Month: December 2021

Faith news

Blessed Sacrament and Christ the King Catholic churches will hold Masses on Sunday, Dec. 12. Sunday Masses at Christ the King are at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and at Blessed Sacrament, Sunday Masses are at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. For more information, visit the churches’ websites or Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/Christ-the-King-Parish-KCKS-1392808997677579 and www.facebook.com/BlessedSacramentkck.

Casa – Worship House Christian Church, 5217 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, will have Sunday services at 11 a.m. Dec. 12. A Christmas family event is planned at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Santa Claus will make an appearance. Those who are 12 and younger may play games and receive gifts, while items last. See details at www.facebook.com/casadealabanzaKCKS. For more information, visit Facebook @casadealabanzaKCKS.

The First Christian Church of Bonner Springs, 148 N. Nettleton, plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, in the fellowship hall. To make an appointment, visit savealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 759 Vermont, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a program, “The Gospel of Non-Violence,” led by Peg Burns, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. Pre-registration is required to 913-689-9375. For more information, visit https://www.mountosb.org/ministries/keeler-womens-center/.

London Heights Baptist Church, 734 N. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will be the site of a Christmas concert by the Kansas City, Kansas, Community Orchestra at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. The concert is open to the public and is free, and donations will be accepted. The orchestra will perform Christmas favorites.

Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, 9301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, will have services at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 12. See details at https://www.facebook.com/ORMBCKC or http://ormbc.org/church-online/.

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas, will have services in person at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, and livestream at https://www.facebook.com/opendoorkc/ and https://www.opendoorkc.com/. Open Door is planning a free Christmas concert by the Ball Brothers at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at the church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace.

Our Lady and St. Rose Catholic Church, 2300 N. 8th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Mass in English at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/ourladyandsaintrose.

Free COVID vaccines will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at Sacred Heart Church, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Participants may receive the first, second or third dose. Three COVID vaccines will be available. Participants who are Wyandotte County residents may win a $25 gift card per person, or $100 per family. Vaccines are available for anyone 5 years and older, and booster shots for anyone 18 and older. Free hams and chickens, one per Wyandotte County family with at least one vaccinated person, will be given away while supplies last. Also, participants who receive a vaccine will receive a free order of tacos.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will have services at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. Services also will be livestreamed on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StonyPointChristianChurch. Sunday school will be at 9 a.m. There will be a welcoming reception for the Rev. and Mrs. Caleb Plumb on Sunday, Dec. 12, in the coffee shop following a congregational meeting.

St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold Mass at 7:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. in Spanish and 2:30 p.m. in Burmese on Sunday, Dec. 12. St. Patrick Church will have an evening of Advent and Christmas music in church at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. St. Patrick Church plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment, visit savealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/StPatrickKCK.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will have services at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. The service will be available online. See more information at https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsKCK/ or https://www.stpaulskck.org/.

Sunset Hills Christian Church, 6347 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, will have services at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. For more information about this Sunday’s plans, visit the Facebook page of Pastor Mike Barnett, https://www.facebook.com/mike.barnett.528. Services are also provided through checkout of DVD or SD Card and can be sent by email upon request. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/sunsethills.christianchurch.

Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will have a worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12. A video of the service will be at https://www.facebook.com/Wyandotteumc. Wyandotte UMC will have a Christmas Eve service with candlelighting and communion at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24. On Sunday, Dec. 26, the church will have a hymn sing with Christmas carols.

Information about other church services in Wyandotte County may be available from the church’s social media page.
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Pirates end Huhtamaki tourney action with 58-53 loss to Mill Valley

Senior Jaron Briggs went up for a shot in the lane during the second half of Piper’s game against Mill Valley in the third round of the Huhtamaki Hardwood Classic tournament. Mill Valley won the game 58-53. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Pirates lost to Mill Valley 58-53 in the third round of the Huhtamaki Hardwood Classic tournament. The Pirates came back from a 15-point deficit and tied the game with two minutes remaining, but the Jaguars held on for the win.

Mill Valley got the early jump in the first quarter thanks to 2 blocked shots, but by the end of the quarter the teams drew level at 11. Gannon Roth hit a 3-pointer, and Jaron Briggs had two baskets to help even the score.

The second quarter belonged to the Jaguars, who held Piper to 9 points while they posted 22 at the other end. Seven Mill Valley players scored in the quarter, and the height and pace of the Jaguars kept the Pirates off balance.

Piper had trouble finishing at the rim during the fast-paced action. The Pirates attempted nine more shots than Mill Valley, but hit five fewer. Piper’s shooting percentage was only 31 percent for the half, which closed 33-20 in the Jaguars’ favor.

Piper started cutting into the lead out of the halftime break. Briggs hit two 3-pointers, and Colin Vigil added another in the third quarter.

Fouls started to accumulate for Piper in the second half, and freshman Lantz Walton saw extended minutes off the bench. Walton earned three steals in 14 minutes of game action and his defensive intensity helped his team close the gap to five heading into the fourth quarter.

Piper continued its comeback into the fourth quarter, drawing level at 52 when Briggs was fouled and hit two free throws with just over two minutes remaining.

A late double-dribble turnover by the Pirates let Mill Valley get back out to a 3 point lead, and Piper missed two 3-point opportunities to tie the game in the closing seconds. Mill Valley’s Nen Matlock iced the game with two free throws, capping off a perfect 10-for-10 at the line.

Briggs led the Pirates in scoring with 24 points in the game. Aaron Simmons had 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Piper narrowly lost Tuesday’s tournament opener to Olathe Northwest (60-57) but came back to trounce Schlagle (62-23) in the second round.

The team will finish its busy December schedule with games next week against Shawnee Mission Northwest, Louisburg, and Shawnee Mission North before starting the Christmas break.

Senior Aaron Simmons tossed in a short-range jumper. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman Lantz Walton switched directions on a dribble drive. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Sophomore Gannon Roth blocked a Mill Valley shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Blake Porter redirected around the defense of Mill Valley junior Dylan Blazer. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman P.J. Moore drove along the left baseline. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Colin Vigil went up for a finger roll. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Sophomore Gannon Roth went up for a short-range shot. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Jaron Briggs waited for Mill Valley senior Adrian Dimond to fly by before putting in a layup. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Aaron Simmons was defended by Mill Valley senior Adrian Dimond. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Mill Valley junior Nen Matlock pulled down a rebound to end Piper’s final scoring chance. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Red Cross responds to devastating tornadoes

The American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas is coordinating with local and state emergency management to assist communities hit by devastating tornadoes overnight in Missouri and Arkansas.

“Our hearts go out to the individuals and communities impacted across Missouri and Arkansas,” said Chris Harmon, regional disaster officer. “We have been working to determine specific needs and will continue to work closely with local officials today.”

Red Cross has sent responders to affected communities in the Greater St. Louis area including Edwardsville, Illinois, and in St. Charles County where homes were destroyed in Defiance, Missouri. Responders also provided assistance in Wright and Stone counties in Missouri where homes were damaged and are in the northeast Arkansas communities affected in Craighead County and surrounding areas.

Red Cross assistance following a disaster includes immediate needs such as shelter, food and clothing; providing mental health and spiritual care assistance; and supporting emergency responders in their rescue efforts with water and food.

How to help those affected by disasters

During and after disasters, financial donations enable the Red Cross to help people recover from disasters big and small. To give visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation or donate online at www.redcross.org.

To volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

Red Cross supporters

Red Cross provides help to individuals following disasters which is made possible through the support of volunteers and financial donors. The Red Cross is able to respond quickly when emergencies happen thanks to its generous Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) donors: Anheuser Busch, Enterprise and Walmart. And the Ready 365 donors pre-invest in Red Cross services to ensure that when emergencies happen, the Red Cross is ready to respond: Build-A-Bear, Boeing, Edward Jones, Emerson Charitable Trust, H&R Block, Hostess, Renaissance Financial, and Veterans United Foundation. The Red Cross is also a United Way community partner agency.