By Rev. Tyler Heston, Minister to Youth
“He has made us Humans!” This is how one translation renders a verse in the Gospel of Mary, a “non-canonical” text written in the second century church. Mary Magdalene shares these words with the other disciples, comforting them after Jesus ascends. We looked at the Gospel of Mary in the second part of the “Re-Membering Mary Magdalene” classes that I led, a two-part look at the figure of Mary Magdalene in the Bible and early Christianity. The Gospel of Mary is one of many non-canonical stories about Mary Magdalene, perhaps someone’s imagination of what it was like when, “Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, ‘I’ve seen the Lord.’” (John 20:18 CEB)
In the class, we explored how Mary Magdalene was likely the first to announce the message at the heart of our faith: that Christ is risen. Though this is the crux of her story within the Christian Testament itself, her legend has been conflated with stories of other, unnamed women in the Gospels. More people know Mary as a “repentant” woman than the one who first made the claim that God raised Jesus. In the class, we explored some of the reasons why Mary Magdalene’s legend became something it originally wasn’t, and we looked at the stories we have in which Mary Magdalene was a more central figure within the early Jesus movement.
Biblical scholars suggest that there was, behind the Gospel of Mary, a more egalitarian stream within the early church that was “opposed and all-but-defeated.” While we may not read the Gospel of Mary just like we read the canonical books in the New Testament, it provides an important window into the world of the early church and how people understood their faith and experience with Christ. Scholar Karen King says that the line, “He has made us Humans!” represents a specific way of understanding who Jesus is as “the son of man,” a phrase we see throughout the New Testament. King describes how this title says less about Jesus and more about humanity— that Jesus was “the image of humanity’s true spiritual nature.” She says that as the “son of man,” we see something about what it means to be human through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. In Christ, we learn that God is within all people, and to follow Jesus is to be “made Human”— to live within and up to our true humanity.
This idea is present in the New Testament but seen more clearly by looking at other early Christian writings and re-membering Mary Magdalene. As we explored this in my class, I was reminded of how important it is to be “made Human!” and how necessary this message is right now. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was an idea that COVID might be a “great equalizer”— all of a sudden, all of humanity was facing the same obstacle, and maybe we would thus learn to see each other more equally. The months since, though, have shown that COVID has not been an equalizer. It has hit harder those who were already suffering from inequality and economic disadvantages, and many have clung to their old normal as much as possible without recognizing that a new, more equitable normal is needed. Furthermore, the last year has brought a louder and wider conversation about racism in our society, its pervasiveness, and its danger to so many peoples’ day-to-day lives.
We know more about what it means to be human than we did a year ago, and hopefully we have each seen a bit more clearly a glimpse of the divine that sparks within each human soul. But will we let what we’ve learned translate into a new normal in which all others’ Humanity is fully recognized and honored? As we look forward to upcoming months, praying that they will lead us out of this pandemic, may we strive to be “made Human” and follow Christ in building a world where all humans can thrive and flourish.
To send a message to Tyler, click HERE.
|
|
STORIES IN GLASS SERMON SERIES |
|
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 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., Feb. 7 - Saint Paul's Window, based on Acts 9:1-9. Dr. Mike Graves 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. |
|
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Drive Through Donations
Sun., Feb. 7 • noon - 2:00 p.m. 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. |
|
ASH WEDNESDAY IS FEBRUARY 17
Service streamed at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Tyler Heston Preaching
Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent, which ends on Easter Sunday. The 40 days of Lent are a time of pondering our mortality and of remembering our reliance upon God. In many ways, the season corresponds to Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness and Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness, both a journey of sorts. The first service of Lent invites us into this journey.
|
|
A LIFE WORTH LIVING COURSE SPRING SESSION
The winter session of the course A Life Worth Living is full, but a spring session is being offered and is open for registration. This course, a follow up to the January 28 conversation with David Brooks and Miroslav Volf, is led by Dr. Mike Graves. If you missed the event with Brooks and Volf, you can view it HERE.
About the Course: 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.
|
|
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT • RE-MEMBERING MARY MAGDALENE
If you missed Rev. Tyler Heston's recent class, Re-membering Mary Magdalene, you can watch both sessions below. In the class, Tyler explores how 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.
|
|
ROOTS YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Bible & Brunch, Feb. 14, 12:15 p.m.
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.
|
|
ELDER/DEACON RETREAT
Sat., Feb. 20, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Elders and deacons will gather virtually for their annual retreat on Sat., Feb. 20. This year's speaker is Dr. Anna Carter Florence. Watch for more information, and RSVP to Carla Rauth.
|
|
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Club Kids Visit the Zoo
Feb. 14, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
3rd - 5th graders are invited to meet Catherine and April at the zoo at 1:00. Bring $18, your walking shoes and a water bottle. RSVP to April.
Lent Take and Make Event
Sun., Feb. 21, noon - 2:00 pm
Join us in the parking lot or drive through if it's cold. We will have activities ready for your family to take home to learn about and celebrate the Lent season together.
More information on Children's Ministry HERE. |
|
YOUTH
February Bowling Social— Sun., Feb. 14, 4:00 p.m. Social distancing and masks will keep us safe during an hour of bowling together. $7/youth, cash or card in-person or online at cccckc.org/youth. RSVP now to Tyler.
March social— Yaya’s Alpaca Farm in Harrisonville, MO, on Sun., Mar. 14, 3:00 p.m.
More information on Youth Ministry HERE.
|
|
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 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 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!
|
|
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.
|
|
METRO MISSION
February Collection Connection
Metro Mission is collecting products to support several of our ministry partners in February. Donations of toilet paper, paper towels and sanitizing wipes (for surface or hands) can be brought to church Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 3:00 p.m. at the east entrance.
Sandwich/Lunch Making Volunteers Needed
Cross-Lines Food Kitchen (CFK) provides bagged lunches for clients and community members in the KCK area each weekday. Due to Covid, many of the regular volunteers are not able to help and the staff person is in need of some extra hands on Tuesdays or Wednesdays anytime during the hours of 9:00 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will make sandwiches and place various lunch items in the bags to be ready for the next day. All supplies are provided. The large area at CFK, limiting volunteers to four at one time and requiring masks are steps to make this a safe setting. A great service opportunity for family members to share. If you would be willing to sign up for a date, please contact Cindy Thornton and she will confirm the date with Cross-Lines if it is available.
|
|
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family of Beverly Snyder who died last week.
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:
Erma Ashley
By Andy and Marcia Berry
By Glenn and Tepring Crocker
By Betsy Wilson
By Erin Parkinson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
