This Week's News - December 9, 2022

December 9, 2022

Every family has its Christmas traditions. One of ours is that something always goes wrong when we go to put the white lights on the tree. I try to remain calm but typically end up snapping. This year I took all the lights off the tree and started over with a set that worked. Christmas just isn’t perfect. Try as we might, something is always just a little off.

I love the story of a young woman named Nelle, who was stuck in New York on Christmas and unable to get home to Alabama to savor her family’s traditions. Her job only gave her one day off so she couldn’t travel home. Nelle’s friends invited her over to spend the day with them but she felt melancholy as she watched them open their piles of lavish gifts while she had nothing. The children opened rockets and toys from Santa while Nelle sat in the corner sulking in disappointment. Then Nelle’s friends pointed to an envelope under the Christmas tree. Inside was a note that said, “You have one year off to write whatever you please”. Nelle’s friends were writers, and they knew that she dreamed of becoming a professional writer. She didn’t think she could accept the gift but eventually, she did. And she wrote “To Kill a Mockingbird”. (Story first told by Harper Lee in McCall’s in 1961)

I love this story for so many reasons. It reminds me that sometimes it is the times in our lives when all is not quite right at Christmas when something amazing actually happens. Christmas is not about having the perfect family or idyllic setting. Naming our longings for light in the midst of the shortest days of the year becomes part of the holy journey. Even the holy family had its trials and awkward situations. No room in the inn. Unexpectedly pregnant and traveling on a donkey. Herod lurking in the wings with violence on the agenda.

The story of this generous gift from friends to Harper Lee, a poor struggling artist in New York, reminds me that God sent Jesus to us that love might become tangible in human flesh. The fancy theological word is “incarnation.” In whatever melancholy or disappointments we experience in this less than perfect life, God still breaks through to give us the most lavish gift of all. As John says it “The word became flesh and dwelt among us…And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it”. There is still hope. Always still hope.

Grace and Peace,

Carla

WORSHIP WITH US

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

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Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022

Windows to Christ’s Birth, Part 3: Holy Disruptions

Rev. Carla Aday

Scripture Focus: Matthew 1:18-25

The gospel of Matthew highlights the role of Joseph and the Magi as they tell the story of Jesus’ arrival. God speaks to them in dreams and guides them to love and protect the child. This child is said to be conceived by God’s spirit. But it sure seems complicated and disruptive. How might that spirit of God conceive new life in our time?

In Today's Newsletter, Keep Scrolling to see...

Church Happenings - Christmas Festival and Live Nativity THIS SATURDAY
Adult Enrichment - Holy Land Pilgrimage
Mission & Outreach - 12 Days of Kindness
Children & Youth - Reverse Christmas Caroling
Young Adults - Christmas Party
Save these Dates - Christmas Eve Services
Life of the Church - Elder/Deacon Winter Retreat

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AND LIVE NATIVITY

Sat., Dec. 10, 2:30 - 4:30pm

Bring your friends and family and follow the star of Bethlehem to our live nativity scene complete with the Holy family, shepherds and animals.

Then come inside for these activities...

Live jazz in the sanctuary
Holiday craft projects for kids
Keepsake photo ornament of your family in front of the sanctuary Christmas tree
Assembly of warmth packs for Micah Ministries
Hot Cocoa and Coffee Bar

Interested in helping with the festivities? Let April know!

HUMAN RIGHTS PILGRIMAGE

Oct. 23-26, 2023

Join us on an educational and relational journey to better understand racism in our country and to consider ways to work toward dismantling it. Led by Rev. Carla Aday and Dr. Claudia Highbaugh. This pilgrimage to Birmingham and Montgomery, AL, includes visits to the National Peace and Justice Museum, the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders Museum. Estimated cost is $1250 per person, double occupancy, or $1,600 single occupancy. Scholarships available. More information at cccckc.org/human-rights-pilgrimage/. CLICK HERE for more information, brochure and registration.

ADULT ENRICHMENT

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

Sept. 5 - 14, 2023

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land has been called “the fifth Gospel,” and for many people, it’s the trip of a lifetime. This trip starts in Galilee, coming down the Jordan valley, and culminates with some of the most cherished sites in and around Jerusalem. This Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is being led by Dr. Mike Graves and Dr. David May. To see a detailed itinerary and more information, click HERE.

The cost is $4,800 per person, double occupancy. It includes round-trip airfare from Kansas City, ground transportation, 4-star hotels, and two meals per day, as well as entrance into all the sites and gratuities. A $300 deposit is due in May of 2023. Space is limited, so signing up ASAP is encouraged. If interested in participating, email Dr. Graves.

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.

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MISSION AND OUTREACH

HARTMAN ELEMENTARY 12 DAYS OF KINDNESS

Students at Hartman Elementary took time to create thank-you notes for our congregation as part of their 12 Days of Kindness project. Patterned after the 12 days of Christmas, this elementary school is practicing 12 days of kindness - doing caring acts in and out of the school. Cards and notes came to offer thanks for donations of cleaning supplies, uniforms, and other ways we support this local school. Our partnership with Hartman includes tutoring, providing meals for staff work days, acts of appreciation for teachers, and financial support for special projects including Take the Stage. The cards and notes are in the parlor, stop and take a look. If you are interested in exploring volunteering with Hartman, contact Nancy.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OFFERING

Lack of shelter was a reality for Mary and Joseph as they prepared for the birth of Jesus. This year, our Christmas offering lifts up three local agencies that seek to bring safe and supportive shelter to families. This Sunday we will hear from Amethyst Place. Amethyst Place inspires transformational healing and empowers generations of women and children to achieve recovery, reunification, and resilience. Each year, they provide nearly 200 women and children in Kansas City with truly comprehensive, family-centered care to help them overcome the interconnected cycles of poverty, trauma, and substance use to achieve multi-generational impact. This year’s Christmas offering will also benefit Jerusalem Farm and Sheffield Place. Your generosity is appreciated as these agencies seek to transform lives in our community. Learn more and donate HERE.

MICAH MINISTRIES WARMTH PACKS

FOR DECEMBER

Each Monday evening volunteers offer hundreds of meals through the Micah Ministries at Independence Boulevard Christian Church. Many of those being served may be without adequate shelter or homes which becomes even more challenging in winter. Metro Missions Team will be collecting items and monetary donations for warmth packs to be shared for Christmas.

Donations of water-proof winter gloves in sizes L or XL are needed and can be brought to church M-F 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday mornings. Or make a contribution on-line HERE and choose Micah Ministries or mail a check to the church with Micah Warmth Pack in the Memo.

Want to help assemble the warmth packs? Be sure to stop by at the Christmas Festival and Live Nativity on December 10 between 2:30 and 4:30 to help create the packs!

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

CLUB KIDS (3rd - 5th graders)

REVERSE CAROLING

Reverse carol with Catherine and April. They come to you, then you sing a carol or two and they'll provide the hot chocolate. After sign-ups are full, the route for each day will be planned and they will let you know approximately when to expect them. Sign up for a timeslot HERE.

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

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.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Sun., Dec. 18, 12:30pm and 3:30pm

Join us for one of two youth Christmas parties! Includes ice skating at Park Place in Leawood, a meal, and a Christmas gift exchange. Middle school will meet 12:30-2:30 p.m. and high school from 3:30-5:30 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/ccccyouthxmas22

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES - 10 - 10:45am

Worship & Wonder: Pre-school - 1st grade
Footsteps in Faith: 2nd - 5th grade
Donuts & Discussion: 6th - 12th grade

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

ROOTS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Sun., Dec. 18, 6pm

Join us for dinner and a gift card exchange then ice skating at Park Place in Leawood. We will meet for dinner first at a restaurant walkable to the Ice Rink (11565 Ash St.) before skating at 7:00pm. RSVP at bit.ly/rootsxmas2022 to stay tuned with more information!

Get all the details for upcoming events at linktr.ee/cccckcroots or by following us on Instagram at @cccckcroots.

SAVE THESE DATES

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Saturday, Dec. 24

5:30pm | Children and families service. Children will be invited to dress as angels or shepherds and will join the Holy family during the service.

Music will be joyfully led by a vocal trio and accompanied by an instrumental trio (piano, sax, and bass). Prelude to the service will feature gospel arrangements composed by our bassist Sam Copeland and saxophone solos played by Zak Pischnotte along with dancing by our guest dancer. O Holy Night sung by Alex Goering, tenor.

This service will also be live-streamed at cccckc.org.

8pm and 11pm | The magic of Christmas comes alive in candlelight and song during these traditional services featuring the Kansas City Brass with choir and organ.

In traditional fashion, music will be provided by the KC Brass Quintet, organists Dr. Peiyao Yu and Sharee Thompson, and pianist Dr. Yi Zhang. The traditional David Willcocks, O Come, All Ye Faithful with Fanfare will be used and the choir will present two anthems one of which will be accompanied by brass, 4-hand piano, and organ. O Holy Night sung by Alex Goering, tenor and Variations sur un Noël, Op.20 by Marcel Dupré played by Dr. Yu for Postlude.

The 8pm service will be live-streamed and rebroadcast at 11pm at cccckc.org

CHRISTMAS DAY

Sunday, Dec. 25

Country Club Christian Church - Streamed only. Worship online at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. for Christmas reflections from all five clergy and special music.
Swope Parkway United Christian Church Service - 10am. All are invited to worship in person with Swope Parkway United Christian Church in the chapel.

AFTER CHRISTMAS

Monday, December 26. The church will be closed.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 | One Service at 10:30am. Rev. Joe Walker will be preaching. Also available streaming at cccckc.org.

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

A Celebration of the Life of Mary Margaret House will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 2:00 pm. in our Sanctuary. Friends may call on the family in the Parlor beginning at 1:00pm.

A Celebration of the Life of Andrew Rives will be held Friday, December 30, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in our Chapel. Following the service, friends may greet the family at a reception in our Youth Center (Second Floor).

ELDERS and DEACONS

Please mark your calendars with these upcoming events:

ELDER / DEACONS WINTER RETREAT

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. 8:30 - 11:30am

Featuring guest speaker, Rev. Terri Hord Owens, the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada.

Tues., April 11, 2023. 6 - 7pm | Elder/Deacon Meeting

All meetings will be in the Social Hall with a Zoom option.