Sept 24, 2010 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary - Proper 21C, Luke 16.19-31 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

Sept 24, 2010 Sermon

30 Minutes or Less

Your schedule is hectic and unpredictable. You'd like to be able to help but, you can't commit to being available at any particular time each week.

For as little as 30 minutes on an “as needed” basis you can make a difference by preparing meals for members and friends of Reconciliation MCC who have experienced a hospital stay, are home recovering from surgery, or extended illness.

At Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church we believe love is an action and that God’s love – God’s actions are shown through us. We have a wonderful opportunity to show this kind of love as soon a member of our congregation will be released from the hospital and sent home to recover from back surgery.

Do you have 30 minutes? If so, please contact Rev. Steph at RevStephMaxson@aol.com

Great opportunities to help seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.

Today you may be the person with the ability to help, but tomorrow you may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort.

30 Minutes or Less

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary - Proper C20, Luke 16.1-13 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

Why a Retreat?

On October 15^th and 16^th friends and members of Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church (RMCC) will gather for a retreat at Camp O’Malley located at 360 Thornapple Dales Dr Se, Alto, MI 49302 beginning Friday at 5:00 pm and ending Saturday at 5:00 pm.

Retreat is a word used in many ways this day and time. The word can be used to speak of retreating from battle, retreating from the enemy, but also in the business world the word has entered the vernacular for another way of planning meetings and/or looking at problem solving in a different way. The purpose of this retreat is to kick off our vision and mission statement planning.

There will be a time of worship, a time of play, a time of fellowship, a time of reviewing RMCC’s history and perhaps a surprise or two thrown in for good measure. Overall this is a celebration as we officially begin our vision and statement planning process.

I’ve been asked “what is a vision and mission statement”?

Simply put, vision is all about what is possible, all about that potential. The mission is what it takes to make that vision come true.

A vision statement focuses on the future we want to create for the community we wish to impact. In other words, if we are called to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” the vision statement ought to be about the communities in which we live and serve and not entirely focused on ourselves. We can only create significant improvement in our communities if our vision is about exactly that - the difference we want to make in the communities in which we serve.

A mission statement is like the missionary. In other words, our Mission Statement will turn our vision into practice. The Mission Statement is the one that will actually do the work. Consider the phrase "mission accomplished" - the work is done. Consider the phrase "mission impossible" - the job cannot be done. And we know the work can be done for “all things are possible through Christ who strengthens us!” The mission is the doing part - it is what we will do to bring that vision to reality.

These are exciting times for RMCC as we prepare ourselves for the future and how we can best be the hands, heart, feet and soul of Jesus in this world.

Join us for this retreat at Camp Omalleys on October 15^th and 16^th as we kick off our vision and mission planning. The cost is $25 per person. This includes food, a place to sleep, and a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with each other.

Please contact Betty M. at: bjmpmu@charter.net if you have any questions or would like to register to attend.

Why a Retreat?

Take a Bite Out of Grime

You probably haven’t given much thought to how or when RMCC gets cleaned. Likely a cleaning service working during off hours like most businesses in Grand Rapids, right?

Truth is we have a group of folks that take a bite out of the grime and sometimes that group is just one person.

This dedicated group of folk prepares the church building for Sunday Worship Services, funerals, weddings and special events. The frequency of assignment depends on the number of volunteers on the Team.

This is an awesome team with great fellowship, while offering the opportunity to get involved.

Contact Kim S. at: damenotre2222@yahoo.com to join this group and take a bite out of grime.

Take a Bite Out of Grime

Volunteer in Your Pajamas

As a pajama clad volunteer you will be helping Reconciliation MCC from the comfort of your own home. Just a few hours per month are needed in RMCC’s communications ministry.

If you have a home computer and are familiar with social networking web applications such as facebook, web blogging, or Microsoft Office 2003 or higher you can help communicate the Good News of the Gospel and RMCC with a positive image – all in your favorite pair of pajamas!

The communications ministry is more than using the internet. You could create and maintain a list of folks that would like to stay in touch with each other. You could send cards to those that are sick, or haven’t attended worship in a while, you could create a quarterly newsletter, maybe you have an idea not listed here.

To join the Pajama Clad Ministry contact me at: RevStephMaxson@aol.com or call the church at 616-364-7633

Volunteer in Your Pajamas

Community Meal

Bring your favorite dish, appetizer, main dish or casserole and join RMCC family and friends for fellowship and sharing of a community meal following worship on Sunday, September 19, 2010.

Community Meal

Sept 12, 2010 Sermon

Special music by CJ. Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary - Proper C19, Luke 15:1-10 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

Sept 12, 2010 Sermon

September 5, 2010 Sermon

Sermon based on the Revised Common Lectionary - Proper C18, Luke 14:25-43 at Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church, Grand Rapids MI by Rev. Steph Maxson, Pastor

September 5, 2010 Sermon

MCC Church Size Summit Reflection

The Church Size-Summit was such a blessing! It was exciting to learn about church size theory, and then apply what we learned to Reconciliation Metropolitan Community Church. I was thrilled when I saw our church’s chart that depicted our strengths and weaknesses. There were mostly strengths!

It was also insightful to be made aware of church behaviors and attitudes that either help or deter a church from growing. We were encouraged to look at every aspect of our worship service and fellowship time through the lenses of a first time visitor. We were also challenged to redirect our focus from “What did I get out of _(fill in the blank) _?” to “How awesome that someone was blessed by that!”

Let’s overcome our fear of trying something new and instead, embrace the changes that will facilitate our growth. There are so many people outside of our walls that don’t yet know that God adores them just as they are. The Gospel truly is good news worth sharing.

~ Janet Beck

MCC Church Size Summit Reflection

Hot Dog Sunday

The first Sunday of every month is hotdog Sunday. During our time of fellowship, hotdogs will be available for $1.00 each. The proceeds will be deposited into our conference fund.

Hot Dog Sunday

Rev Delores Berry in Concert at RMCC!

We will resume Friday night game night beginning Sept 24, 2010 with a community meal (potluck) and a special concert and prayer time with Rev. Delores Berry. We will asking for a love offering to support her and Judy in their ministry. The community meal starts at 6:30 - please bring a dish to pass. The concert starts at 7:30

Rev Delores Berry in Concert at RMCC!