PASTORAL PRAYER

Our Most Gracious and Eternal Heavenly Father, we come this morning in thanksgiving of the abundant blessings you have bestowed upon us as a congregation. The many times that you have cared for us when we were in need and may not have known it. As we come this morning, we are alone and separated from our church family. We feel alone from you as well because we are so accustomed of meeting together to worship. We feel lonely this morning as we are also isolated from what we are accustomed of doing in our daily lives. We understand the need for this state of separation and the reasoning behind it. But we still miss the close fellowship we enjoy. We asked that you fill us with that warmth we feel as we gather on a Sunday Morning. Please comfort us as we reach out to you for that gentle spirit we enjoy.

We are thankful this morning that most of us are isolated from this awful threat. But there are those of our church family that are in the throes of the conflict; and for them we ask for your protection. We ask for special blessings for those that are on the front lines of this pandemic that has invaded our world. We know there are many brave souls that are faced with caring for others. Protect them and give them courage to perform their life saving measures. We ask for those working in laboratories that are searching to find a cure that you might give them inspiration and direction to reach their goal.

As we turn our thoughts to the Easter Season, we remember the sacrifice that Christ made for each of us. Help us to remember the teachings he has provided us in the scriptures. We remember the forty days that Christ spent in the wilderness as he fasted and prayed. We have been somewhat isolated for but a few days. We have several things to help keep us connected. May we reach out to each other in this time of isolation and give comfort to each other. Lord we ask that you continue to bless us and keep us safe. Guide and direct our lives in ways you would have us serve our fellow beings. Grant us the strength to carry your love to those we may contact. Help us to be the example you would have us be.

For these many favors and blessings we ask these things in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP MESSAGE AND FOCUS MOMENT

You’re invited to read Roger Parrish’s message and focus moment that was originally prepared for this morning’s service at Mission Road. You’ll find the focus moment on the congregation’s website at https://mission-road.org/2020/03/29/todays-focus-moment-by-roger-parrish/ and Roger’s message at https://mission-road.org/2020/03/29/todays-message-breathe-on-me-breath-of-god/

BETHEL AND PAST MISSION ROAD WORSHIP RECORDINGS AVAILABLE

Though Mission Road is not offering specific online, live worship services, you are invited to join one offered by the Bethel Congregation. And don’t forget that you can access past Mission Road Congregation worship service podcasts (recordings) online at https://bit.ly/2MSgZW8.

JOIN ONLINE WORSHIP ACTIVITIES

During this COVID-19 season, don’t be isolated from your church family. There are numerous online opportunities for worship, Sunday School Class (both for adults and children), prayer service, and Sunday Chat and more. Check out the complete list on the world church website below.

https://www.cofchrist.org/online-ministries

THE PRAYER CIRCLE MOVES ONLINE

The weekly Prayer Circle that typically meets in the Church Library on Wednesday evenings has moved online using a videoconferencing tool called Zoom. Plan on joining us on Wednesday evening at 7 PM. Everyone is welcome and further instructions will follow early this week. You’ll be able to access the session using your computer, tablet, smartphone or simply dial-up using any phone.

MARILYN GAIRNS FATHER TURNS 99

Marilyn is one of the teachers for the Adult Sunday School class. She recently posted to Facebook the following message: “My father who is locked-in until we are all well (the pandemic ends) in a nursing home. He will be 99 years old on April 6 and I don’t know how we can help him share his birthday since we can’t see him.

If you would like to send my dad a card, for his 99th Birthday, on APRIL 6, here is his address. Please don’t feel obligated. I really didn’t expect you all to want to reach out yourself. I was just trying to figure out what I could do since I couldn’t be there. You may want to mention that you know one of his seven children, since I can’t be there to explain who sent the card when they arrive. Thanks so much in advance for caring.

Martin Parisot
c/o Hope Creek Care Center
4343 Kennedy Drive #1225
East Moline, Illinois 61244-4203

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Please remember that church expenses continue, even when we’re not meeting in the building. Mary Reichenbach, the Congregation’s Financial Officer has indicated that contributions can be mailed to her house (10223 Briar Dr., Overland Park, KS 66207) or the church 7842 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208), or you can sign up for eTithing on the World Church website https://www.cofchrist.org/etithing). If you use the eTithing site, select the United States link. Any of these options work.

REMINDER GOODBYE TO STEVE AND LAURIE HOLBEN!

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, we’re unable to hold the farewell potluck for Laurie and Steve. Without that opportunity to thank the Holbens for their service and friendship, we’d suggest you can contact them using email (sgholben) or using Facebook. There’s no snow in Kansas but maybe we can create a blizzard of messages to Laurie and Steve!

MISSION ROAD CALENDAR

There will be no activities at the church building this Sunday.

REPLACING ENTRANCE TILE AT CHURCH

Remember, the floor tile inside the main entrance of the church is being replaced. While this project is underway it will be necessary for everyone to enter the church from the other exterior doors. If you have a key to the front door, it will open any of the exterior doors including the back door to the Fellowship Hall, the basement door at end of the hall by the teen center and the basement door at the bottom of the ramp that enters by the ladies restroom in the basement.

Sorry for this temporary inconvenience. The main entrance should be available again by midweek next week. When the main entrance is available, we will get the word out. Please make sure to turn off the lights and lock the building when you leave. Thank you for your understanding.

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.

ALL GOOD BOOKS GROUP MEETING ONLINE

The All Good Books discussion group was scheduled to 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”).

At this point, it appears that will not be possible due to the Coronavirus pandemic and stay at home orders. We’re exploring the possibility of conducting the book club meeting online using Zoom, a videoconferencing tool. More information to follow, but please keep reading!

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***

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.

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.