Sowers Seeds. Go to our Homepage: Dear Friends,

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1 Go to our Homepage: September 20, 2018 Dear Friends, Sowers Seeds It is not secret that I love nothing more than going for a drive. To me, it is endlessly fascinating to see the world go by as one motors down the road. There is so much to see in the course of one s travels. Not only that, but there is the wonderful sound of the car and the feel of the accelerator beneath your foot. It is absolutely a Zen feeling to cruise the highways and byways of life. There are at least three essential components in taking a successful trip in your automobile. First, one wants to make sure that they have a reliable vehicle. In no uncertain terms, your transportation needs to be up to making the journey that you have charted for yourself. Second, I think one would want to have a vehicle that is comfortable and safe for the journey. I tend to purchase cars that are three to five years old, have plenty of options on them, and are quite comfortable for any length of journey. Pastors do have a tendency to drive hither and yon with fair frequency. My black automobile was purchased as a four year old car with fifty-six thousand one hundred and thirty miles on the odometer. In a year, I have put sixteen thousand miles on my vehicle. Finally, I think is essential to have good music for the drive. It is so easy to allow the miles to roll when there is a great soundtrack for the drive. I feel doubly blessed because my vehicle has a sound system with SiriusXM radio and a now old-fashioned compact disc player. On Friday afternoon I enjoyed my drive back from Camp Tawakoni to Leavenworth. As is my predisposition, I avoided the turnpike and it took about three hours and thirty minutes to arrive back to my home on Kickapoo Street. Such a drive is perfect for a two compact disc set from The Dave Brubeck Quartet. I was blessed to see Dave Brubeck perform in Tulsa, Oklahoma about twelve years ago. I still have a vision from the event etched in my mind. Dave Brubeck was led slowly on stage to the piano. So slow and stooped was he, that I felt sorry for him still being on the road performing concerts. He got situated on the bench with hands resting upon the keys and then as if by magic thirty years came off his person as he played. His posture was straight and true and he had a lively give and take with the other musicians and with the audience. You knew in a moment that he was doing what he was called to do. The first half of the concert was selections from the album that played on the way home. The album is entitled, Dave Digs Disney. Dave Brubeck gives a jazz treatment to familiar Disney Songs. In the listening to these familiar songs they take on a whole new dimension and shading. Underneath you can hear the tunes you know, but it is almost as if new songs have been created, or as if new wine has been put in old wineskins. The product of Dave Brubeck meeting Disney is nothing short of revelatory. One asks themselves how well they knew those songs after all. I highly recommend looking up the work and giving it a listen even if you might think jazz is not quite your style. (continued on page 2)

2 (continued from page 1) Sometimes I wonder about the things we do in the midst of worship and even in the life of the church. We know our order of worship well and we know the programs that we have done for many years. Because they are familiar, there is a comfort in that. But is it possible that with a little invention, a little daring, a little experimentation and a little Holy Spirit, that we might discover something even more amazing that was hiding just beneath the surface of the familiar and the well-worn. What would it take for the familiar to breath with new life and yet feel right, true and familiar? We are in exciting times at First Christian Church, because such a work is in its early stages with our children, youth and family programs. Churches in general, and this specific church, have been engaged in youth ministry for many years. But, what does programming for this age and place look like? I have a notion there will be traces of the familiar, but there will also be those creative spins and riffs on the familiar. One cannot help but be excited by the God who is eternally constant, but who is also making all things new and dynamic. All the Best and God s Blessings, Pastor John The Light a Candle Prayer Vigil uses a different focus scripture each week related to the overall theme as we prepare for Children's Sabbath. You may follow along each day with us online as daily reflections are posted. The devotions will begin Monday, September 24, Weekly Scriptures We encourage you to reflect on these scriptures in prayer. Find ways to share them with the children around you and embrace them as you move into action on behalf of all God's children. Week of September 24 Matthew 18:1-5, Be a Vision of Greatness! At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. All those 70 and up are invited to come out and Tailgate! Wear your favorite sports shirt! Please RSVP by September 19 th to Lois: or Kathy:

3 Praise for 47 years of marriage on September 17 th. Dea & Terry Nicodemus Praise that April Shea s surgery went well. Prayers for healing and strength as the treatment plan is figured out. Danielle Euler Prayers for all affected by Hurricane & Typhoon as well as the rescuers. Dea & Terry Nicodemus, Caitlin Onasch & Ruth Kenton Please pray for safety for Steve Miller who is in the NC flooded area. Jim Bliss Prayers for those individuals dealing with health issuesprayers for healing and peace. Dea & Terry Nicodemus Pray for Brian Onasch as he starts low dose chemo Wednesday. Pray for as little side effects as possible. Caitlin & Brian Onasch Pray for those who have lost a loved one Elden (Eli Bagley s Grandfather) August 10, 2018 Ongoing Cares & Concerns Steve Martin, Alice Bushman, Gene Allen, Marilyn Vance, Noah Kincaid, Kathy Ramirez, Rose Marie Theel, Ruby Corbet, Cheryl Elliott, Don Bohnsack, Katie Boyer, Jody Bryant, Winnie Henderson, April Shea, Brian Onasch, Pearl Stonebraker Pray for our out-of-town Active Duty Personnel Melissa Van Valkenburgh, Lucy Collings, Hannah Bond, Dustin Phillips, Rob Widmyer, Jim & Rachel Sullivan, Christin Collins, Nickalas Derringer, Rose Uy 3 Please help us update our Active Duty list with members or those in direct relationship with our members.

4 Sunday, September 30 th Combined Worship 9:15am Sunday School 10:30am Combined Worship Followed by Potluck Dinner Come join us!! After the combined service there will be a spaghetti & chicken Alfredo dinner. Please bring a salad or dessert to share with everyone. 4

5 Finance & Stewardship Chair has requested that all the chairpersons get the budgets for 2019 in by October 1 st. Children s Church Schedule September 23 rd Treehouse Treasures Lakeside Learners Sandy Wilson & Susan Hoins Diane Euler & Missy Davis You are Invited to celebrate Lillian Edmonds Selas 90 th Birthday Sunday, September 30 th 2:00pm in the Kitterman Room We need someone to deliver Backpack Buddies food to Head Start the last week of September. You will need a truck or van with lots of space to load all the food. Please contact Ruth Kenton: Renovation Team Meeting Wednesday, September 19 th at 10-11:30am in the Kitterman Room. Children & Youth Ministry Mission Statement We seek to grow spiritually, serve and invite children, youth and families to participate in missions. Values 1. Mission We serve together in a world of need. 2. Family We are there for one another in good times and bad. 3. Empathy We seek to understand each other s feelings. 4. Acceptance We all belong. 5. Integrity We try to live what we believe. 5

6 Re-Energized Youth 6th - 12th Grade Next Meeting Sunday, September 23rd Pasta with the Pastor 5-7pm in the Kitterman Room in the Annex Behind the Church September 20 th Imogene Reynolds September 21 st Heather Shlenker September 22 nd Robert Hanson Jr September 24 th John Dennis September 25 th Christina Scott September 26 th Steve Parker Attendance September 16 th 8:30am Worship 60 11:00am Worship 36 Sunday School 47 Visitors 2 Total 96 Information concerning the rezoning request for IMAC Many in the congregation have been concerned about the parking lot across from the church. The application has been postponed and it will be considered by the planning Commission on Monday, October 1 at 7pm. The meeting is at City Hall on the first floor--enter through the north side of the building. Offering September 16 th Will be in Next Week s Newsletter 6

7 First Christian Calendar September 19-26, 2018 Wednesday, September 19 th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am Renovation Team Kitterman 10-11:30am Girl Scouts Fellowship 5:30pm CMF Meeting Kitterman 6:30pm Thursday, September 20 th Carillons Chancel Choir 6:30pm 7:30pm Saturday, September 22 nd Keenagers Luncheon Fellowship 11:30am Sunday, September 23 rd Light a Candle for Children Worship 8:30am & 11:00am Sunday School 9:45am Re-Energized Youth/Pasta w/pastor 6 th -12 th grade Kitterman 5-7pm Monday, September 24 th Prayer Breakfast Pullman Place 6:30am Wednesday, September 26 th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am Elders Meeting Kitterman 7:00pm Sunday s Servers September 23 rd 8:30am Service Lay Leader: Fran Gast Elders: David & Jody Bryant Greeters Main: Gene Allen Narthex: Terry Nicodemus Servers Ruth Kenton*, Ryan Matousek Lonnie Dalrymple & Lois Steineker Communion Prep & Clean-Up Ruth Kenton *Captain 11:00am Service Elder: Richard Sack Scripture: Margaret Collins Greeters Main: Kim Kincaid Narthex: Pat Swartz Servers: Fred Kesinger* Brian Onasch & Pat Swartz Communion Prep: Ruth Kenton Clean-up: Fred Kesinger Hospital Visitation Sept Cushing: David & Jody Bryant St John: Richard Sack Sunday, September 23 rd John Groves (913) The driver listed for Sunday will pick up for both worship services. Call if you need a ride to church. Let the driver know which service you plan to attend. 7

8 Contact US Telephone Number: (913) Church Office Hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 4:00 Church Website: Pastor: Reverend John Sowers: (309)