The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks
| May 12, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Your Pastor 
Potpourri or Smorgasbord-Take Your Pick
I'm not sure if I have a delayed case of Spring Fever or if it's just oak pollen and mold. But something in the air is distracting me; and my thoughts, often scattered, are even more so the last couple of days. If you're up for a whirlwind tour through a maze of random thoughts, read on. If not, check back in with me on Sunday morning; I promise to be better organized by then!
First on my list is...
Read More... |
What's Happening at MCC Austin
|
May
16 Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m., and H20 at 2 p.m.
22 The Spirituality of Leadership Retreat, 9 a.m. - noon
23 Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m., and H20 at 2 p.m.
30 Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m., and H20 at 2 p.m.
June
3 Interfaith Pride Service at 7 p.m.
5 Austin Pride
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Sunday Worship on May 16
9 & 11 a.m.
"Integrity Is a Noun"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Acts 16:19, 23-33
They seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities....After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, "What must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay.
|
 H2O ~ Living Water Sunday, May 16 at 2 p.m. ...when you want to meet Christ,
not expectations... |
 Positive Perspectives HIV/AIDS Support Group
Meets May 18, at 7 p.m.
MCC Austin Wray Education Building
The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, May 18, 2010 in the Wray Education Building at MCC Austin. Positive Perspectives is a monthly support group with an emphasis on the spiritual aspects of life with HIV/AIDS. Positive Perspectives meets on the third Tuesday usually in members' homes and sometimes at MCC Austin.They focus on information sharing in a confidential setting for those affected by HIV & AIDS, while providing support for one another by letting each individual discuss what is on his/her mind. With members at various stages of the disease, this group offers a tremendous amount of first-hand knowledge, experience, and support of life for those infected & affected by HIV/AIDS.
|
 "Many Lights for Human Rights"
The 27th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial & Austin's 11th Annual Service Sunday, May 16 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.At Republic Square Park on Guadalupe, between 4th & 5th Streets in downtown Austin.
There will be free and confidential HIV Testing from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., literature, condoms, speakers, remembrances, and prayers. This is a free event with free parking on surrounding streets. Please bring candles to represent those passed or living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, please visit www.candlelightmemorial.org |
 Being Church ~ Building CommunityIn response to God's inviting us to build a new permanent home for MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks, our capital stewardship campaign is one of the most exciting ever attempted! It's very important our congregation fully understand the campaign's purpose. Are you wondering what it's all about and how you can be part of helping our church achieve success in this challenging endeavor? Following each Sunday morning service, executive team members serving on the campaign will be available to visit with you at the front of the sanctuary. We encourage you to drop by and give us the opportunity to answer your questions. Come see what new thing God has called us to do!
|
 Honoring All Serving in the Military
During our worship on Sunday, May 30, we would like to recognize and lift up in prayer all those who are currently serving in the military. Please email the church office with the names of all people you know who are serving in a branch of the Armed Forces. Deadline for submitting names is Monday, May 24. |
 The Spirituality of Leadership Retreat
Saturday, May 22
9 a.m. until noon
MCC Austin Sanctuary
This half day retreat, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Mona West, will help church leaders join 'soul with role' through an exploration of the concept of Servant Leadership as modeled by Jesus. Emphasis will also be given to spiritual practices for leaders and there will be fun exercises on team building and collaboration. The retreat will also provide some guidelines for avoiding leader burnout. To register, please contact Courtney Webster in the church office. |
BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News & Updates
|
| General Conference Business Meeting
Packets are NOW Available!
The General Conference business meeting will be held on Tuesday, 29 June 2010, in Acapulco, Mexico. In preparation for the General Conference Business meeting, the business meeting packet is now available for download. Given that General Conference is a "Green" event, we are inviting all delegates to help with this effort by bringing your own copy of the packet for review during the meeting. Thus, we will have only a limited number of copies available on site in Acapulco. The business meeting packet includes the following documents: click here to continue. Back to Top______________________________________________________________ |
MCC Network News
Network News? What's that? Well, we've changed the title "Clusters" to "Networks" for those groups of churches near you which join together for support, education, and fellowship. Click here to read more. Back to Top______________________________________________________________ |
BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
|
|
"Don't White-Out Our History" Rally
Wednesday, May 19, at 1:00 p.m.
Texas Education Agency
1701 Congress Ave., Austin
Click here to sign up to attend the rally!This rally is scheduled on the eve of the State Board of Education's final vote on the controversial new social studies standards. This is your chance to stand up to extremism on the state board. May 19 is also the day the State Board of Education will hear public testimony on the social studies standards. If you are interested in testifying in front of the state board, please let TFN know, and we will get you all information you need to sign up.
______________________________________________________________ |
Transgender Education Network of Texas Picnic in the Park Saturday, May 15 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Dove Springs Park; 5801 Ainex Drive in South Austin ( Map) TENT will be hosting our annual Picnic, this is a chance to hang out with friends, share a glass of wine or soda, laugh and enjoy some good eats (pot luck. We will have the ability to grill so bring your grill goodies. Alcohol is allowed, but walking around with glass is not, so please bring plastic glasses and we will provide some as well. Don't forget to tell your friends and bring 'em along. For any questions please email Rifka at: rifka@tentex.org ______________________________________________________________ |
|
Austin Pride Run
The Austin Pride Run is one the major events of the Austin Pride 2010 weekend and the first ever GLBT race in Austin. It is a 5K (3.1 miles) that will allow participants to enjoy a run in downtown Austin in a fun environment. Starting from the Long Center, the runners will cover two laps of a route that will lead them across Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) up to the 4th street warehouse district. The race will be gun-timed and results will be published but the goal of the race is to welcome everyone and share a good time. This race is a water themed event with a water spray on the course and with a Slip-N-Slide and finisher towels at the end of the race. Everyone; runners, walkers, families, kids, and doggies, are welcome. For more information or to sign up visit http://www.austinpriderun.org
______________________________________________________________ |
Our Prayers...
- For our GLBT brothers and sisters around the world who live in fear of violence and discrimination for the sexual orientation or gender identity.
- For everyone involved in helping clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and for all the communities along the coast who are affected by it.
- For MCC Churches as we prepare for our General Conference at the end of June.
- For all who face the challenges of heart disease and their loved ones.
|
 E-Link Submissions
If you have information to share through our E-Link, please email it to the editor no later than Monday evening of the week you would like it published.
|
|
|
|
Pastor's Message
First on my list is an invitation to the Annual AIDS Memorial Candlelight Service. I'd love for MCC Austin to fill Republic Square Park on Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. to show our commitment to education, prevention, research, and support for those living with HIV/AIDS and those whose lives and loves have been lost to AIDS.
Second, have I got a deal for you! We have 50 beautiful, limited edition Being Church ~ Building Community aluminum water bottles. Here's how you can get one. For the next several weeks, you can claim your very own just by coming to church and paying attention to the sermon. Each week I'll ask a question pertaining to the previous week's sermon. If you know the correct answer, send me an email. The next Sunday, in each service, we'll draw two names at random from among the correct answers and award you your very own collector's edition water bottle. Here's this week's question: In last week's sermon I encouraged you to remember that _____ didn't give us _____; _____ gave us _____. If you've got the answer, send it to karen. thompson@mccaustin.com.
We're still hovering around an 80% completion rate for filling out contact cards on Sundays. I'm just certain we can get that percentage up to around 95%. One word to those of you who miss the old days when you could stay in your seat, glance at the registration book, and learn the names of those worshiping near you: ask! Introduce yourself before or after the service. It might be hard the first time, but it will get easier and easier.
If any of you have a new or gently used countertop microwave that you would like to donate to the church, we'd love to have it. Ours succumbed sometime during the weekend, leaving us to eat cold leftovers or figure out how to use the old-fashioned oven. If you have one for us, please contact Courtney at courtney. webster@mccaustin.com. And finally, if you missed the debut of our Being Church ~ Building Community video last week, you have a chance to catch it on our website for a limited time. Visit our site at mccaustin.com and click on the Being Church ~ Building Community icon. That will get you to the video.
Whew, thanks for hanging in there. See you Sunday.
Much Love and Many Blessings,
 Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
