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A New Year brings hope and promise of a brighter future. Many people make resolutions for the goals they want to achieve. Last Sunday, Bishop Shon Stewart brought the message in an amazing combined service with Freedom Church. He focused our attention on building character in the gospel way, grounding decisions in the good news. “A dream does not come to life by magic….can’t just talk about it, you need to DO the work”. That may sound similar to the drive people reach for when striving to reach their New Year’s goals, but instead of looking outside yourself for discipline and motivation and gym memberships, Bishop Shon reminds us that it’s already in you! AND that you don’t have to do this alone…in fact we can’t do this alone. “Detachment is not a Christian value”. We are made for connection. When he talks about ‘doing the work’….that’s the work of love. Genuine love… “until you show it, there is no investment. If you can’t bring it, don’t say it.”
The only way you can love authentically is to bring your whole authentic self, the deeply flawed and completely perfect person you were created to be. You are stardust, created from the very being of God who is Love itself. Love is the essence of your being. It’s already in you!
Start with yourself. Live out loud, have fun, be gentle and compassionate with yourself. Say nice things to yourself. Smile at your reflection in the mirror. And love often means finding it in your heart to forgive, so forgive yourself first, too. Life is tough sometimes and we are all doing the best we can. So give yourself a break. If you tried and failed, pat yourself on the back for trying. Bishop Shon said failure is “just a platform for your future success”.
Sometimes we suppress our gifts, our callings, to make others feel more comfortable, because it seems more convenient. Bishop Shon gets up and out there every day because “what’s in me does not allow me to sit on what God has called me to use. If you’re riding with me, we’re riding 100%. And we are not quitters!” Love never ends. Loving humanity means letting this world know that God is still good!
Living out the good news and building this gospel character is not a difficult commitment; Jesus tells us “my yoke is easy and my burden light”. After all, it’s already in you! Enjoy your time with God…all time spent with God is a good time. Rev. Elder Rich Hendricks called laughter “carbonated holiness”! Loving others sometimes means simply sharing a smile and laugh. Or a cry…crying can be a good release and an expression of love. Whatever your gifts and talents and passions, God gave them to you for a reason. They are meant to be held inside. The more you share them, the bigger your return. Hope and joy come full circle. May we all join in the chorus: God is good! All the time! And all the time…God is good.
“Carry on”!
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Please note that our Text-to-Give function in our new software is active. Please follow these steps:
- Text “Give” to 855.734.2902
- You will receive a link to setup/personalize “text to give” providing your name and card information and the donor will give in the moment
- To “text to give” in the future, the donor will go back to that text trail and just simply text the give amount “ex. 10, 50, 100” (the donation will default to general fund) or text “options” and the system will prompt the donor with more giving options.
Please see Terry Zenn if you have questions. Terry@ResurrectionMCC.org
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CHURCH BOARD NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
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Board of Directors' News
Resurrection MCC has received an offer from a local business to purchase the church’s property for $15 million! The congregation voted, at our special congregational meeting on December 15, to authorize the Board of Directors to negotiate and execute legal documents needed to complete the sale. Once the sale closes, RMCC will have the option of leasing back the property, to allow time for us to find a new property and complete whatever renovations may be needed to make it our new home! Volunteers will be needed to assist with all stages of the move, so please watch for announcements about opportunities to help!
The Board of Directors is elected by the congregation of RMCC to oversee the business and finances of the church. The Board meets monthly, with additional meetings as needed. All are welcome to attend and listen. If you wish to speak to the Board at a meeting, please email Cathleen Sheil-Hopper, Clerk, cathleen@resurrectionmcc.org or Raymond Turner, Vice Moderator, raymond@resurrectionmcc.com, to request that your topic be considered for the agenda.
Please click HERE to read the summary of the 11/18/24 monthly Board meeting. There will be no monthly board meeting during December, due to the Christmas holidays. The next monthly meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2025.
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La Casa de Todos
Presencial o Online a las 13:00 horas
Bienvenido a nuestro servicio religioso en vivo todos los domingos en nuestro hermoso santuario. Nuestros servicios llenos de música celebran la adoración con expresión. Cada servicio es de aproximadamente 60 minutos. La comunión se sirve en todos los servicios de adoración y se puede recibir individualmente o con un pequeño grupo de amigos o seres queridos. En La Casa De Todos, celebramos una Comunión Abierta; no es necesario ser miembro de nuestra iglesia, ni de ninguna iglesia, para recibir estos dones de gracia, esperanza y amor.
UNASE A NOSOTROS PARA SERVICIOS VIRTUALES
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Events and Giving Opportunities | |
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Campus Care Day
January 11th, 2025
Meet up in Admin Office at 9 AM
Join us as we come together to take down Christmas decorations and tackle various campus tasks. It's a great opportunity to lend a hand, connect with others, and help keep our space looking its best. For more information, please contact Ken. We look forward to seeing you there!
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2025 OWLS EVENTS (Older Wiser Leaders Serving)
1st Saturdays @ noon
2nd Thursdays @ noon
3rd Fridays @ 7pm
See Larry Ponder for more information
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Join us after service for in-person Brunch Buddies, Sunday, December 22nd, after service at Demeris BBQ, 460 W. 19th View MENU | |
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Registration for General Conference is now open!
The MCC General Conference is gathering in Scottsdale, AZ, July 3-6. Be sure to register early for hotel as accommodations go fast! We can't wait to see you there!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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God Talk: Conversations About Faith, Society and
Self-Love with LBGTQ+ Christians
Weekly Thursdays 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm CST
“God Talk” is another way of saying ‘Theology’, in other words: how we think and talk about Divine Presence. Many LGBTQ+ people have been hurt by oppressive or toxic theology, the kind of messaging that describes God as condemning and cruel. These wide-spread messages are often subtle, perhaps from well-meaning sources, so we don’t even realize how we internalized them. The trauma can run deep! No wonder so many people have difficulty developing a relationship with the Sacred.
Resurrection MCC strives to build community to heal those wounds. This group is a safe haven to explore, question and discover how God works in and through us, regardless of who we are or the societal labels we carry. We will discuss our imaginings of the Divine in our lives and hear from people whose partnering with God brings meaning and hope into their lives. We seek to reframe our thinking and expand our imagination to move into a broader understanding of the God of Love.
12/26/24 SESSION REPLAY - "How do you perceive 'Beauty'"
Facilitator:
Rev. Dr. Carol Kiesling - Taos, NM
Online Ministry
Have You Joined the Community?
Join the Online Community Facebook Group Here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708269556183327
PLEASE REGISTER
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Weekly Online Devotions - "On the Wings of Prayer”
Daily Prayers by Dr. Kathy Culmer
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Carol Kiesling
If you want to connect to our Online Church, join our weekly devotional series on Facebook beginning February 14, 2024! We are embarking upon a new prayer and devotional series that is bound to be both refreshing and reflective of our spiritual values. Written by Dr. Kathy Culmer, On the Wings of Prayer: Daily prayers, thoughts and meditations to lift your spirits, will offer us hope and comfort during a time when so much in our world can make us feel challenged and estranged.
This is a Facebook group dedicated for those individuals who want to connect online for weekly devotions and spiritual connection. The first devotion will be released Wednesday February 14, 2024, and thereafter, a new post will be released weekly through February 2025.
Be sure to access the devotions on Facebook, where you can leave a comment about how each devotion has inspired and encouraged you for the week.
JOIN THE GROUP HERE
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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.
NEW ZOOM LINK BELOW
Click HERE
to launch Zoom at Noon on weekdays.
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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
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RECURRING MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES | |
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Resurrection MCC's Social Justice Ministry is about celebrating the diversity within our church family, giving a voice and outlet of supported advocacy for, and on behalf of members inside our MCC community and the community at large.
This is achieved through specific ministry campaign development in areas where a need has been identified under the overall scope of Social Justice Ministry.
Current Campaigns include:
- Voting & Legislative Engagement
- Civil and human rights issues
- Local Civic Engagement
- Advocating for the Marginalized and Oppressed
- Immigrant Justice
- Creation Care & Environmental Sustainability
- Protecting and advancing the rights, dignity and freedom of the LGBTQ community
- Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
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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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Rev. Vickey Gibbs Children's Church
Every Sunday at 11 AM
Fellowship for ages 0-12
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Toastmasters is every Monday, from 6:30 - 8 pm in the Gathering Place. 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 FindYourVoiceToastmaster@gmail.com for details. Toastmasters.org | |
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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!
VISIT THE CONNECT PAGE HERE
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We build deep connections with a network of others that love praising God.
Join us as we commit ourselves to growing the ministry and glowing up!
Resurrection Choir Rehearsal - Thursday at 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Ability to sing in tune is helpful.
RMCC Chimes Rehearsal - Thursday at 5:15 P.M. - 6:15 P.M.
Being able to read music is helpful.
For Dance, Theater, and other performance-based ministries, reach out directly to Cassandra White via email. Cassandra@ResurrectionMCC.org
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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! | |
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 canned grean beans, canned chili, canned pork & beans, canned pasta sauce, canned corn, or any of the items found on this list. We are pausing clothes donations. | |
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🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁Rainbow of Hope 🌈Narcotics Anonymous is every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on our campus in the Gathering Place. 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.
re:MIND Depression & Bipolar Support Groups in-person meetings are now on Fridays at 12:00 pm in the Chapel. For more information on groups visit the website www.remindsupport.org . Online groups are available at https://www.remindsupport.org/online-support-groups/.
If you need assistance signing up please call 713-600-1131 or email info@remindsupport.org.
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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