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Sunday Morning Worship on March 27 
9 & 11 a.m.
"Is Christianity the Only Way?"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Romans 10: 1-11
Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it's not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scriptures say, "no one who believes in him will be put to shame."
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ASL interpretation for the 11 a.m. worship service is available upon request. For more information, please email Courtney Webster.
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Lent at MCC Austin
Our theme for this Lent is "I Wonder as I Wander," and on each Sunday we will explore one of the difficult questions of Christianity--the things that we "wonder" about.
The Sundays in Lent
Mar 13 - "Did Jesus Exist?"
Mar 20 - "Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People?"
Mar 27 - "Is Christianity the Only Way to God?"
Apr 3 - "Science and Christianity"
Apr 10 - "The Doctrine of Original Sin"
Apr 17- Palm Sunday: "The Question of Free Will"
Holy Week
April 20 - Seder Dinner (a traditional Jewish Passover meal)at 6:30 p.m.
April 22- Good Friday "What about Heaven and Hell?" at 7:30 p.m.
Easter
April 24- "What about Resurrection?"
Children's Easter Egg Hunt after 11 am service
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 Purple Bunny Project
During this season of Lent, your Deacons invite you to participate in the Purple Bunny Project. Through donations from our generous congregation, the Purple Bunny Project will support the mission and needs of The Settlement Home for Children, an organization that provides shelter and services for women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse.
Our Purple Bunny will be set up on the left side of the sanctuary stage. Just take one or more of the eggs from the Bunny's baskets and purchase the item indicated on the tag inside. Tape the tag to the item (no need to gift wrap) and return the item to the same area by Sunday, April 17.
Thank you for your generosity! Your Deacons
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Sunday School/Children's Ministry
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Sunday, April 4
Following the 11 a.m. service
Save the date and plan to attend the Sunday School/Children's Ministry Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday after the 11 a.m. service. Children of all ages and their parents are welcome.
If you would like to donate to the event, we can use individually wrapped candies and/or cash donations. Please leave donations with Pastor Alycia or a Sunday School teacher in the Wray Education Building by Palm Sunday. Thank you for your generosity!
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New Member Class Tonight at 7 p.m.
Come learn about the history of MCC Austin, what our current ministries are, and where God is calling us as a church for our future. You will also find out how to get involved in ways that are meaningful to you. If you're interested in attending the class, please contact Courtney Webster, by email or by calling the church [291-8601]. Please include your first and last name, email, and the best contact number for you.
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 Boundaries Workshop Part 1
This Saturday, March 26
from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Ever have trouble saying no to people who take advantage of you? Every have trouble saying yes to people who sincerely want to help you? Every found yourself unable to set limits on the time, energy, or resources you spend on others? Ever accept unfair or even abusive behavior because you'd rather do that than show your anger or risk a confrontation?
If you've ever felt any of these things--especially if you've felt them because they cause conflict with what you believe is the "Christian" thing to do, this workshop is for you.
Rev. Karen and Rev. Alycia will lead this two part workshop. You can register by emailing Courtney Webster.
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 Bingo & Dinner
This Friday, March 25
At Mexitas and Lucky Lady Bingo Hall
The Soul Connections group invites all MCC Austin members and friends to join them for dinner and Bingo on Friday, March 25. We will meet at 6 p.m. at Mexitas restaurant and after dinner we will go next door for a fun evening of BINGO at the Lucky Lady Bingo Hall. The restaurant and bingo hall are located on the east frontage road of I-35 at 11th street. MCCA gets a portion of the proceeds from both the restaurant and the 8:30 bingo session on the night we will be there. Everyone come for a fun evening and support your church at the same time.
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 Twelve Step Study - Part 1 Steps 1 - 3
Saturday, April 9 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
At MCC Austin
Join us as we journey through steps one, two, and three of the Twelve Step program. Find out why this amazing yet simple program has worked for millions.
To register, please email Courtney Webster.
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 Journey Retreat
Saturday, April 16
At MCC Austin from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is a $10 registration fee.
JOURNEY is an 7-hour experience to better understand and appreciate self, others and God. It is a retreat-like experience which deals with such topics as: Do I wear masks? Why? How can I better learn to communicate who I am and not just what I think? How can I grow in trust? Who is Christ? What does Church mean to me? Do I pray? Why? It is a non-threatening opportunity to really get to know yourself, others and God.
To register, please contact Courtney Webster in the church office or by email. It will be facilitated by Carol Wagner and presented by a team from MCC Austin. It will be awesome! The cost is only $10 and lunch will be served. Please be prompt and plan to spend the entire day. It will definitely be worth your time. Open to 21 years and older.
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Our Prayers...
- For all who struggle with mental illness: schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar depression, depression and more.
- For our church as we discern next steps for our building process.
- For all affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and for the radiation that's spread from the failed nuclear reactors in Fukushima.
- For the people of Libya.
- 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.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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MCC Prayer Request
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News from our denomination.
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News from MCC churches arround the world.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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The Vagina Monologues
At MCC Austin
Friday and Saturday March 25-26
Cost is $16.52 per person
The award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women. With humor and grace the piece celebrates women's sexuality and strength. Through this play and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than twelve years, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public. Continue here to purchase tickets. |
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Transgender Education Network of Texas Action Alert
ACT NOW!
Senate Bill 723 would disallow proof of sex change as appropriate documentation for marriage
Austin, TX - March 22, 2011 - Texas Family code as amended in 2009 currently allows the use of an original or certified court order of name change or sex change for purposes of marriage in the state of Texas. Senator Tommy Williams (R-Woodlands) has authored a bill that would disallow such proof, effective September 1, 2011.
This legislation is a direct attack on civil rights garnered by transgender Texans in 2009 and effectively erases gender diversity from legal protection and public discourse. Continue reading...
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Pastor's Message
I carry many regrets, and many of them are regrets of timing: I regret those instances when I've been too late. Sometimes it seems I've been too late by years. I have a true sense of sorrow that I was born too late to know my father's parents. I feel that in missing the chance to know them, I missed the chance to know and understand more about my father...and about me...and mostly, about my father and me together in relationship. That kind of regret has a sort of fantasy feeling to it, though. It's kind of like wishing I could meet Meg and Charles Wallace or have Oprah over for dinner. The regrets that get me are the ones involving a matter of days, or even hours.
When my beloved teacher died of breast cancer two years ago, the last card I sent to her arrived after she'd slipped into a final unconsciousness. I have great sorrow over that. But I also received a blessing in that because ever since, my buying and sending of cards and making of phone calls has followed much more closely upon the thought that I should send a card or make a call. In other words, more of my good intentions are being carried out instead of paving the way to...well, you know.
Still, my acting on good intentions has had sort of a random quality to it. I'm not always clear on what to say or whom to say it to. What do you say to a person whose love or encouragement or teaching has influenced the direction of your life? Especially, what do you say to that person if one of you is reaching the end of life and knows it?
Thanks to Alycia's sharing of the book The Four Things That Matter Most by Ira Byock, M.D. at the recent Deacon's retreat, I have a much better idea than I did before. Dr. Byock wrote this book primarily to help people reconcile, heal, and complete relationships when one or both are nearing death. However, he acknowledges, and you will surely agree, that "the four things that matter most" matter all the time, every day, in all our relationships.
I'm going to share the four things with you here, and if you'll commit to making them central points in all your relationships, I'm certain you'll be blessed. Still, I encourage you to read the book so that you can put them into practice in all their fullness. Here you go:
1. Please forgive me.
2. I forgive you.
3. Thank you.
4. I love you.
Eleven words to live by. May they bless you as you use them to bless others.
Peace,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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