‍This Week at MCC Illiana 

MCC Illiana Begins Our 20th
Anniversary Year with a Potluck

This Sunday MCC Illiana crosses the milestone of two decades of ministry in Northwest Indiana with a special potluck lunch. We kick off year of celebrating what we have accomplished as a community of faith with our unique outreach and witness. MCC Illiana offered its first public worship service on December 15, 2002 and since then has been an active force in developing an affirming and open Christian community. Join us this Sunday, December 18, 2022 for a celebration in worship followed by our celebration in hospitality. You are invited to bring a dish to share for our lunch feast.

Celebration Christmas at MCC Illiana 
MCC Illiana will be gathering for two different services to experience the miracle of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th, at 7pm we invite you and your family to an evening of Christmas readings and singing of carols. Hear the Good News that unto us a child was born who will bring peace to all peoples. Then we will return on Sunday morning at our regular worship time of 10:30am for a special Christmas morning service. MCC Illiana continues to share that light of Christ in our world.

Thursday Night Zoom Virtual Bible Study, 7pm 

Note: Our Bible Study is taking a holiday break. Please enjoy this time with family and friends, we will resume on Thursday, January 5th at 7pm. Our Small Group Bible Study gathers on Thursday nights for a time of fellowship and scriptures. Rev. Michael leads the hour together from the comfort of your computer with this online ZOOM connection. 

Join us either on your computer / tablet / smartphone through the zoom link or dial in like a conference call.  There will be a time to check-in, a bible study and prayers. ZOOM is free to use. Join Zoom Meeting - Computer with at least a microphone, tablet or smartphone
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7828858504 

Or Dial in on your phone for voice only    312 626 6799        Meeting ID: 782 885 8504

‍Annual NWI Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil

MCC Illiana hosted the Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil the last Monday in November. The vigil was a time for our larger community to acknowledge the global violence against transgender persons. Along with speeches from members of the trans community of NWI, the names of the transgender persons murdered the past year read. As each name was spoken a cup of sand was added to the memorial. From our sanctuary once again rang out our calls for justice and healing.  The Post-Tribune ran a story called Trans community, allies remember lives lost to violence across the globe, you can read it at https://trib.al/EAlq3Og 

MCC Illiana Angel Tree for the Aliveness Project

MCC Illiana is carrying on our tradition of making Christmas special for the children of the Aliveness Project NWI. The Aliveness Project provides social services to families affected by HIV/AIDS in Northwest Indiana.Our church has sponsored the Christmas gifts for over 30 children this year. For those how took names, please have the gifts to the church by Sunday, December 18th so our Santa helpers at MCC Illiana can rush them over in time for Christmas.

Support MCC Illiana Today!

MCC Illiana continues to make a difference in our community and we need your continued support. Please consider make your donation today. Checks can be mailed to MCC Illiana, 5579 Clem Road, Portage, IN 46368 or you can make your tax-deductible donation to Metropolitan Community Church online today by clicking the Give button.

‍This is a quick and easy way to financially support our church with your giving.  Consider making setting it up as a recurring donation for your added convenience. Tithe.ly is a secure payment system.

MCC Illiana Prayer List

At Metropolitan Community Church Illiana prayer is not only an important part of our weekly worship service but also an important part of our daily, spirit-filled lives. We invite you to pray with us each day for the needs of our community and our world. If you have any personal prayers that you would like to include, please email them to thisweek@mccilliana.org with the subject line Prayers

• For MCC Illiana and the work of our denomination
  
• For Ricky’s sister and her fiancé who are sick
• For Margo who is having trouble breathing
• For Ronnie who has COVID and is in a nursing home
• For Ken who is going in for a medical procedure
• For Donella following the death of her dog
• For Ruth who is in the hospital
• For Rich who is depressed with four devastating loses
• For Dennis’ sister who is having surgery
• For Quinten who was born 2 months early but gaining strength
• For Kathy’s sister-in-law Cindy who has blockages in her brain
• For Veronica
• For one struggling on many levels and needs prayers of strength and discernment
• For Dan who has been getting treatment for chest pains
• For those who are separated from family and friends during the holiday
• For Jeff and Joy
• For Donna and her mom who has dementia
• For the life for Richard and comfort for his husband Bob
• For Dan and Val who are recovering from covid 
• For Al and Yoko
• For an aunt Olga who is having surgery
• For Robyn and Cheryl 
• For Luis who is in the rehab
• For Charlie the dog who has heart issues
• For Pat
• For Mia and Ben
• For BJ and Gerry
• For Collette
• For Julie as she recovers from cancer surgery
• For Lyn
• For Sharon Vought
• For Melinda and Whitney 
• For De as she lives with cancer
• For those in our community who have experienced trans related violence
• For those with HIV/AIDS and for the work for a cure
  
• For our GLBTQ youth and the struggles they endure.