FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Bringing God to Church
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Stone and stained glass form a church, a physical structure where we gather. Grandmothers and toddlers form a church, a living breathing community singing, praying, sharing bread and wine. Our definition of church has been challenged and stretched during the pandemic. What does it mean to be the gathered people of God when gathering poses a health risk?
On several Sundays in January we had the additional risks of icy roads and frigid temperatures and that force of nature known as “The Chiefs” which also influences the number of folks who show up in person to worship in the sanctuary or chapel. Some of you have asked me if I am worried when church attendance dips low.
And that makes me wonder, what is the real definition of church. We are the people, called by God. We are God’s gathered community. But God comes alive in our midst in many ways. A young man said to me recently, “It was on that church trip to Greece several years ago when I got to know people in a new way that the church finally became for me a place I never wanted to be without in my life.” And others have mentioned, “It is in my small group Bible study where I feel church really happening.” I often tell the church staff that the true measure of success in the church is not only the numbers but it is when lives intersect and grace is present that we know we have been the church. We gather, in twos and threes and in dozens and hundreds, but it is when God breathes in us that church has happened.
I am reminded of a favorite scene of mine from the movie The Color Purple:
“...have you ever found God in church? I never did. I just found a bunch of folks hoping for him to show. Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God.”
I was visiting in the home of a member last week. She had just come home from the hospital following surgery. I asked her about another church member who recently had surgery. And then as I went out the front door, there was on the front porch a chocolate cake, delivered by that other church member who herself was recovering from a serious illness. And I felt God breathe.
Thank you for all the ways you bring God with you to church. Thank you for sharing God with each other.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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Worship with us in person at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Click HERE to view our live stream.
IN WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Jesus’ Vision for a Happy New Year
Wishing everyone a “Happy New Year” is familiar enough, but what exactly does that look like? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers a vision for what a happy life might look like if we followed his lead, a series of “Blessed are…” statements known as the Beatitudes. As we begin a new year, we do so by considering “Jesus’ Vision for a Happy New Year.”
Sun., Jan 16 - Part 4: Rice and Beans, based on Matthew 4:23-5:6. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
REMINDER: Please continue to wear a mask when inside the church.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Beyond Belief: What Christianity Can Be
Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Led by Rev. Tyler Heston
Do you ever stammer if someone asks what you believe? What it means to be Christian is changing in our growing and globalized world, and you may feel there are more questions than answers. Adapted from the Pastors’ Class for youth, we will think about what it means to develop a more robust vocabulary for faith that goes beyond doctrinal points, inviting people of any age or stage of faith to look at what Christianity can be for you. Zoom link HERE. |
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LIFE WORTH LIVING COURSE
Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Jan. 27-Feb. 24 via Zoom
“The class is a perfect mix of thought-provoking reading, diverse classmates, personal reflection and sharing of views. One feels free to explore topics that address what people want while at the same time providing time to listen to how others experience the same questions. A great chance to start 2022 positively.” -2021 Class Participant
The phrase “the good life” has become cliché in our culture. What does the good life actually look like? We are pleased to offer another session of last year’s popular Life Worth Living course, exploring topics such as: self and others, pain and pleasure, and work and rest. To register, CLICK HERE.
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EVERYDAY JUSTICE FIELD TRIP
Sat., Jan. 29, 10:00 a.m.-Noon
Guided Tour of the Black Archives of Mid-America
1722 E. 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108
The Everyday Justice cohort is sponsoring a field trip to explore the Black Archives. We will meet at the archives at 10:00 am (can enjoy conversation and purchase beverages or snacks from the coffee shop) with the tour beginning at 10:30 am. RSVP to Lisa.
Learn more about Everyday Justice HERE. Learn more about the Black Archives of Mid-America HERE.
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FAITH AND GRIEF: My Father’s Presence
Tues., Feb. 1, noon, virtual
Guest speaker Shelley Wyche Clark shares insights from her grief journey. Faith and Grief meets the first Tuesday of the month, sometimes in-person and some months via Zoom. All are welcome and there is no charge. Register on-line to receive a meeting invitation. More information HERE or 816-381-9249. Our monthly Faith and Grief Gatherings are sponsored by six Kansas City area congregations.
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SAVE THE DATE
AN EVENING WITH KRISTA TIPPETT
Wed., Apr. 20, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Krista Tippett, Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, National Humanities Medalist, New York Times bestselling author, founder and CEO of the On Being Project; and host of the On Being podcast will speak at Country Club Christian Church. Free event, watch for more information.
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CHRISTMAS OFFERING SUPPORTS REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
The Special Offerings team is pleased to share the Christmas Offering total as of Jan. 18 is $33,125. This funding will go to Della Lamb Community Services as they help newly arriving individuals and families settle into the Kansas City region.
Executive Director, Ryan Hudnall shared, “...what blessed news this funding is!!!! We are ASTOUNDED by Country Club Christian’s generosity!!! It is overwhelming, and we just thank God for the opportunity to work with you. Truly, it is so very humbling and springs forth the joy found only in fellowship and service. I thank God for all at Country Club Christian and am just so touched to work with the church to move our city forward in caring for the vulnerable."
The team is appreciative of the many donations received to support this critical work. Look for opportunities to serve with Della Lamb in the coming weeks.
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GRANTS GIVEN TO SUPPORT LOCAL AGENCIES
The grants team finalized the grant for the 2021-22 year to share funding with local agencies. The mission priorities specify the grants should address: feeding the hungry; children’s education; and helping people move from poverty towards self-sufficiency. Thirty grant applications were received from local organizations and the following were funded between $5000 - $10,000 each for a total of $96,000:
Amethyst Place; Community LINC; CrossLines Community Services; Grace United Community Ministries; Harvesters; Jackson County CASA; KC Care Clinic; Lazarus Ministries; Micah Ministries; NE Community Center – The Harmony Project; reStart; River of Refuge; Sheffield Place; The Grooming Project
We are excited to help support these amazing organizations. To learn more about the work they are doing click HERE.
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JANUARY COLLECTION CONNECTION
Winter Hand Packs
The Metro Mission Team is collecting items to include in winter hand packs that agencies hand out to clients. Many of our agencies work with people who find them outside for periods of time -- due to employment settings or lack of adequate housing. These hand packs can be a help to those spending time in the cold. Donations of tissue packs; small hand lotions; lip balm and hand warmers are being collected to assemble into these packs. Please bring your donations to the church weekdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings.
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COOKIES FOR MICAH MINISTRY
Country Club Christian Church provides the food at least once a month for the Monday evening Micah Ministry meals and we are in need of homemade desserts; cookies or brownies. Please package in individual servings (two medium cookies or one large brownie per zip lock) and bring to church weekdays 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.. Email Shelly Trewolla when you deliver as she will plan to use them for the next meal. We accept them all through the month and freeze them until needed.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
CHILDREN'S CHECK IN ON ZOOM
Join April and Cathering for a children's check in on Zoom, this Sunday, Jan. 23, 10:00-10:30 a.m
MOPS GATHERINGS. Join us on Wed., Feb. 2 for our monthly MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting. Please RSVP, so we can make sure to have enough supplies on hand! If you have a mom friend that you think might enjoy connecting with other moms, please invite her to join us!
CLUB KIDS SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING. We are considering two Service Learning weeks this summer: May 3-June 3 and Aug. 1-5. Do you have a child interested in attending one or both of these weeks? Let April know so we can make final plans. We will work with our partner agencies and do other fun activities. Cost will be around $75 if you stay around for lunch and the afternoon activity.
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YOUTH
SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
We're excited to announce that we’re traveling out of town for our summer service-learning trips to serve with local nonprofits, learn about the related issues and how our faith fits in, and to grow together as a youth group.
MIDDLE SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 6-8 will travel to St. Louis, Sun. June 26-Wed., June 29.
HIGH SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 9-12 will travel to Chicago Sun., July 10-Sat. July 16, 2022.
More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
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BIBLE AND ART TOUR OF ITALY
May 30-June 9, 2022
A few spaces remain on this tour which was originally scheduled pre-pandemic. This unforgettable tour of world-class museums, cathedrals, Renaissance architecture, and the Tuscan countryside is led by Donna Houtteman, a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Rev. Carla Aday and Dr. Mike Graves. In addition to guided tours, there will be free days for leisure and day trips. For more information contact Dr. Mike Graves, mikeg@cccckc.org.
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CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP, July 23-30, 2022
Join families and individuals from our congregation for a week of hiking, horseback riding, fishing, crafting, relaxing and fun at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. The group of 60-90 folks from all generations stays in a lodge with lovely mountain views and enjoys the home cooked meals provided by volunteer chefs from our church. If you don’t like to camp but you love the mountains, this is the place for you. Click HERE for more information. Please let April know if you are interested in attending.
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OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Our prayers are with the family of Robert "Robbie" Robinson, who died on January 17. Services will be held on Feb. 19: visitation at 1:00 p.m. followed by a service at 2:00 p.m.
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Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
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