This Week's News and Updates
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Arts, Crafts and Grass Night
W
ednesday, August 29, 2018
7:00 p.m.
in the Social Hall!!
We will be doing some "loom" work and creating pads for pups or cats that can be used in shelters. Some of us will be mowing/edging/and trimming as well...pick your activity and come join us at 7:00!
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Wednesday, September 5 at 7:00
A special drumming and jam session to raise our collective vibration and send healing into our world. If you play an instrument bring it along! We will have drums available as always!
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Eyes of Love
Rev. David Wynn
I’ve been in churches my whole life…and yet, because I was mostly just passing through, I feel “unchurched” and “over churched” all at the same time. That is an odd thing for a pastor to write…welcome to my life! I guess I feel unchurched because there isn’t one denomination, or one tradition, that I spent a majority of my young life in. As an adult I have loved the Jesus story and also, shamanism, other earth based spiritualities (especially Celtic), and Buddhism. So, even as a pastor approaching the 20
th
anniversary of my ordination…I still consider myself unchurched. That, I feel, makes me uniquely qualified to pastor within Metropolitan Community Churches. Our folks come from every possible spiritual background (including no spiritual background) that you can imagine. That is a powerful and purposeful place to be a transformative community together. How else would we have found each other if we hadn’t been guided mysteriously into a sanctuary full of diversity and different experiences?
This week in our lesson we will be entering an event where Jesus pushes back on tradition. I love that…because I am not rooted or overly invested in certain traditions, one of my roles has been to question traditions as well. Jesus is going to resist a beloved tradition among the religious leaders and suggest that our traditions are “human precepts” that over time have lost the fundamental power of connecting us to God, ourselves, and each other.
I’m planning to begin a new tradition as we gather together this Sunday…as a matter of fact we may begin several new traditions over the weeks to come…will you join us? Oh, bring your cell phones.
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Remembering Ms. Billie Moon
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Billie D. Moon, 89, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. Billie is preceded in death by her older brother, J. Dean Aldridge Survivors: Her little brother, Ray Don Aldridge, of Truth or Consequences, N.M.
Ms. Billie, a long time member of Agape', was Grandma Billie to all our kids and Ms. Billie to everyone else. She was the first face many of us saw as we entered the doors of Agape' where she provided a warm welcome, a name tag and a hug if you needed one. Fly with the angels Ms. Billie.
Greenwood Funeral Homes-Mount Olivet Chapel
Friday, August 31, 2018 at 11:30AM
2301 North Sylvania Ave
Rev. Ken Ehrke and Rev. Teri Trombley will co-officiate the service.
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Remembering Shirley Sowers
We received notice this morning that Shirley Sowers passed away Monday, August 27, 2018. Shirley was a member of the TG Ladies and was open to sharing her story with anyone who asked.
Her memorial service will be held at First Congregational UCC Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 11:00 AM followed by a graveside service at Laurel Land at 1:00 PM.
First Congregational UCC
4201 Trail Lake Drive,
Fort Worth, TX 76109
Laurel Land Memorial Park
7100 Crowley Road
Fort Worth, TX76134
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Questions on Medicare Coverage? Join us for an important discussion on your health benefits!
Location: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
6701 Oakmont Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76132
P
rogram Features:
· Annual Medicare Enrollment and changes that may occur in the program
· Impact of benefit choices on the levels of care you may need
· Medicare, Medicare Supplements, and Medicare Advantage Plans
· Prescription Drug Coverage
· Medicaid/Medicare Programs in Texas
· JPS Health Network Tarrant County: JPS Connection, Supplements to Medicare
Information on benefit issues:
· What about Medicare benefits if I still work and have insurance coverage?
· Coverage for special care, home care, and nursing homes
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SECURITY
CORNER
by Lisa O'Grady
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Hi Folks,
Just dropping in to tell you that your security team is still out there watching the parking lot for us and monitoring the doors but we have taken a little break from meeting for the summer and will gather with you and do some training all together soon!
In the meantime, I wanted to tell you a little bit about something called “Cooper’s Colors” and ask you to adopt these not only at church but in your everyday lives as well.
What is it? Cooper’s Colors were developed by Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper as a simple way to be more aware of your surroundings. This means that you learn to shift up and down a scale of alertness in order to keep yourself safe. Here is how it works:
WHITE
This is an unaware and unprepared state of mind. "Daydreaming" or "preoccupied”, oblivious to possible threat. Your main enemy is reaction time. If you are not aware of your surroundings, and fail to see the suspicious character, he may overwhelm you before you can effective defend yourself. If you're caught in Condition White, you will need several seconds to even realize what is happening and respond. You simply don't have that much time.
YELLOW
Relaxed alert. There is no specific threat situation. You don’t
expect
to be attacked, but are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself". You are alert and aware of your surroundings. You are difficult to surprise, so you do not make an easy victim.
You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods while "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner. When something catches your attention, you assess it. If it's not a threat, dismiss it. If it is a threat, start getting ready mentally to deal with it.
Anything or anyone in your immediate vicinity that is unusual, out of place, or out of context, should be viewed as potentially dangerous, until you have had a chance to assess it. When you pick up on something that’s out of place, you immediately escalate one level on the scale, to Condition Orange.
ORANGE
Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has your attention. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat. The difference between Yellow and Orange is this specific target for your attention. Your mindset shifts to "I might have to defend myself against
that person
today", focusing on the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status. When you shift upward to Orange, you begin to focus your attention on this individual that caught your eye, but you do not drop your guard.
As you assess, you start to play the "What if…." game in your mind, to begin formulating a basic plan. If he acts suddenly, when you have at least a basic plan for dealing with him already in place, you can react quickly. In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that person does "X", I will need to stop him".
RED
Condition Red is the fight or flight. It means stop him or escape. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. You must act now with a decisive and aggressive action.
Summary
– unless you are in your home with your doors locked and alarm set you should always be in a state of “yellow” awareness. If you are walking into the store or to the ATM machine, be aware of what and who is around you. Have a plan for the “what ifs”. An attacker is more likely to take advantage of the person on the phone or the one fumbling with their car keys.
At church when you pull into the parking lot, we are relatively safe. But take a look around when you get there. If you see an unfamiliar person or persons please stay in your car until you are sure you can get inside and let someone know. Call someone inside or if you feel it necessary, call 911. Please do not confront anyone.
Thanks and have a SAFE WEEK!!!
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Beloved God, Father and Mother of all of us,
We direct our many and diverse voices to you to cry out in the middle of this hectic world...
Today, those who hold power only think about themselves, their interests, their security, their health, their own roof, their families...
Today they "sold for money to the righteous, and to the poor for a pair of shoes, (...) today that the poor are exploited, and ruin the poor of the earth (AMOS 2 and 8)
Today, the systems in which we live forget the old man, close their hearts abroad and attack the different.
We pray, God, for the people who are forced to comply with norms that they do not understand or, simply, they are not called to live in that way imposed by systems that pretend to speak in your name. Forgive them God of great mercy! And listen to our prayer today!
Today, as every day, grant us Your Peace. Peace to go through the persecutions of the now. Peace to live in authenticity and always speak the truth.
Give us Your Peace and Love; To transform us once more, to die and resuscitate, to your will now and always. Love to face each relationship, each commitment, each responsibility ... Love to conquer new and good things. Your Kingdom of Love. May your Kingdom come to us!
Strengthen us, Lord, with the joy of Your victory on the Cross! Joy of Resurrection in the face of the many and diverse deaths that we see and know every day!
And so, Lady of creation, we can subvert everything ... And full of Peace, full of Love, full of Joy, we overcome our own hectic journey and we can sow more and more Faith, Hope and Love in our homes and communities. In each work and recreation space, in each Neighborhood, City, Province, State and Country.
May each step we take, personal - community or denominational, be in light of Your Word and under the protection of Your Cross.
Here we are, Holy Spirit, lift us in Your wings beyond what we know how to expect or imagine.
We bless you with all the names, we praise you, and we thank you: for all you have done, what you are doing and for all that you will do. For all that you have given us, you are giving and you will give us.
In the name of Jesus, your beloved son, redeemer and our friend. Amen.
Prayer submitted by:
DAVID DE JESÚS DE PASCUAL
Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of Tigre
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Classes coming soon:
September 15, 2018 - 5:00PM-8:00PM "Wings"
Do wings make your imagination take flight? Take home a uniquely textured piece of art to add to your collection, choosing from several designs, textures, and painting styles.
Class Fee: $60
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October 13, 2018 - 5:00PM - 9:00PM "Mosaic Tiles"
Love the look of mosaics, but hate grouting or heavy materials? Here’s the answer! You’ll create a mosaic canvas using lightweight hand textured (already made for you) clay tiles. Complete your masterpiece with a unique finish of layered metallic and iridescent paints.
Class Fee: $70
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November 17, 2018 5:00-9:00 "Stencil Magic"
Using an unexpected material found at your local hardware store, stencils, and paints, you’ll take home an artwork that is sure to get lots of compliments! Whether you enjoy muted colors for a softer look or bright and bold designs, the choice is up to you.
Class Fee: $70
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January 5, 2019 5:00-7:00PM "Fun with Clay"
Looking for something fun to do with the kids?
Kids AND adults
love creating with clay. You’ll be using air dry clay (each person will receive a one pound package) and provided tools and assistance. The clay objects you form can be taken home to finish drying and be painted.
Class Fee: $75 which includes one adult and one child eight years or older.
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An Invitation from:
Saint Anne United American Catholic Church
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With praise and thanksgiving, to Almighty God, we joyfully announce the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. John P. Luft to the Order of Presbyters.
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When:
Saturday September 22, 2018 at 2:15PM
Location:
Agape' MCC Sanctuary
4615 E. California Parkway
Forest Hill, TX 76119
The parish of Saint Anne has been meeting Sunday evenings in the Agape' MCC Sanctuary and have become part of our Agape' family. Congratulations Rev. John!
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- 09/01 Mickey Howell
- 09/12 Lisa Davenport
- 09/16 Larry Hollis
- 09/21 Faith Ashton
- 09/22 Gail Russell
- 09/22 Trigg Davenport
- 09/23 Letty Cruz
- 09/25 Vida Trevino
- 09/29 Saige Ashton
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Call to Worship
-
Tibetan Bowl
Morning Meditation
-
Rev. David Wynn
Song of Intention
- "Welcome" -
Community
Words of Welcome -
Rev. David Wynn
Time of Greeting -
Community
Time With Our Children -
Trish Ashton
Response - "This Little Light of Mine" -
Community
Song of Preparation - "Need You Now" -
Community
Bringing Words of Life - Mark 7:1-7, 14-15, 21-23 -
Barbara Brittian
Song of Response - "Need You Now" -
Community
Time of Teaching -
"Eyes of Love" -
Rev. David Wynn
Centering Song - "Hear Our Prayer" -
Community
Community Prayer - Kevin Harkins
Prayer Response - "Hear Our Prayer" -
Community
A Time of Offering -
Lisa Davenport
Celebration of Holy Communion -
Rev. Robert Myers
Song of Sending Forth - "Lifesong" -
Community
The Sending Forth -
Rev. David Wynn
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