June 11, 2021
FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER:
After a year of too much staying at home, many are now experiencing the “go, go, go.” We are eager to resume dining out, gatherings with friends, travel, in person work, working out at the gym. Today I saw the cashier at my favorite new bakery and I said “I’ve never seen your face.” And she smiled and showed me her pretty new teeth, fresh out of braces! It's fun to re-engage in face to face connections with friends and strangers. Maybe we feel the urge to do too much. Or maybe we feel exhausted from navigating all the challenges of the past year. 

So I thought this would be a good time for me to remind us that the Bible calls us to “rest” And summer seems like a good time to remember that God invites, no God commands, that we rest at least 1/7th of the time. One of the 10 commandments is to “keep the sabbath” and that means taking a break from work. The Bible gives two reasons for this rest. One is because God rested on the seventh day. If the creator of the universe needed a rest, then we who are created in God’s image also need to take a breather, sit back, put our feet up and marvel at the goodness and beauty of life. The second reason we are called to rest is so that we can remember that our ancestors were slaves in Egypt. That seems like an odd reason. But the point is that God has set us free. And rest is one way to savor our freedom. We don’t have to work all the time. 

Now that many are vaccinated, we too feel set free. The Jewish mystic Abraham Heshcel described the sabbath as a “palace in time.” When we rest we reconnect with God and renew our souls. We discover again how good and precious life is. The art of keeping the sabbath may take many different forms. You can rest on a sailboat, a golf course, a walk through the Loose Park rose garden, an ice tea on the back porch with a neighbor, a hike in the woods, an afternoon at the swimming pool. And every Sunday we gather again to pause from the work of life to simply sit in God’s presence. Through music and the breaking of the bread, through prayers and spoken words, we marvel at the goodness of life. 

Biblical scholar Walter Bruemmeman writes “Sabbath is not simply the pause that refreshes. It is the pause that transforms.” As we transition back into what feels more like “normal time” this gift of the sabbath becomes precious and vital. 

Grace and Peace,
Carla

To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
IN WORSHIP THIS WEEK
GOD'S HOPE SERMON SERIES

Our current series, “God’s Hope” ponders what the prophets of old might have to say to us in a world slowly emerging from a global pandemic? What might need to change when instead of returning to normal, we move into a new future?

Part 2: Engraved on the Heart. Based on Jeremiah 31:27-34. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
Click HERE to worship online 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.
SUMMER WORSHIP

For the rest of the summer, the 9:01 service will take place rain or shine. If the weather allows, the service will be on the front lawn as planned. However, in case of inclement weather, we will move this service into the Sanctuary.

Streaming services via cccckc.org at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. each will continue each Sunday.

We are going (mostly) paperless for outdoor worship this summer. Attendance check in and hymn lyrics will be accessible via our web site. There are several ways for you to access the 9:01 on the Lawn page.
  1. Keep this email and use it on Sunday morning. Click the Hymns and Attendance button below.
  2. Scan the QR code on Sunday morning. There are signs at each table on the lawn with a QR code. Use your smart phone's camera (no special app needed for most phones) to scan the code and you'll automatically be taken to the 9:01 web page. Watch the video tutorial above to learn how to scan the code with your iPhone or Android phone.
  3. Use your smart phone's web browser (typically Safari for iPhone or Chrome for Android phone) to access the page by typing www.cccckc.org/ow (for outdoor worship) into the browser.
BACKYARD BASH ON JUNE 16

All are invited to eight fun-filled Wednesday evenings in the backyard of the church with dinner and activities and an adult class offering. 

Details for June 16
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers with fixings and sides and ice cream treats. Cost is $10 per person or $35 for a family to eat.
6:30-7:30 p.m.
For Children and Families – Gym Bus and family games

Mission Component – Amethyst Place Inspiring transformational healing and empowering generations of women and children to achieve recovery, reunification, and resilience. Collection: Bug spray, sunscreen, flashlights for their camping program.

Spiritual Formation for Adults (inside the building in the Youth Center) – “Civil Rights Pilgrimage.” You are invited to join Hannah Fenley and Mike Matteuzzi as they revisit their March 2021 Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery, and Atlanta. Through slides from sites visited and the sharing of things learned and things felt, you will have the opportunity to experience the hope and the horror of the struggle to achieve liberty and justice for all. No boarding pass required!
COMMITMENT CARDS

Have you turned in your commitment cards for The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign and our Beginning Again Annual Campaign? If not, we encourage you do to so today. Your participation is important as we prepare for the future of ministry at 61st and Ward Parkway.

Ways to submit your commitments:
  1. Click the Online Commitment Form button below to submit your commitments electronically.
  2. Mail your cards to church 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64113
  3. Bring your cards to church, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Blank cards are available at the east entrance if you need copies.
  4. Return your cards during the offering time at the 9:01 on the Lawn service on Sundays.
  5. Contact Rachel in the finance office at rachelc@cccckc.org or 816-381-9256.
If you have not yet returned your cards, our Response Team may contact you to answer questions, encourage your response, and ask how they may pray alongside you as you continue your journey of discernment.  
CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR LAY LEADERSHIP

On Sunday members should receive an email ballot to ratify the slate of lay leaders chosen to serve on the Congregational Board for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which begins on July 1. You may view the slate and vote via that email, or at THIS link. Voting opens at 9:00 a.m. on June 13 and closes on June 20.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
ROOTS SOCIAL
June 19, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to the June Roots social on Sat., June 19. Join us for this opportunity to connect and grow together. Details at cccckc.org/roots, or by emailing Tyler at tylerh@cccckc.org.
SAVE THE DATES - CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL
SANCTUARY AND CHAPEL WORSHIP RESUME,
PARTY ON THE LAWN
Aug. 15

Join us for a day of celebration! Worship in the Sanctuary resumes at 9:01 and 11:00 a.m., and in the Chapel at 10:00 a.m., followed by a fun morning of celebrating our Centennial with our neighbors on the church lawn. Food, music and fun activities for all!
MAX DEWEESE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Fri., Aug. 27 • Noon
St. Andrews Golf Course

Proceeds support Friends in Service of Heroes and
Veterans Community Project. Sign-up individually ($150 per person) or form a team. You can also sponsor a hole for $750. Sign-up and pay online at www.cccckc.org/golf. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Mike Graves at mikeg@cccckc.org. Click HERE to register.
METRO MISSION
June Collection Connection for Micah Ministry
The Metro Mission Team is asking for donations of NEW men's and women's underwear to be distributed to clients coming to Micah Ministry on Monday evenings. Sizes small, medium and large are urgently needed. Men's boxer brief style is preferred. Please bring donations to the church Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or to the 9:01 service on Sunday mornings. Donations can be left in the lidded box at the east entrance at any time.  
Serve at Amethyst Place's Graduation Celebration 
Friday, June 25, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Amethyst Place will be celebrating the women who have graduated from their program, from GED or college programs, job training programs and rehabilitation programs since August 2019. We need a few volunteers to help with set-up, serving refreshments and clean up. This work if perfect for parent/child pairs.  For more information about this volunteer opportunity please contact Catherine. To learn more about Amethyst Place click HERE. 

Grace United Community Ministries Dedicates Renovated Food Pantry
A ribbon cutting by Mayor Quinton Lucas was a highlight of an Open House at GUCM on June 5. As one of our mission and outreach partners we support programs through GUCM including their food pantry, after-school tutoring, community garden and more. The food pantry that serves the northeast neighborhood was closed for several months for a complete overhaul and renovation. During the open house attendees had the opportunity to see the updated food pantry, the classrooms for summer student programming and the community garden that has expanded. Member Jeff Algie serves on the GUCM Board of Directors and champions all the essential and vibrant work happening through this agency. Jeff, and volunteer Amy Graves, welcomed Executive Director Jessee Barnes, Board Chair Max Sherman to Backyard Bash on Wednesday evening to share with attendees about GUCM. We are grateful to support this important work and outreach.  
Grace United representatives at Backyard Bask on June 9.
Mayor Lucas at the food pantry open house.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

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.

  • Service Learning Camp – After receiving feedback and speaking with our partner agencies we will be offering service projects throughout the summer instead of hosting a week long camp.
  • TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our Club Kids activities via text reminders! Sign up here.

MOPS SUMMER GATHERINGS
MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) will host a series of summer gatherings. If you or a friend would enjoy connecting with other moms, please join us. For more information and details, email April or click HERE.

CHILDREN’S EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Is your child in soccer, t-ball, dance, music? Please email April or Catherine their performance/game schedule, we have loved coming out to see our families and want to continue.
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
YOUTH

Thursday, June 24: High School Social: Nelson Atkins Art Course Mini-Golf 
High schoolers are invited to join us for a social on Thursday afternoon, June 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., as we go to the Nelson-Atkins to do their mini-golf course before sharing dinner together. Cost is $20 and includes dinner. RSVP.

Monday, July 12: Worlds of Fun
11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Middle and High schoolers are invited to spend the day at Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun! Cost is $50, includes ticket and a picnic meal and snacks. 

Friday, July 23: High School Pool Party 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. High schoolers are invited to an afternoon pool party at the McGuire’s! More info TBD.

Friday, July 23: Middle School 
SkyZone Social 6:00-8:00 p.m. Middle schoolers are invited to join for a night at SkyZone in Shawnee! More info TBD.

Summer Service Learning Trips - Registration is officially open for both the Middle School and High School Summer Service-Learning Weeks. Both weeks will invite youth to local service-learning projects throughout the week along with an overnight excursion. Below is more information for both! Click HERE for more information.

Find out more about our events HERE.
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:

In Honor of Isabel Meier’s Baptism
By Tom and Nikki Meier
 
In Memory of Anne Wooldridge
By Anne Dick Santa, Susan Dick Gottlieb, Lois Dick Fitzgerald
 
In Memory of Beverly Snyder
By Ron and Carole Stronach
 
In Memory of John Collett
By Bill and Brucie Hopkins