FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER:
Small and Big at the Same Time
“If you do something really great out in the wilderness, no one will clap for you,” she said with a gentle smile and a enthusiastic staccato in her voice. She was young, 20 something, and had earned a degree in art and wilderness therapy. I had heard of art therapy and music therapy. But I didn’t know there was “wilderness therapy.” She was our hiking companion for the day, teaching us about which berries were edible, which poisonous and which ones cause the birds to become intoxicated. She knew the age of each layer of the glacier-formed mountain peaks and how to read the scree for avalanche activity. Hiking with her was invigorating not only because she hiked at a 20 year old pace even though all the women behind her were over 55 but also because she possessed a deep reverence for the landscape.

We asked her what she hoped would happen in “wilderness therapy” and she replied without hesitation, “Create humility.” In the vast expanse of nature we become away of how small we are.

She went on to say that nature humbles us; that it makes us feel small and big at the same time. Perhaps, I thought to myself, that is why I love to hike. It is more than exercise. It is a spiritual reminder of who we are in God’s vast universe, small and big at the same time. In contrast to the world of concrete and screens, hiking restores the soul by pulling us back into the rhythms of the natural world.

In addition to the pandemic, our society is engaged in a national dialogue on racial justice and we are experiencing the polarization of an election year. Humility often seems in short supply. What might happen if we took the time to take a long walk in the park, observe the wonder of butterflies in the backyard, gaze at the reflection of the orange trees in a pond? Could pausing to absorb the grandeur of nature’s unfolding creativity lead us back to the hope of our holy Creator? Nan Shepherd writes in The Living Mountain, there is a “continual traffic between the outer landscapes of the world and the inner landscapes of the spirit.”

Grace and Peace,

Carla
SERMON SERIES: Recalibrate
So much of life has been unsettled or disrupted by the pandemic we are living through. Even gathering in our sacred space to reconnect with God and each other has been disrupted. As with a bathroom scale that sometimes needs to be recalibrated to zero, we also need to take action to re-center ourselves in God’s realm. This series will look at how characters in the Bible faced unsettling historical moments and rather than give in to fear, they took action to live out their faith. 

This Sunday, Part 3: Share Bread, based on John 6:1-15. Dr. Mike Graves preaching.

More information HERE.
NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
Are you interested in joining the Country Club Christian Church family, or do you know someone who is? We will recognize new members joining the church on Sun,. Oct. 4. If you'd like to join then as well, contact Barbara George, 816-381-9251.
FUN AT LEMONADE AND LITURGY!
We had so much fun at Lemonade and Liturgy last Sunday afternoon! We are thankful for a beautiful afternoon of (safe) connecting with all of you. (Above, Left: Hands on service project: sack lunches were made for Cross-Lines Community Outreach. Middle: Dr. Paul Tucker and the Instrumental Trio provided music. Right: Reconnecting on the front lawn.)
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
The Rest of the Story: Behind the Sermon
Led by Dr. Mike Graves
Sept. 28, 7:00 p.m.
via YouTube Live.

Scripture passages are about a lot of things; sermons are about one. That’s what Dr. Mike Graves used to tell his seminary students. To use a metaphor from the movies, it means a lot of material ends up on the cutting room floor. In these interactive sessions, we’ll look back at two passages from which Mike preached, thinking about what was not covered. Participants may want to watch or listen to previous sermons ahead of each class.

Sept. 28 - focusing on Matthew 14:22-33. Watch or listen to sermon from Aug. 9. Join class via YouTube Live at this LINK.

Miss last week's class? You can watch it HERE.
FAITHPUB AND FAITH BISTRO RETURN
Gatherings will be from 6:30-8:00 p.m. under the tent in the back yard.

FaithBistro for women of all ages, with guest speakers on spirituality and real-life issues.
Oct. 15 - guest speaker Donna Houtteman, docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

FaithPub, hosted by Dr. Mike Graves, this men’s group meets for conversation on a host of spiritual topics.
Oct. 22 - guest speaker Doug Hundley

NEW RESIDENT SMALL GROUPS. Do you know someone who is new to the Kansas City area and is finding settling into a new community challenging during a pandemic? This fall we will kick off a new small group for new-to-Kansas City folks who want to get to know our city and meet new friends. Contact Lisa Tang at lisat@cccckc.org to be put on a list to receive more information. 
ROOTS YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Thurs., Oct. 15, 7:00 p.m.​:
Backyard Social at the Jensens’ House
Folks in their 20s and 30s are invited to a casual backyard social at Shelle and Dan Jensen’s house. We’ll provide refreshments and plenty of space to spread out in Jensen’s beautiful Leawood backyard. Contact Tyler for details.
BACKYARD MISSIONS FAIR
Sun., Oct. 18, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
This year, since we are unable to travel internationally for our annual mission trips, we’re bringing the mission trip experience home with our Backyard Missions Fair. Instead of traveling to Nicaragua you're invited to an open-house missions fair in the church backyard. Learn about our partnership with CEPAD, a nonprofit that works to support vulnerable communities across Nicaragua, and to hear about our vision for our missions work as a church. Come by for 30 minutes or the entire two hours to connect and take part of our mission work!
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

CLUB KIDS for grades 3-5 continues this Sunday, Sept. 20, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. outside at church. Join us for some fun!

Click HERE for more information about Children and Family Ministries.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
GRACE
by Lisa McCleish, Director
Last March, the Parents’ Day Out and Preschool Program left on a Friday, ready for a week spring break, and didn’t re-open until June 1, over 10 weeks later. COVID.

Admittedly, the staff were unprepared to be closed due to a pandemic. Like every other teacher, we had to provide remote learning for children (knowing that ZOOM calls with infants and toddlers would be less than wonderful), with all of our supplies still in the classrooms, with a host of technological challenges, and with every child and family needing different support. Read more HERE.
YOUTH

THIS SUNDAY Youth group from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. High schoolers are middle schoolers will join together tonight for a service project supporting mission partner Hartman Elementary. Normal programming (middle school from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. and high school from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.) resumes next week.

SUNDAY STORIES. Follow Tyler's Sunday Stories on Instagram!

Lots more information about Youth Ministries happenings HERE. Sign up for email and/or texting updates. ​
PARENTING COLLEGE STUDENTS: CHECK IN
Sunday, Sept. 27, 3:00 pm.
We are one month into a college academic year unlike any we have seen before. Parents of college students are invited to a conversation to share joys, concerns, observations, and questions in a confidential setting. Jennifer Austenfeld, Ph.D., church member and clinical psychologist, facilitates this gathering. Jennifer worked with college students during her psychology internship and postdoctoral training at the KU counseling center. In-person with masks and social distancing under our backyard tent. Hosted by Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn and Rev. Tyler Heston and co-presented by our Pastoral Care ministries. Pre-registration required by emailing Lisa Tang or 816-333-4917.
METRO MISSION
GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY: 
This weekend's Grace at Work Partnership Day focuses on our mission partner, Hartman Elementary School. The church has an on-going partnership with Hartman Elementary School during the year, although this year with students not in the building in person support has paused. In past years members have helped with teacher support and appreciation activities including first day of school welcome; lunch for teachers and staff on conference days; helping with end of school field day and more. Over 50 volunteers served a combined total of 127 hours for special activities. The church also has a team of 18 tutors who supported student learning weekly for a total of over 540 hours last year. One other way we partner is through our teams of members who help deliver Harvester's Back Snacks to Hartman students each week offering support to families experiencing food insecurity. When we partner with our neighbors, local organizations, and the broader community we are spreading the love of God into the world. Thanks to all who are able and willing to serve!  
COLLECTION CONNECTION - UNIFORMS FOR HARTMAN ELEMENTARY
We continue to collect school supplies and new and gently used school uniforms for the children at Hartman Elementary: white or navy polo shirts, navy or khaki pants, shorts, skirts, and jumpers. You may participate by ordering online and having items delivered to church, making a monetary donation by clicking HERE and choosing Collection Connection, or by dropping items by the church Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the plastic container by the east entrance.  
CONGREGATIONAL CARE

FAITH AND GRIEF VIRTUAL SUPPORT GATHERING
Tues., Oct. 6, Noon-1:00 p.m.
For those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Everyone welcome, no charge. Hosted by Kansas City area congregations. Prayer and sharing with a guest reflection, “God’s Mysterious Ways” by Trish Byall. Trish was serving as a Stephen Minister, a lay church member trained to provide one-to-one care, when it was discovered that her daughter’s pregnancy would not survive birth. In a reversal of roles, the person Trish was caring for through Stephen Ministry became a compassionate companion to Trish and her daughter in their time of loss. Join us to hear Trish’s story and share your own experiences in our on-line conversation. Register at www.faithandgrief.org. Info 816-381-9249.

ALL SAINTS WORSHIP SERVICE
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. Join us at cccckc.org for a live streamed service of remembering, grieving, and sharing our faith in the resurrection.
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
SYMPATHY. Our prayers and condolences are with the families and friends of:

Judy Aull
Linda Nixon
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
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.