11th July 2022

Good morning

The question that scripture posed yesterday was, “what must I do to have eternal life?’ It’s a question I have been asked so many times, and the answer is in the scripture, and lies in our body, mind and soul, as well as in our faith and belief.

We are given instruction in scripture: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’

As Christian people, this is all we’re asked to do. We need to love our God, and our neighbor, as much as we love ourselves. We should all look after ourselves; it’s important that we do that; no one can love you like you love yourself, it’s a simple fact.  

However, if you only love yourself, to the exclusion of others, it can be seen as being selfish, and we don’t want that to happen. God is clearly telling us though, to love others as much as we love ourselves; now that’s a conundrum! If we did that, what sort of a world would we live in? It’s almost hard to imagine what a wonderful place that would be.

It would be peaceful, safe, and collegial; all we would see is happy, smiling faces - no frowns, no crying, and no complaining - just happy people, that would be Utopia. 

Well, we don’t live in Utopia unfortunately, neither did the man in our scripture who had been beaten, robbed and left for dead at the side of the road. He would have been someone’s neighbor, so who was loving him? I don’t think anyone cared about him?    

Two people passed by and didn’t help the  man; it took a Samaritan to help him. In fact, he more than helped, he was willing to pay money to make sure that the man was cared for.

So who are the Samaritans in our midst? And what does it mean to be a Samaritan?  

It means being observant to what’s around us and noticing who is in need, almost seeing it before it happens. It’s also about being available, and now is the time to step out and do God’s work, even though there is so much more, we could be doing.

It’s time to step out, even when we are overwhelmed with our to-do list; this is when we need to stand in the gap for people in need.

Sometimes people who are unwell, or just in a bad place, aren’t able to pray for themselves, and that’s what I mean by standing in the gap for them; the gap being lack or gap of prayer.

It’s about being available for people, as they need us; it’s about seeing what is not being said, intuiting the nonverbal signs. Some people are just unable to ask for help, because they don’t like to ask.

If we offer to help the person, they will accept it; so it’s up to us to try and see where the help is needed. 

What I’m asking you this week is to look around and see who is needing help in your community and offer help to them; don’t wait to be asked, because one day you may need someone to come along and stand in the gap for you, and be your Samaritan helper, amen

In Christ

Rev. Janice

Rev. Janice Bowker

Senior Pastor | God's Acre MCC

Sunday's Service

10th July 2022

Breathe on Me Breath of God

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

17th - In-Person & Online Worship

24th - In-Person & Online Worship

24th - Church Forum 12:30pm

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 remind you 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

*Our prayers & condolences to Michael's family; know that all are sending comfort & strength your way

*Special prayers for Annmarie, who is already very sick, but now has Covid & needs our prayers very much

*Also prayers of strength for Annmarie's daughters & her wider family, especially Camille & Elaine

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

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

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

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

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

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

*For David S & Fred L in CO

*Ongoing strength for Tammy, as she awaits surgery

*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

In Loving Memory of 

Michael Day

May He Rest in Peace

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 - Jon 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.