	This Week's

	SPIRITUAL LIFE
	NEWS AND EVENTS
	STEWARDSHIP
	NEXT GENERATION
	CARE AND PRAYER
	MEDIA

MISSISSIPPI BOULEVARD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Dear Fellow Servants,

The other day I came across some statistics that stopped me in my tracks. According to Dr. Thomas Rainer, prominent Christian author, speaker and researcher, only 2% of church-going people invite someone to church in a given year meaning that 98% of us never extend an invitation to a friend or family member to join us! Just as startling is the fact that 41% of former church members said that they would return to the local church if a friend or acquaintance invited them according to Dr. Rainer’s study. A whopping 82% of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited. This leads me to the question: When was the last time you invited someone you know who doesn’t have a church home to church?

When we hear about a good deal we can’t wait to tell our friends and family about it. Some of us are in the stores on our cell phones calling and texting other people telling them to come on down and get the savings while the getting is good! Lines stretch out of the door and people wait because they don’t want to miss out. What if we treated the good news about Jesus Christ the same way? Think about it. It would be a beautiful thing to see a standing-room-only crowd in the House of the Lord wouldn’t it? It’s possible. I believe that nothing is too hard for God. That is why I was so excited to announce the news last Sunday about THE BLVD expanding its reach to a new territory: THE BLVD-East. This new initiative will allow us to reach even more souls and bring them to Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV) reads “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ”. It’s good to know that we can be in many places and still be one with Christ.

This Sunday, July 26, immediately after worship service, we will give the congregation the Multi-Site Worship presentation including all of the groundwork laid bringing us to this point regarding THE BLVD-East. I am happy to report that every leadership group we met with gave unanimous approval. The questions that were most frequently raised in our meetings have been combined into a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that you can review by clicking here. Take a moment and review it before the meeting on Sunday.

Let’s not be satisfied with knowing what God can do for us. Let’s always seek ways of spreading the Good News to others. Invite someone to church. If all of your friends and family are currently members of a church, you should enlarge your circle; evangelize! Start now. Good things are still happening in the Body of Christ. Go tell somebody about it and watch as the “Savings” add up.

See you Sunday.

DR. FRANK A. THOMAS Senior Servant

SPIRITUAL LIFE |

CHURCH-WIDE BIBLE STUDY

Buckle your seatbelts for our August Church Wide Study, “Seven Words to Change Your Family…While There’s Still Time” by James MacDonald. Pastor Thomas and Pastor Pitts will lead this challenging and transforming study on seven words that can really help us turn our families in the right direction or reinforce biblical truths we already know. Whether your family is recovering from job loss, separation, divorce, death, or betrayal there are seven words that can change your family! Your family may be facing fresh opportunity with new children, new job, relocation, or new relationship; there are seven words that will steer you in the right direction.

As our July Summer Breeze draws to a close, let’s jumpstart our spiritual wells with this wonderful book and study! We will follow the same format as our January Church Wide Study with classes on Sundays at 8:30AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM. The study has eight sessions which we will complete in the month of August. Students are expected to attend both sessions – Sundays and Wednesdays! We will kick off with our first lesson on Wednesday, August 5^th at 7:00PM. Spread the word! Books are $13, and are available in the Chalice Bookstore.

SERVANTS MINISTRIES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Have you connected your passion to influence others with your responsibility to serve? Urgent volunteer opportunities are available in Christian Education and New Servants ministries. Pastor Janae Pitts invites you to participate in transformational ministry as an Instructor or an Ambassador. For more information, contact Pastor Janae Pitts at 901.272.5630.

NEWS AND EVENTS |

SUMMER BREEZE WORSHIP AT THE BLVD

We are currently in our "Summer Breeze” worship initiative. This initiative will include an abbreviated order of worship and casual dress for the month of July. The service is designed to focus on three key elements: worship, preaching and praise and prayer. In addition to the “Summer Breeze” schedule, note the following:

MIDWEEK SERVICE AND BIBLE STUDY CLASSES SUSPENDED FOR THE MONTH OF JULY
Sunday, August 9^th – Church-wide Bible Study begins
Sunday, August 9^th – Christian Education Emphasis

WOMEN OF WORSHIP

Women of Worship will rehearse Monday, July 27^th at 6:30PM in the Adult Choir Room (M206).

COMBINED CHOIR REHEARSAL

There will be a combined choir rehearsal Thursday, July 30^th, 6:30PM and Saturday, August 1^st, 11:00AM in preparation for ministry Sunday, August 9^th. Uniform – Ladies: Solid Color Short Sleeve Blouse, Black Skirt (Knee Length), Black Shoes, Flesh Tone Hosiery; Men: Black Solid Color Short Sleeve Shirt, Black Trousers, Black Shoes, Black Socks.

CHO BLOOD DRIVE

The Christian Health Organization is sponsoring our second blood drive for this year on Sunday, August 2^nd from 8:00AM – 2:00PM in the Fellowship Hall. The servant spirit of MBCC is always manifested during blood drives. We want to continue this great support. Remember, eat iron-rich foods, drink lots of fluids and take care of yourself. As long as you are at least 17 years old (no upper age limit), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in reasonably good health, you can donate blood. Pre-registration is not required.

ZUMBA: BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

The Women's Ministry is proud to announce the return of "Chosen Vessels, Fit Vessels" featuring Zumba! Zumba fuses Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create at dynamic and fun exercise program for all ages and fitness levels. Classes will be held each Tuesday beginning August 4^th from 6:45PM – 8:00PM in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $4 per session and $12 per month if paid in full. All payments must be in cash. Members of THE BLVD and Memphis community are invited to attend. Bring a bottle of water and a towel. For additional information, contact Pastor Virzola Law at 901.272.5603.

GOLF TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

Golfers turned out early on the warm, sunny and breezy Saturday morning of April 25^th for the 2nd Annual Ida Ballard Simon Golf Tournament in Memphis. The event was held to highlight the success of this year’s fundraising efforts benefiting the Ida Ballard Simon Memorial Scholarship Fund. Cheryl Ballard and Linda Ballard Peete presented Lincoln University Foundation: Ida Ballard Simon Memorial Scholarship Fund of Jefferson City, Missouri with a check for seven thousand dollars. “We are contributing to this endowment fund with the goal to someday provide a student with a full four-year scholarship to attend Ida’s alma mater, Lincoln University,” said Cheryl Ballard. “This year, we are also contributing a $500 dollar book scholarship to a 2009 City of Memphis Public School graduating senior with plans to attend a historically black college or trade school for the 2009/2010 school year,” Cheryl added. Click here for additional information.

MBCC GRADUATES MAKE COMMERCIAL APPEAL

Saturday’s (July 18, 2009) Commercial Appeal, featured a half-page story in the My Life- Community News section about MBCC’s Scholarship Awards to 2009 graduates. The feature included color photos and is a great read. Please take a moment, and peruse the article by visiting the Commercial Appeal website's archives. Then follow up with congratulations to our future doctors, lawyers and business advocates who got their start at THE BLVD.

MEMPHIS DOWNTOWNER FEATURES MBCC SERVANT ONZIE HORNE

BLVD Servant Onzie Horne is featured in the Memphis Downtowner magazine. Please check out the July issue of Memphis Downtowner and the story on page 13 – 16, "Horne Of Plenty – Back To Beale, Onzie Horne, Jr." a BLVD servant.

CONGREGATIONAL HEALTH NETWORK

The Congregational Health Network is collaborating with Methodist Hospital and area churches. THE BLVD is part of this collaboration and will provide workshops on care-giving, hospital visitation and health disparities. THE BLVD will provide a specialized care program which will track the progress of members after they return home from the hospital. The goal is to have a healthier congregation. If you are interested in being a part of this program, please stop by the sign-up table following Sunday worship and receive information and incentives. For additional information, contact Pastor Virzola Law at 901.272.5603.

STEWARDSHIP|

KROGER/SCHNUCKS CARD: BEGIN LOADING AGAIN

Have you been forgetting to load your Kroger or Schnucks’ card? If so, this is a reminder to begin loading your card again. Recent reports indicate that many of you who have cards have forgotten to load them or have lost them and therefore our children and youth programs are not reaping your fundraising benefits. So, if you have forgotten, re-load your Kroger and Schnucks’ card today. If you do not have a card, please contact Bettye Boone at 901.272.5650 to get a new card. We still need your support to assist our children and youth programs, so please RE-LOAD TODAY and each time you get ready to purchase groceries.

CALLING ALL MBCC BUSINESSES

Are you interested in being a part of the MBCC Member Business Directory that will be available to members in October 2009? If so, please register your business by completing a registration form at the Members Business sign-up table located in the Montgomery lobby each Sunday or go online to download and complete a registration form. Return completed forms to Bettye L. Boone at the church. The deadline for registering your business is August 30^th. ONLY registered member businesses will be included in the church’s directory. Don’t miss this opportunity for your business products and services to be shared with the congregation through the use of this directory.

NEXT GENERATION |

COLLEGE-AGE POOL PARTY & PICNIC

THE BLVD Scholarship Committee is throwing a POOL PARTY & PICNIC for all 2009 BLVD Scholarship recipients, graduates and current college students on Saturday, August 1^st at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome and Misty White from 5:00PM – 9:00PM. This event is free and exclusive to BLVD college-age students. Please obtain a flyer with map and address from Pastor Neko Sharkey 901.275.0625 or Brad Thomas on Sunday July, 26^th.

BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Attention BLVD…it’s time again for our Back To School Supply Drive where we bless needed students with school supply bags and uniforms. Our collection period is July 26^th – August 8^th. THE BLVD will have collection bins available in the church lobby areas for all donations. Supply Distribution is scheduled for Sunday, August 9^th in the Family Life Center immediately following service. If you wish to make a cash donation, mark "School Supply Drive" on your envelope and it place in the offering tray.

JUNIOR DIACONATE: TRAINING RETURNS AUGUST 2009

THE BLVD is proud to announce the return of Junior Diaconate training on Wednesdays from 5:45PM – 6:45PM beginning in August. If you are between the ages of 14 and 18 and in regular attendance in Bible Study at THE BLVD, you are invited to share in this wonderful ministry of service opportunity. Please obtain a Junior Diaconate form from the CIC and return it to Pastor Neko by August 9^th.

RITES OF PASSAGE 2009

Attention parents, Boys (Chikere Imamu) and Girls (Jenadyi Eshe) Rites of Passage 2009 will be initiating our curriculum process starting in August. If you would like your students to be involved (Grades 6 – 12), please obtain a Rites of Passage application form from the CIC and return it to Pastor Neko by August 16^th.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

The Children's Ministry (Discipletown & Middle School) is currently offering several opportunities to unleash your passion to serve and change the life of a child! Please contact Pastor Weston at 901.272.5631.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH RENOVATION PROJECT

The children and youth renovation project is looking good! However, the “face-lift” is not finished until our financial goal is met. Join in with others in the congregation to ensure that we meet our goal. You may pledge, give an offering or purchase a gift from the gift registry. You may obtain information on contributing to the C&Y project (E-donations, Gift Registry) here.

NURSERY PARENTS…WE NEED YOU!

To ensure that our Pee Wee Disciples are safe and that the nursery is in compliance with the State of Tennessee’s adult to child ratio, we are in desperate need of parental volunteers. We are asking that each parent volunteer at least one Sunday a quarter. Please contact Pastor Weston or Annette Bowen or call 901.272.5662 to sign up!

CARE AND PRAYER|

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.

MEDIA |

RADIO BROADCASTS

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

NEW CD/DVD PRICES

You can purchase CD’s and DVD’s from the media sales stations and Chalice bookstore for $5 (CD) and $10(DVD). These products include the Sunday sermon in an unedited form and do not always include music. Help us spread a word of hope and encouragement by giving someone a copy of a CD or DVD today!

WEEKLY WORSHIP SURVEY

We need you! Share your comments and feedback with our Worship Design team each week concerning your weekly worship experience. You can go online after each worship service and complete a short survey. The survey is open for you until 11:00AM each Monday. We would love to hear from you. Click here to share your comments.

BOOKSTORE HOURS

Sundays: (8:00AM – 10:00AM and 12:00PM – 1:00PM); Wednesdays: (3:00PM – 7:00PM)

UPDATE YOUR MEMBER PROFILE

If you’ve recently moved, changed your address, phone number, or e-mail address…we want to hear from you! Click here and complete the short online form to receive the latest and the greatest information from THE BLVD!

To learn more about THE BLVD, Click Here»

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