July 30, 2015, Thursday

Volume 9, Number 17

Our Vision
.
Your Center For Compassion In Action, Spiritual Growth and Personal Development.

In This Issue

Upcoming Events

Church Happenings
In the Life of Our Church

Oppertunities

This Week

Sunday Service

10:30 AM

Weekly Office Hours

Wed &Thurs

10:00AM-3:00PM

(813) 239-1951

408 E. Cayuga Street

Upcoming Events

S.I.N. Fridays ,July 24

BAKE SALE THIS SUNDAY August 2nd

BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE Now Through August 23rd.

Church

Happenings

Back to School Drive

Pastorial Search

Conference 2016

Prayer Shawls

Board Meeting 8/11

Amazon Shoppers

In The Life of Our Church

Volunteer Opportunities

Congregational Care

Become a Creative Financier

Recurring Credit Card

Our Community
Francis House is looking for Volunteers

HIV Testing Sunday September 20 at MCCT

Join Our Mailing List

BAKE SALE THIS SUNDAY

AFTER SERVICES in Social Hall

Donations of Baked Goods Would Be Greatly Appreciated

" True generosity is an offering, giving freely and out of pure love, no strings attached." Suze Orman

Spend as Much on What Helps as on What may Hurt

A small rural church had one big fundraiser each year, and a couple of very generous givers. That, and a handful of faithful volunteers and a bi-vocational pastor who was only paid part time by the church is how the church got by. Of the 40 or so people who worshiped most weeks, the average unidentified offering was only about $2. If not for the few generous givers, the limited expenses, and the annual fundrasiser, the curch honestly couldn't survive.

The pastor noticed that many people in the congregation went to a local bar with some frequency. Most of the congregrants smoked. More than a few seemed almost addicted to diet soda. A prospering (and possible healing ) idea was born in the pastor's mind.

One Sunday in worship, when called for the offering, the pastor said, "Most of us spend money on things that aren't very good for us. I want to challenge you to notice how much you spend each week on things that could hurt you, and then I want you to give at least that same amount of money to the church that tries constantly to help you."

The congregants accepted the challenge, giving increased substantially, and a few people even started living healthier lifestyles. It was a win all the way around!

(From the Book by Rev.Dr.Durrell Watkins)

Upcoming Events

PERFORMING ARTS MINISTRY - MONDAYS, AUG 3, 10, 17, 31

To perform plays and a variety of other forms of live entertainment, including Liturgica Arts. We are in need of those interested in acting, writing, producing, lighting, sound,and stagehands for future performances. The team has selected "A Queer Carol" to be performed on December 11-12, 2015 here on the MCC Stage. In order to help, with approximately $500 in costs associated with the royalties, scripts, and production cost, several fund-raising events will be held.

S.I.N. FRIDAYS - JULY 31 & AUGUST, 7 - 7:00 PM TO 8:30 PM

#SceneinNews will meet Fridays for a conversation about trending controversial topics in the media.

MOVIE NIGHT - "CALL ME TROY" - TUESDAY, AUGUST, 18- 7:00-8:30 PM

Call Me Troy is a truly inspirational story about a remarkable and dynamic individual whose activism was decades ahead of its time. Rev. Perry is perhaps best known as the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, but from presidential advisor to outspoken advocate, Perry has been on the front lines leading the charge for equal rights and protections for gay men and lesbians the world over as well as providing a place for all people, gay and straight, to worship side by side. This film celebrates his life and his legacy. This film will also double as the introduction to the History of MCC series facilitated by Debbie Blanton.

SUMMER MUSIC WORSHIP SERIES - WEDNESDAYS AUGUST, 5, 12, 26 & Sep 2 - 7:00-8:00 PM Join us for a different style of music on four weeks through the summer. We will be singing Spirituals, Spanish, Contemporary Christian & Southern Gospel. Sing what you know and love some weeks and expose yourself to music you will come to love other weeks!

HOSPITALITY BAKING CLUB - THURSDAY, AUGUST, 13 - 7:00-9:00 PM

Join us as we get together to bake sweet treats for our congregation to enjoy after Sunday'sworship service.

"BE A TOOL" - THURSDAY, AUGUST, 13 -Shift Sign Ups from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Volunteers are needed to help create a workshop to house all the tools for maintaining the church. We need volunteers to sort tools and materials, build a workbench, hang tool wall boards then put it all together. Any donations of clear plastic containers with lids to store nuts and bolts, such as peanut butter or candy jars, would be extremely helpful.

BACK TO SCHOOL" SUPPLY DRIVE - NOW THROUGH AUGUST, 23

We will be collecting school supplies to support a local elementary school. Any  donations  are welcome including, book bags, notebooks, crayons, scissors, folders, etc. Just drop of your supplies in the sanctuary before or after service.

Program Leader: Ross Scudder

  BAKE SALE THIS SUNDAY !!!!!!!


                        Sunday August 2 - AFTER WORSHIP SERVICE

            Donations of baked goods for this sale are greatly appreciated.

                                   Proceeds benefit the Performing Arts.

CHURCH WORK DAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 - 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Volunteers are welcome and greatly needed to help clean, organize and finish projects inside the church OR cut, rake and plant outside the church. This opportunity to maintain our facilities is organized by the Sacred Grounds Ministry.

"GEE" STRINGS, GUITAR"  SUNDAYS, AUG 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & SEP 6 - 12:30 to 1:30

All are welcome to join us in our six weeks of hour long classes after church on Sundays to learn the secrets for how simple it can be to strum the guitar. All that is needed is a guitar and the Song in Your Heart. Program Instructor: Cyndy Jo Rossiter

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS - SUNDAYS, AUG 16, 23, 30 & SEP 6 - 12:30-2:30 PM - MCCT Chapel

You can learn ASL (American Sign Language)! Acquire this second language! We will continue to offer a four week session of two hours during this quarter to develop greater proficiency with ASL.

                                      BROADWAY AT THE BEACH

AUG 28 & 29 - TWO SEATINGS EACH NIGHT - 6:00 PM AND 8:30 PM

Lisa's Cafe, 1331 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, FL - 727-394-2833 - Limited Seating -

Reservations Required $10 Cover plus dinner - Mention MCC in your reservation and $5 will be donated back to MCC's Performing Arts Ministry. Gregory Allen and Kelly Briggs will be transforming Lisa's Cafe into a New York Piano Bar and Cabaret, singing Broadway standards and hits from The Great American Songbook.

     VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER & DANCE COUNTRY STYLE

SATURDAY Night Aug 29th 6:30 PM

If you have volunteered in any way at MCC Tampa in the past twelve months you and your partner are invited to join us for our Volunteer Country Appreciation Dinner and Dance Party Country Style. You will have a fun filled evening with Dinner and Country Western dancing so come dressed in fun country clothing and don't forget your slick cowboy-cowgirl hats and boots.

The evening is free but please pre-register on sign up sheet at back of church or call the church office by Aug 24th.

Special entertainment by Tampa Bay Outlaws Dance Team, and Fred Astaire Dance Studios. (Please be aware that there may be adult content.)

FALL FLING 2015 -SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 - 6:30 PM

Our annual Silent Auction and Community Awards dinner also includes live music and dancing, a grand prize raffle drawing, and a decadent dessert auction. This year's theme is Hollywood Glam and is sure to be a spotlight-red carpet event. So, put on your dancing shoes and join us for our biggest fundraising event of the year! If you are interested in volunteering please see the Event Committee Chair: TrisMacWilliam

Ticket prices are as follows:

Reserved table of 8 (single transaction) = $350

Two event tickets (single transaction) = $90

Single event ticket = $50

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HELP !! NEEDED IN CHILDREN'S CHURCH !

Insurance codes for all churches now require TWO ADULTS to supervise Children's Church and all Church functions involving minors.

We are asking for 8 volunteers to help supervise our children and to volunteer their time and love to this ministry.

Please see Tris MacWilliam A.S.A.P. As we are required to obtain background checks before we can schedule adult volunteers.

PLEASE JOIN US EACH SUNDAY AFTER SERVICE FOR COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS IN SOCIAL AREA IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH.

Have an Event or Party Planned?

MCC TAMPA HAS RENTAL SPACE AVAILABLE

FOR THOSE SPECIAL EVENTS OR WEDDINGS.

Church Happenings

BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS - We have a new E-Mail address for all submissions to the weekly bulletin. Please send complete information for the bulletin announcement to: Ministries@mcctampa.com. The deadline for submissions is 12 PM NOON each Tuesday.

Conference Fund Collection To Be Used For 2016 General Conference Expenses

We have less than one year to prepare for General Conference expenses for our future pastor

and lay delegates. To date we have covered the Conference registration cost, but need to

work on rooms and flights. This collection will be taken up on the last Sunday of each month.

Because these funds are designated expressly for the Conference, the church does not have

to pay tithes on them to the denomination. So, please bring a little more to church on the last

Sundays of each month so that our Lay Delegates and Pastor will be ready to represent us

next July 2016. Thank you!

PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE: The nine members of the Pastoral Search

Committee are coordinating dates to meet to review Pastor Candidate application materials

that have been received. We will follow the same process as we did in the first round of

reviews and interviews. Please continue to pray for the Committee in this process.

PRAYER SHAWLS - WRAP YOURSELF IN PRAYERS

Prayer shawls are available for you or someone you care about who is in need

of comfort during difficult times. Let us help. Please see Paul Budrow.

JEWELRY GEMS! - FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH AT CHURCH

Benefit the church and buy a piece of homemade jewelry to wear. The bracelets and crosses are designed with Swarovski crystal or Czech glass. See Paul Budrow after Sunday services.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR UPCOMING BINGO EVENTS - We have an ongoing need for items for bingo prizes; gift cards, wine, event tickets, etc. Please drop off in the church office on Sundays or during normal office hours Wed and Thurs 10 am to 3 pm. We have several bingo events scheduled in the upcoming months.

ATTENTION AMAZON SHOPPERS - FOUND MONEY AT SMILE.AMAZON.COM -

The next time you shop at Amazon.com please go to smile.amazon.com instead and select Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa as your charity of choice. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to MCC Tampa whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. There is no additional cost to you and MCC Tampa benefits from your purchases.

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING - The monthly board meeting is on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:15 pm in the MCCT Chapel. All board meetings are open meetings.

OUR FACEBOOK PAGE - Follow MCC Tampa on our Face Book. Go to MCC Tampa, under church and organizations to "Like" and "Share" with your friends.

FOOD PANTRY - Our food pantry at MCC Tampa is always in need of donations of cash and food items. Cash is used primarily at Feeding America where we can purchase food for 18 cents per pound. You can bring donations to the church on Wedesdays from 11 am to 2 pm or Sundays. The Food Pantry is open Wednesdays 11 am to 2 pm each week.

TAKE THE TEST & LEARN YOUR STATUS! - When was your last HIV test? Has it been a while? If so, its not too late! Metro Wellness & Community Centers will be providing confidential HIV testing services at MCC Tampa. Note: Date Change now--

Sunday, September 20th from 11 am to 1 pm..

Test results will provided within 20 minutes! THIS IS A FREE TEST.

Opportunities

In the Life of Our Church

Volunteer Opportunities

Have you been longing to become a little more active and involved in your church, so here are some of the many ways you can do so in life of MCCT. Below is a list and contact persons. Please see them, visit the church website: www.mcctampa.com or call the church office at 813-239-1951 for more information.

MINISTRY & TEAMS Contact Person

Audio Visual Team Paul Budrow

Board of Directors Sonya Bufe

Children & Families Tris MacWilliam
Congregational Care Ross Scudder
Creating Sacred Spaces Ross Scudder

Deaf Interpreters Catherine Gill

Eucharistic Ministry Vance Hamilton

Food Pantry Team Tina Brunner

Hospitality Frank Azzarello

Lectors Ministry Kevin Klahr

Music Team Gregory Allen

Office Staff Angles Robert Krebs

Pastoral Search Committee Kevin Klahr
Programming Team Ellie Weber

Sacred Grounds Richard Skinner

Ushers Chad Hobbs

Welcome Team George Summers

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

We want to remind you that if you, or someone you know, is in the hospital, becomes homebound or is in need of some congregational care - Please let us know.
If you need special prayers, have concerns you would like to discuss, need someone to talk with, or would like a call, or E-mail us at congcare@mcctampa.com or call the us at 813-230-1542 and of course on Wednesdays and Thursdays the church office is open from 10 am to 3 pm.

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BECOME A CREATIVE FINANCIER FOR MCC TAMPA
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY:
Tithes and Offerings: It's not too late to make a pledge that makes a difference.

Corporate Matching Gifts: Give to MCCT without spending a dime-your employer may be one who matches giving to a 501c-3 (nonprofit) organization. Check with your Human Resources office to see if you can double your giving at no cost to you but with great benefit to MCCT.

Recurring Credit Card & One Time Donations
We are now able to offer automatic debit withdraws for tithes and offerings. These forms are available from the church office. If you have any questions concerning this process, please feel free to talk with a member of the Board of Directors or contact the church office.

Quick and Easy each Sunday the IPAD SQUARE KIOSK is ready for your tithes and offerings at the back of the church Just swip your credit card and enter the dollar amount, if you would like a receipt just enter your email and one will automatically be sent.

Your gifts and offerings have a direct impact in the life of MCC Tampa and continue to make a difference in our church and our community. Thank You!

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To learn more about what is happening in the MCC Fellowship and MCC Tampa,

visit these Websites at:
www.mccchurch.org or our website at www.mcctampa.com

MCC TAMPA 408 E Cayuga Street, Tampa, Florida 33603 Phone 813 239-1951