new life in the Christ child.
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In the very beginning, Christmas celebrations were small, quiet and meaningful.
I am certainly going to view my Christmas very differently this year; of course I miss my family, my church family and my friends, but it’s important to remember our family and friends too.
Hopefully we will all be able meet up again in the coming year - 2021.
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In my sermon yesterday, I asked people to reflect on the good things that have happened in 2020; to reflect also on miracles that do happen.
So, in your smaller gatherings this year, just remember that you’re in good company with the shepherds, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.
May you all have a blessed week, as we wait the arrival of our Savior, 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
20th December 2020
4th 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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Mary, Did You Know?
CeeLo Green
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Dear Rev. Janice and the congregation of God's Acre MCC,
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I have enjoyed your virtual ministry!
Rev. and Janice and Marina embody the true spirit of MCC ministry. We became friends when they first came to the USA and now I can enjoy the sermons from my home in PA.
There have been very challenging times in my life, and being able to hear Rev. Janice preach has given me just the right words to deepen my faith and press on.
These are difficult times filled with a worldwide pandemic.....we all need faith and prayers right now.
Thank you for letting me be part of your virtual church family.
Blessings,
Val B
Pennsylvania
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Hello to our Friends in God's Acre,
We miss you all and wish we could be back in Florida.
This has been such a strange year and it feels as if we have been holding our breath, waiting for ..... the next thing!
Hopefully the vaccine will start to take effect soon and life will become more predictable. For now, we rest in knowing that we are in His hands; His plan is the best plan.
Thank you for all your love and for conquering technology, so that we can stay in touch and know that we are all in this time together.
Love from Tim & Toni
Bournemouth, England
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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 Betty - Paul's mum - who has COVID. Strength for Paul & Roy also, at this time
*Prayers for all of us, 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
*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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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
24th - Christmas Eve
In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
27th - In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
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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Continued thanks to those, who have already sent in their financial Christmas gift; we appreciate it very much.
Your year end gifts make a big difference to our closing balance each year. Any amount that you can give is greatly appreciated.
All we ask is if you could to take a virtual tag, and give an extra gift to the church, according to what you can afford.
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So please, give God's Acre a little extra gift this year - it's even tax deductible! |
DID YOU KNOW? .....
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, for next Sunday please click on the link below, where you be able to view a condensed copy of the Worship Guide for 27th December 2020
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May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter.
Love,
Gwen and Mary Ann
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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 POSITIVE COVID cases in Florida stands at 1,288,506 - which is another huge increase of 76,192 MORE cases since from last Sunday (Dec 13th).
The death toll in Florida has increased to 20,764 which is another large increase of 715 MORE deaths since last week.
Marion county cases have jumped to 16,300, which is yet another big increase of 1,080 MORE cases since last week.
In the church zip code (34482) the number of cases stands at 2,211; this is an increase of 34 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 couple of weeks in 2020, Rev. Janice & the Board just wanted to say Thank You to all you who have faithfully continued to send a financial gift, to support God's Acre MCC.
Funds are still very tight 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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![CeeLo Green - "Mary Did You Know" [Official Audio]](https://web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/thumbnail?url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D1ptNwE7K8o/hqdefault.jpg)
