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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 August 24, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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This Sunday's scripture will be familiar to many of you. As Jesus and his disciples enter into the district of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus tosses a question out to them. "Who do people say that I am?" he asks. After hearing their various answers, he narrows his question: "Who do you say that I am?"
Oh, I wish I had been there. My hand would have shot up and I would've bitten my tongue half a second before I embarrassed myself by blurting, "Oh! Oh! Oh!" and waving my arm. When Jesus called on me, my words would tumble over themselves. "You're the one who fell asleep in the boat and when we woke you, you stood up solid and strong and said, 'Be still' to the storm the way I'd say it to a child. And it was still! And you're the one that put your hand right here on my shoulder when I got that news from home and thought my heart would break. You're the one that John likes to lean against after dinner like he owns you, but it's all right because we all feel that way, too."
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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Sunday Morning Worship*
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August 28 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. *
"The $64,000 Question"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Matthew 16:13-20
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Chosen One is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Child of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but God in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kindom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
* ASL Interpretation for the 11:00 service will be available upon request. Please your requests via email to Courtney Webster in the church office.
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Notes from the Board of Directors
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Greetings,
Have you ever come to church and just been overjoyed by the music and moved by the sermon and then...it is time for those darn baskets to be passed and as overjoyed and moved as you are you find yourself without any cash or your checkbook? Well, as your faithful treasurer I have the solution to your conundrum. Set up a monthly or weekly recurring credit or debit card with the church. "What?" you say. You don't have a debit or credit card? Well then how about a monthly draft on your bank account? Not sure you can count on funds being there at the same time every month? The church has a PAYPAL account. Just go to mccaustin.com and click on the "Give" button and you will see several PAYPAL options to choose from. Often times during the summer, my primary responsibility to the church as your treasurer is to manage our reduced cash flow due to summer vacationing members. If we all got on a monthly draft or credit card giving program our cash flow would be stable in the sweltering months of summer.
Sincerely,
Debbie Cunningham
Treasurer
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| Sunday School Notice | | 
It's time 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 through Kinder, elementary grades 1 through 4, and older elementary grades 5 through 8. Please note that this year our classes include 8th Graders.
Like kids and want to serve your church and have fun at the same time--the Sunday School Ministry needs teachers and helpers for elementary grade children. Please contact Rev Alycia or Phyllis Ringdahl.
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| Sunday School Teachers Wanted | | |
Do you like kids? Want to serve your church in meaningful ways and have fun at the same time? The Sunday School Ministry needs teachers and helpers for elementary grade children. Please contact Rev Alycia or Phyllis Ringdahl.
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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... | |
- Gratefulness for the generosity of God and God's people
- 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 | |
I'm sure I would have eventually gotten around to the "right" answer (as the religious establishment sees it and as Paul expressed it), but I wouldn't have started there, I'm afraid. I would have started with the physical reality of him, I'm sure. The warmth of his hand, the shade of his eyes, the sound of his voice. I crave that presence, and I'm jealous of those who had it.
I've shared this Mary Oliver poem with you before, but I want to share a portion of it again:
I want
to see Jesus,
maybe in the clouds
or on the shore,
just walking,
beautiful man...
On the hard days
I ask myself
if I ever will.
Also there are times
my body whispers to me
that I have.
That's what I want, too. Until it happens, I'll keep doing the things I do that make me feel the closest...take, eat, taste, remember.
Love and Blessings,
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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MCC News: From the Office of Outreach
Emergency Relief and Ecumenical/Interreligious Teams
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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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