MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION EVENTS – MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2021

If you have news to share in the weekly church email newsletter, please notify Jonathan Bacon or Larry Birkby by Noon on Sunday each week. If you have people to add to the prayer list, please contact Kennetha Kuttler.

IN THIS ISSUE:

IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING COVID CHURCH GUIDELINES

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE AVAILABLE

THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM

2021 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

NEW TIMES: IN-PERSON AND ZOOM CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP

FOOD PANTRY FOOD, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, AND CLOTHING ALWAYS NEEDED!

And More…

IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING COVID CHURCH GUIDELINES

We understand that over the past couple of weeks there has been confusion on the Mission Road Congregation’s current response to the Covid pandemic and we apologize for not being clearer.

Our primary focus is on concern for the most vulnerable among us – those with immune disorders, underlying health conditions and those who cannot for some reason take the vaccine (including young children who are not yet able to be fully vaccinated). Our concern extends to not only members but guests who might join in our worship. Because we have their interests at heart, we show compassion by moving cautiously as we return to in-person worship. In essence, this means continuing to wear face masks, continued social distancing, and limiting singing, for the time being.

While the rules in general society are being relaxed, its noteworthy that doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other areas where a mix of vaccinated and the most vulnerable individuals gather, continue to work together for the protection of everyone by requiring masking and social distancing. We believe the church should fall in that category of caring.

After consultation with the Midlands Mission Center, the Mission Road Congregation will follow these guidelines (note that following these guidelines enable our congregation to meet beyond the 45-minute gathering time limit suggested by the World Church):

1. Masks will be required of everyone in addition to social distancing, except for the speaker at the podium.

2. Families and those from the same household may sit together.

3. Congregational singing without a face mask will be deferred until Johnson County, Kansas reaches the 80% protected status. Humming or singing softly with face mask in place is acceptable. The county is currently (June 2, 2021) at 44.9% fully vaccinated and 52.3% partially vaccinated. The 80% is based on the recommendation of Sing! The Center for Congregational Song (https://congregationalsong.org/covid-updates-congregational-song/).

4. Restrooms will be used by a single individual at a time with cleaning between uses. Disinfectant wipes will be provided, and the member should wipe down all surfaces touched before and after use.

5. Mission Road will hold in-person adult Sunday school class in the sanctuary immediately preceding the worship service (class at 9:15-10:15 AM with worship from 10:30-11:30 AM). Masks and social distancing will be required for both.

6. Members will be encouraged to move outside immediately after each worship service for additional conversation.

7. The Mission Road Congregation will continue to offer access to the adult Sunday school class and worship services using Zoom for those who are not able or chose to not attend in person.

8. Prayer Circle will continue as a Zoom only meeting at this time.

9. Face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be provided.

Thank you for your willingness to put the concerns and health of others above your own personal convenience.

June 4, 2021

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE AVAILABLE

The Summer Worship Schedule is now available online at https://tinyurl.com/Sum2021Worship

Be sure to check and highlight the dates and assignments you have for the next quarter.

THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP

The Sunday, June 13, 2021, the worship theme is “Discern God’s Call.” Brian Libeer will offer the message. Ron Millard will preside and serve as the worship planner. Jonathan Bacon will provide the PowerPoint and host the Zoom session assisted by Kennetha Kuttler as co-host.

You are invited to join us at church or online for worship starting at 10:30 AM (new time).

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM

The Mission Road Adult Sunday School Class is now studying “Speak to The Bones: How to Be a Prophetic People in a Time of Exile” by Richard A. Brown. This coming Sunday, Marilyn Gairns will lead the discussion of Chapter 4 (“Hosea: Whoring after Idols”). The class session begins at 9:15 AM (new time) each Sunday morning in the church sanctuary and on Zoom.

2021 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

The time is finally here! It’s time for Summer Camp 2021!

This year we’re doing things a little differently. All camps (Junior, Middle School, and Sr. High Camp) will all be held concurrently from Friday, June 11th to Monday June 14th at Doniphan Retreat Center. Of course, camps will be held with safe social distancing practices in mind.

Camp is quickly approaching; we hope you can join in the fun!

To register for Midlands Summer Camp 2021, please follow this link: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/CommunityofChrist

MIDLAND MISSION CENTER VIRTUAL REUNION – SAVE THE DATE

We’re excited to announce the upcoming dates for this summer’s virtual reunion sessions! Everybody mark your calendars and stay tuned for more info!

ADULT CLASS READING MATERIAL

Thursday, July 1 at 7 PM

Thursday, July 8 at 7 PM

Thursday, July 15 at 7 PM

Thursday, July 22 at 7 PM

INTERGENERATIONAL DAY-LONG EVENT

Saturday, July 24 from 11 AM to 8:30 PM

MISSION CENTER WIDE WORSHIP SERVICE

Sunday, July 25 at 10:30 AM

2022 CARAVAN TRIP

Youth and families interested in the tentative 2022 senior high caravan trip (campers must complete 9th–12th grades in spring 2022), please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/CaravanSurvey

NEW TIMES: IN-PERSON AND ZOOM CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP

The Mission Road Congregation has reopened and until further notice our weekly meetings are as follows. The Congregation will offer a combination of in-person and online meetings using Zoom. The access weblink for all Zoom sessions is the same and listed below.

7 PM Every Wednesday – Prayer Circle on Zoom.

9:15 AM Every Sunday – The Adult Sunday School Class meets in the sanctuary and on Zoom.

10:30 AM Every Sunday – Sunday Morning Mission Road Worship in-person and accessible on Zoom.

We are excited to have our building back open for in-person worship as well as enabling access by Zoom for those who wish to worship from home. We are providing in-person worship as much as possible under the guidelines. It is our desire to meet in-person as well as providing a worship service that those on Zoom can enjoy.

FOOD PANTRY FOOD, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, AND CLOTHING ALWAYS NEEDED!

The Mission Road Congregation continues to serve an important need by providing household goods and clothing (new or gently used) or food for the Central Avenue Center of Hope. Please add the following drop off dates to your calendar. Members will be at church between 10 AM and noon on these dates to accept your donations!

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Saturday, June 26, 2021

MISSION ROAD MESSAGES/SERMONS ON YOUTUBE

If you missed a Sunday morning message (sermon or homily), you’ll now be able to view them on YouTube. The Community of Christ – Mission Road channel can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiCbae5dTgl0cmF9b672skAyPXl-5o1lM (Or by using the shortened, easier to remember weblink: https://tinyurl.com/MissionRoadYouTube).

We are only posting the sermon or Sunday message portion of each service due to copyright concerns. Also please note that in some cases, Zoom failed to record the service.

New videos will be posted during the week following each message/sermon.

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Please remember that church expenses continue. If you are not attending in-person please remember to support the church financially. 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). Any of these options will enable you to continue your regular contributions.

If you use the eTithing site, select the United States link and then scroll down to Mission Road Community of Christ. When you click on that page, there will be an option in the upper right-hand corner to ’sign up’ to create your account and enter either your bank account information for direct debit or a credit card to charge your contribution, or ’sign in’ if you have already set up your account. You may also choose a one-time contribution or a continuing contribution. Most of the contribution options on our tithing envelopes are available on the Mission Road eTithing page. If you have additional questions about electronic contributions, please contact Mary.

SUMMER 2021 CAMPS SCHEDULED

Youth Camps at Doniphan – June 11 – 14

Youth Quest at Mission Road – July 22 – 24

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.

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 are trying to be sure everyone in the congregation has access to periodic news updates and information on congregational activities.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE VIA EMAIL

The email address for general church drafts of your Order of Worship and church business (Kennetha Kuttler) 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 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.