UPCOMING MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION EVENTS

"THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS" ADULT CLASS RESUMES

The Adult Sunday School class is studying The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything by Brian D. McLaren each Sunday during the 9:30-10:15 AM Sunday school class hour.

Jonathan Bacon, Paul Bennetts, Jane Landrum, Jennifer Libeer, and Dennis Wood will team-teach the class. Copies of the book are available in paperback through Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com. It is also available from Amazon.com for the Kindle.

The schedule for the upcoming weeks includes:

Sunday, December 27, 2015: Chapter 9 (“You Can’t Keep a Secret”) – class discussion led by Dennis Wood.

Sunday, January 3, 2016 – Jonathan Bacon, Chapter 10 (“Secret Agents of the Secret Kingdom”)

Sunday, January 10, 2016 – Paul Bennetts, Chapter 11 (“The Open Secret”)

Sunday, January 17, 2016 – Jane Landrum, Chapter 12 (“Hiding the Message in New Places”)

Sunday, January 24, 2016 – Jennifer Libeer, Chapter 13 (“Getting It, Getting In”)

Sunday, January 31, 2016 – Dennis Wood, Chapter 14 (“Kingdom Manifesto”)

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED NOW!

The second semester of school will begin in January and once again students face the need for notebooks, pencils, paper, erasers, markers and all the traditional school items. As you finish your Christmas shopping, why not pick up a few school related items for the January School Supplies Drive! Bring to the church and leave on the table in the Narthex.

SHOES NEEDED!

Alex White is again collecting shoes for the Osage City High School students. Please bring shoes to donate as soon as you can!

PASTOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Pastors Karen and Larry Birkby would like to thank the Mission Road Congregation for their generous gifts. Santa Ron did a wonderful job of shopping. The gifts included, a wonderful mug for hot chocolate or cider with Pastor, and a scripture referring to the Good Shepard. "Care for the Flock that God has entrusted to you. And when the Great Shepard appears, you will receive a Crown of never-ending Glory and Honor." 1 Peter 5:2,4 We are truly humbled.

Also an ink pen that says "Pastor" and includes another scripture. "We always Thank God… and Pray for you…" I Thessalonians 1:2 We are so blessed !

Also, the book "Christmas Hearts" by Tim Roehl. Images of Immanuel Through the Eyes of Those Who Saw Him First.

Also, a gift certificate for ticket to a show at The New Theatre. Wonderful!

Also, some gift cards to Applebee’s, who doesn’t like eating there?

Also, some pictures of Old Dead Men, CA$H! Always handy to have.

We Thank You so much for a great surprise. We feel very humbled to serve as your Pastors. We pray that we may serve our God in this challenging role.

NEXT "ALL GOOD BOOKS" CLUB MEETING SCHEDULE IN JANUARY

The next meeting of the All Good Books discussion group will be on Thursday, January 14, 2016 to discuss

"The Truth According to Us" by Annie Barrows, co-author of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." The group will meet at 7:00 PM in the Church Library at the Community of Christ (7842 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS). If you like history (and gossip) with a female version of Tom Sawyer set in 1938, you will enjoy this novel with a cast of characters as varied as you’d find in any small town USA.

2016 MISSION ROAD DIRECTORY IN PROGRESS

Work has begun on the Congregational Directory for next year. Please take a moment and check your individual or family listing(s) in the draft directory. The mark-up copy can be found on the round table in the Fellowship Hall. If your listing is correct and no changes are required, please write "OK" beside your directory listing. If you are new to the congregation, please make sure we have your name and contact information so we can add your name to the directory. We would also like a picture to include in the directory. Please, talk to Clint Reine or Larry Birkby about adding your name(s) to the directory. Thank you!

MIDLANDS MISSION CENTER 2016 SUMMER CAMPING PROGRAM

Youth Quest KC: June 7-9

Sr. High Camp: June 12-June 17

Doniphan Reunion: June 21-26

Junior Camp: July 5-9

Chihowa Reunion: July 10-15

MITIOG: July 24-29

Spectacular: July 23-30

Middle School Camp: July 31-August 5

WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGES:

When a change is necessary in the Worship Schedule, please notify the Worship Planner, The Presider, Clint Reine, Jonathan Bacon, Jason Scott, and Larry Birkby by email or phone calls. Additionally, changes should be made to the posted Worship Schedule in the 1st Floor Office.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Wednesday evening Saints’ Chorale Rehearsals in the Church Sanctuary will be postposed until Jan. 6, 2016, at 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015, 6:30 PM – The Prayer Circle meets in the quiet of the Church Library. Come join the Prayer Warriors of our congregation.

Sunday, December 27, 2015, 9:00 AM – Breakfast (Arlene and Lee Leonard), join us for conversation and fellowship.

Sunday, December 27, 2015 – Sunday School classes for Children and Adults.

• Nursery available – 9:30-11:30 AM, in downstairs Nursery.

• Children’s Sunday School class – 9:30-10:15 AM, taught by Robin Payne.

• Adult Sunday School class – 9:30-10:15 AM, team taught by Jonathan Bacon, Paul Bennetts, Jane Landrum, Jennifer Libeer and Dennis Wood in Church Library.

• God’s Kids – 9:30-11:30 AM – Children’s Library (Second Sunday of the Month Only) studying the Book of Mormon.

Sunday, December 27, 2015, 10:30 AM – John O’Neal will speak on the theme "Develop Disciples to Serve" with Jonathan Bacon presiding. Dorothy May is serving as worship planner.

MISSION ROAD WORSHIP AUDIO RECORDINGS

Our congregational worship audio recordings are hosted online at https://copy.com/ej21J9e1xKOCiJwX

Recently added audio recordings include:

Jennifer Libeer message presented on December 6, 2015, filename 20151206-JLibeer.mp3 (available soon)

Ron Millard message presented on December 13, 2015, filename 20151213-RMillard.mp3

Annual Christmas Concert on December 13, 2015, filename 20151213-ChristmasConcert.mp3

Jonathan Bacon message presented on December 20, 2015, filename 20151220-JBacon.mp3

The beginning numbers of each filename indicate the Sunday of the audio recordings. The first 4 digits represent the year; the next two digits indicate the month and last two digits represent the day of the month. In most cases, the date is followed by a dash and then the first initial and last name of the speaker.

Audio recordings from previous years are located in folders corresponding to the year (2005, 2006, 2007, and so on). If you missed a Sunday, this provides you a way to hear the music and the message.

IMPORTANT CONGREGATIONAL LINKS

The Mission Road Congregation hosts the following social media sites:

Congregational (public) website at www.mission-road.org

Facebook Page (public) at https://www.facebook.com/MissionRoad.CoC

Facebook Group (open only to congregational members) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MissionRoad/

and

The All Good Books discussion group website at https://allbooksclub.wordpress.com/

Visit and "like" each of these sites to keep up-to-date on congregational news.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS EMAIL

If you have news items and calendar additions or changes that need to be included in the congregational news email please contact Larry Birkby at larry.birkby or call him at 913-488-9235.