NOVEMBER 2018 DO YOU SEE HIM?

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1 NOVEMBER 2018 DO YOU SEE HIM? Fall, my favorite time of the year. The smell of a brisk wind. The falling leaves. The anticipation of the holiday season and an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. We all have our favorite seasons and Fall is definitely mine. Everywhere I look, even in the midst of the city, I see the beauty of God s creation and not just in the changing colors of the leaves. Look at the people. I m not talking about you and me, but the least of these. Those on the corner holding up signs for a meal. The woman pushing a mostly empty shopping cart down the street. The one who comes to church, not expecting to engage with God but more so expecting a handout. Look at the people. Look close All of these, God s creation. All of these, a story in the making. All of these fighting a battle unknown to any of us. All of these, His children. And all of these, an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ. I ve been thinking a lot about the least of these. The poor, the disadvantaged, the minority, the handicapped, the alien amongst us. When Jesus talks about the least of these He isn t referring to value. We all have the same value, no matter the race, color, creed, or ethnic background. Jesus references the people who have not prospered in life, for whatever reason. Interesting, that prospering does not just refer to monetary stature. Don t we discover prosperity when we are happy, or loved, or praised for things we ve accomplished? Helping the least of these doesn t always mean reaching into our pocket. More often than not, it means reaching out a hand, in love, connecting. So, ponder this as the wind begins to turn chilly, and the leaves cover the ground, who can you reach out to? Who can you show the love of Christ to? And how can you do it? As the holiday season quickly approaches, let us demonstrate our love for Christ by loving the least of these. Matthew 25:40 Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. - Pastor Anchul

2 REAP CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH FOOD NEEDS AND REACHES OUT FOR HELP REAP has been struggling lately to get enough food to feed those who need it, so they could use our help, especially with the holidays coming. Therefore, in November, we will be having a dedicated food drive for them. Our goal is to donate at least 500 food items. Please bring your donations any Sunday in November. We will be collecting them in the sanctuary in front of the communion table. You can bring your donations up front at the same time the offering is being collected, or the Mission and Justice Team members will be available to take it up front for you. Thank you. UMW TO HOST JEROME BARNES Jerome Barnes, Missouri Representative, will once again be with us for an update on what s happening in Jefferson City. After a short business meeting, Jerome will speak (bring your questions for him). We will then go out to eat at a place Jerome will pick. Come join us at 10:00 on November 14. We will also present our World Thank Offerings. FARMSTEAD NUTS AND TREATS Connie Turnipseed is selling the Farmstead Nuts & Treats again this year, as a fundraiser for the prison ministry, Story Link. The last order will be sent in Nov. 12, with delivery on Nov. 18th (before Thanksgiving). Order forms and information are at the welcome center. GOLDEN KEY CLUB PRESENTS GUITAR MIKE Golden Key Club will meet on Thursday, November 8. We will have the traditional turkey dinner for $7.00. Please call Marilyn Yorke for reservations. Guitar Mike (Michael Dungan) will entertain us with lively Jazzy and Country music. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon and program at 1:00. Hope to see lots of you! UPCOMING EAGLE COURT OF HONOR The membership of The Ridge is cordially invited to an Eagle Court of Honor for Troop 269 s newest Eagle Scout Logan Campbell on Saturday, Nov.10 at 2:00 pm, with reception in Fellowship Hall directly following the ceremony. IT S TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS FOR THE CHRISTMAS ALTAR It is time to order the flowers for those people you choose to honor or remember, with a beautiful Red Poinsettia this year. The cost is still $15.00 each. Forms are available in the office. Please fill out the form completely or you will receive a call from the office for information needed. Payment must be received with your order. Please note in the memo line of your check, Poinsettias and the number you are ordering. There is a basket in the office where you can place your order. Flowers not paid for will not be ordered when the call goes to Farrand Farms on November 15th. You will have until Nov. 14, 2017 to place your orders, or call to leave the information in the office. Thank you for helping us as the church to celebrate the season of the birth of Christ and all the blessings we share at the time of His birth. I will be in the office Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 1-4pm, if you have questions. - Sue Klotz PLEASE NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE WHEN PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES With a mobile life and a congregation on the move, remember to let the church know when your contact information changes. The basic items are address and phones (dropping that landline?). Many folks also change their addresses when they switch internet providers. Also, as we grow more aware of the need to contact relatives when our members go missing, we would also like to have emergency contact information. Your information can be verified through the online church directory at the following: Contact the office for access instructions. You can leave updated information with the volunteers in the church office Tuesday - Thursday or the Church Administrator at churchadmin@blueridgechurch.org.

3 Thank you for your generosity and support FINANCIAL PICTURE Thank You! Your generosity in giving for the air conditioning has allowed us to install the unit for the East Office Wing. With the initial insurance payment and your gifts, we have $ 7, to put towards the Children s Wing replacement. We are waiting on the bid to extend the Geothermal to that part of the building. Our overall financial picture shows us holding our own. As of September 30, income has matched expenses. We have paid our District Apportionments and some toward Conference Apportionments. Thank you for supporting God s work at The Ridge. HOSPITALITY IMPACT It's likely that every day presents an opportunity for you to practice radical hospitality to someone with whom you cross paths. There is no shortage of people who could use the fit of a caring, welcoming person in their life. How awesome would it be if, in a time of need, the first thing people would say is, "I need a Christian!" If you expect to be that person, you'll be surprised at how often the opportunities come along for you to show love through radical hospitality. - Thom Schultz Thank you to those who have shared snacks Sunday mornings. The signup sheet for snacks is located at the Welcome Center. Feel free to add your name! SMALL GROUP STUDY CONTINUES THROUGH NOVEMBER 25. A small group study led by Donna and Brad Teachman to explore the text of The Pursuit of God written by A. W. Tozer, started several weeks ago to coincide with pastor Anchul s sermon series. This book, an enduring Christian classic was written more than 65 years ago on a train from Illinois to Texas. It is a modest attempt, Tozer wrote, to aid God s hungry children to find Him. If you are hungry, The Pursuit of God will lead you to the only One who can satisfy the soul. (from the book jacket) The study will continue each Sunday through November 25. Drop-ins are welcome. Books are widely available at Christian bookstores and many free ebooks are available on the web. Brad and Donna Teachman will co-lead the hour-long study at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Chapter & scripture studies by week: 11/4 The Gaze of the Soul, Psalm /11 Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation, Psalm 57:1-5 11/18 Meekness and Rest, Matthew 11: /25 The Sacrament of Living, 1 Corinthians 10:23-31 This is a great opportunity to discover the message in this book and ignite your passion for God. - Brad & Donna Teachman, DECEMBER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER It won t be long and we ll be making out our shopping lists for Christmas - watch for the tree with the ornaments that contain a Stepping Stone resident's name and their Christmas wish on December 2nd. OPPORTUNITIES FOR UMW POSITIONS The following UMW positions are open: Vice President, Secretary, and Social Action Chair. If you have any questions about these positions please talk to Sandy McConnell.

4 Date Book Title Discussion Leader November 15 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Lisa Cox OUR KITCHEN! Recently, when taking inventory of Bluegrass supplies, Karen Fahrmeier and I came up with several questions about our kitchen and items in the refrigerators, freezers, and pantry. Any time a group uses the kitchen and stores things in the refrigerators or freezers, all items need to be labeled as to who they belong to along with the date the items were put there. This practice isn t being done consistently and some items need to be disposed of. If you or a group you belong to have anything in the refrigerators or freezers, please put labels with dates on them. If you have any questions or suggestions, please call Sandy McConnell at The refrigerators need cleaning and if you would be willing to help clean them, your help would be appreciated! DO YOU FEEL A CALLING TO BE INVOLVED IN THE WORSHIP SERVICE? Were a few ushers short and could sure use your help. If you re willing to serve please contact the church office or talk to one of the ushers on any Sunday and they ll be happy to discuss it with you. Ushers serve on teams of four, four months a year rotating with the other teams. You're expected to be here a few minutes early on your Sundays to help get things ready and to stay a few minutes after the service ends to tidy up the Sanctuary and do a quick walk through. Contact the church office for more information and to let them know if you re interested or need more information. COMMUNION: WHAT DOES THE TERM OPEN TABLE MEAN? The Rev. Gary Henderson responds: When we use the term 'open table,' we re really referring to the Communion table where all are welcome; welcome without regard to difference. It is a table where there are no barriers to community. It is a place where we experience the love of God. God so loved the world that God gave. The image that I have is the image of a banquet where everyone is a VIP, a very important person with a special seat at the table. At this table, I know I am special. I know that I am honored here. I just want to be present and linger a while in the company of others. I sense at this table, that God is present and the real guest of honor. We have some scholars and worship leaders who will state that there are actually some restrictions they will note the liturgy in the Book of Worship and other places include phrases such as all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. So, the table is open to all without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, intellect, other things that are visible, but the invitation does ask for some self-examination. John Wesley invited all to the table. The Lord, Jesus Christ invited all to the table. All are welcome at the open table. Do you have questions about the meaning of some of the terms and teachings of The United Methodist Church? Visit: umc.org/beliefs Taken from United Methodist Communications series entitled Reflections on our Faith.

5 CHURCH BOARD NEWS - OCTOBER 2018 In Attendance: Pastor Anchul Axelrod, Council Chair/Lay Leader Missy Marcella, Marge Frederickson (Treasurer), Deborah DeMoss (PPRC Chair), Carrol Petre (Trustees), Sue Klotz, (Lay Member to Conference), Dwight Robinson (Trustees), Joyce Downing, (PPRC), Tom Bullock (Nominations), Sandy McConnell (UMW), Marq DeMoss (Trustee), Wes Hougland (Trustees) Absent: Jennifer Mitchell & Susan Landers (Nominations), Terry Landers (Endowment) Opening Prayer: Sue Klotz Devotion: Missy Marcella Spiritual Dev.: How do you pursue God in your daily life? Discussion among attendees. Pastoral Topics: Pastor Anchul The church body is in flux and we must remember not to live and die by the numbers as things change weekly! Anchul remains excited about the future of our church and reminds us that our talk will change the attitude and atmosphere in church. Generosity & Budget Topics: Marge Frederickson reviewed the September and year to date financial performance information previously ed. The office area air conditioner has been replaced and that cost is reflected in the P&L statement. We continue to wait on information from the insurance company regarding the 2 nd claim for the children s wing. PPRC: Deborah DeMoss reported that all necessary forms were turned in as required by the conference with the recommendation and Anchul remain as our pastor for another year. No changes are being made financially at this time and the forms will be turned in once the conference sends us the correct ones. Reminder Charge Conference is November 4 at 2:00. Trustees: Dwight Robinson presented a list of current vendors the trustees use for maintenance and repair of our physical plant. A copy was given to Missy and Anchul. A plumber has been called to fix the upstairs main hall drinking fountains. Brass fittings have simply worn out. Deborah will meet with a representative of Watts Up Lighting for a free review of our fixtures and info regarding how we can save money by changing out lights. If we elect to use their services, they will also assist with applying for rebates from KCP&L. Nominations: The form for Local Church Officials for 2019 was presented, reviewed, discussed and approved. The only change is Dwight has completed his 3 years and will be replaced by Brad Teachman as Chair of Trustees. Dwight has been asked to remain on the board because of his great knowledge of the needs of the building. Other Business: Marge Frederickson presented the First Year Removal List for this year. She has already sent letters to those listed and is awaiting a reply from them. It was voted and approved to move forward with removing those listed from our membership roles if we do not hear from them within a preset time range (1 month??) Future Meeting: Tuesday, November 13 6:30 pm Opening Prayer: Sandy McConnell Devotion: Missy Marcella Closing Prayer/Benediction: Deborah DeMoss This is the church, This is the steeple, Open the doors, See all the people! Let s stop fixing churches and start seeing the people God calls us to reach.

6 The Ridge 5055 Blue Ridge Blvd. KCMO THE RIDGE 5055 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO Tuesday -Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm Sunday Worship 9:30am Website: Facebook: Blue Ridge Church ANCHUL AXELROD, Pastor anchul@blueridgechurch.org Direct: KEVIN HERSHBERGER Director of Worship Arts KevinHershberger@blueridgechurch.org KAREN SCHAMEL Finance Secretary financesec@blueridgechurch.org Church Office: churchadmin@blueridgechurch.org A Prayer Meditation for All Saints Day by Safiyah Fosua We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped you Whether in brush arbors or cathedrals, Weathered wooden churches or crumbling cement meeting houses Where your name was lifted and adored. We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise: Manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil, Strong hands and those gnarled with age Holy hands used as wave offerings across the land. We thank you, God, for hardworking saints; Whether hard-hatted or steel-booted, Head ragged or aproned, Blue-collared or three-piece-suited They left their mark on the earth for you, for us, for our children to come. Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us. Bless the memories of your saints, God. May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.