FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Prayers |
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How do we pray when life is not going well? Sometimes it feels like we are doing everything right but life just keeps falling apart. In his book Meditations of the Heart, Howard Thurman begins a poetic prayer like this, “At times when the strain is heaviest upon us, and our tired nerves cry out in many-tongued pain/because the flow of love is choked far below the deep recesses of the heart…” We wait for God but the pain does not dissipate. We cry out for comfort and wisdom but the silence seems deafening.
Our Bible contains 150 Psalms, which are the prayers/songs/worship book of the people of God. These prayers were written over a period of 500 years and prayed by God’s people for thousands of years. And they refuse to sugarcoat the reality of pain that God’s people often endure. Sixty percent of the Psalms are “psalms of lament.” That means they are essentially written complaints to God. They capture the angst, fear, worry, devastating blows, heartbreak, rage and sorrow of God’s people.
I am weary with crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. (Psalm 69:3)
The best prayer is the most honest prayer. And sometimes the best we can do is offer God our raw emotion and trust that God is big enough to handle it. It is ok to tell God that we are weary with waiting for life to get better. Whether it is a global crisis or a personal heartbreak that weighs us down, God can sit with us in the pain. As the prophet Isaiah says, “but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Is 40:31)
Grace and peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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WORSHIP WITH US
In-person worship at 9:01 a.m. only. Online worship at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. or on demand any time. All three in-person worship services resume on Aug. 15.
Click HERE to worship online with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
PARKING ON WARD PARKWAY ENDS AT 11:00 A.M.
Until we resume three in-person worship services on August 15, our parking staff's hours have changed. For those attending the 9:01 outdoor worship service, please move your vehicles from Ward Parkway by 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to park in the Chapel parking lot.
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All of us are broken, but how do we become vulnerable rather than hardened during times of crises? This three-part sermon series will look at moments in the Bible when the people experienced challenging situations that deepened their faith and opened them up to become more engaged in life.
July 18 – Part 2, Everything I Ever Did, based on John 4:8-11 and 27-30. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
July 25 – Part 3, Stepping Out, based on John 3:1-5. Rev. Joe Walker preaching.
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SAVE THE DATE - AUGUST 15
IN-PERSON WORSHIP RESUMES & CENTENNIAL BLOCK PARTY
On Sun., Aug. 15, we resume all three in-person worship services, at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) and 11:00 a.m. (sanctuary). Sunday School classes will resume for all ages, at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday.
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CENTENNIAL BLOCK PARTY ON THE LAWN
Join us for a day of fun! On the same day we resume in-person worship at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., we will begin several months of celebrating our Centennial with a Block Party on the front lawn. Complimentary food, music and fun for all ages! This event is open to the public. Invite friends and family to join us for this special day.
- Picnic lunch – hamburgers, hot dogs and sides
- Ice cream truck
- Live music on the front lawn
- Bounce house, balloon animals, yard games
- In-person worship resumes at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
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FIRST FRUIT OFFERING
We are excited to share with you that our Next 100 Gifts Campaign has now exceeded $9.4 million in commitments. While we are nearing the completion of our campaign, we now begin the three-year period of fulfilling our commitments.
We invite you to consider adding to the momentum of our Next 100 Campaign by making a gift toward your commitment through a First Fruit Offering. This offering is patterned after the Israelites (Leviticus 2:9-12, 14) who brought the first fruit of the harvest to the temple as an expression of gratitude to God. You may mail your First Fruit Offering, or bring it to church on Sunday, any time between now and July 18. Please mark your gift First Fruit Offering. To submit your First Fruit offering online, click HERE and choose Next 100 from the drop down menu. |
If you have not yet made a commitment to the Next 100 campaign or our annual campaign, it's not too late to do so. Please click the button above to submit your commitments electronically, mail your cards to the church at your earliest convenience, or contact Rachel Clement to submit your commitments via email.
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ELDER/DEACON TRAINING
All new and returning deacons and elders are invited to attend a training session led by Dr. Mike Graves. Sun., July 25, 10:00 a.m. or Tues., July 27, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
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REGISTER NOW
MAX DEWEESE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Fri., Aug. 27 • Noon
St. Andrews Golf Course
Max turned 100 earlier this year and we are celebrating the church's 100th anniversary, so this event honors both milestones! You don't have to be a pro to enjoy this fun day of golf. Sign up today!
Proceeds support Friends in Service of Heroes and Veterans Community Project. Sign-up individually ($150 per person) or form a team. You can also sponsor a hole for $750. Sign-up and pay online at www.cccckc.org/golf. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Mike Graves at mikeg@cccckc.org. Click HERE to register.
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Collection Connection for July: School Supplies
The Metro Mission Team is collecting school supplies for elementary aged children to benefit our partner organizations. Markers, scissors, glue sticks, #2 pencils, spiral notebooks, backpacks, etc can be brought to church Monday-Friday 9- 5 at the east entrance or dropped off after hours in the collection bin at the east entrance.
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Grace at Work Partnership Day
Sat. July 17, 9:00 a.m. - noon
Volunteers are needed to participate in a morning of service at Sheffield Place. We will be helping landscape their new building. Come and serve with other members in support of one of our NE Partners. For more information and to sign up, click HERE.
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Grant Application Available
The Grants and Special Offerings Program of Country Club Christian Church provides financial support to non-profit organizations and are partners in mission to empower children to learn, eliminate hunger, and assist in moving people from poverty to self- sufficiency. Local non-profits are invited to apply for funding to support programs addressing the stated criteria using this LINK.
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Volunteers Needed at reStart
The local agency supported by CCCC, reStart is experiencing a shortage in kitchen staff and needs some assistance serving over the next few weeks. If anyone is available and interested, see the shift sign up LINK.
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New Donations Guidelines for Mission Partners
During the pandemic, our mission partners were overwhelmed with huge donations of a range of items and have put a pause on receiving general donations. Due to this change in what agencies can receive the Metro Mission Team will be limiting donations brought to church. Click HERE to review new Donation Guidelines before bringing items to church.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
rse bubbles!
THIRD GRADE BIBLES - SAVE THE DATE
August 15 - Bibles will be presented to 3rd graders during the 11:00 a.m.. worship service. If your child is entering 3rd grade and you did not receive and email from April - please reach out.
INFANT DEDICATIONS ON SEPT.19
On Sun., Sept. 19, we will celebrate Books, Babies and Baptisms, with infant dedications, pastors' class baptisms and Centennial children's books available. If you'd like your child dedicated that Sunday, please contact April. Or, if your family is not able to make it to worship on this Sunday we are happy to dedicate your child on a Sunday that works for your family.
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
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YOUTH
Friday, July 23: High School Pool Party 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. High schoolers are invited to an afternoon pool party at the McGuire’s! More info TBD.
Friday, July 23: Middle School
SkyZone Social 6:00-8:00 p.m. Middle schoolers are invited to join for a night at SkyZone in Shawnee! More info TBD.
Find out more about our events HERE.
Below: Tyler and the Youth spent a great day at Worlds of Fun on Mon., July 12.
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High School Service Learning Week
There's still time to sign up for the High School Service Learning week, July 25-31.
Youth who complete grades 9-12 in 2021 are invited to join in a week of service, learning, or fun, either for the whole week or for specific days as they are available. More information and registration can be found here.
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