By Rev. Carla Aday, Senior Minister
One of my favorite moments in scripture falls just after the Easter story. Some of Jesus’ friends are walking along the road when another person shows up that they do not recognize. The friends of Jesus tell this stranger that they are still wallowing in the story of death, still stunned by the crucifixion, still overcome by the loss. Rumor has it that the tomb where they buried Jesus is now empty. Some folks say he is alive. But they doubt it.
It's an ordinary conversation until they invite this strange man in for supper. And when they sit down at the table they pass the bread basket and plate of lake trout and their eyes are opened and they realize the stranger is not a stranger, it is Jesus. This aha moment reminds me that all of us can fail to see God right in front of us. And it reminds me of a thousand moments in my own real life where suddenly, the presence of eternal love showed up in a human face. ere is how Luke says it:
“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road”.
Last week was one of those burning heart moments for me. It was our first Sunday in two years to worship in the chapel and sanctuary without masks. (Yes some are still masking for health or personal reasons and I fully support that). It was my first Sunday in two years to shake hands at the door - really shake hands. And in the parlor we broke bread - donuts that is.
I wept at the closing line of Mike’s sermon. And I could feel the room full of tension and collective wondering as he asked us that final question that ended the sermon but left us to complete it with our lives. And at the south door as I shook hands, I had a moment with a church member I had not seen for months. And he teared up as he walked away, moved by the caring of his church friends and uplifted by the Spirit that happened in worship and the subsequent fellowship. And I met four young adult visitors in their 20’s seeking a church home and was so happy we could welcome them to this amazing fellowship of God’s people. And on the closing hymn, Mike leaned over to me and whispered, “wow, this hymn really gets to me.”
I am grateful for the last two years of streamed worship. And I am thrilled that we can continue to stream for those who are out of town or ill. For me at least, that moment when my heart burns happens most often when we gather in person. I look forward to the ways that the Spirit will re-weave us together as the body of Christ.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
|
|
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.
LENTEN SERMON SERIES: THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS
This year as we journey toward the resurrection at Easter, we'll shine a spotlight one of the age-old themes of Lent: confession and forgiveness. God calls on us to admit we have failed, and God promises as always to forgive us. But there is also the opportunity to consider the ways we sin against each other. Forgiveness is a gift that seems too good to be true, and yet it is at the heart of the gospel. Come and join us on the journey.
Sun., Mar. 20 - The Gift of Forgiveness, Part 3: Forgiving One Another, based on John 8:2-11. Rev. Carla Aday preaching. Because the covid positivity rate in Jackson County has dropped below five percent, masks are optional at all worship services.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
|
|
COVID PROTOCOL UPDATES - MASKS OPTIONAL
- As noted above, because the positivity rate in Jackson County has dropped below five percent, we will transition to mask-optional at all worship services. Those who have not completed full vaccination and boosting are asked to continue masking.
- Small groups, classes and meetings for children, youth and adults will continue to decide the best protocols for their own group gatherings and may choose to discontinue mask use if all participants are comfortable.
- Staff who are completely vaccinated will no longer test weekly but will rapid test if experiencing any symptoms before coming to church.
- We will continue to mask in the hallways during the week until the mask requirements are modified in the preschool Mar. 21.
|
|
As we launch our Next 100 years of love and service as a congregation, we are nearing the construction phase. The final design work has been completed by our architects and we will receive final bids from our contractor this month. At that point, we will match projects to funds available.Currently the stretch goal is $12 million to account for inflation and additional projects. Because of your faithful generosity, $11.3 million has been committed and over $4 million received. If you have not yet decided on your participation or wish to make an increase in your commitment, please contact David Forsee or Rachel Clement Watch this newsletter for information about the groundbreaking ceremony late Spring.
|
|
WEEK OF COMPASSION IN UKRAINE
As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world. Click HERE for more information on Week of Compassion’s current actions.
Disciples have already asked how to help. Contributions can be made online or by check, designated for International Emergency Response where 100 percent of your gift will go to people who are impacted by this crisis.
|
|
AMERICAN PUBLIC SQUARE: PROTECT AND SERVE KANSAS CITY |
|
Apr. 6, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Local needs, local interests, local issues—state control. This has long been the framework for the Kansas City Police Department. Yet heightened civil unrest, escalating crime rates and the national police reform movement has generated increased interest in returning control of the police department to the Kansas City community, allowing local leaders to govern police policies, procedures, and budgets.
Country Club Christian Church and American Public Square present this special “KC at the Square”
event as we discuss the merits of state versus local control, examine perspectives from different areas
of our community, and make sense of the recent tensions over Kansas City’s police budget.
More details about this event HERE.
|
|
CANDY NEEDED FOR SPRING FLING
In March Children's Ministry is gathering donations of candy to help fill the Easter eggs for the church’s Spring Fling on Apr. 3 and also to share with our outreach partners serving residential families for their spring activities. You can donate in two ways:
- Pick-up a bag (or more) of 24 eggs to fill with individually wrapped candy, or stickers and then return when filled return to church.
- Donate bags of individually wrapped candy we will put in eggs for the event.
Questions? Contact April.
|
|
MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Creation, Chaos, and Creating Again
Mar. 21, 28, and Apr. 4 • Led by Dr. Brendon Benz, Associate Professor of Religion, William Jewell College
The opening chapters of Genesis tell the stories of creation and the flood when we fail to live according to God’s intentions for us. But what if we have misread these formative stories? And what if we are being invited to partner with God in recreating the world? Together, we will look at the stories in Genesis as well as the Gospel of John, thinking together about what a life worth living looks like. Click HERE for Zoom link and week 2 and 3 readings.
|
|
THE WELL SALE
Through Sun., Mar. 27, the following items are for sale in The Well Gift and Book Shop: Gift items, 50% off; Christmas items, 75% off; selected books discounted. Stop in today and browse.
|
|
ROOTS SERVICE LEARNING NIGHT
Thurs., Mar. 31, 6:30 p.m.
Join us in learning how one of our partner agencies, The Grooming Project, does the work of creative transformation here in our city! We’ll meet for an hour of learning, followed by dinner together (location TBA). Contact Tyler for more information.
|
|
|
REMAKING THE WORLD
WITH KRISTA TIPPETT
Wed., Apr. 20, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Krista Tippett, Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, National Humanities Medalist, New York Times bestselling author, founder and CEO of the On Being Project; and host of the On Being podcast will speak at Country Club Christian Church. The title of her presentation is Remaking the World.
On Being Podcast Discussion Groups
If you’re a regular listener to the On Being podcast, or even if you’ve never heard of it, you’re invited to join a small discussion group before Krista’s appearance on Apr. 20.
Choose the group you’d like to join and listen to the podcast noted for each group before you attend. RSVP to Lisa Tang, or by calling 816-333-4917.
Sat., Mar. 26, 10:00 a.m.
Hosted by Sharman Wilson and Joe Walker, Room 205 and Zoom. Open to all. Limit 20.
Thurs., Mar. 31, 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Rev. Carla Aday in person at her home. Open to all. Limit of 20.
Sun., Apr. 3, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn in person at an off-site location. Open to all. Limit 20.
Mon., Apr. 11
Hosted by Dr. Mike Graves. This group is full.
Wed., Apr. 13, 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by Rev. Tyler Heston in the Youth Center or via Zoom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMORIAL EASTER LILIES
Remember a loved one with a beautiful lily in our Sanctuary or Chapel this Easter. Your $25 donation may be made by check or via our website, choose Memorial and enter “Lily” and the name in the note field. You may take a lily after the 11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday service.
|
|
|
NATIVE PLANT SALE
Spring is here and we could all use some outside time so take a look at the native plants available for pre-order! These will arrive in time for spring planting! Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals. And native plants are easier to take care of in your garden.
Pre-orders only, due by April 10. Plant pick-up will be at church on April 24. Click HERE for information on how to order.
|
|
CELEBRATION DINNER AND AUCTION
Fri., April 29, 6:30 p.m., 2016 Main Event Space
After two years of waiting and rescheduling, the Celebration Dinner and Auction, originally planned for March 2020, is happening on Fri., Apr. 29. This event will be a time to come together as a church in a casual, fun setting. If you were a benefactor or ticket holder for the 2020 event, watch your mail for ticket and RSVP information. If you're interested in attending, but didn't have tickets in 2020, watch for ticket sales opening later this month.
|
|
MARCH COLLECTION CONNECTION
Metro Mission is collecting rolls of toilet paper to support our partner agencies. Offering these donations to several of our local organizations help stretch their funding for equally urgent expenses. Please bring donations to the church Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings through March.
|
|
|
SPRING FLING, Sun., Apr. 3, noon
Join us for our annual egg hunt. We will have a snack lunch, craft, games and egg hunting. Interested in hosting a game? Please email April.
MOPS. All moms are welcome to join us on Wed., Apr. 6 when the Sunflower House will be presenting on child abuse prevention. If you wish to be added to the MOPS emails and group me, let April know. If you have a mom friend that you think might enjoy connecting with other moms, please invite her to join us
|
|
YOUTH
HIGH SCHOOL CHICKEN-N-PICKLE SOCIAL Youth grades 9-12 are invited to h dinner and pickleball, Sat., Mar. 26, at the Chicken-n-Pickle. RSVP HERE for details.
SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
Join us to serve, learn and grow together as a youth group. More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 6-8 will travel to St. Louis, Sun. June 26-Wed., June 29.
HIGH SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 9-12 will travel to Chicago Sun., July 10-Sat. July 16, 2022.
|
|
|
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP, July 23-30, 2022
Only a few rooms remain open for this year's Christian Community Camp at the YMCA of the Rockies near Estes Park, CO. If you've been considering going, now is the time to sign up! Questions about camp? Here's what you need to know:
Q: Does this camp involve tents?
A: No! The folks who go to Community Camp stay in a modern lodge with lovely mountain views and enjoy home cooked meals provided by volunteer chefs from our church.
Q: I don't know anyone else who is going to Community Camp. Will I feel out of place?
A: No! Each year first-time Community Campers are enthusiastically welcomed and many establish lifelong friendships from the experience.
Q: I'm not an experienced hiker. Is there anything else to do there?
A: Activities abound, from horseback riding, fishing and crafting, to shopping, antiquing or mini golf in Estes Park, to simply relaxing on the deck of the lodge with a good book. And yes, hiking too, with many options for hikers of all levels of experience.
Christian Community Camp is truly a magical experience for all ages. Click HERE for more information. Please let April know if you are interested in attending. |
|
Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
