December 14, 2014 Children’s Christmas Nativity

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

Phone: 816-361-2200

www.wppresbyterian.org

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

Ward Press

Glorify God Grow Disciples Go Serve January 2015

Reflections from Pastor Connie

Tuesday, August 19:

Preschool Staff Meeting

Monday, August 25:

Preschool resumes

Office hours change to Mon.-Fri. 9-1:00pm

Tuesday, Sept. 2:

Women’s Bible Study resumes

Sunday, Sept 7:

Cornerstone Bible Study resumes

Sunday Worship,

10:30am Christian Education,

9:30am

Office Hours M-F

9:00am -1:00pm

816.361.2200

Email: office@wppresbyterian.org

Church Staff

Pastor, Connie Happell

Office Administrator, Tina Hill

Choir Director, Joseph Hill

Organist, Dr. Arthur Rinehart

Accountant, Ruth Meyers-Melching

Custodian, Scott Curry

Preschool Directors, 816.361.2201

Kim Manford Leslie Bullington

Officers

Elders Worship: Diana Justus

Fellowship & Hospitality:

Lynne Crossette

Mission and Stewardship: Jim Durig

Personnel & Administration: Steve Nelson

Adult Discipleship: James Lusk

Youth Discipleship: Sean Stoy

Operations: Bob Liepsner

Clerk of Session: Mardy Cottrell

Deacons Jim Kurtz, Susan Stewart,

Shirley Lytle, Rosemary McDaneld & Janet North

Trustees Marlene Durig , James Lusk,

Jean Hunter Tom Stewart-Treasurer

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and

patience. Colossians 3:12 I have been thinking about kindness lately. It’s a simple virtue that we teach our children. It’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Yet, kindness often seems out of place and undervalued in our fast paced and competitive work, school and social environments. The notion of kindness has a sort of slowness about it. To be kind to another is to slow down and listen to them, to be patient with them, to honor them as they are. Kindness does not take into account rank or status of its recipient. Rather, it is way of being that grants honor to others, whether they are the clerk in the store or the president of the company. Kindness is rarely trumpeted as the path to success, but where would we be without kindness in our relationships? Kindness is so simple. It does not require money or talent. Sometimes it requires time, but often it does not. It simply requires is a decision to be kind. The Apostle Paul talked about kindness like a piece of clothing we can put on in the morning. We are to be kind because God is kind to us. Often the Hebrew word which is translated kindness is also translated as mercy or loving-kindness or grace. God did not have to pay attention to us, but God did. God did not have to give us air to breathe, a sun to shine and rain to grow the crops, but God did. God did not have to choose you and me to demonstrate God’s character to a world in need, but God did. Who has been kind to you, and how did their kindness change your day, or even your life? How might you walk in kindness in 2015? Pastor Connie

An Ann Butler- January 1 Drew Smith- January 3 Frank Riley- January 9

Evan North- January 12 Lara King- January 13 Bob Scott- January 13

James Lusk- January 16 Emily Box- January 20

Alex Happell- January 23 Wilma Holmes- January 25

Pat Wiederaenders- January 25 Emme Stoy- January 25 Tim Boles- January 27

Anna Leach- January 28 Ashlea Wirken- January 29 Milton Clarke- January 31

r January 1

January Birthday’s Adult Bible Study

New Sermon Series

Mardy Cottrell, the Crossette Family, Joyce and Scott Curry, Ethel Hahn,

the Hembree Family, Johnson Family, Maxine Kirkpatrick,

Del McCracken, Ruth Slagle, the Stoy Family and Pat Wiederaenders.

Please pray for our homebound members, our children as they return to school,

the homeless and hungry in this cold weather and peace

in our community and world.

Save the Date

Prayers and Concerns

Growing in Christ

How are you – spiritually? Are you feeling like you only exercise your faith on Sunday morning? Or are you mindful of God’s presence and purpose for you all week long? Are you growing in faith in spite of struggles? Are you resilient and hopeful? Or, are you worn down and wondering about God? Growing in Christ, a sermon series on healthy habits for disciples, begins in January. Christians throughout the ages have practiced spiritual disciplines that help them continue in vital faith through good times and bad. We will consider seven of the many habits that can help us grow in faith, hope and love.

This Spring we will start a six week study by John Ortberg called, “Soul Keeping”. Rediscover the best connection to God, your soul. Ortberg’s group study helps us understand what the soul is, assess its health and more. Come join us in Holy Grounds

at 9:25am on Sunday mornings. Call Mike Montgomery for more information at 913-341-5604.

Ash Wednesday worship is February 18 at 6:30pm.

Preschool News Session Notes October/November

Way to go WPPC! We exceeded our goal of 10 boxes by sending 22 boxes to poor children in

Mexico. Thank you to all who filled boxes and contributed items and money for these boxes.

Please pray for the children who received these gifts and the gospel message.

We have all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break, and ready or not, we are getting back into the swing of things! We always the hit ground running after the holidays in preparation for 2015-2016 Enrollment. This month in chapel we will learn about the three Wise Men and their quest to find the baby Jesus. We will hold Enrollment Open Houses on Tuesday, January 13th and Thursday, January 15th from 9:30-12. Please pass the word along if you know anyone that is looking for a wonderful preschool program. Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church members have priority when enrolling, and may do so on January 25th and 26th. The forms for enrollment should be complete and ready to download by Friday, January 16th. We will hold Parent Teacher Conferences during the last week of January. This is always a wonderful time for parents and teachers alike to share information with regards to the children. We wish you all a wonderful 2015 and look forward to seeing how God will continue to bless Ward Parkway Preschool and Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church. Happy New Year!

Kim and Leslie

Noelle Stoffel delivers our boxes to Operation

Christmas Child distribution center.

Nominating Committee (Diana Justus, Lynne Crossette, Mike Montgomery and Connie Happell), presented a slate of elders, deacons and trustees who were elected at the meeting of the congregation on Sunday, November 30: Elder: Steve Guthrie, Bob Liepsner (2nd term), Deacon: Pat Wiederaenders and Warren Bell and Trustee: Marlene Durig (2nd Term). The session thanked Jim Durig for his six years of service as our mission and stewardship elder. Treasurer Tom Stewart reported that pledges are up to date in November. Thanks to all who support the mission and ministry of this congregation! Plans were discussed and reports received for fall events: Trunk or Treat, All Saints, Commitment Sunday, Chili Cook-off, Advent , Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree, the Children’s Nativity and the choir cantata. Bob Liepsner reported that bids were being gathered for resurfacing the south parking lot and gutter cleaning. In November, Steve Nelson reported that performance reviews were underway for all staff. The session approved salaries for the staff and finalized a recommendation for the pastor’s terms of call to be presented to the congregation on November 30. Jim Durig (mission and stewardship) recommended and the session approve the following missions support: Todd and Julie Hendry, missionaries to Brazil: $4000 PCUSA missionary Karla Koll in Costa Rica: $2000 City Union Rescue Mission: $1000 Kansas City Rescue Mission: $500 Heartland Camp: $600 All meetings of the session opened with a devotional and prayer and closed in prayer.