Canticle of the Turning – Dina Pannabecker Evans
December 12, 2018As we prepare for the church year, it’s my practice to think about Christmas during the previous July. For 2018, I wanted to find a piece of music with great spirit to it (something that would cause Rev. Joe Walker to spontaneously whistle in the hallway after church), but with ... Read MorePerfect Light – Anne Haraughty
December 11, 2018John 1:1-5 The Bible helps us understand Jesus better with references to light. For example, He illuminates the darkness, His glory glows, and His love radiates in us and through us. In the physical world, we are drawn to sources of light like basking in the sun, watching a candle ... Read MoreInconsiderable Origins of Hope – Tyler Heston
December 10, 2018Micah 5:2 Hope is a part of being human, and hope takes many forms. We hope that traffic isn’t bad on our way to work, or we hope for our favorite sporting team to win their next game. All December, children hope for their favorite toy to be wrapped underneath ... Read More
Christmas Eve
December 10, 2018You're invited to join us on the holiest evening of the year.
CYF Midwinter Retreat
December 10, 20182019 CYF Midwinter Retreat – “Snow-One is Perfect” WHEN: Friday, January 4th at 7:00pm – Sunday, January 6th at 11:00amWHERE: Tall Oaks Conference Center WHO: 9th-12th graders COST: $130 ($145 after Dec 21st, 2018). NO ONLINE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER: DECEMBER 28th THEME: Snow-One is Perfect KEYNOTER: Rev. Dr. Delesslyn Kennebrew, ... Read More
Carla’s Candids for Friday, December 7
December 6, 2018Some families celebrate Christmas with the precision of a Bach cantata and some with the creative improvisation of a jazz medley. Both can be beautiful. But while we are in the middle of it, sorting out which traditions are essential and which are flexible can be tricky. The goal of ... Read More
Footsteps in Faith: The Story of Christmas
December 6, 20181st – 5th graders will explore various parts of the birth of Jesus in the December workshop series for Sunday School. From viewing ways authors and illustrators tell the story to creating their own nativity scene to assembling a holiday treat, children will spend time preparing to celebrate the mystery ... Read More
Club Kids Family Caroling
December 6, 20183rd – 5th graders and their families are invited to join us on Sat., Dec. 16 as we carol at our homebound members’ residences. After caroling, we will return to church for a chili dinner for families and siblings while Club Kids have special holiday celebration. 4:30 p.m. – Gather ... Read More
Spiritual Formation Classes and Groups for 2019
December 6, 2018The following spiritual formation classes and groups will be offered in winter/spring 2019 Pathways to Learning – a series of elective offerings open to everyone, focusing upon timely topics on the Bible, spirituality, current events, family life and technology. Ideal for those who aren’t involved in a Sunday School ... Read More
2018 Christmas Offering
December 6, 2018Each year, the Christmas Offering benefits partners locally and internationally. This year, the offering will aid in empowering people to learn and live a life of self-sufficiency. Local recipients are Grace United Community Ministries, Harmony Project KC, and Literacy KC. Each of these agencies share a passion for empowering people ... Read More
Serve at Micah Ministry
December 6, 2018Serve dinner at Micah Ministry from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., on the second Monday of each month. Meet in the chapel lot at 4:30 p.m. to carpool. Return to church at 7:30 p.m. Carpool to Independence Boulevard Christian Church. For more information, contact Jackie Cunningham at 816-246-6202.Joseph’s Dream – Joe Walker
December 6, 2018Matthew 1:18-24 One day in Catholic school the dear old nun was teaching us about Joseph’s dream in which he is called to be Jesus’ earthly father (Matthew 1:18-24). Sister told us that Mary was a better example of discipleship than Joseph because Mary said “Yes!” almost immediately to God’s ... Read MoreImpossible and Possible – Corey Meyer
December 5, 2018Luke 1: 25-38 What could it mean to dream the impossible? In my living room is a ceramic figuring of Mary in the middle of a nativity scene. It was gifted to me this year from my grandmother, whose grandmother gave it to her decades ago. To me this year, it is ... Read MoreO Come Emmanuel – Mike Graves
December 4, 2018Revelation 12:1-6 Whenever I lead a “Bible and Art Tour” at the Nelson with my docent friend Donna Houtteman, one of the pieces we talk about is a life-size wooden carving from Germany, of Mary and child. She has long, flowing hair, with the naked infant Jesus resting in her ... Read MoreAdvent Devotions for 2018
December 3, 2018Fear and Hope – Carla Aday
December 3, 2018My friend Nancy writes “there is no such thing as hope for those who refuse to see the need for hope.”* Dave and I got married in January of 1993. On our first Christmas as a married couple, we were alone in an apartment I didn’t like. No kids or ... Read More