FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Spiritual Freedom |
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As the fireworks pierce the night sky with staccato bursts, we will again remember the birth of our nation. Those who signed the Declaration of Independence risked their lives for liberty. John Adams wrote a letter to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776 which said in part:
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means”
Though our nation still endures chapters of “Gloom” there are still the “Rays of ravishing Light and Glory” that we hold dear. I remember the first time I traveled to Guatemala in my 20s and when the plane touched down in Houston on our return home, I had the urge to kiss the very ground of this nation.
But there is another kind of freedom that wasn't won in battle or carved out upon parchment. I’m not sure what you call it. But it's what enabled my mother, the first of 12 children in her family to leave the farm and go to college. It's what empowered Rosa Parks to sit down on a seat in the bus not meant for her. It’s the freedom that a person discovers after the end of a painful break up to gather up the fragments of life and begin again.
The Christian faith names yet a third kind of freedom. The freedom described in the New Testament is not about governments or opportunities or nationality. Jesus says, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” And the letter to Galatians says, “For freedom Christ has set you free.” The scriptures name a spiritual freedom. This is the freedom I saw in a young teenage boy’s eyes who had fled sub-Saharan Africa to build a new life in Europe. There was a fire within him. This is the freedom the apostle Paul experienced from the chains of prison as he continued to reach out with love and a hope and rejoicing. It is freedom to be God’s person, to come to life, to know a deeper liberation all the way down to one’s soul.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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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.
Sun., July 4 - Dr. Mike Graves preaching "The Real Problem with Idol Meat," based on 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Click HERE to worship online with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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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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NEW SERMON SERIES BEGINS JULY 11: BROKEN OPEN
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 11 – Part 1, Awestruck, based on Mark 4:35-41. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
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. Rev. Joe Walker preaching.
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CARLA RAUTH RETIRING - EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Carla Rauth, Executive Assistant to the Senior Minister, has announced her retirement later this summer. Carla's professionalism, organizational skills, hard work, positive outlook, and kindness will be missed greatly.
A listing for Carla's position has been posted by the Personnel Committee. If you or someone you know is interested in the Executive Assistant to the Senior Minister, please review the job description at this LINK.
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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. Food, music and fun activities for all! This event is open to the public. Invite friends and family to join us for this special day.
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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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FAITH AND GRIEF GATHERING
Tues., July 6, Noon
Guest speaker Darcie Tramp shares her experience of hospice care at home for her grandmother. Her grandmother’s death was the first time Darcie had witnessed the dying process of a loved one. Following Darcie’s brief reflection you may share your experiences, if comfortable doing so, in a facilitated on-line small group. Everyone is welcome; no charge. Faith and Grief Virtual Support Gatherings are hosted by our church and other Kansas City area congregations. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings. For more information Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC or 816-381-9249.
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ROOTS Bible and Brunch
July 11, 10:15-11:30 a.m.
Adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to the July Roots brunch on Sun., July 11 in the church backyard. Join us for this opportunity to connect and grow together. Details at cccckc.org/roots, or by emailing Tyler at tylerh@cccckc.org.
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REGISTER NOW-MAX DEWEESE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Fri., Aug. 27 • Noon
St. Andrews Golf Course
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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Children, Youth and Families Help reStart Celebrate Fathers
Donations from families were shared with reStart to purchase items for reStart residents celebrating Father's Day. Hygiene products, snacks, slides and gas cards were shared with eight father's at a brunch hosted by reStart. We are grateful for the many ways our congregation supports local agencies who are helping people move into more independent living.
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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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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
POPSICLES IN THE PARK
Sunday July 11, Noon-2:00 p.m.
Join April, Catherine and your church friends at Franklin Park, We will provide the popsicles and of course bubbles!
MOPS SUMMER GATHERINGS
MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) will host a series of summer gatherings. If you or a friend would enjoy connecting with other moms, please join us. For more information and details, email April or click HERE.
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
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YOUTH
Monday, July 12: Worlds of Fun
11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Middle and High schoolers are invited to spend the day at Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun! Cost is $50, includes ticket and a picnic meal and snacks.
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.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE LEARNING WITH NE PARTNERS
A group of middle school church members spent their afternoons this week in agencies in northeast Kansas City, learning about what these partners do and helping with various projects and programming. From hearing about the 20-year history of Micah Ministry and our congregation's beginnings with Independence Boulevard Christian Church, to laughing with the children attending the summer enrichment program with Grace United Community Ministries, to learning how Della Lamb Community Services welcomes refugee families to Kansas City, our youth were able to learn about the many ways this body of Christ reaches into the community to offer support and work for justice so all of God’s children can have a healthy and whole life. Thanks to the youth and adult chaperones who gave of their time and talents this week!
Below, on Monday they visited Independence Boulevard Christian Church, where they’re ringing the bells every Monday in honor of all who have died to homicides in KCMO this year. Our youth took turns ringing the bells 74 times this afternoon for the 74 homicides so far this year.
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IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family and friends of Betty Barker-Smith Bashaw, M.D. who died on Friday, June 25. A memorial service will be held in our Sanctuary on Sat., July 17 at 2:00 p.m
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