This Week's News - November 11, 2022

November 11, 2022

Christians sometimes talk about the “already and the not yet.” Meaning we have already experienced the fullness of God’s love but we do not yet live fully in God’s holy presence. On Friday, Nov 11, I’ll offer the prayers at the base of the Liberty Memorial as we honor the veterans among us at the annual ceremony at the World War I Museum. I’ll think of Max, who nobly served in WWII and of several of our younger members who honorably served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They sacrificed that we might know peace and we already do, but peace does not yet fully exist here at home or around our globe.

Last summer I had lunch with Reverend Rodney Williams who will preach for us this Sunday at the joint service with Swope Parkway United Christian. We were discussing what it is like to preach to a congregation that is “purple,” that is made up of Democrats and Republicans. Rodney said, “I tell people I’m not a Democrat or a Republican, I am a human being”. That has lingered with me. We belong to one another, to the human race. This Sunday at 11 am our choir loft and pews and communion table will be filled with our neighbors who are both black and white and we will worship God with one voice and one heart and I know the energy will be palpable. And I will remember that in terms of race relations we are “already and not yet” where God desires us to be.

In a recent podcast, Krista Tippet, who spoke at our church last spring, reminded me of what we call ourselves, regardless of race or creed or age or party affiliation. Our name is homo sapiens. And that means we are “the wise creatures.” How do we live up to our name? We already are wise but we are not yet wise. We still feel the pressure bubbling in our culture and the fear in our souls about what we face next. We are anxious and broken and sometimes hurtful and foolish though we don’t intend to be that way. As people of faith, we gather in the shimmering light of stained glass each Sunday to lean into the fullness of God’s love and grace, to thank God for the bounty of goodness in our lives, and to seek to realign our lives with God’s peace. If we are wise, we remember God’s dream for the world. We are already there, but not yet. Together, we might get there.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Carla

In Today's Newsletter (Keep Scrolling or click on links for snapshot view of each area):

WORSHIP WITH US

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

Click HERE to view our live stream.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.

Sun., Nov. 13, 2022

The Power of Diversity, Rev. Rodney Williams

Scripture Focus: Zephaniah 3:9-10

“Acknowledging and embracing our differences in a context of oneness more accurately reflects the kingdom of heaven than any other thing.” - Tony Evans

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

Sun., Nov. 13 & 20, 11am | COMBINED SERVICE WITH SWOPE PARKWAY UNITED

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

We are looking forward to joint-worship services on Sunday, November 13, and again on November 20. Rev. Rodney Williams will preach the first week and Rev. Carla Aday the following week. Come and enjoy a special message of unity with combined choirs. Join us for a light brunch in The Parlor following the 11:00 a.m. service on Nov. 20.

Sept. 5 - 14, 2023 | Holy Land Pilgrimage

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.

ADULT ENRICHMENT

MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES

The Future of Christianity and the Church

Nov. 14 at 7pm, Youth Center

Even before the pandemic, religion scholars were debating the future of declining faith communities in the U.S. In a post-COVID world, the question is even more pertinent. What will the faith look like? What will congregations look like in the years ahead? Together, we’ll explore these questions and more. Led by Dr. Mike Graves.

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

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.

Click the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified when new content is posted!

Your Spiritual Legacy: Planning Your Celebration of Life

Tues., Nov. 15, 7 - 8pm. Hosted by the Stephen Ministry team at Knox Church, 9595 W 95th St, Overland Park. How will your memorial service convey the values and lessons of your life? Join us to learn how to prepare your spiritual legacy in scripture, song, and symbol. Presented by our own Joe Walker, Minister of Congregational Care. Everyone welcome. This is a free event.

Rethinking Disability Workshop

Mon., Nov. 21, 7 - 8 pm. If the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word “disability” is the name of a condition or a sense of pity or charity, this workshop will invite you to rethink and reimagine disability as a culture that is spiritually formative for both those with and without disabilities. Rev. Dr. Letiah Fraser, is the Pastor of The Open Table; she identifies as a proud African American and becoming Christian woman who lives with a physical disability. Everyone welcome. This is a free event.

MISSION AND OUTREACH

Many volunteers, countless hours, on-going connections…so much happens to support local agencies that seek to feed the hungry, support people in becoming more self-sufficient and educate children. Let’s take a look at where helping hands and hearts were at work in OCTOBER…

Monthly meal for CrossLines - Taco Tuesday . Volunteers shopped, cooked and served the meal to over 175 people in Kansas City, KS

Mentorship for moms. A couple church women are mentoring a mom at Amethyst Place twice a month for sharing and support.
Monthly meal for Micah Ministries. On the second Monday of the month, volunteers prepared and cooked to create and serve over 400 meals.
Paper products distributed. The Collection Connection requested and received paper products throughout the month that were delivered to Sheffield Place in Northeast Kansas City, CrossLines and Amethyst Place.
Hooded sweatshirt for Micah Ministries. Numerous large boxes full of donated hooded sweatshirts were delivered to church to be used for the warmth packs for Micah Ministries in December.
Employment Assistance. A gathering of northeast KC agencies met with leadership from a local business to imagine employment possibilities for individuals seeking a job.
A shed solution. Several church members, assisted by CCCC staff, assembled a shed to be used to secure bikes and outdoor equipment for River of Refuge.
Supporting the future. A small group attended the monthly community meal hosted at Jerusalem Farm and learned about the findings gathered from a community-wide survey they conducted.
Supporting School Staff. Volunteers planned, created and served a meal for the Hartman Elementary Staff during a teacher work day. Along with the tasty meal, church members connected to support the teachers.
Digging in the dirt. Thirty-five people gathered at Grace United Community Ministries as part of a Grace@Work partnership day to clean and prep raised beds for winter.
Shoes for others. Gently used children’s shoes were collected and shared with Amethyst Place, The Grooming Project and Micah Ministries.
Community Outreach. Invitations were sent to agency partners with residential families to join us for Trunk or Treat.
Family Fun Night. Several families led activities and crafts to host a fun family night at reStart.
Celebrating Successes. River of Refuge hosted an open house to share the completed renovations of 10 more units that will house families. Several church members attended and toured the new units.
Stocking food pantries. The Virginia Reed Food Drive supported two local food pantries - with supplies ordered and delivered to Grace United Community Ministries and CrossLines Food Market.
Spreading simple joys. Vases were collected to support the church’s flower ministry and Unexpected Blooms.
Consistent Community Service. Two faithful volunteers served in the food pantry of Della Lamb Community Services every Friday morning.
Sweet Treats. Volunteers made a weekly Saturday run to Crumbl Cookies in Lee's Summit to gather donations and deliver to Micah Ministry.

If you feel led to assist with any of these missions and outreach, or other opportunities, please do not hesitate to email or call me, 816.381.9248.

Sincerely,

Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn,

Minister to Children and Families

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.

PUMPKIN PIES FOR MICAH MINISTRY

Metro Mission will be collecting monetary donations for pumpkin pies for Micah Ministry's annual Thanksgiving dinner. Pies will be purchased and packaged to be distributed as part of a full, to-go meal the week of Thanksgiving. Micah Ministry is planning to serve over 600 Thanksgiving meals this year. To give online, click HERE and choose Micah Ministries or mail a check to the church with Micah Pies in the memo line.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

THIS SATURDAY!

BABIES AND BREAKFAST

Sat., Nov. 12, 9:30am

Children 3 and under, bring your family for breakfast! We will be serving pancakes and have toys available. Come meet parents with children of similar age. Held in the Social Hall.

CLUB KIDS (3rd - 5th graders)

November 13 | At church

November 20 | Offsite activity TBD - Final Sunday for the fall

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.

YOUTH GAME NIGHT

Sun., Nov. 13, 4 - 5:30pm

Middle and high school youth are invited to a joint night of special games, snacks, and more!

More info and RSVP HERE

YOUTH THANKSGIVING DINNER

Sun., Nov. 20, 4 - 5:30pm

One of our favorite traditions as a youth ministry is PIZZA for THANKSGIVING!!?! Join us this year as we continue this epic night! We will be heading to Waldo Pizza to share our blessings together over some hot pizza pies! Middle and high schoolers are invited! Bring $5/youth.

RSVP and more info HERE!

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 NOVEMBER BRUNCH

Sun., Nov. 13 at 12:30pm

Young adults in their twenties & thirties are invited to join the Roots group at Country Club Christian Church the second Sunday of every month for brunch after church for a chance to connect in community. This month we'll meet at Red Door in Brookside (6324 Brookside) around 12:30pm. RSVP Here to stay up to date!

ROOTS NOVEMBER DINNER AND DISCUSSION

Tues., Nov. 29 at 6:30pm

Join us for a potluck dinner and advent-themed activity. We'll meet off-site at church member Hannah Fenley's home (just a few blocks away from the church) for dinner and our activity. RSVP at bit.ly/rootsnovdinner and stay tuned for details for the evening!

Stay tuned with each month’s location and more at linktr.ee/cccckcroots or by following us on Instagram at @cccckcroots.

SAVE THESE DATES

Sun., Nov. 20, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m | ADVENT IN ADVANCE

Children and their families are invited to gather in the Social Hall for a make-n-take session that will prepare your family and home for the Advent season. Includes a pizza lunch. $5/Child or $20/Family.

Sat., Dec. 10, 2:30 - 4:30pm | CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AND LIVE NATIVITY

Join us as we kick off the season with all things Christmas! Family photos by the tree made into an ornament to take home, kids crafts, coffee and hot cocoa bar, special music and more. AND enjoy a living nativity with all the animals

Interested in helping with the festivities? Let April know!