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This Week's 
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SPIRITUAL LIFE |
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STEWARDSHIP |
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NEXT
GENERATION |
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CARE
AND PRAYER |
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MEDIA |
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MISSISSIPPI BOULEVARD CHRISTIAN CHURCH |
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Dear Fellow Servant:
Lent
is the forty-day period of preparation for Easter February
25 – April 11, (Sundays are not included) . “Why 40 days? Because, Jesus fasted
and was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. Lent, then, is
our time of fasting, prayer and repentance.”
During this Lenten season the church is focusing on,
“Transforming THE BLVD by reclaiming the family one person at
a time”. |
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Beginning
this week, our Lenten Devotional Guide “Follow Me” provides
you with thoughtful insights and practical guidance to help
with your daily meditation and prayers. Please click here to obtain a copy of our Lenten
Devotional Guide and/or get a copy in the Church Information
Center (CIC).
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CHILDREN
AND YOUTH RENOVATION PROJECT UPDATE
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We
kicked off our long-awaited Children and Youth Project fund
raising efforts last Sunday. THE TIME IS NOW for all
adult members to make a pledge and give a financial sacrifice
to support our Children and Youth Renovation Project. Our
kids’ backdrop theme is “Believe in Me,” let’s all demonstrate
to our children and youth that we indeed believe in
them. |
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I want to thank the congregation for the $87,400 in pledges
we received toward our $200,000 pledge goal. We are on our
way, but we need everyone’s support to provide the total
funding to acquire the proper tools and space the kids need to
learn and grow.
If
you were not in service, or you were not prepared to give or
pledge, we will provide two more direct opportunities in
worship in the next two weeks. It is not too late. You can
still help complete this project on time with your prayers and
financial support.
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You
can support the project by pledging, making a cash
contribution during the “special” offering or purchasing an
item from the gift registry (click here for more
information).
Those members who
sacrifice at least $100 in cash or in gift value will have
their name included on the Children and Youth temporary “Wall
of Support” board.
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Information
tables will be located in both lobbies after service to fully
explain what you can do to support this project and the
various giving levels. So come prepared to make the sacrifice
to ensure our children’s future.
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“CSI:
CALVARY”- CHURCH-WIDE BIBLE
STUDY
Every
murder mystery begins with a dead body, suspects, and clues.
We need your help! So join us each Wednesday as we lead our
own biblical crime scene investigation following every clue,
every lead, and every suspect. Who knows what each week will
uncover!? We won’t stop until we have solved our own Calvary
mystery. Our
new Wednesday
Night Worship
series “CSI: Calvary”
beginning
Wednesdays, March
4th through April 1st at
7:00PM. If you are not in a Bible Study, click here for a list of our Christian Education
opportunities.
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2009
UMOJA – A CELEBRATION OF
UNITY
Umoja
is back and it is better than ever. This year we celebrate our
10th anniversary of Umoja and I am excited. Our
theme is “Imagine” and our Broadway-like
production will have the largest multi-cultural cast, NEW SCENES, ENERGETIC
DANCERS, ELABORATE COSTUMES, DRAMATIC ACTORS, PHENOMENAL MUSIC
and much more. Umoja (Swahili for unity, pronounced
“oo-moh–jah”) will take you on an inspiring journey from AFRICA TO 1600
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. Pick up and pass out
Umoja playbills to your family, friends, co-workers and
neighbors letting them know that Umoja is celebrating its
tenth year and they don’t want to miss it. Join me on Friday, March
13th at 7:30PM, Saturday, March
14th at 6:00PM, or Sunday March
15th at 4:00, PM. Tickets are on sale at the church
Monday through Thursday, from 8:30AM to 8:30PM; Friday from
8:30AM to 5:30PM, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00AM to
3:30PM.
In
case you don’t know already…UMOJA TICKETS ARE ON SALE
NOW!!! We’ve
discounted the original price of $15.00 to just $10.00 PER PERSON FOR A
LIMITED TIME ONLY!!!
This production will bring you to laughter, tears and possibly
self-examination of where you are today and what you can do
tomorrow. GET YOUR
TICKET TODAY.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NEW!!!
2009 UMOJA MERCHANDISE
IN THE BOOKSTORE, BELLEVUE LOBBY &
MONTGOMERY LOBBY
Click here for more
information
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Blog
me
at www.theblvdblog.org and share
your thoughts. I am looking
forward to reading your blog. See you on
Sunday.
Pastor
Frank | |
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DR. FRANK A.
THOMAS Senior
Servant |
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SPIRITUAL
LIFE | |
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Are you participating in a regular diet
of planned and focused Bible Study? If your answer is no,
participate in one of our Bible Study classes. Two new studies
starting in March: “The Life Giving Power of Community” on
Tuesdays at 6:00PM with PastorJanae Pitts and “You: Connect,
Grow, Serve, Go” on Sundays at 8:30AM with John Baker and
Marian Hunter. Sign up via email or on Sunday in the
Bellevue lobby or Montgomery lobby. For more
information, email Pastor Janae
Pitts or call
901.272.5630.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
STEPHEN’S MINISTRY
NETWORK
Come join a network of servants who are
learning to help people after a crisis by: sharing the word of
God, building up one another in faith, and walking with others
to help them experience the love of God. Sign up by the
bookstore after church to learn more about this world-changing
ministry. You can make a difference in another person's life
and watch God change things. For more information, contact Pastor Virzola
Law at
901.272.5603.
PREPARING
FOR LENT
The Lenten
Season (February 25 – April 12) is upon us, and it is time to
prepare for the transformation God has in store for us this
year. Getting ready for Lent involves thinking, praying, and
setting the stage for the changes that we hope to make in our
lives. Just imagine how God is going to transform our lives,
by giving us greater freedom, greater joy, and a deeper desire
for love and service. If
you have a spouse, children, close friends, or distant e-mail companions,
you can now begin talking about how you will support each
other throughout the Lenten journey. For additional information about
the Lenten journey, please pick up a copy of the weekly Lenten
Guide, “Journey with
Jesus” from the
bookstore. You may contact Pastor Virzola
Law at
901.272.5603.
Join
the Church in prayer and fasting for Lent. We have reprieve
for the fast on Sundays during Lent as they are considered
"Little Easters." Below you will find the fasting
calendar.
Week of Feb. 25: Fast
from sweets, breads, excessive media (TV, internet, etc.), and
shopping
Week of March 1: Fast
from your favorite food, excessive media (TV, internet, etc.),
and shopping
Week of March 8: Fast
from meat, poultry, excessive media (TV, internet, etc.), and
shopping
Week of March 15:
Fast from starches, potatoes, rice, flour, bread, pasta,
excessive media (TV, internet, etc.), and shopping
Week of March 22: Eat
fruits and vegetables only, and fast from excessive media (TV,
internet, etc.) and shopping
Week of March 29:
Fast from 6:00AM – 6:00PM, and fast from excessive media (TV,
internet, etc.) and shopping
Week of April 5: Fast from 6:00AM –
6:00PM, and fast from excessive media (TV, internet, etc.) and
shopping |
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NEWS AND
EVENTS | |
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UMOJA NEEDS YOU!
Our Umoja team is in need of props/visual aids for our
production this year. If you have one or more of the listed
items, you can donate, let us borrow, or know where we can
find, please let us know. We will take very good care of your
items and return them to you after the production. The
products can be dropped off at the church during regular
business hours Monday – Sunday before Wednesday, February
25th. We need the following
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Old
Lantern
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2
Old Looking Church Benches
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Old
Fashioned Crank Ice Cream Maker
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2
White Doctor’s Coats |
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2
Minister’s Collars
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2
Nurses Uniforms (White)
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2
Briefcases
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2
Old Picnic Tables |
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If you can assist us in this process, please contact Veda Bankhead at 901.272.5621 and let her know
how you can assist us in this process.
"GOD IS
ABLE" BY LEO DAVIS
CD single release “God Is Able” is
available in the bookstore immediately following our worship
services on Wednesdays and Sundays. The cost is only $5.00 per
CD.
WOMEN’S
MINISTRY: GIRLS' DAY OUT
The Women's Ministry of MBCC is sponsoring a Girls' Day Out tour
to the Freedom's Sisters exhibition at the National Civil
Rights Museum on Saturday, March 28th at 3:00PM. A
group discussion will take place immediately following the
tour. Stop by the Women's Ministry table after service today
for more information.
MEN’S MINISTRY CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
MONTH
The Men’s
Ministry of MBCC is celebrating African American History Month
with the following events:
Saturday, February 28th
The New
Slavery – Panel Discussion
Sunday, March 1st
Men’s
Ministry Cook-Off: An Ethnic Food
Extravaganza
Sign-up sheets
for the Cook-Off and Presentations are available at the table
outside the bookstore.
MBCC MEMBER RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD
MBCC member
Bertha Rogers Looney, one of the Memphis State Eight, (the
group of eight students who integrated the University of
Memphis in 1959), received along with her peers, the Arthur
Holman Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was given to the
group in honor of their 50 years of dedicated service to the
Memphis community. For additional information click
here.
MEN’S MINISTRY COOK-OFF
On Sunday
March 1st in the Fellowship Hall, immediately
following our Worship Service; the Men’s Ministry Cook-Off
will conclude our celebration of Africans In America History
Month. You will enjoy the special food creations of 25 + men.
The cost is $5.00 per person or $20.00 for a family of four
(4) or more persons.
T-BALL,
COACH-PITCH, BASEBALL
Join the Cats Program! If your
child is interested in playing t-ball, coach-pitch, or
baseball, Montez Morgan would love to have them on our team.
For more information please contact him at 901.368.3811. The
season begins soon so call today!
THE
HEART TRUTH
The
Heart Truth
is that heart disease is the #1 killer of American women. In
fact, one in four women die of heart disease, but heart
disease can also lead to disability and a significantly
decreased quality of life. Unfortunately, most women don't
know The Heart Truth. Although significant progress has
been made increasing awareness among women from 34% in 2000 to
57% in 2006, most women fail to make the connection between
risk factors and their personal risk of developing heart
disease. The Heart Truth is that women don't take their
risk of heart disease seriously or personally. Women often
fail to make the connection between risk factors, such as high
blood pressure and high cholesterol, and their own chance of
developing heart disease. Now
is the time to make wise choices; exercise over sitting,
choose baked over fried foods, limit salt and take meds as
prescribed. The Christian Health Organization encourages
everyone to unite in this life-saving
awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt,
or tie, or red dress pin. For more information, visit the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute web
site.
MBCC JOB
OPPORTUNITIES
Click here to view employment
opportunities within MBCC and our
community. For more information
concerning opportunities with MBCC, please email Eva Anderson, Director of Human Resources or call
901.272.5612. | |
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STEWARDSHIP| |
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SUNTRUST $20,000
CHALLENGE
We are proud to announce that THE BLVD
raised $20,700 for our Children and Youth Renovation project.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. YES WE
DID! |
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KROGER/SCHNUCKS CARD: BEGIN LOADING
AGAIN!
It is still critical that you load your
Kroger/Schnucks’ card in order to benefit our children’s/youth
renovation project. If you have not loaded your card lately,
please do so as soon as possible. Don’t have a card? Please
come by the Security Desk on Sunday to pick-up a card or
contact Bettye
Boone at 901.272.5650
during the week at the church to get a card. Your support is
greatly
appreciated. | |
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HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Scholarship application packets are available in the
CIC for all 2009 high school graduates for the entire month of
March. Direct all questions or inquiries to Pastor Neko Sharkey,
901.272.5638 or Brad Thomas.
SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATION WORKSHOP
There will be a MANDATORY scholarship
workshop for ALL
applicants and their parents on Wednesday, March
4th at 6:00PM in the MLK auditorium. If there is a
scheduling conflict, contact Pastor Neko Sharkey
at 901.272.5638 to re-schedule.
YOUTH CHURCH
SCHEDULE: MARCH 2009
The Youth Church Schedule for March 2009 is as
follows:
- Sunday, March 8th (2nd Sunday)
– Worship Live @ Refuge City: College Day
(Students are to wear their favorite college
attire.)
- Sunday, March 29th (5th Sunday)
– Worship Live @ Refuge City: Spiritual Warfare
Sunday (Students are to wear some form of
camouflage.) Refuge Ministry Plan at Tentative Calendar may
be picked up from CIC.
Please direct all questions or inquiries to Pastor Neko Sharkey at
901.272.5638. Children and Middle School
ministry participants will follow the same March worship
schedule.
NURSERY
BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM
The Nursery will present its Black History program, “A
Change Has Come” on Sunday, March 1st immediately
following Sunday worship. You don’t want to miss
it!
CHILDREN AND
MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
The Children and Middle School ministries are offering
some very exciting and innovative activities! Please see the
description below and adhere
accordingly!
Pee Wee Disciples (Nursery): Birth -
Kindergarten
While being nurtured and cared for by a very capable
and Spirit-filled staff, these young ones are exposed to age
appropriate activities of spiritual development. Located on
the first floor in the Nursery Building, the nursery is open
year round. Please note the following
schedule:
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Sunday
7:00AM – 12:23PM
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Wednesday
6:00PM – 9:00PM
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Thursday
6:00PM – 9:00PM
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The Nursery
is open during special events
Nutritional
snacks are served on Sunday.
Discipletown: 1st – 5th
Grades
Discipletown offers a rotational paradigm which is
comprised of worship and instruction. Meeting on
2nd, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of
each month from 8:30AM - 12:30PM south of the sanctuary near
the chapel, the children experience age-appropriate lessons
that are scriptural, real world relevant, and supported by
games and music. Children WILL NOT be released
until picked up by an authorized adult.
Overcomer’s Village: 6th –
8th Grades
Understanding the ever-changing needs of middle school
age children, Overcomer’s Village strives to reach, develop,
and empower them to become true and devoted disciples of Our
Lord and Savior through innovative and exciting discipleship,
fellowship, and worship. Meeting 2nd,
3rd, and 5th Sundays of each month from
10:00AM – 12:30PM south of the fellowship in the Nursery
Building, middle “scholars” are encouraged to develop their
own brand of creative worship.
Sunday morning Bible Study is also offered from
8:30AM – 9:45AM in 07N and 08N.
S.P.A.R.K.S. (Saving Praying
And Reaching Kids for the
Savior): 1st –
8th Grades
S.P.A.R.K.S. is the midweek
outreach program that welcomes children from the community and
THE BLVD to worship in a relaxed atmosphere. This outreach
biblical program meets on Wednesday from 6:30PM – 8:00PM in
the Family Life Center. It also includes TCAP tutoring,
mentoring, and Black History
Studies.
PEE-WEE
DISCIPLES
Our “Pee Wee Disciples” nursery (ages 6 weeks to 5
years) is open every Sunday from 7:00AM – 2:00PM, and every
Wednesday from 6:30PM – 8:00PM during our Midweek service. The
nursery is a wonderful environment for your child to learn and
grow while you enjoy worship service.
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CARE AND
PRAYER| |
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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. | |
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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 11AM
each Monday. We would love to hear from you. Please click on
the following link www.mbccsurvey.org and share your
comments.
BOOKSTORE
HOURS
Sundays
(8:00AM – 10:00AM and 12:00PM – 1:00PM)
Wednesday
(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! |
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