October 14, 2022

All this autumnal beauty is a halo around winter’s death and dormancy. This sublime enchantment is a last act, a valedictory display only possible because these leaves are starving. They will not go gentle into the night but blaze against the dying of their light. And here I am: stunned and grateful for their spectacular demise. Their long green life was only a prelude to this fierce pageant.

-James K.A. Smith, How to Inhabit Time

I love this description of Autumn. It’s death but it’s beautiful. This mirrors the reality of our lives. Last week the chancel choir sang a beloved song “Sing Me to Heaven” for one of their longest-serving choir members at his memorial service. You could hear a pin drop in the final rest after the final note. Someone sang through them as if angels had joined the choir. Something bridged the ordinary day with the holy realm.  

During this Autumn season, some of us are grieving the loss of a parent or a grandparent. Some around us just learned that a spouse or child has a life-threatening illness that will rob them of the time they had hoped to share in the twilight of life. Others face the significant transition of a kid off at college leaving the house feeling hollow and uncomfortably quiet. While some in our circle of friendship are saddened by the end of a marriage that ripples through wider circles with bruises to the soul. The tears and angst come unannounced and we are stunned by loss.  

And yet, just as fall graces us with blazing beauty, something about the loss brings to the surface the precious nature of life. These moments bring us face to face with our mortality, our fragility, our finitude. We cannot pretend in these moments. And even amidst the hurt, something about life’s beauty and joy seem more accessible. It's what author Anne Lamott calls “the really real.”  

When the apostle Paul writes to the early Christians in Corinth he encourages them and asks them not to lose heart. He reminds them that life is fragile and not ours to keep, saying, “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God.” Our faith empowers us to see the “sublime enchantment” in the midst of sadness, loss and death.  

Grace and Peace to you in these Autumn days,

Carla

Keep Scrolling! In Today's Newsletter:

• Adult Enrichment - Pathways to Learning this Sunday
• Mission & Outreach - Staff and Metro Mission Team Build a Shed
• Children & Youth - Trunk Hosts Needed! Club Kids, Youth Activities
• Save these Dates - Trunk or Treat
• Life of the Church - Meet our Associate Organist
• The Week Ahead - Next Week's Calendar

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.

Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022

Sermon Series: Turning Points

Part 6 - Daring Greatly. Mark 5:24 - 34

We are fragile human beings who face both physical illness and emotional brokenness. At certain turning points, we courageously reach out and discover wholeness. What inspires us to take initiative? 

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

STAFF AND METRO MISSION TEAM MEMBERS BUILD A SHED

A team consisting of several church staff and members gathered at River of Refuge to assemble a shed to serve as storage for bikes and outdoor equipment. After a recent tour of the facility, with Pam Seymour (Executive Director) sharing outdoor equipment was prone to stealing even with a secured gated area, a private donation of a shed was made to provide a locked storage unit for equipment. A special thanks to church staff members Silas and Lee who led the building of the shed!  And to Carol and Ed Pasley and Jeff Algie for their work and efforts.  

BABIES AND BREAKFAST IS A BLAST!

Last Saturday was our first "Babies and Breakfast" event! Fun AND Fellowship (and of course FOOD!) was had by all! This is a great opportunity to connect with parents who have children similar in age. Be sure to join us next month, on Sat. Nov. 12 from 9:30-10:30am! We will be serving pancakes and will have plenty of toys for playtime.

ADULT ENRICHMENT

PATHWAYS TO LEARNING

LGBTQ and the B-I-B-L-E

THIS SUNDAY, Oct. 16 at 10am Youth Center

If you grew up in church, you may recall the children’s ditty “The

B-I-B-L-E, that’s the book for me.” In this session, Dr. Graves will lead an exploration into what the Bible does and doesn’t say about human sexuality and sexual orientation as we seek to welcome all to God’s table and discern what that means for our congregation.

This class will be recorded and available at youtube.com/cccckc

EVERYDAY JUSTICE: COURAGEOUS DISCOMFORT - Conversations about Race and Racism

Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6:30pm at Unity Temple on the Plaza

American Public Square in partnership with Rainy Day Books will welcome authors Shanterra McBride and Rosalind Wiseman to discuss their new book Courageous Discomfort: How to Have Important, Brave, Life-changing Conversations about Race And Racism. This conversation will be moderated by APS staff member, Denesha Snell.  

This event is $25 and includes 2 tickets and a hardcover copy of the book. Register HERE

Also, please RSVP to Catherine (in addition to registering) to receive your book ahead of the October 27 event. Everyday Justice will have a follow-up discussion on November 17 to reflect on the book and the conversation. Hosted by Hannah Fenley at her home near church. Details will be sent to registrants.  

GRIEF DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 12pm 

Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road in Prairie Village

Join us for lunch and a special conversation about remembering and grieving our dear ones during the holidays. Rev. Dr. Jared Witt and Rev. Joe Walker will provide an introduction to the discussion. Following their presentation, you may share your experiences, if comfortable doing so, in a facilitated small group. Everyone is welcome. Complimentary box lunch, we appreciate free-will donations. Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Our monthly Faith and Grief Lunches are sponsored by Country Club Christian Church and five other Kansas City area congregations. Register at www.faithandgrief.org

For information call 816-381-9249 or visit

Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC

MISSION AND OUTREACH

OCTOBER COLLECTION CONNECTION: PAPER PRODUCTS

Metro Mission is inviting donations of toilet paper and paper towels to be shared with our partner agencies serving families. Paper products cannot be purchased using subsidies yet we all know they are a necessity so for families with financial struggles this is an additional challenge. Bring items to church weekdays between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., or on Sunday mornings.

DONATE FLOWER VASES IN OCTOBER

Do you have a cabinet or shelf filled with empty vases that never get used? Here is your chance to free up that space and spread some joy and inspire kindness! Our Flower Ministry is partnering with Unexpected Blooms, an area non-profit, to repurpose flowers which would otherwise be tossed. Bring in your unwanted 5” - 7” vases, Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. or Sunday mornings through October.

No vases to donate - you can make a financial gift and learn more HERE

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

SNACKS IN THE PARK

THIS THURSDAY! Oct. 20, 3 - 5pm

Join Catherine and April at Franklin Park (Roe Ave & Somerset Dr.).

We will have snacks! Invite friends and find us under a tree or at the picnic tables. 

NEEDED! Trunk and Games/Activities Hosts

Now signing up Trunk Hosts! If Halloween is your holiday, here is a chance to show off your decor and creativity and have some fun! Feel like the zombies ate your brains and you can’t think of a trunk theme? We will have some games/activities available for hosting - all you have to do is show up! Trunk or Treat is Sun., Oct. 30, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.  RSVP by emailing April

CLUB KIDS (3rd - 5th graders)

THIS SUNDAY! Oct. 16 at 12pm.

Meet in the Youth Center for lunch then we will head to Grace United to lend a hand in prepping the gardens for winter. RSVP to aprilb@cccckc.org. We have seats for 8 - then will need a parent driver to help! Younger siblings are welcome to come with a parent. 

GAMER NIGHT  |  Sunday, Oct. 23, 4 - 5:30PM

Bring your Nintendo switch controllers - we will have special guests with us!

REMINDER! CLUB KIDS TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders! Sign up HERE. 

YOUTH GROUP (Middle & High Schoolers)

Youth Donuts & Discussion, Sundays at 10am.THIS SUNDAY, IN THE CONNECTIONS ROOM

Youth are invited to a weekly Sunday morning gathering including donuts (or other sweet treats) and good conversation. Youth will split up into middle school and high school groups for activities & discussion.

October Youth Small Group Series

NEW! CURIOUS CHARACTERS 

October 16, 23, 4:15 - 5:15pm

Middle schoolers meet at church; High Schoolers meet at a member’s home (carpool available). 

Small group series continues! Learn about some of the curious characters in Christian Scripture and how their stories can help us tell sacred stories with our own lives.

More information will be sent out to RSVP'd high schoolers, including details about carpooling options from and to the church each week. Find out more information and RSVP HERE

Consent & Release Form is required for any youth attending youth ministry events.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES - 10 - 10:45am

• Worship & Wonder: Pre-school - 1st grade
• Footstep in Faith: 2nd - 5th grade
• Donuts & Discussion: 6th - 12th grade

SAVE THESE DATES

October 30, 4 - 5:30pm | TRUNK OR TREAT

Dress your little ghoul or goblin in their Halloween costume for a safe and fun alternative to trick or treating! Members host decorated trunks, games and activities that will make even the ghouliest, goblin giggle!

Also needing donated carnival prizes & Halloween themed snacks (fruit snacks, crackers, pretzels, etc.) for our trunk or treaters! Purchase on your own or or choose from our wish list.

November 20, 11am - 1pm |  ADVENT IN ADVANCE

December 10, 2:30 - 4:30pm |  LIVE NATIVITY

Interested in helping with the festivities? Let April know!

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

MEET OUR NEW ASSOCIATE ORGANIST

Peiyao Yu is a pianist based in Kansas and specialising in contemporary works who recently completed her D.M.A. degree at the University of Kansas. In 2018, she soloed with orchestra, performing Tchaikovsky piano concerto No.1, in "Santa Cecilia" Hall, Perugia, Italy. She has also held multiple recitals in both China, USA and Europe. Peiyao was the first prize winner at Classical Music Competition of Charleston International Competition and Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition in 2022. In 2021, she was selected as the Best Schumann Performance and Best Prokofiev Performance in International Music Competitions.

Peiyao holds a masters degree with Dr. Arthur Greene at the University of Michigan. During her master years, she double majored in both piano performance and chamber music performance. She also discovered her talent on organ and was specially selected to join a unique, interdisciplinary research focusing on analyzing how data science can interpret music during master years. She will continue exploring her passion in organ performance, studying with Dr. Higdon for a new M.M. degree in Church Music. When not devoted into music, Peiyao enjoys detective stories, great food and crocheting. She is the website director of KU’s Asian Classical Music Initiative.

GUEST GATHERING

Sunday, Oct. 30 at 10am. Library

New to Country Club Christian Church? Whether you’ve been attending for a while or are a new visitor, we invite you to learn more about us in a casual setting. A member of our staff will guide you through our values, traditions, and beliefs and you’ll discover ways to connect with our service opportunities, classes, small groups, and members. We would love to become your church family. RSVP HERE

ELDERS and DEACONS

Please mark your calendars with these upcoming events:

Tuesday, Nov 8, 6 - 7pm |  Elder/Deacon Meeting

Saturday AM, Date TBD |  Winter Retreat 

Tuesday, April 11, 6 - 7pm |  Elder/Deacon Meeting

All meetings will be in the Social Hall with a Zoom option.

For information on any of these events call 816-333-4917

SUNDAY, October 16

10am  |  Adult Sunday School Classes

10am  |  Sunday School for preschool - 5th graders on 2nd floor

10am  |  Youth Donuts and Discussion, Connections Room

10am  |  Pathways to Learning: LGBTQ and the B-I-B-L-E, Youth Center 

12pm  |  Club Kids, Youth Center

12:30pm  |  Grace at Work, Grace United Community Ministries

4pm  |  Youth Group. THIS WEEK - High school and Middle school will meet at church. 

MONDAY, October 17

8:30am  |  Flower Ministry, Kitchen

9am  |  Green Team

10:30am  |  Yoga, virtual

5:30pm  |  Green Team

7pm  |  Monday Night Class "Imposing and Impossible Texts", Youth Center   

TUESDAY, October 18

6:30pm  |  Roots Dinner & Discussion, Room & info: bit.ly/rootsoctoberdinner

7pm  |  A Life Worth Living with Rev. Mike Graves, Youth Center

WEDNESDAY, October 19

9am  |  Faithbook, Youth Center

10:30am  |  Wednesday Morning Bible Study, Youth Center or via Zoom

6pm  |  Bell Choir Rehearsal, Room 304

7pm  |  Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, October 20

9:30am  |  Sewing and Knitting Ministry, Sewing Room

FRIDAY, October 21

10:30am  |  Yoga, virtual