Dec 27, 2009 Sermon

Rev. Carolyn Mobley and Minister Adrain Bowie from Ministry of Inspiration share a Kwanzaa message based on Day 2 - Kuchijagulia - the principal of self-determination. (This material is copyrighted and may not be used without permission from Ministry of Inspiration)

Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI

(My apologies for the quality of the recording. There is some kind of mechanical type of hum that is noticeable throughout the message. Still worth listening to.)

Dec 27, 2009 Sermon

Christmas Eve Service

Christmas Eve Service at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI co-officiated by Rev. Steph, Pastor and Rev. Karen.

Christmas Eve Service

A Christmas Prayer

Dear Jesus,

As we gather together this Christmas to celebrate Your birth, may we begin to see the world with Your grace and understanding.

You taught us how to love one another; help us to remember to share this love with others, taking the time to look into their eyes, to hear the message of their hearts sometimes hidden behind their words, and to appreciate the deep worth of each person who crosses our path.

You taught us how to do the right thing; remind us that You are always with us, even when we think no one is looking. Help us also take time to seek You in the quiet of our hearts, homes, and churches. Bring peace to every part of our world, every room of our homes, and every corner of our hearts.

We thank You that You didn't stay a baby in a cradle but grew up to be our loving Savior.

Dear Jesus, may You be born again in us this day. Amen.

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news
of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior
has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:10-12

A Christmas Prayer

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Please join us for a traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service as we celebrate the birth of our Sovereign and Savior.

The service will start at 7:00 pm, Dec 24, 2009 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church
3864 Benjamin Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Ph: 616-364-7633

We will take a love offering as we share the love of Christ with others.

This year RMCC gave to our own church through our Sunday collection of tithes and offerings
as well as our fundraisers.

We gave to our local community by collecting food items and gently used clothing for United Council of Ministries; participating in local food drives, petitioning on the court steps for same gender marriage, donating the hats and gloves from the warming tree to the North Kent Service Center in Rockford, Christmas caroling at the VA home and more.

We gave at the denominational level through our gifts and talents at the local Michigan MCC workshop, and a love offering during MCC’s “Fellowship Sunday.”

We now move to the global level. This year our Christmas Eve Love Offering will go to Heifer International. According to the Associated Press, “The idea behind Heifer ... is similar to the notion that it's better to teach a man to fish so he can feed himself than to give him a fish that will feed him just once. One animal could eventually benefit an entire community.” You can learn more about the Heifer International by visiting their website at: http://www.heifer.org/

*¨´♫ •.☆ ♥♫ •☆.♥.•°°¸.•*¨`*•´♫ • °¸.•* ¨`☆*♥

Come let us adore Him.

*¨´♫ •.☆ ♥♫ •☆.♥.•°°¸.•*¨`*•´♫ • °¸.•* ¨`☆*♥

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Dec 20, 2009 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary Advent 4C, Luke 1.1-55 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor.

Dec 20, 2009 Sermon

RMCC Welcomes Rev. Carolyn and Minister Adrain

Dec 27, 2009 RMCC welcomes Rev. Carolyn Mobley and Minister Adrain.

They will bring us a Kwanza Message through Word and Song.

Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 through January 1, is an African-American and Pan-African holiday. The holiday began in the United States in 1966 and was first celebrated by Dr. Maulena Karenga in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Karenga began the celebration as a way to promote and honor African heritage. The name "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili words matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits."

Kwanzaa has seven core principles:

Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
Ujima (Collective work and Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)

These seven principles are represented by seven candles: one black, three red and three green, which are placed in a Kinara (candle holder). The black stands for the people, the red for their struggle and green for the future and hope that are born from that struggle. On each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit and the principle for that day is discussed. (Source UFMCC website)

In addition to our regular collection of Tithes and Offerings we will be collecting a Love Offering to support Rev. Carolyn and Minister Adrain.

RMCC Welcomes Rev. Carolyn and Minister Adrain

Christmas Video Message From Rev. Elder Diane Fisher

You are invited to watch the Christmas Video Message from our Region 5 MCC Elder, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher.

Launch in external player

Christmas Video Message From Rev. Elder Diane Fisher

Join us on Dec 27, 2009 for worship with special guest speakers Rev. Carolyn Mobley and Minister Adrain Bowie.

Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church
3864 Benjamin Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
PH: 616-364-7633

Worship starts at 10:00 AM

Hope to see you there.
Pastor Steph



Rev. Carolyn Mobley

Rev. Carolyn Mobley has more than twenty years with MCC. She joined Resurrection MCC, Houston, Texas in 1990. During her 15 years at Resurrection MCC, she was the Director of Christian Education, the Associate Pastor for Congregational Care, Outreach, and Community Partnerships. She received
many honors while in Houston, these included being the Grand Marshall for the 1993 Pride Celebrations, the Extra Mile Award given by the Uncommon Legacy Foundation, serving on the Board of the Houston Black Tie Dinner, the African-American Lesbian and Gay Alliance, and member of the City of Houston’s Urban AIDS Taskforce. She is a gifted preacher, teacher, and inspiring worship leader.

Minister Adrain Bowie

Minister Adrain Bowie, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, is a gifted multi-media communicator, social anthropologist, and small business owner. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, working on her m-div at Candler School of Theology at Emory, and a clergy candidate at First MCC.
For many years, she used her gifts and talents as an instructor for secondary schools, Community Colleges, and as a trainer in several local churches. Adrain has used her multi-media skills and experience as a producer/director editor, photographer, technical director, and camera operator to train Audio-Video Ministry Teams at large and small churches. Minister Adrain’s extraordinary oratory gifts, have been used to develop speech choirs, and other spoken word ministries for worship and edification. She is a master storyteller and a contemporary griot to say the least.

Minister Adrain, along with her partner, Rev. Carolyn Mobley, have created A Ministry of Inspiration that offers Praise and Pros as a fresh new approach to any worship experience.

They have shared their anointed ministry with many congregations from Michigan, USA to Cape Town, South Africa. This spiritual union of songs and story telling has created a harmonious universal language that will bless those who hear them.

Merry Christmas

From our hearts to yours Merry Christmas.

Pastor Steph and Janet

Merry Christmas

December 13, 2009 Sermon

I apparently took leave of my senses today. I had too much coffee, experienced cabin fever as I was not able to get out and travel due to the blizzard, and didn't change the battery in recorder. ;o)

Having said that, this weeks sermon was not recorded - it is however available in a word doc located at:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Ae-fy6i7BWkJZGRrYnA0YnpfMTJncThqcmNqeA&hl=en

December 13, 2009 Sermon

December 3, 2009 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary Advent 2C, Luke 3.1-6 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor.

December 3, 2009 Sermon