This Week's News - December 10

December 10, 2021

FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: The Season of Giving

It’s the season of gift giving where we try to figure out what glove size Aunt Betsy wears or if cousin Ella already has the soccer thingy she wanted. Is there a way to surprise your spouse with the gift he really wants but has not yet mentioned? All this online ordering, free shipping, scurrying from store to store and yet we wonder if the ordinary gift wrapped in shiny gold foil can possibly convey the depth of love we have for that person.

It’s also the season of gift asking where every organization we are remotely affiliated with asks for a year-end gift. The church falls into line here. We are pretty good at showing that x number of dollars can provide grief care for a family after the loss of a loved one, or Sunday school supplies for children and youth, or air conditioning for the Boy Scouts and AA groups to gather to heal and grow.

But I find that both the gift-giving and the gift-asking rituals are evoked from someplace far beyond the shopping list or the charity list. When our toddler makes an ornament for her mother, she longs to convey what cannot ever be captured in tangible form. She longs to make real some mystical pleasure of connection.

Over the years I have noticed that what people appreciate most about their church is not the great music or the stellar children's ministry. What captures us is the friendship born out of casual connection that sustains us over the long years. Even when folks drift away from worship or active participation, those relationships with former faith mentors, with youth group sponsors, with choir buddies, balcony seatmates, and with folks we shared our lives with at community camp or the international trip are indestructible.

Dave and I exchange stocking stuffers. I would tell you what I’m getting him but he might read this. And we write an extra check to the church in December. It's our way of trying to express that the friends we have met here are indescribable gifts in our lives. They are priceless. And so we make this extra offering, to express our gratitude to all of you for showing us God’s love.

Grace and Peace,

Carla

To send a message to Carla, click HERE.

YEAR END GIVING

If you would like to make a year-end gift to support the church's general budget, you may do so by:

Clicking here and choosing year end from the drop down menu
Mailing your check postmarked by December 31.
Delivering a check to the church by December 31. (The church offices will be closed Fri., Dec. 31, but a secure dropbox will be available outside of the east entrance for you to place any last-minute donations for 2021)

WORSHIP WITH US

Worship with us in person at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Click HERE to view our live stream.

Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.

ADVENT SERMON SERIES

MAKING ROOM FOR THE HOLY

Dec. 12, 19

The story seems as old as time, Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary finding no room in the inn. Turns out, the story isn’t just old but timeless. What does it mean for us today to be making room for the holy in our lives? Are we open to God breaking in with a new message? Join us for this holy season of Advent leading up to Christmas.

Dec. 12 - Part 3, Dreaming, based on Matthew 1:18-25. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.

MASK UPDATE

Although the city of Kansas City, Missouri's indoor mask mandate has expired, we are asking anyone entering our buildings to continue wearing a mask on Sundays and during weekdays while the Preschool and Parents' Day Out programs are in session. We are keeping this policy in place for now because children under the age of 5 are not eligible for vaccinations, and because full vaccine immunity for children ages 5-12 takes up to five weeks from the date of the first shot. Thank you for your continued efforts to keep the most vulnerable among our church community safe.

LIVE NATIVITY AND CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

December 11, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

The miracle of Christmas comes to life via a drive- or walk-by live nativity scene on the front lawn of the church. See the holy family, shepherds and animals, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or hot cocoa.

The afternoon also includes:

Holiday craft project for kids
Keepsake photo ornament of your family in front of the sanctuary Christmas tree
Collection of hygiene items (deodorant; bars of soap and shampoo) for Metro Mission

2021 CHRISTMAS OFFERING

Imagine that suddenly your life is turned upside down. You need to leave your home, family and friends. You are transported to another country and temporarily housed in a crowded camp, then sent to a strange city where you don’t speak or understand the language.This is the situation for many of today’s refugees.

Della Lamb Community Services, our partner in the northeast area of Kansas City is receiving and resettling these refugees, a big task requiring significant resources. Our area is expected to resettle hundreds of families. Each needs a place to live, furniture and household supplies, language and cultural training, and help finding a job. They are families arriving with almost nothing.

This year, our offering team has designated Della Lamb and their work in resettling refugees as the recipient of our Christmas Offering.

Hebrews 13:2 reads: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” And the Bible often admonishes us to help the strangers in our land, often including them with orphans and widows, those who lacked community or family support.

Many of the refugees are here because they supported young Americans when they were strangers in these very refugees’ native lands. They now need our support as strangers in our land.

Please give what you can to the Christmas Offering by:

clicking HERE and choosing Christmas Offering from the drop down menu
sending or delivering your check, marked Christmas Offering, to church
texting the word ‘Christmas’ to 816-484-3399

ROOTS, for adults in their 20s and 30

Christmas Party, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. We’ll go out to dinner before ice skating at Crown Center. More information & RSVP at http://bit.ly/rootsxmas21.

SPIRE CHAMBER ENSEMBLE'S MESSIAH CONCERT

As a thank you to Country Club Christian Church for the recent Centennial Concert collaboration, the Spire Chamber Ensemble is offering a 30 percent discount on tickets to its upcoming Messiah concert, Mon., Dec. 20 at 7:00 p.m. Spire performs this masterpiece with period instruments in Helzberg Hall.Tickets HERE. USE PROMO CODE: HANDEL2.

MICAH MINISTRIES WARMTH PACKS FOR DECEMBER

Each Monday evening volunteers offer 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. or Sunday mornings. Or make a contribution on-line using this link and choose Micah Ministries or mail a check to the church with Micah Warmth Pack in the line. Please alert Leann Ritter, ritterlk@aol.com to gloves you drop off at church.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

YOUTH

CLUB KIDS for 3rd-5th graders, is an opportunity for fellowship and fun! We have events and opportunities to connect (almost) every Sunday nights during the school year from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

Holiday Store Collection for Sheffield Place

The holidays are upon us and we are seeking donations from families for our northeast partner Sheffield Place for their holiday store. The mission of this agency is to empower homeless mothers and their children to heal from their trauma and become

self-sufficient. Donations of NEW items will be used to create a holiday store where mothers can 'shop' for children and the children can select gifts to give their moms. Please alert Catherine to your donation and bring it, UNWRAPPED, to church by Dec. 13.

PASTORS' CLASS

Pastors’ Class 2022 will be open to current sixth and seventh graders, or any other youth who is interested in being baptized. Pastors’ Class will meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. from Feb. 23 leading up to baptisms on Palm Sunday, Apr. 10. Families interested in this year’s Pastors’ Class can find out more information and register at an information session on Sun., Dec. 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Center.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MAKE COOKIE JARS TO SHARE

Flour, sugar and chocolate chips were just part of this Sunday evening service project as over 85 cookie mix jars were assembled with great care. These jars will be shared with the staff at Hartman Elementary and Della Lamb Community Services Early Childhood Program. Offering a little holiday treat to some of partner agencies was a great service opportunity for this group.

THIS LOVE BETWEEN US CONCERT VIDEO

In case you missed it, or if you'd like to see it again, the Centennial Concert, Reena Esmail's This Love Between Us + Bach Magnificat is now available for viewing at the link to the right.

BIBLE AND ART TOUR OF ITALY

May 30-June 9, 2022

A few spaces remain on this tour which was originally scheduled pre-pandemic. As a result, prices have increased slightly to $3,200 per person/double occupancy, which includes wine and cheese reception upon arrival, lodging in four-star hotels, all breakfasts, guided tours of museums and other sites, ground transportation, and a farewell dinner. (Airfare not included since some may prefer to use miles or book their own flights, although a group flight option is available.) This unforgettable tour of world-class museums, cathedrals, Renaissance architecture, and the Tuscan countryside is led by Donna Houtteman, a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Rev. Carla Aday and Dr. Mike Graves. In addition to guided tours, there will be free days for leisure and day trips. For more information contact Dr. Mike Graves, mikeg@cccckc.org.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP, July 23-30, 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.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Our prayers are with the family and friends of Cheryl Richards, who passed away recently.

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:

Cam Schutte

By Lee and Liz Hunt

Ann Margiotta

By Cindy and Randy Irey

By Bill and Sharon Schalekamp

By the Anniversary Class

Don Giffin

By Greg and Nancy Lear

Gene Nicholas

By Cheryl Hughes

Betty Wilkerson