The OPCC Scene · 1

Volume 13, Issue 6 June-July 2017

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

Sunday Services Coffee and Fellowship in the Fireside Room — 8:45 a.m.

Communion and Meditation in the Prayer Chapel — 9:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary — 10:30 a.m.

Nursery care available between 8:45 a.m. and noon

Drinking Deeply from the Psalms Embracing our whole selves, and our entire story through the songs to God

I don’t know about you, but given the state of our country and our world, I’m often at a loss for words on how to pray. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of moments in which I give intense thanks and offer great praise to God for the beauty of life. However, there are also moments when violence, human suffering, discourse, and darkness seem to happen over and over again in our country and our world, and I’m lost for how to speak to God. There are times when, like Job, I want to question, “why?” or when, like the exiles, I want to lament the place of the world; yet sometimes this feels wrong, like I shouldn’t have those questions or feelings to or about the Almighty. This is where the Psalms come in.

Denise Hopkins, author of Journey through the Psalms, asserts that “one of the main reasons for the powerful hold that psalms have on us is that they offer us…‘a school of prayer,’ not simply in the sense of a collection of prayers, but rather as lessons in how to pray.” The psalms are powerful teachers reminding us that God can and will embrace every emotion we offer in prayer. “Psalms allow us to be

Join us for these 8 weeks this summer as we embrace the wholeness of the Psalms, and this ancient teaching in how to pray. We will spend June 11 – July 30 on a different Psalm each week in addition to other special guests and events. On June 18 we will celebrate with the children as they teach us what they learned in VBS; on June 25 we will welcome the Kansas City Symphony Men’s Chorus; and on July 16 we will welcome the Tim Whitmer Quartet. Of course we have a lot to celebrate on July 30 and hope you will join us for EACH of these Sundays as we learn more about the Psalms!

Join in General Assembly from Afar!

July 8-12 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Rev. Laura will join with thousands of Disciples from across the US and Canada to worship, work, and vision together! Even if you will be unable to join in the experience in Indiana, you can still participate in the worshipful work that will take place. You can check out some of the important conversations that will take place by visiting http://ga.disciples.org/business/ You can

also share in many of the worship experiences by watching them live-stream on your computer! There will be worship experiences Saturday through Wednesday evenings, all live-streamed from the General Assembly website! (http://ga.disciples.org) Saturday and Sunday worship begins at 7pm EST; Monday-Wednesday worship begins at 7:30pm EST.

You can find these live stream worship service links, and other important General Assembly updates by visiting our OPCC Facebook page, or our Twitter account @OPCCDOC. Our website will also be updated, but the Facebook and Twitter accounts allow for quicker updating.

We hope to see you “there”!

2 · The OPCC Scene

Music Notes

Summer is here! Many thanks to those who have volunteered to provide special music for our worship while our Chalice Chancel

Choir and Reverberations Bell Choir ensembles take a much-needed break.

We are in for a treat with a wide variety of things planned for the summer months!

Our fine set of Malmark handbells are over-due for maintenance and refurbishment.

There are over 20 individual moving parts inside each bell and these parts wear out a tiny bit each time the bells are played. The manufacturer recommends service

every 2-3 years and it has been more than 6 years since any service work was done

on these instruments. The cost is about $50 per bell, which includes shipping them to

and from the factory in Plumsteadville, PA. The entire process takes over a month and

we would very much like to get this work completed over the summer. If you would be interested in sponsoring a bell (or two!)

please make checks payable to OPCC and put “handbells” in the memo line. The Reverberations Bell Choir would

greatly appreciate your support to continue making beautiful music for our worship.

Upcoming Worship Notes: • June 25 – KC Symphony Men

Choral Ensemble • July 16 – Tim Whitmer & band in worship • July 30 – Celebratory worship for

Bo’s final Sunday

Upcoming Community Events: • Kansas City Symphony Classical Series

Season Finale!: Rachmaninoff’s Second and Barber’s Violin Concerto. June 16-18 @ Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Would you be interested in joining Chancel Choir, Reverberations Bell Choir, singing a solo or playing an instrument? Do you have feedback or suggestions for our music programming? Please leave a message with the church office or send email to chris@opccdoc.org.

Soli Deo Gloria, Christopher Elliott Director of Music

You’re Invited to a

Down Home Celebration of the ministry of the Crowe family

— Bo, Christina, and Jamie — over the past 11 years at OPCC!

What can you do? Join us in a celebratory Worship Gathering at

10:30 a.m. on July 30. Join us for a Southern home-cooking Luncheon

in the Fellowship Hall after Worship on July 30. Deadline for luncheon reservations is July 15.

Sign up with Eileen in the church reception office by emailing office@opccdoc.org or calling 913-677-4646;

or sign up on the narthex counter.

Meat will be provided. Last names A - M bring a Southern side dish or salad. Last names N - Z bring a dessert pie or cobbler,

or other Southern delicacy.

Program after the luncheon will feature an original musical composition by Steve Glasscock

and entertaining comments by Emerson Hartzler.

Contribute to a scrapbook of photos, cards, memorabilia. Place photos and cards in basket at the reception desk or email to Michelle at michelle@opccdoc.org by July 15.

Contribute to a love offering for the Crowe family. Give checks, cash, family treasures to Michelle by July 15.

Questions? Contact Peggy or Wayne Moore at 913-856-3833

or Judy or Roy Nickum at 913-648-7635

Join us on Sunday Mornings for Meditation and Communion

All are welcome to join us each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the prayer chapel for an intimate gathering of meditation

and worship through community, scripture, music, prayer, conversation with one another, communion, and more prayer! We trust that God has good things in store

for us as a church as we do all in our power to invite others into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ!

The OPCC Scene · 3

God in Nature Hike

Saturday, June 17 Powell Gardens

We will meet at OPCC (parking lot across the street) @ 9:00 a.m. and carpool to Powell Gardens, as this is about a 45-minute drive.

We will explore the many gardens and “Gardens of Myth” Exhibit (fairies and dragons

and even more fantastic beasts) and then meet up for lunch at the Café Thyme.

Dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, hat,

sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.

Admission fees: Adults … $10

Seniors (60+) … $9 Youth 5-12 … $4

Children 4 and Under … Free Parking … Free

Contact Kathy Lewis or sign up at the narthex counter

Solo Sidekicks Singles

will have a Salad Bar in the Fireside Room on Sunday, June 25, 1-3 p.m.

Lettuce base provided — Bring fruit or vegetables (i.e. chopped onions,

peppers, blueberries, strawberries, etc.), meats (chicken, steak, bacon, etc.),

toppings (cheese, croutons, corn chips, etc.), or desserts.

Please sign up at the Narthex counter if you plan to come. Contact Arlene Wiler for more info.

Care and Share

will go to lunch next on Wednesday, June 28, at The Cheesecake Factory, 6675 West 119th.

Meet at the church at 11:00 to carpool or at the restaurant at 11:30. RSVP to Peggy Moore, 913-856-3833 or wpmoore@wildblue.net.

Men’s Fellowship Group

The Men’s Fellowship Group meets on the first Saturday of each month from 9–11 am in the

Fireside Room for coffee, study, and fellowship. All men are invited to join us.

The current study is “Love Does” by Bob Goff.

For more information, contact Wayne Moore, 913-856-3833 or Emerson Hartzler, 913-422-1378.

Graduates 2017

After 8 years in the Marine Corps, Stephen James Green will graduate this summer from Arizona State University with honors from the School of Business in Global Logistics Management. Proud mother is Marijane Green.

Thank

You

VBS

Volunteers

Our volunteers are tremendous and helped make VBS a fun and successful event this week.

Thank you for serving in this ministry and giving your time and talents for the

children in our community! And thank you to all who donated snack items.

They were enjoyed by some hungry kiddos!

Please pray for our youth and sponsors as they travel to the Baton Rouge area for this summer’s

mission trip. Our group of 13 youth and 2 sponsors will join approximately 300 other

Disciples of Christ youth serving the community in southern Louisiana. The group will depart after

worship on June 25 and will return July 1.

As part of our Outreach-Mission efforts at Overland Park Christian Church, we are a partner

organization with Metropolitan Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2).

However, we are more than just a pastor-led partner, and invite you to join in our efforts. Please join in one of the following events to

find out how you can be involved:

• July 16 Issues Training – Details TBD, mark your calendar!

www.more2.org

4 · The OPCC Scene

Stewardship Green Moment by Jody Cash

Green Moment for June — Helpful tips for saving energy and money

Water Heaters:

1. Do not take long, hot showers. The longer the shower, the more energy needed to heat the water. Also, if you take long showers, you are running up your water bill unnecessarily.

2. Do not leave the hot water running when you wash dishes. 3. Do not wash your clothes in hot water. Use cold water instead. Wash a full load as much as

possible. The cost of heating water runs up your utility bill. 4. Install low-flow shower heads and low-flow faucets. Low-flow fixtures cost about $10 - $20 each

and achieve a water savings of 25-65% a year. 5. Purchase Energy Star appliances – such as washing machines and dishwashers. 6. When you replace your water heater, buy a more energy efficient model. 7. Set the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 8. Fix leaks. A leak of one drip per second can cost $1.00 a month. This may not sound like much,

but it adds up over time. 9. Follow the recommendations by the manufacturer for ways to insulate the water heater tank.

By not conserving on water heating, the average household spends $400 - $600 a year on water, which can be 14-18% of all homeowner’s utility bills. General tips for water conservation:

1. Use rain barrels to catch rain and use the rain water for your garden and lawn. 2. In the house, ¾ of all water usage occurs in the bathroom. The toilet accounts for 28% of the

household’s water usage. Put plastic water bottles or float booster in the toilet tank, away from operating mechanisms, to save water. You can buy low-flush toilets.

3. Do not leave the sprinkler on for hours at a time. By leaving it on just 2 hours, it can use up to 500 gallons of water.

4. When washing a car, turn off the hose between rinses. This can save up to 150 gallons of water. 5. Check for leaks at spigots and hose nozzle. 6. Do not leave the water running while you brush your teeth. 7. Insulate your water pipes with pre-split foam insulation. This will help your water warm up faster. 8. Take shorter showers and turn off the water after getting wet. Soap up and then turn the water

back on to rinse off.

Have a good summer!

The family of Billie Marie Warden

Invites you to a Come and Go Reception

In celebration of her 90th Birthday

On Sunday, July 2, 2017 From 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Heritage Activity Room Lakeview Retirement Village 9100 Park Street, Lenexa, KS

Your presence is the only gift desired!

The family of

Tom and Karen Frommer

invites you to the

50th Anniversary Celebration

of Karen and Tom

Saturday, June 17th

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Olathe Community Center

1205 East Kansas City Road

Olathe, Kansas 66061

No gifts please

The OPCC Scene · 5

OPCC Board Meeting Minutes May 18, 2017 6:30 P.M.

Attendees: Roy Nickum, Jane Fletcher, Sue Elliott, Kathy Lewis, Barb Collins – 2017 board nominee, Laura Phillips – by electronic communication

Opening prayer and spiritual formation led by Jane Fletcher

Financial Reports:

• Current financial reports were reviewed.

Congregational Meeting Review:

• A congregational meeting will be held on May 21st after the regular service. We will use this time to remind our people of the World Café to be held on June 4th, vote on nominations for congregational leadership, and to formally thank Laura and Lisa for their diligence, care, and commitment to our congregation.

Right Sizing:

• Laura reported that she has been in contact with our realtor. We have had a lot of interest in our leasable space including a couple of smaller churches.

Search Committee update:

• As per our constitution, any time we have a change in senior pastor our board must appoint a 6-member search committee. Jane has been working on forming this committee. She has four members secured. Roy Nickum will serve as our board liaison for this committee.

Employee Manual:

• Our personnel committee has completed the daunting task of updating our current employee manual. The board will spend future meeting time reviewing and approving the updates.

World Café:

• Our Regional Minister, Bill Rose-Heim, will lead worship on June 4th. We will have a potluck luncheon following the service. After lunch, Dr. Rose-Heim will lead us in a structured World Café model to give the opportunity for all congregants to have a voice in the future direction and leadership of our church.

Ministry Blueprint Study group:

• We are currently forming a study group with board and commission representation that will focus on reviewing our mission and purpose as a church. We will share our outcomes with the search committee as an informational tool for their work.

Board Officers:

• Roy Nickum will lead our board as chair for the upcoming year. The rest of the officers will be elected at our next meeting after our new board members have been approved by the congregational vote.

Pastoral Report: Laura

• Worship thru Service Sunday went well. We had about 75 participants.

• Laura attended a Preaching Stewardship Webinar on May 1st, hosted by the Center for Faith and Giving.

• Pentecost is coming! June 4th, guest preacher Bill Rose-Heim.

• Music Sunday – also June 4th. Extended musical offerings by chancel choir and Reverberations bell choir. We will celebrate our musicians with cake during the potluck that day.

• The staff is pulling together to lead our congregation during Bo’s absence. Continued prayers for Bo’s speedy recovery and for Chris and Jamie as they walk this path.

• Laura has spent this week at a preaching conference called the Festival of Homiletics.

• Laura gave a report and update on congregational care.

A special thank you was given to outgoing board chair, Jane Fletcher, for her service, dedication, and commitment to our board and congregation.

Closing prayer led by Sue Elliott

Next Board meeting: June 15, 2017 @ 6:30 PM

Respectfully submitted – Sue Elliott

6 · The OPCC Scene

OPCC Balance Sheet for May 2017

Current Month Previous Month Difference

Cash in Bank $16,510 $5,848 $10,662 Marketable Securities $589,864 $604,540 $-14,676 Trust Loan to Church $27,644 $29,774 $-2,130 Other Assets $729 $79 $650 Total Assets $634,747 $640,241 $-5,494

Unrestricted Funds $57,290 $57,290 $0 Special Offerings $1,590 $1,590 $0 Special Designated Funds $53,016 $53,821 $-850 Special Group Funds $4,932 $5,258 $-326 Trust Funds $602,876 $597,814 $5,062 Total Liabilities $719,704 $715,773 $3,931 Surplus (Deficit) $-84,957 $-75,532 $-9,425 $634,747 $640,241 $-5,494

OPCC Operating Statement for May 2017

Actual for Budget for Actual Budget Annual Period Period YTD YTD Budget INCOME: Pledge/Nonpledge Revenues $24,212 $24,576 $131,462 $133,246 $327,000 Investment Income $1,917 $1,967 $9,184 $9,544 $23,300 Building Rent $4,180 $6,200 $19,391 $19,800 $70,200 Other Income $144 $228 $1,168 $1,255 $3,100 Total Income $30,453 $32,971 $161,205 $163,845 $423,600

EXPENSES: Employee Compensation & Benefits $20,218 $20,844 $106,261 $110,020 $260,507 Property (includes Right Sizing) $14,767 $14,582 $122,008 $105,545 $202,700 Administration $2,064 $2,030 $7,484 $10,050 $21,050 Outreach $2,600 $2,320 $11,600 $11,600 $27,840 Programs $1,312 $898 $6,051 $10,906 $24,975 Total Expenses $40,961 $40,674 $253,404 $245,121 $537,072

Cash Income over(under) Expenses $-10,508 $-7,703 $-92,199 $-84,276 $-113,472

Property Commission

Pray that activity for property stops or at least slows down for a while as the items listed below will deplete all of our Property Designated Funds. If you have a desire to help build up some reserve funds, please mark your check for Property Emergency Fund or Building Improvement Fund . Thank you for your consideration.

1. Rainbow Plumbing installed a water faucet repair kit in the faucet in the Trinity Garden…est. $300

2. Temperature Maintenance installed a rebuilt compressor on our large chiller (which cools the Sanctuary and main hallway)…est. $18,000

3. Temperature Maintenance installed a new control/ value on the Fellowship Hall chiller…est. $1,500

4. Overhead Door installed a repair kit to the front door lock ($335)

Once again, the Property Commission gives a big THANK YOU to all that continue to contribute to the Capital Fund. Currently, all funds received here go on a monthly basis to pay down our Roof loan that started at $230,000 in August of 2010 and is now down to $27,643. HURRAY!

Submitted by Lee Sprinkle, Property Chair

Right Sizing

We continue to move along on getting the West side of our building renovated for leasing. Here are activities that have taken place this past month:

1. Carpet cleaning was completed in the Great Hall, West entry, and two large room area rugs ($457.80)

2. Base cove was installed in the West hallway and in one classroom ($1,395.10)

3. Tile floors were stripped/waxed in the Great Hall restrooms, West hallway, and four classrooms ($565.25)

Case Management Services (CMS) is currently leasing an additional room on a trial basis for 60 days at $250/month. This may lead to a long term contract which will bring in approximately $500/month.

Submitted by Lee Sprinkle, member of Right Sizing

The OPCC Scene · 7

Prayer List

Prayers of Concern

Virgil & Frances Bruning Darla Campain (Jane Fletcher’s cousin) Charles Campbell (Maurica Campbell’s brother) Maxine Davis Jan Eilert June Faltermeier (Nancy Coffman’s sister) Ruth Farmer (Jan Sprinkle’s sister) Jeanne Gilbert (Chuck Warner’s sister) Pat Gray Nathan Greene (Celia Greene's (CWS) son) Myra Hettic Donna & Marshall Howard Kathryn Hume (Tracie Glasscock's sister) Dorothy Jimerson Mark Landwehr (friend of Laura Phillips’ family) Francine Lavenbarg (Evelyn Eastwood’s niece) Allison McVicker (Cassy & Bob Evans’ daughter) Cole Merrill (Myron Merrill’s son) Max Norton (Marge White’s son-in-law) Eugene Penka (Mary Elliott’s friend) Duane Peter (John Peter’s father) Shari Prince (Bonnie & Bob Prince’s daughter) Nadine Sheldon Stacy Walker (Ken & Raelene Berry’s

granddaughter) Wanda Whitney Joe & Jean Zacher

Continued Prayers

Nita Anderson Marian Bilyea & Rick Everist Phyllis Cooke Nancy Corbin Bo Crowe & family Lawana Degraffenreid Gary Eilert (Jan & Ed Eilert’s son) Corwin Elliott Pat Gilling Lorraine Hartnett Kathryn Hays Rowena Hutchinson Carole Ingram Dan Jenkins Mary Johnson Barbara Killion Diana Leonard Ina Fern McBride Shirley McGee Nola McKee (Sharon McBride’s friend) Marjory McNaghten Florene & Tony Miele Wilma Nickum Fern Palmer (Kim Glover’s mother) Bonnie Prince Karen Rowe (Sharon McBride’s friend) Ann Sandler Earl Sheldon Belva Snell Taylor & Gerry Spillers Sandy Teeple Alan Wimpey

Military Prayer List Stephan Aelmore (Mary Aelmore’s grandson),

US Navy, Pearl Harbor, HI Dustin Doree (Betty Craney’s grandson),

US Army, Special Forces Training Patrick Kauer (Terry and Meyra Redmon’s

grandson), US Army stationed at Ft. Polk, LA Cameron McDonough (Cathy Wilson’s son), US

Navy, stationed on the USS Battleship Gonzalez SSG Edward Pinkelman, Jr. (Ed & Kathy

Pinkelman’s son), US Army, stationed at Camp Buehring in Kuwait

May Gifts

A gift has been given to Benevolent Meals from Jody Cash in memory of Ben & Marge Cash

A special gift in celebration of Jean Zacher’s 93rd birthday (May 10) was given by Joe, Peggy, & Brett

Thank You

I want to thank everyone at OPCC for all of your prayers, cards, and visits. All helped in my recovery. Thank you Laura for a very early Palm Sunday Morning when you walked and prayed with me before I went to the operating room. A HUGE thanks to the Golden Girls for the many visits, laughs, and being my go-to girls in a time of need.

It has been a long 2 months, but with all the wonderful support it made it go by faster. I hope to see everyone soon. THANK YOU Betty Lockridge Thanks to all for the visits, prayers and cards. I know they helped a lot. I am grateful to have such a wonderful church family. Wilma Nickum

Landscaping

As you walk into our main entrance, take NOTICE of our flower beds filled with lots of colors and new plants. Your Landscape committee members have been hard at work this spring cleaning up and planting our church gardens. New plants have been planted in all areas and new shrubs on our west side. Also, take time to enjoy our newly planted Memorial garden.

A big thanks to Gayle Farley, Bernice Stouse, Larry Stouse, Judy Nickum, Pat Warner, and Kathy Kinder for their hard work. Also to Dave Farley, Lee Sprinkle, John Peter, and Boy Scout Troup #283 for their much appreciated assistance.

Submitted by Jan Sprinkle, Landscaping Lead

Overland Park Christian Church 7600 West 75th Street Overland Park, KS 66204-2894

The OPCC Scene is generally published the first Thursday of each month except July.

Copy deadline for next issue is August 1 for August 3 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 michelle@opccdoc.org

Your OPCC Staff

913-677-4646

info@opccdoc.org (general church e-mail address)

Senior Pastor .............................. Bo Crowe bo@opccdoc.org ext. 225

Associate Pastor ......................... Laura Phillips laura@opccdoc.org ext. 222

Congregational Care ................... Sharon McBride sharonmcbride@kc.surewest.net ext. 224

Children & Youth Pastor .............. Lisa Setty lisa@opccdoc.org ext. 228

Music Director ............................. Christopher Elliott chris@opccdoc.org ext. 229

Communications Coordinator/ Bookkeeper ................................. Michelle Reiter michelle@opccdoc.org ext. 223

Receptionist ................................ Eileen McIntyre office@opccdoc.org ext. 221

Your 2016-17 OPCC Board of Directors

Roy Nickum

Bob Shankel

Sue Elliott

Kathy Lewis

Barb Collins

Jon Bivens