March 7, 2018
This Week's News and Updates
See highlights from last Sunday's Service by clicking here .
Wednesday Gathering - March 7 - 7pm
Earth Day Banner Re-Boot (trying again :-)

This Wednesday we will be working our our new Earth Day banners! We will also be working on the ways that we care for our community by sending cards and other messages to folks we haven't seen recently or those who are dealing with challenging life events. 

Can't wait to see you!
All Church Work Day - Sat, March 17
All church work day on March 17
(if weather doesn't cooperate we will meet on March 24 :-). 
9 am to 10 pm
Let's get ready for Easter!

You are invited to join us in some Spring Cleaning inside and out. One of the tenets of radical hospitality is the care of our spiritual home. It's more fun together! 

There are tasks for all skills and abilities!

Your help is deeply appreciated and the company is excellent!
We're all just walking each other home
"We're all just walking each other home." ~ Ram Dass

What do you do for a living? This is a question we often ask when we meet someone new, or that folks ask as a way of getting to know us. We usually default to what our "jobs" are... but upon examination that doesn't really describe our work in the world or the wholeness of our living. One of my spiritual teachers, Mr. Rogers said, "As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has--or ever will have--something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression."

Now that's how you make a living in my book. I think from now on when someone asks what I do for a living I will say, "well, I'm just walking the people around me home." You can't be a good travel companion if you don't value the person you are on the journey with (no matter how long or short). If you're walking someone home, you have to encourage and provide space for their uniqueness... that's how you learn where home is.  

What do you do for a living?  Let's talk more on Sunday...
Next Meet, Greet and Eat - Sun, Mar 25
Meet, Greet, and Eat, March 25

We will be sharing baked potatoes and Salad!

Bring your favorite baked potato topping and/or your favorite salads, and/or your favorite dessert for our monthly family meal!

All are welcome!
Holy Week at Agape' MCC
Throughout the season of Lent we have been exploring how to be “Right Here, Right Now” and how this deep practice of presence helps to re-connect us to God, ourselves, each other, and the living of meaningful lives.  Please plan to join us for Holy Week which culminates in our Easter Celebration. 

The Wednesday Gathering, March 28
7 pm in the Social Hall
This gathering will be a Care Night where we attend to noticing those around us who we haven’t seen in a while or who are dealing with a life event and we want to let them know they are not alone. We will do this through prayer and reaching out via cards, calls, email, Facebook messages, and texts. We will also be stuffing eggs for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. 😊

Passover Seder in the Jewish Tradition, March 29
7 pm in the Social Hall
The Seder, a festive holiday meal, actually means "order." It is called this because the meal is done in a certain order which takes us from slavery to freedom. The Haggadah - which means "the telling" - is the book used at the Passover Seder. The Haggadah explains the foods on the Seder plate, recounts the highlights of the Exodus, and includes songs, prayers, questions and vignettes.
It is a powerful teacher about transformation and how we grow into who we are called to be. Please RSVP to Rev. David at revwynn@gmail.com so we know how many to plan for.

Good Friday, March 30
7 pm in the Sanctuary
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. We will seek to learn more about the path of descent that leads to real transformation. It teaches us about the necessary cycle of life, death, and life that leads to wholeness.

Family Easter Egg Hunt, March 31
10am-1pm in the Social Hall and on “the back forty.”
Plan to bring your family for our annual Easter Eggstravaganza and hamburger/hot dog lunch. For those who feel called we are seeking donations and volunteers! We will have cards with items we need donated out this Sunday so check it out! If you have any questions or want to drop off donations check in with Amy Ashton or email Rev. David at revwynn@gmail.com

Easter Sunrise Service, April 1
7:15 am on the Labyrinth
The Sunrise Service is a gathering to bear witness to the end of the Easter Vigil that traditionally follows Good Friday, resurrection, and the returning of the light. This is a simple service of celebrating the beginning of a brand-new day and new ways of being. (In case of rain the service will move into the sanctuary). 

Easter Morning Pancake Breakfast, April 1
8 am in the Social Hall
Come and Eat! 

Easter Baptism and Blessing, April 1
8:45am in the Sanctuary
Darla Wright, long-time friend of Agape' and on active duty with the U.S. Army, will be receiving the Rite of Baptism on Easter Sunday followed by the blessing and christening of her God Son, Beau-D Gene Hamby, one of our Agape' babies.  You are invited, as you feel led, to come bear witness and share this event with them and all the family. Your presence symbolizes our commitment as their spiritual home to ongoing support in their journeys.

Easter Celebration, April 1
10:30 am in the Sanctuary
Come and celebrate resurrection and the gift of re-connection with us! Jesus affirmed the inherent value and worth of every life and
taught us to do the same. It is through this kind of connection that we can face the future with the confidence that encourages us to
express our authenticity and unique callings and call that forth in others!
Let's Do Lunch - Mar 15!
T hu March 15th 11:30am - 1:00pm
 
Lunch Social Event - LGBT 
I-HOP Restaurant @ I-20 and Little Road, 5950 Interstate 20 W, Arlington, TX 76017, USA
 
Coalition for Aging LGBT Tarrant County sponsors "Let's Do Lunch!" get together in the SE-Arlington area on the 3rd Thursdays of each month.
Co-Sponsor: Agape' MCC
An Update from Our Security Team
Hello again.

Just over a year ago, whether you had heard or not, a man had walked into our fellowship hall and helped himself to a box of donuts and several sodas then walked out to a waiting pickup truck where his friend sat with the engine running. Nothing was lost except some donuts and sodas but that man had been to Agape' a few times and he felt comfortable enough to boldly walk in a take what he wanted.

I began to wonder if maybe one day he’d come back and take something more valuable or one day come armed and have people hand over their money or worse, hurt someone.

I contacted the Forest Hill PD and the next thing I knew I was corresponding with Sgt. Chris Stokes about forming a security team. Since then he has worked with us on a regular basis and we have come a long way. Agape' MCC still has arms open wide to all - but our eyes are open now as well.

Initially, Sgt. Stokes and I discussed forming a core group and talked in detail about it. I want to explain a few things about that- It was strongly advised that our Board of Directors was not part of the team. Mainly, on Sunday mornings they are very busy with the administrative responsibilities of the church and we need to let them focus on that. Additionally, they are the leaders of our congregation to whom we are going to listen to in the event of an emergency and we will need them in that position should anything happen.

If you have had some other training through your job, experience, or if you are a large or strong person you will definitely be part of the plan we will have for inside the building and you will know what to do after our drills. For example, we may need you to move heavy objects or get people out.

Our core security team’s hope is to catch anything out of the ordinary outside and communicate things inside. That would trigger plans that we all will already have in place and folks, when all is said and done, EVERYONE will have a part.

Sgt. Stokes and I met with Rev. David and BOD Vice Moderator, Cassy Batts this week. Next week we will meet with the BOD and in the coming weeks an officer will come to Sunday school and talk to our children. Children’s training will be a game that will result in knowing what to do.

Soon, we will be meeting with all of you as well to share a plan for what we will do in the event of tornadoes, fire, protestors or disruptions during service.

This is nothing to be nervous or afraid of. The activities will be educational and FUN! Most importantly - in the end we will have a plan.

Thanks and if you have any questions at all please feel free to ask! 

~ Lisa R. O’Grady, Agape' Security Team Lead
GRACEGRAYSGOODDEEDS Fundraiser!
Mark your Calendars
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Fat Daddy's Sports and Spirits Cafe, 781 W. Debbie Ln., Mansfield, TX
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Agape' MCC community will be launching our new foundation that will give a voice and financial help to those people in crisis who are traditionally under-served and overlooked and have nowhere else to turn. 

We need your presence and your help getting the word out!

Keep an eye out for more details!
Online Giving through SimpleGive
Let’s face it – there’s a growing number of us who don’t carry cash or a checkbook around with us today, so now we’ve made giving to our church as easy as buying a song on your favorite app store! We have four ways to give at Agape' - they’re all really easy!

1. Giving Link on our website

Simply click the SimpleGive logo below, the SimpleGive link at the bottom of every Agape' MCC web page, or you can go right to our giving page by clicking here . This will take you to the secure giving link, and allow you to make your donation. If you choose the eCheck/ACH option (rather than credit or debit), our church will pay less in processing fees and receive more of your generous donation.

2. SimpleGive App

Download the SimpleGive App from the Android Play or the Apple App Store. From there, making a contribution is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Open the app, choose who to give to, enter the details and you’re done, in only seconds!

3. Give As Usual

Are you used to putting cash in an envelope or writing a check Sunday morning to be placed in the offering plate? Great! This will be an option as usual if online giving is not something you are interested in pursuing.

4. You may also mail a check to us at:

Agape' MCC, 4615 E California Parkway, Fort Worth TX 76119.

Thank you for your generosity!
Next Gay for Good (G4G) Event - Sat Mar 10
Save Native Texas Habitat
March 10, 9am - noon
G4G will be helping the Trinity River Audubon Center with habitat management, removing invasive plants, and building trails. Please wear work clothes, sturdy shoes, and gloves. Consider wearing a dust mask if you're bothered by weed pollen.

Plan to arrive at 6500 S Great Trinity Forest Way (A.K.A. 6500 S Loop 12) by 9:00am and meet us near the front entrance. They hope to finish by noon.

Afterwards, please join for lunch at Griff’s Hamburgers in Pleasant Grove, 1150 S Buckner Blvd.

The mission of the Trinity River Audubon Center is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

Calendar of Events
Wed, Mar 07 - 7pm Wednesday Gathering
Thu, Mar 08 - 6:60pm Agape' Grief Support Group
Fri, Mar 09 - 5:30pm Samaritan House Supper Club
Sun, Mar 11 - 10:30am Worship Sve
Mon, Mar 12 - 6pm Worship Team Meeting / 7pm Board of Directors Meeting
Wed, Mar 14 - 7pm Wednesday Gathering
Thu, Mar 15 - 6:30pm Agape' Grief Support Group
Sun, Mar 18 - 10:3oam Worship Service
Mon, Mar 19 - 6pm Worship Team Meeting
Wed, Mar 21 - 7pm Wednesday Gathering
Thu, Mar 22 - 6:30pm Agape' Grief Support Group
Sun, Mar 25 - 10:30a Worship Service / 12p Meet, Greet & Eat
Mon, Mar 26 - 6pm Worship Team Meeting
Wed, Mar 28 - 7pm Wednesday Gathering
Thu, Mar 29 - 7pm Passover Seder Meal
Fri, Mar 30 - 7pm Good Friday Service
Sat, Mar 31 - 10am-1pm Family Easter Egg Hunt!
March Birthdays
  • Mar 03 Zachary Roberts
  • Mar 06 Melisa Price
  • Mar 13 Chris Kalish
  • Mar 15 Rachel Cox 
  • Mar 16 Joe Rice
  • Mar 22 Rose Wolfer-Stephens
  • Mar 25 Sandra Hardin
  • Mar 29 Denise LaRae
Worship - March 11, 2018
The Gathering - Media
 
Call to Worship - Rev. David Wynn

Song of Welcome - "Sing Over Me" - Community
 
Words of Welcome - Rev. David Wynn
 
Time of Greeting - Community 
 
Time with our Children - Trish Ashton
 
A Response - "This Little Light of Mine" - Community 
 
Song of Preparation - "Feels Like Home" - Community  
 
Scripture Reading - John 3:14-17 - Lisa Davenport
 
Song of Response - "Feels Like Home" - Community 
 
Time of Teaching - "We're All Just Walking Each Other Home" - Rev. David Wynn
 
Centering Song - "Hear Our Prayer" - Community
 
Community Prayer - Leigh Wolfer
 
Prayer Response - "Hear Our Prayer" - Community
 
A Time of Offering - Cassy Batts
 
Celebration of Holy Communion - Rev. Robert Myers
 
Song of Sending Forth - "God is Holding Your Life" - Community
 
The Sending Forth - Rev. David Wynn
817-535-5002 / news@agapemcc.com / http:// www.agapemcc.com /