youth@wppc Sunday, July 21 2013

Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church 7406 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo 64114

Phone: 816-361-2200

www.wppresbyterian.org

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Children and their leaders gathered at the Lochmann’s pool for swimming, dinner, and the story of

Zaccheus. Thanks to our youth leaders: Candis Lochmann, Sarah Guthrie and Sean Stoy.

Ward PressWard Press

Sunday Worship,

10:30am Christian Education,

9:30am

Office Hours M-Thurs 9am-1pm

Friday 8-12pm

816.361.2200

Email:

office@wppresbyterian.org

Church Staff Pastor, Connie Happell

Office Administrator, Tina Hill

Choir Director, Joseph Hill

Organist, Arthur Rinehart

Accountant, Ruth Meyers-Melching

Custodian, Scott Curry

Preschool Directors, 816.361.2201

Kathy Montgomery Kim Manford

Our Officers

Elders Worship: Steve Guthrie

Fellowship & Hospitality: Lynne Crossette

Mission and Stewardship:

Jim Durig

Outreach: Ashlea Wirken

Personnel & Administration:

Steve Nelson

At Large: Diana Justus

Operations: Bob Liepsner

Clerk of Session: Mardy Cottrell

Deacons Jim Kurtz, Bob Rohlfing,

Jane Coleman, Rosemary McDaneld

& Janet North Trustees

Marlene Durig, & James Lusk Mike Lochmann-Treasurer

Glorify God Grow Disciples Go Serve August 2013

Reflections from Pastor Connie

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Come near to God and he will come near to you.… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7 – 8, 10

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In my personal devotional time, I have been reflecting on the book of James. This letter is both poetic and proverbial. James has a lot to say about day-to-day life and he does not mince words. Today, in my devotional time, James barked a string of commands. He reminded me that at any given time there are two opposing agendas at work, whether we are aware of them or not: the agenda of God in the agenda of the devil. Of course, the devil is no match for God’s power, but the devil does have power. This is why Jesus was led to the wilderness after his baptism—to be tempted and tried as we are tempted and tried.

I have heard it said that to talk about devil is to give the devil power. However, it is been my observation that the opposite is true. To naïvely believe that there is no such thing as the devil, or that the devil is someone else’s prob-lem, is to ignore the teaching of Scripture and to leave oneself wide open for the devil’s ploys. Just as Jesus did, James tells us that evils of all kinds can be resisted, whether they come in the form of temptation, discouragement, doubt, pride or any number of forms. We resist by intentionally turning these things over to God, and staying close to God in scripture, prayer and Christian com-munity. No matter what the devil brings, it is no match for the God who loves us.

James’ word for me today was “Submit yourselves to God… Humble your-selves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time submitting myself to God. I would sometimes rather tell God the way things should work out, rather than cede control to God. I would some-times rather ask God to bless my plans than trust God to direct my plans.

There is much in my life that I need to submit to God. What in your life do you need to submit to God? How would you go about doing that? Remem-ber, God is always with you. God knows your challenges and your pain. God loves you and is always looking out for your good. Yours in Christ’s love, Connie

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with

confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in

our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.

Morning Devotional

Happy Birthday!

Linda Iler * August 8

Will Hembree * August 12

Bill Iler * August 15

Janet North* August 15

Richard Smith * August 17

Katie Crossette * August 18

Virginia Dodge * August 19

Carol Smith* August 20

Danny Edwards * August 20

Doris Boyd * August 22

Hans Guthrie * August 25

Lynne Crossette * August 27

Philip Johnson * August 29

Kansas City Urban Youth Center

Adult Christian Education

Prayers and Concerns

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with

love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

The Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study in Room 2 will be in recess July and

August. We will resume our studies in The Fall (September, 2013).

The Holy Grounds Gathering will continue through the summer.

A Summer Prayer

And so Lord, summer proceeds.

You have provided us with a magnificent world.

Forgive us when we fail to see beauty

and wonder all around us.

Forgive us when we don’t stop to ponder,

appreciate, and receive your gifts.

Thank you for majestic mountain peaks

that lift our eyes toward heaven.

Thank you for rushing waters that carry power.

Thank you for still waters that give rest.

Thank you for grasses that carpet the earth,

trees that offer shelter and shade,

and flowers that inspire smiles and awe.

Thank you for deserts that prompt seeking.

Thank you for life-giving elements,

which nourish and nurture.

Thank you for the uncontrollable forces

that force us to think, persist, and endure.

This is the growing season.

Lord God, we ask you to open our eyes

to summer’s blessings.

Show us how to use these days

to our benefit, and yours.

Be our oasis, our rock, our power, our rest.

Nourish us, refresh us, and prepare us

for all that is to come.

Grow us into grace.

Amen

Victoria Ferris

Kansas City Urban Youth Center Back to School Night

Thursday, August 8, 2013. We are in need of donations for this event, such as cookies, chips, drinks

backpacks, school supplies. Cash donations are appreciated to help this

fund this event. Questions? Call Catie Ebert 816-419-0267 or

email- catie@chartwellkc.com

A Letter From Heartland Center

Preschool News

June Session Meeting Members of the Session will be reading Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. Elder Cottrell shared information from the June 22nd Presbytery meeting, including the process for selecting commissioners for the 2014 General As-sembly (June 14-21 in Detroit, Michigan). Anyone wanting to learn more about serving as a delegate to the General Assembly can ask for information from Pastor Connie, Mardy, or Heartland Presby-tery. Kat and Ben Hill and Jace Smith attended Camp Heartland in June; Emme and Quinn Stoy and Emma Peck will attend in July. The Acts 16:5 team is considering a plan to reach out to the KC area in two ways –community forums held at WPPC focused on issues of interest in the commu-nity and a possible partnership with Acadamie Lafa-yette that would enable our members to contribute to the good of our community in partnership with the school. A new member class is being scheduled. Connie will be out of the office August 12-18th. Teaching Elder Clay Cook will lead worship on the 18th. Elder Crossette reported on Vacation Bible School June 18-20. It was attended by 22 children and staffed by 23 volunteers. The session expressed thanks to Lynne and to all volunteers. Elder Liepsner reported that the installation of the air conditioning in the education wing has begun. A sink hole under the sidewalk on the north end of the property is being repaired. Elder Guthrie reported on steps being taken by the Worship Council to encourage people to be in the sanctuary by the time worship begins. Ushers and greeters will encourage wor-shipers to be seated in the sanctuary in order to have a time of preparation for worship and one usher or greeter will stay in the narthex to wel-come latecomers. There will be a hotdog feast and potluck lunch after Youth Sunday Service on July 9th.

Dear Friends at Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church,

Thank you for your very generous contribution of $885 to Heartland Center designated to our Camper Scholarship Fund given through the 2013 Camps for Kids Campaign. The Camps for Kids organization has matched your gift dol-lar-for-dollar. Thank you for helping Heartland Center to re-ceive a total of $1,770! Not one child is turned away from attending summer camp for financial reasons because of your generous giving! We appreciate your continued support of this ministry. Your gift is doing good work in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Dan Scheneman

Executive Director

We are getting ready to welcome 90 children and their families to the 48th year of Ward Parkway

Preschool on September 3rd and 4th. Our teachers are busy making lesson plans and cleaning the toys

and equipment in their classes. We're looking forward to hearing the happy sounds of

children again!

“Parent Coffees" have been planned for September , 17th & 18th to greet our preschool mothers on behalf of our church and preschool

board. The coffees will be hosted by Pastor Connie, Susan Stewart, and preschool board members. What a wonderful way to help our families feel

loved and welcomed!

On September 19th, we are hosting our 3rd annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. Preschool

families can tour their child's classroom and then enjoy dinner together. We welcome all church

members to join us for dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Please come and join in the fun!

We pray for God's blessing as we begin a new school year with these precious young children.

Kathy and Kim