Madison Square Presbyterian Church
Education Sunday
August 29, Sunday

Blessing of the Backpacks
10:50 Worship
Students, teachers, support staff and administrators bring your backpacks, briefcases, laptop bags, craft totes
whatever you carry to school or work or play for a special blessing.

Lunch
Benefitting Child Development Center
Teacher Continuing Education Scholarships

Child Development Center Open House
Take this opportunity to meet our great Child Development Center teachers and take a tour of the Center

Fabulous Folks
Has a Madison Square Presbyterian Church family member or friend done something that you think is just fabulous? Well, let them know by filling out and giving them a "Fabulous Folks" note.

Blank forms are available primarily in the sanctuary pew holders (same place as contribution envelopes and prayer cards).

Just take one, address it, write a short note, sign, and give it to the recipient either in person or by mail.

Blank notes are also available in the narthex and church office.

Wednesday Bible Study
Bible Study is taking a break for the rest of August. We will resume on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 5:30 pm.

Presbyterians 1.0
A Class for New Members and Visitors
Join us for a 4 week class to learn more about what it means to be Reformed/Presbyterian/Madison Squarian.
Class will meet from 9:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

CAM Has Urgent Needs
We need:
Men's Jeans - sizes 28-36
Men's Underwear - Sizes 28-36
Men's Tennis shoes - all sizes
Articles can be left in the CAM box in the fellowship hall.

1. Bar soap
2. Shampoo
3. Mouthwash
4. Body lotion
5. Baby powder
6. Tissues
7. Bath towels

Thank you.
Sincerely,
David T. Ewell, Executive Director
San Antonio AIDS Foundation
818 East Grayson Street
San Antonio, TX 78208
210-225-4715

The Reflective Retreat
Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall has returned to Texas after nine years of service as President of Columbia Theological Seminary. Mo-Ranch holds a special place in Laura's heart, and the Ranch is pleased to announce she is leading an event for us this fall. The Reflective Retreat with Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall: The Offering of My Life will take place October 29 - 31, 2010. The retreat is designed for anyone searching for a deeper understanding of stewardship.

We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity. There will be sessions with Laura on Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning. On Saturday afternoon enjoy Mo-Ranch at a time of year when the summer heat has faded, and it is pleasant to take advantage of this little corner of God's creation. The retreat will conclude before lunch on Sunday with worship.

The combination of Laura's unique experience, considerable skills, and the beautiful setting of Mo-Ranch promises to enrich each participant. More details on the retreat can be found at www.moranch.com.

Register now at www.moranch.com

Writing Advent Liturgies for All God's People
Instructor: The Rev. Kelly Allen, Pastor
Details: Wednesdays, September 15, 22, 29, and October 6
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 noon
Tuition: $25 Deadline: Register by September 8.
Location: 300 Bushnell Ave at Shook, 78212
Contact: 210-732-9927 or solcenter@upcsa.org
Enrollment Limits: 10 min./25 max.

Course Description: A writing workshop for congregational worship leaders, this workshop will offer participants the opportunity to explore the meaning and themes of the advent season; to explore the Old and New Testament lectionary texts for the four Sundays in Advent; and to receive coaching in the creation of fresh new resources for use in worship. With the guidance of biblical scholars and writing coaches, a collection of liturgical materials will be created, collected and shared for participants to use in their own congregations.

About the Instructors: The Rev Kelly Allen, pastor at University Presbyterian Church, holds a Master of Divinity with honors from Columbia Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Politics and Religion from University of Birmingham, London, England. C.W. (Bill) Spinks, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of English, Trinity University, earned his Ph.D. in Nebraska. His major research interests have been Trickster, Romantic Poetry, Semiotics, Myth, and Science Fiction. He is the former Editor of the Proceedings of the Semiotic Society of America, and President of the Society in 2003, Publisher and Editor Trickster's Way, and founder and chief dirt dauber of the Raven's Mud Project for computer recycling and re-sourcing. Rubén R. Dupertuis joined the Religion Department in 2006 as an Assistant Professor. He received a B.A in English Literature from the University of Michigan, an M.A. in Theological Studies from Claremont School of Theology, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christian Literature from Claremont Graduate University. Mary Lou Mueller, Professor Emeritus, Religious Studies, University of the Incarnate Word received her M.A. in Theology and Ph.D. in Religion from the University of Notre Dave, South Bend, IN. After a decade of teaching elementary school, she began her 40 year career in the Religious Studies Dept. at the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas.

Lucy Greer Burton
Director, SoL Center at
University Presbyterian Church
300 Bushnell Ave at Shook
San Antonio, TX 78212
210-732-9927

Help Me Build A Treasure Chest

Our Church Mission Statement says we are welcoming, open community for all, we bear witness to God’s unconditional love, we minister to the needs of our members, and we serve as agents of God’s love, reconciliation, peace and justice in the community and in the world.
These statements correctly reflect what we believe and (we assume) what we do – in our community and in the world. But we don’t have any story complete enough to fully represent who we are to visitors, to inquisitors, to friends, even to ourselves.
Therefore, a group of members are embarking on a treasure hunt, and we are inviting all members of MSPC (or friends or visitors or inquisitors) to share your story with us – so that our “story” can become complete enough. The treasure we seek is your story – why you are a member of MSPC, why you come to MSPC, what MSPC means to your spirituality, your ministry, your vocation, your avocation. Tell us what being “grounded” at MSPC means to you, what it allows you to be, to become. Tell us how you talk with others (at home, at play, at parties) about MSPC and your place within this community and in the world.
Our group will gather your responses and will start creating our “fleshed out” story. It will always be “in process”, just as most of us are “in process” of becoming Disciples. We will not use names of people or places as we build this story, but we do have to be able to provide context – like work in the medical field – to better portray who we are, where we are.
Thanks for your help. We look forward to gathering your stories very soon.

Email your stories to: richnelson2001@yahoo.com

MISSION STATEMENT
MADISON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

The mission of Madison Square Presbyterian Church is:

· to be a community that is open and welcoming to all people, without regard for nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status;

· to bear witness, both in word and in deed, to the universal and unconditional love of God as made known through Jesus of Nazareth;

· to minister to the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of its members, their families, and any others in need of such ministry;

· to serve actively and creatively as an agent of love, reconciliation, peace, and justice in the community and in the world;

· to work in harmony with all who share any aspect of this mission; and

· in all things, to seek and be receptive to the guidance of the Spirit of God.

Please email your announcements to be published, questions, and comments to: church@msqpc.org