Artist: Nellie Ashford

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:28

STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST February 4, 2022
We are a welcoming, diverse and active community. We share God's love in a spiritual environment offering truth, trust and transformation!
Upcoming Worship Information
Sunday February 6, 2022
Worship Location Change

Due to the predicted chilly weather this Sunday, Worship will be held inside and not outside as originally planned.

Our next outside Worship will be
March 6 at 10 AM
Celebrating Black History Month
Located near downtown Sarasota, FL, are two communities, Newtown and Overtown, that were thriving areas in Sarasota by the early 20th century.

The history of these communities is rich and dedicated to keeping the impact African-Americans had in the building of Sarasota. For over 100 years, African American residents played a major role in the development of Sarasota. Black labor cleared snake infested land for real estate developers, laid railroad ties, helping the farming industry.

The members of Newtown had three focus areas that kept them pushing forward: Church, Family and School.

Learn more about Newtown and the impact Blacks had in the local history by visiting the website NewtonAlive.org

There are many events in the surrounding areas to learn and celebrate Black History. Concerts, theater, literature events and panel discussions are a great opportunity for us to learn as we honor the contributions of the many known and unknown African-Americans. Use the links below to check out the many events in our area.

Upcoming Calendar of Events
February Month at a Glance is Ready!

Use the Link below to download the Updated February Month at a Glance
A Night with Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson

Join us this Monday night, February 7 at 7 PM, for our second night in the series of chats with Rev. Nancy as she continues to share stories about her journey with MCC and her life experiences.
This month, Rev. Nancy will share stories from her time in Los Angeles.

This will be a hybrid event allowing those who cannot join us in person to participate virtually.
Volunteers Needed

The landscaping team will be working on Saturday, February 12 starting at 8:30 AM.

If you can join the team for the entire time or just a portion, please consider helping to spruce up our beautiful property.

Please bring gloves and any tools that you may have to help the team.
Ten Easy Ways to Get Acquainted or Re-Acquainted with the Bible in 2022

Zoom Class with Rev. Nancy Wilson
Wednesdays, February 9 and 16
7 PM – 8:15

This series can be useful for those who have known, read, and loved the Bible for a long time; or for those who have never really read the Bible on their own.

We will focus on some easy and practical ways to open the Bible as a source of strength and hope in these times.

Have a Bible handy if you have one, or borrow one from our SunCoast MCC Library! 

ZOOM Link is below for the class.

Meeting ID: 880 8024 8824
This February 12 & 13, 2022, the Jewish Congregation of Venice will sponsor the annual Jewish Food Festival. They have held this event for more than 25 years. It is a way of sharing Jewish culture and cuisine with the entire community of Venice.
 
Your support and patronage helped make this a major event on the region’s community calendar.
Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty brought on by the recent upsurge of COVID-19 and variants' cases, we are not able to hold an in-person Jewish Food Festival this year. But…
 
The good news is that our homemade Jewish delicacies are being prepared and can be ordered online.
 
Purchases are by PRE-ORDER and PRE-PAYMENT only. There will be no purchases the day of the Festival.

Use the link below to read more about the festival and place an order.
Upcoming Lenten Book Study
As Lent is a time of searching for meaning and connection, we are excited to offer a seven-week book study on Wednesdays 3:00-4:30 PM, from March 2 through April 13 led by Cindy Duranko and Rev. Rick. This class will be in-person only.

Brené Brown’s “Braving the Wilderness” is an easy read that explores the relationship among spirituality, authenticity and connection, and offers strategies for helping ourselves and all who come through our doors feel a sense of true belonging. The class will focus on exploring how authenticity and spirituality strengthen connection in our cherished community.

To participate, sign up after Worship in the lobby, call the office or use the link below. It is recommended that you purchase the book on your own or through church, and plan to read one chapter each week. If you would like to purchase the book through the Church, please notify Kim at info@suncoastmcc.com or calling the Church by February 20, 2022.

We need a minimum of 10 participants, with a maximum of 20. If you have questions, you can contact Cindy at cduranko@hotmail.com
SunCoast MCC Untold Stories
Next month we will resume recognizing our volunteers with the monthly publication, "SunCoast MCC Strong" and we need your help. Each month we recognize those people who quietly work behind the scenes to help others. We want to celebrate those who are living our mission daily not just in the Church but in the community. We want to learn about these "Untold Stories" and celebrate them.

Please email the Church at Info@suncoastmcc.com with the name of the person and a short explanation as to why they are being recognized.
Board of Directors Updates
2021 Giving Statements


We have prepared your 2021 giving statements. Statements that were not picked up at Church have been mailed. These statements only include contributions made with cash or checks.

If you contributed electronically using EasyTithe, you should have received an email with those contributions. Please make sure to monitor your email (including Junk/Spam) for an email from EasyTithe.com
Weekly Offering and Attendance Information

Thank you for your continued support and generosity, especially in light of these challenging times.

For the week of January 24 to January 30, our income and expenses were:

Weekly contributions were $3,678 which is $1,056 short of
the budget of $4734
and
4-Week total is $14,321.63 received which is $4,615
less than the budget of $18,937.

Attendance: 
50 in person
44 families live streaming
41 YouTube views =135+

In person & online, we're One Body


Meet your new Board of Directors
for 2022

Bob Langlais-Vice-Moderator
Mary Convy-Clerk
Sam Sinnett-Treasurer
Linda Staib-Member at large
Scott Swonger-Member at large
Santa Pandolfo-Member at large

Thank you for your gift of leadership and time. Let's lift them up in prayer as they do the work of SunCoast MCC.
United in the Power of Prayer

Update from Your Pastoral
& Congregational Care Team

In Charity, kindly remember in prayer members and friends of our SunCoast Community – those who are confined to home, in a health care facility or hospital
and those who are alone. May Almighty God, Physician of souls and bodies, extend healing to ease their every pain and suffering.
May they, may we, be granted healing, strength, and spiritual comfort.

We ask everyone to join us in prayer for:

Randy M & Tim M * BJ H & Denise W * Joe D & Tim H * Bill B * Frank R * Ron S * Paula J * Marty S * Jerry F * Bruce C * Mayra * Zami * Laura M * Greg H * Nikki L * Family of John G * Phyllis M * Barbara S * Judy * Gracie M * Joffrey S * Terrie B * Pam C * Lorna H * Karen & Lucy * George W
If you have someone in need of prayer to be placed on our Prayer List
or If you would like to become a member of our Prayer Team

Please Contact:
Updated SunCoast MCC Protocols for Onsite Worship

The Board of Directors regularly revisits the safety protocols in relation to COVID-19. We continue to monitor the local statistics and will make changes when possible.
We will facilitate social distancing at indoor and outdoor gatherings (indoors, people will be encouraged to sit with people they feel comfortable sitting near, people can sit farther apart, ushers will help people who need it). Chairs will be further apart outside, in small clusters.
In order to attend indoor worship, you must be fully vaccinated.


Masks are required for indoor services.

During outside worship, people will need to wear masks while singing as well as entering and leaving the Worship area. If you feel comfortable, you may remove your mask during outside worship.
January 30, 2022 Worship Recording
Recorded Worship Service

If you were unable to join us last Sunday, we missed you.

You can use the link to watch a recording of the January 30 Worship Service.
Join our Private Facebook Group

Click HERE to join!
AmazonSmile
Please join AmazonSmile!
It is free and easy, and a portion of your purchase will be included as an automatic donation to Suncoast MCC.
We Care: We are here to support you! Click on the links below to contact these ministries.
3276 E. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34292
(941) 484-7068
Office Hours:
Monday: Office is closed
Tuesday thru Thursday: 10 AM to 3 PM
Friday: Noon to 3 PM