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Christmas is getting closer, and it already feels like our whole community got an early present. Watching the bill to protect same-sex marriage and interracial marriage make its way through the Senate, then the House, to head to the President’s desk for signature was a real gift. Watching the actual signature with all the pomp and circumstance was also a gift. I’m breathing a bit easier. I hope you are too. This is big!
Even as action is taken under threat of a conservative court and an approaching deadline, I’ll take it. Protecting my family from those who would define us out of existence is putting family values first. This Christmas, when I gather with my immediate family and beyond, I will be very thankful for this early present as we celebrate the presence of the Christ Child being born anew. When I meet you all at the manger this Christmas Eve, I just might be skipping.
Meet Me at the Manger is our end-of-year offering for the Love in Action witness and ministries of Resurrection to advance uninterrupted ministry in 2023. Your generosity matters. Prioritizing your generosity matters. Choosing to share your generosity through Meet Me at the Manger prioritizes your faith journey and commitment.
Our Meet Me at the Manger challenge is to prioritize your giving by sharing one dollar more than the most expensive gift you give to yourself or others this Christmas Eve. Pray about it and share it at the manger in person with the candlelight and music or online at https://resurrectionmcc.org/giving-opportunities/ or by text by texting GIVE LIST to 281-346-9444, specify the amount of your gift, then choose Meet Me at the Manger!
Gratefully and thankfully, we share in preparation for all those yearning to hear more of God’s love.
Meet you at the manger,
Rev. Troy
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Noel: Born Is the King
This newborn King was what prophets had been waiting for and what many rulers feared. Though the chorus of “The First Noel” uses the phrase “Born is the King of Israel,” we know that Jesus — born to Mary, wrapped in rags, and laid in a manger — became the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Dec 24, 2022, 7:00 pm
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Invitation to Join Bell Choir
You are invited to learn and practice playing the chime instruments. It's an opportunity of delightful celebration in musical expression. Rehearsals are held most Sundays after church from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in the Worship Arts room. It's helpful if you can read music but not necessary; just as long as you can count & tap your foot simultaneously.
Come with an open heart and a willing spirit!
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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From Social Media to Social Ministry
6 week conversation on using online tools to promote discipleship.
Resurrection MCC is stepping up our outreach as we grow
opportunities for connection, participation, and virtual membership.
We have an unprecedented opportunity to be globally inclusive
and "draw the circle wide" through our online shared services,
courses, and experiences. Meet people right where they are -
with relevance - to enhance their individual life walk
on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and more!
Grow this new ministry with us - launching January 2023.
Using the Guide:
From Social Media to Social Ministry - A Guide to Digital Discipleship
Available in the Church Bookstore or on Amazon
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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Kwanzaa is an annual holiday and celebration of African-American family, community and culture from December 26 to January 1.
Participants will reflect on the importance of the principles and have an opportunity to enjoy food, music, dance, drumming, and poetry.
Date: Saturday 12/31/2022 Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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Imani Vida Drum Circle
Imani means Faith in Swahili, and Vida means Life in Spanish. We are a group of diverse individuals of the Greater Houston Area who love to come together in community and make music together. We make music through all sorts of percussion instruments...hand drums, shakers, rain sticks and even the sound of foot-stomping music. Drummers of all skill levels are welcome. No prior drumming experience is required to participate in our circle. Dancers are welcome too! We only ask that you bring your desire to be apart of our community drum circle. Meets 1st Saturday of the Month at Resurrection MCC at 1:30 pm.
For more information, please visit https://www.meetup.com/drummingcircle/
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Low: An Honest Advent Bible Study
This Bible study will incorporate the birth accounts of Jesus in the Gospels and explore what was most important to each Gospel community. We will also encourage a daily devotional discipline using John Pavlovitz's book Low: An Honest Advent Devotional which is available in Inspirations Bookstore for $8. This conversation will be Wednesday's 7 pm-8:30 pm on November 30, and December 7, 14, and 21 in the Gathering Place. Bring your Bible and let's get low together.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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As we approach the season of restoration and renewal, let us do so by exploring ways the Psalms help to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits. The Book of Psalms are not just songs of praise, but food for our souls.
Jeffrey Campbell will facilitate this discussion of select psalms, using “Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation,” a book written by Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, published during the heart of the pandemic. Participants will reflect on the words of the psalms and discuss how the psalms can be a refreshing source for healing, hope and freedom.
Thursdays, December 8th - January 19th
Virtual
Check Planning Center for Full Schedule
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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Do I Stay Christian?
This six-week group will look at what it means to be Christian. What is the most important part of what we believe? Who is allowed to be a part of the group? Why do we believe what we believe? Are you disillusioned or disappointed with your religious identity? Do you or have you doubted what you believe?
This group brings us the newest book by Brian D. McLaren, "Do I Stay Christian?" as we look at these questions and more.
Wednesday evenings from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
October 26-December 28, 2022
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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BRUNCH BUDDIES
Join us for continued fellowship after service. December 11th, 12:30 PM Brunch Buddies is at Zapvor by Thai Spice, 460 W 19th St. Join Us! Menu
PLEASE RSVP
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VIRTUAL BRUNCH BUDDIES
Join us online each Sunday for Virtual Brunch Buddies. Each week we visit the same restaurants online with our in-service friends. Zoom starts at 12:30 PM Join us here
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OWLS Virtual Meeting is Canceled
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You'll never know what you're missing until you do it! We have a place for you in our volunteer ministries. What are you good at? What makes you happy? Do you have a skill or talent that will benefit others? Visit our Connect page on the website and learn more about our volunteer opportunities and how to join us!
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Deep and Wide Daily Devotionals is by Resurrection MCC family member and author, Dr. Larry Ponder, who provides us with a year's worth of inspiring messages of God's inclusive love. Each daily meditation explores how we can live our personal goals of love in action - meant to be shared. Want to know more? Watch Dr. Larry's YouTube video HERE. There are books available in the Resurrection book store.
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Joining a choir is like getting a caged bird to sing! You know you love to sing, but worry if you are good enough to sing in a church choir. God thinks so, and so do we! Our choirs and musical groups are more than singing songs. We build deep friendships and a network of others that love doing what you love doing. Join us!
Sanctuary Choir - Traditional church music, more secular and familiar.
Gospel Ensemble - Woven with Gospel music and traditional African themes
Resurrection Choir - Combines modern and traditional music, and sacred genres, combining membership from both Sanctuary Choir and Gospel Ensemble
Practice:
Tuesday evenings 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm for Sanctuary Choir and Gospel Ensemble,
and 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm for Resurrection Choir.
Choirs alternate weekend service performances.
For Dance, Theater, and other performance-based ministries, reach out directly to Cassandra White via email.
Contact Cassandra White, Worship Arts Coordinator HERE for more information.
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Cold Drinks, a Snack, Books, and More!
The bookstore is open before and after each Sunday church service. Our books are carefully curated to fuel your spirit.
Come on in and say hello. We are happy to have you.
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Amazing things happen when we pray for one another in times of grief and celebrate together in times of joy. Send Requests online here: COMPLETE ONLINE FORM or by texting the word RMCCPRAY to 97000. We hope this electronic method will make it quick and easy to communicate the struggles and triumphs you are experiencing in a way that can provide our Pastoral Care Ministers with the information they need to support and encourage you along your journey. The form allows you to provide your name, contact information, the information about your prayer request or celebration, as well as an easy way to request a contact from a Pastoral Care Minister (only if you indicate you'd like a contact). Based on your preferences we can communicate by text, phone, video chat, or even in-person visits when necessary. We want to hear from you! | |
Weekday Devotional and Prayer is held every weekday at Noon on Zoom. During these virtual gatherings, we participate in a daily devotional, scripture readings, prayer, and a time to check-in with our church family. Click HERE to launch Zoom at Noon on weekdays. | |
If you haven't downloaded the church app, it's important that you do! Each time you attend a service in person or virtually, please CHECK IN so we know you were here. Using the church app is easy! You can find detailed instructions here. We hope you will download it and stay connected!
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Pride Charities, our partner agency which operates the food pantry at Resurrection MCC, relies on donations and financial support for the food needed to help the 175 families we assist each month. Please consider picking up a few extra extra bags of rice, beans, cereal, Vienna sausages, canned chicken, canned spam/lunch loaf, canned corn, canned green beans, canned peas, or any of the items found on this list. We are now accepting clothes at this time. To keep you, our volunteers, and our community safe, please place your donations in your trunk or back seat, pull up outside the pantry, stay in your vehicle, and our volunteers will remove the items from your vehicle. Volunteers will also be working inside the Clothes Closet this Saturday from 9 - Noon If you'd like to help sort, hang, and organize clothes, please be sure to wear a face mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you. | |
Text Giving is a great way to give electronically. The first time you'd like to give in this way, just text the word GIVE to 281-346-9444. You'll receive a text back asking for the amount of your donation. After you've entered that, you'll receive a link to provide your name, email address, as well as your debit/credit card or bank account information. That's it! And the next time you'd like to give, all you need to do is text a dollar amount to that same phone number, hit send, and you're done! If you'd like to contribute to a special fund, send a text with the words GIVE LIST to 281-346-9444 and you'll receive a reply asking how much you'd like to give, and then another text asking to which of our special funds you'd like your donation applied (i.e. General Gifts & Tithes, Foundation First Activities Building Fund, Texas Winter Storm Relief, Pride Charities Food Pantry, La Casa de Todos). | |
Narcotics Anonymous is every Tuesday at 7:00 pm on our campus as well as on Zoom. This Twelve Step recovery program offers hope and freedom from active addiction in a safe space for the LGBTQ community. This support group meets regularly in order to help one another learn a new way of life through sharing experiences, strength, and hope. All are welcome to come and learn more. For more information, please contact Patrick at 281-908-9729.
Narcóticos Anónimos (en español) es todos los miércoles a partir de las 8:00 pm en la Capilla Resurrection MCC. Asegúrese de usar una máscara cuando esté en el campus de la iglesia. Es un grupo de recuperación de 12 pasos que ofrece esperanza y libertad de la adicción activa en un lugar seguro para las personas LGBT. Estos grupos se unen para ayudarse mutuamente a aprender una nueva forma de vida, compartiendo su experiencia de fortaleza y esperanza.
re:MIND Depression & Bipolar Support Groups in-person meetings are now on Fridays at 12:00 pm in the Chapel. Online meetings are available at www.supportgroupscentral.com/reMIND. Click ‘Not Yet a Member’ and set up a free user account. Find a meeting and click ‘Register’ to sign up. Please note: If all spots are filled, click ‘Join the Waitlist’. You will receive an email reminder the day before and 15 minutes before your scheduled meeting. Please confirm or cancel. Meeting dates will be updated monthly. If you need assistance signing up please call (888) 799-0907 ext. 2 or email info@remindsupport.org. Spaces are limited so sign up today! Spanish Support Groups are available here.
Overeater’s Anonymous meets Saturdays at 9:30 am in the Chapel and will still offer the zoom meeting on Saturdays at 9:30 am on Zoom. Meeting ID: 402 391 084, Password: 176233. Phone in option (use same Meeting ID as above): +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston).
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Toastmasters is every Monday, from 6:30 - 8 pm online on Zoom. Impress your clients, your boss, or even a potential employer during your next job interview. Speak with confidence in one-on-one situations and in presentations for groups of 20 to over 200. Surprise yourself by becoming a member of Toastmasters and see how your personal goals will come true. With Toastmasters you will learn by doing as you improve your public speaking skills in a super supportive environment. Join us for our very own Toastmaster Club right here at Resurrection MCC. Contact Horacio Rodriguez at 954-662-4926 or Toastmasters@ResurrectionMCC.org for details. www.toastmasters.org
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