FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Changing
I listened to an interview with author and professor, George Saunders. In the interview he shared about the time he went incognito in a homeless shelter in Fresno, California. There he met a wise older man from Guatemala who kept saying “Everything is always keep changing.” Professor Saunders says that truer words were never spoken. “It is only when we expect solidity, or non-change, that we get taken by surprise and we always expect solidity, no matter how well we know better.”

As I look back over the last church year (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020) I realize that “everything is always keep changing.” The first three quarters of the year we were gearing up for our church’s Centennial; we had launched the largest pastor’s class in more than a decade; we had hired our new amazing Director of Music, Matt Thompson; we were lighting the church up with red gels to celebrate the Chiefs. And all of the sudden covid hit and I looked at months’ worth of sermon plans I had prayerfully studied and outlined and realized they seemed irrelevant. If you had told me on March 1 that we would still be zooming meetings and streaming worship six months later I would have looked at you as though you just told me that aliens were invading from outer space!

Schools, restaurants, jobs, travel plans, family reunions, health care, relationships...everything is always keep changing! Though we try to be resilient and hopeful, sometimes the changes feel too frightening and unsettling. I have realized in recent weeks that most of scripture was written in times of immense change. Psalm 139 says “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (hell), You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.”

What is true in the midst of all this change is that God keeps showing up right where we are, keeps embracing us with love. There is no change that takes God by surprise. For God’s love and grace was designed to carry us through enormous change. As a part of that interview with Saunders, he says that the key to making good use of the unexpected season of change is to keep your heart open.

My prayer for you and for all of us together, is that we will keep our hearts open to the ways God will love and shape us as God’s very own beloved family.

Grace and peace,
Carla
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NEW 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 1: Build an Ark, based on Genesis 6:9-22, 8:14-19. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.

More information HERE.
Save the Date
LEMONADE AND LITURGY
Sun., Sept. 20, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Gather with your church family for an afternoon of fellowship and faith. This open house-style event includes opportunities such as:
  • quiet meditation in the Sanctuary or Chapel
  • prayer walk around our campus
  • live music by the Instrumental Trio
  • hands on service projects for all ages
  • The Well sidewalk sale
  • lemonade and cookies
  • a chance to visit with ministers and staff.
All activities will be done with distancing measures in mind and masks will be required when not enjoying refreshments in the lemonade stand. Watch for more information about service components. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Sept. 27.
STATE OF THE CHURCH
Rev. Carla Aday will give a vision update and present the annual report for the last fiscal year on Tues., Sept. 15 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom at this LINK. The presentation will be recorded and available on demand HERE.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
The Rest of the Story: Behind the Sermon
Led by Dr. Mike Graves
Sept. 21, 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. 21 - focusing on Matthew 13:24-30. Watch or listen to sermon from July 19. Join class via YouTube Live at this LINK.
Sept. 28 - focusing on Matthew 14:22-33. Watch or listen to sermon from Aug. 9. Join class via YouTube Live at this LINK.
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.
Sept. 17 - guest speaker Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn
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.
Sept. 24 - guest speaker Max Deweese
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. 

FALL PROGRAMMING MAILER. Watch your mail for a guide listing fall programming opportunities at Country Club Christian Church.
GUEST GATHERING
Do you know someone who would like to learn more about Country Club Christian Church or who is interested in becoming a member? Invite them to a Guest Gathering on Mon., Sept. 14 from 6:30- 8:00 p.m. under the tent in the back yard. Masks and social distancing measures will be in place, but guests will have an opportunity to meet and chat with our ministers and other church members. RSVP to Barbara George.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
3RD ANNUAL MAX DEWEESE TOURNAMENT
Fri., Sept. 25 • Noon • St. Andrews Golf Course
Proceeds support ministries to help veterans.
Sign-up ($150 per person), form a team, and sponsor a hole ($750). All are welcome. Not a golfer? You can make a donation to the tournament in any amount. Sign up HERE or for more information, contact Dr. Mike Graves.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

CLUB KIDS resume this Sunday, Sept. 13, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. outside outside at church. Join us for some fun! Wear your mask and running shoes! Bring a completed 2020-2021 Consent and Release form with or email to April ahead of time.

Click HERE for more information about Children and Family Ministries.
YOUTH

SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUPS. Starting this Sunday, Sept. 13. Middle School at 5:00 p.m. High School 6:30 p.m. outside at church.

SUNDAY STORIES. Check out Sunday Stories, five to 15 minute videos with Tyler and a guest. They’ll share personal stories related to the Sunday’s scripture, a short lesson, and more. Follow us on Instagram and stay tuned!

CONSENT AND RELEASE. We have a new 2020-2021 Consent and Release form that we need for each youth participant in any youth programming. Please download here and submit via mail or email. Contact aprilb@cccckc.org with any questions.

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: 
Hartman Elementary School
Sat., Sept. 26, 9:00 a.m. -noon
All are invited to a service day at Hartman as we clean-up and beautify the outdoor classroom space. All work will be outside the building and we will practice safety with social distancing and wearing masks. Work will include mulching, yard cleanup and applying wood protectant to their outdoor classroom. Two shifts of approximately 10 people are available to allow for safe distancing. Sign up HERE. Contact Catherine for more information.
COLLECTION CONNECTION - UNIFORMS FOR HARTMAN ELEMENTARY
We will continue to collect school supplies and new and gently used school uniforms for the children at Hartman Elementary in September: 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.  

CROSS-LINES AND MICAH MINISTRY
Looking for a chance to serve one of Country Club Christian Church's Mission Partners? There are opportunities through these agencies for individuals to help in their critical work of providing food and meals for the neighborhoods they serve in the metro area. Check out the roles, dates and times to serve as you are able:
If you have not already turned in your giving estimate card, it is not too late to do so. You may make your make your pledge securely online using the buttons below or email your pledge to Rachel Clement, Director of Finance (816-381- 9256). Thank you.
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.