Sunday Morning, October 18

Join Us Outdoors (one last time!)

We are outdoors in the gravel parking lot at 10am this morning. Bring lawn chairs, communion elements, and - probably - a warm coat!!

We look forward to seeing you this morning!

Sunday Teaching Conversation:
Sending Words

This conversation covers Matthew 7:7-23. Be sure to check out our Discussion Questions.

Discussion Questions:

• What are the words of advice you would leave your child with when you “send them”? (college, moving, etc)

• How do you judge if someone is a trustworthy mentor?

• How do you experience God being with you (even as you are “on your own”)?

• How do you experience the “narrow gate”? When does the “wide gate” look tempting?

Sunday Morning, October 11

We’re Outdoors!

Grab your lawn chairs (and communion elements if you have them), and join us in the gravel parking lot for an outdoor worship gathering. We’ll begin at 10am. We look forward to seeing you!

Please note: we do not feature a teaching video this week. Use the time to catch up!

Sunday Morning, October 4

Join Our Livestream!!

Click the link (right side) and join us live at 10am. Be sure to gather your communion elements! Also - don’t forget to engage our Sunday Teaching Conversation below.

Peace to you this morning!

Sunday Teaching Conversation:
From Pigs to Collectors

This conversation covers Matthew 7:1-6 Be sure to check out our Discussion Questions.

Discussion Questions:

• What makes you feel “unsafe” to honestly share?

• Has there ever been a time when you were unable to hear truth spoken to you personally? If so, what caused your resistance?

• How can you tell that it’s safe to offer guidance and suggestions to another person?

• What do you think helps a person soften and become more receptive to guiding/correcting words?

Sunday Morning, September 27

Come to the Crossroads!

We are meeting in the gravel parking lot across the street this morning at 10:00am. Bring a lawn chair (and communion elements if you can). We look forward to seeing you!

Our teaching conversation this week is called: Specks & Planks. The scripture referenced in this week’s conversation is from Matthew 7:1-5.

Reflection Questions:

• What do you think disrupts community the most?

• What does a humble person look like to you?

• How can humility help foster genuine community?
  

Sunday Morning, September 13

Join us Outdoors!

This morning we are meeting in the gravel parking lot across the street from our building at 2010 Baltimore KCMO.

Bring a lawn chair, wear a mask, and join us as we sing songs, pray prayers, and take communion together. Our gathering begins at 10am.

Our teaching conversation this week is called: Worry & Reality. The scripture referenced in this week’s conversation is from Matthew 6:25-34.

Reflection Questions:

• What causes you the most worry?

• What does “seeking God’s Kingdom first” look like for you?

• Does prayer help you handle worry? If so, how?
  

Sunday Morning, September 6

Welcome to Beggars Table!

And welcome to our conversation around Jesus teaching on Kingdom life that we commonly call “The Sermon on the Mount”. Last week Jesus elaborated on prayer. This week he elaborates on giving and how it is a practice that, if done well, can completely change our desires, motivations, and character. Please gather your communion elements, join us in song and worship, and engage with our conversation: Where Your Treasure Is.

Sunday Morning, August 30th

Good Morning!

There’s a great chance you are at least familiar with what we commonly call, “The Lord’s Prayer”. These famous words are found in Matthew 6:9-13; the center of the Sermon on the Mount. Of course, Jesus never calls this teaching “the Lord’s Prayer” (anymore than the Sermon on the Mount is ever called a sermon). Rather it’s simply his instructions on how to pray…almost as a course correction to the loud, public, and boisterous prayers of his contemporaries.

Join us this morning in song, prayer, communion, and reflection. And join this morning’s conversation called, “Pray Like This”.

Peace.

Sunday Morning, August 23rd

Welcome to Beggars Table!

In Matthew 6:1-18 Jesus speaks of three important spiritual disciplines: giving, prayer, and fasting. But his emphasis isn’t on what the disciplines are, but on how they’re practiced. Through his words, we begin a conversation on another important spiritual discipline that forms how we do all other disciplines. Welcome to The Discipline of Secrecy. Peace to you this morning!

Sunday Morning, August 16

Welcome this morning! We are happy you can join us!

Our teaching conversation this morning is called “No Training Wheels!” and it features teaching found in Matthew 5:21-48. A lengthy bit of teaching, but one that ends with a profound mandate: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” How does that directive sit with you? Is it a bit overwhelming? Maybe even discouraging?

Take heart, it was never meant to be either of those, but rather life giving and encouraging. We look forward to the conversation with you!

Sunday Morning, August 9

Join Us Outdoors!

We are gathering behind the Flock Salon (across the street from our building) at 9:00 this morning. See you there!

Also - we are hosting a Roots for Refugees Popup Market at 10:00. Come on down and buy your produce from a local refugee farmer. Cash only!

Catch-up On Our Latest Teaching Conversations!

The End of Knowing?

Signs Signify

Salt & Light

Becoming Misunderstood

Making Peace

Blind Guides

Sunday Morning, August 2

Zoom With Us!

Teaching Scripture:

Matthew 5:21-37

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Teaching: The End of Knowing?

Sunday Morning, July 26

Welcome this morning! We are glad you can join us! Make a special place for you and your family…perhaps light some candles…maybe pray with your kids…and engage our Sunday worship.

Our teaching conversation is called “Signs Signify” and it features teaching found in Matthew 5:17-20.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Sunday Morning, July 19

Join our Sunday Worship today! Our teaching conversation is once again included in the video. This week’s conversation is called “Proximate & Holy” and it features teaching found in Matthew 5:13-16…

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Sunday Morning, July 12

Join us today in the gravel parking lot for our Pop-up Market in conjunction with Roots for Refugees. We are encouraging participation in the market as an act of worship. Engage your family in conversation about refugees, generosity, and justice on your way to and from the market.

The Pop-up Market is open from 10-12 today. We hope to see you there! Invite friends, family, and neighbors!!

Scroll down for a morning liturgy to use as a family this morning!

A Morning Prayer for These Uncertain Times

Art: Ale De la Torre, Mexican illustrator
​and graphic designer.

We are not people of fear:
We are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety:
we are people who protect our neighbors’ safety.
We are not people of greed:
we are people of generosity.
We are your people God,
giving and loving,
wherever we are,
whatever it costs
For as long as it takes
wherever you call us.*
Amen.
*Words: Barbara Glasson, president
​of the Methodist Conference, Britain.

Psalm 29:3-4

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The Lord, over many waters.
The Voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The Good News of Jesus

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Matthew 6:25-34

Generous Givers

Father, you sustain all things. You hold my household in the palm of your hand. Help me to trust in your power, and to lead my household in acts of hope today. Amen.

Jesus reminded us that all the earth is God’s when he said, “Freely you have received, so freely give.”

So let us pray: 
          Father, you are an abundant giver.
          There is nothing that I have that you have not given me.
          The way of your kingdom is the way of generosity.
          Help me to honor you with my resources.
          Free me from the deceit of riches.
          Lead me on the path of generosity.
          For your glory, Lord, for the abundance of my own life and for the sake of others.  
          AMEN. 

Give Here

Thoughts…

Human beings have an incredible capacity to endure, so long as they keep hope alive.
 
For Christians, this means reminding ourselves that Jesus is renewing all things, and he calls us to participate. Now, more than ever, this can and should be true of the American church:

          "...always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you 
          the reason for the hope you possess..." - 1 Peter 3:15
 
What has always been true is suddenly apparent: we live in a dark, dangerous and chaotic world and Jesus has called us to be the light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14). 

How we respond to danger says so much to our neighbors about what we really believe. So let your house be a lighthouse, a place that signals safety, warmth, and the hope of home. 

Light a candle in your window, as a symbol and a reminder of your hope. If your neighbors ask you, be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within you.

Go Forth & Serve

The Lord bless you and keep you
          The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
          The Lord life up his countenance on you and give you His peace.
          Now for ever. Amen.

PS. A Bedtime Liturgy For Our Children

Parent: Did God make you?
          Child: Yes.
          Parent: Does God love you?
          Child: Yes.
          Parent: Will God always protect you?
          Child: Yes.
          Parent: Even more than I can? 
          Child: Yes.
        Parent: You’re right. Now rest in the peace that the one who made the stars knows your name, and will always love and care for you. Goodnight.

Catch-up on Past Sunday Teaching Videos by Scrolling Down or Past Audio Teaching by Clicking Here.

Sunday Morning, July 5

Join our Sunday Worship! Our teaching conversation is included in the video. This week’s conversation is called “Becoming Misunderstood” and it features the Beatitude found in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” Peace to you this morning!

Sunday Morning, June 28

Join our Sunday Worship! Our teaching conversation is included in the video. This week’s conversation is called “Making Peace” and it features the Beatitude found in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be Called Children of God.” Peace to you this morning!

Blind Guides

Scripture:

Matthew 5:8

“Blessed are the Pure in Heart, for they will See God.”

John 9:39-41

Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.”

Matthew 6:22-23

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Reflection:

• What comes to mind when you hear the word “pure”? What does the pursuit of purity look like/mean for most people?

• How is “purity” connected with “seeing God”?

• How does pride effect our ability to see or not see God?

  • How about certainty?

• Why is it beneficial to remain humble and not overconfident in our faith?

  • How does confidence differ from certainty?

• If God is always present, but only some people “see” him…who are the people who can see him and what distinguishes them from people who cannot?

  • How might Jesus’ answer to this question surprise the religious leaders of his day? How might it surprise “religious” people today?

Sunday Conversation 6-21-20

Merciful Justice

Scripture:

Matthew 5:6-7

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.”

Micah 6:8

“He has shown you O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.”

John 1:18

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”

Reflection:

• What comes to mind when you hear the word “mercy”? Who has ever shown you mercy? When have you been merciful?

• When is a time you have felt the need for mercy? Did you receive it?

• How do “justice” and “mercy” create a tension when taken together? Which one of these two usually wins out in your experience?

  • Can we live into justice and mercy at the same time? How would this look? How does this idea shape what walking in humility might mean?

  • Do you agree that if there’s a question, mercy should win? Why or why not?

Sunday Conversation 6-14-20

On Earth As In Heaven

Scripture:

Matthew 5:5-6

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Malachi 3:5

“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.

Reflection:

• What comes to mind when you hear the word “meek”? How does this differ from what Jesus describes as the type of person who will govern the earth?

• The word we often translate as “righteousness” is the Greek word “dikaiosyne”, which actually means both “justice” and “righteousness”.

  • Why do you suppose we usually omit the “justice” meaning of this word?

  • How does it change the meaning of the Beatitude to include “justice”?

• Why is it a misnomer to say that Jesus wasn’t political?

  • Why do you suppose we say this?

• What are the politics of Jesus? How do these politics address the current social climate and civil unrest?

Sunday Conversation 6-7-20

Due to technical difficulties, we are only able to offer an audio podcast this week. Please visit our “Sunday Conversation” page and enjoy!!

Points of Poverty

Scripture:

Matthew 5:3-4

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

Revelation 3:17

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Reflection:

• Do you feel like you have the “Spiritual Gene”? Why or why not?

• Can you remember a time that you felt “less than” spiritually? What made you feel that way?

• What does it mean when we say the Kingdom of God if for “ordinary people”? How does that make you feel?

• Do you feel invited and welcome to mourn…or do you feel like it’s better to suppress your grief?

• How does our society cultivate a culture of denial? Do you see this? Have you felt it?

• How may openly mourning bring blessing?
  
  

Sunday Conversation 5-31-20