Agape' Metropolitan Community Church

This Week's News and Updates November 05, 2019

See highlights from last week's service by clicking here .

Becoming Rebel Leaders to Heal the Church Rev. David Wynn I often reflect on how much the Church struggles to remain true to the Spirit of the Christ as we keep trying to become the community that Jesus gave his life to create. We are tempted to keep moving back to systems and practices that more than anything, keep us in our comfort zones. Jesus was a Rebel leader in the most powerful sense of that word. Jesus was always offering new perspectives, new relationship principles, new ways of helping us understand our ownership of our unique journeys as individuals and communities. He encouraged constructive dissent teaching that tension is healthy and diverse perspectives are necessary for our growth. Jesus advocated for open courageous conversations and invited us to reveal ourselves and not hide or pretend to be someone we are not.  This Sunday we will explore the art of learning all we can and then forgetting what we’ve learned to create room for new discoveries. Jesus will challenge us to find freedom in constraints, get out in the trenches with him and foster happy accidents that place us in each other’s paths and reveal new ways to connect and support. On some level we will finish the series intellectually in the hope that it will continue to saturate us spiritually as we agree to embody the Spirit of the Christ. That Spirit has a deep tolerance for discomfort and no tolerance for apathy and division. Life is meant to be engaged with our whole hearts, with deep passion, and with each other…mostly Jesus wanted us to recognize that we came from love and are love. I hope to see you on Sunday…we are on our way to Christmas….let's go together.

Lisa O'Grady participated in the Susan G Komen 3-Day walk last weekend and totally rocked it! The following is "borrowed" from Lisa's FB page: Well friends, I threw in the towel. 😊 I’m not ashamed to say that I couldn’t go the entire 3 days. I can camp and hike with the best but not in overnight freezing temps. I walked a lot and I have the blisters and achy muscles to remind me for a few days but I’m happy and proud. I will NEVER forget the women I saw. Most of them had walked in 3 Days several times. I am convinced that women are the strongest creatures on this planet. The names I saw listed on peoples shirts and backpacks - sisters, mothers, aunts, friends, etc. were an endless list of loving tributes. The people cheering along the route were amazing energy and caring support. The stickers, gifts, trinkets, high fives....all so special. For all who fought, are fighting and will fight - this ones for us!! ❤️❤️❤️ And a special note to Grace Plowman Gray - thank you for being by my side all the way. We love and miss you. 😘 We love you Lisa!

Our Congregational Meeting is this coming Sunday! The Congregational Meeting will be held this Sunday, November 10th following the morning worship service. This meeting is an annual event for the members of Agape' MCC to gather and conduct the business of the church. All members are encouraged to stay and participate. Visitors and Friends of the Agape' are welcome to attend as observers. This year's candidates for the open elected positions are as follows: Ward Thulin and Melisa Price will be seeking re-election to the Board of Directors Kevin Harkins is running for Lay Delegate Position. Click Here to download the revised Congregational Meeting Packet (R3) .

This Wednesday, November 6th is... Game Night! Join us for fun, laughter and a little friendly competition. Snacks will be provided.

Join us for a time of celebration, great food and friends!

COALITION FOR AGING LGBT Social Engagement Committee Tarrant County Holiday Kickoff Party Date:   SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2019            11:30 am - 2:00 pm               Lunch: Enjoy the Lunch Buffet ($12)   or  Order from the Menu             (Gluten Free & Vegan dishes available)            Dessert & Beverages Courtesy of the CfA LGBT Location:    Chadra Mezza Grill Restaurant   1622 Park Place Ave   Fort Worth, TX 76110 RSVP - Click here:  https://cfalgbt-holidaykickoffparty-2019.eventbrite.com

We wanted to share with you the passing of Deacon Helen Gilbert on November 1st. Visitation will be at Laurel Land on Crowley Rd., Sunday, November 10, from 5-7:00pm and the funeral service will be Monday November 11, at 10:00am on the grounds Chapel at Laurel Land Cemetery. Interment with her beloved parents, J.T. and Hertha on site. We also send prayers for comfort to the family of James Robert (Bobby) Williams, who was the brother of Cathy Williams. Cathy served on Agape' MCC Board in the late 80's. May God raise you up on eagle's wings Bear you up on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of a very gently hand.

Reproductive Justice Congregations Are: C ommitted to three principles… We trust and respect women We promise that people who attend our congregation will be free from stigma, sham or judgement for their reproductive decisions, including abortion. We believe access to comprehensive and affordable reproductive health services is a moral and social good. Committed to creating and holding space… For everyone to have difficult conversations. Where people can wrestle with difficult reproductive decisions. Where everyone can tell their reproductive story. “There is no greater power than a community discovering what it cares about… Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.” Margret J Wheatly Conversation regarding what this means for us as a community have begun!

Agape' MCC Raffle win a 65" 4K HD Smart TV We are raising funds to replace our security camera system which sustained unrepairable damage when the outside cameras were stolen. We have a security professional, from our sister St. Anne congregation, who has volunteered his time to install a new system. All we need is to raise the $1500 to pay for the new cameras. Tickets are $10. Drawing will be held in November. More details coming soon! You can use Zelle or SimpleGive to pay for the tickets!

Artist Judy Hudson will be hosting a Layered Textural Painting Workshop Nov 15, 9:00 AM – Nov 16, 4:00 PM Agape Metropolitan Community Church 4615 E California Pkwy, Forest Hill, TX 76119, USA We will be creating layered, textural paintings using stencils and molding paste. I’ll have LOADS of different stencils for you to choose from and we will complete two canvases. Click here to register and view class details.

May the passion you have for life fire the compassion you have for others. May you know that when you do small things with great love you change lives. May the blessings you receive mean more than the hours you work. May you remember to keep both feet on the ground while tending to those who have one foot in heaven. May you be grateful that your daily encounter with death and dying brings you a deeper appreciation of life and living. May you never lose sight of the fact that it’s not the length but the depth of life that really matters. May your work be grounded in the knowledge that grief is the emotional, physical and spiritual price you pay for the priceless gift of love, and that the only cure for grief is grieving. May you know that while no one may build a monument in your name, the way you make your mark in this life is by wiping a tear from someone’s cheek.  And, may you start each day remembering the last words spoken by Steve Jobs before he died: “Oh wow! Oh wow! Oh wow!” Words each of us will speak some day.  Amen. PRAYER SUBMITTED BY: REV. STEVE ROBERTSON Ordained MCC clergy person and hospital chaplain.  OFLD Coordinator for MCC Chaplains

November Birthdays 11/02 Carl Lane 11/08 Stephanie Lotz 11/12 Mark Howell 11/13 Cynthia Esparza 11/14 Paul Wolfer-Stephens 11/17 EmmaLeigh Roberts 11/17 Melody Remington 11/25 Gail Gore 11/30 Zoie Edwards

Sunday - November 10, 2019 The Gathering Call to Worship: Rev. David Wynn Song of Welcome: "The Welcome Song" Community Words of Welcome: Rev. David Wynn Time with our Children: Trish Ashton "This Little light of Mine" Preparing to Hear the Word: "Deep In Love With You" Community Sacred Text: Luke Chapters 1-7 Many Voices Song of Response:  “Healing Rain” Community Time of Teaching: "Becoming a Rebel Leader Continued" Rev. David Wynn Song of Centering: " Healing Rain" Community Community Prayer: Kevin Harkins Response to the Prayer:  “Be Unto Your Name”     Community A Time of Offering: Cassy Batts Celebration of Holy Communion: Rev. Robert Myers All Belong Here - Community Song of Sending Forth:   “For Everyone Born”  Community The Sending Forth: Rev. David Wynn

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Agape' MCC is a Reproductive Justice Congregation.

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817-535-5002 / agapemccchurch@gmail.com / https:// www.agapemcc.com /