This Week's News and Updates
|
|
Tonight's Wednesday Gathering - Feb 21
|
Come one, come all and get creative with us!
We are making Earth Day Banners to hang in our worship space on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22. We will have a design draft and creative conversation about the banners. We will also have some projects related to our upcoming GRACEGRAYSGOODDEEDS fundraising project to share.
See you at 7pm!
|
|
Agape' Annual Chili Cook-Off
and Brownie Bake-Off
This Sunday, Feb 25
Do you make the best chili or brownies ever? Well, come show them off for all the rest of the congregation. Bring your best pot of chili or pan of brownies for the congregation to vote on.
We also ask that you bring your favorite chips, crackers, veggies, etc. to go with the chili.
Voters, bring your $1 bills!
The chili and brownies that get the most money in their voting jars are declared the winners. The first place winners get the two best parking places at the church - reserved with their names for every Sunday and special events for a year - woo-hoo!
|
|
This Sunday -
“Be more than you, be US, be WE”
|
“Be more than you, be US, be WE”
Ugh, if you are like me you’ve been following the aftermath of the shooting in Parkland, Florida. As a father, and, well, a human being it’s been brutal. It’s also been hopeful…hopeful, because I am watching Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg and other students speak out. They are confronting the powerful and calling out those who can make a difference to get together already and make a difference.
They live in a world to full of me, me, me and they seem to know that only “we” can solve this problem. I cannot imagine how you heal from the trauma of mass shootings, but I do know that it cannot be done alone. Jesus knew this too…he understood that when you pushed back against dysfunctional and often corrupt political and religious structures, there would be a price to pay. Even Jesus could not negotiate all of that alone. So, he built connections and he tried to teach us to do the same.
Our world wants us to be consumed with “me”. How do we get to “we” instead?
Let’s talk on Sunday!
|
|
A Formal Invitation to the Season of Lent...
A.K.A. a Plea from Your Pastor
|
20 days after we celebrate Easter, it will be my 10th Anniversary at Agape MCC. It has been my longest tenure with any church, so it says something to me about the calling we have as a community. You have so captivated and blessed me with your lives and your spirits that even after 10 years I am more energized and excited than I was when I walked into Agape on Day One.
With the role of the church changing in our ever-evolving world, I’ve slowly gotten used to the fact that folks will not often commit to a weekly presence at church…although a good number of you do. Your connection with God does not depend on you ever being in church…that’s one of those capital “T” truths. But you know what, your happiness might. So, I’m asking us to consider committing to being together for the entire season of Lent and into Easter. In a depressed and anxious world, this will be a time of discovering what matters to you and living a life that that is rooted in the things that truly bring meaning, happiness, presence, and purpose. Right Here, Right Now… I am looking forward to a Lent that is like no other!
|
|
|
An Update from Our Security Team
|
Hello Everyone!
Thanks to all of you that filled out the safety survey in order to give us an idea of your concerns.
I just wanted you to know that we are continuing to work with Sgt. Stokes from the FHPD every other week and are learning a lot.
You will continue to see some little changes and additions to help keep Agape' safe, but as we grow safer it is time to involve YOU.
The most important thing we need to ask everyone is to be very aware of everything that is going on around us when we are at church.
If you see anything at all out of the ordinary we urge you to please tell a security team member immediately. And please – tell your kids to do the same.
BE AWARE for:
Unfamiliar person(s)
Unfamiliar car
Someone acting strangely (even people we might know)
Someone saying things that are not appropriate
Someone carrying a weapon
Fallen electrical wires or branches
Broken glass or other misplaced items
ANYTHING that is unusual or out of place even if it seems small – please find a security person ASAP and tell them.
Security will always be wearing a silver badge and carrying a radio. One will always be near the door at the narthex. If you don’t see a security person tell a Board Member (BOD-please then get security to assist) .
Please understand that your team is consistently being trained on how to handle certain situations and work together with the FHPD on exactly how to respond in a safe manner. The sooner you tell someone, the faster we can act and get help.
Even if a situation seems small – it can make a huge difference in possibly allowing something to be stopped way before it happens.
We know that most everyone is capable of many things but please get one of us to help. It’s very important that you let us know.
MORE NEXT WEEK - Lisa R. O’Grady, Agape' Security Team Lead
|
|
|
Next Gay for Good (G4G) Event - Sat Feb 24
|
|
|
Help Prep Patient Housing
|
On Sat, Feb 24
- G4G will be cleaning empty apartments, furnishing them with items brought out of storage, and preparing them to receive new clients of
Legacy Counseling Housing Services
. Please wear comfortable work clothes, close-toed shoes, and gloves —if you have them. You will be required to protect the confidentiality of any of Legacy’s clients you might encounter during this project.
Afterwards, please go for a late lunch at Pho 88 in the Bishop Arts District, 312 W 7th St.
Legacy Counseling Housing Services provides affordable quality mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and special-care housing to people impacted by HIV/AIDS.
|
|
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!
|
|
Calendar of Events
Wed, Feb 21 - 7pm Wednesday Gathering - Arts and Crafts!
Thu, Feb 22 - 6:30pm Grief Support Group
Sun, Feb 25 - 10:30am Worship Service / 11:45am Annual Chili Cook-Off!
Mon, Feb 26 - 6pm Worship Team Meeting / 7pm Grace Gray Fund Raiser Meeting
Wed, Feb 28 - 7pm Wednesday Gathering - Care Night!
|
|
- 02/16 - Tru Edwards
- 02/18 - Kevin Harkins
- 02/23 - Lynne Fratt
- 02/27 - Julie Korek
- 02/27 - Paxton Roberts
|
|
|
Worship - February 25, 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
- "Beautiful One" -
Community
Scripture Reading
- Mark 8:31-37 -
Evelyn Brown
Song of Response
- "Beautiful One" -
Community
Time of Teaching
- "Be More Than You, Be Us, Be You" -
Rev. David Wynn
Centering Song
- "Hear Our Prayer" -
Community
Community Prayer
-
Rebecca McDonell
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
