Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The OPCC Scene · 1
Volume 9, Issue 11 December, 2013
The OPCC Scene
(Disciples of Christ)
7600 West 75th Street
Overland Park, KS 66204 • 913.677.4646
www.opccdoc.org • @opccdoc (Twitter) • www.facebook.com/opccdoc
Sharing Christ's Love by
Serving our Neighbors while
Growing as Jesus' Disciples
SUNDAY SERVICES
Traditional Family Worship — 9:30 a.m.
Christian Education for Children, Youth, and Adults — immediately following Worship
Nursery available at both hours
2 · The OPCC Scene
Don’t miss the
Children’s
Christmas Play:
December 8, 2013 Worship at 9:30 am
The OPCC Kids will take
you on a journey to the Holy Little City.
Along the way, the true spirit of Christmas meets up with dangers that threaten the journey.
Will they make it in time?
All-Church Dinner We are ready to celebrate Christmas with an
ALL-Church Christmas meal! The NOW Group would like to invite the congregation to join them
December 8th—directly after church—to have fun and fellowship with lots of good food included. The meat (turkey and ham) will be provided, as
will the plates, cups, and silverware (plastic-ware). All you need to bring is a dessert or salad and
come join us! Following the meal, Amy Luckenbill will take requests and lead us in singing
Christmas carols. It should be a great time and put you in the Christmas spirit!
You are invited to
a party to honor
the birth of Jesus!
December 22
11 am
Fireside Room
Cake and drinks provided.
Please bring an appetizer to share.
Join us for a special time of worship as our choir leads us in worship on Sunday, December 22
nd.
The Chalice Chancel Choir will present a full cantata at the 9:30am worship service.
We hope you will make this special Sunday a part of your Advent plans.
A
Christmas
Journey
Remember a loved one or honor a special friend at Christmas by purchasing a live poinsettia to help decorate the church for the Christmas season. Cost is $12.00.
You may take your poinsettia home after the Christmas Eve service.
Your name(s)
I/we would like to purchase _____ poinsettias, in memory of:
I/we would like to purchase _____ poinsettias, in honor of:
Please make checks payable to OPCC and return with this form to Michelle Reiter at the church.
The OPCC Scene · 3
Advent Devotions OPCC has provided a number of the Advent
devotional “Partners in Prayer” by Erin Wathen,
senior pastor of St. Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, for you to use as you prepare your hearts and
lives for the arrival of the Christ Child. They are available in a basket on the library counter, and in the
Fellowship Hall when we are still worshiping there. Whether with a loved one or on your own, we invite
each of you to read the devotions provided each day, and pray the prayer for that day, continuing through
each day of Advent until Christmas. If you would like to have a copy of the Advent devotional mailed to you,
please contact Kourtney in the church office, 913-677-4646 or [email protected].
Longest Night Worship Service
For many, the Christmas season is a bittersweet time of year. Everywhere we go, the constant refrain and messages of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the feelings of being outcast, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation – all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of celebrations. This worship service will offer the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know we are not alone.
This year our “Longest Night Service” will be on Tuesday, December 17, at 6:30pm. Join with us to hear scripture, offer prayers for healing and wholeness, and sing music that acknowledges that God’s presence is for those who mourn, those who grieve, and those who struggle. God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve Worship OPCC will offer two opportunities to worship on December 24.
We hope you will make one of these services a part of your family’s plans on Christmas Eve.
From 4:00pm – 6:00pm the Elders will host “Come and Go Communion” where you will be welcomed to light a candle, receive communion,
and take a few moments to spend in contemplation and prayer. Come and go as your schedule allows from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.
At 7:00pm we will offer a Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship with scripture, hymns, and a meditation as we welcome the Christ Child with one another.
Please join us for either or both of these services to celebrate the coming of Christ.
4 · The OPCC Scene
The Doubting Side of Faith Did you grow up with an affinity for the church,
but now Christianity looks weary and threadbare, full of negative baggage? Do you
feel like the church could be doing some good, but it’s hard to see because of the
negative you hear about “church” in general? Would you like to dive deeper into some very important topics of the day, but don’t want to get caught up in single-issue arguments that
fail to address some of the real issues surrounding the church? If you or someone
you know needs a safe space to discuss some of your questions and doubts about the church and your faith, this is the place for you.
We are continuing a discussion group for young adults and like-minded individuals,
this time at Homer’s CoffeeHouse (7126 W. 80
th St.) on Monday, December 9,
at 6:30pm. No RSVP necessary! You can go to Laura with questions,
[email protected] or ext:222 at church.
Men’s Fellowship Group The Men’s Fellowship Group meets on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room for breakfast, study, and
fellowship. All men are invited to join us. For more information, contact Wayne Moore
at 913-856-3833 or Emerson Hartzler at 913-422-1378.
Friday, January 3, 2014, 6-8:30 pm 4 yrs old to 6th grade
Pizza & Popcorn and a MOVIE Contact Lisa Setty with any questions.
Care & Share* Join us with the Care and Share Grief Support Group on Wednesday, December 11, for lunch
at M & S Grill Plaza, 4646 JC Nichols Pkwy, KCMO. Please make your reservations by
December 9 with Peggy Moore at [email protected] or 913-856-3833. We
will meet at the church at 11:00 a.m. to carpool.
*The Care and Share Support Group is a grief support fellowship and is open to all persons.
The Christian Caregivers Support Group that meets at OPCC on Mondays at
1:00 p.m. will not be meeting on December 23, December 30, and whenever Shawnee Mission Schools are closed due to inclement weather. For more information, contact Peggy Moore at
[email protected] or 913-856-3833.
Christian Women’s Fellowship
Mary Martha Circle will meet for our Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 12,
at 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Please join us!
Girlfriends Unlimited Girlfriends will not meet during December or the first two weeks of January. We will resume on
Wednesday nights on January 15, 2014.
7pm Wednesday January 1 to 8am Thursday, January 2, 2014
Bring a snack/drinks to share, sleeping bag and pillow (there WILL be a little down time!) and some fun ideas.
More information will go out in an email to youth families. Lisa does need another adult chaperone.
Contact Lisa at [email protected].
The OPCC Scene · 5
Updates from Your Renovation Committee
WE ARE GETTING CLOSER!! Yes, if the last of the materials show up as planned, we will be back in the Sanctuary on Sunday, 12/15/13. HURRAY!!
Here is a brief update of activities since the November Scene article; - new paneling has been put on all the new half walls plus the sound booth - porcelain tile has been installed within the entire chancel area - the cross has been re-finished and put back in its original position - vinyl flooring has been installed for the center aisle and under the pews/chairs - carpeting for entry and both side aisles has been laid - the theatrical lights located on the ceiling beams have been raised for better chancel lighting - new dossal screen layers have been put in place…really brightens the room!
Yet to be done; - pews/chairs are to be installed 12/4 through 12/6 - new projection screen is planned for arrival on Friday, 12/6 - projection screen must be installed and dossal screen finished around it - new sound equipment must be installed - final touches and clean up - training for staff and our volunteer audio/visual people
Pledges for seats have increased by 45 bringing our new total to 250…FANTASTIC! Again, the Committee wishes to thank all of you for your pledges…both for the campaign and for the pews/chairs. Your support and generosity is not only bringing new life into our sanctuary, but to OPCC ministry and our community.
Lee Sprinkle Renovation Committee Chair
So, are you having trouble completing your Christmas shopping,
especially those who are hard to please or already have "everything"?
Then a Scrip Card may just be the gift for them! They also make great
stocking stuffers. And then you will be giving the gift that really pleases, since you will also be giving a gift to OPCC.
Truly the gift of Christmas! Happy Holidays!
“We teach everyone we can that we know about Him, so that, if possible, we may bring all to their full maturity in Jesus Christ.”
—Colossians 1:28
“Fearless” The class in Room 40 will continue Max Lucado’s video and discussion series called “Fearless” —
overcoming fear with the Word of God. Sundays from 11 a.m.-12 noon. All are welcome—please join us.
For more information call Mary Aelmore, 913-631-6328.
“Feasting on the Word” This Adult Bible Study continues Sunday mornings
at 11:00 in the Northwest section of Fellowship Hall, and follows the lectionary used in our worship
service. All are welcome to join us!
Leader: Peggy Moore
C . L . A . S . S .
Adult Christian Education Class Schedule
Sundays 11:00 a.m.-noon
Christian Living and Skills Series
Scrip
Gift Cards
6 · The OPCC Scene
Stewardship Green Moment by Jody Cash
Green Moment for December Laundry
1. Use warm water for washing and cold water for rinsing. This saves 3 ½ times the energy as using hot water for both.
2. Newer washers that are energy efficient use 4 times less energy than the older, less efficient models. They also save about $70 a year in energy costs.
3. One big load is more energy efficient than 2 smaller ones, but do not overload the washer.
4. Set your water heater to 120°. This will be best for meeting most household needs and will reduce energy costs.
5. Check the dryer’s outside vent to make sure it is clean and closes properly (or else cold air will come into your house).
6. If you do not wish to hang clothes up directly out of the washer, remove them from the dryer when they are still damp. This helps save energy costs.
The Fireplace — Did you know that using a fireplace can be a very expensive and inefficient way to heat your home? Much of the heat in your house can go straight up the chimney and can emit as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside! Here are some tips on how to be more energy efficient:
1. If you have dampers in the bottom of the firebox, open them. This will help reduce heat loss. If you don’t have dampers, open the nearest window about an inch and close the doors leading into the room.
2. Hire a chimney sweep to inspect your chimney each year. Clean out excess ashes and soot in the fireplace so that it will work more efficiently.
3. Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
4. Make sure the seal on the damper is on as snug as possible.
5. When you are not using your fireplace, keep the damper closed.
6. The biggest tip is to install a gas fireplace as this can be 70% more efficient than a regular fireplace!
Holiday Travel
1. If you are planning a trip by car during the holidays, you should perform vehicle maintenance such as changing the oil and properly inflating tires. This increases the efficiency of your vehicle by 8% or more.
2. Aggressive driving can cause you to get less miles per gallon — up to 33% less on the highway, so drive defensively.
3. Whether traveling by car or plane, excess weight in your luggage causes the car or plane to function less fuel-efficiently.
4. Traveling on off-peak days can save you money on your airline ticket, or it can save you (if traveling by car) from being caught in congested traffic on the highways.
5. Don’t drink and drive! You can take a cab to parties or have a designated driver take a group to a party. You can hire a party bus if you have a large group. This way, you can cut down the number of accidents and cut down on the number of cars on the road.
Have a very Merry (Green) Christmas!
The OPCC Scene · 7
Interfaith Hospitality News
OPCC’s Next Host Week: December 8-15
The annual IHN Holiday Party for present and former guests will be December 14 at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church,
12251 Antioch Road, Overland Park.
WAYS OUR CONGREGATION CAN HELP: Sponsor a family or individual – Gift Cards ($20) Sponsors will purchase gift cards at local retailers (Target or Wal-mart) or through OPCC’s Scrip program. These gift cards will be distributed to our IHN adult guests. This will allow the guests to shop for their own families.
Provide food baskets for a traditional holiday meal and supplies to stock shelves (priceless) A list of suggested non-perishable food items will be provided. We provide the holiday meal + some extras for kids on Winter Break.
Donate grocery gift cards (3 - 4 cards in $10 range) Each food basket also contains gift cards for families to purchase meat or perishable foods for their holiday meal. Price Chopper is the preferred grocery store.
Gas gift cards ($20) QuikTrip cards are a great help to our families.
Kids’ Store items ($5 - $10 range) Donate new gifts for kids to give to parents, guardians, teachers and siblings. For example: wallets, small tool kits, ball caps, lotions, nail polish, Barbies, Transformers, gift cards (eg. AMC, Panera, Starbucks). Please contact Barb Collins (816-807-8520) or email [email protected] for additional
information or to answer questions. Barb needs to have the items by December 7
th so
delivery can be made in time for the event.
THANK YOU!
Better Than Black Friday Special Mouthwatering smells wafting through hallways. Festive music mingling with cheerful voices. Smiles and laughter everywhere. Taste buds titillated by the delicious flavors of a variety of soups, breads and desserts. A grand time was enjoyed by all who attended OPCC's first annual Better than Black Friday Community Meal!
An amazing number of generous hearts and willing hands contributed in so many ways to make November 29 a joyful celebration of a better way to begin the Christmas season! Volunteers from both the OPCC and Rios de Agua Viva congregations, as well as friends and neighbors who "just wanted to help", made the day memorable. Thanks to all who helped and all who came to share the meal. We look forward to an even better time next year.
Looking for Gift Ideas??? Consider honoring a special person by making a gift to one of the outreach ministries supported by OPCC. Choose "Outreach" on the OPCC website to find web addresses for many of them.
Local Ministries OPCC Food Pantry CrossLines Food Kitchen Sack lunches for CrossLines Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) Salvation Army's Johnson Co. Family Lodge Harvesters
Global Ministries Week of Compassion Church World Service Heifer Project Shop at fair trade stores (like Ten Thousand Villages)
BackSnacks’ Need We are looking for another person to share delivery duties of our BackSnack program. The only require-ment is to drive 12 boxes of food (approximately 8-10 pounds each) from OPCC to our 2 partner schools. The total time required is 1 hour every 3 weeks.
For more info, contact Jane Fletcher, 913-449-5785.
OPCC Food Pantry has served so far this year a monthly average of:
533 people 160 households 248 adults 206 children 79 seniors
Thank you for your support of our church’s ministries!
8 · The OPCC Scene
November Gifts A gift has been given from Gordon & Marlene
Harkness to the Carl Kawa memorial. A gift has been given to the Food Pantry from
Nancy Corbin in memory of Carl Kawa A gift has been given to the Food Pantry from
Marijane Green in honor of Sgt. Stephen Green
Thank You Dear OPCC Family, Thank you all so very much for the continued prayerful support. The notes of encouragement from Mom’s Circle group are uplifting for her. Dad participated in the Bible Study groups at Sunrise weekly. God Bless You ALL, Lisa Metcalf We would like to thank Bo, Doris, Pat, and our OPCC family for all their support, thoughts, and prayers during Mom’s hospitalization and surgery. mom, Wilma Huffman, is back at Garden Terrace and doing very well. Thank you! Peggy & Allen Fach and Bob Huffman My sincere thank you to those that made it possible for me to share communion and scripture while I was recuperating from shoulder replacement. It never ceases to amaze me of the many thoughtful gifts of delicious food, cards, prayers, telephone calls, and gifts which made many a day a blessed one. Blessings, Marie Lear I moved to Branson with my daughter. We have a 2 bedroom condo, really is nice, lots of room. I am doing really good. I miss my church, but I can’t come back. My son works close and stops by after work, and my daughter runs a motel. Tell all my friends hello. I love to hear from you! Veda Price
Military Prayer List Stephan Aelmore (grandson of Mary Aelmore),
US Navy, South Carolina Dustin Doree (grandson of Betty Craney),
US Army, Seattle, WA Tiffany Doree (granddaughter of Betty Craney),
US Navy, San Diego, CA LT Scot Engman (nephew of Monica Gfoeller
McCarthy and Lawrence McCarthy), USAF, Elmendorf, Alaska
SGT Stephen James Green (son of Marijane Green), US Marine Corps
SPC Edward Pinkelman, Jr. (son of Ed & Kathy Pinkelman), US Army, Italy
To add persons to this list, please forward information to Michelle Reiter at
[email protected] or 913-677-4646, x223.
Prayer List
Prayers of Concern Abby Anderson (Eric & Laura Sprinkle’s niece) Linda Anthony Betty Burton Bryan Byrd (Judy Nickum’s son-in-law’s father) Haley Elliott Wilma Huffman Carole Ingram Lila Jones (Chris Crowe’s mother) Theresa Krebs Bob Marangelli (Wilma Townsend’s son-in-law) Ann Martin Everett & Ina Fern McBride Faye McBride (Calvin McBride’s sister-in-law) Kelsey Poston (Tom Nelson's granddaughter) Josh Townsend (Wilma Townsend’s grandson) Elizabeth Withers Toodie Withers
Continued Prayers Frances Beattie Margaret Bogle Martha Brockman Margo Brown Frances Bruning Lylia Bryant John Cobb Phyllis & Harvey Cooke Glenn (Bud) Eastwood Corwin Elliott Jim Foley Dave & Hazel Ginter Marlene & Gordon Harkness Lee Horton Bob & Sue Jenkins Dan Jenkins Sandy Jewers Dorothy Jimerson Mary Johnson Audrey & Lloyd Lavely Marie Lear Hazel McCullough Shirley McGee Bruce McNaghten Tony & Florene Miele Wilma Nickum Bob Prince Mary Rayburn Belva Snell Dale Warden Miriam Warren Esther West
Condolences to Jim Foley and family on the death of Marge Foley on November 28. Memorial services are pending. to Everett & Ina Fern McBride on the death of their son-in-law, George Thrailkill, who died November 29.
The OPCC Scene is published the first Thursday of each month,
except in July.
Copy deadline for next issue is January 7 for January 9 mailing.
Help us reduce paper and postage costs!
If you would like to be removed from this mailing list or to receive this publication by e-mail,
please contact Michelle Reiter at 913-677-4646, ext. 223, or [email protected].
Your OPCC Staff
913-677-4646
[email protected] (general church e-mail address)
Senior Pastor .................................... Bo Crowe
[email protected] ext. 225
Associate Pastor .............................. Laura Phillips
[email protected] ext. 222
Pastor of Visitation ............................ Ed Hitzelberger
[email protected] ext. 224
Children & Youth Pastor ................... Lisa Setty
[email protected] ext. 228
Communications Coordinator/
Bookkeeper ..................................... Michelle Reiter
[email protected] ext. 223
Receptionist .................................... Kourtney Leibman
[email protected] ext. 221
Music Director ................................. Amy Luckenbill
Assistant Music Director ................... Chris Elliott
Homeschool Christian Academy Dir... Molly Fisher
[email protected] ext. 238
Your 2013-14OPCC Board of Directors
Larry Kinder ............................................. Chair
Dan Horton ..................................... Vice Chair
Jody Cash ......................................... Treasurer
Greg Wienberg ................................. Secretary
Jane Fletcher ..... Leader Development Liaison
Sharon McBride ................ Commission Liaison
From Your Property Commission
As we enter the winter season, the Property Committee wishes to give a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers within the Landscape and Grass Roots teams. Your hard work and efforts have kept our grounds as one of the best kept and most beautiful sites along 75th Street…if not, all northern Jo. Co.
All the security lights and Exit signs throughout the building have been checked and put into good working order. Several had to have bulbs replaced and their backup batteries replaced. Have you checked your fire alarm batteries at home lately??
Our heating system has been serviced and is ready for the winter. Submitted by, Lee Sprinkle, Property Chair
Help Wanted!
We are in need of some volunteers to help read during worship services! Would you be willing to serve as a liturgist and read either scripture or a call to worship provided for you? No age requirement – anyone willing to read is welcome! Please contact Rev. Laura if you would be interested and we will keep your name on a list. We will arrange mutually agreeable days for you to serve so that it works with everyone’s schedule. Please contact Laura by email ([email protected]) or phone (ext: 222).
www.opccdoc.org • @opccdoc (Twitter) • www.facebook.com/opccdoc
