News
MCC will be having a Christmas Eve Service beginning at 6:00 PM observing all COVID-19 precautions already in place as observed during our Sunday services.
This will be a brief service composed of Bible readings and Christmas hymns.
A virtual service will be live streamed on Youtube at this link at approximately 6:00 PM.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday's sermon is titled “The Birth of Jesus” from Matthew 1:18-25. The Old Testament reading is Isaiah 9:2-7, and the New Testament reading is Revelation 21:1-8.
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 41 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Ayin tovah” = a good eye. This is one of my favorites of Dave Adamson’s devotions so far this year, so I’m going to paraphrase him without much added from me this week. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22). He was not speaking of the physical health of your eye but rather using a figure of speech familiar to first century Israelites. A good eye (ayin tovah) was a feature of one who lived a consistently generous life, looking out for the needs of others. Similarly, a bad eye was shorthand for greedy self-centeredness. How would the people who know us describe us? As we reflect the love of Christ, I believe we at MCC are developing good eyes.
MCC News:
Angel Tree News: God bless you all! The wrapping is done. Pick up is soon. I think this is a good example of a congregation putting its ayin tovahs to work (I doubt if that is the right way to make that phrase plural, but pointing out mistakes in my Hebrew grammar may or may not be part of “a good eye.”
If you have an MCC Sunday school kid living at your house, you should be on the lookout for a gift from your teachers this weekend. It’s a cookie decorating kit from a local bakery. If you have not received yours by Monday, please let me know. We compiled this list from the sign-in database we have been using, but we don’t want to overlook any children at Christmas. If you just wish you were an MCC Sunday school kid, let us know and someone will come see you next week.
Last month Tim Grogan revived an MCC tradition from over a decade ago, and I encourage you to check it out. Starting with the Habakkuk series last month, Tim started posting a bulletin insert for note-takers to use during the Sunday sermon. You can find the virtual bulletin on each week’s virtual service webpage accessed from the Virtual Sunday Service on the MCC website.
This year’s advent series is titled “Prepare the Way” from the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 1-3. Next Sunday’s text is all of Matthew, chapter 2. The title is “The Birth of Jesus,” but I might have subtitled it “We Three Kings vs. Matthew 2.”
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 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.
This Friday, December 18, 6:00 - 7:00 PM is our Longest Night service, this year by zoom.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, unless it isn't. Our Longest Night service is a time when we allow space to articulate loss, and we focus on the Biblical genre of lament. We have been doing the Longest Night service for about 10 years. I'm glad we learned how to do this before 2020.
Join the Zoom Meeting at this link.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday's sermon is titled “The Genealogy of Jesus” from Matthew 1:1-17. The Old Testament reading is II Samuel 7:11b-17, and the New Testament reading is Hebrews 11:17-21.
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 41 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Midbar” = desert, and it also means “place of the word.” This should not surprise us as we consider the many times in Scripture when the Lord met his people in the desert. In our own dry places, our first reaction is often to seek relief. Another common reaction is to embrace the false guilt of religiosity and legalism., as if our dry places must be evidence of God’s disfavor. Since the Bible teaches that the Lord meets his chosen in the desert, let’s look for Him there and pray that we will find his grace and provision – like Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Jesus, and Paul.
MCC News:
Angel Tree news: We will not have an Angel Tree Christmas party at church this year like we have in the past, but there are still ways to help. If you would like to help with the wrapping and/or delivery, please contact Barbara Murgatroyd at barbarajmurgatroyd@gmail.com or text 321-355-9705.
It is time to return the unwrapped gifts. How so?
If you come to church in person, please bring them to the building with you.
If you shop online, you could have them mailed to Barbara if pay attention to the delivery date
Hope Ministries can also be a drop off place since Barbara and Tom are on staff there.
You could drop them off at MCC during any mid-week meeting or by appointment.
The book of Proverbs teaches that steady plodding is the way to prosperity. “Steady plodding” is a good description of my contribution to MCC’s Route 66 virtual challenge team. The last time I checked, the MCC Sole Squad had covered over 270 miles, from Chicago, IL on our way to LA. It looks like we will make it out of the state of Illinois this weekend. It is not too late to join our team, and we would be glad for the help. Contact Ellen Grogan if you are interested.
Last month Tim Grogan revived an MCC tradition from over a decade ago, and I encourage you to check it out. Starting with the Habakkuk series last month, Tim started posting a bulletin insert for note-takers to use during the Sunday sermon. You can find it with the virtual bulletin on the MCC website.
This year’s advent series is titled “Prepare the Way” from the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 1-3. This Sunday’s text is my favorite example of a text that surprised me when I realized how “preachable” it is. It might not appear so at the first reading, but Matthew sent a not so subtle message to his original readers, and we can receive that message also.
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 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.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday the Struna’s (see their webpages at this link) continue sharing their experiences and plans as missionaries with Give Hope 2 Kids, Instituto Del Rey, and Jungle Hospital in La Cuenca, Honduras.
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 41 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Kanafim” (car-na-fim) = “wings” and “corner”, e.g., see Malachi 4:2; Matthew 9:20, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8:43-48.
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 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.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday the Struna’s will be sharing their experiences and plans as missionaries to Honduras. See their webpages at this link.
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 40 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Nephesh” = soul. We are told, several places in Scripture, to love the Lord “with all our souls.” How do we do that? Another translation of “nephesh” is “life.” Could it mean that we are to love the Lord with all our lives for all our lives? I believe that is exactly what it means. We are going to need a Savior!
MCC News: Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that your family enjoyed a sweet celebration, however you were able to do it this year. We enjoyed a quiet, non-traditional meal for three at our house, and we connected with family and friends by text throughout the day. (In a related story, Yield Design is having a busy season of holiday sales. What a world!) Thanksgiving reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, “Count Your Blessings.” The lyrics would be a good devotional start to every day: “Name them one by one. See what God has done.”
Angel Tree news: The last time I checked, we were down to our last few families of angels. I predict that the last ones will be claimed this weekend. If you would like to buy a gift this year, contact Barbara Murgatroyd at barbarajmurgatroyd@gmail.com or text 321-355-9705.
How to deliver the unwrapped gifts?
If you come to church in person, please bring them to the building with you.
If you shop online, you could have them mailed to Barbara.
Hope Ministries can also be a drop off place since Barbara and Tom are on staff there.
You could drop them off at MCC during any mid-week meeting or by appointment.
The Strunas are back! They will be our speakers (in my place) at MCC for the next two Sundays. I encourage you to join us and learn about where they have been and what they intend to do when they return to Honduras in early 2021.
This year’s advent series is titled “Prepare the Way” from the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 1-3. Please pray for me as I prepare. I’m excited that the Strunas’ visit will give me extra time to devote to this series. Also, ask the Lord to show you whom you might invite, and how. This year might require some creativity. Consider asking someone to “join” you at the live streamed service, and then meet up in the virtual foyer afterward.
I have found that attending church virtually is less satisfying that the in-person experience for sure, but it is better that missing out entirely. For those who struggle to stay connected, I encourage you to persevere. The Lord is at work. 2020 has been a refiner’s fire / olive press / threshing fork. I have seen families heated and crushed and tossed, but amid the death and disease, our kingdom offers hope and promise. Thank you for looking out for each other.
Please pray for our nephew Nichols in SC. He was enjoying a cousins’ golf cart adventure yesterday when he sustained a concussion, and possibly more. He received immediate care, and we believe he will fully recover.
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 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.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday's sermon is titled “Yet I Will Rejoice” from Habakkuk 3. The Old Testament reading is Psalm 18:30-36, and the New Testament reading is Hebrews 12:1-3.
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 39 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: Gethsemane” = olive press. The garden where Jesus prayed the night before he was crucified was not named for Mr. Gethsemane, but rather for a wine press. The symbolism here is old news for students of the “suffering servant” prophecies in Isaiah. Just as olives are crushed to produce a sustaining and healing oil, so Jesus was crushed for our iniquities, to save us and restore us. As his followers, we will have opportunities to experience “crushing” moments of our own. Let’s pray for his healing to flow into us and through us during those times.
MCC News: MCC’s Phase II is continuing tomorrow for our youngest Sunday school kids. The guidelines are mostly what you would expect, but parents can see the specific details on our website.
Last Sunday was the day our kids helped pack approximately 100 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Thanks to all of you who have donated. If you missed out on the shoeboxes, or if you are looking for more opportunities to be generous during the holidays, we will switch to Angel Tree this week as usual.
Here is some Angel Tree news. The best way to get an angel this year is to send an email or text directly to Barbara Murgatroyd. She can send you the “tree,” the list of children with gift requests, so that you can choose and let her know. How to deliver the unwrapped gifts?
If you come to church in person, please bring them to the building with you.
If you shop online, you could have them mailed to Barbara.
Hope Ministries can also be a drop off place since Barbara and Tom are on staff there.
You could drop them off at MCC during any mid-week meeting or by appointment.
Tomorrow is the end of our three-week series on Habakkuk, and here’s a fun fact about tomorrow’s message: I made my own deer costume for the exciting finale. For those of you who remember this later, the funny part will be that I referred to it as making a “costume.”
The Strunas are back! They will be our speakers (in my place) at MCC for the next two Sundays. I encourage you to join us and learn about where they have been and what they intend to do when they return to Honduras in early 2021.
There is a new/old feature on the MCC website. Tim is bringing back the bulletin in virtual form, and it’s not just a nostalgic way to read the news. He is also bringing back another new/old feature of the bulletin, and that is an insert for note-takers to use during the sermon. I know it is sometimes harder to feel engaged for those of us who are attending remotely, and I hope this will help.
MCC Do-Gooders: Thanks for all the vehicle help in a few different directions over the last few weeks. All the needs have been addressed.
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 attenders who connect briefly (about 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.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday's sermon is titled “Be Silent Before Him” from Habakkuk 2. The Old Testament reading is Daniel 5:1-9, and the New Testament reading is Galatians 3:1-14.
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 38 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Ohr” = light. The Hebrew word means “to illuminate” or “to dispel darkness.” Jesus seized upon this image and referred to both himself and his followers as “the light of the world.” The apostle John also had a lot to say about light in the darkness. Consider the useful purposes of light, for the ancients and for us: safety, security, warmth, improved vision, even sustaining life. Are we having this kind of impact on the world around us?
MCC News: MCC’s Phase II is starting tomorrow for our Sunday school kids. The guidelines are mostly what you would expect, but parents can see the specific details on our website (and we might post them here later in the comments).
Tomorrow is also the day our kids (including the ones who are too old for Phase II Sunday school) can help pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Thanks to all of you who have donated. If you missed out on the shoeboxes, or if you are looking for more opportunities to be generous during the holidays, we will switch to Angel Tree next week as usual.
The Strunas are back! But they are quarantining with Kim for the next two weeks. Thank you to Will for bringing them home from the Miami airport yesterday. They will be at church on Sunday, 11/29 and also Sunday, 12/6. I hope you will be able to connect with Chris and Sharon somehow before they head back to Honduras soon.
MCC Do-Gooders: Here’s an opportunity to help just by making connections. I am trying to find two cars, one temporary and one permanent. I have a friend who needs a reasonably priced, reliable car with good AC. Also, we are looking for a car that our missionary friends could use for several weeks from late November until the start of 2021. Please contact me if you have an idea for either car.
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 attenders who connect briefly (about 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.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday's sermon is titled “Utterly Amazed” from Habakkuk 1:1 - 2:1. The Old Testament reading is II Kings 21:1-18, and the New Testament reading is Romans 1:8-17.
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 37 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Hasidut” (or “Chasidut”) = to walk intimately with God. Perhaps you have seen the word “Hasidic” used as a synonym for orthodox Judaism. It’s the same root. A hasid is pious person who sets out every day to pursue God’s will, obeying and serving Him to show our love and loyalty. For Christians, it is not distinctive dress that identifies us as hasidic, but rather the simple routine of seeking the Lord’s direction in prayer coupled with obedient follow-through.
Let’s continue to pray for this year’s election. Our Lord is Sovereign over all of history, including the future parts. This was true even before voting was invented. I am glad we live in a time and place where we get to vote, but it is God whom I trust to bring good things to his people out of any circumstance.
MCC News: MCC’s Phase II is starting soon. That will include opportunities for our small groups and a Sunday school class for our younger kids starting next Sunday, 11/14 (not tomorrow). The details and guidelines for next week’s class will be announced at church tomorrow, and we will post them on this website and on the Facebook post next week.
Next Sunday is also the week our kids (including the ones who are too old for Phase II Sunday school) can help pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Thanks to all of you who have donated. We have one more week to donate for the shoeboxes, then we will switch to Angel Tree as usual.
Please pray for the Eley family. Some of our MCC Eleys are traveling to GA this weekend for the memorial service for Edmond’s brother.
MCC Do-Gooders: Here’s an opportunity to help just by making connections. I am trying to find two cars, one temporary and one permanent. I have a friend who needs a reasonably priced, reliable car with good AC. Also, we are looking for a car that our missionary friends could use for several weeks from mid-November until the start of 2021. Please contact me if you have an idea for either car.
Tomorrow’s sermon is the start of a new 3-week series on Habakkuk. As usual, for those with the time and inclination, I would recommend that you prepare by reading the entire book in one sitting.. This time it is only three chapters.
We will conclude the “History v. Hamilton” zoom meetings this Friday at 6:00 PM. All are invited, and there is no expectation that you should have attended the earlier ones. This week, we will discuss Act II. 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 attenders who connect briefly (about 45 minutes) after the worship.
Sunday Morning Sermon: Sunday's sermon is titled “How Majestic!” from Psalm 8. The Old Testament reading is Job 7:17-21, and the New Testament reading is I Corinthians 15:42-49.
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 36 of 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know by Dave Adamson: “Emunah” = faith. Adamson illustrates the connection between belief and practice with an analogy: You cannot become a talented musician just by reading about the instrument and studying music theory. You must also pick up the instrument and play it. This Hebrew word for faith means to “act with firmness.” The most faithful people are not ones with particular ministries or callings but all who are actively living lives punctuated by “Yes, Lord!”
Andy Stanley says faith “is measured by how well one loves, not by how much one knows.” It’s like a staircase. We know it goes higher, but we must climb the stairs to experience the next level. Our actions display our faith more than our words do, and those actions also help build our faith.
Let’s pray for Tuesday’s election. Our Lord is Sovereign over all of history, including the future parts. This was true even before voting was invented. I’m glad we get to vote, but it’s God whom I trust to bring good things to his people out of any circumstance (even if it’s not easy to recognize the good part at first).
MCC News: Chris and Sharon Struna have their plane tickets, and we expect them to be back in Brevard County in mid-November. We are looking forward to hearing from Chris and Sharon and seeing their photos on the last Sunday in November and the first Sunday in December.
Tomorrow is the end of our Psalms We Sing series for this year, and we will finish with Psalm 8. Next week we will start a 3-week series on Habakkuk. (I hope that our kids who are going back to Sunday school class won’t be too sad about missing out on my Habakkuk series). As usual, I invite you to engage early if you can by reading the entire book before we start. This time it’s only three chapters. For those who like to plan ahead, after the Strunas, our advent series this year will be titled “Prepare the Way” and it is from Matthew 1-3. After the New Year, we will finish our 3-part series on Luke’s gospel.
MCC News (that is no longer new): 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 second “History vs. Hamilton” zoom meeting. We will continue the next two weeks on Fridays at 6:00 PM. Next week, we’ll be ready to discuss the first part of Act II. 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.
