CHURCH SERVICES CANCELED

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and out of an abundance of caution, the Community of Christ – Mission Road Congregation will not hold services for the next three Sundays.

This decision is based on the current CDC guidelines that suggest the risk is greatest for people who are 60 and older as well as persons with respiratory illness or weakened immune systems. It’s clear that even those who experience no symptoms could inadvertently carry the virus into a gathering where more people are at risk for serious health effects stemming from the virus.

While we regret this disruption, it is important to take precautions and protect the more vulnerable members of our congregation.

You’re invited to relive past worship services or listen to those you’ve missed. Over the coming weeks, please remember that past Sunday morning worship service audio recordings are available online at https://bit.ly/2MSgZW8. If you open the link and then scroll down to the 2020 folder and double click it) you’ll find all the worship service recordings for 2020.

MESSAGE FOR SUNDAY, March 15, 2020

While we’re celebrating the third Sunday of the Lenten season without a face-to-face meeting at the church, we do want to share some readings with the congregation.

Lenten Welcome:

Lent is about divine grace. It is a period of time to reflect on our discipleship and prepare for Easter. It is based on the example of Christ’s forty days in the desert preparing for ministry. Lent is a time to honestly examine who we are, recognize who we are called to become, and receive divine grace for the journey in between. Lent is an invitation to fast or replace a behavior with time connecting to God.

Last week’s candle reminded us to be humble in our relationship with God. Today we light the third candle that represents hopefulness. As disciples we humbly look to Christ’s example, yet we are imperfect and often fall short of who Christ asks us to become. We practice hopefulness when we seek to love ourselves, others, and the path in front of us despite challenges. We praise our loving Creator for the compassion and grace extended to all. We open ourselves to fully receive both.

Scripture Reading (adapted from 2 Nephi 3:32-34)

My soul grieves because of my sin.

I am surrounded by the temptations and sins that so easily influence me.

When I desire to rejoice, my heart groans because of my sins;

Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trust.

Responsive Reading (adapted from Doctrine and Covenants 162:5a-c and 164:2b):

Leader: God’s grace, especially as revealed in Jesus Christ, is generous and unconditional. It is for divine purpose that you have been given the struggles as well as the joys of diversity.

People: Having received God’s generous grace, we respond generously and graciously receive the generosity of others.

Leader: Do not be defined by the things that separate you but by the things that unite you in Jesus Christ.

People: We offer all we are and have to God’s purposes as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Leader: Listen together to one another, without judgement or predisposition. …Reason together in love, and the Spirit of truth will prevail.

Prayer for the Congregation:

May God’s presence of peace, wisdom, and compassion continue to surround and strengthen you. We pray for those who are suffering during this pandemic and remember our fellow Mission Road friends and neighbors in our thoughts and prayers!

EXPLORING CHALLENGES DISCUSSION GROUP

The Exploring Challenges discussion group report coupled with discussion among the attendees will be rescheduled after church services resume.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS MESSAGE

When church services resume at Mission Road, we’ll continue the adult Sunday School class with a discussion of Chapter 1 of Amy-Jill Levine’s book “Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi.” Be sure you’ve read the Introduction too.

If you’re curious to learn more about the author, who is Jewish but teaches classes on Christianity, check out her humor and her comments on faith and belief at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFy_jjP2WzU

NEED A COPY OF THE NEW ADULT CLASS BOOK?

If you wish to purchase a copy of the adult Sunday school text (“Short Stories by Jesus” by Amy-Jill Levine) please contact Jonathan Bacon (his phone and email address are in the church directory). We can arrange to have the book delivered to your home.

The text is optional but provides insights and information that cannot be covered in the weekly Sunday school class.

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

NEXT ALL GOOD BOOKS GROUP MEETING

The All Good Books discussion group will meet at 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 16, 2020, to discuss “The Confession Club” by Elizabeth Berg (the author of “The Story of Arthur Trulov,” “Night of Miracles” and “Open House”).

Meetings are held in the Church Library starting at 7:00 PM. All are invited to attend!

MISSION: LEARN 2020 AT THE OLATHE CONGREGATION

The Mission Center has announced that “Mission: Learn” scheduled for March 28, 2020 has been canceled.

ORGAN CONCERT @ THE TEMPLE

This concert is canceled as are all activities and events at World Church facilities until April 13, 2020.

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

There will be no activities at the church for the next three weeks.

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.