MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION EVENTS AND PROJECTS

VESPERS SERVICE SCHEDULED

The annual Mission Road Christmas Vespers Service will be held on December 16, 2018 at 6 PM. Join us for an evening of music and scripture. A reception will follow the evening’s program.

COOKIES NEEDED FOR VESPERS SERVICE RECEPTION

Volunteers are needed to bring a dozen cookies for the reception following the Vespers Service on December 16. If you can help, please contact Cheryl Kennedy.

KIDS NEEDED!

Kids come join the fun! We still need singers for the Vespers service on Sunday evening, December 16! We practice Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Just three more practices left and two rehearsals after church! And we are keeping it simple, so come and join us!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CENTER OF HOPE

We need YOUR HELP TO DONATE GIFTS for over 200 adults, teens, and children who will attend our Christmas Day meal on Friday, December 21. For donations from Mission Road, we’ll need the gifts brought to church on Sunday, December 16, 2018. This is a bit earlier than usual, so please note the date! Tags for the gifts will be available Sunday morning, December 9, but you can get a head start on shopping based on the gifts needed and listed below.

Adult Gifts Needed – Goal = 50 Adult Male and 50 Adult Female Gifts:

In order to assist us with giving everyone an appropriate and equally valued gift, please place your new item(s) valued at $10-$15 in a gift bag with a tag stating “adult male” or “adult female”.

May include an assortment of items such as fleece blankets, stocking caps, socks, gloves, underwear (size medium), candy, snack food, pens, lighters, flashlights and other useful items to fill wrapped shoe boxes or gift bags.

Children & Teen Gifts Needed – Goal= 50 for ages 0 to 10 and 50 for teens ages 11 to 16:

In order to assist us with giving each child an appropriate and equally valued gift, please place your new item(s) valued at $10-$15 in a gift bag with a tag stating whether the gift is for a “boy” or “girl” and “age range.” For example, “Boy, Age 10-12”.

May include toys, books, and games either gender or non-gender specific for children 0-12. Please don’t forget teens as you shop. Ideas for teens include personal care items (colognes, body sprays) gloves, hats, scarves, purses, wallets, backpacks, and books.

Thank you again for your generosity! Mission Road makes a huge difference with our donations to the Center of Hope!

THANK YOU FROM JANICE HEDRICK

Janice would like to thank everyone who helped with her “New Way to Give” Fundraiser for the Central Avenue Center of Hope. A total of $130 was raised!

PASSING OF JANE FARMER

Jane Farmer, a former member of the Mission Road Congregation, passed away recently. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the Olathe Community of Christ congregation (15520 South Ridgeview Road).

CHRISTMAS CANTATA AT THE HIGHLANDS

The Christmas Cantata (The Winter Rose) is scheduled for 7 PM on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the Highlands (7615 N. Platte Purchase Dr.

Kansas City, MO). All are invited to attend.

WINTER COAT COLLECTION

With Daylight Savings time going away and the fall colors are showing their beauty it’s time to think about Ole Man Winter coming soon. With the arrival of winter, it means colder weather and perhaps some snow. It’s also time to remember to clean out the closet of the gently used coat that you don’t plan to wear anymore and help someone else keep warm this winter. If that’s not the case with you perhaps you can afford to spend a few dollars on a new coat for someone else. Central Avenue Center of Hope is starting the annual winter coat drive. Please remember those that may need a new coat this winter. Please hang up your coat gift on the coat rack by the office door. Look for the sign.

WINTER GLOVE AND MITTEN COLLECTION

Remember to also add to the collection of gloves and mittens being collected for Central Avenue Center of Hope. Tis the Season.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL TOPIC

The Adult Class will continue to the study of "The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, Volume 1" by Justo Gonzalez each Sunday.

Next week the discussion will focus on Chapter 24, "Augustine of Hippo." Dennis Wood will lead the class discussion.

2019 MISSION ROAD WORLD CONFERENCE DELEGATES

Do you know who your delegates are to the 2019 Community of Christ World Conference? Here’s the list:

Karen Birkby

Kennetha Kuttler

John O’Neal

Adrienne Reine

Clint Reine

Deborah Rushfelt

HEALTH MINISTRIES ASSOCIATION 2019 PLEDGE FORM

Honduras Nurse program

For the past two years, the Mission Road family has shared generously with HMA in our effort to provide health care to residents of remote villages in Honduras. These are people who would not receive any professional health care if not for the visits provided by our dedicated nurse, Saira Giron and the Health Teams of HMA. 85% of the donations to this program go for providing nurse’s salary, advanced training, medications and clinic supplies and transportation costs to get to the villages. The remaining 15% covers the costs of postage, wire transfers, and a small amount for preparing and printing the pledge brochures. All health care teams provide 100% of their own costs for travel, room and board and insurance. All the Board members for HMA are unpaid volunteers.

If you are willing and able to make a pledge to help us continue to provide for this program in 2019, please complete a pledge form (found in Sunday’s bulletin) and return to Paul Bennetts. Or provide Paul with your name, address, and pledge amount for 2019.

MISSION CENTER BOOK CLUB

The second book for the Book Club is “Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World” by John Dorhauer, who in 2016 was the newly-elected General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. Even if this book takes a few chapters for you to get excited about it, persevering will be worth your efforts! This book is a useful tool and resource for those who desire to share and serve in this "postmodern world."

This month we will finish the last few chapters of the previous book so we can begin this new book in the new year. Find the book club discussions on the Midlands Mission Center Facebook page. Locate the “search this group” box on the left of the page and type “book club” to find the posts. I’m excited to join you on this adventure! Thanks for joining me!

~ Shelly Twitchell

UPCOMING eLEARNING CLASSES

Registration for enrollment begins December 14, 2018 for these online classes:

Introduction to Priesthood Ministry (MP300) – Required for new ordinands and those exploring priesthood leadership. Class dates: Jan. 12 – March 8 ($25 – limit 30).

Ministry of the Deacon (MP 302) – Required for new Deacons and those exploring Deacons ministry. Class dates: Jan. 12-Feb. 22 ($25 – limit 20)

Pastors in Mission (NEW) – Created to introduce pastors and pastors council to basic congregational leadership. Class dates: Jan. 12-Feb. 22 ($25 – limit 30)

To enroll, please visit http://developmetrics.org

DONIPHAN IS HIRING!

Executive Director, Food Service & Hospitality Manger, and Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Manager

Job descriptions and summaries can be found at cwilson.

HANDYPERSON WANTED

Work up to 32 hours a month at Chihowa. Responsibilities include basic plumbing, electrical, building repairs, and equipment maintenance. If interested please contact Chihowa Board President Rollie Marolf at 785.207.1359 or rollieandbeth.

NEXT BOOK CLUB MEETING IS IN JANUARY

The All Good Books group will discuss "With Love, Wherever You Are" by Dandi Daley Mackall at our next meeting on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 7 PM. No meeting is planned for December 2018.

Discussion questions for the January novel will be posted in December.

The schedule of upcoming books for discussion is always available at https://allbooksclub.wordpress.com/meeting-dates-books/.

GETTING CLOSER: 2018-2019 CHURCH DIRECTORY

Please update your listing in the Congregational Directory that is on the table in the narthex. If you’ve given Clint updates and they are not reflected in the printed draft, don’t worry. The changes are added after every printing! If you want your picture updated, please see Clint at church so he can take a new photo of you. If you have any other updates write them down on the copy on the table in the narthex. Thanks!

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WITHOUT EMAIL OR FACEBOOK ACCESS?

If you know someone in the congregation who does not have email and does not use Facebook, please let Jonathan Bacon know. We’re trying to be sure everyone in the congregation has access to periodic news updates and information on congregational activities.

MISSION ROAD CALENDAR

Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 6:30-7:30 PM – Saints’ Chorale Rehearsal in the Sanctuary.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 7:35 PM – Prayer Circle in the Church Library.

Sunday, December 9, 2018, 8:45 AM – Breakfast (provided by Michel Haase), join us for conversation and fellowship.

Sunday, December 9, 2018

· Nursery available – 9:15-11:30 AM, in downstairs Nursery.

· Children’s Sunday School class – 9:15-10:15 AM, taught by Mary Reichenbach.

· Teen’s Sunday School class – 9:15-10:15 AM, taught by Clint Reine.

· Adult Sunday School class – 9:15-10:15 AM, discusses "The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, Volume 1" by Justo Gonzalez, taught by Jonathan Bacon, Paul Bennetts, Jane Landrum and Dennis Wood in the Church Library.

Sunday, December 9, 2018, 10:30 AM – Brian Libeer will speak on the theme "Prepare! (Peace)" with Jane Landrum serving as presider and Nadine Bennetts serving as worship planner. The Saints’ Chorale will provide the ministry of music and Robert Sindt will provide the PowerPoint.

Monday, December 10, 2018, 7:00-8:30 PM – Mission Bells Rehearsal in Church Sanctuary.

Sunday, December 16, 2018, 10:30 AM – Christmas Gifts for the Center of Hope will be received during the morning worship.

Sunday, December 16, 2018, 6:00 PM – Vespers Service.

MISSED LAST SUNDAY’S SERVICE?

Audio recordings of past worship services are available online at https://bit.ly/2MSgZW8. This is a short URL for a Google Drive folder with past recordings.

Recordings are located in folders corresponding to the year (e.g., 2017, 2018). If you missed a Sunday, this provides you a way to hear the music and the message.

Each audio recording begins with the date of the service (20180805 represents August 5, 2018). The date is followed by a dash and the first initial and last name of the speaker.

NOTE: If you experience problems playing these audio files be sure you’re running the latest version of your browser or try a different browser. In some cases, you may be required to download the audio file before playing it.

The following list includes some recent audio recordings:

2 December 2018 message by Jerry Rushfelt, filename 20181202-JRushfelt.mp3

18 November 2018 message by Kirk Barnhard, filename 20181118-KBarnhard.mp3

11 November 2018 message by Paul Bennetts, filename 20181111-PBennetts.mp3

4 November 2018 message by Steve Holben, filename 20181104-SHolben.mp3

CONCERNING PRAYER REQUESTS

Please know that any member of the congregation can post prayer requests or share information about members and events on the Mission Road Members Only Facebook page. You do not need to send the information for approval to anyone. In fact, doing so may slow down the dissemination of your request. Be sure to include the person needing prayers and what situation has occurred (if you wish to share that information). If your post concerns an event or news item, be sure to include the basics in your posting (such as who, what, where and when).

For prayer requests, if you do not have access to Facebook, then please call Paul Bennetts our Congregational Pastoral Care Coordinator.

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/

The link to Mission Road worship service audio recordings at https://bit.ly/2MSgZW8

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. His email address and phone number are both in the Church Directory.