September 9, 2022

Julie frequently took Bible study classes and joined spiritual formation small groups but after class she would pull me aside and whisper fiercely to me, “My 40 year old cousin is dying of cancer and I just don’t know if I can believe in God if this is how God has arranged the world.” I smiled and listened. What can you say to that? Julie also donated an extra $1000 dollars every time we went to Nicaragua to help some family in dire need. 

When Bill first started coming to church he was terrified to pray out loud. Even the traditional grace at the Thanksgiving family dinner left him tongue tied and flustered. Bill signed up for a new Bible study that covered the entire book - Genesis to Revelation. After that class, Bill shifted his political opinions, adopted a new sense of purpose, and when someone asked for prayer, he raised his hand with ease.  

Jennifer was a lawyer on track to make partner but she still found life was missing some key ingredient. After a mission trip, she quit her job and discovered a new path in the not-for-profit world. She found joy in tutoring kids to read, building economic on-ramps for at risk youth and creating affordable housing in our city.  

When I first read the church’s new tagline, I thought of Julie who needed a church to “meet you where you are” without expecting you to have life and faith all figured out. And I thought of Bill who needed a church that would “walk alongside you on the spiritual journey” with patience, education, kindness and reflection. And I thought of Jennifer who discovered a “life of greater meaning” through hands-on service. 

We had an outside consultant study our church and interview some of our members to help us find a short sentence to tell our story and invite friends and family, co-workers and visitors into this experience called church that has shaped our own lives. This was the result: 

We meet you where you are 

And walk alongside you on the spiritual journey

To a life with greater meaning.  

Maybe you know someone like Julie, like Bill or like Jennifer who would appreciate being invited.  

Grace and Peace,

Carla 

Keep Scrolling! In Today's Newsletter:

• Worship With Us - Pathways on Sunday Morning, Sept 11
• Block Party! Invite a Friend
• Fall Programming Guide; Share Your Gifts
• Adult Enrichment - Monday Night Classes
• Grace @ Work
• Children & Youth - Family Service, Youth Activities Start Sept. 11
• Life of the Church - Elder, Deacon, and All Congregation Meeting, Sept 13 - scroll to find and bookmark Zoom link
• 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 1 - Risky Faith - This week we begin a new sermon series called “Turning Points.” We will look at the lives of individual people and groups of people who faced turning points in their lives in the Bible. This week we begin with Abraham who heard God call him to leave behind homeland and family to go to a new place. His decision to say yes to God was a leap of faith that symbolizes the journey of faith we all take.

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

ADULT ENRICHMENT

Roots meets the second Sunday of the month for brunch after church 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 Country Club Christian Church members with the code: CountryClub

MISSION AND OUTREACH

FAMILY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Select the session you would like to attend and RSVP to Catherine at catherines@cccckc.org.

Harvesters (8 and older) Thurs. Sept. 15, 6:00- 8:00 p.m.

Sort, organize and package food in the Harvesters warehouse.

River of Refuge (family groups) Sat. Sept. 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Play games and activities with the families at River of Refuge and share a meal. Great outdoor space will make this a fun time of sharing and connecting.

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.

CLUB KIDS

Club Kids will resume this week, Sunday, September 11. 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 11 - Bring a white or light color t-shirt, we will be tie-dying!

September 18 - Service night @church

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.

ELDER, DEACON, AND ALL CONGREGATION MEETING

Tues., Sept 13 - 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The congregation is invited to join all Elders and Deacons to an evening of enrichment that showcases the previous year and looks forward to the Next 5. View full agenda HERE

Click the ZOOM LINK to participate online. Password = cccckc (if prompted)

ELDERS and DEACONS

As we launch a new church year, please mark your calendars with these upcoming events:

Tues., Sept 13 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. Elder/Deacon/Congregational Meeting and Annual Report

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

Winter Retreat - Saturday morning Date TBD

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

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

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

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

10:00 a.m – Adult Sunday School Classes meet

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

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

10:00 a.m – Pathways to Learning: Solarize KC, Room 206

Noon – Roots Sunday Brunch, Red Door Grill

4:00 p.m. – Sunday Night Youth Group

4:00 p.m. – Club Kids

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

9:00 a.m.– Green Team gardening

10:30 a.m. – Yoga, virtual

5:30 p.m. – Green Team gardening

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

6:30 p.m. – Elder, Deacon, All Congregation Meeting, Social Hall or Zoom

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

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 15

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

6:00 p.m. – Family Service Opportunity, Harvesters

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

10:30 a.m. – Yoga, virtual

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

4:30-6:30 p.m. – Family Service Opportunity, River of Refuge