25 October 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “From Strength to Strength” from Psalm 84.  The Old Testament reading is Psalm 42:1-11, and the New Testament reading is II Corinthians 3:9-18.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (Link).

Week 35 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson:

“Ruach” = Spirit or wind or breath of God. This helps me answer one of history’s mysteries: How did the disciples of Jesus go from being who they were the week of the crucifixion – good at scattering and sleeping on duty and denying Jesus to save themselves – to becoming the world changers we read about in the book of Acts? Two important things changed them: 1. They saw Jesus after his resurrection; and 2. They were visited by the Spirit of God at Pentecost.

Similarly, when we become convinced of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus and surrender to him as Lord, we can expect to be transformed by the “ruach” of God. For some in our congregation, this is part of our history. We can look back and see what the Lord had done in our lives. We are not the people we used to be, and we thank God for that. Others need this in your future, that intervention from God that will follow your surrender to him. All of us are works in progress, still under transformation empowered by God’s spirit.

MCC News:

Please continue to pray for the family of Patricia Carter. There will be a memorial service with limited seating at her home church, Hope Episcopal in Melbourne, on Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 PM. There will also be a drive-by memorial for students and colleagues on Monday, November 2nd at 7:00-8:00 PM. (Gina and I will not be attending the church service Sunday, but we are participating in the drive-by memorial on Monday).

Last night was our first “History vs. Hamilton” zoom meeting. We will continue the next three weeks on Fridays at 6:00 PM. Next week, we’ll be ready to discuss all of Act I. Come with questions if you can. All are invited. If you don’t see the invitation on Facebook, let me know and I can send you a link.

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 has settled into a steady group of virtual attenders who connect briefly (about 30-45 minutes) after the worship service. Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact me any way you can if you would like to join us this Sunday

18 October 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “The Fountain of Life” from Psalm 36.  The Old Testament reading is Proverbs 16:18-24, and the New Testament reading is Romans 8:31-39.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (Link).

Week 34 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson:

“Hesed” or “Chesed” = unfailing love. This is the week I have been waiting for since we started this book. If this were like a classroom memory assignment, this is the week many at MCC can take a break because we already know this one. I have seen it translated many ways, none better than Adamson’s “unfailing love.” For years before we started studying this book I have said to our congregation, “If you learn only one Hebrew word to help your understanding of the Old Testament, make it this one.” Isaiah 54:10 says

“Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love (hesed) for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

MCC News: Now here’s something just for fun: One of my former students contacted me and floated the idea of some kind of watch party event based on the musical “Hamilton.” That sounds fun and easy, so here’s my plan: not an actual watch party, but a post-viewing zoom meeting to discuss several songs a week. I’m thinking of 4-5 weeks starting next Friday, 10/23 at 6:00 PM.  Everyone is invited, but you will need a Zoom link. Please let me know if you are interested.

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 has settled into a steady group of virtual attenders who connect briefly (about 30-45 minutes) after the worship service. Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact me any way you can if you would like to join us this Sunday. 

11 October 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “But a Breath” from Psalm 39.  The Old Testament reading is Job 7:1-21, and the New Testament reading is Matthew 5:1-10.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (Link).

Week 33 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Malkhut shamayim” = the heavens. We tend to think of heaven as up there, where God lives, and that is not inaccurate. There are many Bible passages that refer to the heavens as the place above us where the stars and planets are. However, Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven that was “at hand.” In his word pictures, Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven as being like a farmer, fisherman, merchant, gardener, treasure seeker, cook. There is an “already, but not yet” aspect to any discussion of the Kingdom of Heaven. One day, the Lord will reign over all the earth, but in the meantime the Kingdom of Heaven is on display through the lives of those who are submitted to Jesus. We are like the advance team of the coming King.

MCC News:  Our small groups are up and going, and I see ministry happening in and among our congregation in several different directions. If you are feeling disconnected, please consider one of the groups that remain open throughout the year, like our Wednesday evening study of Ephesians led by Rick and Susan Krebs.

Tomorrow is the start of our newest season of Psalms We Sing. I think this is our fifth time doing a month of Psalms, but it might be our fourth. We will study and sing Psalm 39. Feel free to read ahead. Psalm 36 is next week.

Please join us for worship 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 has settled into a steady group of virtual attenders who connect briefly (about 30-45 minutes) after the worship service. I’m going to stop publishing the zoom link here, but newcomers are always welcome. Please contact me any way you can if you would like to join us this Sunday.

04 October 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “What Can We Do?” and it is part 2 of a 2-part topical series titled “Faith and Politics”.  The Old Testament reading is Jeremiah 17:5-10, and the New Testament reading is I Corinthians 9:19-23.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (link).

Week 32 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Yerushalayim” = You will see God. Even though it is spelled differently, if you try to pronounce this aloud, it will be easier to recognize this as the Hebrew name for Jerusalem. Perhaps you remember that the root “salem” is the same root as “shalom” – the peace of God. Therefore, this word points to two cities: the one in Israel and also the heavenly city where we will ultimately see the peace of God.

MCC News:  This afternoon we are having a private memorial service for the family of our long-term friend Jose Martinez-Diaz. Please pray for his family and friends.

Tomorrow is the second and last installment of a two-part topical series titled “Faith and Politics.” If you wonder why I don’t mention the President’s illness in my message, it’s because I recorded it Tuesday afternoon before I heard that news. Please pray.

27 September 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “Lord, Help Us!” and it is part 1 of a 2-part topical series titled “Faith and Politics”.  The Old Testament reading is Exodus 19:1-6, and the New Testament reading is John 17:1-23.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (link).

Week 31 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “yadah” = knowledge. Since I do not always choose the academic high road, at least at first, this word reminded me of George Costanza’s girlfriend in season 8 of “Seinfeld.” She used the phrase “yada, yada, yada” as a synonym for “and so on,” “and so forth,” or my go-to variation “blah, blah, blah.” Although the conventional use of this phrase in our culture is not what the Hebrew word means, it is close enough to emphasize the questionable value of knowledge alone. The Hebrew meaning combines knowledge with experience and relationship and follow-through. So when two different prophets wrote that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9 and Habakkuk 2:14) they are not saying that lots of people will know more about God. Rather, these prophecies tell us that one day the earth will be filled with people who are devoted to God and are living a life that reflects their relationship with him. You and I do not have to wait for Jesus to return to enjoy the blessings of living a life founded on the knowledge (yadah) of God.

MCC News: On Monday, our friend Jose Martinez-Diaz passed away Monday from complications from diabetes. Jose was a long-term friend and an early member of Melbourne Community Church. Some of our founding MCC families have been friends with Jose and Danette for over a quarter century. Please pray for Danette and their three sons and two daughters-in-law. We are not having a public memorial service like we used to do, but rather we are having a private live-streamed memorial service next Saturday at 1:00 PM, followed by a zoom reception. For now, contact me if you would like more information on how to join that service.

Chris and Sharon Struna have finished their epic motorcycle trip from Alaska to Argentina, and now they are planning their return to mission work in Honduras. They are hoping to return to Brevard County in this fall and return to Honduras this winter. I look forward to hearing them at MCC soon, but for now we can all pray for them. They have also been regulars at our “virtual foyer” on Sundays after church. Their last email listed three prayer requests: Sharon’s migraine headache; Our exit strategy for leaving Argentina and getting back to the United States; Our plans for returning to Honduras.

 I know that I announced our next sermon series would be “Psalms We Sing,” and we will indeed get there soon, but I would like to squeeze in one brief topical series before we go to Psalm 39 on October 11th. This Sunday will be the first installment of a two-part topical series titled “Faith and Politics.” That seems timely, but possibly tricky. Please pray.

Please join us for worship this weekend, however you can. We are now able to offer the Lord’s Supper at the end of our live service. That service begins at 9:00 AM, and it is live streamed on our YouTube channel.

Our “virtual foyer” Zoom meeting has settled into a steady group of virtual attenders who connect briefly (about 30 minutes) after the worship service. Newcomers are most welcome. It is not a formal study of anything, more of a social meeting, but questions about the sermon or other MCC stuff would be welcome. Here is the link to that zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/82721340958#success

20 September 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “Play On” from John 11:25-26.  The Old Testament reading is Jonah 2:1-10, and the New Testament reading is Matthew 12:38-42.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (link).

Week 30 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “halakhah” = to walk. The Apostle Paul wrote that we should “walk by faith” (II Corinthians 5:7). This reminds me of the Shema. When were the Israelites commanded to teach their children?

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”, Deuteronomy 6:6-7. I mention this passage during every baby dedication at MCC. When do our children learn about faith from their parents? Maybe when we intentionally instruct them, but definitely as they watch us live our lives, walking by faith.

MCC News: Congratulations to our newest lovebirds! Abigail Eley and Quinton Foster will be married this afternoon.

This Sunday’s message is different than what I normally do. It is not a through the chapter expository Bible message like normal, nor is it a topical message. It is more of an extended word picture based upon something I felt during worship time last month. If you have an opportunity to prepare before Sunday, try to watch a clip from the movie “Titanic.” It’s the part when the musicians continue to play on deck as the ship is sinking. At the end of the 7-minute clip I found on YouTube, the violinist/leader tells the others how much he has enjoyed playing with them tonight.

Please join us for worship this weekend, however you can. We are now able to offer the Lord’s Supper at the end of our live service. That service begins at 9:00 AM, and it is live streamed on our YouTube channel.

Our “virtual foyer” Zoom meeting has settled into a steady group of virtual attenders who connect briefly (about 30 minutes) after the worship service. Newcomers are most welcome. It is not a formal study of anything, more of a social meeting, but questions about the sermon or other MCC stuff would be welcome. Here is the link to that zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/82721340958#success

13 September 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “Grow in the Grace” from II Peter 3:1-18.  The Old Testament reading is Isaiah 25, and the New Testament reading is Matthew 24:36-44.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (link).

Week 29 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Torah-Or” = Guide of Light. This reminds me of an old joke I heard in church years ago, but I cannot recall the speaker. The set up was a game of chicken on the high seas between two radio officers who each thought the other should yield. The punch line was something like this: “This is a U.S. battleship; you must yield.” And the reply: “No, you must yield. This is a lighthouse.” This word picture reminds me of the futility of negotiating with God about calling and such (Consider the call of Moses), but also the comfort of resting in his far superior wisdom, stability and perspective. The gap between God’s Providential will and my ability to plan well is not depicted well enough by the lighthouse and the battleship. I think it would be closer to lighthouse and a floating pool toy. I am sure that MCC regulars would notice the Torah in the root of this word. Is the Bible your “guide of light?”

MCC News: Congratulations to Noah and Olivia! I hope you enjoy reading your new Bibles. It’s not too late for us to get more Bibles if we missed your child.

Please join us for worship this weekend, however you can. We are now able to offer the Lord’s Supper at the end of our live service. That service begins at 9:00 AM, and it is live streamed on our YouTube channel.

Our “virtual foyer” Zoom meeting has settled into a steady group of virtual attenders who connect briefly (20-30 minutes) after the worship service. Newcomers are most welcome. It is not a formal study of anything, more of a social meeting, but questions about the sermon or other MCC stuff would be welcome.

06 September 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “Slaves of Whatever” from II Peter 2:1-22.  The Old Testament reading is Numbers 22:21-31, and the New Testament reading is Matthew 13:24-30.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (link).

Week 28 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Hineni” = Here I am. This is a declaration of submission to God and his calling. Abraham, Moses, Samuel and Isaiah all had memorable “Here I am” scenes. Over the years, I have voiced this posture in a variety of ways: “Put me in, Coach” or “Reporting for duty” or simply “Yes, Lord.” And if you are not sure what you are saying “Yes” to, I think that might be even better. I suggest that you buckle up for a surprising adventure.

MCC News:  This is the first summer since 2003 that Melbourne Community Church has not had a baptism beach party. We will not schedule an event this year, but we can still baptize. Please let me know if you would like to talk about baptism, and I will follow up.

Please join us for worship this weekend, however you can. We are now able to offer the Lord’s Supper at the end of our live service. That service begins at 9:00 AM, and it is live streamed on our YouTube channel.

A few weeks ago we started a “virtual foyer” Zoom meeting that has allowed our virtual attenders to connect briefly after the worship service. Here are some highlights/lowlights: I have been excited to see people from Argentina to South Dakota, and mostly MCC locals. It did not work so well when I tried to host a Zoom meeting from the passenger’s seat of our car on the way up I-95. I will stay in one place this week. Here is the link to that zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/82721340958#success

30 August 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “Eyewitnesses of His Majesty” and it is a review of II Peter 1:12-21.  The Old Testament reading is Jeremiah 1:1-10, and the New Testament reading is II Timothy 3:10-17.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (link).

Week 27 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Tzel” = shade.  This reminds me of Psalm 91, and I am sure that I am not the only one at MCC who would say that. This week, I spent several minutes of each day teaching my students outdoors, at a picnic area under a nice big tree. Conditions there ranged from quite nice to a bit swampy, but we could not have gone out there without the shade of that tree.

MCC News: Many of our families started back to school this week. From a teacher’s lens, it was not my easiest week ever, but it was a good week, and I think it will get easier. It was good to be back with the students, and my students seemed appreciative and cooperative.

At church, The Lord’s Supper was a sweet end of last week’s service, and also this week’s service and so on. We found some individually packaged communion kits with a wee sip of juice and a tiny wafer on top, easy to grab and go while maintaining appropriate distance on Sunday.

Please join us for worship this Sunday at 9:00 AM, live or live streamed on our YouTube channel. For our home viewers, we have started a virtual foyer immediately after the service ends, around 10:15 AM. Here is the link to that zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/82721340958#success

23 August 2020 Sunday Announcements

Sunday Morning Sermon:  Sunday's sermon is titled “Everything We Need” and it is a review of II Peter 1:11.  The Old Testament reading is Proverbs 1:1-7, and the New Testament reading is II Timothy 4:1-8.

There will be only one  MCC in-person service this Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Live streamed Virtual Church (link) is available streaming at 9:00 AM. 

Virtual Foyer  on Zoom (link) at 10:15 AM.

The recorded services are also available on MCC YouTube Channel (link).

Week 26 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Torah” = guide. It is hard to believe that it has been half of a year since we started this book at the beginning of Lent. It is also hard to believe how different our world is now than it was back then. I’m glad that our word this week is “torah” because we have spent much of the last six months studying the first five books of the Bible. Even now that we have started our II Peter series, we find that Peter and the other New Testament writers often referred back to the Torah in their letters.  

MCC News:  This is the Sunday when we will pray for students and teachers during our worship service. Some have started already, but most are starting back to school on Monday.

This is also the Sunday when we will resume offering the Lord’s Supper at the end of the service. We found some individually packaged communion kits with a wee sip of juice and a tiny wafer on top. I spread them out on our communion tables Tuesday morning, so it should be easy to grab and go while maintaining appropriate distance on Sunday.

Please join us for worship this Sunday at 9:00, live or live streamed on our YouTube channel. For our home viewers, we have started a virtual foyer immediately after the service ends, around 10:15. Here is the link to that zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/82721340958#success