December 2, 2018

December 2, 2018 Advent Wreath Moment Let us pray together as we light our first Advent Candle: God of the past, the present, and time yet to come: We thank you for Processional / Procesional whatever signs of your presence and help we've seen, whether dim and Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus faint or blazing bright. Teach us to count and Come, thou long expected Jesus, live out our days as Born to set thy people free; signs of your presence From our fears and shame release us, for others. Make us Let us find our rest in thee. people who speak Israel's strength and consolation, peaceful words and Hope of all the earth thou art; live peaceful lives that Dear desire of every nation, all may know Jesus is Joy of every longing heart. Emmanuel, God with Us. And by your Spirit, bless us, everyone, this Born thy people to deliver, day and always. Born a child, our gifts we bring. Born to live with us forever Now thy gracious heavens bring. By thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone. By thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to thy glorious home! Raise us to thy glorious home! By George Blake and Charles Wesley © 1991 Lorenz Publishing Company, CCLI# 3606551

Our Community Gathers / Nuestra Communidad Se Reúne Rev. Vickey Gibbs

Announcements / Anuncios Shellye Bradford

+ Exchange of Peace / Saludo de la Paz Rev. Vickey Gibbs

+ You are invited to rise in body or spirit. / Usted está invitado a levantarse en cuerpo o espíritu. + Gathering Song / Canción de Reunión

Star Child Hope-for-peace Child, God’s stupendous sign, Down-to-earth Child, Star of stars that shine, This year, this year, Let the day arrive When Christmas comes for everyone, Everyone alive! By Colin Gibson and Shirley Erena Murray © 1994 Words: Hope Publishing Company and Music: 1996 Colin Gibson, CCLI# 5102187

Contemporary Word / Lectura Contemporanea Kedric Brown

God Bless Every One by Marcia McFee

The cultural context in which Dickens placed his powerful Christmas story was 1800's England-a time of great divide between rich and poor-something on which Dickens wanted to shed a light. His main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is clear as the story begins that the only redeeming value in life was in getting more money. He lives in resentment, fear and the ice-cold frozen state of watching out only for himself. God's economy, on the other hand, says that there is enough for all and all are worthy of the abundance of life and joy, freedom and sustenance. Will we "make change" and move toward the richness of peace for all or will we continue to be chained by the poverty of exclusion?

One: In these human words, God's voice is heard. All: Amen

Gifted One Special Music / Música Especial Lynn Loosier was written by Lynn & her brother for Gifted One their uncle who Lyrics by Lynn Loosier and Grant Loosier. Music by Lynn Loosier and Van Craven. died of AIDS. © 1992 Lyrics by Lynn Loosier and Grant Loosier. Music by Lynn Loosier and Van Craven.

+ Scripture Lesson / Lectura Bíblica Georgette L. Monaghan Isaiah 9:6-7 A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal One, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David's throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever."

2 Luke 1:46-47, 52-55 God Bless Us, "With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in Every One! God my savior.... God has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty- Advent Series handed. God has come to the aid of the servant Israel, remembering God's mercy, just The classic A Christmas as promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham's descendants forever. Carol by Charles Dickens follows the One: This is the word of God for the people of God. wake-up call for Ebenezer Scrooge and All: Thanks be to God. turns him from his resentment, fear, and isolation. Just as God’s presence was born Anthem / Selección Musical Gospel Ensemble anew into this world, we too can be born anew, woken up and Love redeemed into renewed by Kirk Franklin life, joy, passion, generosity, humility, and love. These four weeks of Advent will take a look at how living God’s economy of Sermon / Sermón Mark Eggleston grace and justice offers redemption from life- threatening addiction God Bless Us, Every One: Bah, Humbug! to money, success, exclusion, and looking out for ourselves. Gods act of love in Jesus offers redemption each year as we honor the vulnerability God Sermon Response / Respuesta de Sermón Joel Hammett chooses for us! When we finally meet at the manger, may we fully be prepared for God’s overwhelming reckless love and with Tiny Tim say wholeheartedly “God bless us every one!"

We Offer Ourselves / Nos Ofrecemos Carolyn Watts Bah Humbug! December 2 A Mother's Story Hope from Heartbreak December 9 Look Upon Me December 16

Invitation to Give / Invitación a Dar Jackie Marshall Death Defying Acts December 23 You may also give by credit or debit card at the Sanctuary Kiosk or by texting GOTLOVE to 73256. Keeping Christmas Well December 24

Offertory / Ofrenda Gospel Ensemble Sing by Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey

Prayer of Receiving / Oración de Recepcíon Jackie Marshall

3 Communion / Comunión Rev.Vickey Gibbs Communion Rev. Troy Treash As we gather, break bread, and tell stories of hope through prayer, song and ritual in the practice we call "communion," we bear witness that "Life is Communion Songs / Cantos de Comunión stronger than death. People can change with God’s help. And God is Silent Night, Holy Night worthy of our thanks and by George Frederick Handel praise." All are welcome Public Domain, CCLI# 302738 at the table: you do not need to be a member of this or any church to What Child Is This? gather as God's children by William Chatterton Dix at the table of Life. Public Domain, CCLI# 30983

A brief blessing is offered with bread and Away in a Manger unfermented juice, by Martin Luther, John Thomas McFarland, and James Ramsey Murray available to all. Gluten- Public Domain, CCLI#38583 free bread is offered at the far right; Spanish blessing offered at the far left. Prayer of Thanksgiving / Acción de Gracias Rev. Troy Treash Please honor this time of sacred community with singing, quiet meditation or prayer that we might each receive the spiritual nourishment we seek ... Comunión + Closing Song / Canto de Salida Al reunirnos, partir el pan, y contar historias For All the Saints de esperanza a través de la oración, el canto y el ritual en la práctica que For all the saints who from their labors rest, llamamos "comunión", Who to the world their steadfast faith confessed, damos testimonio de Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. que "la vida es más Alleluia, alleluia! fuerte que la muerte. Las personas pueden cambiar con la ayuda de And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, Dios. Y Dios es digno de Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, nuestro agradecimiento Then hearts are brave again, and faith grows strong. y alabanza. "Todos están Alleluia, alleluia! invitados a la mesa: no es necesario ser by William Walsham How and Ralph Vaughan Williams miembro de esta iglesia Public Domain, CCLI# 90590 o cualquier reunir como hijos de Dios en la mesa de la Vida.

Una breve bendición se ofrece con el pan y el jugo, al alcance de todos. Pan sin gluten se ofrece en el extremo derecho; + Benediction / Bendición Mark Eggleston bendición españoles ofrecen en el extremo izquierdo.

Por favor respetar este tiempo de comunidad sagrada con canto, la meditación o la oración silenciosa para que podamos recibir + Postlude / Postludio Joel Hammett cada uno el alimento espiritual que buscamos.

4 Executive Team Rev. Troy Treash Welcome! Senior Pastor If you are attending Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church for the first time, [email protected] (x101) we are glad to have you here! We invite you to join us each week as we worship God and learn more about Christian living in an inclusive way. All are welcome. Rev. Vickey Gibbs Make sure to visit the Concierge Desk, located in our Welcome Area, to receive a Associate Pastor gift from us. You will find friendly volunteer hosts waiting to greet you. [email protected] (x107) Worship Services Shellye Bradford Resurrection MCC is proud to offer variety in our worship services. Our two Sunday Director of Connections services, at 9 & 11 am, are identical in form, however they contain different elements [email protected] (x105) from diverse religious traditions each week. A Special Welcome to First-Time Families! Mark C. Brown Our nursery staff would love to meet you, your infants, and your children (1 month - 5 Director of Worship Arts years). The nursery is located in the Activities Building and is open during both of our [email protected] (x109) Worship services. Children, youth, and teens (5 - 18 years) are invited to participate in programming held in our Activities Building during our 11 am service. Sign-in begins Anthony Casiano at 10:45 am in the Activities Building. Director of Operations Directions from the Sanctuary to the Activities Building: Go through the Welcome Area, [email protected] (x102) out the two glass doors, turn left and walk down the sidewalk, across the breezeway, and enter the Activities Building. Go around the corner to your right and you'll find Mark Eggleston us. Feel free to ask an usher for directions. Director of Communications [email protected] (x106) About Us… Resurrection MCC is a Christian church that follows God's call to justice for all people. We build on a rich history of social justice for, and on behalf of, lesbian, gay, bisexual, Professional Stipend & Staff transgender, and queer people. Since its founding in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches have been at the vanguard of civil and human rights movements as an Joel Hammett international advocate for vulnerable people in places where religious orthodoxy, Organist & Accompanist sexism, transphobia and homophobia can result in violence and death. MCC has been on the forefront in the struggle towards marriage equality in the US and other Christy Irvin countries worldwide and continues to be a powerful voice in the LGBTQ equality Gospel Ensemble Pianist movement. MCC’s ministry reaches over 43,000 members in over 250 churches in 22 countries worldwide. Rev. Denise Junious Metropolitan Community Churches are on a bold mission to transform hearts, lives, Spiritual Direction and history. We are a movement that faithfully proclaims God's inclusive love for all [email protected] people and proudly bears witness to the holy integration of spirituality and sexuality. Because of our faith, we are called to: do justice, show kindness, and live humbly Debbie Mansfield with God (Micah 6:8); explore life's questions with open hearts and minds; raise our Children & Youth Coordinator voices in sacred defiance against exclusion, whether religious, political or systemic; [email protected] reach out to those with no hope; equip new generations of remarkable, far-reaching spiritual activists. Leon Moody Sound Engineer Our MISSION is to demonstrate God’s unconditional love to all people through Christ-like action. Sara Navarro Our VISION is to boldly experience, engage, and embody our faith to transform Graphic Designer & Teen Coordinator ourselves and the world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love. [email protected] At Resurrection MCC, every member and friend is a minister of the church. We envision a Christian community that values diversity and is as diverse and all-encompassing as Rev. Ulises Perez creation. Through salvation, service, study, and tithing, each member and friend will Spanish Language Minister live and grow in faith and be spiritually fed. [email protected] Core Values Steven Shannon Sanctuary Choir Director INCLUSION [email protected] Love is our greatest moral value. Inclusion is a primary focus of our ministry. We believe that all people, as they are and where they are, should be welcomed at God’s table. Cassandra White Gospel Ensemble Director COMMUNITY [email protected] Our deep desire is to offer a safe and open community for people to worship, learn, share, and grow in their faith. We are committed to equipping ourselves and each Worship | Sunday, 9 & 11 am other to do the work that God has called us to do in the world. Servicio en Español | Domingo, 1:30 pm Nursery | Sunday, 9 & 11 am SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION Youth & Teens | Sunday, 11 am A message of liberation guides our ministry. We believe that when people are invited to experience God through the life and ministry of Christ, lives are transformed.

ResurrectionMCC JUSTICE 2025 West 11th St, Houston, Texas 77008 We are committed to uplifting all people and standing with those who suffer under the www.ResurrectionMCC.org weight of oppressive systems. We are guided by our commitment to global human rights. 713-861-9149

5 CHRISTMAS BAGS HIV / STD

With your support, we can provide a reusable insulated bag with all the ingredients necessary for our neighbors to prepare a delicious Christmas meal for their families. Pride Charities, Inc. is coordinating TODAY10 am - 1 pm this effort again this year. Our goal is to collect enough donations of food, cash and gift cards to Gathering Place assemble 150 bags and there are several ways you can share the Christmas spirit with those in need. If Free testing for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, you are in need of a Christmas Bag, please contact and Gonorrhea. Knowing your status is the best way Pride Charities at 281-254-8003 or or you may email for you to stay healthy and avoid spreading sexually [email protected]. transmitted illnesses. Testing is provided by Fort DONATE FOOD Bend County Clinical Health Services. SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 2 & 9 www.facebook.com/FortBendClinic Welcome Area Drop off non-perishable donations before or after the 9 am or the 11 am worship service. Items needed for the bags include: canned corn, canned cranberry sauce, 28 oz. canned sweet potatoes, 1 lb. bag of rice, 1 lb. bag of pinto beans, box of mashed potatoes, gravy packet, box of stuffing mix, box of macaroni & cheese, box of cake mix, can of frosting, and a $20 gift card to Walmart. DONATE CASH SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 2 & 9 Make a financial donation so we may purchase items that are not donated. Make checks payable to Pride Charities and write “Christmas Bags” in the memo line and place in the offering plate. You may also donate online at www.pride-charities.org. Please type WEDNESDAYS “Christmas Bags” in the notes field when paying by debit or credit card. DECEMBER 5, 12, 19 7 - 8:30 pm • Gathering Place ASSEMBLE BAGS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 The strangest book of the New Testament, filled with visions of the Rapture, the whore of Babylon, and 9 - 11 am • Activities Building apocalyptic writing of the end of times, the Book Come create and participate in our assembly line to of Revelation has fascinated readers for more than pack each of the food items into the recyclable bags two thousand years. But where did it come from? in preparation for distribution. And what are the meanings of its surreal images of dragons, monsters, angels, and cosmic war? Join us DISTRIBUTE BAGS to find out. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 1 - 3 pm • Activities Building [email protected]

6 CHRISTMAS

SUNDAYS DECEMBER 9 & 16 Welcome Area SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 Drop off Your Christmas Toy Donations 1 - 2:30 pm • Conference Room for Children Ages 4-12 Learn more about who we are at Resurrection MCC in this introductory class. We'll discuss the mission, vision, and Since 2002, Dee Dee Watters & The First Amendment values of Resurrection MCC. Learn more about our history, volunteer group have been providing Christmas and discover the many ways people are making an impact toys to children in Houston’s Third Ward, Fifth Ward, in our faith community. At the end of the class, you will and neighboring low-income apartments. Please be given the opportunity to become a member if you feel God's call on your heart to do so. The class is open to consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy suitable those wishing to become members and those who simply for children ages 4-12 and place it inside the large want to learn more about Resurrection MCC. Light lunch gift box in the Welcome Area. Your generosity will provided. be a blessing for many children this Christmas! [email protected] FRIDAY NIGHT OUT

SOCIAL FRIDAY SATURDAY DECEMBER 14 DECEMBER 8 7 - 9 pm 11:30 am - 1:30 pm • Gathering Place Cane Rosso Join us for a fun-filled Christmas hymn sing-a-long. 1835 N. Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77006 Mark C. Brown will be tickling the ivories and lending www.canerosso.com • 713-868-0071 his rich baritone voice as he guides us through the Join us for another Friday evening filled with food, fun carols we all love. Bring your favorite Christmas side and friends. To help ensure that we have adequate dish to compliment chicken and sausage gumbo! seating, we ask that you please RSVP and let us know if you will be attending. As always, friends and family (including children) are welcome! Please RSVP before December 1 to [email protected] [email protected]

7 LA CASA DE TODOS SERVICIO Y ESTUDIO BÍBLICO Sunday, December 16 EN ESPAÑOL 5:00 - 7:00 pm • Activities Building (SPANISH WORSHIP & BIBLE STUDY) Ven a Celebrar con nosotros la fiesta tradicional Mexicana llamada Posada donde se reunen la familia, amistades y DOMINGOS vecinos. La posada es una recreacion de la peregrinacion de 1:30 - 3 pm • Chapel censo a Belen de Maria y Jose en busca de alojamiento. En la posada se incluira una pastorela. La pastorela es la historia ¿Te gustaría conocer más sobre la Biblia? ¿Quieres del nacimiento de Jesus montada como comedia. Habra conocer el mensaje de Dios para tu vida? ¿Sabes que comida, piñata y bolsitas de dulces. El evento es gratuito. Dios te ama, sin importar a quién ames? El propósito será que por medio de clases dinámicas y prácticas podamos Please come and celebrate with us our traditional Mexican llegar al conocimiento de las verdades espirituales de party called a Posada where family, friends, and neighbors una manera sencilla, para poder entender, practicar y get together. A posada is a reenactment of the census vivir en la conciencia de que Dios nos ama y no rechaza a pilgrimage to Bethlehem by Mary and Joseph in search of a nadie por su orientación o por ser diferentes. Buscamos room. The posada celebration will include a Pastorela -- the story of the birth of Jesus Christ performed as a comedy. We llegar a la comunidad TLGBQ+ Latina, para ir formando will have food, drinks, a piñata, and candy bags. This is a free una comunidad de fe que responda a sus necesidades event. y en su propio idioma. [email protected] [email protected]

8 SUPPORT GROUPS

Rainbow of Hope Narcotics Anonymous Tuesdays • 7 - 8 pm • Chapel A recovery program that offers hope and freedom from active addiction in a safe space for the LGBTQ community. This group meets weekly to help each other learn a new way of life through sharing their experience, strength, and IN.formation hope. December 10 & 24 [email protected] SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS Chapel • 7 - 8:30 pm Nueva Visión 7 – 7:45 pm • Transgender, Gender Fluid, Gender Expansive Narcoticos Anónimos 7 – 7:45 pm • Spouses and Significant Others 7:45 – 8:30 pm • Combined Group Meeting (en español) IN.formation is a peer support group focused on Miércoles • 8 - 9:30 pm • En la Capilla creating a gender inclusive community for transgender, Es un grupo de recuperación de 12 pasos que ofrece gender fluid, and gender expansive individuals, spouses esperanza y libertad de la adiccion activa en un lugar and significant others. seguro para personas LGBT. Estos grupos se reúnen para ayudarse unos a otros a aprender una nueva forma de For more information, please contact vida, compartiendo su experiencia fortaleza y esperanza. [email protected] [email protected]

Overeaters Anonymous Wednesdays • 7 - 8 pm • Chapel Saturdays • 9:30 - 10:30 am • Chapel A program of recovery from compulsive eating that is not just about weight loss, weight gain maintenance, obesity, or diets. This support group also addresses physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. [email protected] SUNDAY • BI-WEEKLY December 9, 23 • January 6, 20 Gathering Place Meeting Room re:MIND Depression These past weeks, in particular, have been challenging and Bipolar Support for survivors of sexual assault and those who love and Thursdays • 7 - 8:30 pm • Worship Arts Room care for them. The high profile and very high ultimate Free and confidential support group for individuals impact of the Supreme Court nominee hearings have living with, or family and friends affected by, depression both triggered and retraumatized many we love and and bipolar disorders. We help individuals, family care about. This moment offers safe space to gather, members, and friends understand these two diffficult, to share, to breathe, to connect, and to share strength yet treatable, mental disorders. In addition, re:MIND for the future we will create. works to educate the public about depression and bipolar disorders, confront social stigma, and advocate The discussion will be facilitated by Rev. Ellen Denise for the rights of people living with mental disorders. Junious and Rev. Marilyn Meeker-Williams. It is for [email protected] women and men with priority given to the voices of survivors. 9 We are excited to announce that during our flood recovery efforts, we have been updating the two multi-stall restrooms adjacent to the Foyer into all-gender restrooms. Those restrooms are available now.

Our core values of inclusion, community, spiritual transformation, and justice Feeling stagnant or lost? inform us as we seek to create safe and welcoming spaces Seeking a stronger relationship that are fully accessible to all members of our church family. with God to find peace, With these core values guiding love and direction? our decision, all-gender restrooms support individuals Then come join us for an exciting introspective whose gender is different than assumed at birth, weekend retreat where you can obtain the tools to be including transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, gender FAITHFUL to God, to yourself , and to others non-conforming, and genders that exist outside of the gender binary of strictly female and male. They are also especially helpful for people with disabilities, the elderly, To obtain more information visit our website at and anyone else who might require assistance from excelretreatministries.com or our facebook page at someone of another gender, including parents who wish EIFHouston or if you have any questions contact to accompany their children to the restroom. Jerry Reitz at [email protected] or Nelda Billescas at [email protected] In addition to these two multi-stall restrooms off the Foyer, single-stall restrooms are located adjacent to the FAITHFULNESS Retreat Chapel, Foyer, Welcome Area, and Worship Arts Room. March 29-31, 2019 Christian Renewal Center, Dickinson, Texas If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

General Fund Giving Report For YTD Ended November 25, 2018

Ministry Plan Need is the weekly amount needed per the budget approved by the congregation to achieve our 2018 ministry plan goals and strategic growth initiatives.

Anticipated Actual General Offerings $712,407.67 $661.453.90 Fundraising $49,711.43 $49,662.04 Events/Leases $147,838.50 $97,973.09 Total Income $909,957.60 $809,089.03 Deficit ($100,868.57) Attendance Week Ended YTD Average Worship 290 336 Programming 705 548 Total Weekly Attendance 995 884

10 This Week @ NEXT WEEK: DOWN HOUSE

ResurrectionMCC.orgThis schedule lists open offerings for which all are invited to participate. This is not a comprehensive list of all events on campus.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 2 9:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary Berryhill Baja Grill 10:00 am HIV/STD Testing Gathering Place 702 East 11th Street, Houston, TX 77008 10:15 am Coffee Talk Gathering Place 713-225-2252 • www.berryhillheights.com 11:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary 12:15 pm Coffee Talk Gathering Place 12:30 pm Brunch Buddies Welcome Area TODAY • 12:30 PM 1:30 pm La Casa De Todos Servicio (en Español) Capilla Join us at a nearby restaurant every Sunday. The restaurant name and address will be printed in this location in the bulletin each week. Whether you're a MONDAY DECEMBER 3 long-time congregant or a first-time visitor, consider 6:30 pm Toastmasters Gathering Place yourself invited to become a Brunch Buddy! [email protected] TUESDAY DECEMBER 4 6:30 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary 7:00 pm Gospel Ensemble Rehearsal Worship Arts Room 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous Chapel Estudio WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5 7:00 pm Overeaters Anonymous Chapel Bíblico 8:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous (en Español) Chapel THURSDAY DECEMBER 6 en Espanol 7:00 pm re:MIND Conference Room 7:30 pm Estudio Bíblico (en Español) Sala de Reuniones Jueves FRIDAY OFFICE CLOSED DECEMBER 7 7 - 8:30 pm No Events Scheduled Sala de Reuniones SATURDAY OFFICE CLOSED DECEMBER 8 Dios nos ama por igual no es sólo un libro, es una invitación 9:30 am Overeaters Anonymous Chapel para aprender y conversar juntos sobre la orientación 11:30 am OWLS Christmas Social Gathering Place sexual en el contexto de nuestras familias e iglesias. Es tiempo de verter luz sobre lo que antes se ha mantenido SUNDAY DECEMBER 9 en oscuridad y secreto. Hay que encender una chispa de 9:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary entendimiento para ayudar a familias y comunidades a 10:00 am HIV/STD Testing Welcome Area crecer y a vivir juntos reclamando nuestra fe profunda que 10:15 am Coffee Talk Gathering Place Dios nos ama, a cada uno por igual. Leerlo y comience un 11:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary diálogo. Compártalo en su iglesia. Use el recurso, Dios 12:15 pm Coffee Talk Gathering Place nos ama por igual para reforzar su familia y comunidad 12:30 pm Brunch Buddies Welcome Area cristiana y para tener un mejor entendimiento sobre la 1:00 pm RMCC 101 Conference Room orientación sexual. 1:30 pm La Casa De Todos Servicio (en Español) Capilla [email protected]