Overland Park Christian Church
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... we WELCOME ALL...

2/25/2019

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The third week of our Disciples Identity Focus spends time with the word WELCOME.

Think about some of these first questions, then watch the video, and consider some of the questions that follow.  Add your responses to the comments and join in our conversation!

We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.  As part of the one body of Christ, we WELCOME all to the Lord's Table as God has welcomed us.
  • Recall a time when you felt welcome. How did it feel? Recall a time when you felt unwelcome. How did it feel?
  • I feel welcome because…
  • A time that I did not feel welcome was…
  • I feel most “at home” around people who are…
  • When you hear the words below, which of the resonate with you regarding Welcome? Why?
    • Acceptance
    • Unconditional
    • Fellowship
    • Belonging
    • Mutuality
  • We greet everyone as they come into the church doors, but how do we understand the ways our church “welcomes” people?
  • Paul Tche hopes authentic welcome is a community that transforms lives. In what ways does the church embody this hope? How is the church transforming lives?
  • Susan Shank Mix gave us a list of the many things a church welcomes – fun, fellowship, laughter, shared sorrows, fascination & frustration. How do you see the church welcoming this list? What would you add to this list?
  • True welcome “makes me feel at ease and understood.” Chimiste Doriscar names what we all hope for. How does the church live this out and what can we do to ensure everyone feels welcome and understood?
  • Is there anyone you believe would feel unwelcomed at our church? Why?
  • Has being welcomed into the body of Christ been a transforming experience for you?
    • What were you before?
    • What are you becoming?
  • As you are welcomed, do you feel compelled to welcome others?
  • How have you reached out to welcome someone else to the body of Christ?
    • How did reaching out impact you?
    • What was their response?
  • Have you felt that the door is open for you to bring your gifts and talents to this congregation/faith community?
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A Movement for WHOLENESS

2/18/2019

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The second week of our Disciples Identity Focus spends time with the word WHOLENESS.

Think about some of these first questions, then watch the video, and consider some of the questions that follow.  Add your responses to the comments and join in our conversation!

We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for WHOLENESS in a fragmented world.  As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord's Table as God has welcomed us.
  • What examples of fragmentation in our world can you think of?
  • In what areas of my life am I broken?
  • To move toward healing I can…
  • When I am whole my life will look like…
  • The video begins with “What does Wholeness mean to you?” Take a moment and share with the others here on the blog how you understand “wholeness.”
  • “Wholeness is … celebrating the dignity and diversity of difference – not tolerating, but embracing difference.” These are the hopeful words of Alvin Jackson, highlighting the beauty and challenge to wholeness. Where do you see moments of dignity and diversity within our congregation?
  • What are the challenges to wholeness you see within our church?
  • While we live to become whole people, a whole church, Michael Karunas reminds us that wholeness is a process. How is God calling you and your church into greater wholeness?
  • Molly Goodrich shared many images and stories of wholeness. What’s your wholeness story?​
  • What would your life look like if you were living God’s ideal for you? Is that wholeness?
  • “Movement for Wholeness” – Why do we need to move toward wholeness?
  • In what ways are we fragmented?
  • Is it possible to see people that are different form us as equal in God’s eyes?
  • Why do you think we as humans focus on difference rather than similarities?
  • How did Jesus focus on what we have in common?
  • What pieces are missing from your “puzzle” that are needed to make you whole?
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A Movement...

2/11/2019

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Our first week of our Disciples Identity Focus spends time with the word MOVEMENT.

Think about some of these first questions, then watch the video, and consider some of the questions that follow.  Add your responses to the comments and join in our conversation!

We are Disciples of Christ, a MOVEMENT for wholeness in a fragmented world.  As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord's Table as God has welcomed us.
  • When you think of movement what comes to mind?
  • In what areas of life do you feel stuck? In what areas is the church stuck?
  • In order to be part of a movement, I must... 
  • In order to be part of a movement, the church must...
  • Which description of “movement” rang true for you? What words were the most surprising?
  • As Disciples of Christ, we strive to follow Christ. Cathy Hubbard understood the life of the disciples as a journey of change. What changes have occurred because of the church? What changes is God calling this movement to create?
  • Michael Swartzentruber states a movement as being risky, bold, and creative. How does our church live out this understanding? Where are places where we could live this out more fully?
  • “Syncopated with heaven!” Christal Williams offers us a vivid metaphor of “movement.” Where is our church in sync as we move together? Where might we need to find more syncopation together?
  • Do you feel that Jesus and his disciples were a movement? Why or why not?
    • If yes, if you were alive during that time would it have been a movement that you would have joined? Why or why not?
    • If no, do you think Jesus intended to start a church or did he want to reform humankind? Why?
  • What societal justice issue “gets your blood pumping?” Are you working in this area? Where?
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A Movement for Wholeness, a Welcome Table...

2/7/2019

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Often we in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tend to describe ourselves in the negative, by what we are not: we’re not hierarchical, like the Catholics; though we honor all previous baptisms, we don’t baptize infants, like the Methodists; we don’t require acceptance of any formal creed for membership in the church, like the Presbyterians. We are sure of what we aren’t – but do we know what and who we are? 
 
A church’s identity must be firmly rooted in scripture and yet flexible enough to adapt to changes in culture and the shifting demands of mission. Early Christians in Jerusalem had to learn what it meant to be faithful in Antioch and Rome. The forebears of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as they moved from the frontier to the city, had to rethink such matters as congregational autonomy and the goal of “restoring” the New Testament church. Today, we wrestle with what it means to be disciples of our Lord in a world that is increasingly pluralistic, globally connected, and yet so often violently divided. 
 
And so, we live by our succinct statement of identity: 
We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.
 
Throughout the next four weeks, we will focus on who we are as Disciples of Christ and how to convey that to those inside and outside our church.  Through experience in worship, Christian Education, and additional studies we will reconnect with who we are as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
 
In Worship
  • 2/10 – Movement (Rev. Setty preaching)
    • Isaiah 43:14-21 and Matthew 28:16-20
  • 2/17 – Wholeness (Marcus Winn preaching)
    • Luke 6:17-26 and John 17:20-23
  • 2/24 – Welcome (Rev. Phillips preaching)
    • Genesis 18:1-8
  • 3/3 – Table (Rev. Phillips preaching)
    • 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
 
Opportunities for Study
  • Evening Study Opportunity: Over the next four Mondays (2/11, 2/18, 2/25 and 3/4) Revs. Setty and Phillips will lead a group video study in the evenings 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room on who we are as Disciples of Christ. If you are unable to come on Sunday mornings, we especially hope this provides you an opportunity to attend and connect with this community!
  • Christian Education:The Middler’s Christian Education class, led by Peggy Moore at 9:00am each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall will follow the same schedule of study as worship, (2/10 – Movement, 2/17 – Wholeness, etc.)  Whether you have been a long-time member of The Middler’s Class or never attended, this would be a great opportunity to learn more about OPCC – all are invited!
  • Children’s Christian Education:The children’s Christian Education hour, led by Rev. Setty, will also follow this same schedule of study, but with activities and discussions that are age appropriate.  Even if your child has never attended this 9:00am Christian Education hour – we’d love to see you here!
  • Youth:Our Youth and Junior Youth groups meet on the 1stand 3rdWednesdays of the month. They will spend time on Movement and Wholeness on the 1stWednesday and Welcome and table on the 3rdWednesday.  Contact Rev. Setty for more information.
  • Online: On Monday evenings following the study, right here on this blog we will post the video watched along with some questions for discussion.  We do hope you are able to participate on Sunday mornings, or on Monday evenings, but this also provides us a great opportunity for connection, especially if your schedule does not!

If you want to get a head start, check out this overview video of who we are as Disciples, and our statement of identity under girded by twelve distinct principles of what it means to be Disciples of Christ (below).
Statement Of Identity
We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.
​

Principles Of Identity
  1. We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world, requiring nothing more – and nothing less – as a basis of our life together.
  2. We hold the centrality of scripture, recognizing that each person has the freedom – and the responsibility – to study God’s Word within the community of the church.
  3. We practice the baptism of believers, which emphasizes that God’s grace demands a response of faith and discipleship, while also recognizing the baptism performed in other churches.
  4. We gather for the Lord’s Supper, as often as possible, experiencing at this table the gracious, forgiving presence of Jesus Christ.
  5. We structure our community around the biblical idea of covenant, emphasizing not obedience to human authority but accountability to one another because of our shared obedience to Christ.
  6. We participate in God’s mission for the world, working with partners to heal the brokenness of creation and bring justice and peace to the whole human family.
  7. We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of all Christians, proclaiming that in our diversity we belong to one another because we commonly belong to Christ.
  8. We witness to the Gospel of God’s saving love for the world in Jesus Christ, while continuing to struggle with how God’s love may be known to others in different ways.
  9. We affirm the priesthood of all believers, rejoicing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit – which include the gift of leadership – that God has given for the common good.
  10. We celebrate the diversity of our common life, affirming our different histories, styles of worship, and forms of service.
  11. We give thanks that each congregation, where Christ is present through faith, is truly the church, affirming as well that God’s church and God’s mission stretch from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.
  12. We anticipate God’s coming reign, seeking to serve the God – Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer – whose loving dominion has no end.
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    DOC Identity

    February 10 - March 4 OPCC will focus on who we are as Disciples of Christ.  These weeks of worship, Christian Education and Bible Study will dig deeper into our Disciples Identity Statement, "We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us." 
    Join Us! Worship on Sundays, Christian Education on Sundays, Youth & Junior Youth on Wednesdays, and a Group Study on Mondays nights at 6:00pm - all beginning February 10!

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When viewing our calendar:

OPCC
= Overland Park Christian 
RAV = Rios de Agua Viva Iglesia
IHN - Interfaith Homeless Network

CMS = Case Management Services
AIM = Advocacy in Motion
​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


©2013-2022 Overland Park Christian Church
​7600 West 75th Street
Overland Park, KS  66204
(913) 677-4646
office@opccdoc.org
Worship Schedule:
10:30am Sundays In-Person
and Online Live-Stream Worship
913-299-9002 Sunday Worship by Phone