Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday's sermon is titled “In Remembrance of Me” from Luke 22:1-30. The Old Testament reading Jeremiah 31:31-34, and the New Testament reading is I Corinthians 5:6-8.
Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM.
Virtual Foyer on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.
There will be only one MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.
The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (Link).
Week 49 of 52: Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Ger” = refugee. This word shows up often in the Old Testament where it is also translated as “stranger” or “foreigner” or “immigrant.” Over thirty times in the Old Testament, the Lord’s people are told to love the “ger.” Sometimes these commands are included with the exhortation to look after the poor, the widows and the orphans. So love for the stranger is consistent with the principle that God’s people are called to show compassion for the most vulnerable among us.
I used to tell my high school students that learning to speak Spanish was one practical way for Florida kids to put this principle in action. I have a few stories where I had the opportunity to be a better neighbor because I could help bridge a language gap. You do not have to learn a new language to uphold this Biblical standard of compassion for the stranger. But we can all ask the Holy Spirit to make us more aware of the people and opportunities that are already around us.
MCC News: The memorial service for Carol Brown is later this morning (Saturday) at 11:00 AM. This is not a traditional funeral at our building, but rather a zoom meeting hosted by Libby, Carol’s friend and advocate. Many of our congregation had the opportunity to meet Libby as she helped organize do-gooder events at Carol’s home after the stroke. I posted a link to the zoom meeting on the MCC Facebook page Friday, but I can add the link in the comments below in case that makes it easier to find.
The memorial service for Steve Boytis is next Saturday, 2/6, at 1:00 PM. This one is at the church, but it will not be like our traditional funerals. The building will be available for the family, but we are asking our congregation not to attend this service in person. We will live stream the service on YouTube for out-of-town family and our local congregation.
Please join us for worship at Melbourne Community Church this weekend, however you can. The live service begins at 9:00 AM, and it is live streamed on our YouTube channel. The full service is available on our website after that.
Our “virtual foyer” Zoom meeting is a group of attenders who connect briefly (about 45 minutes) after the worship service. Newcomers are always welcome. Please let me know if you would like to join us this Sunday, and I will send you a link.