Sowers’ Seeds Dear Friends,

It is interesting to sit down and write this article today. It is, as you might imagine,

a day of reflection for me. I always feel that at on one’s birthday we both look over

our shoulder towards that which has come before, revel in the present moment, and

look towards a future of which we can only see the vaguest of outlines. Really, the

future is always an educated guess. I have been trying to imagine what my predictions

for the year were December 8th of 2019. I don’t really remember, but I am confident

that many of my expectations have been upended.

A year ago, I had only been in my walking boot for two days and I was carrying a

bit of extra weight. I did know a part of the year was going to be doing exactly what

the doctor said so I could get to the point where I could regain my physical

conditioning or at least be closer to my norm. In this respect I have met a couple

expectations for the year. Yet, other than that most things have been taken off the

table. I was going to travel to Florida a second time, see my parents at Easter,

Thanksgiving, and Christmas, visit my friends in Oklahoma, visit some friends in

Illinois, possibly make an East Coast trip, and serve at church camp as a counselor

again. So many things haven’t happened this year, and so many things have happened

this year. It is just that the things that did happen were not on my ledger or my

calendar.

Guess what, even with all that, it has been a wonderful year. I know what you are

thinking, “John have you taken leave of your senses?” No, I have not fallen and hit

my head, but I believe with everything that is in me; every day that we get to wake

up, be a part of all that is, and then fall softly asleep in the evening is a truly wonderful

day. I invite you to take a moment to just consider what it means to be a part of all

that is in this instance. It is its own form of miracle. No life is perfection. We might

have aches, pains, or personal setbacks, but to be able to wake up each morning and

start again at our beginnings is a wonderous gift, and it is not guaranteed. In my

pastoral life I have officiated at services for people who were much too young, and

even infants. I have walked with families who would like one more minute, one more

second, or even one more instant with beloved family members. I fully recognize how

every moment counts and should not be looked upon with a form of callous disregard.

When we fail to be appreciative of life itself it is a form of being ungrateful.

(Continued on pg 3)

December 10, 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, Katie Boyer, 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. Pastor John

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

Prayers for all doing God’s work, that they will be in God’s hands. Lois Steineker

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

Elections Aftermath

Prayers for all those fighting fires and hurricanes

Residential Communities- dealing with Covid 19.

Prayers for School Systems & Colleges, Teachers, Support Staff & students.

Pray for Those w/the Covid-19 virus, 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

Please help us update our Active Duty list with

members or those in direct relationship with our

members.

Pray for Those Who Have Lost a Loved One Jerry Moore ~ November 8th Donna Bailey ~ October 8th

Christmas is near and I am very excited for our Zoom Christmas party 12/14 at 6:30pm. If

you have been a part of our pen pal program, you will already be on the list to be given

the activities and snacks for the event. They will be dropped off the Sunday before the

party. If you have not been a pen pal and would like to join the party, please email or call

me by 12/11. (texting is preferred, but if you call leave a message, provide child(ren's) name

and address)

childrensdirector@leavenworthchristian.com (913) 702-2998

I look forward to seeing you all there and sharing in the Christmas spirit. There will be lots

of fun to be had. – Mrs. Danielle

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(Continued from pg 1)

One of the best possible ways to honor those whose lives may have been stilled, is

by truly giving thanks for the joy of being in the world. Even a bad day or a bad week

is still time spent in the world, and that is its own form of blessing. Perhaps if we first

give thanks for life itself, we will find that our annoyances, frustrations, and

disappointments aren’t as major as we first imagined. Instead of saying, “Good God it

is morning,” we can say, “Thank you God it is morning.” Today, reaffirms the beauty

of life for me, but I know with a little self-discipline we can recognize that beauty on

each day that marks a year in the life. Thank you, God, for this day, this year, and this

journey called life! It is truly a blessing from your hand dear God, and I am humbled to

travel this section of life right here with all of you.

All the Best and God’s Blessings, Pastor John

Children’s Moment

Wyatt Moore sent a picture of himself

wearing his Mickey Ears for Pastor

John’s “Stump the Chump” segment,

Sunday.

mailto:childrensdirector@leavenworthchristian.com

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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Update on Winnie!

Winnie Henderson is now in the rehab section of Twin Oaks. She should be moving into the nursing home section this week. They had to move her out of the assisted living section. She still has her cell phone with her and can take calls. She would also like to get cards and letters.

Her new address is:

Winnie Henderson 757 W Eisenhower Rd #413

Lansing, KS 66043

Thanks to everyone for their support, cards, phone calls and prayers while Larry was in the hospital. He is home but stills needs prayers. He still has a lot of healing before he is back to his ornery self. A special thanks to Lois, Kathy and Laney who brought me dinner, flowers and an Advent bag one evening. I was really in need of some human contact. They are my angels. Our church family is the best. Thanks again, Larry & Cheryl Elliott

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

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Poinsettias Once again, as is our tradition, we would like to offer you the opportunity to honor or remember your loved ones in print in our Christmas bulletin and in our newsletter. However, instead of spending your money on Poinsettias, you can put it to work for God. The Christmas Offering will be taken December 13th & 20th. Consider sending the $8.00 per Poinsettia once again this year. Simply fill out the form below and send it to the office or put it in the mailbox with your Christmas offering. Please have forms into the office by December 16th.

Your Name: ______________________________________

In Memory of: ____________________________________

In Honor of: ______________________________________

We are collecting for Tennyson Center! This year you may donate money

and gift cards. Kathy Powell will put it all together and send it to The

Tennyson Center! Please help us bless the kids at the Center. Please have

your monetary gift in by December 13th.

Tennyson Center

Shelter Training

Wednesday, Dec. 14th

6:00pm at the Shelter

311 Kiowa, Leavenworth

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 12th Dayne Dickson Gene Poff Sr.

December 13th Kathy Powell April Richter Maci Spath

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Your Giving December 6th

General $6,335.00 Building 200.00 Tennyson Center 190.00 Christmas 5.00 Pastor’s Fund 75.00 DWF 25.00 Backpack Buddies 32.00

Total $6,842.00

Attendance December 6th

On-Line Worship 43

December 14th George Prochaska Patricia Williams

December 15th

Julie Boyer

http://www.leavenworthchristian.com/

First Christian Calendar December 9-16, 2020

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Thursdays Choir Practices cancelled till further notice Wednesday, December 9th Preschool Sanctuary AM Prayer Group Kitterman 8:30am Steineker Kitterman 1:00pm Elders Zoom 7:00pm Thursday, December 10th Preschool Sanctuary AM Friday, December 11th Preschool Sanctuary AM Sunday, December 13th 3rd Sunday of Advent Christmas Offering Worship Zoom 10:30am Seekers SS Class Zoom 3:00pm Monday, December 14th

Prayer Bkfst Pullman’s/Zoom 6:30am Children’s Zoom Christmas Party 6:30pm

Tuesday, December 15th Book Study Zoom 3:00pm

Ballots Due

Wednesday, December 16th Prayer Group Kitterman 8:30am aliVe Zoom 7:00pm

(Calendar subject to change)

30 Days of Thanksgiving

FYI… As a congregation, you gave 1,075 lbs of food to Catholic Charities! Thank you for your generosity!!!

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