FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Healing and Salvation |
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As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, I recall driving to pick up my kindergartener son on that tragic and eerie day. While the memories of horror are vivid for many of us, for others, including our youth minister who was only 8 years old at the time, it is something from the history books. On that day, we lost 2,977 people in the towers and planes and pentagon. We were stunned and I felt powerless to protect my tender child, oblivious to the dangers of this world of terrorism and hate.
For younger folks today, the global pandemic is the life altering event that they will remember. To date, over 650,000 Americans have died of covid. At this moment, the daily death toll has reached a stunning 1,499 (over 10,000 per week). Even now that the vaccine is widely available for those over 12, the infection rate is rising in the majority of states.
While many tragedies cannot be prevented, the loss of life due to covid is within our hands to change. Through the miracle of science, a vaccine was created and tested at record speed. I received my second vaccine the day after Easter and it felt like a bit of resurrection. I had no side effects and will eagerly take the booster when it becomes advisable and available. Not only was I relieved that I’m not as likely to get it, or get a life threatening case of it, but more importantly, I am less likely now to pass it on to a vulnerable person, like a child or a elderly friend or my parents.
Jesus was a healer. Dozens of stories in the Bible tell of Jesus reaching out to heal. Sometimes with a touch. Sometimes with a word. Always with compassion. One of my favorite healing stories is when Jesus says to a man paralyzed and sitting by the side of a pool that was alleged to have healing powers, “Take up your mat and walk.” Jesus invited the man to participate in the miracle of healing by taking action. While Jesus lived in a day without the wonders of antibiotics, vaccines and chemotherapy, the Bible points again and again to the activity of God healing through whatever means available. The word “sozo” means both healing and salvation.
The church made a huge mistake when it denied Galileo’s discovery that the world was round and not flat. You would think that we had learned our lesson. But today, people still deny science and see it as somehow at odds with faithfulness to God. My view is that God created a world that includes the wonders of scientific discovery and God created us with the intellectual capacity to discover vaccines. I pray that more and more of our brothers and sisters will soon take the vaccine. Together, we can experience God’s healing, God’s salvation.
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.
In worship this week: "Persistence" based on Luke 18:1-8. Rev. Carla Aday preaching. Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who was originally scheduled to preach this Sunday, is unable to join due to illness in her family.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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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.
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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Sept. 19 - Baptisms, Baby Dedications and Books. Dr. Linna Place will lead a Pathways to Learning presentation on her book, A City Church: The First Century of Service. Copies will be available to purchase. 10:00 a.m., under the tent in the backyard. Children’s book author Hayley Nicholas will present to the children during the Sunday School hour outside. We will also celebrate baptisms and infant dedications.
Oct. 3 - Centennial Celebration Sunday. One service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebratory reception and toast. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of A City Church: The First Century of Service. (One per household.) Congregational photo on the front steps at 10:15 a.m.
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. More info and sign up link HERE.
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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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STATE OF THE CHURCH
Tues., Sept. 14 • 6:00 p.m. • Under the tent in the backyard
Rev. Carla Aday will give a vision update and present the 2020-2021 annual report.
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FAITHBOOK BEGINS SEPT. 15
Women exploring scripture and forming friendships. The fall session begins Wed., Sept. 15 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 206. No homework required!
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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 20
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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SEPTEMBER COLLECTION CONNECTION
Metro Mission is seeking donations of large pieces of fleece to be used by the sewing group to create lap blankets for Della Lambs Operation Holiday in the late fall. Fleece donations need to be a minimum of 1 yard and bright cheerful patterns are desired. Donations can be brought to the church weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings.
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MISSION PARTNER DELLA LAMB GETS READY FOR NEW ARRIVALS
Country Club Christian Church's longterm partnership with Della Lamb Community Services dates back many years and through it all our congregation has supported the agency with grants and countless volunteer hours. One of the on-going roles has been with teams of volunteers preparing residences for arriving refugees. Often Della receives less than 48 hours notice of a new arrival and moves quickly to secure an apartment that a team of volunteers prepares. This week a team from our congregation prepared for the arrival of a refugee from Ethiopia.
Right now, providing financial support is one of the quickest ways to assist in the work of welcoming refugees to Kansas City. Donations can be made on the church’s website by clicking HERE and choosing Metro Mission Gifts, or by mailing a check to the church adding refugee resettlement in the memo line. We will continue to update the congregation as volunteer opportunities and other needs are shared with us by our Della Lamb partners.
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SHEFFIELD PLACE DEDICATES NEW RESIDENCE
Country Club Christian Church partners with Sheffield Place in the NE area of Kansas City and offers congratulations on the opening of their new residence which will house an additional six families. This new location, just two blocks from their main campus, has opened after months of renovation of an existing structure which was a former residence connected to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Sheffield also celebrated the renovation of the three residence floors in their primary building with updated kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.
Sheffield Place empowers houseless mothers and their children to heal from the severe, chronic and continuous trauma they have experienced in a first step towards self-sufficiency. Our congregation gives financial and volunteer support to this agency as part of our commitment to northeast Kansas City.
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EVERYDAY JUSTICE
Sun., Sept. 26, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
God calls us to do justice – and we are seeking to answer the call through daily action, individual and communal, with the support of others in our spiritual community to do what we can to dismantle systems of oppression in our own lives, selves and spheres of influence. Everyday Justice is a monthly cohort program that invites people in our community for spiritual grounding, continued education and opportunities to make plans for your work in your daily life. We first met in August and had a meaningful evening of learning and conversation, and we look forward to getting together again on Sun., Sept. 26, at the church for our second Everyday Justice meeting.
Each month, we will support each other in our ongoing commitments and asking what can we stop? start? continue? consider? You’re invited to join us for the next gathering, in person at the church (exact location TBD). All are welcome, even if you miss a previous session. Led Tyler Heston, Catherine Stark-Corn and Hannah Fenley; come for connect time at 5:45 p.m., program begins at 6:00 p.m. RSVP to Lisa Tang. |
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MISSION TRIP TO ECUADOR February 12-20, 2022
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The Mission Trip team invites you to join us for our a mission trip to Ecuador for a week of service and learning with our mission partner FEDICE, a non-profit organization that works to build sustainable livelihoods, encourage self-sufficiency, and significantly enhance quality of life for indigenous and marginalized rural communities in Ecuador. The trip is open to adults aged 18 and up and requires a $250 deposit and registration by Oct. 17. Find out more information and register HERE or by contacting Rev. Tyler Heston.
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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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OUTDOOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Beginning Sun., Sept. 12 we will host Children's Sunday School in the backyard at 10:00 a.m.. Children will hear Bible stories that have room for wondering and allow for imaginations of children to connect the faith stories with their own life experiences.
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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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.
TEXTING UPDATES
Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders! Sign up HERE.
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! RSVP to April so we can prepare.
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CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP 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
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF LOVED ONES are placed into the Church’s Endowment Funds, which are used to support the church now and into the future. Gifts have recently been given in memory of:
Gary Ellermeier for Music
Bonnie Loskill
Deanna Culver
Stacey Knapp
Edmund Scherer
Eleanor Scherer
Ron Riley
Bill and Brucie Hopkins
Dean Grogger
Bill and Brucie Hopkins
Gary Lockwood
Greg and Nancy Lear
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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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