June 13, 2018
This Week's News and Updates
See highlights from last week's service by clicking here .
Agape' Summer Series - Sacred Earth, Sacred Worth

What if we lived life truly connected to the origins of Creation and the Creator? In the beginning God created all things and called them originally “good.”

In this series we will explore six essential ideas found in Creation Spirituality–a way of living within the community of earth that deepens our reverence for life, participates in the creativity of the cosmos, and develops our passion for justice and human transformation. It compels us to lead lives of spiritual inquiry, creativity, and prophetic action as our sacred work in the world.

  • June 10 - Creation as Blessing
  • June 17 - Spirit of Compassion
  • June 24 - The Paths of of Life/Pride Sunday
  • July 01 - Sacred Creative Vocation
  • July 08 - Glorious Diversity
  • July 15 - Healing Relationships
Creator God,

Allow us to be open for You to do what You need to do in us.

Then You can work through us in all the ways You want to. 

The busyness of our lives creates a "let me see if I have time for you" mentality. Help us to create time and space to identify You in the people around us and in the world around us. 

Let our spirits be sensitive to the needs of others.
As a global movement, let our hearts be open to all the ways You might use us.

May we embody You today and every day.

Amen.

Prayerfully submitted by Collis J. Floyd, 2019 General Conference Programming Team Co-Chair.
"The Opposite of Poverty isn't Property" and/or Burn Baby Burn! - Rev. David Wynn

The first half of this Sunday's sermon title comes from this quote by theologian Jurgen Moltmann...“The opposite of poverty isn't property. The opposite of both poverty and property is community. For in community we become rich: rich in friends, in neighbors, in colleagues, in comrades, in [siblings]. Together, as a community, we can help ourselves in most of our difficulties. For after all, there are enough people and enough ideas, capabilities and energies to be had. They are only lying fallow, or are stunted and suppressed. So let us discover our wealth; let us discover our solidarity; let us build up communities; let us take our lives into our own hands, and at long last out of the hands of the people who want to dominate and exploit us.” Amen to that.

Building real, authentic community requires compassion. We often equate that love, but if you parse out the word it really means "with passion" or more accurately, "with fire." When we come to our lives with passion for our journeys and for others, we are better equipped to confront our fears and by confronting them, move beyond them. It is only in this space beyond fear that we can find our deepest, truest selves. It's part of the reason that so many of my personal rituals involve fire. I've been known to set off an alarm are two...not advocating that! But sometimes our spiritual lives burn. Richard Rohr writes, "authentic God experience always "burns" you, yet does not destroy you (Exodus 3:2-3), just as the burning bush did to Moses." That which survives the burning is sacred. With fire, compassion, we can build a community that endures because that community has stepped into the fire and has not been consumed. 
          
What practices in your life draw you closer to your true essence and closer to compassion for others? Let's talk about on Sunday!
Pride Movie Screening

Hi Team Fort Worth Pride!

Thank you for being a part of the team celebrating Pride Month with a movie screening of Call Me by Your Name .

Here is a link to the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/209182896362463/

Here is a link to the registration page: https://aarp.cvent.com/CMBYN_FortWorth

Please share this information with your networks. If all continues to go as planned we are placing an ad in the Dallas Voice to advertise this event along with a screening we are facilitating in Dallas. 

Do let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Ideas are always welcome! Thank you again and Happy Pride!

Respectfully,

Melodía Gutiérrez
Associate State Director of Advocacy & Outreach
AARP Texas – DFW Area
Office: 214.265.4073 | Cell: 214.538.9878 | Email: mgutierrez@aarp.org
Next Meet, Greet and Eat - Sun June 24

Bring your favorite salad / dessert. Please join us!
Upcoming Workshops - From Judy Hudson

This summer, I am offering classes in how to create Mesmerizing Mosaic Tiles (June 16 and July 21) and Magical Underwater World (June 23 and July 28). I use a lot of clay to create 3D mixed media artwork and many people have asked me about my techniques and methods.

All four classes are from 9-4, held at the social hall at Agape'. All materials and lunch are included AND provided in the registration fee.  Classes are limited to 15 people . If you follow the link, you'll find the registration forms for each class. Hope to see you there!
June Birthdays
  • June 03 - Rayne Reagan
  • June 07 - Rebecca McDonnell
  • June 08 - Jackson Wynn
  • June 11 - Michele Kingston
  • June 11 - Erik Campbell
  • June 18 - Marcus Howard
  • June 19 - Michael Lummus
  • June 20 - Noah Nerio
  • June 21 - Alice Davidson
  • June 22 - Jaci Gregeris
  • June 24 - Leigh Wolfer
Sunday - June 17, 2018
Call to Worship - Drummers

Morning Meditation - Rev. David Wynn

Song of Intention - "There is Only Love" - 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 - "In the Secret" - Community

Bringing Words of Life -Mark 12:28-34 - Kevin Harkin

Song of Response - "In the Secret" - Community

Time of Teaching - " The Opposite of Poverty isn't Property" - Rev. David Wynn

Centering Song - "Healing Rain" - Community

Community Prayer - Rev. Robert Myers

Prayer Response - "Healing Rain" - Community

A Time of Offering - Cassy Batts

Celebration of Holy Communion - Rev. David Wynn

Song of Sending Forth - "Trees of the Field" - Community

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