September 16, 2022

My predecessor, Glen Miles, started the tradition of giving an annual “state of the church” address. The precedent has evolved into me sharing an annual report of the church’s previous year. In some ways, this year’s report could be “it was the best of times and the worst of times”. We celebrated 100 years with so many marvelous events and milestones, and we had our first Easter and Christmas in person in years. We also endured the covid yo-yo effect of never quite knowing if the plans we were making would come to pass due to variants and local surges of the pandemic. But really, we could say that the 100th year mirrored our first year. We were born just after the 1918 pandemic which hit Kansas City hard. And yet, people were inspired to prioritize their faith, form a new community, and pour their hearts and dollars into spiritual growth and community service.


I am incredibly grateful and richly blessed by the qualities I see in our congregation: deeply resilient faith, overflowing compassion, and bold vision. Two quick examples would be that last year’s Easter offering was the largest in the last 5 years! And 12 new families participated in Christian Community Camp this year.


At the same time, we know that the pandemic has altered us, accelerating a trajectory that was already in motion. All of us have been through a world event that has awakened us to reflect on the values and priorities we hold as essential to a meaningful life. A recent study about churches in America during the pandemic says “While churches and other religious communities remain among the most stable and lasting human endeavors, we are living in an unprecedented new era of ministry.” The church needs to be reimagined. How do we continue to be God’s people, living out our calling to be the body of Christ on this earth?


Martin Luther was a Catholic priest who lived at a time of seismic upheaval in the world and challenged the church to reform. He protested that the church was not living up to its high calling and those who followed him became “Protestant.” Today we forget that we began as a revolutionary movement to embrace change. I love what Luther said:


Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.


What does your heart cling to? There is so much temptation for us to let our hearts cling to stuff that ultimately does not matter. We need one another in the community of faith in order to realign our hearts with what brings abiding joy and hope for all. Who knows what they will say about us 100 years from now!


To see what’s in the “report” click HERE.


With grace and Peace,

Carla  


Keep Scrolling! In Today's Newsletter:

  • Block Party! Invite a Friend
  • Adult Enrichment - Monday Night Classes Begin This Week
  • Mission & Outreach - Grace @ Work
  • Children & Youth - Family Service, Youth Activities
  • Life of the Church
  • The Week Ahead - Next Week's Calendar

WORSHIP WITH US

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. Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.


Sermon Series: Turning Points

Part 2 - Thorny Situation: This week continues our sermon series that looks at the stories of individuals and groups of people in the Bible who faced turning points in their lives. This week, the sermon will focus on the story of Moses as found in Exodus 3:1-12. Moses is in a difficult personal situation. What difficult situations do we face in our own lives and how does God accompany us to see the way forward?

This Sunday! Stay for Lunch on the Lawn

Sun., Sept. 18, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


Join us for fun at the Block Party on the front lawn. Two Guys and a Grill will serve burgers and several of our mission partners will join us to serve up inspiration. Bring a favorite lawn game or pack of cards to enjoy with friends, new and old, while kids jump in the bouncy house.


Lunch available for $10/person $30/family. Invite a friend and they can eat free!

ADULT ENRICHMENT

MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES BEGIN THIS WEEK!


What’s So Good about the Good News? 

Monday, September 19 and 26 at 7:00 p.m., Youth Center

Led by Dr. Mike Graves. 


The word “gospel” is used in the New Testament to translate a Greek word meaning “good news.” But what’s so good about it, and is it good for everyone? We’ll look together at various perspectives on the gospel, especially the so-called social gospel that addresses injustices in our world. Lectures will be recorded for on-demand viewing.


Click HERE for a list of all the Monday Night Classes coming this fall.

ROOTS SEPTEMBER DINNER & DISCUSSION

September 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Join us for a potluck dinner and discussion about accessible, tangible spiritual practices. What does it mean to pray? What’s the potential in meditation? What does it look like to connect more deeply to God? Find out more info and RSVP abit.ly/rootsseptemberdinner


Roots meets the second Sunday of the month for brunch and every few weeks for potluck dinner and discussion. Find ongoing information at linktr.ee/cccckcroots or by following us on Instagram at @cccckcroots

CENTER FOR FAITH AND CULTURE CLASSES


Bridge Building Toward a Flourishing Life for All: The Quest for Social and Racial Justice

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 7:00 p.m., Youth Center

Led by Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard


Offered In partnership with the William Jewell College Center for Faith and Culture. Click HERE to register for this class and see dates and descriptions of all classes being offered. Classes are free for our church members with the code: CountryClub

MISSION AND OUTREACH

GRACE@WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY

Saturday, September 24

Various shifts between 9 am - 2 pm


All are invited to help our mission partner Micah Ministry as they host the NE Community Park Party at Concourse Park. Volunteers are needed to help set-up, greet attendees, and support the cooking team. Come connect with our NE partners and the community and see how our Centennial Trees are growing! Children are welcome to help with a parent or adult.


Click Here to Sign Up for Time Slots and Opportunities


Not able to attend and help? Donate supplies for the party by contacting Dana - dk.flora19@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER COLLECTION CONNECTION

Metro Mission is inviting donations of cereal to be shared with our partner agencies that offer food resources to various communities. Bring your donations to church M - F between 9 - 5 and on Sunday mornings.  

Jerusalem Farm Shares about Solarize KC

Jessie Schiele, Executive Director of Jerusalem Farm, presented at a recent Pathways giving an introduction and update of their on-going work in northeast Kansas City. Adam Rossi (a member of the Jerusalem Farm community) explained the Solarize KC initiative to bring crowdsourced solar to the metro. The opportunity to explore adding solar to your home, business or agency begins with completing an interest form and a free visit to assess feasibility and needs. Take a few minutes and check out the Solarize KC site for detailed information and to see the current crowdsourced pricing. Learn more about Jerusalem Farm

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY


Environmental Fair

Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. - Noon

Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway Street Mission, KS


This FREE family-friendly Environmental Fair aims to show you how each small step you take can help reduce your carbon footprint at home, school and work and save money while doing so. Learn More Here

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

FAMILY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

Scraps KC (family - 3yrs+) Tues. Sept. 20, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Help sort donations and materials at the Scraps location and have a tour. 

RSVP at catherines@cccckc.org.

CLUB KIDS

Club Kids is an opportunity for for 3rd-5th graders to enjoy fellowship and fun! Community-building games, activities and service projects are the focus of these gatherings.  


September 18 - Tie Dye and Service night @church BRING SOMETHING TO DYE!  

September 25 - Watch next week for more


CLUB KIDS TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders! Sign up HERE. A Consent & Release form is required for any youth attending youth ministry events.

YOUTH

Donuts & Discussion

Sundays, 10:00 a.m., Youth Center

Middle schoolers (grades 6-8) and high schoolers (grades 9-12) will connect over conversation on a topic related to our faith and lives, then split into small groups based on age.


SILLY + SACRED Sunday Night Youth Group

September 18, and 25, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Youth grades 6-12 are invited to Sunday night youth group gatherings that will include games, snacks, and activities exploring practices for teens to connect with their spirituality. More info and RSVP online at bit.ly/ccccsillysacred

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

SCOUTS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Sunday, October 2, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Troop 84 is hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser in the social hall. Come down to the social hall after worship to share fresh pancakes from the griddle with the Scout community and support Troop 84. 


ELDERS and DEACONS

Please mark your calendars with these upcoming events:


Tuesday, Nov 8 - 6:00-7:00 p.m. Elder/Deacon Meeting

Winter Retreat - Saturday morning Date TBD

Tuesday, April 11 6:00-7:00 p.m. Elder/Deacon Meeting


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

NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR

For information on any of these events call 816-333-4917


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

10:00 a.m – Adult Sunday School Classes

10:00 a.m – Sunday School for preschool - 5th graders on 2nd floor

10:00 a.m. – Youth Donuts and Discussion, Youth Center

11:00 a.m. – Block Party

4:00 p.m. – Sunday Night Youth Group

4:00 p.m. – Club Kids - Bring an item to tie dye


MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

9:00 a.m. – Green Team gardening

10:30 a.m. – Yoga, virtual

5:30 p.m. – Green Team gardening

7:00 p.m. – Monday Night Classes, Social Hall


TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

6:00-7:30 p.m. – Family Service with Scraps KC

6:30-8:30 p.m. – Roots: Dinner and Discussion, RSVP for location


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

9:00 a.m. – Faithbook, Youth Center

10:30 a.m. – Wednesday Morning Bible Study, Youth Center or via Zoom

6:00 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal, Room 304

7:00 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

9:30 a.m. – Sewing and Knitting Ministry, Sewing Room


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

10:30 a.m. – Yoga, virtual


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. – Grace at Work Partnership Day, Concourse Park

Fall Programming Guide 


The fall programming and activity guide is packed with opportunities to worship, to learn, and to find fellowship. Print copies are available throughout the church building. View or Download Here

SHARE YOUR GIFTS

We invite you to share your gifts and talents with the ministries of our congregation. Please fill out the form and indicate your interest in the simple but important tasks listed. CLICK TO SHARE YOUR TALENTS


Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning. 
Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  Instagram  
Give Now