FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER:
THE MIDDLE
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“Everything looks like a failure in the middle. Everyone loves inspiring beginnings and happy endings; it is just the middles that involve hard work.”
- Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business Review 2009
Back in March, we thought we needed to hunker down for a few weeks or maybe even a few months to let the threat of a virus pass. But now that we have tipped past the Fourth of July and fall is staring us in the face, we realize that this pandemic is going to stretch into the foreseeable future. Suddenly we realize we are in the middle. And it feels like a mess. Will school start? Will I have health insurance? Will we be able to spend the holidays with our families?
Professor Kanter taught in the business school but she began her career as a sociologist studying communities such as the Amana, Shakers and Oneida and she discovered that those communities that succeeded had certain values or qualities like sacrifice, communion, transcendence. In her article written in the wake of the 2008 economic crises, she wrote that “Problems tempt people to give up...But stop the effort too soon and by definition it is a failure.”
Her words remind me so much of the words of scripture. On almost every page of scripture, someone or a group of folks are in the middle of a mess. Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Sarah, Ruth in the Old Testament faced tremendous hurdles in finding the wisdom and courage to do the hard work in the middle of societal problems and to hold on tight to God’s strength and love. The drama repeats in the New Testament with Jesus, his disciples and Paul and those who led the early Christian movement. People of faith have long experienced what the Harvard Business mind suggests, “Those who master change persevere and persist.”
In the book of Joshua, God’s people find themselves once again in the middle of what looks like a failure and they are instructed. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” They are invited to persist in the way of love and to persevere in serving God.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
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NEW SERMON SERIES
Miss last Sunday's service? You can watch it
HERE.
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BACKYARD BASH.
Check out these opportunities for fellowship and spiritual formation on Wed., July 15:
- SECOND ANNUAL WARD PARKWAY REGATTA. Families are invited to bring a picnic dinner at 6:00 p.m. Boat building begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by races at 6:45 p.m., finishing up with a treat from Kona Ice.
- GRACE AND SIN: THE PAINTINGS OF THOMAS HART BENTON. Rev. Joe Walker leads this class on how Benton’s art reveals moments of grace amidst the personal and social struggle with sin, in his time and ours. Streaming at 8:00 p.m. at cccckc.org.
GOSPEL MEETS SPIRITUAL.
In case you missed it, you can watch a video of Paul Tucker's Zoom class, Gospel Meets Spiritual,
HERE
.
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ROOTS YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Roots provides opportunities for adults in their 20s and 30s to connect, learn, grow spiritually, and make a change in our city through service-learning projects. Join us
Sun., Aug. 9
for a cook out in the church backyard from
6:30-8:00 p.m.
for our fall 2020 kickoff event. We’ll grill out and spend some time together (while practicing social distance) in the church backyard. Please bring a lawn chair. Questions?
Email
Tyler Heston.
COLLEGE-AGED SOCIAL
All college-aged folk who are home for the summer are invited to a socially distanced social at the church on Thurs., July 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. We’ll stick to 6’ apart and wear our masks for a chance to be together without unnecessary risk. Join us in the church backyard for (free!) dinner, a chance to connect and catch up, and doing a to-be-announced service project supporting one of our mission partners. RSVP to
Tyler
by Mon., July 27, with any dietary restrictions so that we can order individual
dinners in advance.
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CONGREGATIONAL CARE
MEDICAID EXPANSION CONVERSATION
Missouri and Kansas are facing decisions about Medicaid expansion. Explore the issues surrounding Medicaid in a conversation with Rev. Joe Walker and Dr. Bridget McCandless, retired CEO of the Health Forward Foundation, on Monday, July 20, 7:00-7:30 p.m. via video conference. Participants will learn about the costs and benefits of potential Medicaid expansion. Everyone welcome. Free. Advance registration is required to receive the video conference invitation. Send an email to
Joe Walker
. For information: 816-381-9249.
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UPDATES
BIBLE AND ART TOUR OF ITALY RESCHEDULED TO FALL 2021
The Bible and Art Tour of Italy, originally scheduled for Spring of 2021, has been postponed to fall, (tentatively Sept. 6-16. As a result, there are a few remaining spaces on this tour for those who might like to attend. Click
HERE for more information.
2021 CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP
July 17-24, 2021
Registration is open now. More information
HERE
.
Register
HERE
.
We anticipate there being a waitlist for 2021 so register early!
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TACO TUESDAY RESUMES
This week, Cross-Lines Community Outreach's Food Kitchen resumed its popular Taco Tuesday lunch service for individuals experiencing hunger in our community. A team from Country Club Christian Church was there to cook and serve these take-away meals.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
We had another fun night of family bingo at Backyard Bash this week! Catch up with what's happening with Children and Families Ministries
HERE.
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YOUTH
It's not too late to sign up for Service Learning Week for middle and high schoolers, July 19-24. More information on that, and other Youth Ministries happenings,
HERE.
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Thank you to all who have mailed or returned your giving estimate. If you have not had a chance to return your giving estimate, you may still do so. Return your card by mail, or skip the stamp and use the links below or calling Rachel Clement, Director of Finance (816-381- 9256).
You are making a difference in the lives of people served through the ministry of our church and your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Follow up calls are underway.
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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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