Sowers Seeds. Go to our Homepage: February 28, Dear Friends,

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1 Go to our Homepage: Dear Friends, Sowers Seeds February 28, 2019 Tomorrow, or Tuesday as the case may be, my vocation will call for me to make a little bit of a drive. As you well know the prospect of getting out and going for a bit of a drive is not what I would call an onerous possibility. It is not an uncommon duty when fulfilling one s pastoral role and calling. During the course of a drive, it is not unusual for the mind to have as much time to roam as the trip takes. Usually, I find my mind is in the space to ponder and wonder when I am returning home from the place that my life and calling has taken me. When a person is in the process of heading to their initial destination there is often a reason behind the trip. We are going to the doctor s office, the dentist, to meet a friend for lunch, attend prayer, or go to church perhaps, but on the return trip usually there is less need to push and press because the goal or purpose of the trip has usually been accomplished. My understanding is that Tuesday s drive is about a three hour drive each way, and I know we need to be at the cemetery by 3:00PM. That means there is a timeline for getting a goal accomplished. Often, until an objective is achieved there is singularity of focus, but once a task is complete the mind is let off leash. That is, there is space to think and consider as the road passes underneath our automobiles, and as the engine throbs through the accelerator. I usually find my mind returning to a similar thought. I will see houses along the road, up on a rise, or set back down a lane, and I will wonder, What stories do those houses contain? When, were the times that the houses rang with laughter? What were Christmas mornings like when the children came down the stairs? When did sadness seem to tarry a little too long at the door, and what was it like when the new infant was brought home from the hospital? Did they hold hands around a large table on Thanksgiving Day and give thanks for all the blessings of life and the fruits of the land. I am sure back of every door there are many stories; stories that would make us laugh, that would make us cry, and perhaps shrug our shoulders. Every house and every person has so many stories to share if they are given enough space and enough time. It strikes me that we often know far less about people than we might imagine. I mean how much do we really learn about a house when we pass. Sure we know if it has one or two floors, and if it is Victorian, colonial, or mid-century modern, and we might even know if it is well kept or not, but we don t learn too much when we are just driving by. People are much the same way, if we only look on the surface we will notice some of details of their clothing, whether or not they look well rested, and even if they are neat and tidy, but to really learn something we have to take time to stop, inquire, and listen. What stories do you suppose people would want to share if they were given enough time, space, and the indication that they were in the safest of places? Some people live their lives more on the surface than others, but most of us hold back a portion of our story waiting until we know we are valued for the fullness of our being and the whole of our journey. In the space of nearly ten months I have enjoyed learning the stories I gleaned so far, but I know there is much more to learn. There are moments that I look at the sanctuary when it is empty and I wonder about it s stories; the baptisms, dedications, weddings, funerals, Mother s Days, Easters, All Saints Days, Christmas Eves, and all the countless events and happenings that I never got to see. You can almost hear them beneath the surface of the sanctuary if you lean in and listen intently. (continued on page 2)

2 (continued from page 1) Make no mistake, every church and every home has stories that they can tell when they look back over their shoulders, but we also are in the process of writing a new story even now. We are writing the story that generations will tell long after we have served our turn and gone on to glory. What stories will Samuel and Miles tell with a twinkle in their eyes when they are asked about their childhood at First Christian Church? If I do not say it enough, I am humbled to be a part of the long story that is First Christian Church of Leavenworth, and I am excited about the story that even now is being written, and has yet to be written. All the Best and God s Blessings, Pastor John Worship March 6 th ~ 7:00pm 7am Wednesday morning Communion Services begin March 13 th Lenten Study ~ Sundays March 10 th through May 12 th - 4:00pm - Kitterman The Return of the Prodigal Son by: Henri Nouwen Lent is often a time when congregations and individuals engage in study and in reflection at a deeper level. Do you know why that is? I am so glad the question was asked. In the early church, the forty days of Lent was the culmination of one s preparation for being baptized and entering into the life of the church. In many churches we reach back to that historical sense of study and renewed devotion for Lent. This year we are offering what I like to call Lent plus. Lent plus begins on the first Sunday of Lent, March 10 th and will stretch until Sunday May 12 th. It should be noted that we are not going to have class on April 21 st because it is Easter Sunday. Why are we doing it this way? Because the book is too good not to take our time with. The well regarded thinker and author Henri Nouwen was so struck by Rembrandt s painting entitled, The Return of the Prodigal Son, that it caused him to write an elegant and very readable meditation on one of the Bible s most famous parables. Our study of this book will begin at 4:00PM on March 10 th in the Kitterman Room. We have purchased fifteen copies of the book. It is first come first serve, and if we need more books we will purchase more. Please swing by the office or call to reserve a copy of the book. Also this Lenten season, the devotional that the worship committee purchased is entitled, Saving Passion. Each day there is devotion written by Gil Duchow and a brief selection from different books written by Henri Nouwen. The first day for the devotion is Ash Wednesday or the beginning of Lent. Come join our journey through Lent towards Easter with the author Henri Nouwen as a companion and guide on this holy pilgrimage. 2

3 Praises! Last Sunday was the Bryant s 64 th Wedding Anniversary and Monday is the Wayman s 69 th. Mary Sue Winneke Praise, Miles Dickson was born Feb. 19 th to Kylie, David & Dayne. Ruth Kenton Pray for Fran Gast- cold with pinkeye. Ruth Kenton Pray for those who have lost a loved one Blair Ledet January 21, 2019 (Donna Bailey s son) Gene Allen February 16, 2019 Betty Wimer February 19, 2018 Linda Walling February 25, 2018 Pray for the people of Venezuela. Ruth Kenton Prayers for Everyone going through cancer treatments. Laney Mellott Pray for Ted Rea, a neighbor of Molly & Don Homan s- now under hospice care. Prayer for support of the family. Continued prayers for Jacob Hayes- waiting on results to find out what s next. Joan Brown Prayers for Dale Walling & Family- his wife Linda passed away Monday. 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, Nelson Hanson Cameron Brown 3 Pray for those in the Hospital/Rehab Pearl Stonebraker- Twin Oaks #417 Liz Seever- Twin Oaks Ongoing Cares & Concerns Steve Martin, Alice Bushman, Marilyn Vance, Noah Kincaid, Helen & Bill Nowlan Kathy Ramirez, Rose Marie Theel, Ruby Corbet, Don Bohnsack, Katie Boyer, David Wimer, Winnie Henderson, April Shea, Brian Onasch, Pearl Stonebraker Please help us update our Active Duty list with members or those in direct relationship with our members.

4 CWS KITS CWS BLANKETS IMPACT REPORT: 2018 The Church World Services Kit and Blanket Programs are two of the many ways CWS shares in a hope-filled tomorrow. Your support truly makes a difference in the lives of children and families the world over. We will have a special offering for this program March 17 th & 24 th. 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. Children s Church Schedule March 3, 2019 Treehouse Treasures Lakeside Learners Emily Bean & Margaret Collins Bonnie Williams & Marji Dickson Daylight Saving Time Begins March 10 th DWF General Meeting Sunday, March 3 rd 3:30pm in the Kitterman Scholarship Applications are due by March 15, 2019 Time is getting short! Only a few weeks to have all your paperwork in to the committee. See Erin Sack for more info. 4

5 Saturday, March 2 nd 3:30pm-5:30pm Come and celebrate Dr. Seuss birthday with games, food, crafts and endless fun! Make it even more fun by dressing up as your favorite character! Ages Preschool to 5 th Grade Vacation Bible School will take us July 8-12, 2019 with a program & potluck on July 14 th Please mark your calendars and consider now what you can do to help with this year s Please contact: VBS. Emily Bean, Debbie Phillips & Dea Nicodemus, VBS Co-Directors ~ Elders Meeting ~ Wednesday, February 27 th ~ 7:00pm ~ Kitterman 5

6 ~ Renovation Team Meeting ~ Thursday, February 28 th 10:00am ~ Kitterman Citywide Clean-up April 6 th Sign up at Dr Seuss Birthday Bash or in the Narthex Sunday! Offering February 17 th February 28 th Sue Harmon Amber Little March 2 nd Kim Logan March 3 rd Dennis Nixon Gerald Scott March 6 th Katie Collins General $1, Week of Compassion 1, Backpack Buddies DWF Total $3, Attendance February 24 th 8:30am Worship 60 11:00am Worship 35 Sunday School 47 Visitors 0 Total 95 Offering February 24 th General $3, Week of Compassion Backpack Buddies Camp Total $4,

7 First Christian Calendar February 27-March 6, 2019 Wednesday, February 27 th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am Girl Scouts Fellowship 5:30pm Elders Meeting Kitterman 7:00pm Thursday, February 28 th Renovation Team Mtg Kitterman 10:00am Carillons 6:30pm Chancel Choir 7:30pm Saturday, March 2 nd Dr Seuss Bday Bash Fellowship 3:30-5:30pm Sunday, March 3 rd Worship 8:30 & 11:00am Sunday School 9:45am DWF General Mtg Kitterman 3:30pm Monday, March 4 th Prayer Breakfast Pullman Place 6:30am Wednesday, March 6 th Ash Wednesday Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am Girl Scouts Fellowship 5:30pm Ash Wednesday Worship 7:00pm Sunday s Servers March 3 rd 8:30am Service Lay Leader: Doug Euler Elders: Molly Homan & Fran Gast Greeters Main: Scarlet Ross Narthex: Nancy House Servers Scarlet Ross*, Nancy House Susan Hoins & Laney Mellott Communion Prep: Ruth Kenton Clean-up: Susan Hoins 11:00am Service Elder: Gary Phillips Scripture: Gary Phillips Greeters Main: Kim Kincaid Narthex: Margaret Collins Servers: Kim Kincaid* Linda Kesinger & Eli Bagley Communion Prep: Susan Hoins Clean-up: Margaret Collins *Captain Homebound Communion Group I: Danielle Euler & Laney Mellott Group II: Emily Bean & Eli Bagley Hospital Visitation Mar 3-8 Cushing: Molly Homan & Fran Gast St John: Gary Phillips Sunday, March 3 rd Call the Office (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)