Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Dear Resurrection Family,

For many of us, Memorial Day will include travel, the opening of local swimming pools, cookouts with friends, and other activities. Traditionally, the observance of Memorial Day began after the Civil War when it was called Decoration Day – a time to decorate graves with flowers and honor the dead, particularly those soldiers who died serving their country. The modern proclamation calls on Americans “to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.” I hope this weekend will also include worship, and that you’ll take a moment to pray and reflect on the sacrifice made for our freedom. I’ve included a prayer you can use at the end of the eNote.

WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND – POLITICS, HARD CASES, AND FORGIVING MYSELF

This weekend, we’ll conclude our series on Forgiveness. In this weekend’s sermon, you’ll hear a bit of my interview with noted psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud on politics and forgiveness. You’ll also hear a bit of my conversation this week with legendary Kansas City sports broadcaster Frank Boal as we talked about the estrangement he experienced with his son, and how they were reconciled before his son died in an automobile accident. Finally, we’ll look at forgiving yourself, where I’ll include a clip from the Netflix short documentary called Quilters about prisoners in a Missouri penitentiary who make quilts and the importance of forgiving yourself. I think it will be a powerful message. I’d love to invite you to join us in person if you are in town, and if not, join us online or on TV. And, you each know someone who needs this message, invite them to join us too! Go to resurrection.church/worship to find all the times and locations including online and television.

FAMILY WORSHIP TOGETHER WEEKEND

This is a worship together weekend when we invite families to worship together. We will not have programs for children and students, but childcare is available for children age 4 and under.

FORGIVENESS RESOURCES FOR GOING DEEPER

Forgiveness Book Available – This weekend, we will have copies of my book Forgiveness: Finding Peace through Letting Go available after worship at all our locations for purchase if you are interested. The book retails for $18.99, but it will be available for $8 plus tax if you would like a copy. If you worship with us on television or online outside the Kansas City area, you can order a book through our bookstore here. The sermon themes were drawn from the book. If you have friends or family who need help with forgiveness, you might want to share a copy with them.

Forgiveness Study in June – We are offering a churchwide Forgiveness Study in June that will offer biblical guidance and practical wisdom to help you experience the freedom that comes through forgiveness. This meaningful follow-up study will be offered at each of our locations and online. You can see the times and locations and register here.

Forgiveness Summit Cancelled – The Forgiveness Summit scheduled for May 30/31 has been cancelled. We believe the timing with the beginning of summer break had an impact on registration. We’re looking for another time for our guest speakers to join us when more people can participate. If you registered, you should have received information about your refund.

THE SHOOTING IN WASHINGTON DC

As you no doubt know by now, Wednesday night, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two Israeli Embassy staffers, were shot and killed in Washington D.C. Sarah was a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School and a member of B’nai Jehudah, the synagogue at 125th and Nall whose members are our neighbors and friends. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families and their faith communities.

Drawing from a post I made on Facebook yesterday, I’d offer a few thoughts:

Hate, violence and murder in the name of protesting injustice only injures the cause and people for which one claims to be protesting. This was true on October 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked, murdered and kidnapped hundreds of Israelis. It has been true of acts of injustice and military action against non-combatant Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. It is true of the murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim at the Capital Jewish Museum this week by a man claiming to be protesting the violence in Gaza. Dr. King was right when he said, “hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

I want to reiterate our commitment to stand with our Jewish neighbors against antisemitism. I hope your Jewish neighbors and friends know of your support and care for them. If you hear antisemitic comments, or see antisemitic actions, I hope you will say something.

This does not diminish our concern for injustice experienced by Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims, in the Holy Land. These two, standing with Jews and standing with Palestinians, are not mutually exclusive but both efforts to speak up for justice wherever it is lacking.

It is also true, in the political lives of ordinary Americans when, in our frustration and anger over policies and people we may disagree with, we allow hate to fill our hearts, and when our speech or actions in protest no longer reflect our shared humanity or the love that Christ called us to demonstrate even towards our enemies. We cannot ever condone hate and violence as means of protest however noble we feel the cause may be.

BUILDINGS CLOSED MONDAY, MEMORIAL GARDENS OPEN

In honor of Memorial Day, Resurrection locations will be closed on Monday, May 26. The Resurrection Memorial Garden at Leawood always remains open, and Wesley Memorial Garden, which requires entrance through Building C, will be open on Monday, from 9 am – 2 pm. Please enter the building through the South Entrance.

As a reminder, if you have a critical pastoral care need after office hours, or on holidays, please call 913-544-0799. The pastor on call will return your page as soon as possible.

JUNE SERMON SERIES – THE NICENE CREED: IS JESUS GOD?

1700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Constantine called together 300 bishops to answer the question: Is Jesus God? Their answer became The Nicene Creed, the most important creed in Christianity. Beginning June 1, we’ll spend two weeks exploring their answer and what they meant when they said Jesus is “begotten of the Father,” yet “God from God, light from light.” This ancient creed still has much to teach us today, and I’m looking forward to sharing this with you. Plan to join us for worship.

RESURRECTION NIGHT AT ROYALS GAME JUNE 27

Plan to join us for Resurrection Night at the K on Friday, June 27, at 7:10 pm when the Kansas City Royals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals are having a great season, and we hope to see a huge Resurrection crowd from all our locations. Get your tickets here today and join us for a memorable evening of baseball, fellowship, and fun!

RUMMAGE SALE: VOLUNTEER, DONATE, SHOP

The Resurrection Rummage Sale is coming up June 12-13 at Resurrection Leawood, and we’re collecting furniture, household goods, and gently used items that are just waiting for a new home. All proceeds from the sale will go to support local initiatives to support women, children and families directed by our United Women in Faith. Volunteers are needed to prepare for the sale June 8-11, during the sale June 12-13, and post-sale June 14. Donation drop-off will be June 8-9. If you live within 10 miles of Leawood, our volunteer pick-up team can come to your house and pick up your donations from your main floor or garage when you sign up. You can sign up to volunteer, find a full list of acceptable donation items, and schedule your pick-up time here.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING FUND THE LEAWOOD CHAPEL WINDOW!

Thanks to the generosity of so many, we have reached our goal of $1.2 million to support the design and fabrication of the stained-glass window in the Resurrection Leawood Chapel. If you missed the chance to help with the window, there will be opportunities to help with a few other sacred elements for the chapel after they are designed. More on this later this year.

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

As we near the end of May, I want to remind you that Resurrection Counseling Services provides confidential, compassionate care for children, teens, adults, and couples through both virtual and in-person sessions. Share this information with your friends, neighbors and co-workers. You can learn more here.

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: CHOOSING LOVE OVER HATE

This week on my podcast, Making Sense of Faith, I shared my full interview with Scott Mosher, whose son, Overland Park Police Officer Mike Mosher, was killed in the line of duty five years ago. It was a remarkable and inspiring interview highlighting his choice to forgive. You can listen or watch the podcast by clicking here.

Have a great weekend and join us for worship!

In Christ’s love,

Adam

A PRAYER FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Thank you, O God, for the precious gift of freedom; the freedom to worship, to speak and to live according to our conscience.

On this Memorial Day, we remember with deep gratitude the brave men and women who gave their lives so that we might enjoy these liberties. Their sacrifices reflect the love of Christ, who laid down his life so that we might be eternally free. Help us use our freedom wisely, in service to others, to seek justice and reflect your light in a world longing for peace. Comfort the families who have lost loved ones in service and remind them that their sacrifice was not in vain.

May we live each day with thankfulness and courage, honoring both their memory and your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Reprinted from Christianity.com)

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.

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