Miroslav Volf was in Manhattan a few blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11. He was about to give a lecture on Christian theology as he stood and looked up and watched the flames and smoke representing evil and hate and perpetrated by those who claimed to be religious.This was not new to him. He had grown up in war torn Yugoslavia (Croatia and Serbia) as the son of a Christian Pentecostal minister. His family was closely watched by the authorities because they were the suspicious minority in a political climate that was Marxist. He knew the deep destruction in a society that unfolds in the name of religion
On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Miroslav gave a powerful lecture at our church. And he returned a few years ago to preach for us on a Sunday. I’ve worn out several of his books, marking them up with highlighters as I’ve shared them in small groups and Bible studies. He is one of those rare theologians who is willing to share his own journey amongst the pages of theology because he knows that above all else, theology is a way of life, not just some ideas to ponder.
He taught a course at Yale with former Prime Minister Tony Blair and founded the Yale Center For Faith and Culture. Phil Love, an elder of our church and a former board chair, moved to New Haven, Connecticut at Mirosloav’s request, to assume the role of Director for the Center for several years.
You and I live in a global economy, a country still starkly divided by political polarization, in a multicultural and interfaith society and in the midst of an ongoing conversation about racial justice. How would Christ call us to live in these days? Where is God’s hope and new life? Volf writes:
Forgiveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans and myself from the community of sinners.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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STORIES IN GLASS SERMON SERIES |
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Stories in Glass, Part II
Part II of this series continues our detailed look at Country Club Christian Church's stained glass windows. In this series we are looking at the five large windows on the southern wall of our sanctuary. The stained glass windows shape the beauty of our sacred space but more than that, they tell us the key stories of our faith and inspire us to live in the light of God’s beautiful love and grace. Do you know who is in each window? We will remember our founding members who built these windows and reflect on their meaning. As we are bathed in the holy light of these colorful images, we are called to live as those shaped by these biblical stories.
Sun., Jan. 24 - Luke, based on Luke 6:27-38. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
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. |
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Thurs., Jan. 28, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Webinar
What makes for a life worth living? And how do you decide on an answer? David Brooks asked those questions in his best-selling book The Second Mountain. At Yale University, professor Miroslav Volf pioneered the most popular course on campus to wrestle with those questions.
Country Club Christian Church will host Brooks and Volf in a virtual presentation on that very topic. As we begin a new year and think about becoming better people, we invite you to join the conversation, facilitated by Rev. Carla Aday and Dr. Mike Graves.
This event is free but requires registration. You will receive Zoom link upon registration.
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A LIFE WORTH LIVING COURSE
As a follow up to the event with David Brooks and Miroslav Volf, Country Club Christian Church is offering a companion course, led by Dr. Mike Graves.
February 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15 • 7:00 p.m. via Zoom • Registration is required for this event.
The phrase “the good life” has become cliché in our culture, usually indicated by prosperity. What does the good life actually look like? How do people decide for themselves? In this exciting launch of a new course, we will explore different approaches to these questions, focusing on three areas: self and others; pain and pleasure; and work and rest. This would be a great opportunity to invite people from outside of our congregation, even from outside of a Christian context.
This class is free and open to anyone, but registration is required. Deadline to register is Feb. 8.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Re-membering Mary Magdalene
Jan. 25, Feb 1, 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom
Led by Rev. Tyler Heston
Throughout Christian history, the character of Mary Magdalene has been largely misunderstood, even confused with the story of a repentant prostitute in the Gospel of Luke. This misreading is especially ironic given she’s the first disciple to proclaim Christ’s resurrection and a key figure in the birth of the Jesus movement. Largely inspired by feminist readings, this two-week study will help us to re-member who Mary Magdalene might have been and to consider the implications for our faith today.
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Bible & Brunch, Feb. 14
On the first or second Sunday of each month (until we’re worshipping in person on Sunday mornings again), we will host Bible & Brunch from 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. While the weather is cold, we’ll meet on Zoom, share a meal together, and spend an hour or so in conversation about wisdom throughout ancient Scripture and how it connects to our day-to-day lives today.
Our February theme will be “Who will separate?” and we will look at Romans 8 together. Bring a favorite brunch food (mimosas are welcome) and join us for creative conversation and community.
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CHRISTMAS OFFERING RAISES MORE THAN $51,418
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Thank you to all who supported the 2020 Christmas Offering. Because of your generosity, neighbors across our community who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity are fed and supported in critical ways by our mission partners: Micah Ministries, Cross-Lines Community Outreach, and The Urban Farming Guys.
Thank you for helping the church reach out to those in need, especially in these difficult times.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Club Kids, for 3rd-5th Graders
Jan. 24, 5:00 p.m. Join us for games on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 915 5007 5517
Passcode: Kids
Movie Night
Jan.29, The Lego Movie
2nd - 5th graders are invited to Movie Night. We have rented a screen at Prairie Fire AMC to see The Lego Movie, we will gather at the theater at 6:45 p.m. RSVP to April, space is limited to 20 people total. If you have a sibling who is younger than 2nd grade please contact April, we may be able to accommodate them as well.
Children in attendance will need to wear a mask at all times and be able to sit through the entire movie without causing disruptions to others in the theater.
Sibling groups will sit next to each other but distanced from other sibling groups.
More information on Children's Ministry HERE. |
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YOUTH
Youth Group
March social— Yaya’s Alpaca Farm in Harrisonville, MO, on Sun., Mar. 14, 3:00 p.m.
Cookies for Micah Ministry - Youth Ministry vs. Children's Ministry
On the second Monday of each month, our church provides the Monday evening Micah Ministry meal. We need homemade cookies or brownies packaged as individual servings of two medium cookies or one large brownie per zip lock bag. You can prepare them at any convenient time during the month. Bring them to the church weekdays between 8:00AM and 3:30PM. Please email April to let her know you are helping. Call Shelly Trewolla or text at 913-406-5740 with questions. Children's Ministry has challenged the youth to see who can make the most cookies/brownies!
More information on Youth Ministry HERE.
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SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Drive Through Donations
Sun., Feb. 7 • noon - 2:00 pm in the south lot
Children and Youth Ministries invite you to participate in this year's Drive Through Souper Bowl of Caring by bringing monetary donations and/or soups, mac-n-cheese or jars of peanut butter to church on Sun., Feb. 7.
These donations will be shared with ministry partners with feeding programs and food pantries.
Monetary donations can be made at any time by clicking HERE and choosing Virginia Reed Food Drive. |
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FAITH AND GRIEF VIRTUAL GATHERING
Faith & Grief Virtual Support Gathering for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Tues., Feb. 2, 2021, noon-1:00 p.m. (CT). Prayer and sharing with a guest reflection, “Listening: know that losing a loved one hurts a lot” by Ann Parr. Join us to hear Ann share her experiences of realizing that “almost nothing will be the same”. You may also share your own experiences, if you are comfortable doing so, in our on-line conversation. Hosted by Kansas City area congregations. Everyone welcome, no charge. Register at www.faithandgrief.org or https://conta.cc/39PzJ1w. Info 816-381-9249.
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CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP ROOMS AVAILABLE
We are hopeful that the 2021 Christian Community Camp in Estes Park, CO, scheduled for July 17-24, will happen as planned this year, and assuming it does, there are a couple of rooms still available! Join other 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.
Click HERE for more information, or contact April with questions.
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METRO MISSION
The Metro Mission Team is asking for donations for the church's sewing and knitting groups. Donations can be dropped off at the church on weekdays or left in the Collection Connection bin at the east entrance.
- White all purpose sewing thread
- 4 ply yarn
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OUR CHURCH FAMILY
IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family of Bette Love who died on January 20.
MEMORIAL GIFTS HONORING 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:
Melissa S. Morrow
by Angela Luetkemeyer
Sandra and Joe Pinson and Melissa S. Morrow
by Paige Pinson
Ron Riley
by Jeanne and Perry Cockayne, for Congregational Care
by Bill and Brucie Hopkins
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