St. Peter’s UCC – Kansas City

A church member who has been in medical quarantine is being restored to us this week. What joy having someone we have dearly missed come back to us. How often do we isolate ourselves because of a spiritual malady (the ancients thought leprosy was one BTW) when the cure is actually restoration into community? My prayer today is that whenever I think I need to put space between myself and the church, that I remember that is probably when I most need to be there.

TRUST GOD!
Through Word: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, 1 Cor 9:24-27, Study Tuesday at 10:00
Mark 1:40-45, Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Storychurch for children during sermon
Through Sacrament: Next communion Ash Wednesday and February 26
Through Traditions: Ash Wednesday Service, February 22, 7:00 P.M.
Through the Arts: Choir Practice, 5:30 and Bell Choir Practice, 9:00 Sunday morning.
New Ululele Society starts this Wednesday at 6:45. Come give us a try!
Paul’s Recital, Sunday at 7:30 at St. John’s UMC.

SPREAD HOPE!
By including everyone: Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. We are now officially an O&A church!
By nurturing wholeness: Tai Chi, Thursday at 5:30. Come use our recycling bin and drink our fair trade coffee! Watch for our upcoming Aging Fair in May.
By expanding prosperity: Fill the Food Pantry! Distribution is February 16.
February Special Offering is CUE.
(special offerings are forwarded in their entirety)

LOVE PEOPLE!
By spending time together: Coffee fellowship Sunday at 9:30 A.M.
By living in Covenant relationship: Be a part of the wider church!
By sharing joy and cares: Dick K., Nancy M., Alice M., Mary D., Kitty B.,Margie J., Betty T., Karen B., Earlene B. and all our homebound

LOOKING AHEAD:
Feb 15 Council
Feb 16 Pantry distribution
Feb 19 Special Music for Black History Month
Feb 22 Ash Wednesday Service
Feb 26 CAYA Service and Potluck
Feb 29 TED Talk

Seems “religion” emphasizes bowing down and falling on our knees, looking for grace and mercy from God. But what excites me is the rising up that happens in the Jesus story when grace and mercy have been given! Peter’s mother rises up to serve ( the verb used is the one the word Deacon comes from) and Jesus rises up from prayer to carry the good news chorus to new places. God’s grace doesn’t just heal us, it invigorates us, fills us with new life so we can rise up and rehearse love’s realm on earth! Alleluia!

TRUST GOD!
Through Word: Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, 1 Cor 9:16-23, Study Tuesday at 10:00
Mark 1:29-39, Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Storychurch for children during sermon
Through Sacrament: Communion this Sunday. Open table.
Through Traditions: Lent starts February 22.
Through the Arts: Choir Practice, 5:30 and Bell Choir Practice, 9:00 Sunday morning.
Movie Night this Wednesday, “War Horse” at Red Bridge, 7:00

SPREAD HOPE!
By including everyone: Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
By nurturing wholeness: Tai Chi Thursday at 5:30. Come use our recycling bin and drink our fair trade coffee! Watch for our upcoming Aging Fair in May.
By expanding prosperity: Serving at MICAH, Monday night. Fill the Food Pantry!
February Special Offering is CUE.
(special offerings are forwarded in their entirety)

LOVE PEOPLE!
By spending time together: Coffee fellowship Sunday at 9:30 A.M. “Legally Blonde” at BVNHS, Friday at 7:00.
By living in Covenant relationship: UCC, Camp Aurora, Blue Springs Terrace
By sharing joy and cares: Dick K., Nancy M., Alice M., Mary D., Kitty B.,Margie J., Betty T., Karen B., Earlene B. and all our homebound

LOOKING AHEAD:
Feb 8 New Ukulele group
Feb 12 Paul’s Recital
Feb 15 Council
Feb 19 Special Music for Black History Month

Jesus begins teaching us the way of life with an exorcism. Great. How’s that relevant? Unless, of course, you trust that God has given humanity the gifts we need to heal the ills of the world. Then the question shifts from “can we?” to “will we?” confront the evils that hold people and the planet captive. God has put frightening power to affect our own outcome within grasp of the human mind and with it, the freedom to chose between the ways of life and death. That can be intimidating or it can be inspiring.

How much confidence is behind the church’s invitation to “come journey with us”? There is such authority in Jesus’ call to “follow me” but our invitation is usually more apologetic, half-hearted and even reluctant. Why? If we really hope to build inclusivity into our community of love, so there is a place at the table for everyone and so no one is left out unless they want to be, couldn’t we learn to look past people’s preoccupation with their day to day business and see their desperate longing for trust, hope and love? Wouldn’t that add a note of urgency to our work of welcoming others into our congregation?

TRUST GOD!
Through Word: Deut. 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Cor 8:1-13, Study Tuesday at 10:00
Mark 1:21-28, Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Storychurch for children during sermon
Through Sacrament: Next communion February 5
Through Traditions: Lent starts February 22
Through the Arts: Choir Practice, 5:30 and Bell Choir Practice, 9:00 Sunday morning.
TED talk this Wednesday at 6:45 in the Council Room.

SPREAD HOPE!
By including everyone: Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
By encouraging wholeness: Tai Chi Thursday at 5:30. Come use our recycling bin and drink our fair trade coffee! Watch for our upcoming Aging Fair in May.
By expanding prosperity: Food pantry almost empty after last distribution day. donate now!
January Special Offering is Blue Springs Terrace.
(special offerings are forwarded in their entirety)

LOVE PEOPLE!
By spending time together: Coffee fellowship Sunday at 9:30 A.M.
By living in Covenant relationship: UCC, Camp Aurora, Blue Springs Terrace
By sharing joy and cares: Kitty B., Nancy M., Margie J., Betty T., Karen B., Earlene B. and all our homebound

LOOKING AHEAD:
Jan 30 MICAH
Feb 1 Movie Night
Feb 3 Legally Blonde at BVNHS
Feb 5 Communion
Feb 8 New Ukulele group

TRUST GOD!
Through Word: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, Ephesians 3:1-12, Study Tuesday at 10:00
Matthew 2:1-12, Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Storychurch for children during sermon
Through Sacrament: Next communion January 22.
Through Traditions: Take down Christmas decorations after church Sunday.
Through the Arts: Choir Practice, 5:30 and Movie night at Red Bridge, 7:00 Wednesday, Bell Choir Practice, 9:00 Sunday morning.

SPREAD HOPE!
By including everyone: Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
By encouraging wholeness: Tai Chi starts again January 12. Come use our recycling bin and drink our fair trade coffee! Watch for our upcoming Aging Fair.
By expanding prosperity: Donations for food pantry needed!
January Special Offering is Blue Springs Terrace.
(special offerings are forwarded in their entirety)

LOVE PEOPLE!
By spending time together: Coffee fellowship Sunday at 9:30 A.M.
By living in Covenant relationship: Annual reports due by January 6.
By sharing joy and cares: Kitty B., Nancy M., Margie J., Betty T., Karen B., Earlene B. and all our homebound

LOOKING AHEAD:
Jan 15 Congregational Annual Meeting
Jan 18 Council
Jan 22 CAYA
Jan 25 TED
Jan 30 MICAH

TRUST GOD!
Through Word: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4:4-7, No study this Tuesday
Luke 2:22-40, Sunday at 10:00 A.M., Sondra Bowers preaching. Storychurch for children during sermon
Through Sacrament: Traditional Communion on New Years Day.
Through Traditions: Happy New Year!
Through the Arts: No Choir or Bell Choir Practice this week. No Wednesday programs.

SPREAD HOPE!
By including everyone: Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. Include us in your New Year’s resolution!
By encouraging wholeness: Tai Chi starts again January 12. Come use our recycling bin and drink our fair trade coffee! Watch for our upcoming Aging Fair.
By expanding prosperity: Thanks to everyone who helped with all the special projests in December.
January Special Offering is Blue Springs Terrace.
(special offerings are forwarded in their entirety)

LOVE PEOPLE!
By spending time together: Coffee fellowship Sunday at 9:30 A.M.
By living in Covenant relationship: Annual reports due by January 6.
By sharing joy and cares: Nancy M., Margie J., Betty T., Karen B., Earlene B. and all our homebound

LOOKING AHEAD:
Jan 4 Movie Night
Jan 8 Take down Christmas Decorations
Jan 15 Congregational Annual Meeting

TRUST GOD!
Through Word: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, Luke 1:47-55, Romans 16:25-27, Study Tuesday, 10:00
Luke 1:26-38, Sunday at 10:00 A.M., Storychurch for children during sermon
Through Sacrament: Next Communion is Christmas Day!
Through Traditions: Christmas Caroling, 5:00 Sunday
Through the Arts: Choir Practice 5:30 and CAYA rehearsal 6:30, Wednesday. Bell Choir Practice Sunday, 8:45 AM.

SPREAD HOPE!
By including everyone: Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
By encouraging wholeness: Tai Chi starts again January 10. Come use our recycling bin and drink our fair trade coffee! Watch for our upcoming Aging Fair.
By expanding prosperity: Food pantry distribution Thursday 2-4, packing Wednesday 9:00. Heifer Project children’s offering is for trees this year, the mitten (and sock and underwear) tree is in the Narthex. Also consider a gift to the Community Assistance Council.
December Special Offering is the UCC Christmas Fund for pastors in need.
(special offerings are forwarded in their entirety)

LOVE PEOPLE!
By spending time together: Coffee fellowship Sunday at 9:30 A.M., Party after caroling at Andrea’s.
By living in Covenant relationship: O&A Statement, now is the time to discuss with Council! Please consider a year end gift to OCWM.
By sharing joy and cares: Nancy M., Margie J., Betty T., Karen B., Earlene B. and all our homebound

LOOKING AHEAD:
Dec 24 Giant Puppets at 4:00. Candlelight at 10:00 P.M.
Dec 25 Christmas Day service, 10:00 A.M.
Dec 28 No Wednesday programs
Jan 1 New Year’s Day worship. 10:00, guest preacher