This Week's News and Updates
April 16, 2019
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There will be no gathering this week.
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Lent 2019
“Stride Toward Freedom”
When was the last time you felt truly free? When was the last time you felt your Divinity well up inside of you? When was the last time you woke up feeling balanced in your life even when all manner of things outside of your control were swirling around you? At its best, the ritual of Lent, gives us a communal structure where we can live into our authentic answers to those questions and others. Our communities depend on this kind of group seeking…Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “In the final analysis, Agape means a recognition of the fact that all life is interrelated. All humanity is involved in a single process, and all people are connected.” Come and “Lent” with us. You have a lot to lose and way more to gain.
3/06
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Ash Wednesday – “Welcome to a Clean Slate.”
3/10 – “The Hardest Part is Getting Started.”
3/17 – “How to Win Friends and Influence People?”
3/24 – “Focus on the System not the Person.”
3/31 – Community Breakfast Sunday – "Welcoming Sinners and Eating with Them.”
4/07 – “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.”
4/14 – Palm Sunday, “Where the Burro Meets the Road”
4/21 – Easter, “Freedom”
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Holy Week at Agape'
Join the Agape community for our annual pilgrimage through Holy Week. Pilgrimage is an ancient spiritual practice found in every faith tradition and requires us to do a few things:
- Understand that the goal of our spiritual life is transformation, healing, and wholeness.
- Suspend our usual routines and comforts to focus on our spiritual path.
- Imagine that every week is actually “Holy”, and practice is key.
The opportunities and lessons of this journey are universal with no labels required. All are welcome!
Friday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. – Contemporary Stations of the Cross
Saturday, April 20, 10:00 a.m. – Community Easter Egg Hunt
(doors open at 10:00, egg hunting at 11:00.)
Saturday, April 20, 8:30 p.m. – The Oratory of St. Anne, Easter Vigil Mass
Sunday, April 21, 7:00 a.m. – Easter Sunrise Service on the Labyrinth
Sunday, April 21, 7:45 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast in the Social Hall
Sunday, April 21, 10:30 a.m. – Easter Celebration
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In lieu of the traditional giving up something for Lent (i.e. chocolate, road rage, smoking, etc), here are 40 ideas to Keep Lent Holy as adapted from Nadia Bolz-Weber. The suggestions listed below encourages the development of community, relationships, social action, ecological responsibility and individual spiritual growth. Remember that Sunday is not included in the 40 days of Lent, Sundays are considered a mini-Easter Days .
40 Ways to Keep Lent Holy…adapted from Nadia Bolz-Weber
March 6 - Day 1: Pray for your enemies
March 7 - Day 2: Walk, carpool, bike or bus it.
March 8 - Day 3: Don’t turn on the car radio
March 9 - Day 4: Give $20 to a non-profit of your choosing
(Sunday)
March 11 - Day 5: Take 5 minutes of silence at noon
March 12 - Day 6: Look out the window until you find something of beauty you had not noticed before
March 13 - Day 7: Give 5 items of clothing to Goodwill
March 14 - Day 8: No bitching day
March 15 - Day 9: Do someone else’s chore
March 16 - Day 10: Buy a few $5 fast food gift cards to give to homeless people you encounter
(Sunday)
March 18 - Day 11: Call an old friend
March 19 - Day 12: Pray the Paper (pray for people and situations in today’s news)
March 21 - Day 14: Pay a few sincere compliments
March 22 - Day 15: Bring your own mug
(Sunday)
Day 17: Forgive someone
Day 18: Internet diet
Day 19: Change one light in your house to a compact florescent
Day 21: Ask for help
Day 22: Tell someone what you are grateful for
(Sunday)
Day 23: Introduce yourself to a neighbor
Day 25: Bake a cake
Day 26: No shopping day
Day 28: Light an actual candle
(Sunday)
Day 29: Write a thank you note to your favorite teacher
Day 30: Invest in canvas shopping bags
Day 32: Donate art supplies to your local elementary school
Day 34: Worship at a friend’s mosque, synagogue or church and look for the beauty
(Sunday)
Day 35: Confess a secret
Day 36: No sugar day – where else is there sweetness in your life?
Day 37: Give $20 to a local non-profit
Day 39: Pray for peace
Day 40: Pray for your enemies (you probably have new ones by now) then decide which of these exercises you’ll keep for good
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Community Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 11:00AM
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Please join us in the Social Hall beginning at 10:00 AM for pre- hunt activities which include a bounce house and games. The Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 11:00AM. The children will be grouped by age for the hunt.
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Easter Sunday is Hat Day!
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You are invited to wear your favorite Easter Bonnet or Easter Hat to Easter Service, Sunday April 21, 2019 at 10:30AM.
Let's be festive fabulous!
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G4G Dallas-Fort Worth
+
DFW National Cemetery
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Who:
G4G Dallas-Fort Worth + DFW National Cemetery
What:
Cleaning headstones and helping with other preparations for the Memorial Day remembrance service.
When:
Saturday, May 25th, 9am - 12pm
Additional Details:
Please meet at the administration building by 9am. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and prepare to get dirty. Afterwards, join us for a late lunch at
Tachito’s
Mexican Restaurant.
The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
was dedicated and opened for burials on May 12, 2000. The cemetery is situated on a parcel of land that overlooks Mountain Creek Lake. Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met their active duty service requirement.
We look forward to seeing you!
Team G4G Dallas-Fort Worth
Unable to attend? You can still help!
Make a tax deductible gift to
Gay For Good
today to support our volunteer programs.
Donate Now!
Get Involved. Meet New Friends. Make a Difference
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EmmaLeigh, Makenna and Mitchell's school, Harmony Science Academy FTW, is building outdoor classrooms
Thursday, April 25th
at 8:30 AM. If you would like to volunteer, please
click here
to sign up. Thank you!
Harmony Science Academy - Fort Worth
5651 Westcreek Dr,
Fort Worth, TX 76133
(817) 263-0700
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A.L.I.C.E.
A
lert
L
ockdown
I
nform
C
ounter
E
vacuate
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The main objective of the A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) program is to provide options increasing chances of survival during an “Active Shooter on Campus” emergency.
It is designed to be an enhancement to the standard “lockdown” system used for emergency situations.
Our Security Team will be providing additional training soon to our community customizing our response and defining roles during any perceived threat on our campus.
Thank you to our Security Team for the many ways you care for our community and keep us safe.
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Prayer for Good Friday
God, we surrender ourselves today to You with our siblings around the world. On this day of Good Friday, Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. We remember You Jesus in our hearts, minds, and souls. You shared our humanity in suffering and in joy. God, we give our home the earth and all Your creation into Your heart.
Under the shadow of Your wings, we sing for joy, we are sheltered and lifted up. You have been our help in times of need. Our souls cling to You as we follow our brother Jesus through times of testing. Your might upholds each one so we may be able to endure. Holy Spirit surround and guide Your people and Your churches. Help us to heal the broken and powerless on earth by following Your example, releasing hatred with forgiveness. We put our trust in You and give to You all of who we are.
Help us to release the overwhelming neediness of the world into Your care. Jesus allow us to give and receive each day Your love, light, and life everlasting. Holy Spirit surround and guide all Your people and bring us into eternal joy through the power of Your love on earth as it is heaven. Amen.
Reflection submitted by:
Rev. Dr. Lori Dick
Staff clergy at Founders MCC Los Angeles, California, USA
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Dear Agape Family,
I wanted to tell you about a big challenge I’m taking on this fall. I have committed to walk 60 miles (yes, really!) over the course of three days in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. Those of you who know me well know that there must be a really good reason that I would volunteer to exercise this much, and there is. It’s to raise money for a cause that’s very near and dear to my heart, to help end breast cancer.
Breast cancer has been a part of my life since last August when I was diagnosed. I underwent surgery in August to have a spot removed and later had radiation treatment to help make sure it won’t return. Since then I have been on hormone blocking medication that I will have to take for at least another five years - but more likely for the rest of my life.
I am very lucky in that my form of cancer was very treatable and that I caught it very early. I am so thankful! But I look around and nearly every day I hear about someone else. Many are not as lucky as I am and I know I have to do something now to raise awareness and try to help. So this is for them …and this is for me, because I am alive and so very thankful.
I’ll be lacing up my tennis shoes, going on training walks, and most importantly, asking for money! It is your donations that will help fund the research and the treatment that will make a difference. I’m not used to asking for money, this is not for me. This is for all who are fighting the battle.
The 3-Day is not until November, but my goal is to raise the minimum $2,300 (or more!) before then, so I’m getting started now. You can help! Click the link at the end of this email to go to my personal fundraising webpage, or see me and I’ll make sure you get a donation form. (Or you can call 800-996-3DAY and the nice people at the 3-Day can take your donation over the phone.)
This is a huge deal for me and that is why I’m asking for help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Love,
Lisa O’Grady
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Apr 02 - Troy Kilgore
Apr 08 - Sheri Campbell
Apr 09 - Rachel Carr
Apr 09 - Dusty Esparza
Apr 11 - Miguel Vasquez
Apr 20 - Amy Ashton
Apr 24 - Trish Scott
Apr 30 - Connie Maples
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Sunday - April 21, 2019
Easter Sunday
Call to Gather - Rev. David Wynn
Call of Easter and Processional
The Easter Story: John 20:1-16 - Ward Thulin
Opening Song: Gather Us In
Words of Welcome: Rev. David Wynn
Song of Welcome: "Happy" - Media
Time with the Children: Trish Ashton
The Easter Blessing: "There is Only Love" - Community
Time of Teaching: “Freedom” -
Rev. David Wynn
Centering Song: "Fill Me Now"
Community Prayer: Rev. Robert Myers
Prayer Response: "Fill Me Now" - Community
Bringing our Gifts: Cassy Batts
Celebration of Holy Communion: Rev. David Wynn
"How Beautiful"
Song of Sending Forth: "Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)
The Sending Forth: Rev. David Wynn
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