| The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks | July 7, 2010 |
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From Your Pastor 
Reprise '09
It feels like I've been working harder than usual this week. I've been poring over lyrics, listening to choruses, and watching film adaptations of musicals. Now, for those of you who are wondering if I've picked up a second job, the answer is "No." I've been right here, in my office, preparing for our upcoming sermon series, The Bible on Broadway.
Some of you might be thinking that it sounds like I haven't been working at all! You're wondering how you can find a gig that'll pay you for immersing yourself in the best that Broadway has to offer. Others of you (and I do know who you are) are thinking there's not enough money in the world to make Broadway appealing to you.
People from each extreme and every point in between will come to MCC Austin this month expecting to worship God in a way that offers renewal, rest, joy, forgiveness, and meaning to your life. Whether you can sing every word of Beauty and the Beast's ballad "Home," or you think Hairspray only comes in aerosol cans or spray pump bottles, you will come expecting that God will meet you here.
Take me at my word: God will.
And even though most of us would say that that's enough, the truth is, most of us want more.
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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 Sunday Worship on July 11 9 & 11 a.m.
Beauty and the Beast:
Hospitality and Hospitals Rev. Karen Thompson
Romans 12:9-18 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
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 H2O ~ Living Water Worship
Sunday, July 11 at 2 p.m.
Join us for our Summer Series as we explore the Gospel of Mark together.
not expectations...
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 Sunday School Announcement Sunday School is now over for the summer and will start again in September. We look forward to seeing everyone in class again come fall.
Many thanks to our Sunday School teachers and members of our church who gave of their time, talent and treasure to support our Sunday School and Children's Ministry. Be sure to keep a look out for Summer Family Fellowship events!
Attention Parents!!!
Our children have been invited to attend Central Presbyterian of Austin's Vacation Bible School during the week of August 9 through August 13 from 9 a.m. to Noon. You may register children here or contact Courtney for registration forms. Cost is $25 a child or $40 for all children attending from same family. Several of our children attended last year and a great time was had by all. If a child needs a scholarship please contact Alycia Erickson.
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 Proud Parenting: Accessing Information and Developing Insight for GLBTQ Parents.
Saturday, July 24 from 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. At MCC Austin
Proud Parenting will provide parents (and potential parents) with information and tools to be confident, effective, self-reflexive parents. Jeff Lutes is a licensed family therapist. Jeff will discuss up-to-date research on same-sex parenting and its implications for our families. His co-facilitator, Dr. Paige Schilt, writes about gay and transgender family life at The Bilerico Project and elsewhere. Paige will lead participants in exercises intended to help parents examine how internalized homophobia, transphobia, and shame can get triggered by the experience of raising a child and how self-reflection can help us identify and transform ingrained reactions.
A light lunch will be served and childcare is available. Please register in advance by emailing Courtney Webster with "proud parenting reg" in the subject line. Registration is free.
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 Inclusive Recovery Open Discussion Forum
Saturday July 31 from 1 - 3 p.m. at MCC Austin
Join us as we explore the unique dynamics of addiction and recovery in the GLBTQ community.
The discussion will be led by Frances M. Preston, LCDC. Frances has worked as a Chemical Dependency Counselor since July 2002 and has been licensed by the State of Texas since April 2005. She currently works at Austin Recovery in the Residential Women & Children's program and with the Parenting in Recovery - Drug Court program. Bring your questions, your experience, strength and hope. It's time to break the silence about addiction and recovery in our community.
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 August Fellowship Meet-Up:
"Pretty In Pink" at the Paramount on August 4 Meet up with Alycia Erickson at the Paramount Theater for a special viewing of 80"s classic, "Pretty in Pink." John Hughes wrote and produced this funny, touching story of high-school student of modest means who becomes perplexed when a rich kid asks her out. It's class consciousness vs. teenage hormones. Come to the screening on Wednesday, August 4 @
7:00 p.m. Regular Admission is $9. If you buy your ticket online in advance, it's $7. But: If you dress for prom, you get in free! |
 Special Book Release & Sale
to Benefit MCC AustinCreative House International Press invites you to attend a special book release and sale on Sunday, August 8 after the 9:00 and 11:00 services. Proceeds from this sale will benefit the "Being Church~Building Community" and MCC Cares funds. New books including B. Alan Bourgeois' newest spiritual thriller, as well as children's books, photography and poetry books will be available for purchase. To buy books online for this special sale, please check out their website. |
BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News & Updates
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General Conference: Re-Connecting!
Check out these photos from the General Conference last week in Acapulco, Mexico.
Back to Top________________________________________________________________
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General Conference
Business Meeting Results
The MCC Business Meeting was a
worshipful experience that began with a
call to deliberation and discernment offered by Harry Knox, Director of
the HRC Religion and Faith Program. The following is a summary of the
work of the Business Meeting. Read more...
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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TENT (Transgender Education Network of Texas)
July Newsletter Transgender Education Network of Texas is proud to be part of the advisory board for the first ever National Coalition of Statewide Transgender Advocacy Organizations. This coalition will bring together state and/or city based transgender led organizations for the purpose of networking, organizing, sharing resources, and building grassroots advocacy. Read more...
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Our Prayers...
- For our GLBT brothers and sisters around the world who live in fear of violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- For all GLBTQ parents and their families.
- For all MCC Churches in South America: MCC Belo Horizonte and MCC Sao Paolo (Brazil), MMC Diaconia Cristiana en la Diversidad (Uruguay), MCC Argentina, MMC Santiago (Chile), MMC Resplandor de Nuestra Fe (Venezuela).
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 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.
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Pastor's Message
We want God to meet us here in the sanctuary in the manner in which we're most comfortable, or in the manner we find most appealing. Some of us want God to meet us in jeans and t-shirt, smelling like Grandma's kitchen, gathering us up in loving arms and assuring us everything is gonna be alright. Some of us prefer that our worship service be like an audience with royalty: We like to see our God as Christ the Victor, wearing robes and crown and ushering in God's dominion. Some prefer to greet Jesus on a colt, entering triumphantly amidst our shouts of praise and waving arms. Some of us wouldn't recognize God in any of these forms but can always find God in the swirl of baptismal water or the glow of a candle's flame or the nuanced rhythm of silence...
As we worship together these next three weeks, I invite you to open yourself fully to the possibilities for meeting God in the words and music and messages of the musical stage. Remember, Broadway may not be your cup of tea, but to others, it's music to their ears.
Praying for You Always,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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