FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: God's Heart Was Grieved |
|
God’s heart was grieved. God looked around at the wickedness of humankind and saw that human hearts were filled with evil. And God was sorry that God had made them. (Genesis 6: 5-11) In the first chapters of Genesis, we read about the beauty of God’s creation: rivers, mountains, birds, flowers. God is delighted with humanity and wants the earth creatures to have companions - male and female. But four chapters into the story of our beginnings, God is already upset with God’s own beautiful creation. What made God so upset? Violence! The people were violent.
I remembered this part of scripture on Wednesday afternoon when I watched mobs of folks storm our beautiful national capital building. It is a place that inspires awe and wonder. Two years ago I traveled there and stood outside in the evening light and took photos with fellow clergy at a conference. We stood there marveling at all the history it represents and all the hope that it embodies not just for our country but for the people around the globe who long for freedom. Suddenly on Wednesday, it became a place of fear and destruction. Senators hiding under desks. Staffers in closets. Statues and paintings ruined. Blood of a woman spilled. I was shocked and stunned and almost paralyzed with an inability to process what I was seeing.
Later in the evening, I was inspired by the speeches on the floor of the Senate. Shaken Republicans, Democrats and Independents spoke with one heart and one mind about the essence of our shared values.
I am still processing what we have witnessed in this democracy we call home. I take some comfort in knowing that God’s heart surely grieves for this violence as God always does when we destroy each other with words and deeds that tear down. But at the end of that story in Genesis, God sends a rainbow. God changes God’s mind. God does not destroy humanity, but God makes a promise to go with the people, loving them all the way through life. And so I am hopeful, that we too can rebuild trust in each other and in this common journey of freedom that allows us to vehemently disagree with each other while continuing to love and respect one another.
Grace and Peace,
Carla Aday
|
|
By Dr. Mike Graves, Scholar in Residence and Minister of Spiritual Formation
Three years ago this January, the New York Times published an article, “Yale’s Most Popular Course Ever: Happiness.” The course was actually called Psychology and the Good Life, and within six days of being listed for the previous fall semester, roughly one-fourth of the student body had signed up. Stop and ponder that for a second.
It’s not exactly a news flash, I know, but everyone wants to be happy. In one way or another, happiness is at the root of all those New Year’s resolutions we make. Whether it’s weighing less or reading more, we want to be happy, the “pursuit of happiness.” That course at Yale was eventually followed by another popular offering, A Life Worth Living. The idea behind it is simple but the task itself is definitely not easy. Wrestle with these two questions if you dare: What do you think makes for a life worth living? and How do you decide on an answer?
Fast forward three years and the Life Worth Living course has started making its way into local churches. Thanks to church members Phil and Patty Love, I attended a week-long session in the summer of 2019 on what the course might look like if offered in our congregation. I’m happy to report that we are finally launching that course on Monday, February 15. And it dovetails nicely with a virtual conversation we are sponsoring with David Brooks and Miroslav Volf later this month. (See the particulars about registration for the conversation as well as the course below.)
Although sponsored by our church, I should note the course is not religiously oriented. While some materials may have a Judeo-Christian grounding, others are more generally philosophical in nature without a religious worldview per se. All perspectives will be honored, and all are welcome. It’s free and open to the public, anyone wishing to wrestle with the questions.
After that week of training 18 months ago, and after doing all the reading and preparation to launch the course since then, I can see why it’s so popular with the Yale students. I am so excited and can’t wait to get started. I honestly believe this is one of those rare things that can really change a person’s life. I hope to see you there.
A Virtual Conversation with David Brooks and Miroslav Volf
For more information and to register, click HERE.
A Life Worth Living
The course meets via Zoom for five weeks on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm, beginning February 15. There are weekly readings and reflections as part of the course, and materials will be emailed out in advance. But you have to register. To do so, click HERE.
Meanwhile, if you have questions, feel free to email Mike Graves.
|
|
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF WORSHIP |
In case you missed last Sunday's celebration of Country Club Christian Church's first worship service 100 years ago, featuring the voices of former senior ministers Dr. Glen Miles, Dr. Bob Cueni, and Dr. Gene Brice, you can watch the service in its entirety HERE. Stay tuned for more opportunities to celebrate our Centennial in the coming year.
In worship this week: Dr. Mike Graves preaching "Second Tree from the Corner" based on John 6:35.
Click HERE to worship with us.
Do you ever have trouble accessing our live stream? Click HERE for some helpful hints. |
|
|
Thurs., Jan. 28, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Webinar
What makes for a life worth living? And how do you decide on an answer? David Brooks asked those questions in his best-selling book The Second Mountain. At Yale University, professor Miroslav Volf pioneered the most popular course on campus to wrestle with those questions.
Country Club Christian Church will host Brooks and Volf in a virtual presentation on that very topic. As we begin a new year and think about becoming better people, we invite you to join the conversation.
This event is free but requires registration. You will receive Zoom link upon registration.
|
|
NEW SERMON SERIES STARTING JANUARY 17 |
|
Stories in Glass, Part II
Jan. 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14
Part II of this series continues our detailed look at Country Club Christian Church's stained glass windows. Starting January 17, we'll begin a look at the five large windows on the southern wall of our sanctuary. The stained glass windows shape the beauty of our sacred space but more than that, they tell us the key stories of our faith and inspire us to live in the light of God’s beautiful love and grace. Do you know who is in each window? We will remember our founding members who built these windows and reflect on their meaning. As we are bathed in the holy light of these colorful images, we are called to live as those shaped by these biblical stories.
|
|
MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Re-membering Mary Magdalene
Jan. 25, Feb 1, 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom
Led by Rev. Tyler Heston
Throughout Christian history, the character of Mary Magdalene has been largely misunderstood, even confused with the story of a repentant prostitute in the Gospel of Luke. This misreading is especially ironic given she’s the first disciple to proclaim Christ’s resurrection and a key figure in the birth of the Jesus movement. Largely inspired by feminist readings, this two-week study will help us to re-member who Mary Magdalene might have been and to consider the implications for our faith today.
|
|
ROOTS YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Bible & Brunch
Sun., Jan. 10, at 12:15 p.m.
Join us on Sunday, Jan. 10, for our first Roots Bible & Brunch! We’ll meet on Zoom, share a meal together, and spend an hour or so in conversation about wisdom throughout ancient Scripture and how it connects to our day-to-day lives today. Our January theme will be “Inspired, living, and active?” and we will look at what it means to call the Bible the “Word of God.” Bring a favorite brunch food (mimosas are welcome) and join us for creative conversation and community. Click HERE to RSVP.
January Sampling Social
Sat., Jan. 23, at 5:00 p.m.
We’re having a special social in which we’ll do a special sampling of drinks and/or snacks from local businesses— think a virtual wine tasting except not necessarily with wine. We’ll ask $20-30 per person and have boxes of goodies to pick up at the church during the day on Saturday, and we’ll join together on Zoom at 5:00 p.m. to taste each of the things that’s included. Click HERE to RSVP via evite.
|
|
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
ZOOM BINGO NIGHT
Club Kids Zoom BINGO night is happening this Sun., Jan.10 at 4:00 p.m. Choose and print a few cards from or pick a few up from the green tote at the East Entrance at Church. Contact April for Zoom details.
MOPS MEETINGS
Our next MOPS meeting will be on Jan. 13, 8:00-9:30 p.m via Zoom. Contact April for details about our meeting . We will meet the 2nd Wednesday evenings of every month. You can register for MOPS by filling out this form.
|
|
YOUTH
YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT
Youth are invited to join us for a social-distanced movie night at the AMC Ward Parkway 14 (8600 Ward Pkwy, KCMO 64114) on Sun., Jan. 17, from 6-8 p.m. We've rented out an entire theater so that we can safely spread out, keep our masks on, and enjoy the classic Disney movie The Emperor's New Groove together. Cost is $5/youth and an RSVP is required; we only have capacity for 18 people total to ensure for safety regulations. RSVP to Tyler and let me know if you have any questions!
|
|
METRO MISSIONS
The Metro Mission Team is asking for donations for the church's sewing and knitting groups. Donations can be dropped off at the church on weekdays or left in the Collection Connection bin at the east entrance.
- White all purpose sewing thread
- 4 ply yarn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
