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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 August 17, 2011
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From Your Pastor |
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As we worship this Sunday, we'll consider the story of the Canaanite woman (referred to in other Gospels as the Syro-Phoenician woman). In the sermon, I'll focus on what this story seems to reveal about God, but today I want to talk more about the woman in the story. This woman--who I'm going to call Zena for no particular reason except that she deserves a name--epitomizes what is, for me, one of the greatest challenges of my prayer life, maybe even of my life.
Zena comes after Jesus, begging him to heal her daughter. He won't listen. She won't quit. Finally, after an exchange in which Zena matches Jesus image for image and metaphor for metaphor, Jesus ends up giving in and giving Zena exactly what she wants--he heals her daughter. Not only does he do that, but he also praises the woman's "great faith," and he does it in front of his disbelieving disciples.
This is my question.... Read More...
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What's Happening at MCC Austin | | |
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Sunday Morning Worship* |
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August 14 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"God: The Same Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow?"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.
*Interpretation for the 11:00 service will be available upon request. Please send an email to Courtney Webster in the church office to request it.
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Notes from the Board of Directors
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Greetings,
The New Year's Eve Committee has decided not to continue on with planning this event. We realized, after receiving advice from someone who has previous knowledge and experience with New Year's Eve events, that we may not be able to sell enough tickets to cover our costs because of the lack of interest in this type of event. It would also have been beneficial to have more time in order to plan and organize such a large event.I want to thank those individuals who volunteered to be on the committee.Becki Lee, Rebecca Rocha, Blake Grugett, Wayne Kahler, Lisa Ranney, Karen Rhodes, James Lobby, Rob Mundras, Deborah Drummond, Delta Best, Peggy Garrison, and Dana Hall.
Sincerely,
David Ferguson
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| Sunday School Notice | | 
Its that time of year to start back to Sunday School. Classes will begin again on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday September 4, at 11 a.m. in the Wray Education Building. We have three classes: Preschool ages 3- K, elementary grades 1-4 and older elementary grades 5-through 8. Please note that this year our classes include 8th Graders.
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| Deacon School Supply Drive | |  Sunday August 21
MCCA PROGRESS REPORT CARD
The deacons of MCC Austin have organized a school supply drive to benefit youth in our community in need at the Travis County Leadership Academy. Your deacons are making every effort to 'play well with others' and invite you to participate. On August 21, we will be collecting the school supplies and hosting hospitality to thank you for your efforts. The following supplies have been requested:
- Binders
- Dividers
- Pens (blue/black)
- Pencils (#2/mechanical)
- Erasers
- Folders with pockets
- Spiral notebooks
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Backpacks
Join us as we lift up prayers for the coming school year for students and educators everywhere. Any questions can be addressed to any deacon. Let's go for an A+!
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| New Member Class | | Saturday, August 27 from 9 to 11:30 a.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 RSVP to 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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| Show Your Pride! T-Shirts on Sale Now | | 
Austin Pride is Saturday, September 10 and MCC Austin will march in the parade and have a booth at the festival. If you're interested in walking with our group, please email Pastor Alycia or call her in the church office (291-8601). Help us spread the word of God's love to Austinites who haven't heard of us! We have a new MCC Austin t-shirt to wear for Pride this year. T-shirts cost $10 each and are available for sale each Sunday between services. Back to Top |
| Our Prayers... | |
- For our area struggling through the drought and its effects.
- For all affected by the famine in Somalia.
- 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 and/or building search process.
- For all who struggle with epilepsy and their loved ones.
- All the teachers, all staff, and students heading back to school.
- MCC staff and governing board as they continue to lead us.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | |
How do we know when our persistence is faithful versus when it's self-serving? How do we know when we're no longer playing the role of Zena or the persistent widow from Luke 18 (I'll call her Sojourner) and when we're just being plain stubborn?
I'm not talking about situations in which my desires or motivations are suspect to begin with. I'm talking only about the times when it seems that what I want for myself or for someone else seems right and good. For example, when should I stop praying that my friends in North Carolina get pregnant? They've exhausted their biological options, both assisted and unassisted. When should I stop praying that broken relationships are restored? That my cousin's son has not inherited her disease?
I know what many of you would tell me. It's the same thing I've told myself and sometimes others--pray for God's will to be done.
That is certainly a faithful response. But Zena wasn't praying for God's will to be done. Zena prayed for Jesus to do the very thing that he assured her was not in his contract: be a savior to the Gentiles. And what about Abraham? He prayed for God to spare Sodom from destruction if 50 righteous people could be found there. God agreed, but Abraham didn't quit. He pushed the number down to 45, then 40, 30, 20, and finally 10.
I think the thing for me to do--until I'm told otherwise--is to pray confidently and not get bogged down in wondering whether I'm being persistent or being petulant. I'm sure that whatever I dish out, God not only can take, but also welcomes.
May God Bless and Keep You,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
512-291-8601
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| Beyond Our Walls: News from MCCs Around the World | | |
MCC Headline News: News from our Denomination about recent meetings and decisions of the Senior Leadership team and Governing Board.
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| Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events | | |
HOLY AND WHOLE: An LGBTQ Multi-Faith Pride Service
Featured Speaker: Dr. Stephen Sprinkle
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: University United Methodist Church
2409 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78705
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Austin PRIDE 2011 - Want to celebrate Austin PRIDE 2011 AND do it at a discount? Visit the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation site for information on discounted 5K Run, Festival, and VIP tickets.
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