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| Greetings | View From the Hill |Sermons | Books |
View from the Hill
Greetings
Community Christian Church is a church of service and celebration, a church in the heart of the city, which takes the welfare of the city to heart! We are located on the Country Club Plaza, in a Frank Lloyd Wright designed sanctuary building, in the very heart of America’s heartland.[less -]
We honor the gifts our members contribute in abundance to an ever-expanding ministry of joyful worship, loving outreach, welcoming fellowship, affirming prayer, vibrant Bible study, and sensitive caring for one another. And the gifts are wonderful to see and experience: diversity, unity, creativity, hope, encouragement, commitment, innovation, laughter, cooperation, tolerance, and mutual affection!!
Whether you are a seeker, a searcher, a person of mature faith or a person beginning on your spiritual journey, may this website assist and empower you along your way.
May your life be full of adventures which strengthen you and encounters which give you joy each and every day. I urge you to visit and join with us at Community Christian Church, 4601 Main Street, in Kansas City, Missouri.
View from the Hill
A New Take on "Old"– I've been thinking this week about the concept of "old." I don't think I'll go as far as Marilynne Robinson does in suggesting a complete rehabilitation for the word "old." But it's good to note how "old" has both positive and pejorative meanings. "Old school," depending on the context, can mean stodgy or it can mean strong and trustworthy. "Come, grow old with me," said Robert Browning, championing the achievement of oldness as a good thing. [less -]
"I just don 't want merely to be old," said a friend as she ex- pressed anxiety about merely increasing in years without increasing her wisdom or insight. There are some things in life that are simply "old." Meaning they're past their prime, beyond usefulness, possibly harmful to human beings. Think of pillory posts for punishment. Or relying on sun- dials to tell time in your car. (Which is not only "old" but rather ridiculously impossible.) Or blood-letting to cure physical maladies. But there are also incomparable blessings that come with being "old." This year our house is 100 years old. In 1912 the Kansas City Water Department issued a permit that allowed the water to be turned on in our home which was apparently at the southern most extension of the Brookside neighbor- hood at that time. The water has been available and the house occupied ever since. For 100 years, our home has been more than a house, as it has continued to be a dwelling place of shelter and grace and comfort. Think of it! 100 years "old." Meaning "seasoned," "lived in," "appreciated," "treasured," "improved upon," "added to," "cared for," "enjoyed." On the other hand, if we compare any of our homes in the United States (even the oldest timber-frame house in the U.S., the Fairbanks House in Dedham, Massachusetts, constructed in 1637) with some of the dwelling places in Europe, ours are mere youngsters, pipsqueaks, hardly "old" at all. Once when I was in Ephesus, someone reminded our tour group that the marbled streets there are at least 2,300 years old. "Whew," I thought, "Now that's old!" I was glad those streets were there, and I sought to lis- ten to the stories they could tell, stories about the "old" days, but also stories with gifts as fresh as a new day's sun. This week I'm abiding in a refreshing combination of appreciations. I'm glad for the "oldness" of the earth and for time-tested faith disciplines like prayer and worship and singing that are "as old as the hills." And I am gleefully glad, as happy as a kindergartner, that there are immense aspects of the human journey that "never grow old." Like walking on the "old" earth, and laughing with new and "old" friends, and taking new ways home to our "old" house. In summation, there's "old" and then there's "old."
Cinco de Mayo
The celebration of Cinco de Mayo at Community and elsewhere throughout Kansas City and the rest of the United States is a celebration of Hispanic culture, pride and heritage. While founded as a result of the unlikely victory of Mexican forces over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, the celebration has come to represent so much more. As one journalist put it, "The Puebla victory came to symbolize unity and pride for what seemed like a Mexican David defeating a French Goliath." At Community we're hugely graced to have the benefit of one of Kansas City's greatest folklorico trios, Aztlan, headed up by our own Uzziel Pe- cina, as part of our festivities. This year, we're doubly blessed to host Los Bailadores, a folklorico dance troupe that will also participate in our ser- vices, compliments of the Pecina family. Our observance of Cinco de Mayo will help us celebrate Mexican-American heritage and pride and the abundant blessings that come from Latino culture in our midst.
This Sunday, May 6
We'll experience Cinco de Mayo festivities in fine fashion as we welcome Uzziel Pecina and Aztlan in all three worship services. The beautiful music of Aztlan will be magnified by the dancing of Los Bailadores. My sermon will be "Mary and Martha - Our Soul Sisters," based on Luke 10:38-42. This will be a tremendous Sunday to invite your friends to join you for worship at Community. See you in church! Love – Bob
Sermons
Below you will find the transcripts of a number of sermons that have been delivered at Community Christian Church. May they bless you and help guide you on your spiritual journey.[less -]
Books
Writing is one of my passions. I have had the pleasure of publishing a number of books that discuss spiritual issues. Please contact the church office if you are interested in purchasing one of these titles.[less -]
The Color of Sabbath: Proclamations & Prayers for New Beginnings
By Robert Lee Hill (2007)
A collection of sermons and speeches from 1995 through 2007 that gives an overview of how Rev. Bob Hill sees the principles of Holy Scripture and Christianity challenging church members as they interact with the current culture.
Romans: An Introductory Study Guide
By Robert Lee Hill (2007)
Made Whole...Again...By Broken Bread
By Robert Lee Hill (2004)
Hard To Tell: A Congregation of Poems, 1990-2003
By Robert Lee Hill (2003)
Empowering Congregations: Successful Strategies for 21st Century Leadership
By Robert Lee Hill & Denton Roberts (2003)
Brunch with Bob
When: May 20, 2012
Where: Figlio's 209 w.46th Terr
Our new members and visitors are invited to have brunch with Bob at Figlio's following the 10:45 Service.
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