Agape' MCC This Week's News and Updates August 11, 2020

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Note from Rev. Dude

"Student, Teacher, Student" It's interesting, when we were approaching August I told the Worship Team that I was really feeling like I wanted to do a sermon series...I just had no idea what the series would be about. That makes it challenging to plan doncha know. It was becoming a real source of anxiety until that peaceful voice of Spirit said, "Dude, stop worrying, just preach." Dude? That was new. I had an existential moment from The Big Lebowski,  “I’m the Dude, so that’s what you call me. That or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.”  I blame all of this on COVID 19.   So, I just hit the lectionary and started preaching. It's not at all the same without you all there. I've always known that our in person energy matters, but Dude, I know it in a whole new way. And, lo and behold, I discovered I was preaching a series and didn't even know it. I had to begin to figure out where I was going. Hint: I had to show up. Hint 2: Student, Teacher, Student. Cue Twilight Zone theme music...see you Sunday!

Scheduled Events

Upcoming Events We have cancelled all live events until it safe for us to gather in person. We have restarted our reopening discussions and are targeting the end of September. Anyone interested in a virtual Pot-Luck? We are entertaining the idea of scheduling a Zoom meeting after church on a Sunday (to be named later) for the purpose sharing a meal. If you would be interested, please drop us a note by clicking here. We are finalizing plans for a Sunday Morning drive thru Communion Service! Keep watching this space for updates!  We continue holding the Agape' Community close in prayer. Your safety is our number one priority. Wednesday Zoom Wednesday, August 5th, 6:30 p.m. Join us via Zoom for our mid-week check in. It is such a blessing every week to have the option to gather together virtually and share the blessing of presence. Is there a written or embodied blessing from any tradition that you would like to share with us? Bring it along! As we are catching up and checking in, we will weave our time together with blessings.  Since Wednesday is "hump day" and therefore a threshold moment into finishing our week, it's the perfect time, as Barbara Brown Taylor says, to "start throwing blessings around and chances are you will start noticing all kinds of things you never noticed before."   You can view the event on the Agape' Facebook page. Click here Wednesday Zoom Meet Up Enter the meeting using ID: 816-8960-6902 

Community Corner

A Guide to Becoming the Best Version of Yourself |... Andrew Rocha - You are what you choose to be today. Not what you've chosen to be before. - Wayne Dyer Chances are you strive for improvement and always look for ways to become the best. Unfortunately, comparison often creeps in and makes us feel... Read more successfulstepsblog.com

Together we can ensure that communities receive the resources needed to prosper. Please encourage your friends and family to respond to the #2020Census. Respond today at 2020census.gov. #ShapeYourFuture

MCC Resources

A Prayer for our World Aug 12th is the International Youth Day A version of the "Lord's Prayer" Divine Love, Source of All Good, Omnipresent One, sacred are your many names. Your Commonwealth is unfolding. Your desire for the healing and reconciliation of all things is being fulfilled.  Heaven is found in the great connection of all our hearts and at the heart of creation. You are working through us to provide for every human’s need and for the healing of the Earth.  Thank You for Your abundant grace, which forgives all errors as we turn from them to Love. May we reflect You in our forgiveness of others.  You never cease to journey with us through even the most difficult times. You are our Strong Deliverer from oppression.  For Yours is the Beloved Community, the Christ Power, and our unending faithfulness, within and beyond time. And so it is! Amen. PRAYER SUBMITTED BY  REV. BRIAN D. HUTCHISON, M.Div. Senior Pastor Emerald City MCC Seattle, Washington, USA

MCC Connect This Week

MCC Toronto (Ontario, Canada) invites you to a 15 minute time of reflection on Facebook Live each Wednesday at noon EDT / 11AM CST. Rev. Jeff Rock and Rev. Deana Dudley share inspiring reflections, scriptures and prayers to support us through these difficult times. MCC Toronto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCCToronto/

From Pike's Peak MCC: Online Exercise Sessions Pike's Peak MCC: Online Exercise Sessions, Every Mon, Wed, Fri at 8:30 a.m. MDT / 9:30AM CST and Available on YouTube Any Time. Join Diane for live exercise three days a week, or open her prerecorded 47-minute exercise session on YouTube any time at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foU8X7pW6dQ For the live class, use this link for every occurrence: https://zoom.us/j/356607657 Or open the Zoom app and enter this meeting ID: 356 607 657.

BILINGUAL PRAISE SERVICE Thursdays at 7PM EDT / 6PM CST Join Rev. Stanley from Joy MCC, Orlando, Florida, USA for Alabanza via Zoom. https://zoom.us/j/827025531#success

Sanctuary-on-the-Road Zoom Camping Trip August 18-20, 2020   This week features a three night "online camping trip", with photos, camp food recipes, stories, and songs. Aug 18: Setting Up Camp Aug 19: Camp Food (Yum!) Aug 20: Around the Campfire   Photo and recipe entries due August 15th Please email them to: TalkToUs@sanctuaryinthewoods.com

Democracy, Values and the 2020 Election North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light and the North Carolina Council of Churches are hosting an eight-week forum series detailing the important issues facing us this election beginning on August 12th. These events will highlight our multi-issue faith voter reflection guide – Democracy, Values & the 2020 Election: A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities – in addition to featuring expert speakers, and educating attendees on policy/the reality of voting during a pandemic. Register for individual weeks at https://www.ncchurches.org/programs/ncipl/upcoming-events/ Voting Our Values Forum Sessions - weekly on Wednesdays 12-1PM EDT / 11-1PM CST --August 12 Creation Care & Climate Justice  --August 19 Moral Health Policies  --August 26 An Economy of Inclusion  --September 02 Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors  --September 09 Democracy & Voter Rights  --September 16 Restorative & Racial Justice --September 23 LGBTQ+ Rights  --September 30 We’re All in This Together/Global Common Good & Peace

Agape' Worship - August 16, 2020

Prelude Call to Worship: Rev. David Wynn Song of Intention: "Gather Us In" Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:21-28 Song of Response: "Need You Now" Time of Teaching: "Student, Teacher, Student", Rev. David Wynn Centering Song: "Hear Our Prayer" Community Prayer Prayer Response: "O Christ Surround Me" Time of Giving Celebration of Holy Communion: Rev. Robert Myers Closing Song: "God Is Holding Your Life" Benediction: Rev. David Wynn Join us on Facebook live every Sunday at 10:30 for our virtual service.

Sherri Spann, 08/05 Lisa O'Grady, 08/10 Ashleigh Wolfer-Stephens, 08/17 Tammy Broaddus, 08/19 Carrie Wynn, 08/28 Barbara Brittain, 08/31

AGAPE' METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH is a reproductive Justice Congregation. 

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