FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Seeing God's Vision
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I met Father Ed Hayes 25 years ago when he was directing a retreat center in rural Kansas. Ed had this grandfatherly way of bringing people together from many different spiritual perspectives. He was equally at home at the head of the long oak dinner table and at the chapel’s communion table where he presided at mass. His prayer book (Prayers for the Domestic Church) has been my guide for decades. I was a novice pastor when I met him but he treated me with dignity and respect and encouraged me to dive deeper into my own journey with the living God. For me, I guess, he has always been one of those mystical people you meet who change your path forever.
Recently I came across a quote by him that captured my imagination:
“True mystics are not necessarily those who have visions, but rather those who have vision. They see the extraordinary, the mystical, in everyday events. If we desire such vision, we will have to give our brains a bath!”
I chuckled out loud when I read “give our brains a bath.” Such vivid imagery. And I began to muse on how we do that. When we pause to meditate or pray, we give our brains a bath. When we take a walk or run, we give our brains a bath. When we sit down to worship via live stream, we let the music and images wash over us and revive us. When we turn off the news and unplug from social media we clear away the noise that clouds our vision.
In this season polarization and pandemic it seems like our brains need more of a bath than ever before. We need to clear away that which interrupts the voice of God. We need to hear the peace and joy buried within our own being. Notice that what Ed is describing is not at all “brain washing” which suggests that we are told to believe something that someone else thinks we should believe. Quite the opposite. The God who created us designed our brains in such a way that we can glimpse the holy in the ordinary, we can see God’s vision. Which makes us all mystics.
With gratitude to you and all the other saints,
Carla
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STORIES IN GLASS: A SERIES ON OUR STAINED GLASS |
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The stained glass windows shape the beauty of our sacred space but more than that, they tell us the key stories of our faith and inspire us to live in the light of God’s beautiful love and grace. Do you know who is in each window? We will remember our founding members who built these windows and reflect on the meaning of the 10 largest windows, five this fall and five in the winter. As we are bathed in the holy light of these colorful images, we are called to live as those shaped by these Biblical stories. |
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This Sunday: Part 2, Martha, based on John 11:17-27. Rev. Carla Aday preaching. |
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Click HERE to worship with us Sundays at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m., or on demand anytime.
Do you ever have trouble accessing our live stream? Click HERE for some helpful hints.
Miss last Sunday's service? Watch it HERE, or check out the amazing organ/piano duet at the link below. |
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A TIME TO MOURN
By Rev. Joe Walker
It occurs to me that some of you reading this do not have a personal memory of September 11, 2001, and the events known as 9/11. You may not have been born yet or were too young to have memories of that fateful day. Suffice to say that the attacks on our soil were horrific and heartbreaking. In retrospect they were devastating beyond the loss of life, stripping away a certain impenetrability that we on our continent had assumed. Read more HERE.
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A SERVICE OF REMEMBERING: ALL SAINTS 2020
Wed., Oct. 28, 7:00 p.m.
In this year with so much death and loss, we have not been able to gather to grieve as we would normally. Join us at cccckc.org for a live-streamed service of remembering, grieving, and sharing our faith in the resurrection.
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MISSION FAIR: TO FOLLOW GOD'S CALL |
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Since we could not travel to our mission partners this year, we decided to bring the mission trip home to our own backyard. On Sun., Oct. 18, the Missions Trip Team hosted a Backyard Missions Fair for a chance for anyone to come by and learn more about CEPAD, our Mission Trip ministry, and what it means to follow God’s call of mission. Click HERE to read more about the Mission Fair, the church's Mission Trip Ministry, and our partnership with CEPAD.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Saints for Our Time
Nov. 2, 9, 16, 7:00 p.m. Led by Dr. Mike Graves.
The word “saint” conjures up all sorts of things for us moderns: golden halos painted around ancient heads, people like Francis of Assisi or Augustine, whom we usually refer to as Saint Francis and Saint Augustine. These interactive sessions will look at some more modern saints and what they have to teach us in our day: Fred Craddock, Anne Lamott, and Howard Thurman. Link to join class will be available via the newsletter and web site.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
TRUNK OR TREAT.
Are you coming to Trunk or Treat? If so don't forget about our special Trunk or Treat Collection Connection, ‘Spa’ Bags for the Della Lamb Early Education Staff. Children and Family Ministries are seeking donations to help create 20 spa bags for the dedicated teaching staff at Della Lamb. We are asking for lotions; votive candles; bath scrubs; shower gels; etc. – anything that would help a teacher relax at the end of a long day, long week.
Click HERE for more information about Children and Family Ministries.
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YOUTH
THIS SUNDAY YOUTH GROUP. Middle School 5:00 p.m. and High School 6:30 p.m.
SAVE THE DATES!
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Sun., Nov. 8: Social at the Kansas City Zoo, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
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Sun., Nov. 22: Girls’ Group — Girls in youth group are invited for a Christmas-themed craft. 4:00-5:00 p.m.
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Sun. Nov. 22: Youth Group Service Project, 5:00-6:30pm; details TBA.
Lots more information about Youth Ministries happenings HERE. Sign up for email and/or texting updates.
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OCTOBER COLLECTION CONNECTION
We are collecting hygiene items for our mission partners, including shampoo, body wash, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Shampoo and body wash can be larger bottles; agencies will re-package for distribution. Donations can be left in donation box at the east entrance to the church, Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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PUMPKIN PIES FOR MICAH MINISTRY
This year, we will be collecting monetary donations for pumpkin pies for Micah Ministry's annual Thanksgiving dinner. Pies will be purchased and packaged to be distributed as part of a full meal the week of Thanksgiving. To give online, click HERE and choose Micah Ministries.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
As we continue to offer high quality online worship, the church is seeking a Technical Production Director with extensive audio, video and lighting experience for ongoing operational support. This position will be pivotal in the further development of our digital ministry. Full job description HERE.
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We are grateful for your continued financial support, which is allowing the church to continue to serve in ministry with you through these uncertain times. If you would like to share your weekly offering electronically, please do so at HERE, or text the word General to 816-484-3399 to give quickly and easily.
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