Mark your calendar! If you have questions, please email the church office or call (317) 722-0000. This schedule will be continually updated as more details are confirmed.

First Sunday of Advent, November 30.

Beginning December 1, Be Still and Know (our devotional resource) will offer Advent and Christmas-themed devotionals. Each Monday will look at the traditional themes of Advent: hope, love, joy, and peace, and for the rest of the week we’ll look at Jesus’ ancestors, those usually glossed over in the “begats.” You can read each day’s entry online or get them by email.

Our traditional Giving Tree items will be available for you to take on December 7. We’ll buy gifts for Indiana Youth Group and clients of the Damien Center.

Parent’s Day Out, December 6, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Parents, do you need a day to yourselves? Need time to do that holiday shopping? The JMCC Nursery Team will host our annual Parent’s Day Out for any child between the ages of 1–12! You can drop off your kids at the church any time between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm for a day full of fun activities, awesome games, and yummy pizza! Please fill out the information sheet at the info kiosk at church or email Melody Merida if you are interested.

Couples’ social event: Holiday Progressive Dinner on ­Saturday, December 6, at 6:30 pm. Cost is $25 per couple for good fellowship and great food. We will be limited to 15 couples so register today! Contact the church office for information or to make reservations.

The sermons and services on December 14 and 21 will explore Christmas themes.

Birthday Party for Jesus, December 14, 11:00 am. Children’s Church will celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a party — complete with games, cake, and gifts.

Christmas Program, December 14, 6:00 pm. A celebration featuring our Children’s Choir, called Bethlehem Treasure.

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 7:00 pm, we’ll hold a special service with candlelight and music.

Regular service times for Sunday, December 28, 2008, as we look forward to 2009! We’ll begin the year with a sermon series that provides an in-depth look at ways we can become more intentional in our spiritual lives. Happy New Year!

“If one member suffers, all suffer together with them; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with them.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

Are you affected by HIV/AIDS? Are you looking for ways to find support and grow spiritually? Welcome to the Positively + Oasis! Please plan to attend with a heart attuned to learning what plans God has for your future! We will look at ways to grow and praise God.

We will begin meeting the first week in December on Wednesday evenings at the Church. The Group is open to anyone who is affected by HIV/AIDS. For the first few meetings, we will get acquainted, share stories, and decide together how the Group will function.

Then we will study The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, with an emphasis on how those affected by HIV can look forward and determine God’s purpose for their lives. If you would like to attend or want more information, please contact Oasis leader Larry Gist via the church office. Confidentiality will be respected in the Positively + Oasis.

Please join the Indianapolis community of transgender people and our friends and loved ones for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which will be held at Central Christian Church (701 N. Delaware) from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 22.

This event will acknowledge and honor the lives of transgender people, to commemorate those who have died and to celebrate those who live their lives each day. Our own Oliver Danni Green, a member of our TransFormation Oasis, will be a featured speaker. For information, contact the TDoR Project Manager.

The TransFormation Oasis of Jesus MCC is thrilled to be a sponsor of the 2008 Transgender Day of Remembrance. TransFormation is a spiritual support group of people of all genders. We meet each Sunday at 2:00 pm in Room 2. Contact the church office for more information.

In the November 16 worship services, we will be dedicating our brand new Votive Candle Altars.

Candles have been an integral part of Christian worship through the ages. One example is found in Revelation 1:12-20, where the passage suggests a separate candle burns in God’s presence for each local Church, serving as a continual “reminder” to God.

Prayer candles build on that notion. When we light a prayer candle — traditionally known as “votive candles” — God sees our candle and is “reminded” of our prayer. The candle becomes a form of continuous silent prayer, expressing our hearts to God.

There are many ways to pray.  Votive candles are not a replacement for other forms of prayer, but they serve as a lovely reinforcement for the prayers we speak to God throughout the week.

Each Sunday when you arrive at Church, you are welcome to light a prayer candle before or after worship service, or during Holy Communion. Your candle will burn until it is consumed.  You are also welcome to light a prayer candle anytime you come to Church during the week. You may light a candle to express thanks or praise or to raise a prayer for yourself or others.  There is no cost for lighting a candle; God’s grace is free.

The altars were designed, constructed, and donated by David Humbert and Kenn King in consultation with our Building Trustees. Our deepest thanks to them!

Jesus MCC’s traditional Thanksgiving Day Dinner will happen on November 27 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Please join us if your schedule allows! It’ll be a great time with good food and church friends. You’re welcome to bring board or card games.

The church will provide the turkey. Please bring a side dish or dessert to help complete the meal. If you plan to attend, please fill out the form in Sunday’s bulletin or email the church office so we can plan appropriately.

This year, for the first time, the church is also hosting the Community Thanksgiving Dinner that’s co-sponsored by Indy Pride and Indiana Black Pride on Saturday, November 22, at 6:00 pm.

It’s a pitch-in dinner with meat provided, and it’s open to everyone. In addition to the community meal, Indy Pride scholarship awards will be presented,  and there will be performances by the Pride of Indy Band and the Jesus MCC Gospel Choir.

And on Sunday, November 23, the Children’s Ministry will host our first ever Thanksgiving meal together at 11:00 am. This will be a smaller version of a traditional Thanksgiving meal that our children can share together as we give thanks for our blessings. The children’s ministry will provide the turkey, and we are asking parents to bring a small side dish to be shared. Sign-up sheets are available in your child’s classroom today and next Sunday. If you have questions, please email Melody Merida.

Greetings from sunny, cool — and very dry — Gallup, New Mexico. It’s hard to believe that a year has flown by since our mission service team has been here, but amazingly enough, we’ve picked up where we left off.

While we’ve only been here a few days, so many wonderful things have happened –- so here’s the latest from the southwest.

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At our Evening Worship Service, beginning on October 12 and continuing for the next few Sundays, we will be experimenting with a new worship format that is spontaneous, warm, and informal. We’ll begin with a rough sketch for the flow of the worship service, but then adjust as the Spirit leads.

Our worship will include songs, song requests, testimonies, prayer, sharing of prayer requests — all blended in a fashion that closely resembles the worship practices of the earliest Christians.

After we experiment for a couple weeks, we’ll seek feedback from those who participate and decide whether to continue.

If you’d like to be part of this new adventure, join us at 6:00 pm on Sunday evening!

** New info: one date change, and you can now schedule your appointment online. **

We’re gearing up to produce a new church directory—and this one’s going to be online!

Pictures will be taken at the church on Wednesday, October 15 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm, Sunday, October 19 from noon to 6:00 pm, and Saturday, November 1 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. There is no cost to be included in the directory. You will have the opportunity to purchase prints but there’s no obligation.

The directory will be accessible from the church website, and will be password protected so your information is secure.

To make a photo appointment, call (317) 291-EDGE or go to the appointment website.

The AIDS Walk supports services and programs that help more than 10,000 Hoosiers with HIV/AIDS.

Participants and teams solicit pledges from family, friends, co-workers, employers and others to provide assistance with emergency shelter, utilities, food, medicine, and other daily living needs. The funds are managed by the Greg Powers / Direct Emergency Financial Assistance Fund (DEFA).

The pandemic is far from over—infection rates are increasing among women, youth and minorities. Indiana remains above the national average of young people under 25 who are living with AIDS. Won’t you sign up today to be part of Team JMCC? The walk is October 11, 1:00 pm at Military Park. Go to the walk website to sign up today! If you’re not able to join us for the walk, please make a pledge!

Historically, Jesus MCC has had a part-time Accompanist (organ/piano) to supplement and support the work of our Worship Arts Minister. Jason Saylor filled that position until his full-time job transferred him to Chicago in June. Now that our new Worship Arts Minister is in place, we’re ready to search for a new Accompanist. Although our new Worship Arts Minister plays the piano superbly, he does not play organ, nor can he accompany the choir while simultaneously conducting them. We anticipate that an Accompanist will also bring skills that allow us to further broaden the styles of music we incorporate into worship.

Initially, the accompanist will work 10 to 12 hours per week. We are looking for someone who: (a) has excellent accompanist skills on both organ and piano; and (b) is able to sight-read classical and contemporary composers. It is also important that this person be on a meaningful Christian journey and understand the responsibilities of a spiritual leader and role model.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please read and respond to the full Position Posting. The deadline for resumes is October 15.

• October 11 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
• See the IMPD Mounted Police!
• Receive a Certificate of Blessing suitable for framing.
• Pet/Family Portraits, Petting Area, Refreshments.

You can pre-register your pet at church on Sunday.

Please note that pet owners will be responsible for their pets! All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier/kennel.

Ray Boltz in Concert from Jesus MCC on Vimeo.

Set list:

To Be True
God Knows I Tried
Don’t Tell Me
Following Her Dream
Dancing With The Girls
The Swimming Hole
I Will Choose To Love
I Chose
Thank You
Take Up Your Cross, with the Jesus MCC Choir
Who Would Jesus Love?
The Anchor Holds

Ray Boltz has written and sung some of Christian music’s greatest hits — Thank You, Watch The Lamb, I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb. He has sold more than four million albums and his songs have repeatedly reached the top of the Christian music charts, including twelve No. 1 Hits. He has won three Dove Awards — Christian music’s highest honor. He has been a hero within the American evangelical Christian movement, including headlining huge Promise Keepers gatherings.

Several years ago, Ray stepped out of the limelight to reflect and reassess. Now he’s ready to launch a whole new phase in his music career.

Ray wants the first concert of this new phase to be at Jesus Metropolitan Community Church, Indianapolis, where he worshiped several times during his period of reassessment.  The concert will be on Sunday September 14, at 6:00 pm.  Jesus MCC is located at 2950 East 55th Place, on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

Tickets for the concert are available by calling 317-722-0000 x 100 or by emailing the church office.  Tickets are $20 each for adults, $5 for ages 12 to 18, and under 12 are free. Seating is limited. All proceeds will benefit this new phase in Ray’s music career. Invite your family and friends for a momentous and moving Christian music concert!

Have you ever noticed, that when Jesus was physically present on the earth, he often used ordinary things to achieve incredible results? He used mud to heal a blind man, and a little boy’s lunch to feed a crowd. As we seek to follow Jesus, God is allowing our simple, ordinary offerings to be used to save hundreds of lives and reduce the impact of the plague of mosquito-borne malaria.

Malaria kills 3,000 people every day in Africa (that’s about one every 30 seconds), and it infects and weakens many, many more. Jesus MCC, through our Missions Board and the Sudan Ministry Team, are helping to change that by providing mosquito nets — a simple, ordinary thing — to save hundreds of lives.

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Join us Sunday August 10 as we celebrate at each service!  The day will feature

• Special Guest Rev. Belva Boone from St. John’s MCC, Raleigh, NC.  Rev. Boone has been a member of MCC since 1983, and is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, where her training emphasized preaching and worship.  She’s been pastor of St. John’s MCC since 2001, and is the first African American woman to hold that position.
• Performances by the Gospel Choir and the Praise Dance Team!
• A soul food potluck after the 11:00 am service!  Ham and fried chicken will be provided.  If you plan to take part in the potluck, please bring a side dish or dessert — and plenty of it! — to share.

Here are three ways you can make the earth a little cleaner and help some good causes here at church:

Pop Cans for Playgrounds
Bring your aluminum cans (crushed, if possible) to the collection bin in the social hall.  All proceeds from cans will be used for Playground Phase 2.

Ink and Toner Cartridges for the Office
Every inkjet or laser toner cartridge you bring in (HP, Lexmark, or Dell brand only, please) can be redeemed at Staples for $3 to use for office supply purchases.  The collection bin for cartridges is in the coat room.

Recycle Your Newspapers and Junk Mail
You’ve probably seen the green and yellow dumpster in the upper parking lot.  It’s for paper recycling, and the church receives payment for the paper.

If we recycle less than 4 tons per month, the recycling company pays us $5 per ton.  But if we cross that 4 ton threshold, we receive $15 per ton.  So continue to bring in your newspapers, magazines, office paper, and junk mail!  Please note that we can’t take cardboard, food wrappers, or any type of plastic.

It’s something no parent even wants to think about — the disappearance of a child.  But if the unthinkable were to happen, would you be prepared with the information the authorities need to help find your child and bring them back safely?

On August 17, after the 11:00 am service, we’re offering the Managing Information on Lost Kids Program in cooperation with Farmers Insurance Group.  Photos and fingerprints of your child, along with other essential data, will be compiled into an easy-to-use electronic resource.  And while we all pray that these will never have to be used, you can rest assured that you’ll be prepared for a time when minutes can make a difference.

There is no cost or obligation for this resource kit, and it’s not a sales pitch in disguise.

If you have questions, please email Melody Merida or call her at (317) 722-0000.

Are you age 14 to 18?  Do you look around church and see no one who looks like they’ve heard of myspace, Guitar Hero, or Twilight?  Beginning next Sunday, July 27 at 6:00 pm, we’re embarking on a New Beginning and its just for you!

We’ll have a separate worship service for all of you who have been “in hiding.”  What does this mean for you? No more shaking hands with weird adults, no more boring announcements, and no more bad jokes in Jeff’s sermons!

We’ll meet in Room 1 to enjoy some food together, play games, listen to music, and just hang out. Church can be exciting — so join us next Sunday to help make it fun! It’s a new beginning because its new, its for you, and it’s the start of something great.

Join us July 24 to cheer on our Indiana Fever!

Before the game, Pastor Jeff Miner and Melody Merida will be part of a Free-Throw Contest to see how many they can make in 60 seconds!  Pick up a form at the info kiosk if you’d like to sponsor them or collect pledges from others to sponsor them.  All money raised from the Free Throw Contest will go to Playground Phase 2.

Tickets are $10 (you can also get $17 or $27 tickets).  To get tickets, either stop by the info kiosk at church on Sunday, or email Melody Merida.

Two exciting missions projects are now taking shape:

• We’re making plans for another Navajo Nation Missions Service Trip in October, and
• We’ll be parking cars at the Brickyard 400 to offset some of the costs of this trip and other missions endeavors.

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