FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Our History, Our Future |
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When I saw it for the first time, I cried. I held it in my hands and marveled. So much work. So much hope. So much beauty. So many stories. So much love. All wrapped into one book. The First Century of Service: A City Church by Dr. Linna Place captures what God was up to amongst our congregation from 1921 to the present and it places that spiritual narrative within the larger American and Kansas City history.
The book reminds me of the book of Acts in the Bible. Acts tells the story of the formation of the first church. Acts is all about the community. But the real subject is the Holy Spirit. After writing the story of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, the author wrote the story of the Holy Spirit moving among the people who lived in the first century and formed the early church. They made mistakes. They quarreled. They took risks. They experienced amazing success that shifted the course of history. They were imperfect but the Holy Spirit used them anyway and the good news of God’s love revealed in Jesus spread rapidly.
Dr. Place spent two and a half years of her life on this book about our church’s first 100 years. She hauled boxes of research with her for three summers in Michigan and spent months in the cubby hole third floor office and attic of the church sifting through archives, interviews and writing. We are so blessed that Dr. Place, a retired history professor from UMKC, would take on this project and give it her all. And she has occupied the pews for 38 years as a member, deacon and elder and she raised her three children in this church. For her we are not only a history project but a font of blessing. Her spiritual insight and hope for our future shaped the story she captured in print.
Like Luke, who wrote Acts, Linna encourages us to look at our formation. The goal is not only to appreciate how God moved through us in the past but also to discern how the Spirit might lead us into an unknown future. I hope when you read it, you will be inspired, as I have been, to launch the next 100. The good news of Jesus is still needed. May it spread rapidly through our words as it has through this amazing book!
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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WORSHIP WITH US
Worship with us in person at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Or, click HERE to worship online with us.
NEW SERMON SERIES BEGINS THIS SUNDAY
HOMECOMING
When we have drifted apart, how do we come home to each other? When we have lost connection with our own spiritual center, how do we come home to ourselves? When God seems distant, how do we come home to God? This three part series will invite us to renew, deepen and celebrate our faith as we journey towards the divine presence of God who waits to welcome us home.
Sun., Sept. 19 - Part 1: Welcomed into Community, based on Acts 2: 37-46. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
Sun. Sept. 26 - Part 2: Seeking our Spiritual Center, based on Genesis 32:6-12; 22-30 and 33:1-4. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
Sun., Oct. 3 - Part 3: Returning to God, based on I COR 1:1-9. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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MASK REMINDER
In compliance with the Kansas City, Mo., indoor mask mandate, we are asking everyone to wear a mask at all times when inside the church, regardless of vaccination status.
Please bring a mask with you when you come to worship. We have a limited number of disposable masks available, however supplies of masks are becoming limited once again due to the surge in infection rates.
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CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL
EVENTS COMING THIS FALL
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Sept. 19 - Baptisms, Baby Dedications and Books. Dr. Linna Place will lead a Pathways to Learning presentation on her book, A City Church: The First Century of Service. 10:00 a.m., under the tent in the backyard. A few copies will be available for purchase and additional books will be on sale at the church beginning Sept 24. Children’s book author Hayley Nicholas will present to the children during the Sunday School hour outside. The children's book will be available for purchase. We will also celebrate baptisms and infant dedications.
Oct. 3 - Centennial Celebration Sunday. One service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebratory reception and toast. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of A City Church: The First Century of Service. (One per household.) Congregational photo on the front steps at 10:15 a.m.
October 9 - 100 Trees for 100 Years. In partnership with Bridging the Gap and Heartland Tree Alliance, the church will plant 100 trees in Northeast Kansas City to promote the benefits of green spaces for health and wellness. From park spaces to city streets to neighbors yards, 100 trees will be planted and maintained in celebration of our centennial. Planting is from 9:00 a.m.-noon beginning at Concourse Park. The 100th tree will be planted on Sun., Oct. 10 on our church campus. More info and sign up link HERE.
November 7 and 8 - Dr. Anna Carter Florence, the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, will preach at all three worship services on Nov. 7, followed by a preaching workshop on Nov. 8 for area clergy.For information contact Dr. Mike Graves.
November 20 – This Love Between Us + Bach Magnificat, 7:30 p.m. Spire Chamber Ensemble, a professional choral group of superb local, regional, and national artists, presents this concert featuring work by composer Reena Esmail, juxtaposing words from the seven major religious traditions and exploring how they each approach unity, harmony, and kindness.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 20
Classes meet Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Live in the Social Hall OR via Zoom. (See link below)
Living a Spiritual Life in a Disenchanted World - Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4. Led by Dr. Mike Graves. Our world is often described as “technological” or “secular,” terms that are loaded and often tossed about carelessly. Scholars prefer the term “disenchanted,” that we are living in a time when it’s easier not to believe in God and mystery. In these sessions, we’ll think about how best to describe our world, as well as what it means to live a spiritual life these days.
Classes are also recorded for viewing.
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ROOTS
For adults in their 20s and 30s. September Social. Louisburg Cider Mill. Sun., Sept. 26, 2:00-5:00 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/rootscider.
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FAITHBISTRO
For women of all ages, with guest speakers on spirituality and real-life issues. Connect with other women looking for conversations that matter.
September 30, 6:30 p.m. under the tent in the backyard — guest speaker is Rev. Angie Colina McNeil, Pastor at Country Club United Methodist Church
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SEPTEMBER COLLECTION CONNECTION
Metro Mission is seeking donations of large pieces of fleece to be used by the sewing group to create lap blankets for Della Lambs Operation Holiday in the late fall. Fleece donations need to be a minimum of 1 yard and bright cheerful patterns are desired. Donations can be brought to the church weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BACKSNACK PROGRAM
Are you interested in spending one hour a month helping provide nutritious food to students in the Kansas City area? If your answer is yes, then please consider volunteering to be a member of the BackSnacks program. Volunteers meet with a team once a month during the school year to place a BackSnack, a sealed bag of food provided by Harvesters, into a plastic grocery sack that is then delivered to Hartman and Garfield Elementary schools. These meals are provided for use over the weekend. Volunteers meet in the church kitchen on either Wednesday evenings or Thursday mornings to pack and the food is then delivered to the schools on Thursdays.
Volunteer positions include filling bags with BackSnacks and drivers to take BackSnacks to the schools on Thursday mornings. Please also consider serving as a substitute to pack at church or as a driver to deliver to the schools on an as needed basis
If you can help with our BackSnack program or would like more information, please contact Donna Goodwin, 913-432-7776.
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MISSION TRIP TO ECUADOR February 12-20, 2022
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The Mission Trip team invites you to join us for our a mission trip to Ecuador for a week of service and learning with our mission partner FEDICE, a non-profit organization that works to build sustainable livelihoods, encourage self-sufficiency, and significantly enhance quality of life for indigenous and marginalized rural communities in Ecuador. The trip is open to adults aged 18 and up and requires a $250 deposit and registration by Oct. 17. Find out more information and register HERE or by contacting Rev. Tyler Heston.
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SERVE IN THE WELL BOOK STORE
Individuals are needed to help staff The Well gift and book shop on Sunday mornings.
There are two shifts each Sunday, 8:30 -10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Training on the iPad based Square point of sale system will be provided; some computer experience helpful. Contact Anne Haraughty for more information.
All proceeds from the Well Book Store benefit Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and developmental mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to alleviate suffering throughout the world.
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SERVICE PROJECT AT CHURCH - Sun., Sept. 19, 4:30 p.m. Club Kids will assemble busy bags for the children at ReStart.
CHILDREN'S BOWLING SOCIAL - Sun.,. Sept. 26. Join us for our first off-site Sunday night social with an hour of bowling at Ward Parkway Lanes (1523 W 89th St, KCMO). We’ll meet at 4:30 p.m. and will be done by 6:00 p.m.. RSVP to April, bring $5 to help cover cost, and let us know if you’re interested in chaperoning or helping with carpool!
CONSENT AND RELEASE FORMS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
We will need updated Consent and Release Forms from EVERYONE. Find it here.
More Children's Ministry news HERE.
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SERVICE NIGHT - Sun., Sept. 19, 4:30-6:00 p.m.: Join us for a service night as we do a couple of projects preparing sack lunches and “busy bags” to donate to reStart, an inclusive agency providing aid to individuals and families who are houseless here in KC.
YOUTH BOWLING SOCIAL - Sunday, September 26: Join us for our first off-site Sunday night social with an hour of bowling at Ward Parkway Lanes (1523 W 89th St, KCMO). We’ll meet at 4:30 p.m. and will be done by 6:00 p.m. RSVP to April, bring $5 to help cover cost, and let us know if you’re interested in chaperoning or helping with carpool!
TEXTING UPDATES
Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders! Sign up HERE.
More Youth Ministry news HERE. |
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CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP 2022
Join families and individuals from our congregation for a week of hiking, horseback riding, fishing, crafting, relaxing and fun at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. The group of 60-90 folks from all generations stays in a lodge with lovely mountain views and enjoys the home cooked meals provided by volunteer chefs from our church. If you don’t like to camp but you love the mountains, this is the place for you. Click HERE for more information. Please let April know if you are interested in attending.
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Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
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