Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control
Dear Resurrection Family,
This week we hosted an event aimed at fostering Spirit-led conversations among pastors, lay staff, lay leaders and young clergy about the future of the UMC. We had over 700 participants including over 200 pastors from our largest churches, 150 young clergy as well as 350 staff and lay leaders from large churches. I heard from multiple pastors following the event saying it was the most hopeful conference they’ve been to in a long time.
I’d love for you to watch this two-minute video of young clergy (including some of our own) discussing their hopes for the United Methodist Church. Thank you to all our amazing volunteers and staff who made this event possible! Our hope for this event was to inspire, encourage and equip participants to be used by God to create a dynamic future for the United Methodist Church.
This Weekend
This weekend we’ll conclude our series on the Fruit of the Sprit by focusing on faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (though I’ll reverse the order to end with faithfulness). Many of the problems in our society, and in our personal lives, would be resolved if we were able to cultivate and live these three Fruit of the Spirit.
I’ll share with you what I learned from an apple grower in Gardner. I’ll share medical data regarding the significant health and life impact of self-control (it’s huge). I’ll share a story about college basketball coach, John Wooden – one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time – and what he learned about the importance of gentleness from his dad. You’ll hear from, among others, Jimmy Carter, telling the story of remarkable faithfulness seen in a farmer and pastor named Clarence Jordan. And we’ll learn what Paul meant by Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
I believe this conclusion to our sermon will speak to you as we seek to become “The You YOU Were Meant to Be.”
Here’s the promo for the sermon series. Share it with your friends to invite them to join you for worship this weekend!
Trunk or Treat This Weekend
October 30 & 31
I’m not sure who’s more excited – the kids or the volunteers and staff getting ready for the weekend. Trunk or Treat is going to be an awesome community event. I checked the forecast, and it looks like clear skies and cool fall weather. Trunk or Treat is at different times at each of our locations. Here’s the schedule, so you can find the event nearest you:
- Leawood – Saturday, Oct. 30, 3-5 pm
- Overland Park – Saturday, Oct. 30, 3-5 pm
- West (Olathe) – Saturday, Oct. 30, 5-7 pm
- Downtown – Sunday, Oct. 31, after worship services
- Blue Springs – Sunday, Oct. 31, 2-4 pm
Who do you know that doesn’t have a church home for their family? Bring them with you and come join the fun! I’ll be at the Leawood location dressed as Alexander Hamilton, playing the music from the musical, and giving away Chiefs flags to the first 1,000 kids courtesy of the Kansas City Chiefs!
Auschwitz Exhibit Conversation
Wednesdays, Nov. 3-17, 6:30 pm
Among the most deeply heartrending experiences I’ve ever had was walking through the Buchenwald Concentration camp in Germany several years ago. Close to it was walking through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC.
We currently have the Auschwitz Exhibit here at Kansas City’s Union Station. Beginning this Wednesday night, we’ll start a three-week study of Auschwitz and the Holocaust on Wednesday nights at our Leawood location or online. 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, lost their lives at Auschwitz, murdered, starved to death or experimented upon. It represents one of the darkest chapters in human history and it happened among industrialized, highly educated, mostly Christian people.
This Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:45 pm, I’ll be interviewing Rabbi Michael Berenbaum, the curator of the exhibit. This groundbreaking exhibition brings together more than 700 original objects and 400 photographs from over 20 institutions and museums around the world. This is the most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the history of Auschwitz and its role in the Holocaust ever presented in North America.
We have just a few tickets remaining to view the exhibit on Nov. 10, but you can always purchase tickets and go on your own (I’ll be previewing the exhibit on Tuesday afternoon). We’ll conclude this program on Nov. 17, when we gather back together to discuss the exhibit with the Executive Director at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education.
Learn more and register here →
Watch Holy Frit Documentary at Resurrection Leawood
Friday, Nov. 5, 6:30 pm
Holy Frit, the documentary about the making of the Resurrection Stained Glass Window just won Best Documentary yesterday at the San Diego Film Festival. Two days before that it won at the Naples International Film Festival. This month it also won best documentary at the Edmonton International Film Festival and won the audience award for the best documentary at the Port Townsend Film Festival. We’ll be sharing this film one last time in our sanctuary next Friday night, where you can watch the film in the room with the window.
This is a remarkable opportunity to both to look up and see the window, and look back through the movie to see how the window came together. The film is not a “Christian” film – it is a film about the artist, the team who made it, and the challenges and struggles getting the window made. There is some course language, a few cigars, and some degree of conflict. But, it showcases the story of this window and the significance of the story the window tells. Check out the trailer here.
We’ll show the film Friday, November 5. Doors open at 6 pm and the movie begins at 6:30 pm. The film is free, but we ask that you reserve your spot ahead of time.
Tuesday Night Vespers
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 7:30 pm
Join me for Vespers this Tuesday night at 7:30 pm on Facebook Live, at my Facebook page: Pastor Adam Hamilton on Facebook. You’ll also be able to view it on my Facebook page or the church’s YouTube page after Tuesday night.
Men’s Ministry: Grace and Fire
Friday, Nov. 5, 7:30 pm
I have a special invitation for Resurrection men, particularly those of you who worship at our West, Leawood and Overland Park locations. On Friday, November 5, at 7:30 pm, we will have an evening of worship and fellowship just for men at our Resurrection West location (24000 W. Valley Parkway in Olathe). We’ll have a bonfire, cookout and opportunity to share ideas about Resurrection Men’s ministry. If you are interested in learning more about Men’s Ministry, contact Pastor Tino Herrera.
Disaster Response Training: Chainsaws
Saturday, Nov. 6, 9 am – 3 pm
Have you ever wanted to learn how to SAFELY use a chainsaw? This is your opportunity. We are offering training that will prepare you to work as part of a chainsaw team in a disaster area. Training is next Saturday, November 6, from 9 am – 3 pm at Camp Timberlake in south Johnson County.
Christmas at Resurrection Postponed Until Next Year
This would normally be the time of year when I am sharing with you about “Christmas at Resurrection,” our annual musical program. Unfortunately, we have had to make the tough decision to cancel all performances again this year. At the time this decision was made, the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus was very strong in our country. With the uncertainty of the impact of that on crowd size, singing and orchestral participation we felt that this was the safest decision for everyone involved.
We are VERY confident that we will return in 2022 bigger and better than ever! If you want to mark your calendars, production dates will be December 8-11, 2022.
Living Out God’s Call to Love our Community
Pastors Cheryl Jefferson Bell and Patrick McLaughlin, along with several volunteer ministry leaders, invite you to join them at the Christian Community Development Conference (CCDC) hosted virtually and live in Downtown Kansas City on Wednesday, November 10. At the conference you will experience inspirational worship, challenging disciple forming messages, and tools for ministry that equip everyone who participates to live out Christ’s call to love all with mercy and justice in their community.
More information and registration can be found at ccda.org. Contact Patrick McLaughlin to inquire about scholarship tickets that are available for those who want to participate and put into practice what they learn.
Don’t Forget to Vote on Tuesday
On November 2 there are several important local elections taking place. Those we are electing will shape our communities, schools and children in more direct ways than those running for national office. I want to strongly encourage you to vote and, before you do, to read what the candidates have to say about what they think about the issues to see if the candidates’ views align with your own values and ideals. Johnson Countians can find candidate profiles for all elections at this website. Jackson Countians can find their information here.
I hope you’ll join us for Trunk or Treat AND worship this weekend!
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.
