FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: On Good Friday |
|
Good Friday is perhaps the most difficult of all days for a Christian. We turn away in horror as we remember how Jesus, the one who embodied the fullness of God’s love, was crucified. And we shake our heads wondering how such a death could bring life.
I remember my professor, Serene Jones, saying that the pain of the cross wakes us up to the pain of the world. Sometimes it is possible to shutter ourselves away from much of the pain of the world. My friend recently posted beautiful bios and candids of the folks who perished in Boulder when a shooter randomly snuffed out their lives. Another friend of mine, a nurse, shared with me the story of her cancer patient who cannot get treatment because he falls between the cracks in the public safety net. Sometimes the news on the front page of the Wall Street Journal or the Kansas City Star stops you cold before your first sip of coffee. But look we must. Biblical scholar Walter Bruggeman says Good Friday is “the ultimate day in which the church asks with unblinking honesty about the moral quality of reality.”
On Good Friday, we remember that when the world aches, the very heart of God aches. When Jesus faced this most difficult hour, he turned to his faith. He was steeped in the prayer book of his tradition, Judaism. He knew the prayers and songs recorded in our book of Psalms by heart. So in the gospels we read about how he cried out, quoting various Psalms, calling upon God. Rather than turning away from God because of the pain, he turned to God to share his anguish and plead for mercy and justice, forgiveness and love.
Psalm 69 echoes how God compassionately embraces us during our suffering.
“Let the oppressed see it and be glad:
You who seek God, let your hearts revive.
For the Lord hears the needy,
And does not despise his own that are in bonds. (v.33)
On Good Friday, we pause to pay attention to the pain of the world, to give thanks that God enters completely into the reality of human life. For only a God like that, could bring us hope and new life.
See you Sunday,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
|
|
HOLY WEEK SERVICE — This service honoring Holy Week and Jesus’ last days with his disciples, will air today, Fri., Apr. 2 at noon and 7:00 p.m.
EASTER SERVICES — Celebrate the miracle of Easter with us. Sun., Apr. 4 at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.
|
|
Click HERE to worship with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
Do you ever have trouble accessing our live stream? Click HERE for some helpful hints. |
|
EASTER OFFERING SPOTLIGHT:
True Light Family Resource Center
This year’s Easter offering focuses on agencies offering true resurrection for their clients, moving them from support programs into fully independent living and working situations.
This week we are spotlighting TRUE LIGHT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER. This organization provides a day shelter for women who are otherwise forced to live on the streets when overnight shelters are closed. The day shelter offers a place of community and support, and opportunities for change. TLFRC also oversees a small in-residence transition program for homeless, single adult women to prepare them for life of independence and self-sufficiency. Click HERE to read about one woman's life changing experience.
More information the other Easter Offering agencies HERE. Click HERE to give to the Easter Offering.
|
|
CLASSES CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL
April 5, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
April 5 – “Country Club Christian Church in One Century” Dr. Linna Place, a member of Country Club Christian Church and retired Professor of American Social and Cultural History at UMKC, will highlight the first 100 years of our church’s story.
Click HERE for Zoom link to classes.
|
|
|
|
GRIEF IN THE PANDEMIC
Tuesday, April 6, 12:00 Noon (CT)
Join our on-line discussion of both the heart-breaking challenges and grace-filled creative approaches to grieving and emotional support during the pandemic. An expert panel will provide an overview of this year when we could not visit the sick in hospitals or attend funerals to offer comfort. Sharing their experiences and insights will be Patty Poore, RN, BSN, Team Manager, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, Rev. Susan Drury, Deacon, St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, and Rev. Melissa Potts-Bowers, Chaplain, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care. All are welcome; no charge. Faith and Grief Virtual Support Gatherings are hosted by Kansas City area congregations. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/ or https://conta.cc/3caKXju. For more information Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC or 816-381-9249.
|
|
|
|
ROOTS BIBLE & BRUNCH
Join us on Sun., April 11 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. for our April Roots Bible & Brunch! RSVP now.
|
|
|
|
A LIFE WORTH LIVING COURSE
SPRING SESSION
April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 7:00 p.m.
Register for the spring session of the Life Worth Living Course is now open. Click HERE for more information on the class and to register.
|
|
|
|
APRIL COLLECTION CONNECTION
Household Supplies for The Grooming Project
The Metro Mission team invites donations of toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and kitchen size trash bags to support The Grooming Project. Donations may be brought to church between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to the east entrance, or left in the teal box at the east entrance.
GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY
Volunteers gathered on March 29 for a work session with Micah Ministry at Independence Boulevard Christian Church. The team organized clothing in the children's, women's and men's closets, changing out winter items for spring clothing and readying the clothing closets for Monday nights when guests can request items. Micah Ministry offers a Monday evening meal each week and offers other support to guests. Many thanks to the church members who were able to serve at this event.
|
|
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Coming soon!
Club Kids for 3rd-5th graders, is an opportunity for fellowship and fun! Community-building games and activities are the focus of these fun gatherings.
- April 4: No Club Kids, Happy Easter
- April 11: Club Kids - join us from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for a picnic
Children's Virtual Choir - Join us for a special Children’s Virtual Choir video performance! All children are welcome to participate. Practice at home and record your child singing along to the demo video. Videos will be compiled into all children singing “together.” We will share the finished video with all of you as well as use it for special music during our online service broadcast.
Submit videos by Sun., Apr. 25!
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
|
|
YOUTH
April Social — Youth are invited to a scavenger hunt social on Sunday, April 11th! Middle Schoolers will meet at the plaza from 2:30-4:00pm for a scavenger hunt, and high schoolers will meet in the Crossroads neighborhood for a scavenger hunt and outdoor dinner from 5:00 to 6:30pm. More details TBA
Summer Service Learning Trips - We are thrilled to announce our summer service-learning opportunities for 2021! This summer, we will host two service-learning weeks that will allow both middle and high schoolers a chance to serve, learn, and build memories together with local service-learning opportunities and one overnight component. Click HERE for more information.
|
|
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 9.
Click HERE for more information and order form. |
|
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
GIFTS IN MEMORY OR HONOR OF LOVED ONES ones are placed into the Church’s Endowment Funds, which are used to support the church now and into the future. Gifts have recently been given in memory of:
Cam Schutte
Betie Gage, William Clark and family
Edmund Scherer
TJ & Williard Snyder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
