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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin |
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 March 30, 2011
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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April
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| Lent at MCC Austin | |
Our theme for Lent this year 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 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 a.m. service |
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Sunday Morning Worship
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Sunday, April 3 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"How Do Christianity and Science Fit Together?"
Rev. Karen Thompson
John 10:7-14
So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the fighting force with him, all the mighty warriors. The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have handed them over to you; not one of them shall stand before you." So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who inflicted a great slaughter on them at Gibeon, chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
As they fled before Israel, while they were going down the slope of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down huge stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died because of the hailstones than the Israelites killed with the sword.
On the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the Lord; and he said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and Moon, in the valley of Aijalon." And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in mid-heaven, and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded a human voice; for the Lord fought for Israel.
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Words on Whatever...
from your pastor
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Bringing a sermon to the congregation is never a simple or casual proposition, but it's not always as daunting as this week's topic: How Do Christianity and Science Fit Together?"
I'm not daunted by the difficulty or complexity of the question. I'm daunted by the realization that for many people, this is an important question, a deep and necessary question, and I don't have a clue about how to approach it.
You see, for me, the question would be this: "How Do Christianity and Science Not Fit Together?" Read More...
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| SOUL Connections Monthly Luncheon |
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THIS Sunday, April 3 at Macaroni Grill
Everyone is welcome to join SOUL Connection members for our monthly lunch after church on Sunday, April 3. We'll be lunching at Romano's Macaroni Grill at 701 E. Stassney, near the intersection of Stassney and I-35. We hope to see you there!
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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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| Holy Conversations |
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Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
Topic: "Who is Jesus?"
Holy Conversations is a series of theological discussion guides prepared by the MCC Theologies Team. The topic for April's discussion is "Who Is Jesus?" Holy Conversations is open to everyone who is still seeking and who enjoys seeking in the company of others. You do not need to be a member of MCC to attend, and you do not need to attend every gathering. You are welcome to join us whenever a topic strikes your interest or whenever you want to spend time with other people in a safe, positive, meaningful way. You are encouraged to bring friends.
Holy Conversations takes place in member's homes. For this month's location and directions, please email Courtney Webster.
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| Twelve Step Study |
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Part 1: Steps 1-3 on Saturday, April 9 from 1 - 4 p.m.
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. There is no charge for this workshop. We will meet from 1 - 4 p.m. at MCC Austin To register, please email Courtney Webster.
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| Journey Retreat |
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Saturday, April 16 at MCC Austin from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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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| Garden Work Day |
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April 16, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Help us prepare our church for Easter! On Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. we will especially focus on the bed in front of the building. We will clean out the bed, weed, plant, mulch and water. If there is time and enough people, we may be able to work on other areas. To volunteer or contribute financially to this project, please email Bud Twilley.
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Annual Easter Egg Hunt
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|  Easter Sunday, April 24 after 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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| Our Prayers... | |
- For all who do not know where they will sleep tonight, or what their next meal will be.
- For all affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and for the unfolding nuclear reactor failures and radiation leaks in Fukushima.
- For the people of Libya and Syria.
- 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 our church as we discern next steps for our building process.
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| from your pastor, continued | | |
The most profound experiences I've had in my life are the births of our three children. I was well aware of the science of it all--how can you not be these days with ultrasound images as ubiquitous as ATM receipts? With many and multiplying methods of alternative insemination? With elected officials determined to make sure I understand exactly what the science/miracle of human gestation looks like and sounds like at any given time?
Yes, I was well aware of the science of birth...and each time, it was pure miracle. At the moment my first daughter was born, science and miracle, fact and faith, mystery and biology collided once and for all into a single entity... distinct...yet inseparable...hmmm.
Had I been a contemporary of Ptolemy, I would have believed him when he said that the earth was the center of the universe, and I would have given thanks to God for the earth and the universe. Had I been corrected by Galileo 1,500 years later, I would have believed him...and still given thanks to God for the earth and the universe.
This week someone shared with me an amazing series of metal sculptures displayed a few miles outside of Amarillo. The captions below each picture made reference to science and Christianity. Here are what some of them said:
*In chemistry Jesus turned water into wine
*In biology Jesus was born without a regular conception
*In physics Jesus broke the laws of gravity when he ascended
*In economics Jesus disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5,000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves
*In medicine Jesus cured the sick without administering drugs
*In history Jesus is the beginning and the end
No, I haven't suddenly become a biblical literalist. I haven't divorced evolution to hook up with intelligent design. I simply have no problem witnessing the hand of God (or the whole incarnation of God) in everything, simple to complex. If I drew it for you, it might look like God at play in a celestial laboratory. Or it might look like a lab-coated scientist playing in the heavens, mixing up a new batch of Milky Way topped with stardust sprinkles.
The bottom line is just the same as it has been the last three weeks: The role of the preacher in the "I Wonder As I Wander" sermon series is not to answer the questions we pose. Our role is, as the great preacher Joseph Sittler proclaimed it, "not telling people what the Bible said, but fearlessly sharing with the congregation what the Bible has caused you to say."
Wishing You Miracles,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
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| Beyond Our Walls: News from MCCs Around the World | | |
MCC Impact: News from Churches Around the World
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MCC Headline News
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P.A.D. Conference (People of African Descent): Loving Ourselves into Liberation
Emergence Newsletter
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| Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events | | |
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Update
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TENT (Transgender Education Network of Texas) Action Alert
ACT NOW! Senate Bill 723 would disallow proof of sex change as appropriate documentation for marriage. Read more...
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