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MISSISSIPPI BOULEVARD
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
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Dear
Fellow Servant:
Happy
Holidays!
Our
troops are finally coming home from Iraq, and a spirit of
thankfulness and giving is sweeping the
country this Christmas. I wish our troops
and their families a blessed holiday season
after spending so much time away serving our
great country.
Also,
people having financial problems are being
surprised to find out their layaways have
already been paid off by anonymous donors (click here for more
information). The Salvation Army,
Memphis Grizzlies, and other community service
organizations are helping more people in need
this year. In addition, THE BLVD’s Angel and
Dove Trees, Manna Outreach and Emergency
Assistance programs have made a huge difference
in the lives of so many people in this
community.
As
we wind down the year, I want to thank all our
Servant Fund, Angel and Dove Trees donors, Manna
Outreach food assemblers and delivers for giving
so much of their time, talents and treasures
this year. I also would like to share with you
our Angel and Dove Trees ministries outreach
activities for this
season:
ANGEL
TREE:
This
year’s Angel Tree event was indeed one of the
best ever. Our Men’s Ministry Cook-off and
special call out to all THE BLVD men provided
over $2,700 to support our Angel Tree outreach
program.
As
we have done for many years, our shopping team
took to the stores on December 10 to purchase
the gifts. Some of the gifts purchased were
scooters, tricycles, talking dolls, winter
clothes, sporting equipment, games, and
electronics for kids from newborn to 18 years
old.
On
December 17, we provided breakfast to over 120
children, youth and parents/guardians. The
children had lots of fun and took photos with
Santa Claus Fred
Johnson, who though
he was bringing joy to all of our guests had
lost his own 18 year old daughter a few days
before Thanksgiving. At the conclusion of
our Angel Tree program, four people
came forward to join Christ and our church
(click here to view the
photos).
DOVE
TREE:
2011
Dove Tree program was a tremendous success. Our
Chosen Vessels Women’s Ministry had a record
number of volunteers that helped get 275 Doves
adopted. These adoptions resulted in more than
450 gifts with a $20,000 estimated retail value,
our best ever! The Christ Community Health
Services Centering Pregnancy Program joined us
on Saturday, December 10, to help us distribute
the gifts to the participating families (click here to view the
photos).
Our
Nursery and Discipletown children had an awesome
Christmas program last Sunday (click here to view the
photos).
BLVD
East campus is undergoing
renovations.
We realize that the renovations may cause some
minor inconveniences; but, I am asking for your
support and thanking you for being flexible and
cooperative. We will share update information as
we receive it.
Remember,
we will start our celebrations with our Christmas
Eve worship service this Saturday, December
24, at our Midtown
campus only at
7:00PM. Then on Sunday, December
25, our Christmas Day worship services will
be held at our BLVD East campus at 8:30AM and
BLVD Midtown 10:00AM. We will have special
Christmas music and Christmas messages at
both worship
services. Light
refreshments will also be served at each worship
service.
I
am looking forward to seeing you in worship. We
will have abbreviated holiday worship services
lasting only one
hour, so you can get back home to your
family, friends, and basketball and football
games. All Bible study classes will be canceled
on Sunday, December 25. We will not have a New
Year’s Eve Worship Service this year. But, I am
inviting everyone to start the New Year off
right on Sunday, January 1, by joining us at our
regularly scheduled worship services as we
launch into our first 2012 sermon series called
“iHope”
at both campuses. Encourage your relatives,
friends, co-workers and neighbors to worship
with you this holiday
season!
The
Church Offices will be closed, starting Monday,
December 26 through Tuesday, January 3, for the
holidays. Our Wednesday Midweek worship services
and FLAVA will resume on Wednesday, January 18.
This means there is no live internet web
streaming until Midweek worship is
back.
Our
New Year Midweek worship service sermon series
begins January 18, titled “Is God Pleased
with My Sex Life”. In 2012, we
will continue to bring relevant sermon series to
encourage you and strengthen your walk with
God.
Have
a safe, happy and blessed holiday, and think of
ways you can do something for someone less
fortunate than yourself this
season.
See
you in worship,
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DR. FRANK A. THOMAS
Senior Servant
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SPIRITUAL LIFE |
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NEW YEAR’S DAY WORSHIP
THE BLVD invites you and your family to start the
New Year with us on New Year’s Day as we launch our first 2012
Sermon Series: “iHope;” 8:30AM BLVD East and
10:00AM BLVD Midtown. Nursery services will be provided on Christmas
Day and New Year’s Day at both campuses with deaf interpretation at
our Midtown Campus. Services will be only one hour and refreshments
will be served. Remember to dress casual.
THE BLVD 2012 NEXT LEVEL
PRAYER MINISTRY
THE BLVD is focusing on the
power of prayer to transform our lives, our church and our world in
2012. As a congregation we will fast on Wednesdays from 6:00AM –
6:00PM throughout 2012 or until God says something different. As a
part of the Fast, we need you to pray with us from your homes,
schools, jobs, etc., Wednesday, January 4 and Wednesday, January 11
as part of the fast. Join us for prayer in the Midtown Chapel
Wednesday, January 18 and Wednesday, January 25, 6:00PM – 6:45PM and
experience an amazing move of God through the power of prayer and
fasting.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
SERVICE
Stephen
Ministry is a Christian care giving group specifically designed to
assist people through difficult times (i.e., bereavement, divorce,
job loss, etc.). If you are in need of this service, you may contact
Rev. Vivian Henry at 901.752.5379 or Pastor
Virzola Law at
901.272.5603. |
| NEWS AND EVENTS |
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HOLIDAY
CLOSING
Our offices will be
closed Monday, December 26 through Friday, December 30 and
Monday, January 2. We will resume regular office hours
Tuesday, January 3.
MINISTRY
LEADERS & SERVANT VOLUNTEERS
Our first INSPIRE all
hands meeting for all ministry leaders and servant volunteers
is 9:00AM, Saturday, January 14. INSPIRE is our opportunity to
gather all servant volunteers to stimulate higher levels of
spiritual movement and share critical information to move our
ministries from mediocrity to greatness for God. Come be
inspired to grow spiritually, inspired to serve passionately,
and inspired to lead successfully. For more information,
contact Pastor
Janae Pitts Murdock at
901.272.5630.
SAVE THE
DATE
We are starting a
volunteer revolution called EMERGE, Saturday, February 4.
EMERGE will be a day of amazing worship to include, powerful
prayer, a powerful message and celebration. We will celebrate
current leaders, identify new leaders and provide networking
and training to individual ministry areas. EMERGE is for
everyone who wants to experience both personal growth and
church growth.
FOUNDER’S DAY
PHOTOS
Did
you take any photos on your camera at our Founder’s Day
Carnival, Gala or Worship Services? If so, we want to add them
to our Founder’s Day memories. Email
copies of your photos to us. If you have questions,
contact Pastor Janae Pitts-Murdock at Pastor
Janae Pitts-Murdock or call
901.272.5602.
BLVD EAST BRIDGE LIFE
GROUP
THE
BLVD East Life Group is requesting persons ages 25 – 40 to
contact Pastor
Virzola Law at
901.272.5603.
MAINTAIN CAMPAIGN
UPDATE
The
Maintain Campaign is moving ahead and everyone is excited and
energized. THE BLVD is providing fun-filled and engaging
classes, FREE OF CHARGE, to help everyone remain motivated and
focused. The list
of classes is as follows; Be Fit – Tuesday,
6:00PM – 7:00PM; Walk away the pounds – Wednesday
6:00PM – 6:45PM; Line Dancing, Thursday – 6:00PM –
7:00PM; Zumba 1st and 3rd Sundays
after worship service (12:30PM – 1:30PM). All classes will
be held in the FLC multipurpose room or in the gym. For
additional information; contact Helen
Darling at
901.272.5640.
EACH ONE BRING
ONE
In
order to expose more people to the great things that are
happening at THE BLVD EAST, we want you to intentionally
invite your friends and family to join us every Sunday through
the end of the year. There will be a holiday gift card drawing
each week for everyone who brings a guest.
WOMEN’S RETREAT EARLY
BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED
Saturday, February 25
will be a powerful time for THE BLVD WOMEN. The Chosen Vessels
Women's Ministry is sponsoring an exciting Retreat; “Precious
Jewels: Women of Holiness Shining & Sparkling in God's
Eyes.” A small early bird registration fee is required by
Sunday, January 15. Pastor Linda Willis of New
Life in Christ Fellowship Church, Olive Branch, MS; an
astounding Pastor, author and teacher of God’s Word, is our
guest speaker. Stop by the lobby
registration tables on Sunday and sign up to reserve your
space. The women at THE BLVD are doing great
things!
MISSION TRIP
2012
THE
BLVD has scheduled a Mission Trip to Nicaragua, May 17 – 23.
Contact Debbie DeWitt
or Pastor Virzola
Law for additional
information.
WATSA
Wholistic Approach To Substance Abuse is a Christ-centered
recovery support group for addictions, co-dependency and
compulsive behavior. Meetings are Tuesdays at 6:00PM in 04N.
If you or someone you know is looking to drop the “baggage” of
addiction, discover how to do so through Bible Study, prayer,
and fellowship. Contact Essie Clay for more
information.
LOVE
CONNECTION
Love Connection/Cocaine
Anonymous is a citywide support group for men and women of all
ages, races and socio-economic backgrounds. Meetings are
Thursdays at 7:30PM in THE BLVD Family Life Center.
Contact Clarence
Boone at 901.355.1603 for
additional information.
ARE YOU A
BFF?
THE BLVD Facebook Family is
open to you. Get the latest news, get inspirational quotes and
get to know other like-minded people. You belong!
Join us
online!
THE
BLVD CONGRATULATES CHASITY M. ROBERSON
THE
BLVD extends congratulations to Chasity M. Roberson, who
received the Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies
from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Chasity is the
daughter of proud parents, Thomas and Deneend
Roberson. | |
| STEWARDSHIP | |
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MONEY
MATTERS
It’s
become an all-too-familiar headline – lay-offs and furloughs,
falling housing prices and rising consumer debt, declining retail
sales and increasing costs of living. Money – and the lack of it –
is a source of stress and frustration. And while people the world
over are working to stem the global financial situation we’re in,
folks at home are trying to gain some control over their own
financial situations, too. The Bible teaches us that “the people
perish because of a lack of knowledge.” Practicing positive, tried
and true money management techniques – and learning how to recognize
and avoid some “ripped from the headlines” consumer scams and
rip-offs – can help you weather tough economic times. Begin today to
educate yourself and your family about financial matters. The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection
agency, created the website (Money Matters) to help you tackle some
money issues head-on. Visit
their website to learn more about managing your money
and various scams designed to separate you from your
money. |
| NEXT
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BLVD EAST CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEEDS
VOLUNTEERS
THE
BLVD East Children’s Ministry needs
volunteers (grandparents, parents and others) to work with nursery
(2 – KK) and Discipletown (grades 1 – 6) children. Please sign up
today at the volunteer servant table. Email Diane Young or call Pastor NaKeesha Weston at
901.272.5631 for additional information. The Children’s
Ministry is looking for
you! |
| CARE AND PRAYER |
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GATHER FOR
PRAYER AT THE BLVD
Gather for prayer at THE BLVD Midtown on Wednesdays
at 6:00PM (Intercessory Prayer) in room 09A, Saturday at 9:00AM
(Hour of Power) in the Spiritual Officers’ Room and Sunday at 9:45AM
(Time to Talk With God) in the sanctuary.
PHONE A
PRAYER
Become a part of an exciting prayer community by
utilizing Phone a Prayer. Times are 6:00AM Sunday
through Saturday, 12:00PM Monday through Friday
with an 8:00AM Saturday Prayer and Praise session. Access
number: 218.844.8230 plus access
code: 915673#. The Men’s Prayer Call is
Saturday, 6:30AM – 7:00AM. Access
number: 605.477.2100 plus access
code:
1024438#.
PRAYER
REQUESTS
THE BLVD Prayer Ministries would like to partner
with you in prayer. The Prayer Request Box is located in the
Montgomery lobby outside the Chalice Bookstore. Prayer Request cards
are available in the pews and in Bible Study Classes. You may also submit requests by clicking
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 Pastor at 901.569.7729. Visit our
website to view our current sick and bereaved
members. 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. |
| MEDIA |
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| HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY | |
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MEMPHIS CITY
SCHOOLS HIRING COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR TUTORING
INITIATIVE
Memphis
Literacy Corps is one of the reform initiatives by Superintendent
Kriner Cash. Memphis City Schools intends to hire college
students paying $10 per hour to tutor children, grades 3 – 5,
who have already fallen behind their peers and are overage for their
grade. Memphis City Schools will pair the students with local
college students for 10 weeks of intensive, individualized tutoring
during the time period immediately preceding the administration
of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test.
Tutors will be trained to teach specific literacy routines to
increase reading proficiency, including a skill specific
mini-lesson each day. The recruiting period is December 1, 2011 –
January 25, 2012. Use this link to complete the MLC application: Memphis Literacy Corps 2012 Tutor
Application. |
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