FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Joy Comes in the Morning
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None of us wanted to be in this position again. Covid came to two of my three kids' households over Christmas. My friend who is a clinic nurse picked up two weekend shifts on the floor beyond her regular 50 hour a week job because the major medical center where she works was begging for help. This was not the way we wanted to begin a bright new year. If you are weary, or frustrated or “over it” that is completely understandable.
I want you to know what we are doing at church to continue practicing our values of keeping folks safe, protecting the vulnerable and creating community. All staff are testing weekly and wearing KN95 or N95 masks on Sundays. Because our stream is now “live” we will continue to hold Sunday worship at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. because we need to be there in order for the stream to happen. We understand completely if you choose to worship at home during this surge and we also gladly welcome you to worship in person if you feel safe gathering. We think that the chapel and sanctuary offer adequate space for social distancing and we require masks for all participants. We have suspended in-person classes and groups for two weeks and we continue to encourage and facilitate virtual gatherings via Zoom and other platforms.
I was struck by a line from Margaret Renkl’s new book of essays Graceland at Last. She captured that yo-yo feeling where we rotate between despair and hope. And she wrote this line back in 2019: “It is no doubt a mistake to believe that everything will work out in the end. At the moment everything is far, far from working out. But there’s as great a danger in despair as there is in unwarranted hope.”
As I read the arc of scripture, I recall many moments when the people of God were frustrated and tempted to give into despair. Noah on a boat without a sprig of green in sight. Moses and the people stuck in the the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus on trial when all he had ever done was express the radical love of God. The followers of Jesus locked in an upper room trembling in fear after he was gone. Paul imprisoned for preaching the good news. And I recall the moments of exhilarating hope: the dove brings back a green twig to Noah, Moses’ people enter the promised land, Jesus giving sight to the blind, an empty tomb with an angel announcing, “he is not here, he is risen,” Paul teaching the people throughout vast regions that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
As the Psalmist sings in Psalm 50: 5 “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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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.
IN WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Jesus’ Vision for a Happy New Year
Wishing everyone a “Happy New Year” is familiar enough, but what exactly does that look like? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers a vision for what a happy life might look like if we followed his lead, a series of “Blessed are…” statements known as the Beatitudes. As we begin a new year, we do so by considering “Jesus’ Vision for a Happy New Year.”
Sun., Jan 9 - Part 2: Remembering a Day in the Future, based on Matthew 4:23-5:4. Dr. Mike Graves preaching.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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UPDATES: MASK POLICY, IN-PERSON GATHERINGS
As the Omicron variant of covid-19 continues to surge in our community, we are taking the following actions to keep the most vulnerable among our church community safe. 1) Please wear a mask when inside the church. 2) For at least the next two weeks, there will be no in-person Sunday School for children or adults. Childcare will be available at all three worship services. Other weekly gatherings will also be suspended or virtual.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES
Beyond Belief: What Christianity Can Be
Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 7:00 p.m. in person or via Zoom. Led by Rev. Tyler Heston
Do you ever stammer if someone asks what you believe? What it means to be Christian is changing in our growing and globalized world, and you may feel there are more questions than answers. Adapted from the Pastors’ Class for youth, we will think about what it means to develop a more robust vocabulary for faith that goes beyond doctrinal points, inviting people of any age or stage of faith to look at what Christianity can be for you.
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LIFE WORTH LIVING COURSE OFFERED AGAIN
Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Jan. 27-Feb. 24 via Zoom
The phrase “the good life” has become cliché in our culture. What does the good life actually look like? We are pleased to offer another session of last year’s popular Life Worth Living course, exploring topics such as: self and others, pain and pleasure, and work and rest. To register, CLICK HERE.
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SAVE THE DATE
AN EVENING WITH KRISTA TIPPETT
Wed., Apr. 20, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Krista Tippett, Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, National Humanities Medalist, New York Times bestselling author, founder and CEO of the On Being Project; and host of the On Being podcast will speak at Country Club Christian Church. Free event, watch for more information.
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WELCOME NEW STAFF
Sherri Hill has joined the staff in a part-time position as controller. She has over 20 years experience as an accountant, controller and financial analyst. Sherri and her husband, Marc, live in Overland Park with their sons, Levi (11) and Jase (8) and their dog, Bailey. Please welcome her warmly!
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NEW YEARS 2022 STAFF PICKS PLAYLIST |
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The staff at Country Club Christian Church recently curated a playlist to welcome 2022. Click HERE to learn more about who chose each song and why.
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JANUARY COLLECTION CONNECTION
Winter Hand Packs
The Metro Mission Team is collecting items to include in winter hand packs that agencies hand out to clients. Many of our agencies work with people who find them outside for periods of time -- due to employment settings or lack of adequate housing. These hand packs can be a help to those spending time in the cold. Donations of tissue packs; small hand lotions; lip balm and hand warmers are being collected to assemble into these packs. Please bring your donations to the church weekdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings.
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WARMTH PACKS SHARED WITH MICAH MINISTRIES
A huge thank you to members and friends of the congregation who donated funds and supplies to create over 250 warmth packs with each having a new thick hooded sweatshirt; new waterproof gloves; thick socks and hand-warmers. These acts of caring for our neighbor, made tangible in these warmth items, were shared with men and women who seek support through the Monday night meal served at Micah Ministry. Too many of our community members are without all they need for a healthy life, and the Metro Mission Team is grateful for the ways our congregation seeks to bring emergency relief while also seeking to address root causes.
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BIBLE AND ART TOUR OF ITALY
May 30-June 9, 2022
A few spaces remain on this tour which was originally scheduled pre-pandemic. 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.
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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.
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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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