Author: Lorraine Hume

THE
SPIRE

The Margate Community Church
8900 Ventnor Avenue
Margate, NJ 08402
November 1, 2021

_____________________________________________________________________
CHURCH OFFICE PHONE - (609) 822-5050; FAX - (609) 822-5974
Reverend Victoria Ney, Pastor
Rob Tucker - Director of Music
Chris Simonini - Organist
Carmella Marcheski- Administrative Assistant
Betty Nathanson - Church School Coordinator
Scott Chaffin - Sexton
Michelle Cook, Soprano Soloist
_____________________________________________________________________

Founded in 1929, MCC is an interdenominational congregation, with membership in the American Baptist Churches and the United Church of Christ. Through these affiliations, our church participates in national and global ministries. MCC is a sponsor of Margate Terrace, a seniors residence at 610 N. Fredericksburg Avenue, and is a Covenant Church with Habitat for Humanity. We are lifetime members of the Holocaust Resource Center, Stockton University, Pomona, New Jersey.

THE MARGATE COMMUNITY CHURCH
"An Ecumenical Family of Faith"
8900 Ventnor Avenue
Margate City, New Jersey 08402
Visit our website for current news and information www.margatecommunitychurch.com

SUNDAY SCHEDULE
10:00 a.m. - Service of Worship

A Message from the Pastor …
Mark Twain once described the day he rushed to the top of Pike’s Peak to see the sun rise. He said, “I got there on time, but I missed it because I was looking the wrong way!” I think this is a common problem in life. God has so many fantastic sunrises to show us, so many dramatic miracles to share with us, so many awesome wonders to reveal to us—but I think we miss them because we are facing the wrong direction. We’re just not taking the time to look around and see what God has for us. And when we don’t see them, it’s hard to be thankful for all our blessings.
I read something recently by Luci Swindoll. She said, “Many times I’ve asked God for something specific, and he’s dropped it in my lap, but because it didn’t look like what I thought it should, I turned it down. ‘Forget that Lord,’ I say. ‘You gotta be kidding.’” Well, God doesn’t kid. He’s the master of creativity. Once again, we miss what we could be thankful for.
It’s so easy to forget everything God has already done by being preoccupied with what you want him to do right here, right now. When you forget God’s blessings, or look in the wrong direction, you form a habit of ingratitude.
You could change that habit to gratitude by frequently thanking God for what he’s done. This has the added benefit of deepening your trust in God’s compassion, mercy, faithfulness, and power.
It’s November, a time when we focus on Thanksgiving. But we need more than one day, or even one month to count our blessings. Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4), which is another way of saying “Be thankful always.” Grow your confidence in God. Know that God is providing all you need, and more. Keep God’s faithfulness in the forefront of your heart. Thinking about what God has done for you in the past will help you build hope and trust in the future. Form a habit of remembering each day what God has done for you. Start small and maybe the habit of gratitude will sneak up on you!
~ Pastor Vicky

Sunday December 5th
The Pajama Project Collection
Please support this charitable cause by collecting books and pajamas (no nightgowns). This charity provides new pajamas for children in need. A box is set up in the Tower Narthex to collect your donations

Wednesday Meditations
Now that we are no longer in the grip of lockdown and are able to get out and be more active, albeit cautiously, Pastor Vicky has discontinued the Wednesday Meditation every month. Our Sunday Services will continue to be live. By the way, we are back to singing a hymn during Sunday service.

Save the Date
December 12th 5pm
MCC’S Christmas Dinner Dance
Josie Kelly’s
Danny Eyer Band
More Info to Follow

Stewardship for 2022
It is no secret that at this time each year, our church calls attention to stewardship. Somehow, we 21st Century Christians have stewardship and budgets woven together. But that should not be! They are two different topics. True stewardship emanates from praise. Stewardship should only be looked at in the light of a grateful, joyful response to God’s continued love and care.
We all know these last 20 unprecedented months have been a trying time for all of us, to say the least. When the year 2020 began, who would have ever imagined that a pandemic would plague our world. The church, schools, jobs—everyone’s daily routine—underwent enormous changes. But let me assure you that the Margate Community Church is still alive and well and continuing its ministry and mission. And while our worship service has undergone some changes, the Word of God and our love of being a church family has not changed.
Amid the many adjustments we face, we are continuing to build a future for this amazing church. We cannot do that without your assistance. As in other years, you have received a letter from Pastor Vicky asking you to estimate what you can give in 2022 to the life and ministry of the Margate Community Church. Once again, there is an Estimated Giving Card enclosed with the letter simply because people will still be planning the programs, outreach and mission of the church for next year, and they want to be good stewards and financial planners of available resources. We pray that you will be eager to re-invest and re-commit yourself to things that last—the Word of God, caring for each other, as well as those outside our doors, and living lives that follow the example of Jesus.
We invite you to join us to dedicate our estimated giving and commitment to our church family on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 21, as we praise God for God’s continued blessings.

~ Upcoming Meetings~
Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesdays, 7:00 pm
Charity League
Tuesday November 9, 9 am Fellowship Hall
Trustees’ Meeting
Tuesday November 9, 7 pm Fellowship Hall
Deacons' Meeting
Monday, November 22 , 6 pm, Fellowship Hall

~ Upcoming Events~
Men’s Breakfast
Thursday November 4, 8am Fellowship Hall
PB & J Project
Sunday November 21, after Church in Fellowship Hall
Men’s Breakfast
Thursday November 18 8am Fellowship Hall.
Ladies Lunch Out
Thursday November 18 12:00 pm Place TBA

Services in November
Sunday, November 7th
Communion Sunday
Worship - 10 am
Message by Reverend Victoria Ney
Bell Choir
Sunday, November 14th
Worship - 10 am
Message by Reverend Victoria Ney
Sunday, November 21st
Worship - 10 am
Message by Reverend Victoria Ney
Sunday, November 28th
Worship- 10 am
Message by Reverend Victoria Ney

Happy Birthday to all of our October Birthday Members

Paul Alford (11/1)
Anthony Edge (11/4)
Leslie Thomas (11/10)
Richard Sheeran (11/16)
Terry Shaw (11/17)
Jamie Theophall (11/18)
Lauren Theophall (11/18)
Sharon Ekstrom Tomassone (11/19)
JoAnne Petzold (11/22)
Rita King (11/25)
Dara Quattrone-Roche (11/27)

Sunday November 7

That we know of!

Deacon's October Communion Offering
Pajama Project
Please be generous in supporting the Pajama Project
assisting young children in need

Book Club Meeting Discussion
Sunday, November 14
11:30 am ~ Parlor
The Last Thing He Told Me
by Laura Dave
A gripping mystery about a woman who thinks she has found the love of her life...until he disappears. (This novel is on Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club list)

Margate Community Church
2021

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	1 / 9:00 - Noon NS	2 Election Day / 9:00 - Noon NS	3 / 9:00 - Noon NS / 12:30 AA (Fellowship Hall)	4 / 8am Men’s Breakfast / 9:00 - Noon NS	5 / 9:00 - Noon NS	6
7 / Daylight Savings Time / Communion Sunday	8 / 9:00 - Noon NS	9 / 9:00 - Noon NS / 9am Charity League / 6pm Pulpit Meeting / 7pm Trustees’ Meeting	10 / 9:00 - Noon NS / 12:30 AA (Fellowship Hall) / 7:00 Bell Rehearsal	11 Veteran’s Day / 9:00 - Noon NS	12 / Picture Day (NS) / 9:00 - Noon NS	13
14 / 10:00 Worship / Advisory Council / Book Club Meeting	15 / 9:00 - Noon NS	16 / 9:00 - Noon NS / 7pm Trustee’s Meeting	17 / 9:00 - Noon NS / 12:30 AA (Fellowship Hall) / 7:00 Bell Rehearsal	18 / 8am Men’s Breakfast / 9:00 - Noon NS / 12 pm Ladies Lunch Out (TBA)	19 / 9:00 - Noon NS	20
21 / 10:00 Worship / PB & J Project / Turkey Drive	22 / 9:00 - Noon NS / 6pm Deacon’s Meeting	23 / 9:00 - Noon NS	24 / 9:00 - Noon NS / Thanksgiving Feast (NS) / 12:30 AA (Fellowship Hall) / 7:00 Bell Rehearsal	25 Happy Thanksgiving	26 No School	27
28 / 10:00 Worship	29 / 9:00 - Noon NS	30 / 9:00 - Noon NS	Reminder! / Sunday November 7

Many thanks to all those who helped make the FestiFall a huge success!
A special Thank You to Betty Nathanson
for her coordination of his event.
to came out to help with the PB & J Project.
“ Many hands make light work”
Please come back and join us on November 21st

Thank you to all of our volunteers who came out to help with the PB & J Project on October 24th
“Many hands make light work”
Please come back November 21st for our next
PB & J Project
All are welcome.
to came out to help with the PB & J Project.
“ Many hands make light work”
Please come back and join us on November 21st

Turkey Drive
Sunday November 21
Please bring your frozen turkeys for the Food Bank of South Jersey on
Sunday November 21st only.

MCC's Church School Lenten Projects

DR. TERRY A. JOHNSTON, M.D. MERIT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Applications Available May 1st
Completed Applications Due Friday, May 31st
This separate scholarship is available to any high school / college student who is planning to attend or presently attending college and pursuing a career in medicine or medical science. Applications for this scholarship program are available for pick-up in the church office or can be sent by email.

Sunday November 7

~ Upcoming Events ~

Thank you to all our volunteers to came out to help with the PB & J Project.“ Many hands make light work”
Please come back and join us on November 21st

Spire Lighting
In loving memory of my husband, Ray Daley
… Lynne

Bay Atlantic Symphony Fall Strings Concert
Let’s get together for fellowship and enjoy some beautiful orchestral music!
The Bay Atlantic Symphony is finally returning after a long hiatus.
On October 31, 2021 at 2:00pm, the Symphony will be performing a strings-only concert at Stockton in Galloway. No winds or brass as a covid safety measure.
The concert will feature:
Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Carols Simon, an American composer
Grieg's homage to the Baroque
If we order tickets as a group of 10 or more, the price of each ticket drops significantly to only $15 each.
Jennifer Barr is the contact person—she is not only the trustee at Margate Community Church, she is also on the Board of Trustees for the BAS. If you have any question, or would like to participate, please contact her when you see her in Church or call/text at (609) 442-1717. Please let Jennifer know by Sunday October 10th so we can be assured to get a block of tickets.
For more information about the show, you can visit the BAS at bayatlanticsymphony.org
Mask are required , but at this point vaccination is not required.
Bay Atlantic Symphony Fall Strings Concert
October 31, at 2:00pm
Stockton Performing Arts Center, Galloway Campus
Tickets for Group: $15/each
Contact Jennifer Barr at (609) 442-1717

2021

Summer Worship Services
Advisory Council has asked that summer services be indoors in our Sanctuary this summer, with the exception of the last Sunday of each summer month - July 25th and August 29th. On those Sundays we will meet informally outdoors on Sumner Avenue as we did all last summer. Tents will be up and chairs available, but bringing beach chairs is encouraged!

Calligraphy
If you know of anyone who would be interested in doing calligraphy for the Church, please contact the office
Thank you
609-822-5050

New Members
There have been a few people expressing interest in formally joining our church.
If you are interested, we will have a brief meeting in the Parlor during our Rally Day Barbecue, September 12
and introduce you to the congregation on the 19th during the worship service.
Please call the office (609-822-5050) or see Pastor Vicky following a church service for more information or if you have any questions.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We need people to help set up for our Sunday Coffee Hours!
If you go to Fellowship Hall to enjoy the coffee, why not volunteer to help prepare it?
Sign up if you would like to serve your church in this ministry.

Reminder Dates for August

August 16 Trustees' Mtg 7:15 pm
August 18 Men's Breakfast 7:30 am
August 21 Service 10:00 am
"What's What"
August 23 Deacons' Mtg 7:15 pm
August 25 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm
August 28 Service 10:00 am
"P.B.P.G.I.T.W.M.Y."

Masks required, but at this point vaccination is not required.

BAY ATLANTIC SYMPHONY

FALL STRINGS CONCERT

OCTOBER 31, 2021 AT 2:00 P.M.

STOCKTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, GALLOWAY CAMPUS

TICKETS FOR GROUP: $15/EACH

CONTACT JENNIFER BARR AT (609)442-1717 BY OCTOBER 10

Masks required, but at this point vaccination is not required.

BAY ATLANTIC SYMPHONY

FALL STRINGS CONCERT

OCTOBER 31, 2021 AT 2:00 P.M.

STOCKTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, GALLOWAY CAMPUS

TICKETS FOR GROUP: $15/EACH

CONTACT JENNIFER BARR AT (609)442-1717 BY OCTOBER 10