FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: The Parade
When I was growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, we always looked forward to the Fat Stock Show Parade that launched the Rodeo and Fair and exhibits of the Stock Show. We even got a school holiday and free pass to attend! I also loved constructing the purple and white floats for the high school homecoming parade. And on New Year’s Day, we eagerly watched the Macy’s Day Parade and Rose Bowl parade on TV. Parades meant something wonderful was about to happen. But Palm Sunday’s parade always has a twinge of sadness. The children wave the palms but we stand on the side of history that knows that only days later, the community following that parade cowers in grief and trembles in fear. The joyful celebration leads not directly to Easter joy but instead to a cross. 

This Sunday begins Holy Week, where we wrestle again with the reality that we worship a God who came to us in human flesh and was crucified as a common criminal. It is impossible to ignore the pain, even if we can still hear the echoes of a parade. A year ago, many of us were living in relative parade-like conditions. We were traveling. We were hosting dinner parties. We were going into church and singing hymns and taking the community for granted. But in the intervening year we have endured a global pandemic, social isolation, national unrest, racial strife, and the continued horrors of senseless gun violence. In some ways, we have known more of the sadness of Holy Week than the joy of Palm Sunday. How has this year shaped our faith? 

“Christianity is the only world religion that confesses a God who suffers. It is not all that popular an idea, even among Christians. We prefer a God who prevents suffering, only that is not the God we have got. What the cross teaches us is that God’s power is not the power to force human choices and end human pain. It is, instead, the power to pick up the shattered pieces and make something holy out of them--not from a distance but right close up. 

By entering into the experience of the cross, God took the man-made wreckage of the world inside himself and labored with it--a long labor, almost three days--and he did not let go of it until he could transform it and return it to us as life. That is the power of a suffering God, not to prevent pain but to redeem it by going through it with us.” 

God in Pain, Barbara Brown Taylor

Grace and peace,
Carla

To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
IN WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Our Lenten sermon series concludes this Sunday with Palm Sunday. Mike Graves preaching "Life: A Lent Worth Living, Part 6 - A Tale of Two Parades" based on John 12:12-19."

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.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
HOLY WEEK SERVICE — This service honoring Holy Week and Jesus’ last days with his disciples, will air at the following times: Thurs., Apr. 1 at 7:00 p.m., Fri., Apr. 2 at noon, and Fri., Apr. 2 at 7:00 p.m.

EASTER SERVICES — Celebrate the miracle of Easter with us. Sun., Apr. 4 at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.
EASTER OFFERING SPOTLIGHT:
Amethyst Place

This year’s Easter offering focuses on agencies offering true resurrection for their clients, moving them from support programs into fully independent living and working situations.

This week we are spotlighting AMETHYST PLACE. This organization's story is brought to life in this video.

More information about Amethyst Place and the other Easter Offering agencies HERE. Click HERE to give to the Easter Offering.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
ROOTS MARCH SERVICE -LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Roots offers a way for young adults to connect with each other through service-learning activities. On March 28 at 3:00 p.m., we are hosting a Zoom workshop called “Don’t Rodney King Me” led by local community organizer Na’im Al-Amin. This workshop is designed to eliminate ignorance and elevate understanding about mass incarceration’s impact on black histories and black futures. Find out more about Na’im’s organization and work HERE, and find out more information about our Roots workshop HERE.
CLASSES CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL
March 29, April 5, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

March 29 – “The Disciples of Christ in One Sentence” Dr. Newell Williams, Professor of Church History and President of Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, will present an overview of the historic beginnings and current status of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

April 5 – “Country Club Christian Church in One Century” Dr. Linna Place, a member of Country Club Christian Church and retired Professor of American Social and Cultural History at UMKC, will highlight the first 100 years of our church’s story.

Click HERE for Zoom link to classes.
GRIEF IN THE PANDEMIC
Tuesday, April 6, 12:00 Noon (CT)
 
Join our on-line discussion of both the heart-breaking challenges and grace-filled creative approaches to grieving and emotional support during the pandemic. An expert panel will provide an overview of this year when we could not visit the sick in hospitals or attend funerals to offer comfort. Sharing their experiences and insights will be Patty Poore, RN, BSN, Team Manager, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, Rev. Susan Drury, Deacon, St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, and Rev. Melissa Potts-Bowers, Chaplain, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care. All are welcome; no charge. Faith and Grief Virtual Support Gatherings are hosted by Kansas City area congregations. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/ or https://conta.cc/3caKXju. For more information Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC or 816-381-9249.
A LIFE WORTH LIVING COURSE
SPRING SESSION
April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 7:00 p.m.

Register for the spring session of the Life Worth Living Course is now open. Click HERE for more information on the class and to register.
LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS UNDERWAY

The nominating process to fill elected positions for the 2021-2022 church year is underway. 
Your participation is invaluable in identifying a diverse representation of leaders from our congregation. The Nominating Committee would like to ask you to take a second to think about the people in your church community that you would like working for you. The work of the church is more important than ever in these unusual times, here’s a simple way to be a part of it!
Nominations are being accepted for
  • Elders and Deacons
  • Personnel Committee Members
  • Endowment Fund Trustees
  • Congregational Board Members
  • Treasurer
You can nominate yourself if you are interested in a specific role! Deadline is March 31, 5:00 p.m. 
METRO MISSION
GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY: MICAH MINISTRY
Mon., Mar. 29, Noon - 4:00 pm

The Metro Mission team invites all to a service opportunity with one of our NE mission partners, Micah Ministry at Independence Blvd Christian Church, to help in the clothing closets. We will be sorting, organizing and helping process the many donations they have received during the pandemic. Safe practices of social distancing and mask wearing will be practiced. Two shifts of up to 15 people are available. Please sign up HERE.

If you are unable to help on Mar. 29, Micah Ministry utilizes volunteers each Monday. Sign up at HERE.

APRIL COLLECTION CONNECTION
Household Supplies for The Grooming Project

The Metro Mission team invites donations of toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and kitchen size trash bags to support The Grooming Project. Donations may be brought to church between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to the east entrance, or left in the teal box at the east entrance.  
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Thank you to everyone who helped at Spring Fling, filled eggs, came for set and clean up. We had a great time on the front lawn on this windy day; no children blew away either! We collected enough eggs for our children and the children at our mission partners at Amethyst Place and Sheffield Place.  

More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
YOUTH

April Social — Youth are invited to a scavenger hunt social on Sunday, April 11th! Middle Schoolers will meet at the plaza from 2:30-4:00pm for a scavenger hunt, and high schoolers will meet in the Crossroads neighborhood for a scavenger hunt and outdoor dinner from 5:00 to 6:30pm. More details TBA

Find out more about our events this semester HERE or with the Spring Calendar!
NATIVE PLANT SALE

Spring is here and we could all use some outside time so take a look at the native plants available for pre-order! These will arrive in time for spring planting! Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals. And native plants are easier to take care of in your garden.

Pre-orders only, due by April 9.

Click HERE for more information and order form.
OUR CHURCH FAMILY

IN SYMPATHY

Our prayers are with the family of Dr. James Deuel who succumbed last month to Alzheimer’s and COVID-19. He is the father of Dr. Douglas Deuel who served on our church staff. A memorial service will be held in our Sanctuary later this year.