Sowers’ Seeds Dear Friends,
I have to admit it, I am often a person of patterns. Not only do I know what restaurants I like,
but I also have a sense of what I might well order at the establishment, and if you are allowed to
seat yourself, I have a good idea where I will sit. We either purposefully or accidentally fall into
our patterns and we get comfortable with them for good or for ill. There are moments when a
special on a wipe board or chalk board may get me to change what I order for lunch or for supper.
It is my walk on the wild side when I order a special. We will call it a calculated risk.
Yet, as wonderful as the food may be at a restaurant, it most generally isn’t the food that brings
me back time and time again. I often consider the way I am made to feel when I enter the door or
take my seat. Am I greeted like an old friend, or am I greeted like a stranger one is learning to
trust? Do people smile at me and call be by name, or I am treated like an annoyance or
inconvenience? Does the cashier smile and say, “We have missed you, or it is good to see you
again?” The funny thing is, and maybe it is because I am an outgoing sort, but the food really
isn’t my top concern when I enter a restaurant. I imagine if it were terrible it would keep me away,
but more than anything it is the sense of being in a community and being cared out that will bring
me back to an establishment again and again.
It is in these sorts of places where you begin to know the waiters, waitresses, and cashiers after
a time, and in turn they begin to know you and inquire as to how things are going. Once we get
established in a local haunt, we feel safe enough to open ourselves up to conversation, and those
who work there often feel safe opening themselves up to us as customers and familiar faces.
Without the topic being discussed, we realize that the places we eat often satisfy not only our need
to be physically fed, but also our need to be emotionally fed. There is part of all of us that hungers
to be in a community where we are valued, remembered, and considered. Even the most
introverted of people often wants to be in a place where community can be reached for if it is
needed in the moment. There is something reassuring about knowing that people are close by even
if not a word is spoken at the time.
If we recognize as individuals that we derive great comfort and often feel a need for belonging,
what do we do with that knowledge? I submit that a congregation or church body that offers many
of the things our favorite restaurant offers often will fill a niche within the community where it is
located. The quality of the food is important but really it is tertiary. What people are seeking is a
sense a welcome, to be remembered and inquired after, and to feel so safe that they open
themselves to conversation and relationship with one another. It sounds like an ideal church
community, and in this place, we even come around the table weekly. We are a pilgrims’ people
who move from to place, but there comes a moment when we want to cease our wanderings and
come inside to the warmth of a community. It is our most human need. Perhaps, it is food for our
souls.
All the Best and God’s Blessings, Pastor John
Go to our Homepage: www.leavenworthchristian.com
October 10, 2019
Pray for our out-of-town Active Duty Personnel Melissa Van Valkenburgh, Lucy Collings,
Hannah Bond, Dustin Phillips, Rob Widmyer, Jim & Rachel Sullivan, Nelson Hanson,
Cameron Brown, Christin Collins, Nickalas Derringer, Rose Uy, Edison & Faviola Urquiza
Pray for those in the Hospital/Rehab Pearl Stonebraker - Twin Oaks Luke Euler – Children’s Mercy
Ongoing Cares & Concerns Steve Martin, Sandy & Alice Bushman, Marilyn Vance, Noah Kincaid, Helen Nowlan,
Kathy Ramirez, Rose Marie Theel, Ruby Corbet, Don Bohnsack, Katie Boyer, Winnie Henderson, April Shea, Brian Onasch, Pearl Stonebraker, Danielle & Doug Euler
Please help us update our
Active Duty list with
members or those in direct
relationship with our
members.
Pray for those who have lost a loved one Mike Pelton – August 12, 2019
Mike Carter – August 2019 Elaine Onasch – Sept 11, 2019
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Prayers for the Family of Larry Kiehl- he passed away recently. Dea Nicodemus
Prayers for Pam Norstrom- has cancer for the 3rd time. Fran Gast
Continued healing for Bill, Fran’s Brother & his wife.
Prayers for Ruth Kenton’s friend, Dick, health & healing for Brenda. Ruth Kenton
Political unrest. Ruth Kenton
Praise! I heard my son’s voice & heard his testimony on YouTube of faith. Jim Bliss
Felicia & Eli Bagley are having a GIRL! Thank you for continued prayers for her health & wellbeing.
Praise for time of Retreat & safe travels for attenders. Ruth Kenton
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Light a Candle for Children Sundays ~ September 22nd thru October 20th
Week Three: Luke 8:18-21 (NRSV) Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
To Pastor John and my Church Family,
I wanted to thank everyone for all the prayers, cards and
care I received during my surgery and down time.
Progressing nicely.
God Bless you All, Ginger Young
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (The Message) So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” His mother and brothers showed up but couldn’t get through to him because of the crowd. He was given the message, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.” He replied, “My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood.”
You can find daily devotions at:
http://lightacandle.blogspot.com/
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Movie Night
Sunday, October 13th ~ 4:00pm Kitterman
“An Interview with God” check out the preview:
http://aninterviewwithgod.com/
Dear Friends, Sandy & I wanted you to know
how much we appreciate our church family.
Your notes & cards of encouragement sure
brighten our days. The prayers you have
offered in our behalf have helped us through
some difficult times and it is reassuring to be
lifted up in prayer. Thank you for your
thoughtfulness.
Sandy & Alice Bushman
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There will be soup and sandwiches available at 4:00pm
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Keenagers Costume Luncheon Saturday, October 19th ~ 11:00am ~ Fellowship Hall
Lunch will be served at 11:30am Wear your fanciest costume for your chance to win the contest!!
Please RSVP to Lois (913) 680-8475 or Kathy (913) 775-1992
Fall Craft Festival Nov. 3rd ~ 1:30-3:45pm
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 26th
3-5pm ~ Church Grounds
We will have a Bouncy House, Snacks & Pumpkin painting! Free Admission!
Please contact Emily Bean if you would like to help!!!
Worlds of Fun!!
Saturday, October 19th
Meet at the church at 4pm – Return around 11pm
Picnic Dinner and entrance to the park are provided by the church, but you
can bring spending money too. Permission slips must be signed by parents.
RSVP no later than October 15th!
Katie Collins, Youth Director: Text (913) 683-0030
Email: [email protected]
If you would like to help chaperone, please let Katie know.
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Shelter Training
October 14th at 6:00pm
311 Kiowa
See Ruth Kenton for more info
Sunday, October 13th 2:00pm ~ Warren Middle School
Sign up at:
www.crophungerwalk.org/leavenworthks
Joyce Bachtel
Felicia Bagley
Stacey Bailey
Jonathan Bailey
Emma Bailey
Signed up to Walk as of Oct 6th…
Meredith Bailey
Emily Bean
Margaret Collins
Julia Dykes
Bob Euler
Evalyn Hubert
Sue Hubert
Dave Lowery
Sandy Lowery
Max Matousek
Chelsea Moore
Jennifer Moore
Wyatt Moore
John Sowers
Offering Oct 6th
Will be available in
next week’s newsletter
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Attendance Oct 6th
8:30 Worship 55 11:00am Worship 38 Sunday School 31 Visitors 0
Total 93
Oct 10th Mia Ross
Oct 11th
Kendrik McKeel
Oct 12th Jaime Wilson
Oct 13th Anne Divine
Michael Logan
Oct 15th Gary Kenton
Oct 16th
Jeremy Marchbanks
First Christian Calendar October 9-19, 2019
Sunday’s Servers October 13th
Hospital Visitation Oct 13-19
Cushing: Richard Sack & Mary Sue St John: Fran Gast & Kathy Powell
11:00am Service
Elder: Fran Gast
Greeters Main: Linda Kesinger
Narthex: Felicia Bagley
Servers: Doug Euler* Caitlin & Brian Onasch
Communion Prep: Bonnie Williams Clean-up: Kim Kincaid
8:30am Service Lay Leader: Kathy Powell
Elders Richard Sack & Mary Sue Winneke
Greeters Main: TBD
Narthex: Bonnie Williams Servers
Bonnie Willson*, TBD Ruth Kenton & Jon House
Communion Prep & Clean-up Bonnie Williams
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Sunday, October 13th Lonnie Dalrymple (913) 579-1798
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.
Wednesday, Oct 9th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am Mary Martha Kitterman 6:00pm aliVe Deedie’s home 7:00pm
Thursday, Oct 10th Carillons 6:30pm Chancel Choir 7:30pm
Sunday, Oct 13th
Light a Candle for Children Worship 8:30am & 11:00am Sunday School 9:45am CROP Walk Warren Middle School 2pm Movie “Interview w/God” Kitterman 4pm
Monday, Oct 14th Columbus Day (Office Closed) Prayer Breakfast Pullman Place 6:30am
Tuesday, Oct 15th Preschool Mtg Kitterman 7:00pm
Wednesday, October 16th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am CMF Mtg Kitterman 6:30pm
Thursday, Oct 17th Carillons 6:30pm Chancel Choir 7:30pm
Saturday, Oct 19th Keenagers Costume Luncheon 11:00am
Fellowship Re-Energized Youth Worlds of Fun 4-11pm
*Captain
Contact US Telephone Number: (913) 682-3222
Church Office Hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 4:00
Church Email: [email protected]
Website: www.leavenworthchristian.com Pastor: [email protected]
Reverend John Sowers: (309) 231-2665