Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Dear Resurrection Family,

I have a confession to make. I have devoted far too much time over the last year to scrolling through news feeds on my phone. In the morning, I wake with prayer, read my daily GPS – scripture, reflections, and devotion – and then look at the news feeds on Apple News, and repeat the same routine before I go to bed at night. I was spending 15 waking hours a week reading news feeds. For some of you, it may not be news, but social media. I wonder how many hours a week you spend on your phone or computer consuming content? Read on to the end of the eNote and I’ll tell you what I’m doing about my addiction to news feeds.

But first, there are lots of exciting things to share with you…

WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND – WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED

This weekend, we’ll continue our sermon series New Rhythms: Finding Life, Peace and Purpose with a message titled Where Two or Three are Gathered. In this series, we’re focusing on how the rhythms in our lives – those regular patterns and practices – define us, and how they can draw us closer to God. Pastor Joshua Clough, who was previously our Resurrection Overland Park Location Pastor and has returned to Resurrection as the Lead Director of Adult Discipleship, will be sharing the message at Leawood, online and on television. Location pastors will be sharing the message live at their locations.

I’m looking forward to assisting in worship at Leawood this weekend and hearing Joshua’s message as he explores how Jesus called his followers and us to gather in his name, and how this rhythm of Christian community can be life-changing. We’ll also be sharing a variety of ways you can connect with others for studies, classes, events and small groups this fall. Pick up a handout at worship this weekend or check the website here. You can also check out opportunities to be part of a small group at all our locations here.

RESURRECTION LEE’S SUMMIT MOVES TO MO-150 AND 291 THIS WEEKEND!

This will be an exciting weekend at Resurrection Lee’s Summit as they hold their first worship services in what was the Aldersgate UMC building. There have been some renovations to the space, which is an excellent facility. We’ll now have dedicated children’s nurseries and classrooms, fellowship spaces, a gym and more. Worship services will be at 9 am (modern) and 11 am (traditional) at 291 and MO-150 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Resurrection Lee’s Summit is grateful to have had the opportunity to launch at the John Knox Pavilion, and they now excited to begin worshiping and serving in their new church home. Several renovation projects have been completed, and more are coming over the next few months as the congregation prepares the building for our official grand opening celebration on October 5. If you want to get connected with Resurrection Lee’s Summit or invite your friends, check out their webpage and their new Facebook page.

SCREEN SANITY: DIGITAL HEALTH FOR ALL GENERATIONS AUG. 27

I began and will end this eNote, talking about my need and effort to have a healthier balance with technology. Plenty of studies show this is a huge problem, not only for adults, but for children and youth. Resurrection is joining with the Kansas City nonprofit Screen Sanity to host a nationwide gathering where people of all ages can explore practical solutions for managing technology in our daily lives. This 90-minute event features exclusive insights from the Screen Sanity Group Study, expert perspectives on digital wellness, and real conversations with others navigating similar challenges. You’ll gain concrete strategies for discussing everything from smartphone boundaries to social media safety with your families and friends, leaving with realistic tools that work for busy lives.

The Screen Sanity summit will be held at the Leawood location on Wed., Aug. 27 at 6:30 pm with live streaming to our locations, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options. Childcare is provided at select locations, and while the information is applicable for all ages, we do recommend that attendees are 18 and older. We can all benefit from a better screen-life balance! Click here to learn more, find location details and register.

BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE AND SUPPORT FOR PARTNER SCHOOLS

This weekend, we wrap up our annual drive to support our 12 partner schools. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of this important ministry that is making a real difference in our community! There are three ways you can serve:

Sponsor a classroom through a financial donation by clicking here.
Purchase and donate essential classroom supplies. Bags with lists are available at our locations or click here.
Volunteer in our Partner School Ministry. Learn more about opportunities to serve in the schools here.

THANK YOU, RESURRECTION SUMMER INTERNS!

I had the pleasure yesterday of hearing Resurrection’s summer interns share presentations about their experience and work serving on our staff this summer. It was incredible! These amazing young adults all shared the ways they have grown in faith and leadership as they served this summer. Their stories and the amazing work they have done were truly inspiring, and I can’t wait to see how God will use them in the future. I am grateful for these students, for our staff who mentored them, and those who are investing in the future by making these internships possible. I shared with them after the program my hope that each of them one day might be a part of our staff. I wanted you to know that this is one of the things you invest in here at Resurrection, as our staff mentors and encourages these gifted leaders. Here’s a photo of the group.

INCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE OF ANNIE AT THE KAUFFMAN THEATER THIS WEEKEND

VarietyKC, an organization committed to giving opportunities to individuals with a variety of abilities, both mentally and physically, is presenting a very special production of the musical Annie at The Kauffman Theater this weekend, Aug. 1-3. Here’s a link to a news story about the production. If you’re interested, you can get tickets here.

Leah Swank-Miller, Resurrection Overland Park’s Connection & Care and Student Ministries Director, is in the show along with other Resurrection Matthew’s Ministries volunteers and workers. As Leah shared with me, “The first day of rehearsal, I looked around the room. I saw professional actors with individuals with different abilities, ages, genders, and walks of life all singing together. I thought to myself, this must be what heaven is like because this feels like heaven on earth!”

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: OVERCOMING FEAR

In this week’s episode of my podcast Making Sense of Faith, I explore how ancient wisdom and modern psychology converge on a surprising truth about fear. I’ll share what I’ve learned about overcoming fear from scripture and from an unexpected source – my dog, Rocky. Click here to listen now or go to wherever you get your podcasts.

BREAKING FREE OF DOOMSCROLLING, ENJOYING LIFE

I mentioned up front that I found I was spending more than 15 hours a week reading news feeds (in addition to listening to the news while driving and watching the news on TV). For many, it is not news feeds but social media or online games. According to a host of sources online, the average person spends over two hours a day on social media – over 25 hours a week. I began thinking of all the things I could be doing with those 15 hours, and all the things I used to do before news apps. We should spend some time every day consuming news, being aware of what is happening in the world around us, and reflecting upon it and what the gospel response is to the events taking place in our world. But, I can be well informed, without getting sucked into my news apps. I don’t know what your relationship is like with your screens, but if you are like me, or if your kids struggle with this, consider being a part of Screen Sanity: Digital Health for all Generations, mentioned above.

By the way, since backing off of doomscrolling, I have had more time for scripture reading, exercise and reading other things I enjoy, while still following the news.

All of which ties in to the new rhythms our current sermon series is focused on!

I’m looking forward to worshiping with you this weekend!

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.

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Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - August 1, 2025

WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND – WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED

RESURRECTION LEE’S SUMMIT MOVES TO MO-150 AND 291 THIS WEEKEND!

SCREEN SANITY: DIGITAL HEALTH FOR ALL GENERATIONS AUG. 27

BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE AND SUPPORT FOR PARTNER SCHOOLS

THANK YOU, RESURRECTION SUMMER INTERNS!

INCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE OF ANNIE AT THE KAUFFMAN THEATER THIS WEEKEND

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: OVERCOMING FEAR

BREAKING FREE OF DOOMSCROLLING, ENJOYING LIFE

Adam Hamilton

Resurrection Senior Pastor

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