God's Acre MCC ~ Weekly Newsletter |
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2nd Week of Advent ~ 7th December 2020 |
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We should be joyful in the lord; that's what God wants us to be. Words are powerful and can change our mood quickly, so it very important to choose our words carefully; our word become a self- determining prophecy.
We can control how we see the world, but the world see us through the words we speak. What we say sends out vibrations into the atmosphere that return to us. So, if we complain, and are sad and miserable, this is was comes back to us.
Like attracts like. Words can build up and tear down which, in turn, will make us successful or fail in our lives.
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Do we really want to fill up our minds, and ears, with bad news hour after hour? That's what will happen, if we only listen to bad news, continually for days and days.
Unfortunately, bad news travels fast and the good news travels slowly; maybe because it not sensational enough!
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The more we talk about all the bad things happening in our life, the more unhappy we will be. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
So how can we increase the Joy in our lives? We can start by talking about the good things in our life; saying how good life is; reminding ourselves that God is good. This will start the Joy flowing in our life.
Make sure that you look for the good in others, using praise instead of blame.
Don’t subscribe to the “Blame Culture”; when we pray to God about something, it’s what we say after that prayer that counts.
It makes all the difference.
Remember, we use the same mouth when we pray, sing and praise God as we use to gossip.
I was very joy filled this week; I was asked to perform a wedding, for two delightful ladies, via Zoom, as we could not meet in person. It was a wonderful occasion and was filled with love and joy
So, let’s make life easier for ourselves by being positive; positivity should always be our way of life; let's make the joy flow in our lives always.
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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
6th December 2020
2nd 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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Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Hillsong
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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 Pat, and her husband Nick, in the UK
*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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*Continued prayers for the Bowker family, as they mourn their loss
*Prayers of strength for Liz & her family in the UK
*We pray that all people will act responsibly around COVID-19, thinking of others with unseen, underlying health problems
*Continued prayers for Letty & Norma, as they care for Richie in TX
*Prayers of healing & strength for Jane & Jeanne, who recently lost a dear family member
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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
13th - 3rd Sunday of Advent
In person Service Cancelled
Recording will be made available
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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Every year, as we decorate our sanctuary and fellowship hall, for Advent, we usually put up a Special Christmas Giving Tree.
Our Giving Tree usually 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's been a very tough year for us all; on the whole we have weathered the COVID-19 situation with grace and fortitude; however, it's been financially difficult for us to keep up with all of our bills and unforeseen repairs.
So, we are asking each of you, if you are able, to please give a little extra financial gift to God's Acre this Christmas.
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 13th 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 th 9th + month of Coronavirus Pandemic around the world.
As of December 6th 2020, Florida now has passed the million case mark; this is absolutely terrifying! Our current total number of Florida COVID cases stands at 1,049,638 - which is a staggering increase of 64,341 MORE cases since from last Sunday (Nov 29th).
The death toll in Florida has increased to 19,327 which is another large increase of 650 MORE deaths since last week.
Marion county cases have jumped to 13,763, which is yet a HUGE increase of 8965 MORE cases since last week; confirmed deaths have risen to: 440, which is an increase of: 22 in the last week.
In the church zip code (34482) the number of cases stands at 2,137; this is an increase of 43 new 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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