Beatitudes

Last Sunday, we engaged The Gospel of Matthew’s account of The Sermon on the Mount. Several of you were touched by the interpretation of the Beatitudes we used, and asked what Bible it was. For a few months now, we have been reading from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, translated and paraphrased from the Greek and Hebrew by scholar, pastor, author, and poet Eugene Peterson. Here is portion of last Sunday’s reading:


“You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and God's rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. God's food and drink is the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kin-dom. Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.”


Jesus is talking to people who are experiencing hard times. He tells them God is with them and they are blessed already. He encourages them to never give up and to keep speaking up to create the kindom God desires. It is a word of hope, something we all can use.


Hoping for wholeness,



Rev. Troy


PS: Get ready for February and Black History Month launched on February 5th by Pastor Juanita Campbell Rasmus author of Learning to Be: Finding Your Center After the Bottom Falls Out. Pastor Juanita is the co-pastor of St. John’s UMC near downtown Houston.

 



Rev. Troy

Rev. Elder Troy Treash

Senior Pastor

RevTroy@Resurrectionmcc.org

Love Wins An Online Community Conversation


Love Wins Bible Study (Online): Queer Bible 101 February 11 - March 25 Facilitated by Rev. Elder Troy Treash, this online Zoom seven-week series will be offered from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Both "clobber" passages and "grace" passages related to God's Queer children will be explored in this scripture study. Have your coffee and Bible ready, and bring your story to lay a good foundation on Christ's love. Please register. 


This is an online option for the in-person clobber study we did in the fall of last year. NEED Registration to have the zoom link for the class in the reply. 



REGISTRATION REQUESTED

12 Ordinary Men, Who Jesus' Disciples Were?


People who are under 40 years old have a chance to say hi to each other at the coffee area in the Gathering Place immediately following the 11am service on Jan 29.


REGISTER HERE

Resurrection Online Facebook Church Community


On January 15th, we are officially launching our new Facebook Online Community Group. Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church is focused on people and community. We're opening our church doors to widen the circle of our physical space and be available to a global audience who wants and needs the discipleship of Jesus in an LGBTQ+ accepting environment.


Our new digital discipleship extends beyond the walls of our church campus, bringing the hope of Jesus to all, right where you are.


The group is currently "private" on Facebook and will be made public to all on Thursday, February 2.


We need content writers, videographers, reporters, and team leads. If you'd like to join the Online Ministry Team, please email Suzette@ResurrectionMCC.org for more information.


To request membership, please visit the page HERE

12 Ordinary Men, Who Jesus' Disciples Were?


Conversations around the Disciples of Christ with the use of the book "Twelve Ordinary Men," by John Macarthur. A six-week class beginning on 02.22.23 and ending on 04.05.23 gives an extra week if needed during Lent. We will not only look at who these men were, but also examine, their actions, inactions, beliefs, and background information (available), taking two each week. 


02/22/23 - 04/05/23


Registration is requested; there is a book and a workbook if so desired. I would request a couple of copies of the book in the bookstore. While books are not required, they will help not only prompt conversations but also guide us through our discussions.


REGISTER HERE

Devotional & Prayer Facebook Group

Every Sunday and Wednesday


New Facebook Devotional Discussion Group: "Called Out"


The experience of growing up "different," having one's identity and relationships questioned or downright rejected, shapes the faith of LGBTQ Christians in ways those outside the community cannot fully understand. LGBTQ Christians need spiritual resources that speak to the unique joys and challenges of their journey.



E. Carrington Heath offers one hundred devotions on such topics as trauma, and more to nurture the faith of our LGBTQ siblings and help friends, family, and allies grow in understanding and faith.


Each Sunday and Wednesday, a new devotion from the book will be posted and discussed online. Join the group for notifications of devotion posts.


Join Our Facebook Devotional Community & Discussion Group

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/

God of Love

Start the New Year by investing in your Spiritual Journey and Relationship with our Creator. Each week the group will look at and discuss various aspects of God of Love.


What does Unity of the Divine, and Stewardship of the Earth have to do with our Interspiritual Quest? How do we have faith in the absence of Proof and still welcome the stranger to the table? Are we willing to be forgiving/forgiven with mercy and show compassion in our actions? These are just a few of the questions/dialogues we will share in the weekly meetings of the group. 


Jan 11, 2023 - Feb 15, 2023

7:00 - 8:30 pm VIRTUAL


Moderator: Rev. Vicki Sheil-Hopper


PLEASE REGISTER

Love Wins Bible Study: Matthew Speaks! Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm, Gathering Place January 11 -- April 12 (Skipping Ash Wednesday) Engage Matthew's account of Jesus with others growing in faith and community! 


REGISTRATION REQUESTED

Gospel Ensemble's Annual Concert

The Journey to Hallelujah!


Celebrating an era of music that is still changing the lives of all people one soul at a time. The concert will be in-person and live-streamed. Join us for a night of uplifting and soulful Gospel music.


February 25th 2023

5:00 PM

RMCC Sanctuary


PLEASE REGISTER

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

Join us after service for In-Person Brunch Buddies, Sunday January 29th, 12:30 pm at La Hacienda, 1431 W 26th St. View MENU.

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PLEASE REGISTER

Join us for virtual Brunch Buddies on Sunday at 12:30 pm at the same restaurant venue as in-person.


Join the Zoom here at 12:30 pm

First Saturday Game Day - February 4, 2023

12:00 pm | Noon


PLEASE REGISTER

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.

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!


VISIT THE CONNECT PAGE HERE

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.

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.

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!

ASL Service

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!

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).

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