FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: The Mind that Comes to Rest
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Rain, like mist, saturated the darkness. Something was odd. Too quiet. After passing a few houses on my block, I realized the power was out in much of the neighborhood. No compressor motors were running. No lights humming. It reminded me of the eerie quiet that settled over the city at the beginning of COVID when our frenetic on-the-go-ness came to a crashing halt. Though that was an unsettling season, there was a certain peacefulness about it. Though COVID continues to inhibit us, much of life’s demanding pace has resumed and people are again not finding enough hours in the day to engage in all that matters most to us. How do we establish a holy rhythm of work/rest; self care/other care?
In his collection of poems, This Day, Wendell Berry shares his own journey of seeking solitude and renewal. He shares more than 30 years of wrestling with this question through poems he wrote on the Sabbath, or seventh day of each week. He recalls that God rested on that seventh day of creation. Some Sabbath days Berry goes to the church where he worshipped sitting next to his grandfather and where he worships sitting next to his grandchildren. Some Sabbaths he takes a walk in the woods of rural Kentucky alone to marvel at the creation of God.
I love how he calls us not just to find a balance but to find the resonance of the soul with that force of life greater than ourselves. Here is how he writes of it in an excerpt from one of those Sabbath poems:
The mind that comes to rest is tended
in ways that it cannot intend:
Is borne, preserved, and comprehended
By what it cannot comprehend.
Your Sabbath, Lord, thus keeps us by
Your will, not ours. And it is fit
Our only choice should be to die
Into that rest, or out of it.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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Worship with us in person at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Click HERE to view our live stream.
In worship this week:Short Stories by Jesus, Part 4:, based on Luke 14:15-24. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
DR. ANNA CARTER FLORENCE PREACHING NOVEMBER 7 - Dr. Anna Carter Florence, the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, will preach at all three worship services.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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CENTENNIAL CONCERT AND PANEL DISCUSSION WITH COMPOSER |
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CENTENNIAL CONCERT, November 20 – This Love Between Us + Bach Magnificat, 7:30 p.m.
Spire Chamber Ensemble, a professional choral group of superb local, regional, and national artists, presents this Centennial concert featuring work by composer Reena Esmail, juxtaposing words from seven major religious traditions of India (Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam) to explore how they each approach the topics of unity, harmony, and kindness. This work aims to open a dialogue regarding the love all humanity shares. Now more than ever we need music to create sincere dialogue between disparate groups. By telling stories we transcend human barriers and break down systems that divide. The famous Bach Magnificat will also be performed at this concert. It influenced Ms. Esmail who wrote her work to be paired with it. This event is free but will require a ticket. Get your tickets HERE.
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Panel Discussion with Composer
November 11, 2021 • 7:00 p.m.
At this pre-concert event composer Reena Esmail will discuss her work This Love Between Us. Panelists representing different religious traditions will then discuss the work with the composer and their reflections on its core themes of love, unity and harmony. Join this event at this Zoom webinar link on Nov. 11.
Panelists include:
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The First Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri
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Islamic Center of Johnson County
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William Jewel College Monte Harmon Professor of Biology; Associate Professor of Biology; Oxbridge Molecular Biology
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CENTENNIAL BOOKS AVAILABLE
Books celebrating the Centennial are now available for purchase in The Well Bookstore.
A City Church: The First Century of Service, written by historian Linna Place about the church's first 100 years, is available for purchase for $24. To purchase online click HERE. Complimentary copies of this book will be available at the October 3 reception, one per household.
Here is the Church, a children's board book written by Hayley Nicholas, is available one per family with children under 10, or for purchase for $10.
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FAITH AND GRIEF LUNCH: BETWEEN GOD AND GARY
Join us for lunch on Tues., Nov. 2, at noon as guest speaker, Kellie Wentz shares a reflection from the perspective of a grieving sibling. Following Kellie’s reflection you may share your experiences, if comfortable doing so, 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 our church and five other area congregations. Lunches are hosted at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. Register at https://bit.ly/faithandgriefnovember. For information Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC or 816-381-9249.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Classes meet Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Live in the Social Hall OR via Zoom.
Christianity 101:The Conversation Continues
November 8, 15
Led by Dr. Mike Graves
When elders and deacons in our church were asked to name ideas for sermon series, the basics of the Christian faith were near the top of the list. But limiting the faith to four sermons is a daunting task, and there are many competing views for what Christianity looks like. That’s why in this three-part course we’ll explore the question further, reflecting together on the essence of our faith tradition and our own congregation’s expression of Christianity.
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GUEST GATHERING
Sun., Nov. 14, 10:00 a.m., Library. If you are a guest at Country Club Christian Church, we are happy to welcome you! Whether you’re a new visitor, or you’ve been attending for a while, we invite you to get to know us in a casual setting as a member of our clergy guides you through our values, traditions, and beliefs. Discover ways to connect with our service opportunities, classes, small groups, RSVP to Rachel Wymore at rachelw@cccckc.org.
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GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY WITH DELLA LAMB COMMUNITY SERVICES
Saturday, Nov 13 • 9:00 - 10:30 or 10:30 - Noon
Share your holiday spirit by joining with other church folks in helping to inventory and sort gifts for Della Lamb’s Operation Holidays. Over 500 refugee and other families in need benefit from this annual event. Our group will work in the large Della gym, masked and with safety protocols. Children are welcome to help when attending with an adult. Two shifts available. Make plans to help out with our Northeast Partner by signing up at this LINK.
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PUMPKIN PIES FOR MICAH MINISTRY
Metro Mission will be collecting monetary donations for pumpkin pies for Micah Ministry's annual Thanksgiving dinner. Pies will be purchased and packaged to be distributed as part of a full to-go meal the week of Thanksgiving. To give online, click HERE and choose Micah Ministries or mail a check to the church with Micah Pies in the memo line.
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KNITTERS SHARE WARMTH
The knitting group gathers each Monday morning to create items to donate, and recently completed many hats and scarves for children and adults. These handcrafted items are delivered to numerous of our agency partners just as the weather is turning chilly. Thanks to this team for helping spread warmth.
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CLUB KIDS for 3rd-5th graders, is an opportunity for fellowship and fun! We have events and opportunities to connect (almost) every Sunday nights during the school year from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
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October 31 - No Club Kids, Trick or Treat
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November 7 - Club Kids at Church, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Nov. 3, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at the church
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NO YOUTH GROUP THIS SUNDAY. Happy Halloween! Join us next week, Nov. 7.
HIGH SCHOOL MONTHLY DINNER. Wed., Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. Panera Bread in Prairie Village
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SAVE THE DATES
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Advent in Advance, Sun., Nov. 21, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Live Nativity/Christmas Festival, Sat., Dec. 11, 12:00 -5:00 p.m.
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TRUNK OR TREAT ON OCTOBER 24 |
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NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED ON OCTOBER 24 |
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Matt Johnson and Jennifer McAdam, Miles, Malcolm, Evelyn. New member hosts are Jeremy and Becky McElduff |
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Joel and Micah Blair, Sayer and Brody (not pictured). New member hosts are Matt and Valerie Moeder. |
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Hannah Madonna and Joy Schickler. New member hosts are Sam and Liz Copeland. |
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Scott and Joyce Blakesley. New member hosts are John and Lynn Cockle. |
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NEW DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT NAMED
Country Club Christian Church welcomes Coty Sleeper as the new Director of Facilities Management. He started in this position on October 18.
Coty brings years of facilities experience to this position, having worked for the South East Kansas Community Action Project, the YMCA and most recently, the City of Olathe. He has significant property management, budget oversight and preventative maintenance experience.
Coty and his wife, Megan, have three daughters, Kaitlyn (12), Kensley (9) and Karleigh (2). They currently live in Gardner where he is active in his daughters' schools and activities such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, karate and their home church.
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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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Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
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