MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION EVENTS AND PROJECTS

PERSONAL HYGIENE DONATIONS NEEDED FOR CENTER OF HOPE

While the Central Avenue Center for Hope (CACH) continues to need food pantry donations, an often-overlooked area of need is for personal hygiene items. For the month of March, we’re encouraging you to bring at least one item each Sunday that meets the personal grooming needs of the Center’s clients.

Typical examples of very helpful items include hand soaps, shampoo, deodorants, diapers, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Just think about what you use each day, buy an extra supply and bring to the CACH Pantry at the church. And thanks in advance to Robin Payne for the idea and for everyone who remembers to share a little bit with the Center this month!

EXPLORING CHALLENGES DISCUSSION GROUP

The Congregation will meet Sunday morning March 15, 2020 at 9:00 AM in the Church Sanctuary to review the proposals of the Exploring Challenges discussion group. Ideas from the congregation can also be presented at this time. The goal is to provide ideas to meet the challenges before us.

The Adult Sunday School class will join the congregational meeting about Exploring Challenges on March 15 and then resume regular class meetings on March 22.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL PLANS

The Adult Sunday school class will resume on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 9:15 AM in the Church Library. In preparation, you’re invited to read Chapter 1 of “Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi” by Amy-Jill Levine. On the 22nd Marilyn Gairns will lead the class discussion.

The Introduction was covered in class on March 8. If you haven’t read it, be sure to do so, as it offers background information on Old and New Testament parables and defines the focus of the Levine book.

NEED A COPY OF THE LEVINE BOOK FOR THE ADULT CLASS?

If you wish to purchase a copy of the text ($13) please contact Jonathan Bacon (his phone and email address are in the church directory). The text is optional but provides insights and information that cannot be covered in the weekly Sunday school class.

If you order a copy by 5 PM on Tuesday, March 10, your copy will be available on the table in the Church Library next Sunday (the 15th).

The cost of the book ($13) should be added to your offering with an indication that it’s for the Sunday School text.

SPRING QUARTERLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE AVAILABLE

The Quarterly Worship Schedule for March, April, and May is now available on our Member’s Only Facebook page and can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/32G2Obo.

A hard copy has also been printed and is available in the Narthex on the small table next to the podium where the bulletins are located.

ALL GOOD BOOKS GROUP MEETS THIS THURSDAY

“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman will be the topic of discussion at this weeks All Good Books meeting. We’ll meet on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at 7 PM in the Church Library.

Please come and join us for the discussion!

MISSION: LEARN 2020 AT THE OLATHE CONGREGATION

March 28, 2020, 9-4pm

Theme: Sacramental Living

Guest Ministry:

Presiding Evangelist Jane Gardner,

Apostle Janné Grover and

Field Support Minister Barbara Borkowski

Following a keynote from Presiding Evangelist Jane Gardner, we will spend time in worship, set apart the Mission Center Financial Officer Team, share a meal, and have 4 educational breakout sessions. Youth are invited to help serve lunch from 10-2 to earn funds for camp. All who work earn funds.

*Childcare will be available*

Full schedule is available on www.midlandsmc.org

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Shelby, CFO & Recorder Training – Wim van Klinken

Are you a Congregational Recorder or a Congregational Financial Officer and not always sure how to manage Shelby? Come learn from Wim’s expertise!

Youth Worker Registration – Dave Hall

Come learn how best to work with youth and to keep them safe when providing ministry.

Spiritual Formation Companioning Program – Pat Cole

Being present to receive God’s Grace, is the beginning of a transformation to a new life. Spiritual practices teach us better ways to commune with God, through scriptures, meditation and prayer. Spiritual practices help us to see the world and others in a new "light".

Sacraments in worship – Barbara Borkowski

Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination are all Sacraments offered in worship.

Justice and Peace Action – Grace & Stan Troeh

With injustice rampant, we are called to bring change – by voice, by awareness, by presence. We’ll explore the call, ways to connect and be engaged in this aspect of discipleship.

Spiritual Vs Religious – Craig Hidy

Today many people are identifying themselves as spiritual rather than religious. Come learn about this trend, explore the differences and understand this rapid growing faith group.

Community of Christ Sings and Sacramental Living – Presiding Evangelist Jane Gardner

Come explore how Sacramental Living is expressed in our hymnal Community of Christ Sings!

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – Apostle Janné Grover

Learn more about guidelines for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

ORGAN CONCERT @ THE TEMPLE

Grammy ® nominated organist-in-residence, Jan Kraybill will offer a recital from 2:30 – 3:30 pm Sunday, April 5.

Jan’s very special recital will focus on peacemaking with a nod to the 190th anniversary of the restoration movement in North America.

ADVENTURER’S REUNION @ COLORADO

June 19 – 25

Adults age 19+ are invited to “Reconnect” with friends from many places, coming together to create sacred community at YMCA of the Rockies. This adventure is NOT for the faint of heart. Activities will include strenuous high-altitude hikes, white water rafting, and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies. Singing, playing, laughing, dialogue, and worship will be some elements of this unique gathering! EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MARCH 31. More information can be found at http://centralmission.org/adventurer/.

TEENS WORKING IN SERVICE TOGETHER (TWIST)

The next TWIST weekend has been set. All Middle School and High School students — mark your calendars!

APR 24 – 26 @ Topeka

Regarding the April 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 April 16 to Alan Keehler 816.810.5690 or Kat Hnatyshyn 816.506.6948.

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, March 9, 2020, 7:00-8:30 PM – Mission Bells rehearsal in the Church Sanctuary.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 6:30 – 7:30 PM – Saint’s Chorale practice in the Church Sanctuary.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 7:35 PM – Prayer Circle in the Church Library.

Thursday, March 12, 2020, 7:00 PM – All Good Books group meets to discuss “Eleanor Oliphant Is Generally Fine” by Gail Honeyman in the Church Library.

Sunday, March 15, 2020, 8:45 AM – Breakfast (provided by Marge Trinkl), join us for conversation and fellowship!

Sunday, March 15, 2020, 9:00 AM – Special Congregational Meeting to discuss the report of the Exploring Challenges discussion group.

· 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.

Sunday, March 15, 2020, 10:20 AM – Time for Meditation and Refection in the Sanctuary. Music by Margaret Athey.

Sunday, March 15, 2020, 10:30 AM – Arlene Leonard will speak on the theme “Is the Lord Among Us?” with Karen Birkby servingas worship planner andaspresider. The Mission Bells will provide the ministry of music and Steve Hedrick 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 (20200224 represents February 24, 2020). 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 the most recent audio recordings:

08 March 2020 message by Jonathan Bacon, filename 20200308-JBacon.mp3

01 March 2020 message by Steve Holben, filename 20200301-SHolben.mp3

23 February 2020 message by John O’Neal, filename 20200223-JOneal.mp3

16 February 2020 message by Karen Birkby, filename 20200216-KBirkby.mp3

09 February 2020 message by Jennifer Libeer, filename 20200209-JLibeer.mp3

02 February 2020 message by Kennetha Kuttler, filename 20200202-KKuttler.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.

Please remember John and Eloise Snider in your prayers this week.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE VIA EMAIL

The email address for general church drafts of your Order of Worship and church business (Clint Reine) is mrcoc

The email address for CFO business (Mary Reichenbach) is mrcoccfo

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.