March 2009 E-Vangel

Volume XXI Issue 3

E-vangel

The Battle for Perception by Pastor Larry

Have you ever had this happen? You responded to something that was said or you reacted to something that was done. Your response was perfectly appropriate to what was said or what was done. There was just one little problem. At some point later in time you learned that what you thought had been said or what you thought had been done was not what had actually been said or done! And with that discovery you understood that your reply or response was completely inappropriate to what really took place.

It has been said that, “Perception is reality.” At least in the very subjective case of the one doing the perceiving it is. With this is mind there are some lessons we can use for DRC.

What people think of DRC depends upon their perception of us.
This means that it is critical that we endeavor to clearly, accurately, and faithfully communicate the reality of DRC so that the perceptions people hold do, in fact, match the reality of DRC.
We need to be alert to discover what the perceptions people have of DRC are, so that we can more faithfully communicate the gospel of Christ to them.

It is also true that people’s perceptions often result more from their own personal situations than due to the message being conveyed by a communicator. There is not much any communicator can do about that. But all things are possible with God.

So we must pray. Pray for grace from God to be able to communicate the gospel of Christ through DRC with accuracy and clarity that is faithful to the truth. And also we must pray for people to have grace from God to correctly perceive the gospel so that they respond with faith. Ultimately, the One who is the truth convicts all of our hearts of the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the secret weapon in the battle for perception.

Worship and the Arts Highlights . . . by Travis Velder

I want to encourage everyone to register at out website www.duncanroadchurch.org in order to take advantage of all of the helpful information posted there. If you are a ministry leader, please continue to send updated information regarding your ministry to help keep the website current.

FYI!! We are now podcasting on iTunes!! Choose Podcasts from the menu and type in Duncan Road Church. If you want to see the list of all of the sermons available, select the arrow to the side of the title DRC Weekly Sermons. You can subscribe to have them sent to you when a new one is added or you can get a specific episode. Special thanks to Ryan Holland for making this happen!

For the good of the Kingdom,

Travis C. Velder

A Message from the Deacons . . .

We wanted to let everyone know that the DRC Deacons always have our DRC Families in our prayers. Every member of DRC has a Deacon assigned to minister to you and your family. If you do not know who your Deacon is, please contact the church office and they will let you know.

We are working hard to minister to all of you. Please let us know if you need our assistance or prayers.

Praising His Name,

Deacon Body

AWANA News by Jamie Nitz

Thank you, to everyone who helped at the Awana Grand Prix. You helped make it a complete success. The children had a great time racing their cars and eating a lot of yummy food. In March, Awana is focusing on missions. We feel that the food pantry is a good place to start. You can help out. If you are at church on Wednesday nights stop by the Awana check-in table and drop off food so we can help families in need.

If you want to help with the children at DRC, Awana can always use your help. If you have any questions, please call Jamie Nitz.

You can help decide if this is in the morning or evening. Go to the website and vote now.

If anyone is interested in helping with VBS, please call Wayne Soehnlin or send an email at wayne.soehnlin@sbcglobal.net.

DRC Youth

Spring Retreat

March 20-22

Come join us for a

Youth Retreat focusing on feeding our spirit with the Word of God and feeding those in need in our community. If you need a jumpstart to your spiritual walk this spring and would like to spend an entire weekend hanging with your friends, hearing more about God and serving others:

on the Youth Board!

When is this?	Friday, March 20^th(6:30p.m.)- Sunday, March 22^nd(after church)
Where will we stay?	assigned church members homes (boys and girls separate)
Where will we eat?	at church and in homes
Where will we serve?	KC community (details will follow)
What should I do?	sign up, bring a friend
What will I need?	sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, Bible, journal, clothes, snacks to share
How much does it cost?	$25 (due by March 1^st)
Whom can I talk to about this?	Amy Velder

Youth Events . . . Fundraiser

Tournament and Open Gym Night

April 3rd 7-10pm

$10 a person

Open gym for all youth: Wii tournament, basketball, volleyball, board games

Bring all your friends. Your money and all your friends' money goes directly into your youth camp account! Example: You bring 5 friends, you will have made $60 toward your camp cost. Contact Travis Velder with questions.

Youth Camp June 22-26, 2009

Check out the website for more information.

http://www.studentlife.com/events/events.php?cn=1310&cNav=1450

Dates: June 10 - 12, 2009

Location: Branson, MO

Questions?: Contact Dave Cross

Notice

Lee’s Summit Community Christian School (LSCCS) is accepting applications for the 2009-2010 school year for preschool through 12^th grade students. LSCCS is an independent, nondenominational Christian school whose mission is “to inspire students to achieve their God-given potential through excellent academics and Christian training in a compassionate environment.” They are also accepting applications for a Preschool Director. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required preferably in early childhood or elementary education. Ideal candidates will be state or ASCI certified. Call 816-525-1480 or visit www.lsccs.org for more information on both.

From Our Elders . . .______

Beginning in March, Duncan Road Church will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper twice a month. For the past several years we observed this ordinance of the church once per month, on the 4th Sunday, and prior to that we had it once per quarter. Now we will have the Lord’s Supper in the second and fourth Sunday worship services.

We are increasing the frequency of this particular act of worship at DRC for several reasons.

While the Bible does not give us specific direction regarding how often we should have the Lord’s Supper, historically and Biblically the Lord’s Supper has been the center-piece of Christian worship.
Every believer participates in preaching the gospel every time they share in the Lord’s Supper.
Our church experiences extraordinary times of worship and fellowship with the Lord and each other when we have the Lord’s Supper.
By celebrating two times per month more of our church family will be able to more consistently experience the Lord’s Supper.
This decision is the result of considerable prayer and thought. We believe the Lord is directing us to do this.

Generally speaking we will observe Communion on the second and the fourth Sundays of the month. There will be exceptions due to special church holidays, like Easter or Christmas. Also we may make exceptions to accommodate five Sunday months (in March we will observe Communion on the third and the fifth Sundays, for instance). When there are exceptions to the normal routine we will publicize them well in advance, and there will always be at least two observances or the Lord’s Supper in those months.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker!”

Psalm 95:6

You will want your updated church directory in order to contact many of the people listed in this newsletter. Be sure to get yours in the church foyer today!

CHARLIE CHURCHMOUSE…from a corner

Eaves Dropping II—the Saga Continues….

Come with me as we return to those wonderful days of yesteryear (last month’s column to be precise) when strange and terrifying creatures roamed the attics of the dilapidated ruins of the buildings that once housed the Duncan Road Baptist Church, Faithful Churchreaders. You’ll recall that our eaves had dropped, that is, there was an approximately 50’x25’ opening in the soffit over the sidewalk on the west side of the covered drive-up. (Okay, okay, maybe the size of the hole is slightly exaggerated, but would you even notice if this loyal writer limited their reports to harsh reality? I think not.) Back to our story…

Our pervious installment of this saga indicated that the hole was to be closed by the courageous and inexhaustible workmen of the Churchfamily. (Evidently, this loyal reporter is not the only one who exaggerates.)

The heroine in our story, Karen the Constant Accountant, spends long hours in the Churchoffice often alone with nothing but her book account ledgers to keep her company. But, she never complains because she has a pure heart. Suddenly, Karen the Constant Accountant was terrified (see terrifying creatures above) by the unexplained knocking coming from the lobby area of the old ruins. Shrieking in stark terror she shrieked, “Oh my, whatever could that fearful knocking be?”

In burst our non-hero, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, arriving in a cloud of diesel dust. “Have no fear, Karen the Constant Accountant; I am here to save the day. Those terrifying noises are only the sounds of strange and terrifying creatures that inhabit the open eaves of our dilapidated ruins.”

Our Saga continues with the next installment. Will Karen be able to continue to work in the terrifying environment of the ancient ruins with all those strange and terrifying creatures (other than her co-workers) making terrifying noises in the lobby area of the ruins? Or will the brave and faithful Churchworkmen close the dropped eaves and secure the ruins from the invasions of the strange and terrifying creatures? Does anybody actually read this?

Better be makin’ tracks,

THE STAFF:

Larry Chapman, Senior Pastor

Travis Velder, Minister of Music & Worship

INFORMATION:

Duncan Road Church

430 NE Duncan Road

Blue Springs, MO 64014

816-228-7620

Fax: 816-228-8299

E-mail: drcoffice@duncanroadchurch.org