Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - April 24, 2026

THIS WEEKEND: SALT AND LIGHT AND THE HARD SAYINGS OF JESUS

This weekend I’ll be continuing our sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, as we recall two of Jesus’ best-known metaphors for what he hopes his followers will be and do: “You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.” These passages have been pivotal in shaping our congregation over the last 36 years. We’ll also look at several of the hardest sayings of Jesus in the gospels, passages about anger, promise making, enemies, adultery and divorce. We’re going to see what these passages are and are not saying, and how we’re meant to interpret and live them. Please bring your pocket testament or Bible to worship. We’re going to walk through Matthew 5 and I’d love for you to follow along and take note of several things in the text. Join us for worship and invite a friend. Here’s a link to all our worship locations and times.

PLEASE NOTE: BROOKSIDE WORSHIP TIME CHANGE THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, April 26, our morning worship service at Resurrection Brookside will start at 9:30 am instead of the usual 9 am time. The annual Trolley Run closes the surrounding streets that morning, so the later start ensures you can access parking and the building. The 11 am service will still be at its regular time.

5TH GRADERS (AND PARENTS): DON’T FORGET THIS IS SHARE SUNDAY

This is a special weekend for our 5th graders as they focus on their faithwalk milestone of sharing their faith by inviting their friends to join them at church. In Sunday School, they will have a special morning of food, games, and a time to learn together. If you see 5th graders and their guests in worship this weekend, make sure you welcome them. You could also join them in this milestone and bring a friends to church with you!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Welcome to the 184 new members who officially joined Resurrection last week as we hosted Explore Resurrection at each of our locations and online. We had new members at each of our locations, 76 at Leawood, 19 at West, 6 at Downtown, 5 at Blue Springs, 17 at Overland Park, 25 at Brookside, 7 at Spring Hill, 2 at Liberty, 22 at Lee’s Summit, and 5 Online. I’d like you to check out the list of names here so you can welcome them personally at your location, and you might also see a friend or co-worker on the list you can connect with. You can learn more about membership at Resurrection here.

CELEBRATING CONFIRMATION THIS WEEKEND

We will also be confirming 244 student this weekend and welcoming them into full membership in our church. In the United Methodist Church, confirmation is when 8th-12th-grade students choose to adopt the Christian faith for themselves. At Resurrection, they meet in small groups with mentors to learn, ask questions, serve others and discover what it means to believe and follow Jesus. In the confirmation ceremonies this weekend at Leawood, West, Downtown, Blue Springs and Overland Park, the students will make a public profession of their faith and become full members of Resurrection. Here is the list of this year’s confirmands. Please pray for each of these students as they take this important step in their faith journey. Also, thank you to the adult mentors who have guided these students. I invite you to consider whether you might be called to mentor students. You can reach out to our student ministry staff to learn more here.

LEAWOOD CHILDREN’S MUSICAL RESCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT, APRIL 24

Don’t miss the high-energy musical journey through the Gospels as our Children’s Choir presents The Fab 4 tonight at 6:15 pm in the Leawood Sanctuary. This will be an evening of music, fun and a powerful truth that the whole family will enjoy.

THE OTHER BROTHER: CHARLES WESLEY AND THE RISE OF METHODISM TUESDAY NIGHT

I’m excited about my conversation with historian David Worthington on Tuesday night, April 28, at 6:30 pm in the Leawood Foundry (Bldg. B). John Wesley is known as the founder of Methodism, but his brother Charles also holds a place in history. Many of the traditional hymns that we sing were written by Charles Wesley, but his contribution to the rise of Methodism runs much deeper than that. David has spent nearly two decades as the Global Ambassador of Methodist Heritage Sites for The United Methodist Church, and he’s joining me for a conversation Tuesday night to share his research and discuss our heritage as United Methodists. You can learn more and sign up here.

ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR RESURRECTION EARLY LEARNING CENTERS

Resurrection has Early Learning Centers (ELCs) at our Leawood, Lee’s Summit and Overland Park locations. Each provides a nurturing, faith-based environment where your little ones can grow, learn, and thrive. With options ranging from full-time year-round care to part-time preschool programs for children ages 6 weeks through pre-K, our ELCs are designed to meet your family’s needs while surrounding your child with love and community from the very start. Enrollment is now open, and spaces fill quickly. You can check them out here, or contact your nearest Resurrection ELC to learn more and secure a spot for your child.

COMING UP…

• Nehemiah Action Assembly, 6 pm, April 28. Resurrection is hosting The Good Faith Network’s Nehemiah Action Assembly in the Leawood Sanctuary. Representatives from over 30 congregations will share updates on how Johnson County officials are addressing issues such as Mental Health Crisis Care, Ending Homelessness, and the Lack of Affordable Housing in the Leawood Sanctuary.
• Graduation Celebration for High School Seniors, a week from this
  Sunday, May 3, we’ll be recognizing graduating seniors at all locations. We’ll
  have gifts for each senior and celebrate our seniors. Register here so we can recognize and celebrate with you.
• Church Conference, May 5, 6 pm in Room 252 at Leawood and online. All are
  members will vote on the Staff Parish Relations Committee’s recommendation of
  candidates for pastoral ministry and pastoral compensation for the coming year.
• Resurrection May Blood Drives, May 4-5 (Leawood), May 7 (Blue Springs
  Park), May 11 (West and Spring Hill), May 12 (Downtown), May 13
  May 14 (Lee’s Summit). Register here.