MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION EVENTS – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2021

HELP US HELP YOU

If you have news to share in the weekly church email newsletter, please write it out and send to Jonathan Bacon or Larry Birkby by Noon on Sunday each week. It’s important that you include the basics about each announcement: Who, What, When and Where. If the information is incomplete, we cannot guarantee getting it in the newsletter in a timely fashion.

If you have people to add to the prayer list, please contact Kennetha Kuttler.

IN THIS ISSUE:

IT’S TIME TO SUPPORT HMA NURSE SAIRA IN HONDURAS

THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP ON ZOOM

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS TO MEET EARLIER SUNDAY MORNING ON ZOOM

WEEKLY COVID UPDATE: PAUL BENNETTS, MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION HEALTH OFFICER

TENDING TO A BROKEN HEART

JVS CIRCLE OF WELCOME

REFUGEE RELIEF

FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION THIS WEEK

And More…

IT’S TIME TO SUPPORT HMA NURSE SAIRA IN HONDURAS

Health Ministries Association (HMA) is having their annual fund drive "Hearts for Honduras" to support the ongoing work of our nurse, Saira Giron in her country. Anyone who wishes to donate can do so by going to the HMA website donation page: http://www.hmacofchrist.org/Donation/

Donations can be by Paypal, Credit Card or you can download a form to send in with a check to HMA. Paul Bennetts is also happy to receive checks at his address and will forward them to HMA. Thanks for considering this during a time when there are so many worthy opportunities to help others in need.

THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP ON ZOOM

For Sunday, September 12, 2021, the worship theme is “Who Do You Say That I Am?” Brian Libeer will offer the message. Jane Landrum will preside and Caryn Brown will serve as the worship planner. Paul Bennetts will provide the PowerPoint and host the Zoom session assisted by Caryn Brown as co-host. You are invited to join us online for worship starting at 10:30 AM.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS TO MEET EARLIER SUNDAY MORNING ON ZOOM

The Mission Road Adult Sunday School Class will begin the study of “A History of God” by Karen Armstrong. Paul Bennetts will lead the discussion covering the Introduction and Chapter 1 (“In the Beginning…”) of Karen Armstrong’s book “A History of God.” Starting this week, the class session will begin 15 minutes earlier at 9:00 AM on Zoom.

The class is studyng “A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam” by Karen Armstrong. The text discusses how the three dominant monotheistic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have shaped and altered the conception of God over time.

If you would like a copy of the text, it’s available on Amazon, both new ($15.99) and used paperbacks ($8-10), hardback (new for $14) and the Kindle edition ($14.99). Order your copy soon! Some copies may also available at Half-Price Books locally. Check out the store near you.

WEEKLY COVID UPDATE: PAUL BENNETTS, MISSION ROAD CONGREGATION HEALTH OFFICER

The Johnson County rolling average for COVID continues to rise and is currently at 38.3. Kansas overall is at about 53. Because the World Church requirement to meet in person is that this number be less than 10, I suspect we will be in Zoom mode for a while longer.

At our weekly KU Med Center update yesterday, our infectious disease specialists announced that the lamda variant from South America has made its way north and now accounts for about 2% of all cases in the U.S. It may be a few weeks before we see this in Kansas, and the troubling news is that early signs are that current vaccinations are not as effective in stopping this one. The vaccine companies are scrambling to re-program the mRNA vaccines to cover this new variant so hopefully there will be a booster on the horizon, but for the time being friends, please continue to wear masks in public, maintain social distancing, and observe good hand hygiene.

TENDING TO A BROKEN HEART

Kennetha Kuttler mentioned this upcoming program at a recent Prayer Circle. Offered by the HeartLight Center, it’s an opportunity to learn some essential information that Dr. Wolfelt has learned in his four decades of “companioning” thousands of people in grief. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a best-selling author about how to integrate grief into your life, your living, and your loving. If you know anyone who would benefit from this opportunity to embrace hope and healing, please let them know about this program scheduled for Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 6:30=8:30 PM at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.

A $15 donation is encouraged. Register at https://heartlightcenter.org/events/tending-to-a-broken-heart-kc/

JVS CIRCLE OF WELCOME

The Jewish Vocational Service invites everyone to meet on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CDT online to learn about the resettlement environment for 2022 and to celebrate the launch of the JVS Circle of Welcome Program.

JVS is looking forward to a busy year of refugee resettlement as they embark on their 17th year participating in the United States Refugee Admissions Program. JVS hopes to welcome hundreds of new refugees to Kansas City, including those from Afghanistan who have fled the recent political turmoil.

During this online program, we will share: What resettlement looks like for FY2022, including numbers, populations, federal programs and support that JVS and our community provides. Plus, you’ll hear personal reflections from a member of the Afghan community in Kansas City about the situation in Afghanistan and the impact on the community here. You’ll also learn about JVS’s new Circle of Welcome Program that provides groups of local residents with the opportunity to walk with a refugee family along their journey of integration in Kansas City.

RSVP today!

For more information, please contact info.

REFUGEE RELIEF

Members of the congregation interested in helping with the needs of the refugees coming to Kansas City from Afghanistan have two opportunities to offer financial assistance. Della Lamb is the community group that will process and assist refugees in their resettlement. Money is the greatest need at this time. You can learn more about Della Lamb on their website at https://www.dellalamb.org/.

A second organization supporting refugees is the Jewish Vocational Service (see information earlier I the newsletter).

If you are interested in supporting either or both of these organizations, you can make a check out to “Community of Christ” and add “Refugee Relief” in the memo field. If you prefer your funds go to JVS or Della Lamb, please enclose a note to that effect, otherwise, funds will be split between the two organizations. Mary Reichenbach will forward the donations to the appropriate organizations.

FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION THIS WEEK

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, September 11, 2021

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Remember that school supplies for the children supported by CACH are needed all year-round!

Requested items.

Kitchen: sandwich bags, lunch bags, sliced cheese, snacks, fruit cups

Pantry: canned chili, green beans, oatmeal, spam

Hygiene: masks, lotion, razors

Thrift store: winter items, anything

CAMPGROUND NEWS

The pandemic has been exceptionally difficult for both Chihowa and Lake Doniphan Retreat Centers. Rentals are few and far between, yet expenses continue. Helping hands are always welcome! Chihowa: aaron Doniphan: katelin

At Chihowa, seasonal employees and many volunteers have worked to complete necessary repairs and various improvements such as securing the grounds and buildings, installing environmentally friendly LED motion lights, repairing the playground equipment, bringing safety features up-to-date, and undergoing an overhaul of the lagoon system so it meets state requirements. An exceptionally cold weather snap caused pipes to freeze and burst. Fortunately, the water had been turned off and countless volunteer hours repaired all the damage.

Chihowa’s wish list includes painting the pool, pouring concrete in the equipment garage, installing LED parking lot lights, and painting the west side of the main lodge. Also, the caretaker’s house needs indoor repairs.

SAVE THESE DATES

The Midlands Mission Center Fall Conference is scheduled for 2 pm Sunday, October 17, 2021.

A Worldwide Conference Preparation Event is scheduled for June 9-11, 2022.

NEW INTERNET SERVICE – NEW EMAIL – NEW WI-FI – NO CHURCH PHONE

Google Fiber has been installed in the Church. So, the old email has disappeared. The new email address is: missionroadcc

Please change your contact information now and start using the new address for any email communication.

We also have a new password for the Wi-Fi at church. Information how to access the new Google system is posted on the church bulletin board.

We are eliminating the church phone. Most everyone has a cell phone and since we are changing from ATT to Google, we are eliminating the land line.

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 as soon as possible following each message/sermon.

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

IN-PERSON AND ZOOM CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP TIMES

The Congregation will offer online meetings using Zoom for the next few weeks, until the COVID 19 situation improves in the neighboring communities. The access weblink for all Zoom sessions is the same and times are listed below.

7 PM Every Wednesday – Prayer Circle on Zoom. NO Zoom Prayer Circle this week (9-8-21)

9:15 AM Every Sunday – The Adult Sunday School Class meets on Zoom.

10:30 AM Every Sunday – Sunday Morning Mission Road Worship accessible on Zoom.

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.

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 or email Kennetha Kuttler at missionroadcc.

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 missionroadcc

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.