Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

Dear Resurrection Family,

There’s a lot of excitement in Kansas City this week surrounding the NFL draft. If you’re downtown this weekend, check out the Resurrection billboards welcoming people to Kansas City. We’ll also have some digital advertising on the streetcar route, ride-share screens, and city display panels.

THIS WEEKEND IN WORSHIP: WHEN PRAYERS GO UNANSWERED

This weekend’s sermon starts with the story of a woman in our congregation who conceived, after years of trying to get pregnant, only to lose the baby midway through the pregnancy. She had prayed and prayed and God seemed silent, leading to disappointment with God and questioning God’s existence. This weekend we’ll consider the issues of unanswered prayer, if and how prayer “works,” and how we make sense of Jesus’ words in Matthew 21:21-22, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt… even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”

This is a very important message, and one I believe you’ll find inspiring and helpful, as we think together about prayer and its purpose. I believe you have friends you know who need this message. Invite them to join you in person, online or on TV. Reach out to them right now. Here’s the 30-second video promo about the series that you can share on social media or email to a friend.

NO 9 AM SERVICE AT RESURRECTION BROOKSIDE – THIS SUNDAY ONLY

Our newest location, Resurrection Brookside, is located right along the old Trolley Car route in Kansas City. This Sunday, April 30, is the annual Trolley Trail Run which happens right outside Resurrection Brookside – this is exciting and our Resurrection Brookside members and staff will be out to welcome runners, but the run will make it difficult to access the church until later in the morning, so there will be no 9 am service on April 30. If you typically go to the 9 am worship service, plan to worship at 11 am this Sunday. But, you are invited to start your day by handing out water and cheering on those in the Trolley Trail Run from 7:45 am until around 9:30 am. What a great outreach for our Brookside location! Sign up to help here.

PREPPED AND READY PARENTING EVENT WITH CHILDREN’S MERCY

Are you a parent, grandparent, or caregiver raising teens? Do you feel prepared for the teen years and ready to respond to the tough questions that arise? Resurrection is partnering with Children’s Mercy Hospital to offer a free parenting session, specifically for caregivers raising teens on Wednesday, May 10, 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Resurrection Downtown, 1601 Grand Blvd.

Developed by a doctor at Children’s Mercy, after spending hours with families in crisis, the presentation is designed to equip parents for the transition to parenting teenagers and will provide tips for addressing vaping, eating disorder prevention, handling tough questions, suicide prevention, and understanding how teens think. The event is free, but please sign up here so we can prepare for you adequately.

INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP? COFFEE WITH THE PASTORS MAY 7

You can remain a visitor at Resurrection and we will love you, care for you, encourage you and treat you like you are a part of our family. So, why join the church? Joining is a way of saying, “This is my church family. I am committed both to Christ and to the church and its mission. I belong here.” If you have thought about joining the church, Sunday, May 7, is your next opportunity.

Join me and our other pastors for Coffee with the Pastors, an inspirational two-hour membership class, where you’ll learn more about the church, get to know our pastors and staff, find out what it means to be a follower of Christ, and learn about our membership expectations. Coffee with the Pastors is an inspiring event that will be held at all six of our locations and online via Zoom from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, May 7. Here’s the link for more information and to register.

BLOOD DRIVES IN MAY

Mark your calendar and get ready to join our team in donating The Gift of Life – Blood, during the month of May. Did you know that one donation can save up to three lives? That’s like hitting a triple! And, speaking of baseball, donors at Resurrection’s May drives will be entered into a Royals Sweepstakes Drawing. Two winners will each receive four ticket vouchers and a parking pass, but the real winners are the people whose lives may be saved by your donations, so let’s double our donations and hit it out of the ballpark! You can click on the link to make an appointment, but walk-ins are always welcome.

Leawood, Monday, May 8, 8 am – 8 pm, Foundry Bldg. B
Leawood, Tuesday, May 9, 8 am – 8 pm, Foundry Bldg. B
Overland Park: Thursday, May 11, 2 – 7 pm
Blue Springs: Thursday, May 11, 2 – 6 pm
West: Monday, May 15, noon – 6 pm
West: Tuesday, May 16, 8 am – 2 pm

DISASTER RECOVERY MISSION TRIP IN JUNE

When a disaster like Hurricane Ian hits, we see the news and want to help, but when the media moves on to their next story, residents are often left continuing to recover and rebuild on their own. That’s where we can come in and help with long-term recovery. Long-term recovery is the rebuilding phase, helping residents with things like finishing drywall, laying floors and painting. These are jobs that don’t take a lot of training but would be overwhelming for a homeowner to tackle on their own.

We have a recovery trip going to Ft. Meyers, Florida, June 24 – July 1 where we will help the Southwest Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church with long-term recovery. Are you ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus and share hope with others? You can check out this and other upcoming mission trips on the website. Don’t wait, the deadline is May 5 to join the trip.

VESPERS RETURNS TUESDAY EVENING

I enjoyed answering your questions in our program the past two Tuesday nights. In case you missed it and are interested, the sessions are available on YouTube here.

This Tuesday, May 2, I’ll return to my regular Vespers. Join me this Tuesday at 7:30 pm CDT. You can join us live on my Pastor Adam Hamilton Facebook page Tuesday night, or watch the replay on my FB page or our YouTube channel after Tuesday.

LOOKING AHEAD AT RESURRECTION

JOHNSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH RESILIENCY CONFERENCE MAY 5

Resurrection is hosting this conference, presented by the Johnson County Mental Health Center, for individuals that have lived experience with a mental health condition or substance use disorder, along with supportive loved ones and members of the community on Friday, May 5, 9 am – 2 pm in the Leawood Foundry, Building B. Here’s the link to register.

YOUNG ADULT COMMUNITY GROUPS RELAUNCH MAY 10

Join young adults on Wednesday evenings at 6:45 pm in the Wesley Chapel to connect, grow in faith, and build relationships with older adult mentors. The group frequently goes on social outings and service projects. Learn more or register here.

RESURRECTION AND THE ROYALS FAITH NIGHT MAY 27

We have over 500 people already signed up. My family will be there. This week I was practicing and getting pointers on throwing out the opening pitch from one of our staff, Matt Williams, who played for one of the Chicago Cubs’ minor league teams. Join us for the game that starts at 3 pm, and then afterward for an on-field worship experience with music by the COR Worship Collective and testimonies from Royals players. Use this link to order discounted tickets.

RESURRECTION CAR SHOW JUNE 10

Sign up to show your car, volunteer or sponsor this fun, free event that benefits Resurrection’s Hunger Relief and Car Repair ministries.

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AUGUST 3 – 4

Two-day leadership conference at Resurrection Leawood. Details here. If Resurrection is your church home, use this code for our special pricing (23PHSHOST) through May 3.

I’m looking forward to worshiping this weekend!

Adam

P.S. Make sure you check out all the exciting things that are happening at Resurrection at resurrection.church/next.

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.

Learn More About What's Happening Now at Your Location

Watch for the “Next” newsletter in your email on Tuesday. This newsletter includes a personal message from your location pastor (Wendy, Anne, Bill, Penny, Joshua and Ashley) and opportunities for you to engage and connect at your location. If you’re not receiving it right now, you can sign up here.

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