MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION EVENTS AND PROJECTS

TIME FOR MEDITATION AND REFLECTION

Each Sunday after the Sunday School Hour, you’re invited to move into the sanctuary starting around 10:20 AM to prepare for the 10:30 AM worship service through meditation and reflection. The musicians in our congregation will provide music during that interlude between Sunday school and the worship service. If you wish to visit with your church friends, we invite you to do so in the Fellowship Hall or after the worship service.

WORSHIP AND SERVICE AVAILABILITY FORM NOW ONLINE

The Spring 2020 Worship and Service Availability Form is now available online at https://bit.ly/35phtrw. The form will also be available in the Sunday bulletin over the next two weeks.

The deadline for submitting the form is Sunday, January 19, 2020.

NOTE: There is a new opportunity for service called Focus Moment or (Children’s Moment). This is an opportunity to provide ministry to the younger members of the congregation during the Worship Service held in the Sanctuary. This ministry will be coordinated with the Worship Planner. Those wishing to use their talent to minister in this manner are invited to check this line on the Availability Form.

eLEARNING TEMPLE SCHOOL CLASSES

Online Temple School classes are available starting in January. Cost is $25 and may be paid via check or PayPal®. To register, please visit www.developmetrics.org and click on “USA Registration” on the left. Registration for these courses is underway and space is limited.

• Introduction to Priesthood (MP300): 8-weeks, 1/11–3/6

• Ministry of the Deacon (MP302): 6-weeks, 1/11–2/21

• Introduction to Pastor 6-weeks, 1/11–2/21

• Ministry of the High Priest (MP307): 8-weeks, 1/11–3/6

Though not required, you may purchase the booklet for this class in PDF format through Herald House. The eLearning class has the most up-to-date version of this booklet, but it will not be available to you once the class ends.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL TOPIC

The Adult Sunday school class continues to the study of “The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day,” Volume 2, by Justo L. Gonzales.

On Sunday, January 12, 2010, Dennis Wood will lead the discussion of Chapter 31 (“Protestant Theology”).

EXPLORING CHALLENGES DISCUSSION GROUP

The next meeting of the Exploring Challenges discussion group will be on Sunday, January 12, 2020 in the Church Library. The time will be set after the Chiefs’ playoff schedule is set. Contact Dennis Wood for current information.

Dennis Wood is leading the discussion group to explore issues that affect Mission Road’s future. United States demographics and cultural trends are issues that confront not only Mission Road but also all Christian churches in the U.S. The hope is that discussing these issues will help us better understand how to meet those challenges and fulfill Mission Road’s purpose and reason for being.

Discussion will focus on recent articles from the Herald, and two books: "Beyond Resistance" and "Christianity for the Rest of Us."

NEXT BOOK CLUB MEETING APPROACHES

The All Good Books group’s next meeting is scheduled on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the Church Library. Note that this is the second Thursday of the month rather than our typical third Thursday.

The book club will discuss “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover and everyone is invited to attend.

Discussion questions for the memoir are available at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/books/educated-tara-westover-discussion-questions.html

COFFEE HOUSE FEATURING GRACELAND UNIVERSITY’S AFTERGLOW BAND

Where? 15006 E 39th Street, Independence, MO

When? 7 pm Saturday, January 18 (Doors open @ 6:30)

Central Mission Center’s Invitational Ministries Welcomes you to enjoy musicians from Graceland University. Music brings people together and this event will bring you a sense of pride, hope and love to all who are connected to GU and the church.

SIDE NOTE: Steve & Laurie Holben’s grandson, Conner Holben, is a member of the GU choir and will be singing at this event.

TEENS WORKING IN SERVICE TOGETHER (TWIST)

The next two TWIST weekends have been set. All Middle

School and High School students — mark your calendars!

JAN 24 – 26 @ Bethel

APR 24 – 26 @ Topeka

Regarding the January TWIST gathering: Attention all 6th–12th graders!!! Complete the event registration form found online and bring your TWIST shirt if you have one. A $20 donation is suggested. Please RSVP by January 16 to Alan Keehler 816.810.5690 or Kat Hnatyshyn 816.506.6948.

THE NONVIOLENT PATH AS ILLUMINATED BY JESUS

(Assembly and Worship at the Temple)

When? 2 pm Sunday, March 8, 2020

Resolved, that over the next three years Community of Christ members and leaders discuss the role nonviolence plays in the pursuit of “peace on and for the Earth’” (D&C 165:1d) and in the life and mission of the church.

In response to this 2019 World Conference resolution and in the spirit of reverence and mutual regard, the Justice and Peace Action Team of Central and Midlands MCs will host a worship service and dialogue featuring John Dear, an internationally recognized voice and leader for peace and nonviolence.

2020 REUNIONS

Doniphan June 12–16 2020 with Guest Minister Apostle Art Smith. Contact: Josh Huyett, (913) 707–3005

Chihowa July 12–17, 2020 with Guest Minister Apostle Dave Nii. Contact: Sarah Marolf (785) 213–8308

***Please note Doniphan reunion date change***

MISSION ROAD CALENDAR

Monday, January 6, 2020, 7:00-8:30 PM – Mission Bells rehearsal in the Church Sanctuary.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 6:30 – 7:30 PM – Saint’s Chorale practice in the Church Sanctuary.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 7:35 PM – Prayer Circle in the Church Library.

Thursday, January 9, 2020, 7:00 PM – The All Good Books group meets in the Church Library to discuss “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover.

Sunday, January 12, 2020, 8:45 AM – Breakfast (provided by Karen Birkby), join us for conversation and fellowship!

Sunday, January 12, 2020

· 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 Reformation to the Present Day Volume 2" by Justo Gonzalez, taught by Jonathan Bacon, Paul Bennetts, Marilyn Gairns, Jane Landrum and Dennis Wood in the Church Library.

Sunday, January 12, 2020, 10:30 AM – Kirk Barnhard will speak on the theme “Of Water and Spirit” with Steve Holben presiding and serving as worship planner. Brian Libeer will provide the PowerPoint.

WORSHIP and SPECIAL MUSIC AT MISSION ROAD

If you are not able to attend the Sunday Worship services at Mission Road, you can listen to our posted podcasts each week. If you miss our worship services and wonderful musical ministry, please join us for the peaceful Spirit of Worship. Links to our weekly podcast are listed below.

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 (20190224 represents February 24, 2019). 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:

05 January 2020 message by Jerry Rushfelt and the Ordination of Deborah Rushfelt to the Office of Priest, filename 20200105-GRushfelt;Debbie.Rushfelt.Ordination.mp3

29 December 2019 message by Paul Bennetts, filename 20191229-PBennetts.mp3

22 December 2019 Vespers Service recording, filename 20191222-Vespers.mp3

22 December 2019 message by Jonathan Bacon, filename 20191222-JBacon.mp3

15 December 2019 message by Ron Millard, filename 20191215-RMillard.mp3.

8 December 2019 message by Steve Holben, filename 20191208-SHolben.mp3

1 December 2019 message by Jane Landrum, filename 20191201-JLandrum.mp3

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WITHOUT EMAIL OR FACEBOOK ACCESS?

If you know someone in the congregation that 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.

FOR FUTURE CHURCH CLOSINGS

In the future, if inclement weather forces the cancellation of church services at Mission Road, we’ll post the closing on our church Facebook page, send a message to the church email list and list the closing on KCTV Channel 5 and KSHB Channel 41.

Be sure to check the TV listings for either "Community of Christ – Mission Road" (KSHB 41) or "Community of Christ – Prairie Village" (KCTV5). The listing will be under one of those two names.

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.