It May Not Be #GivingTuesday, but You Can Still Give | | |
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Worship
Preacher | Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell
Sermon | Joy is a Name
Scripture | Isaiah 7:10-16 & Matthew 1:18-25
Celebrating | Advent 3; Family Dedication
Schedule
9:45a | Childcare (Birth-Kindergarten)
10a | Worship
10:15a | Children's Worship
11:10a | Advent Book Study
4p | Youth Block
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SUN, Dec 4 Worship
If you weren't able to join us, you can watch the service now by clicking on the image above or on YouTube or our website.
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Peace is an Action
Rev. Tara Gibbs' sermon is available on our website, Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube.
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Offertory Anthem
"He Comes to Us as One Unknown"
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arr. John Ferguson
Chancel Choir
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Memorial Service for
William Todd Geer
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Welcoming Rev. Dr. J.J. Flag
SUN, Dec 18 | Reception following Worship
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We are so excited to welcome our new Associate Minister of Pastoral Care and Justice, Rev. Dr. J.J. Flag. Join us for a reception to welcome the Flag family on December 18 after worship.
J.J. was recently honored by being asked to give the Closing Sermon at the UCC General Synod in 2023.
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MLK March & Wreath Laying | January 15
SUN, Jan 15, 2023 | 1p | 700 N. Tryon Street
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We are pleased to announce that our Senior Minister, Dr. Boswell, has been invited by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee to plan & lead the City of Charlotte’s MLK Parade & Wreath Laying Ceremony. | |
We are incredibly honored & excited to join alongside Dr. Boswell as well as other local businesses, faith communities, non-profits to celebrate the legacy of the great civil rights hero Dr. King & his message of peace & justice for all, which aligns with the mission & vision of our church. We will meet after worship at the old Hal Marshall Bldg. on 700 N. Tryon St. at 1p (where we met for PRIDE) for the march which will end with a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Dr. King in Marshall Park. Everyone in our congregation & community is invited to join us in the march & the ceremony. You can register to participate in the march with our church here. Does your business or local non-profit want to also walk? Register your organization for the march here. | |
Couldn't Make the Pilgrimage? | |
Couldn’t make this year’s pilgrimage? Check out the reflection display in the Narthex (entrance to the sanctuary) to see how impactful this trip was for our members and friends. We hope you’ll join us for our 2023 pilgrimage, details to come! | View on our website | | |
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We want to show off the features of our new website. This week, we are featuring the Giving page which can be found in the "Connect" section.
We believe that our website is our new front door, showing newcomers around our church before they ever step foot on our campus.
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Nature vs Nurture | Investigations into the biology of sexual orientation | | |
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As we partner with identiversity to take responsibility for our own education around identity, we take our next step this week to explore Nature vs Nurture.
Remember, there are no subjects, activities or topics that can be mastered. All of us are constantly learning, our minds being expanded.
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As we continue to learn all the nuances, vocabulary & topics around gender, identity, sexuality & more, we encourage you to read & or watch the resources from Identiversity. | |
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Register Now!
Confronting Whiteness Conference 2023
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We are excited to announce the second annual Confronting Whiteness Conference will be taking place Jan 27-28, 2023! After a successful Conference in 2021, folks have been inquiring when the next one will be. We heard you & we have been busy putting together what we think will be a powerful & rewarding experience. | |
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It again will bring together those who have participated in the original, pilot course, "What Does It Mean to be White," those who are planning to take the newly launched Confronting Whiteness course, & those who are committed to doing their own ongoing racial justice work.
Registration for the conference is now open. Take advantage of the early bird rate until December 20. To learn more, sign up to receive the Confronting Whiteness Newsletter at confrontingwhiteness.com.
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Family Dedication
December 11
Please contact Carrie Veal for more information on the Family Dedication.
Email Carrie
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A Service of Lament and Loss
December 14 | 6:30p
| The question is not whether you have lost something this year. It is rather, what have you lost? Join us in ritualizing our grief for the sake of healing in our annual Service of Loss and Lament. | Learn More | | |
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Advent | Same Season, New Possibilities
We hope you will join us this Advent for worship, a churchwide book group, blog posts from the ministers, digital devotions for children, & more. | Learn more
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Holy Conversations in the Holy Land
June 14 - 23, 2023
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Have you ever wanted to travel to the Holy Land? Do you want to better understand the contemporary issues & reality in the Middle East? This tour is sure to prove both meaningful & fun as we explore past & present culture in light of the continuing conflicts in the Middle East. Travel with Rev. Leigh Anne Duncan and Rev. Tara Gibbs as we: | |
- See traditional Holy Land sights in places such as Old Jerusalem, Masada, Bethlehem, & Galilee
- Visit a Jewish Kibbutz & hear an Israeli perspective on the conflict
- Lectures & dialogue with local Christian, Palestinian Muslim, & Jewish representatives for their perspective, as well as a time of questions & interaction from you
- Learn about grassroots organizations committed to understanding & reconciliation among Israelis and Palestinians
When | June 14 through 23
How much | $3,898 which includes airfare from Charlotte, double occupancy first class hotels, all breakfasts & dinners, site fees, guide fees, & travel in a deluxe motor coach
For the full itinerary & to learn more, contact Leigh Anne at [email protected] or click here.
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The staff has been curating our reading lists to create a customized bookstore for Myers Park Baptist Church.
We will be adding lists over the next few months for particular ministries & age groups, topics, & perspectives.
Our Bookstore is held by Bookshop.org, which gives 10% of the profits of each book sold (from our list) back to us.
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Love offering for Charlotte Judge
In August, our Associate Director of Music, Charlotte Judge, who has been on medical leave for most of the year, made the difficult decision to take a permanent medical leave of absence from our staff in order to focus on her treatment, recovery, and healing.
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We are taking up a love offering as well as notes of gratitude for Charlotte. Please send the notes of gratitude and checks to the church office with “Charlotte Love Offering” in the memo line. These gifts are not tax deducible. We thank you for your generous gifts of love and support for Charlotte and her family. | | |
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Thank you, Fran!
We express our deepest and most profound gratitude for Interim Minister of Music, Fran Morrison, who has re-energized our choir and will lead us through Lessons & Carols (Dec. 18) then take some time off for the holiday season.
Fran has graciously agreed to provide administrative support in the area of music and worship as a member of our staff until we conclude our search for the Director of Music and Worship.
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Gathering in the Harbor
FRI, Dec 16 | 6-8p | Member home to be shared with yes rsvp's only
All Black, Indigenous, and people of color are invited to our Gathering in the Harbor Holiday Party 2022. Let’s wrap up a great year with food, fun, & games! We also want to welcome our newest minister, Rev. Dr. JJ Flag at this event! Christmas sweaters & attire are welcome but not required! | RSVP here
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Men's Breakfast
TUE, Jan 17, 2023 | Heaton Hall
You won't want to miss our first Men's Breakfast of 2023! We'll enjoy delicious food from Flying Biscuit Cafe & a compelling special guest speaker in Mr. Danny Morrison, past & long-time president of the Carolina Panthers & now Executive Director for the Charlotte Sports Foundation. And this time please bring a friend! Space will be at a premium so please go ahead & make your reservation so we will have food for you! RSVP now
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Want to be sure you are not missing out on anything related to Spiritual Growth? We'll email you periodically about any new opportunities. | |
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Thank You!
Thank you to all of our lay leaders, participants, and guests for our Fall 2022 Spiritual Growth offerings! We truly appreciate you and hope you will join us for Advent Book studies and in the new year
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Winter 2023 Spiritual Growth
2023 Spiritual Growth Classes will run 8 weeks Feb 5th – March 26th
We also encourage you to register for Confronting Whiteness Conference on January 27-28th.
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Advent Book Discussion
In Person | Dec 11, 2022 | 11 am
Virtual | Dec 12, 2022 | 6:30 pm | Register Here For Online Group
Whether you read the book, haven’t finished, or want more insight before starting, you are invited to join us for Spiritual Formation’s Advent Book Discussion. Don’t miss out on the new possibilities and insights for this season!
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Movie Matinee
Dec 11, 2022 | 1:30 pm | Shalom Hall
The Faith & Community class welcomes you to join us for our December Movie Matinee. We are showing the Norwegian-made film (released in 2010) Home for Christmas, which takes place in a small Norwegian town entirely on Christmas Eve.
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Feeling Stressed or Anxious? - Just Breathe!
MONs & WEDs | 11:30a - 12p (EST) | Zoom | Password: breathe (case sensitive)
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Science proves that taking time out to focus on your breath can provide quick relief during stressful situations. Adding meditation to your daily routine can have lasting benefits for your physical, emotional, & mental health. And the best part is that you can do it anytime & anywhere. | |
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Don't know how to get started? We can help with that! We offer an online opportunity twice each week & would love to have you join us as often as you’re able. All you have to do is join us on Zoom & then Inhale & Exhale. Our lives rest in the balance of these simple actions. Come catch your breath with us.
Learn more
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The Health & Wellness Team will continue to give necessary COVID-19 updates, & they are going to begin including other topics for us. Some of the ideas are Food Justice, Schools & Traffic, Nutrition, Body Image, Grief, & more! If you have a topic you would like them to explore, please email Rev. Carrie Veal. | |
What Does It Mean to Care About COVID Anymore? | Mask smarter, not harder. After nearly three years of constantly thinking about COVID, it's alarming how easily I can stop. The truth is, as a healthy, vaxxed-to-the-brim young person who has already had COVID, the pandemic now often feels more like an abstraction than a crisis. | | | |
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Masks are encouraged.
We encourage you to make the best decision for yourself and your family.
Masks will be available in the Narthex for those who may want one. If you or a someone in your home isn't feeling well, we encourage you to join us virtually.
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MINISTRY OF JUSTICE & OUTREACH | |
Criminal Legal System: What is Our Call? | Articles | Myers Park Baptist Church | Church members gathered on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to learn about our harsh and racially biased Criminal Legal System (CLS) from those directly involved in this system. We were called upon to listen to others, to the holy spirit, and to our hearts in order to discern whether our sacred call to do justice includes a call to do more to help those directly harmed by the CLS. | | | |
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Room In The Inn (RITI) Update
We Need Your Input!
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In years past by this date, we were recruiting volunteers for RITI in preparation to welcome homeless individuals each Saturday evening & provide them with dinner, showers, beds, breakfast, lunch, & transport to & from Roof Above (RA) (fka-Urban Ministry Center). It is, & continues to be, a great ministry for our church. | |
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This year has brought us additional challenges - 1) our homeless guests will not be required by ARA to be vaccinated; 2) our volunteer base is primarily our older members and we want to be sensitive to everyone's safety; 3) we have had several leadership changes and seek individuals that would like to help coordinate this program.
WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
- Let us know if you will continue to volunteer if our guests are unvaccinated
- Let us know if you would provide leadership (Koren Cranford has it well organized and is willing to train you!)
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Here's What's Happening for Children | |
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We want to make sure you have all the details for the fall & don't miss out on any of it! Here is a snapshot:
Sundays
Children’s Worship experience for first – fifth graders. Children will come to the Sanctuary for worship at 10a & sit with their families. They will leave with leaders before the sermon & return at the final hymn for pick up. During this time, they will engage their minds, hearts, & bodies in an experience that is designed just for them.
Children's Spiritual Growth will take a break during the month of December. Families are invited to download Now In Flesh Appearing, a weekly Advent Devotional from Illustrated Ministry. Each week there is a simple reading and fun questions along with an activity that will help Advent come alive for your family.
To receive the weekly devotion, be sure you are subscribed to the Children’s Ministry newsletter or visit the church’s website.
Wednesdays
We have a re-imagined Wednesday night programming! We begin with dinner at 5:00 then children go with leaders for a time of music & creative arts. Registration is open now!
Children's Music and Creative Arts at MPBC
5:30-6:30p | Room 209
This fall we have been exploring our inner strengths & talents through music and creative arts. Our kids are endlessly creative & expressive & it is a joy to learn & grow along side each other! During November, we are turning outward as we focus on building community through kindness, compassion & gratitude!
Children's Ministry latest Newsletter
Want to join see the latest Children's Ministry news? Click here
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Family Christmas Social
SUN, Dec 11 | 5-7p
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Winter will glisten with dazzling lights, sparkling fountains, and holiday décor throughout the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden this season. We have a limited number of tickets, so register soon! Please register everyone in your family who is coming, unless they are under two years old. | Register here.
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Chalk the Chapel
Artist Statement by Eliza McClendon, 10th grade:
What is joy? Is it the rustle of wind through leaves on a mountain? The sun beating down a group of laughing friends? Or a capybara, eating bread in the mid afternoon glow? Our answer: all of these, and more. Two weeks ago, local artist Lo’Vonia Park led us in brainstorming exercises as well as white board drawings to help us decide what joy means to us. And it meant so many things to so many different people. Eventually, we decided to combine those ideas together to form images within the word of “joy”. And that is what we chalked on the chapel—- a collection of colors and bright lights to show what joy means to each and every one of us. Joy is unique, special, and universal, a thing that we all have and feel, but something that affects us in so many ways.
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Youth Newsletter
Check out our latest Youth News.
Make sure you are on our mailing list to never miss a youth event (6th - 12th graders)! For more information, contact Rev. Tara Gibbs at [email protected].
What's happening this Winter 2022-23?
Youth Spiritual Growth 11a | Youth are invited to participate in Spiritual Growth offerings: Intergenerational Yoga (once a month) | Exploring Spiritual Togetherness | TV Talks with Rev. Tara
Youth Block 4-6p | All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us in the Youth Hall for snacks & a variety of activities.
-Youth Block will take a break for the Holidays from December 18th until January 22, 2023.
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Youth Christmas Party
Dec 18 | 4-7p
| Join us to celebrate the season at Truist Field. There are plenty of activities and beautiful lights to enjoy! For more information, contact Tara. | Register here | |
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Winter Retreat 2023: Building at the Beach
Dates | SAT. Jan 14 - MON, Jan 16
Departure from MPBC at 12p | Return to MPBC at 3p
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Join us for our annual youth winter retreat! Our custom-built curriculum, Beach Builders explores the diversity of human identity to connect & affirm those identities through scripture, experience, & community. Youth will know that however they identify, God loves them, & that they are to love others by embracing their identities, not despite them. | Register here | |
The Alliance of Baptists, which began in 1987 as a prophetic voice in Baptist life, is our primary religious affiliation. Today, they have grown to be a justice movement & community of faith of about 4,500 individual members & 140 congregations knit together by love for one another & God, combining progressive inquiry, contemplative prayer & prophetic action to bring about justice & healing in a changing world. | |
By Darrell R. Hamilton, II In the Spring of 2003, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, pastor emeritus of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, preached a Palm Sunday message titled "Confusing God and Government." The sermon's premise was drawn from Luke's articulation of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (19:28-44), and with it Rev. | | | | |
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In Need of Help?
We are here for you. The Ministry of Congregational Care provides care, support & encouragement to all members in times of joy, bereavement, illness, & crisis. Information about Health & Safety, Grief, Stephen Ministry, as well as helpful resources are available on our website. Just search "In need of help?"
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Stephen Ministry is Here For You
Stephen Ministers are available for free & provide safe, confidential space & a listening ear. If you want to know more about the ministry, please contact Carol Cedar at [email protected].
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Joys and Concerns |
We rely on friends & relatives to keep us posted on hospitalizations, births & deaths. If you know of any member not listed, please contact Carol Cedar at [email protected].
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Just Breathe Meditation
11:30a-12p | Zoom | Passcode: breathe
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Just Breathe Meditation
11:30a-12p | Zoom | Passcode: breathe
Wednesday Night Dinner
5-5:30p | Heaton Hall | RSVP
Children's Music and Movement
5:30-6:30p | Heaton Hall
New Deacon Training
6-7:30p | Room 250
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Chancel Choir Rehearsal
7:00p | Berry Hall
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Preschool Childcare
9:45a-12p | Room 108
Worship
10a | Sanctuary and on our website, YouTube, Facebook Live
Children's Worship
10:15-11a | Sanctuary Downstairs Room
Advent Book Study
11:05a-12p | Parlor
Youth Block
4:00p-6p | Youth Hall
Raising a Zoomer
4:00p-6p | Shalom Hall
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