Sowers’ Seeds Dear Friends, I write this letter as I contemplate what I know will be a wonderful trip. I suppose it seems odd to be confident of such things before the trip has even started but when you know where you are going and who you will be staying with, it is easy to be confident in such things. I am not merely taking a vacation down to Florida to see friends but instead, I will be visiting a part of my extended family. In every way but the biological sense, we became a family years ago. Young Jeffery, who will turn twenty on June 30 th , was just a month and a half when divinity school began back in 1999. One of the early phrases he learned was, “Unka Nahn.” It wasn’t quite Uncle John, but it was close enough to know the import and power of it. In fact, Jeffrey will always be my first nephew. Six years later Jack was born and it meant the world knowing that his given name was John named in honor of his Grandfather and the Uncle who had been grafted into the family. There have been times when people will make mention that I am a kind or compassionate person, but I don’t really know what I have done other than listen to the still small voice that beats in every heart. I believe there is a portion of us that yearns for connection and to be connected with one another. Sometimes we are connected by birth and familial lineage but in other moments, there are bonds that are just as strong and striking that are formed in different ways. It is important to recognize that a common human need is the need for this sense of being a part of the greater whole. I think this need is the realization that we are connected at some level. We look different, have different political beliefs, backgrounds, and wear different style clothing sometimes but underneath it all, we are fundamentally human and a creation of the Infinite Creator. What would it take to focus not on the differences which are minor, but on that which we share which is major? I have found through real and lived experience that the way we engender connection and recognition of our shared humanity is through welcome, hospitality, and love. It should be noted that welcome is not merely being polite to each other, but instead is creating a space for the other that says, “You are as good as me, and you need not be anybody but who you are.” Truly, when I arrive in Florida, I am welcomed by my extended family. It is a fact of human conditioning and evolution that causes us to sleep lightly the first night in a new bed or our new surroundings. It links back to the time of being hunters and gathers when new places could be dangerous as wild beasts and animals stalked about. Yet, every night I get a full and restful night’s sleep in Florida. There is no strangeness or sense of being in a foreign land, because I am at my southern home. Can you imagine, what a congregation or house of worship would feel like if we never felt like we had to be on guard or bring only a small part of ourselves. What would it feel like if we said to ourselves, “First Christian is a warm and welcoming church, but it always can be warmer and more welcoming in its approach to the world”. You see, I have this notion that there are people who live next door or one street over who yearn for connection, and a place to call home even if they cannot call it by name. The church that is doing powerful ministry, is the one that meets the needs of those who surround it and are in their community. We all need places to call home and places that help us recognize that we are fundamentally connected to one another. All the Best and God’s Blessings, Pastor John Go to our Homepage: www.leavenworthchristian.com No Newsletter Next Week! June 20, 2019
Transcript
Sowers’ Seeds Dear Friends,
I write this letter as I contemplate what I know will be a wonderful trip. I suppose it seems odd to be
confident of such things before the trip has even started but when you know where you are going and who
you will be staying with, it is easy to be confident in such things. I am not merely taking a vacation down
to Florida to see friends but instead, I will be visiting a part of my extended family. In every way but the
biological sense, we became a family years ago. Young Jeffery, who will turn twenty on June 30th, was just
a month and a half when divinity school began back in 1999. One of the early phrases he learned was,
“Unka Nahn.” It wasn’t quite Uncle John, but it was close enough to know the import and power of it. In
fact, Jeffrey will always be my first nephew. Six years later Jack was born and it meant the world knowing
that his given name was John named in honor of his Grandfather and the Uncle who had been grafted into
the family. There have been times when people will make mention that I am a kind or compassionate person,
but I don’t really know what I have done other than listen to the still small voice that beats in every heart.
I believe there is a portion of us that yearns for connection and to be connected with one another.
Sometimes we are connected by birth and familial lineage but in other moments, there are bonds that are
just as strong and striking that are formed in different ways. It is important to recognize that a common
human need is the need for this sense of being a part of the greater whole. I think this need is the realization
that we are connected at some level. We look different, have different political beliefs, backgrounds, and
wear different style clothing sometimes but underneath it all, we are fundamentally human and a creation
of the Infinite Creator. What would it take to focus not on the differences which are minor, but on that
which we share which is major?
I have found through real and lived experience that the way we engender connection and recognition of
our shared humanity is through welcome, hospitality, and love. It should be noted that welcome is not
merely being polite to each other, but instead is creating a space for the other that says, “You are as good as
me, and you need not be anybody but who you are.” Truly, when I arrive in Florida, I am welcomed by my
extended family. It is a fact of human conditioning and evolution that causes us to sleep lightly the first
night in a new bed or our new surroundings. It links back to the time of being hunters and gathers when new
places could be dangerous as wild beasts and animals stalked about. Yet, every night I get a full and restful
night’s sleep in Florida. There is no strangeness or sense of being in a foreign land, because I am at my
southern home.
Can you imagine, what a congregation or house of worship would feel like if we never felt like we had
to be on guard or bring only a small part of ourselves. What would it feel like if we said to ourselves, “First
Christian is a warm and welcoming church, but it always can be warmer and more welcoming in its approach
to the world”. You see, I have this notion that there are people who live next door or one street over who
yearn for connection, and a place to call home even if they cannot call it by name. The church that is doing
powerful ministry, is the one that meets the needs of those who surround it and are in their community. We
all need places to call home and places that help us recognize that we are fundamentally connected to one
Dear Church Family, Thank you for the cards, prayers, and well wishes during my recent recovery. I'm convinced that your prayers have made a big difference in my recovery. My best to all of you. Steve Parker
First Christian Church, Thank you for arranging the use of the church for the Celebration of Life
Ceremony for Jennifer Rodriguez. She brought so much joy to everyone. It comforts us to know Jennifer will continue to be loved.
With Love, Ann Crum, Bob Rodriguez, Ismael, Miguel & Rodriguez Family
Dear Church Members, Once again, I thank you for your ongoing support of the Leavenworth Community of Hope. Your $450 donation dated 5/23/2019 is a wonderful help. Many Blessings… Gratefully, Sister Vickie
Dear Members of FCC, Thank you so much for the warm welcome and hugs for us on Sunday. It felt like home and we love and miss our worship with you and friendship! Blessings, Dick & Diane Hall
Leavenworth Times is hosting a Faith & Family Festival!
Saturday, June 22nd
Riverfront Community Center 10am-3pm ~ Free Admission
We will be there!!! More info: https://www.leavenworthtimes.com/news/20190614/q5-times-to-
host-faith-and-family-festival
Watch for our FULL page ad in Wednesday’s Leavenworth Times!!!
Pray for those in the Hospital/Rehab Pearl Stonebraker - Twin Oaks (Rehab) #417
Jack Smith – River Bend
Ongoing Cares & Concerns Steve Martin, 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
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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 David Wimer – May 8, 2019
Jennifer Rodriguez- May 26, 2019 Davis Moulden - June 11, 2019
Praises for Paige’s continued healing. She is home but still has to return to the hospital 2 times
a week for IV treatments. Linda Bohnsack
Praise! Tina Dvorak is doing well recovering from surgery. Diane Dvorak
Pray for Jim Wardlow- heart disease. Barbara Kessler
Family of Davis Moulden. Ruth Kenton
Jenny Moore – health concerns
Jerry Moore & Jared Collins- travelling
Healing for Ruth Kenton’s sister, Sue, Pearl Stonebraker & Scarlet Ross. Ruth Kenton
Prayers for Everyone recovering at home and in the hospital. Laney Mellott
Prayers for healing of Fran Gast’s niece’s husband after surgery.
Bless & guide our city councils. Jim Bliss
Kathy Ramirez- tooth
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Safety Training – Everyone working with children at FCC are required
to complete the Safety Training course. If you are helping with VBS, Lakeside Learners or Treehouse Treasures, and we have your email address, you should have received information about this year’s online courses.
If you have not received the email about Safety Training and wish to take it on-line, please contact the office.
The “In House” training led by John Groves is Saturday, July 6th, 10am & 12pm. You may choose to attend one of these instead of the on-line training.
People working in the kitchen do not have to complete the Safety Training.
Contact Emily Bean, Debbie Phillips or Dea Nicodemus to volunteer!
As summer and summer vacations approach it is important to know what to do if a need arises when Pastor John is out of town. Below is a protocol to follow in that event.
Protocol for Emergencies & Pastoral Needs when the Pastor is Out of Town
If the situation/issue concerned involves a particular ministry (e.g. Worship, Christian Ed., Fellowship), that concern should be expressed to the chairperson of that ministry.
The church office (682-3222) should be contacted if a member of the church family in the hospital or has a death in the family. The church secretary will contact the chairperson of the elders and/or the moderator of the church board. If the need arises when the church office is closed, please contact the chairperson of the elders. Currently, this is Erin Sack (913-240-8196).
8:30am Worship 42 11:00am Worship 31 Sunday School 30
Total 73
Offering June 16th
General $7,865.89 Building 915.00 Backpack Buddies 70.00 Special Use 1,000.00 Pentecost 150.00 DWF 20.00 Pastor’s Fund 75.00 Sunday School 5.00
Total $10,100.89
Treehouse Treasures Lakeside Learners Chelsea Moore Diane Euler
& Ruth Kenton & Missy Davis
Missed Bdays from last Newsletter
June 13th Mirinda Lowery
Eva Voss
June 14th Linda Stiles Tara Torres
June 15th Jeff Amthor Jr
Doug Euler Alexes Filley
Kristin Kilgore
June 16th Jeff Amthor
June 18th Sydney Malm
Bryan Ross
June 19th Eunice Alexander
Molly Homan
June 21st Jared Collins Jerry Moore
June 22nd Aaron Alvarado
Jon House
June 23rd TyAsia Coleman
Addison Filley
June 24th Nanci Clark
June 26th Dan Thrasher
June 27th Monica Amthor Teri Blackard David Boyer David Powell
June 28th Kim Kincaid
June 29th Damon Ekstrom
June 30th Syd Hobbs
Drew Malm
July 1st Tom Kessler Bobbi Ross
Sharon Tinder
July 3rd Dea Nicodemus
WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE SHELTER OF HOPE. If
you would like to help, the next training will be held on
July 10, 6:00pm, at the Shelter, 311 Kiowa,
Leavenworth.
First Christian Calendar June 19-30, 2019
Sunday’s Servers June 23rd
Hospital Visitation June 23-29
Cushing: Mary Sue & Richard Sack
St John: Gary Phillips & Erin Sack
11:00am Service Elder: Erin Sack
Scripture: Larry Elliott Greeters
Main: TBD Narthex: Eli Bagley
Servers: Eli Bagley* Kim Kincaid & TBD
Communion Prep: Missy Davis Clean-up: Kim Kincaid
8:30am Service Lay Leader: Gary Phillips
Elders: Mary Sue & Richard Sack Greeters
Main: Scarlet Ross Narthex: Ken Harmon
Servers Ken Harmon*, Missy Davis
Scarlet Ross & Bonnie Willliams Communion Prep & Clean-up
Missy Davis
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Wednesday, June 19th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am CMF Meeting Kitterman 6:30pm
Friday, June 21st T-Bones Bus leaves Church at 5:45pm
Sunday, June 23rd Chancel Choir 8:00am Worship 8:30 & 11:00am Sunday School 9:45am
Monday, June 24th No Newsletter this Week Prayer Breakfast Pullman Place 6:30am
Wednesday, June 26th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am Elder’s Mtg Kitterman 7:00pm
Sunday, June 30th Sunday School 9:15am Christmas in June!! Combined Worship 10:30am Potluck to Follow Fellowship Hall Turkey & Ham/Potatoes & Gravy Catered by Terry Booker
Bring your favorite Christmas Side Dish and Dessert!
*Captain
Coming to a Sanctuary Near You! This summer will be filled with some exciting opportunities for worship. Please be sure to
mark them on your summer calendar so that you don’t miss the fun.
June 30th – Christmas in June Sunday School – 9:15am Worship Service – 10:00am Christmas Dinner following Worship (A special Offering will be taken for Backpack Buddies)
July 14th – VBS Celebration Sunday School – 9:15am Worship Service – 10:00am Potluck Dinner following Worship
July 21st – Hymn/Song Sing Watch for info on how to nominate your favorite hymn
August 25th Blessing of the Backpacks Students bring backpacks for prayer
First Christian Calendar July 1 - 6, 2019
Sunday’s Servers June 30th
Sunday, June 30th John Groves
(913) 727-1775
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.
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Monday, July 1st Prayer Breakfast Pullman Place 6:30am Wednesday, July 3rd Prayer Group Kitterman 8:15am Thursday, July 4th Independence Day (Office Closed)
Friday, July 5th Office Closed Saturday, July 6th VBS Set-up-Decorating 9:00am Safety Training Kitterman 10am-12pm
Coming Soon!!!
July 8-12 Program/Potluck
July 14th
Hospital Visitation June 30-July 6
Cushing: Don & Molly Homan
St John: Dea Nicodemus & Richard
Christmas in June Combined Worship
10:30am
Lay Leader: Dea Nicodemus Elders: Don & Molly Homan
Greeters Main: Kim Kincaid
Narthex: Doug Euler
Servers
Ruth Kenton*, Pat Swartz Melissa Wilson & Doug Euler
