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Sacred Conversation

6/26/2015

 
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Whew.... can we take a breath?  It feels like so much has happened in so little time, that its hard to catch a breath.  Seriously, close your eyes from this computer screen for one quick minute, take a DEEP breath, breathing in Jesus and breathing out peace.  Repeat as necessary until you can feel the breath of the Divine within you - that very breath that swept over Creation moving inside you.  

Now join me back in this conversation.  


Last week I preached on the epistle, the letter, known as Third John (3 John) and the ways that sacred, vulnerable conversation happened in those letters.  Letters were written to and from faith communities and their members, to discuss sacred matters that affected the Body of Christ.  These last few weeks in our society, and within our faith community are no different.  There have been and will continue to be, places for sacred and vulnerable conversation, that will make us stronger as a faith community when we continue to engage one another.

To be frank, we have had a lot of controversial topics that have changed the shape of our society, and then on top of that we have lost 7 members of our family in faith as they entered into eternal life with God.  That is heavy - and that is why we draw together now.


As Bo continues on sabbatical and studies interfaith relationships, we've had sacred conversations by inviting Jews and Muslims into our church and talking about the ways we all find hope and strength in the One True God of all three of these Abrahamic faiths; we've discussed the ways that we are partners, siblings if you will, with our ancestors Abraham and Sarah who taught us about the One True God.

  
We've wrestled with how to respond to shootings in a historically African-American Church in Charleston, SC, both individually and as a community of faith.  We've recognized the many different parts of our country that are broken, that have contributed to this atrocious act; we've recognized that there are many voices in this conversation; we have seen the forgiveness that has come forth as we have been called to forgive even the most heinous acts; we have pointed out the way that even our church, our sanctuary, is not immune to systematic racism as we often worship during one of the most segregated hours of the week.  However we've also seen that there is always hope and grace in bringing together all of God's children regardless of ________.

Now today, June 26, 2015, we've seen an unprecedented act by the Supreme Court of the United States of America, granting the rights of civil marriage, held by some for many years, to ALL who seek that bond we call marriage.  As has been stated in the ruling, this does not force our church to change the way that it approaches Christian marriage, but we know that it invites into a new conversation.  Some are celebrating, some are waving rainbow flags, some wonder how we move forward as we continue to discern what it means to offer Christ's invitation to the table rather than just our own.
  
Even singularly, these are difficult conversations to have in the midst of differing backgrounds, and various opinions.  Conversations can be heated, you may not agree with one another, and you may not agree with the pastor; You may agree with many, and with one of the pastors, but not all of us.   However, no matter what, we are in SACRED conversation when we have them in the Spirit of Christ that invites us to the table.  


All of these situations together, it is even more difficult, but not impossible.  As we watch the news, Fox and CNN, MSNBC and CNBC - national and local - and everything in between, we see that there are many things which seek to divide us, that keep us from sitting at the table together.  However, "we are The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world," and we find strength in bringing together those fragmented parts of our lives, because we are more complete, we find wholeness, when we see ourselves in one another.  

We know that God desires wholeness, and fullness, and that there is nothing that can keep the brokenness of the cross from the wholeness of that third day.  We know that fragmentation is not what God desires, and so we seek wholeness together.  We find courage and strength to seek wholeness in this horribly fragmented world, by COMING TO THE TABLE.  We move forward, together, and we seek wholeness, together.  We face the fragmentation of this world, together, when we keep COMING TO THE TABLE.  We come to the table where we can engage not only in this sacred conversation, this holy discussion, but also in a meal so full of grace, that it does not run empty.

Come to the table.  Come to the table, with an open heart, and an open mind.  Come to the table ready to be transformed by the God of grace and justice that offers love and compassion through a life given for us.  Come to the table, ready to listen and engage in this sacred conversation, this holy, vulnerable discussion.  Come to the table, because we can only find wholeness at this table, when we are all here.  Breathe in Jesus, breathe out peace.  Breathe in that very breath of the Divine that created us - and come to this sacred table to find wholeness the comes  brokenness. 

Pilgrimage To Israel - Itinerary

1/11/2015

 
We are so excited to share our journey with you!  We hope that you will join us in prayer as we make this journey, and we will also hold you in prayer at some of these most sacred sites of our timeless faith community.

We will post updates as much as we can - but in the meantime, you can check out our itinerary below.

o   January 13, 2015 - 
Depart the USA on an international flight to Amman, Jordan

o   January 14, 2015 - Arrive in Amman, Jordan and transfer to the hotel

o   January 15, 2015 - Petra

§  We will travel south from Amman for a visit to the famous Rock City of Petra. Just getting to Petra is an adventure. We’ll ride a horse or carriage to the Siq, the long, narrow entrance into Petra. Once there, we can marvel at the rose colored rock and extensive carving. A whole city was literally cut into the cliff sides. 

o   January 16, 2015 - Mt. Nebo, Madaba, cross border to Israel, Jericho, and Qumran

§  We will visit Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34) before he died. On a clear day we may have an inspiring, breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Continue to Madaba, "the city of Mosaics," where we will visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George that features a vivid sixth-century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites. We will then travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of the Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Jericho, we will visit the ruins of the ancient city which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6:20). From Jericho, we will see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11).  We will then make our way to Jerusalem for the night.

o   January 17, 2015 - Ein Karem, Bethlehem, Shepherds’ Fields, Church of the Nativity, Herodion (Jerusalem)

§  In Bethlehem, we’ll visit the cave revered as the place Jesus was born (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby we will view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. We will visit the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done (Matt. 26:30).

o   January 18, 2015 - (Jerusalem) Old City, Cardo, Southern Wall Excavations, Teaching Steps, Western Wall, Pool of Bethesda, Church of St. Anne, Antonia Fortress, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

§  On this day we will enter the Old City and visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. We can walk the
 Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored, view the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. We will visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1 - 11), walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

o   January 19, 2015 - (Jerusalem) Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Mt. Zion, Upper Room, House of Caiaphas, Garden Tomb.

§  We will have the opportunity to stand in "an" Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26). Mount Zion is also where we’ll see King David’s Tomb. We will visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57) where Jesus was imprisoned for a night and worship at the Garden Tomb (Matt. 27:33).  We will also have the opportunity to see the sound and light show at the Tower of David!

o   January 20, 2015 - Caesarea, Megiddo, Nazareth, Cana and Tiberias

§  On this day we will visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for trial. We will travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other and then travel to Nazareth, his boyhood home (Luke 26-56). We will then recall Jesus’ first miracle as you ride through Cana (John 2:1- 11) and overnight in Tiberias.

o   January 21, 2015 - Sea of Galilee Boat Ride, Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes, and Tabgha

§  With Bible in hand, we will cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, we will enjoy a special on board worship service. We’ll arrive in Capernaum, where Jesus chose to center his ministry and visit the synagogue site where Jesus most certainly taught and worshiped (Matt. 4:13; Mark 3:1, 8:5 and 14). We will travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7) and at Tabgha, we'll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17).

o   January 22, 2015 - Transfer to airport for return flight to USA

Costa Rica Mission Trip Prayers

6/6/2014

 
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June 8 - June 15, 2014 our Costa Rican Mission Team from OPCC will be working, fellowshiping (is that a word?) and worshiping with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Alajuela, Costa Rica!  On June 1, in our regular worship service, we commissioned our mission team and sent them on the way with prayers from our faith community.  It appears as if the mission team will be installing a roof, and doing some painting, but more than anything, we are there to nurture the relationships that we have built with our sister church in Costa Rica.  We will do our best to keep you updated by way of the website, through this blog, and of course through Facebook.  We invite you to pray for our entire mission team (listed below), and join us in this prayer for the time while we are away!

Holy and Loving God, we know that Christ has no body but ours, no hands, no feet on earth but ours.  Ours are the eyes with which Christ looks compassion onto this world, ours are the feet with which he walks to do good, ours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.  Ours are the hands, ours are the feet, ours are the eyes, we are his body.  Help us to use our bodies, our minds, and our hearts to be the body of Christ in this world.  Helps us to be carriers of your light to all those we meet.  We pray for your Spirit as this mission team partners with our brothers and sisters in your one family.  We pray for open hearts, and arms, as we embrace the new and unique ways in which they continue to celebrate and share your love with the world.  Grant us the compassion to live one day at a time, as your body here on earth.  Amen.

2014 Costa Rica Mission Trip Participants
Iglesia de Discipluos en Alajuela, Costa Rica

Alli Blackwood
Terri Bookless
Brittany Maxon
Harrison May
Jackie Miller
Kylie Norton
Laura Phillips
Randy Phillips
Layne Reiter
Ann Sandler
Pamela Sandler
Cameron Setty
Kent Setty
Lisa Setty

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When viewing our calendar:

OPCC = Overland Park Christian 
RAV = Rios de Agua Viva Iglesia

CMS = Case Management Services
​HBCS
 = Honeybee Community Services
Monarch = Monarch Montessori Preschool
Most other names of groups are 12-step support groups.
Church Office Hours: 
Monday - Thursday: 9:30am - 4:00pm
Friday: 9:30am - 3:00pm


©2013-2025 Overland Park Christian Church
​7600 West 75th Street
Overland Park, KS  66204
(913) 677-4646
[email protected]
Sanctuary Worship Schedule:
10:30am Sundays In-Person
and Online Live-Stream Worship
Broader Way Worship Schedule:
4:30pm Sundays In-Person
​in the Fireside Room