Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - July 21, 2023
We had an awesome Vacation Bible Camp this week! We had 1,552 screaming campers, and 508 amazing volunteers at our six locations this year. It was a blast! And the fun is not over. Tonight, starting at 6:30 pm we have our “beach bash” with hot dogs, and games; and at Leawood and Brookside, we conclude with a massive shaving cream fight and the fire department hoses us down when we’re done! I want to thank all of our volunteers and staff – I was so proud of our VBC and the lessons our kids learned about Jesus calling them, his being in the boat with them, his caring for the outcast, and his forgiveness for them. It was awesome!
This weekend is Family Worship Weekend, so we’ll invite families to worship together – no Sunday School but there will be nursery for children ages 4 and under. We’ll have a children’s message in the services, and I’ll be preaching the last sermon in our summer revival series (see below).
THIS WEEKEND IN WORSHIP: “THE MAN AMONG THE TOMBS”
WANT TO CONTINUE THE VBC FUN WITH RESURRECTION KIDS?
VBC is possible because of the more than 500 volunteers who make it happen. As we gear up for back-to-school and our fall programming, I invite you to consider volunteering with Resurrection Kids. We have a variety of ways to serve and make a positive impact on the lives of children. This weekend, you can stop by the tables after worship at all our locations and learn more. You can also check out the website.
CHRISTMAS AT RESURRECTION TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY, JULY 23
Christmas at Resurrection is a Kansas City musical tradition that takes place at Resurrection Leawood. This must-see musical presentation features more than 300 actors, singers, dancers and instrumentalists in a celebration of Christmas and the depiction of the traditional Christmas story. This year is an all-new program called Sing Choirs of Angels, but will includes some of the favorite numbers from previous years.
Performances are December 7 – 9 at 7:30 pm, with 1:30 pm matinees on December 8 – 9. and You can purchase your reserved seats beginning Sunday at ChristmasatResurrection.com. Purchase your tickets July 23 – 31, and you can get two tickets for the price of one. You won’t want to miss this great family holiday tradition!
THEATRE IN THE PARK TONIGHT?
Speaking of Christmas, this weekend is the last chance to catch, White Christmas at Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park. Resurrection’s own Kevin Bogan is directing, and the cast and musicians include many Resurrection members. It closes this Saturday night! For more information check it out here: theatreinthepark.org.
WORLD-CLASS SPEAKERS AT GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AUG. 3-4
Resurrection will be hosting the Global Leadership Summit at our Leawood location August 3 – 4. The Summit is an incredible two days of transformative teaching, art, and storytelling — all designed to help you maximize your influence to create a better world! We are all leaders – in our workplaces, our schools, our churches, our communities and our homes. No matter your place or position, the Summit will empower you to lead wisely and boldly wherever you are.
This year’s speakers include Condoleezza Rice, Patrick Lencioni, Liz Bohannon, James Clear, Erin Meyer, Ryan Leak, Pat Gelsinger, Francesca Gino, Anita Elberse, Albert Tate, Craig Groeschel, and more!
You can learn more and register online at GlobalLeadership.org/Summit. If Resurrection is your church home, use this code for our special pricing when you register: 23PHSHOST. As an added incentive, Resurrection members who register by July 24 will receive an additional $20 of their already discounted tickets. Here’s a link to a video where you can see what to expect at the Global Leadership Summit.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING A SUCCESSFUL RUMMAGE SALE
Thank you to everyone who donated and shopped, and to Resurrection’s United Women in Faith for another very successful Rummage Sale. This year’s proceeds of $38,786.65 will provide funds for ministries serving families in our community. In addition to the sales, we also donated four trucks of items to Flourish Furnishings, Avenue of Life, and Hillcrest Transitional Housing.
If you are interested in learning more about Resurrection women’s groups and opportunities to connect, grow and serve with other women, check out the website where you can find your place at Resurrection.
UPDATES ON LEAWOOD SANCTUARY PROJECTS
VESPERS THIS WEEK: MEET THE TEAM
This week I’ll be at the lake filming small group videos for my new book, Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith. A film crew from Abingdon Press and United Methodist Communications will be joining me to film. This Tuesday night, if we are done in time, I’ll be joined for Vespers by my editors at Abingdon and part of the film crew so you can meet the people behind my books and small group videos. This crew has been responsible for filming two dozen small group videos with me over the last 20 years. We’ll describe a little of how this works. Join me Tuesday night at 7:30 pm CDT as I broadcast live on Facebook. You can join me live on my Facebook page or view it after Tuesday on the YouTube page.
LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS – ONE TREE BRANCH AT A TIME
Resurrection’s Disaster Response Teams are trained and ready to respond wherever they are needed around the world, but sometimes it’s right in our back yard. After storms raged through the Kansas City area last weekend, many were left with downed trees and debris. This week teams have been partnering with the City of Overland Park to help with clean-up efforts for the elderly, disabled and others in need. I’m so proud of how our volunteers step up wherever needed.
Resurrection is able to quickly mobilize response teams because we have a cadre of volunteers who are trained and prepared. If you are interested in learning how you can be a disaster response volunteer, the information is on our website.
Adam Hamilton
Resurrection Senior Pastor
Reverend Adam Hamilton is the senior pastor of Church of the Resurrection and the author of 22 books. He has been married to LaVon since 1982, and she has been a critical partner in every dimension of Adam’s work. They have two daughters and one granddaughter.
Adam’s writings are known for helping readers make sense of challenging theological questions, exploring the significance of the biblical stories, and equipping Christian leaders to be more effective in their work. He earned his MDiv from Perkins School of Theology and graduated with honors from Oral Roberts University with a degree in Pastoral Ministry.
