This Week's News - January 27, 2023

January 27, 2023

In Today's Newsletter...

Mission & Outreach - Grace@Work Opportunity
Adult Enrichment - Save the Date for Pathways to Learning Class
ROOTS Young Adults - Lenten Small Group starting in Feb.
Children & Youth - Tall Oaks Camp dates set
Life of the Church - Elder / Deacon Winter Retreat is Feb. 4

Christians come in all flavors: Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, and most recently in large groups defined as unaffiliated or spiritual but not religious. Our congregation is part of a group founded on American soil during the western frontier expansion of the 1800’s. We are called “The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)”. We didn’t even call ourselves a denomination for the first 100 years of our existence because we were more of a movement than an official organization. But whether you call it a movement or a denomination, there is some energy and dynamic possibility that emerges when Christians gather together. As Jesus said “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20)

I experienced that spiritual connectedness this week as I gathered in Dallas with a group of 35 Disciples of Christ pastors who lead congregations around the United States. The keynote speaker on leadership was fabulous but those shared lunches and dinners between sessions were the moments when laughter, tears, triumphs and defeats were shared in sacred trust. We are rejuvenated not by God alone but by the Spirit which arises when we risk the messiness of traveling life’s way together in community.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has profoundly shaped my life and enabled me to glimpse the living Christ. When I was in the 5th grade, I was introduced to a young woman studying for the ordained ministry at TCU’s Brite Divinity School and because of that meeting, it never occurred to me that women didn’t belong in the pulpit. In high school, I traveled to New York and Washington DC with Disciples Christ teenagers from across Texas to learn about public policy and how our Christian convictions call us into faith that shapes society. At youth camps and conferences, I met friends who modeled for me the ethics of spiritual vitality and intellectual integrity and challenged me to live as a follower of Jesus. It is easy to take all of that for granted. But there are no self-made Christians.

I have always loved The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination because not once in my life have I had to say “I belong to this denomination but I don’t . . . . . “ because this band of Christians encourages us all to read the Bible and discern for ourselves the truth of the gospel and how to live that out in real life. No prescribed doctrine or social policy from a faraway authority who decides for us. No group is perfect and ours isn’t either. We have our limitations and flaws. But I would place my life again in its care.

Because of this movement of Christians, I have known God’s transformative power. I don’t think it's bad that folks try to be a Christian alone. I just know that for me, it isn’t possible.

Grace and Peace,

Carla

To send a message to Carla, click HERE.

WORSHIP WITH US

Worship with us in person at 9:01am (sanctuary), 10am (chapel) or 11am (sanctuary)

Click HERE to view our live stream.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023

Spiritual Resolutions: Press On, Rev. Bryce Bowers

Scripture Focus: Philippians 3:4b-14

As the calendar turns to January we often resolve to get more physically fit or adopt healthy life patterns for personal growth. We will look at the short letter of Phillipians to see what guidance it offers us for setting a spiritual path. Paul offers encouragement and advice such as: be bold, strive side by side, shine like the stars, and press on and find contentment.

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

HELP NEEDED FOR COMMUNION PREPARATION

Our shared ritual of communion is at the heartbeat of our faith and weekly worship, and we are thankful for the dedicated team who works each week to prepare the communion elements for hundreds of people each week to experience these signs of sacred presence. Are you interested in helping prepare communion? Each week, people spend an hour or two cutting bread and preparing the elements. If you would like more information on how to help out, reach out to Rev. Tyler Heston.

DR. TERESA HORD OWENS TO PREACH ON FEB. 5

Dr. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination will preach at all three worship services on Feb. 5. At 11am we will combine services with Swope Parkway United Christian Church.

MISSION AND OUTREACH

WEEK OF COMPASSION

From flooding in California to tornadoes in Alabama to continued recovery from hurricanes our denomination is responding to natural domestic natural disasters and other crises throughout the world. In working together with partners, Week of Compassion represents the Disciples of Christ commitment to unity, making our resources reach farther and growing our impact on a global scale. Your gift to our denomination's relief, refugee, and development mission fund goes to alleviate suffering throughout the world. Make a donation HERE (select Week of Compassion from dropdown).

Remember, you also offer support by shopping in The Well, as proceeds from sales go to Week of Compassion.

GRACE @WORK AT CROSS-LINES COMMUNITY MARKET

Saturday, February 25, 10am - 12pm

Join others to serve at Cross-Lines Community Market (736 Shawnee Ave, KCKS), a CCCC outreach partner. Volunteers will sort, organize, price and stock the market. Tasks are appropriate for most ages, younger volunteers will need a parent or adult to guide them in the work. SIGN UP HERE!

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AT HARVESTERS

Saturday, Feb. 11, 10:30am - 12:30pm

All volunteers must be 8 or older. Unvaccinated volunteers must wear a mask

RSVP to April HERE

ADULT ENRICHMENT

PATHWAYS TO LEARNING: Brown v. Board, Then & Now

February 26, 10am in the Social Hall

Join us for a conversation with Lucinda Noches Talbert, whose grandmother Lucinda Todd was one of the original plaintiffs on the Brown v. Board of Education landmark case. Facilitated by Nicole Jacobs Silvey from Connection Coach KC, this all ages opportunity will invite us to think about the history we’ve inherited and how God continues to call us to make the world more whole.

FAITH AND GRIEF LUNCHEON

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 12pm at Village Presbyterian Church

Guest speaker, Nicole Staab shares her experience of sitting vigil with her dying grandmother. This experience was the catalyst for her career as an end of life doula; providing care, education, and guidance for families and their loved ones from terminal diagnosis through bereavement. Following the presentation you may share your experiences in a facilitated small group. Complimentary lunch, free-will donations appreciated. Pre-registration is helpful but not required, CLICK HERE.

MONDAY NIGHT CLASS CONTINUES THIS MONDAY!

Jan. 30 at 7pm in the Youth Center

Wielding a Double-Edged Sword: Queer Biblical Interpretation

See details HERE

If you missed the first class: WATCH NOW!

For week two CLICK HERE

MISS A MONDAY NIGHT CLASS? These classes will be recorded and posted the following Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on our YouTube channel. Click HERE to catch the new classes when they are published.

Click the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified when new content is posted!

RELIGION AND SCIENCE (FALLACIES, F(PH)YSIKOS AND FAITH)

Tuesdays, Jan. 31 - Feb. 21, 7 - 8:15pm.

Led by Blane Baker. The blurring of boundaries between science, pseudoscience, and religion is commonplace in modern American society, often resulting in both human and financial costs. In this course we’ll explore why some people prefer fallacies and fiction over scientific fact, as well as models for how to consider scientific and religious questions in everyday contexts. Personal Flourishing Classes are in partnership with the Center for Faith and Culture. Registration required at cccckc.org/wj-registration. FREE to our congregation using the sign-up code: CountryClub. Register HERE

YOUNG ADULTS (Ages 20's to 30's)

SAVE THE DATES! DETAILS TO COME!

ROOTS Lenten Small Group Series starting the week of February 27, watch for details!

If you are in your 20s and 30s, take part in a variety of socials, service projects, and opportunities to study the Bible and our faith. Details at linktr.ee/cccckcroots, or @cccckcroots on Instagram.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

BABIES AND BREAKFAST

Saturday, Feb. 11, 9:30-10:30

Children 3 and under, bring your family for breakfast! We will be serving pancakes and have toys available. Come meet parents with children of similar age. This is a free event.

CLUB KIDS (3rd - 5th graders)

Sunday, Jan. 29, 4 - 5:30pm | Join us at the church for our annual evening of paper airplane making and flying. Whose will fly the furthest?
Sunday, Feb. 4, 4 - 5:30pm: Craft night in our Creator's Place
Sunday, Feb. 12, TBD: Souperbowl of Caring
Sunday, Feb. 19, 4 - 5:30pm: Gamer Night with the Crockers

REMINDER! CLUB KIDS TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders!

TALL OAKS CAMPS 2023

Each year, the Greater Kansas City Region of the Disciples of Christ hosts a variety of opportunities for youth to spend a week out at our regional church camp, Tall Oaks in Linwood, KS. These opportunities invite youth to connect with other Disciples youth from across the metroplex for fun, fellowship, and more. The dates for the 2023 camps are below; find out more and register at https://www.kcdisciplescamps.org/registration.

Chi Rho Camp (6th & 7th graders): July 16-20
8ers Camp (8th graders): July 7-13 (this transformative camp offers a faith-based sexual education opportunity that 8th graders do not want to miss!)
CYF (9th - 12th graders): June 20-25

PASTOR'S CLASS KICK-OFF FOR 6TH GRADERS

Sunday, Feb. 5, 12:15 - 1:30pm

Sixth graders (or older youth who haven’t been in Pastors’ Class) are invited to learn about the fundamentals of Christian faith while forming a sense of community with their church before choosing to be baptized or confirmed. Following kick-off, we’ll meet most Wednesdays Feb. 15 - March 29, 6:30-8:30pm. Get more info HERE.

YOUTH GROUP (Middle & High Schoolers)

YOUTH DONUTS & DISCUSSION

Sundays at 10am,Youth Center.

Youth are invited to a weekly Sunday morning gathering including donuts (or other sweet treats) and good conversation. Youth will split up into middle school and high school groups for activities & discussion.

Consent & Release Form is required for any youth attending youth ministry events.