Dear Fellow Servant:

I am still trying to come down from our exceptional Christmas Concert featuring our great choirs, musicians and Donnie McClurkin. Don’t worry, I will try hard to gather myself by this Sunday, so I can continue my sermon series “The Advent Conspiracy”. It is my prayer during this Advent Season that we all “Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All”. I am truly encouraged by the people (91%) who indicated on my blog poll that they plan to spend less on Christmas gifts this year. I also received encouragement from many blog comments like the one listed below:

ebnydva | Mon, 12/15/2008 - 21:36

Pastor Frank,

I was truly blessed by this message and now feel compelled to do more. Not more in terms of giving frivolous gifts to satisfy my ego but more with regards to true value. For instance, I usually give every aunt and uncle a gift of minimal value just to say I gave them something. This year I have aunts and uncles who are living without. I'm reflecting on how I can help them with their quality of life. This may mean helping with a phone or utility bill or buying groceries. While I have been blessed financially, how can I truly and sincerely be family to others? Why does the world judge sincerity by the dollar value?

I'm looking forward to many other ideas you can offer to your sheep to help us understand the true meaning of Christmas and become real family to each other.

I am looking forward to reading your blog. Blog me at www.theblvdblog.org. See you this Sunday at 10:00AM.

I want to personally thank our Women and Men Ministries and donors for all the hard work collecting donations, purchasing, wrapping and distributing gifts for deserving children in the Dove and Angel Trees programs. Click on here to view some of the gift photos. 

On January 4^th, I will be starting a new sermon series called “CHANGE – WE CAN BELIEVE IN”. I know some of you will be making New Year’s resolutions (lose weight, save money, eat right, get fit, help others, read the Bible more, quit bad habits, etc.) soon. Make it easy on yourself and come discover how God will help you make needed CHANGES in your life. Click here for more information about our upcoming sermon and Bible study series.

Remember our Wednesday Night Worship service will resume on January 7, 2009. Therefore, I encourage you to spend quality time with family and friends over the next couple of weeks. Beginning Sundays, January 4^th through 28^th at 8:30AM in the Fellowship Hall and each Wednesdays at 7:00PM in MLK Seminar Room, I want you to join me for our New Year’s Church-Wide Adult Bible Study series “EXTREME MAKEOVER”. Our New Year’s Church-Wide Bible Adults Study will transform you from the inside out. It’s extreme. It’s intense. It’s going to be life-changing. That’s why we’re calling it EXTREME MAKEOVER! I along with Pastor Janae Pitts will be leading our entire church through the book, “Pursuing Spiritual Transformation: The life-giving power of community.” I want to see you there every Sunday AND Wednesday. We’re teaching a new topic each day. Go to our Bookstore and purchase your copy of the book on Sunday for $8.00. Click here to view book summary. I will be looking for you in January, 2009; you’ll never be the same!

There will be no Christmas Eve worship service at THE BLVD. I am asking all members to join me at Hope Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve to worship the birth of our Lord. Hope’s Wednesday, December 24^th Christmas Eve worship service times are 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00PM. Hope is located at 8500 Walnut Grove Road in Cordova.

Don’t forget to take a few minutes and answer our short on-line Christmas Concert survey by midnight December 21, 2008. The survey is anonymous and your feedback will help us plan and improve the performances next year. Please complete the survey today by clicking here to take the survey now.

Peace and Joy,

Pastor Frank

EXTREME MAKEOVER: CHURCH-WIDE BIBLE STUDY

Beginning Sunday, January 4^th through Wednesday, January 28^th, Pastor Thomas and Pastor Pitts will be leading our entire church through the book, “Pursuing Spiritual Transformation: The Life-Giving Power of Community” every Sunday at 8:30AM and Wednesday at 7:00PM. Purchase your copy today in the bookstore. For more information, contact Pastor Janae Pitts at 272-5630. Click here for the Bible Study Schedule.

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The MBCC Nursery is in critical need of volunteers to serve during Sunday morning worship service. Without an adequate volunteer base we will not be able to provide quality service for our children; subsequently we may have to turn children away. For additional information, contact Minister Lovie Sanford at 901.272.5631.

MBCC FINANCIAL “U” REGISTRATION

Want a little help to navigate your financial situation and to understand how you can better manage your finances including credit and debt? Register for the MBCC Financial University. See Bettye Boone on Sunday near the bookstore for registration information. Seating is limited. For course descriptions, locations and other pertinent information, please click here.

VISITATION AND BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY

If your loved one is hospitalized, confined at home, or in a nursing home, you may request visitation by calling 901.729.6222. Please report all emergency hospitalizations and bereavements to the “On-Call” phone number at 901.569.7729. Visit our website by click here to view our current sick and bereaved list. Continue to keep our sick and bereaved in your thoughts and prayers.

SHARE YOUR STORY

If you or someone you know has recent news on achievements, community involvement, or overcoming odds, go here and complete the online form. Although, we cannot promise that your story will be featured in eNews, we encourage you to keep submitting NEW stories of interest.

RADIO BROADCASTS

Every Sunday morning you can listen to us on WLOK (1340 AM) at 8AM and WDIA (1070 AM) at 10:30AM.

SERMON CDs

Purchase your copy of sermon CD’s for $10 on Sunday’s after our worship celebrations at two locations: Bellevue Lobby andMontgomery Lobby. You can also purchase copies during the week at the receptionist's desk.

WEEKLY WORSHIP SURVEY

We need you!!! Share your comments and feedback with our Worship Design team each week concerning your weekly worship experience. Click here after each worship service to give us your feedback by completing a short survey. You have until 11AM Monday morning to share your comments. Let us hear from you. Click and comment!

NEW BOOKSTORE HOURS

Sunday (8AM – 10AM and 12PM – 1PM); Wednesday (3:30PM – 7:30PM)

UPDATE YOUR MEMBER PROFILE

If you've recently moved, changed your address, phone number or email address we want to hear from you! Click here to complete a short online form to update your information.