A Relevant Church and a New Revival
Dear Resurrection Family,
This week on Sabbatical I’ve been working on outlining sermon series for the next two years – I’m so grateful to have time away to think, pray, read and plan. Thanks, too, to all of you who shared sermon ideas last month – you had more than twenty years worth of sermon series ideas!
I’m in Kansas City this weekend and am so looking forward to being in worship with you in person. Every weekend, as I’m traveling, I worship online or TV and that has been a blessing. But there is something deeply meaningful about being in worship singing with others, praying with others that I miss while I’m away. I’ll be leading in worship at 9 and 11 am this weekend as we welcome a remarkably gifted young preacher, Rev. Dr. Kevin Murriel.
Dr. Murriel is the Senior Pastor of the 7,000-member Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a biblical scholar, a visionary leader and a dynamic preacher. I first met him at Resurrection years ago when he was a part of our young preacher’s conference. His doctoral dissertation was published as his first book, Breaking the Color Barrier: A Vision for Church Growth through Racial Reconciliation. It was named to the Hot New Releases list on Amazon.
Dr. Murriel will be sharing a message from John 5:1-9 titled “A Relevant Church and a New Revival.” Join us for in-person worship at 9 or 11 am at all of our locations. Click here for our physical locations or for information about joining us online or on television this weekend.
WE NEED YOU! JOIN THE VACATION BIBLE CAMP TEAM!
We have almost 1,400 children and their families ready to be part of this year’s VBC Great Adventure, where they’ll walk through the Exodus story with the Israelites and learn what it means to trust God. We could use some additional volunteers at each of our locations to join this adventure. No experience necessary, we’ll provide training and resources. All you need is a willingness to care about kids and show them the love of Jesus – and have fun! VBC kicks off during KiDSCOR on Sunday, July 18. Learn more and sign up.
SCHOOL MAKEOVER – PRESCHOOL EDITION UNDER WAY
Now – July 16
Our School Makeover – Preschool Edition got off to a great start this week. Volunteers began the 10-day blitz at Della Lamb’s Early Education program and Emmanuel Family and Child Development Center yesterday. Work will continue through July 16. We still have morning, afternoon and evening shifts available.
HOLY FRIT, AUDIENCE CHOICE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY, PREMIERES THIS SUNDAY
July 11, 2021
This Sunday night will be the only chance you’ll have to see Holy Frit, the documentary about the making of the Resurrection Window, in the space with the actual window! Documentarian Justin Monroe spent five years making this film, documenting every detail of the design, creation and installation of the window, then turning this into a fascinating film that helps viewers see how the window almost didn’t get created.
We’ll share the film at 6 pm Sunday night at the Leawood Sanctuary. It is free of charge and we’ll have free popcorn and bottled water. Please click here to register if you’d like to join us for the film. Invite your friends and neighbors. I’ll kick off the film, then next Tuesday night I’ll field your questions about the film and the window at Tuesday Vespers. It’s won the Audience Choice for Best Documentary at three film festivals so far.
Just a reminder, this was not created as a “Christian film” but a film that would find a way to tell the story that would draw the interest of non-religious and nominally religious people (and Christians!). It tells the story of the window largely through the eyes of the artist, Tim Carey. It is a bit salty in places, with some swear words scattered throughout, capturing the reality of the personalities of the windows makers. Be aware of this if you plan to bring your children. From our perspective as a church, our hope was that after seeing the film, people would want to come and see the window, and in seeing the window, they would hear the window and its message speak to them. You can watch the trailer here.
TUESDAY NIGHT VESPERS
Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm
Next Tuesday night at Vespers I’ll be talking about the making of the Resurrection Window and fill in some details missed in the film. You don’t need to have seen the film to enjoy Vespers next week, but you’ll enjoy it even more if you have. And we’ll talk about the inspiration behind the window and its message. Vespers is every Tuesday night on Facebook Live at 7:30 pm Central Time. If you follow my Facebook page you’ll be automatically notified when I go live – just go to my Facebook page and click “follow.” If you don’t use Facebook, you can also find it posted on cor.org/next after the live video is over.
WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YOUR RESURRECTION LOCATIONS?
Watch for the new “Next Steps” newsletter in your email on Tuesday. This newsletter includes a personal message from your location pastor (Wendy, Anne, Bill, Penny or Joshua) and opportunities for you to engage and connect at your Resurrection location.
I look forward to joining you in worship this weekend as we hear a special message from Dr. Kevin Murriel.
In Christ’s Love,
Adam
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.
