Local religion notes

Sunday theme: ‘Do Not Be Afraid of Tomorrow’

Bryson Lillie, the youth minister at the First United Methodist Church of Independence, will deliver the sermon – “Do Not Be Afraid of Tomorrow” – at the 10:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday.

Lillie, 24, plans to enroll at the St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City in the fall. He began his duties at the church on July 1.

The Rev. Alan D. Pruitt, the senior pastor, is on vacation.

The church is at 400 W. Maple Ave.


Flute orchestra sets first U.S. performance

The International Flute Orchestra will present its first United States public performance at 8 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Community of Christ Auditorium, 1001 W. Walnut St., Independence.

It will share music from around the world, from classical operas, dances, and folk songs to original works written especially for this orchestra. The group is an association of approximately 40 college teachers and/or orchestral musicians from across the United States and Canada. It has performed across Europe, and its aim is to improve relations between countries.

A free-will offering will be taken. For more information, visit www.CofChrist.org/dome_spire/default.asp#flute.


Judd takes up ‘Bless, Break and Serve’

Peter Judd will speak on the theme of “Bless, Break and Serve” at the 10:20 a.m. worship Sunday at the Stone Church Community of Christ, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence.

Judd, a former member of the First Presidency, is a retired minister of Community of Christ. He has written several books and worship resources for the church. Arthur Butler will preside, while Junia Braby, Kristi Atwood and Drew Testerman provide the ministry of music. Others participating will be Darlene Caswell, Phillip Caswell and Alecia Cripps.

John Wight, the presiding bishop of the Community of Christ, will be the Summer Series speaker at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, on the theme of “To Know Jesus is to Love Him” at Stone Church. The Voice of the Past will be Arthur Oakman, and the congregations honored will be East Independence and Liberty Street. John Davies, Matt Ralston, Jessica Kelsey, Lauren Bolt and Paulette V. Resch will provide the ministry of music. Others participating will be Denise Jensen, Sam Chappelow, Grant Dyer and Ruth Carlson.

Wight, a minister for the Community of Christ, is assigned to the Central and Michigan USA Field as the field missionary coordinator and Mission Center missionary coordinator for Central Mission Center. He also serves as a President of Seventy. He was set apart to serve in this capacity in April 1998.

For more information, call the church at 816-254-2211.


VBS is next week at St. Paul UMC

St. Paul United Methodist Church invites children ages 5 through 11 to vacation Bible school, beginning at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the church, 3601 S. Sterling Ave., Independence.

This year’s theme is “Beach Party: Surfin’ Through the Scriptures.” VBS kick-off features the Independence Fire Department from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

To register, call the church at 816-254-8680.



River Boulevard Baptist sets ‘Son Harvest’ VBS

Son Harvest County Fair vacation Bible school will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at River Boulevard Baptist Church, 3212 N. River Blvd., Sugar Creek.

For more information, call 816-461-5650.


‘Quest for Truth’ VBS at Pleasant View

Pleasant View Christian Church will hold Vacation Bible School, “Quest for Truth,” for children kindergarten through sixth grade, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

The church is at 19114 E. Salisbury Road in Independence. You may register at the door. For more information call, 816-796-3489.


Angel Food Ministries at St. Matthew UMC

St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 2415 R.D. Mize Road, was damaged by the tornado that ripped through Independence, with the church receiving a lot of damage. The church is trying to get everything back as it was.

The one important sign board was destroyed, but to all Angel Food Ministries people, you will be able to order from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 9.

For more information, call 816-373-3366, and leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.


An evening of music at Oakland UMC

Oakland United Methodist Church, 30701 E. Truman Road (3 miles east of Missouri 7, and 1.5 miles west of Buckner-Tarsney Road), invites you for an evening of music with Dan Dietz and friends, from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Light refreshments will be served following the music.


Disciples congregation ready for Tuesday events

Disciples Community of Christ is an alternative congregation that practices radical hospitality and meets Tuesday evenings at the Walnut Gardens congregation, 19201 R.D. Mize Road. The August schedule is:

• Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., sacrament – “Journey to the Table,” with a short homily by Ken McLaughlin and special music.

• Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m., table – catered dinner and fellowship. The cost is $5 to $7 each.

• Aug. 19 at 7 p.m., insight – exploration of accepting all sexual identities with a panel discussion monitored by Sam and Pat Marmoy.

Peaceworks – This activity changes monthly, as the church supports Harvesters, Micah Ministries, Outreach International and others. This month the church will partner with Walnut Gardens Chuckwagon at Santa-Cali-Gon over Labor Day weekend.

For more information, visit www.disciplescommunityofchrist.org.


Elder Wendleton to speak Sunday

Elder Pete Wendleton will be the speaker at the Sunday worship service at Summit Grove Community of Christ, 411 S. Lee’s Summit Road. The topic is “Bless, Break and Share.”

Wendleton, a registered nurse and EMT, worked at the Medical Center of Independence for 28 years in the emergency department. He currently works for Metropolitan Ambulance in Kansas City, teaching EMT’s and paramedics. He and his wife, Terri, have two sons and one granddaughter.

Summit Grove is also offering Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University beginning Sept. 2. Free previews will be held at noon Sunday, 6 p.m. Wednesday and 4 p.m. Aug. 10.

A community breakfast will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 9 at Summit Grove. Enjoy biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, oatmeal, juice and coffee. The cost is $5 for adults, and $2.50 for children under 4.


Bluegrass concert at St. Mark’s UMC

A bluegrass concert is planned for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 603 N. Jennings Road, Independence. The concert will feature the Saints Alive Blue Grass group.

A pot luck dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m., bring a covered dish to share.

Both events are open to the public. If you can’t make the dinner, plan to attend the concert.
 
Country Meadows sets gospel concert

Gold City, a Southern gospel group, will be in concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at Country Meadows Baptist Church, 4901 Lee’s Summit Road, Kansas City.

Gold City has had several No. 1 radio songs, including “Midnight Cry,” “It’s Still the Cross” and “He Said.”

The concert is free, but a love offering will be taken. All buses and vans are asked to drop off passengers at the door, from there they will be directed to a designated parking area. Seating is limited.


Contemporary artist offering a workshop

Jason Burton, a contemporary Christian music recording artist, will present a worship concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at the First Baptist Church, 1416 Main St., Grandview. His music has a pop feel with hints of folk music.

Formerly of the duo, “Belief,” Jason has just released his second solo album, “Breaking Through.” He has been in full-time music ministry for nine years. He and his wife, Kristi, live in Petersburg, Va.

The public is welcome and child care will be available. The concert is free, but a free-will offering will be received. For more information about Jason and to hear samples of his music, visit his Web site at www.jasonburtonmusic.com. For information about his concert, call 816-763-2200.