FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Fruit of Love |
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My okra plant only produces about one okra pod every two or three days, not enough to really make a jar of pickled okra or a skillet full of fried okra. But I still enjoy watching it transform from flower to fruit on its willowy stalk and feel a bit of victory when I harvest it. Then I examine my six foot high tomato plants to see if any of those green tomatoes have enough red in them to pick and let finish ripening on the counter. The tomatoes are more prolific but still not the bumper crop I imagined back in May when I planted them in freshly composted soil.
I inherited these earthy rituals from my mother. Countless Sundays of my childhood were spent driving out to my maternal grandmother’s farm to pick okra, tomatoes, squash (so itchy) and many other vegetables. After the picking, there was the canning: peach preserves, pear preserves, bread and butter pickles. And the prized delicacy from Granny’s storm cellar was always a jar of pickled okra, which my sister and I fought over on more than one occasion.
My mother became a city girl. But she never lost her love of the earth. She transferred her mother’s green thumb into a love of landscaping and growing exotic ferns and gorgeous flowers lining the walk to our home. On the occasional days when my hydrangeas are in full bloom or my garden has produced a whole bowl full of tomatoes, I take a picture and email it to my mom so that she can see I am trying to carry on her reverence for the earth.
Today is my mother’s birthday and so I am thinking about all the bounty that she poured into my life. As she traverses the eighth decade of life, I grow to treasure more deeply the earthy goodness I experience when I am around her. She is practical and hard working and no-nonsense but she is also a lover of beauty, creative and extravagantly compassionate. She is an independent thinker and we vehemently disagree on some topics. But even when you disagree with her, she is fiercely loyal. My sister and I still both call her when we are down and she listens and never lets on that she has other things to do right now. It is because of my mom that my favorite scripture is, “nothing can separate us from the love of God.” (Romans 8) The fruit of her love is my constant companion.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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WORSHIP WITH US
Worship with us in person at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Or, click HERE to worship online with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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SERMON SERIES CONTINUES:
CHRISTIANITY 101
Many of us don’t believe we know much about the Bible or theology and the version of Christianity we see in the news doesn’t always ring true to our own core beliefs. In a multi- religious and increasingly secular culture we may feel adrift spiritually. This 4-part series will explore basic themes of our faith and invite us to reclaim the essence of the journey with God as revealed in the living Christ.
This Sunday: Part 3: Turn, based on Luke 15:11-32. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
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MASK REMINDER
In compliance with the Kansas City, Mo., indoor mask mandate, we are asking everyone to wear a mask at all times when inside the church, regardless of vaccination status.
To protect our children who are not old enough to be vaccinated, the North entrance is restricted to families dropping off children for childcare and Sunday School. Portions of the Ground, First, and Second floors are also restricted to children and parents. Masks are mandatory in these areas of the building at all times for everyone over 2 years of age. These guidelines are based on the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Please bring a mask with you when you come to worship. We have a limited number of disposable masks available, however supplies of masks are becoming limited once again due to the surge in infection rates.
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CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL
EVENTS COMING THIS FALL
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September 12 - Guest Preacher
Dr. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), preaching.
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September 19 - Baptisms, Baby Dedications
and Books
Dr. Linna Place will lead a Pathways to Learning presentation on her book, The First 100 Years: A History of Our Church. Copies will be available to purchase. 10:00 a.m., Social Hall. Children’s book author Hayley Nicholas will present to the children during the Sunday School hour.
We will also celebrate baptisms and infant dedications in worship.
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October 9 - 100 Trees for 100 Years
In partnership with Bridging the Gap and Heartland Tree Alliance, the church will plant 100 trees in Northeast Kansas City to promote the benefits of green spaces for health and wellness. From park spaces to city streets to neighbors yards, 100 trees will be planted and maintained in celebration of our centennial. Planting is from 9:00 a.m.-noon beginning at Concourse Park. The 100th tree will be planted on Sun., Oct. 10 on our church campus.
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STATE OF THE CHURCH
Tues., Sept. 14 • 7:00 p.m.
Rev. Carla Aday will give a vision update and present the 2020-2021 annual report.
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FALL PROGRAMMING
There are many ways to get connected this fall through through worship, study, fellowship or service. Click HERE to view our Fall Programming Guide.
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INTRODUCING EVERYDAY JUSTICE
Sun., Aug. 29, 6:00 – 7:30 p,m,
The last year has fully revealed to us the deep roots of injustice in our community, our country, our world. God calls us to do justice – and we are seeking to answer the call. Doing justice is a daily action, individual and communal. And it takes us supporting one another as we commit to dismantling systems of oppression in our own lives, selves and spheres of influence.
We invite you to be part of the Everyday Justice cohort as we gather monthly for spiritual grounding, continued education and opportunities to make plans for your work in your daily life. At subsequent sessions we will check in with one another about how we lived our commitments, what we might do better/different, how we can support each other. Let us come to ask: What can we Stop? Start? Continue? Consider? and, in the wake of our learning moments, “So what? Now what?"
Join us for the first gathering Sun., Aug. 29, 6:00 – 7:30 p,m, in person in the Social Hall. Sessions convened by Tyler Heston, Catherine Stark-Corn and Hannah Fenley. Come for connect time at 5:45 p.m., program begins at 6:00 p.m.
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FAITH AND GRIEF WILL BILL TAMMEUS
Tues., Sept. 7, noon, Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road
Bill Tammeus draws from material in his new book focusing on the grief experienced by his extended family when his nephew was murdered in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Following Bill’s reflection you may share your experiences in a facilitated small group. Masks are required except when eating. Complimentary box lunch, free-will donations appreciated. Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Our monthly Faith and Grief Lunches are sponsored by Country Club Christian Church and five neighboring congregations. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Begins Sept. 8, 10:30 a.m., Room 206
With Rev. Dr. George Gordon. A Fresh Look at Some of Our Most Notable Passages in Both Testaments. We will begin with the two Creation Stories in Genesis.
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FAITHPUB ON SEPTEMBER 16
6:30 p.m. under the tent in the backyard
Hosted by Dr. Mike Graves, this popular men’s group meets for conversation on a host of spiritual topics, with a guest speaker each session. Guest speaker is Lynn Horak, retired CEO of Wells Fargo, and Mike Graves’s golf buddy
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 29
Classes meet Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall
Living a Spiritual Life in a Disenchanted World - Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4. Led by Dr. Mike Graves. Our world is often described as “technological” or “secular,” terms that are loaded and often tossed about carelessly. Scholars prefer the term “disenchanted,” that we are living in a time when it’s easier not to believe in God and mystery. In these sessions, we’ll think about how best to describe our world, as well as what it means to live a spiritual life these days.
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WEEK OF COMPASSION RESPONDING TO DISASTERS
Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and developmental mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is currently responding to the recent earthquake in Haiti, as well as other humanitarian crises across the world. Week of Compassion partners have already deployed volunteers in Haiti to help with rescue operations and assess the damage. If you would like to support these efforts, click HERE for more information or to donate.
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FAMILY BINGO NIGHT AT RESTART
The Bell family led a game night for the families in residence at reStart on Tues., Aug. 24. Playing bingo and giving attendees a chance to win prizes brought a bit of fun and entertainment to these families experiencing houselessness. Country Club Christian Church will host this game night on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 5:00-6:00 p.m. If you would be interested in helping please email Catherine. |
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DELLA LAMB COMMUNITY SERVICES EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES BEGIN
Lots of young children began their school year on Mon., Aug. 23 at Della Lamb. This year the early childhood program has opened to new pre-K classes and to welcome the staff back teachers received treat bags from church volunteers. Country Club Christian Church supports Della Lamb with volunteers and annual funding. This agency is one of our northeast KC mission partner agencies. To find out more about Della Lamb Community Services visit https://www.dellalamb.org/
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CROSS-LINES COMMUNITY OUTREACH NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Cross-Lines has an urgent need for volunteers in its community kitchen today, Fri., Aug. 27, as well as Tues., Aug. 31 and Thurs., Sept. 2. For more information or to sign up contact Rachel. |
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SERVE IN THE WELL BOOK STORE
Individuals are needed to help staff The Well gift and book shop on Sunday mornings.
There are two shifts each Sunday, 8:30 -10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Training on the iPad based Square point of sale system will be provided; some computer experience helpful. Contact Anne Haraughty for more information.
All proceeds from the Well Book Store benefit Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and developmental mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to alleviate suffering throughout the world.
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CLUB KIDS VISIT THE ZOO!
Sun., Aug. 29, 1:00 p.m.
3rd - 5th graders are invited to a day at the zoo! Meet at the church for lunch in the back yard before heading to the zoo. Bring $18, your walking shoes and a water bottle. RSVP to April.
PARENT PLAYDATE
Sun., Aug. 29, 10:00 a.m. Back yard
Connect with other parents with infants and toddlers (24 months and younger.) Enjoy light refreshments and meet other families. Babies bring your parents to play! Sara and Alex will join us to lead some simple songs for the little ones!
CONSENT AND RELEASE FORMS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
We will need updated Consent and Release Forms from EVERYONE. Find it here.
More Children's Ministry news HERE.
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HIGH SCHOOL BBQ TOUR
Aug. 29, 12:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the annual High School BBQ Tour! We will carpool from the church to three3 local BBQ favorites. RSVP to Tyler; $15/person (scholarships available).
HIGH SCHOOL MONTHLY DINNER
High schoolers are invited to join us at a monthly dinner to catch up and connect with each other on the first Wednesday night of each month from 6:30-8:00pm at Panera Bread in Prairie Village (8300 Mission Rd.). First one is Sept. 1.
DONUTS AND DISCUSSION 🍩
Join us every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.Our Sunday School opportunity invites youth to connect every Sunday morning over conversation about our weeks and about a topic related to both our faith and lives. Youth will split into small groups each week based on age.
More Youth Ministry news HERE. |
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CLUB KIDS/YOUTH GROUP FAMILY PICNIC
September 12, NOON
Club Kids Children, Youth and their Families will gather in the backyard for a family picnic. We are looking for grillers - let April know if you are interested. You will make it home in time for the Chiefs opener!
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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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