July 18, 2018
This Week's News and Updates
See highlights from last week's service by Clicking Here. .
New Members Class
Agape Membership Class
Sunday, July 22, 12:15 - 1:30

Rev. David will be hosting a membership class for folks who are considering becoming members of our church community. The class covers Agape's history, the history of Metropolitan Community Church (our denomination), some "nuts and bolts" regarding our structure, our theology of membership, and any other questions you might have.  We will meet in the youth classroom located in the social hall.
"MunnFest"
Kathy Munn

The gathering for our Mz. Munn was filled with stories, laughter and tears. Munnfest was a moving tribute for a woman who defined community service, unconditional love and unswerving dedication. She will forever live in our hearts.


To view Kathy's Online Obituary and leave a message on her wall,
The "Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life" study group returns on Wednesday, July 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall!! 

 We will be reflecting on Chapter 2. Plan to join us! The conversation is enriching even if you've not read the book. Come see what lessons will speak to your journey!    
Blessings for YOU
Rev. David Wynn

Whether you grew up in church or not, you’ve probably heard about the Beatitudes. They are eight “blessed are those who…” statements that are the heart of Jesus’ first public Sermon. Things like “Blessed are those who show mercy to others: They will be shown mercy.” 

The Beatitudes are most often taught on All Saints Day, which adds a certain pressure for those of us who are listening to them…you see, the emphasis becomes that if we are “saintly” enough then we will have Jesus’s blessing.  They get boiled down to a formula of condition and result…cause and effect. But they are radical and in the ears of Jesus’ audience down right nonsensical; the poor in Spirit not the paragons of faith, the mourning not the flourishing, the gentle not the powerful, the hungry not the full…the list goes on. Jesus creates new possibilities for who gets blessed and it’s us! 

Pastor Nadia Bolz Weber says it this way… “So maybe Jesus is actually just blessing people, especially the people who never seem to receive blessings otherwise. I mean, come on, doesn’t that just sound like something Jesus would do? Extravagantly throwing around blessings as though they grew on trees?”

In a modern rethinking of Beatitudes, Bolz Weber includes us and those around us… “Blessed are the agnostics. Blessed are they who doubt. Those who aren’t sure, who can still be surprised. Blessed are they who are spiritually impoverished and therefore not so certain about everything that they no longer take in new information. Blessed are those who have nothing to offer. Blessed are they for whom nothing seems to be working.”
Huh, maybe Jesus is just throwing out all the blessings to all the people hoping that we will receive and recognize our blessing and then shower them on all the people in our orbit? Maybe blessing is not just for the ordained elite. That seems so “Jesusy”. Let’s talk more on Sunday!
Thank you for participating!


Our GraceGraysGoodDeeds Funraiser was a great success. Our deepest thanks to everyone who came out and ate a meal (or two). Fun and good food was had by all.
Communion Breakfast next Sunday!

July 29th is a Fifth Sunday and that is a time when we gather for a community breakfast in the pattern of our ancestors. 

This will take the place of July's Meet and Greet. Plan to come eat and connect with us!  
Most Holy and Gracious God, you created all things and called them good. You made all of humanity in your image and called that creation good. We are also told that we are awe-fully and wonderfully made. So, God, when we look at ourselves and those around us, how can we be anything but amazed at the complexity and intricacy of what we experience.
 
We are in awe of sunrises and sunsets. We marvel at the beauty of oceans, rivers, lakes, steam's and ponds. We wonder at the glory of trees and flowers. We are amazed at the variety of patterns in the land from skyscraping, ice covered mountains to dry and dusty deserts. 
 
Liberating God, release us, then, from the prejudices we may carry toward others who look different from us or speak a different language or worship you in a different way. May we see one another as you do, as beloved and precious, as beautiful and treasured, as unique and cherished. For when we do, when we let go of our bigotry, then, just maybe, we can see You in our neighbors and in our enemies. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer submitted by
REV. ELDER DR. CANDACE R SHULTIS
PASTOR, KING OF PEACE MCC
St. Petersburg FL USA


Gnarly Grove Studio

Judy Hudson, Artist



 3D Mixed Media Workshop
Focusing on texture and color techniques. ‎

July‎ ‎21, 2018 - ‎9‎:‎00‎ ‎AM – ‎04‎:‎00‎ ‎PM

About The Event
Create your own unique artwork to take home!
Tuition fee $100. All materials and lunch are provided and included.

You will take home a completed painting that is unique and eye-catching. No cookie cutter paintings at this workshop. Your piece will be one of a kind.

This workshop will be perfect for those who want to learn how to:
  • use texture pastes and inexpensive or free materials to create an interesting background
  • create simple 3D objects from paper clay
  • select the appropriate paints for the desired finish
  • blend and layer paints to achieve a finish similar to dichroic glass or raku pottery

Location
Agape Metropolitan Community Church
4615 E California Pkwy, Forest Hill, TX 76119, USA



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 Mixed Media Painting Class
3D Mixed Media Mosaic Tile Class ‎

August ‎04, 2018 - ‎9‎:‎00‎ ‎AM – ‎11‎:‎30‎ ‎AM


About The Event
Create your own unique artwork to take home!
Tuition fee $50. All materials included.

Create a clay tile mosaic artwork with the appearance of dichroic glass or raku pottery.

Location
Agape Metropolitan Community Church
4615 E California Pkwy, Forest Hill, TX 76119, USA



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‎ Mixed Media Painting Class
3D Mixed Media Underwater Themed Painting Class

August‎ ‎04, 2018 - ‎ ‎7‎:‎00‎ ‎PM – ‎09‎:‎30‎ ‎PM

About The Event
Create your own unique artwork to take home!
Tuition fee $50. All materials included.

Take home an underwater themed artwork that features a metallic finish similar to dichroic glass or raku pottery.

If you would like to bring a snack or your "favorite" beverage, please do. Better yet, bring a friend or two and enjoy a night out doing something creative.

Location
Agape Metropolitan Community Church
4615 E California Pkwy, Forest Hill, TX 76119, USA



July Birthdays
  • 07/03 Max Robert
  • 07/04 Graeme Haub 
  • 07/05 David Wynn
  • 07/06 Tonya Reed
  • 07/06 Kim Pena
  • 07/17 Linda Gray
  • 07/19 Lilia Orander-Cruz
  • 07/21 Bailey Shackelford
  • 07/29 Patti Stephens
Sunday - July 22, 2018
Call to Worship - Drummers

Morning Meditation - Rev. David Wynn

Song of Intention - "Come Thou Fount" - 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 - "Draw the Circle" - Community

Bringing Words of Life - Matthew 5:1-10 - Barbara Brittain

Song of Response - "Belong" - Media

Time of Teaching - "Blessed are 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. David Wynn

Song of Sending Forth - "We Are Called" - Community

The Sending Forth - Rev. David Wynn
817-535-5002 / news@agapemcc.com / http:// www.agapemcc.com /
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