Sowers’ Seeds

Dear Friends,

How is your Advent going? It seems the simplest of questions doesn’t it? Yet, the answer

that I gave was initially disconcerting. I said, “Well I think all the gifts I purchased will get

there on time. I am still working on the Christmas Eve Service, but I still am not quite sure

about December 27th. And, I don’t think I am going to get to drive home for Christmas and

that is a struggle for me.” My questioner said again, “How is your Advent going?” I realized

when the question was asked a second time that I hadn’t actually answered the question the

first time. I talked about all the things that I was doing, but I didn’t talk about Advent.

I took a breath and said, “Well it seems like an odd and random purchase, but I noticed

this year Nespresso was selling a Nespresso Advent Calendar. There are twenty-three days

of Nespresso pods, each being different, and on the twenty-fourth day I get a demitasse cup.

I am pairing my coffee with my readings from the Disciples of Christ Advent devotional. I

am seeking to savor both each day and it is really helping.” In other words, I am purposely

doing something different or alternative to my normal morning routine. Isn’t it interesting

that it has to be an act of will or conscious thought for a new pattern to develop? To be honest,

there have been years when Advent has passed by so quickly that I don’t really believe that I

engaged it as well I should. I sought to preach about it and to encourage the meditation of

others, but in my own life it slipped by too quickly. I have a million reasons why Advent

slipped by, but in my most humble moments I realize I am complicit in missing the wonder,

beauty, and enormity of Advent. What we learn is that things do not just happen unless we

make them a priority. One doesn’t eat right or exercise unless they determine that those are

certain goals which they will give a primacy. My piano lesson is not as well rehearsed unless

I sit down at the piano and make the effort.

How is your Advent going? Maybe if we dwell in Advent the impact of Christmas is even

more profound. That is, if I have given myself to waiting, hoping, and pondering what God

has done, is doing, and will do, I will be changed to a greater degree. I realize now that my

time of devotions are sometimes briefer and more sporadic than they should be. Yet, Advent

is the beginning of the church year, and the things we begin the year with can mark our whole

year and even the life we live. May this be the year we dwell in Advent, rejoice in the

Christmas moment, and commit ourselves to the ways of life and living that will enrich and

infuse our spirituality with new depths and new meanings. It will only happen if we make it

so. If not, life will pass quickly while we busy ourselves with other tasks.

All the Best and God’s Blessings, Pastor John

December 17, 2020

http://www.leavenworthchristian.com/

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Ongoing Cares & Concerns Steve Martin, Sandy & Alice Bushman, Marilyn Vance, Noah Kincaid, Helen Nowlan,

Kathy Ramirez, Rose Marie Theel, Ruby Corbet, Don Bohnsack, Winnie Henderson, Brian Onasch, Pearl Stonebraker, Danielle & Doug Euler, Ann Crum, Bill Cass, Jim Snell

Prayers for Sandy & Alice Bushman, Helen Nowlan, Bill Wilson, Larry Elliot, Winnie Henderson-healing and strengthening.

Shirley & Orville Unger, members of the First Christian Church in Rushville, IL. Both currently have Covid and in different nursing homes. Pastor John

Kathy Ramirez- She’s been sick this week. Testing for Covid.

Sandra Ramirez: Prayers, her surgery has been postponed because of the hospitals being so full.

Please pray for Missy Davis’ daughter-in-law, Meg, as she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Prayers for Dan Shea (Danielle Euler’s Father), who is Covid Positive.

Prayers for Felicia & Eli Bagley (& Liberty)- They have both tested positive for Covid.

Donna Powell- lost her younger brother last weekend.

Elections Aftermath

Laura, Jim Bliss’ step-daughter: diagnosed with Covid.

Residential Communities- dealing with Covid 19.

Prayers for School Systems & Colleges, Teachers, Support Staff & students, Those with Covid, First Responders, Those offering care & a Cure.

(please send in your praises and prayer concerns or call the office and leave a message)

Pray for our out-of-town Active Duty Personnel Melissa Van Valkenburgh, Hannah Bond, Rob Widmyer, Jim & Rachel Sullivan, Nelson Hanson,

Cameron Brown, Christin Collins, Nickalas Derringer, Rose Uy, Edison & Faviola Urquiza

Jeremy Bower, Tyler Kowalewski

Pray for Those Who Have Lost a Loved One

Katie Boyer ~ November 30th Jerry Moore ~ November 8th

Kathy Powell celebrated her Birthday December 13th!

What a joyous Christmas Party we had! It was such

a blessing to see all of you, even if It was just online.

If you were not able to make it, I hope you enjoyed

the goodie bags and crafts with family. Here is a

picture of what we made. There is so much to be

thankful for this year. Spending time with family,

the excitement of Christmas day, and all the

beautiful lights are some of my favorite things this

time of year. My Christmas wish is for all of you to

have a magical Christmas and that you can share that

magic with everyone you know.

Merry Christmas! Mrs. Danielle

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Children’s Moment

Samuel Euler sent a picture of

himself during sensory

activities for Pastor John’s

“Stump the Chump” segment,

Sunday.

Tennyson Center Report Thank you for your generosity!!! You gave $1,945.00 to

the Tennyson Center for Christmas gifts!!

Worship Schedule If you missed Sunday’s Service, watch it now

www.LeavenworthChristian.com click on “Sermons” on the upper Right of the Homepage

Here are 4 ways you can connect to Sunday Worship at 10:30am *In-Person here at the Church! *On your Computer - Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/6823543423?pwd=cWRSTVQ3TGhGK2JIQTR5N1JTdG9GZz09

Meeting ID: 682 354 3423 Password: 838807

You can also reach Zoom through a link on our Website: www.leavenworthchristian.com

*Home phone (no video) Dial any of the following numbers:

833 548 0282 US Toll-free 877 853 5257 US Toll-free 888 475 4499 US Toll-free 833 548 0276 US Toll-free

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Helen Nowlan would appreciate hearing from her church family, especially since she is in rehab. Her address follows:

Helen Nowlan Providence Place #310, 8909 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66112

Poinsettias

In Memory of From Jerry Moore Wyatt & Chelsea Moore

Fred Paradies & Bob Paradies Penny Paradies

Minnie Scott, Gladys Kenton Gary & Ruth Kenton Charles & Virgie Florence, Sue Pierce

Grandparents John Sowers In Honor of From

Evelyn Paradies Penny Paradies

Our Children & Grandchildren Gary & Ruth Kenton

(If you would like to give to the Christmas Offering in Memory or Honor of a loved one, we will post them in the December 30th newsletter)

http://www.leavenworthchristian.com/https://zoom.us/j/6823543423?pwd=cWRSTVQ3TGhGK2JIQTR5N1JTdG9GZz09http://www.leavenworthchristian.com/

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2021 Leadership Thank you for participating in the selection of our Leadership! We had more than

the quorum needed according to our Bylaws and it was nearly unanimous.

Welcome aboard all those who have agreed to serve!

Officers- Terms to begin January 2021

Moderator Vice Moderator Treasurer Board Secretary Lois Steineker John Groves Bob Euler Melissa Wilson

Four Members at Large Early Service: Molly Homan, Sandy Wilson Late Service: Barb Collins, Sandy Bushman

Trustees Term ending 2021: Sandy Bushman, Gary Kenton, Mary Sue Winneke Term ending 2022: Ken Harmon, Jon House, Melissa Wilson Term ending 2023: Don Homan, Molly Homan, Kathy Powell

Elders Term ending 2021: Barbara Collins, Danielle Euler, Fran Gast, Gary Phillips, Kathy Powell, Emily Shoemaker Term ending 2022: David Bryant, Bob Euler, Diane Euler, Chelsea Moore, Lois Steineker Term ending 2023: Marji Dickson, John Groves, Erin Sack, Richard Sack

Elder Emeritus: Jody Bryant

Diaconate Term ending 2021: Doug Euler, Linda Kesinger, Scarlet Ross, Bonnie Williams, Melissa Wilson Term ending 2022: Felicia Bagley, Joan Brown, Sandy Bushman, Evalyn Hubert, Fred Kesinger, Ida McKay, Jake McKay, Sally Nowlan, Penny Paradies, Janet Zirkle Term ending 2023: Jim Bliss, Missy Davis, Lonnie Dalrymple, Dea Nicodemus, Brian Onasch, Caitlin Onasch

Youth Diaconate Representative: Max Matousek

Ministry Chairs World Outreach: Erin Sack Christian Ed: Diane Euler Property: Richard Sack Evangelism: Fellowship: Laney Mellott Finance & Stewardship: Pat Barnhardt Chair of Worship Penny Paradies Vice Chair of Worship: Missy Davis

The 2021 Budget remains the same as the 2020 Budget.

Scholarship Applications Due by March 15, 2021

Be sure to get your paperwork started if you would like to apply for the FCC Scholarship. The application process takes some work, so give yourself plenty of time! Call the Church Office to get started.

Please remember your commitment to the Church by mail or through eGive:

www.leavenworthchristian.com

December 17th Anthony Cates Adella Williams

December 19th

Christin Collins Teresa Groves

December 20th

Pearl Stonebraker

December 24th Annette Darting

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Your Giving December 13th

General $2,805.00 Backpack Buddies 270.00 DWF 20.00 Christmas Offering 300.00 Pastor’s Fund 75.00

Total $3,470.00

Attendance December 13th

On-Line Worship 47 (Live Connections)

December 25th Taylor Torres

December 26th Susan Hoins

December 29th

Dale Nicodemus

December 30th Jenna Schmidling

Brian Onasch

http://www.leavenworthchristian.com/

First Christian Calendar December 16-30, 2020

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Thursdays Choir Practices cancelled till further notice Wednesday, December 16th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:30am aliVe Zoom 7:00pm Thursday, December 17th Foundation Mtg Zoom 10:00am Sunday, December 20th 4th Sunday of Advent Christmas Offering Worship Zoom 10:30am Seekers SS Class Zoom 3:00pm Monday, December 21st

No Newsletter this week Prayer Bkfst Pullman’s/Zoom 6:30am Tuesday, December 22nd Book Study Zoom 3:00pm Wednesday, December 23rd Prayer Group Kitterman 8:30am

Thursday, December 24th Office Closed Christmas Eve Worship Zoom 7:30pm Friday, December 25th Christmas Day Office Closed Sunday, December 27th Worship Zoom 10:30am Seekers SS Class Zoom 3:00pm Monday, December 28th

Prayer Bkfst Pullman’s/Zoom 6:30am Tuesday, December 29th Book Study Zoom 3:00pm Wednesday, December 30th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:30am

(Calendar subject to change)

Contact US Telephone Number: (913) 682-3222

Church Office Hours Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 4:00

Church Email: church@leavenworthchristian.com Website: www.leavenworthchristian.com

Pastor: pastorjohn@leavenworthchristian.com Reverend John Sowers: (309) 231-2665