Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - December 1, 2023
December 1, 2023
Friends,
I’m really excited about this weekend! We have the Merry Little Christmas: A Family Advent Gathering tonight at 6:30 pm at all of our locations except Leawood, and from 9 to 10:30 am tomorrow morning at Leawood with the children’s Christmas musical at 10:30 am. I will be a proud Papa tomorrow morning as Stella performs in the Children’s Musical (final rehearsal tonight). Then in worship, we’ll be singing Christmas and Advent carols (including one of the oldest hymns in existence, from around the year 350). We’ll light the Advent candles. We’ll share Holy Communion. And in the sermon, we’ll turn to the heavenly host spoken of 300 times in scripture – the army of angels – and the fallen angels, and I’ll tell you about three angels I saw this week.
I’ve got a lot to cover – please at least scan the headlines, there are some important things happening in the next few weeks!
THIS WEEKEND IN WORSHIP: “RANK ON RANK THE HOST OF HEAVEN”
Did you know that nearly 300 times the Bible refers to the “host” of heaven? The term is referring to angels, massive numbers of them, an army of angels. On Christmas, after the lone angel announced to the shepherds that Christ was born, “suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace upon all whom he favors.’” 295 times God is called “the LORD of hosts” in scripture. Who is this heavenly host? We’ll find out this weekend. And we’ll turn to the “fallen” angels – the devil and his minions. What does the Bible say about him, and them? And what difference does any of this make in our daily lives? I’ll end by sharing the stories of three angels, part of God’s “host,” this week! I promise you’ll learn, you’ll be inspired, and you’ll be called to action as a part of God’s earthly forces!
MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW!
I hope you’re planning to bring your children and grandchildren to join us for Merry Little Christmas, a fun, free event for children and families to kick off the Christmas season with Santa photos, crafts, mission projects and treats tonight, Dec. 1, 6:30 – 8 pm at West (Olathe), Downtown, Blue Springs, Overland Park and Brookside, and tomorrow at Leawood from 9 – 10:30 am, followed by the Children’s Christmas musical at 10:30. Details here.
READY TO MOVE FROM VISITOR TO MEMBER OF RESURRECTION? JOIN SUNDAY!
If you’ve been considering membership at Resurrection, you can register here to join us this Sunday, Dec. 3, at all of our locations and online from 2 – 4 pm for Coffee with the Pastors. Join us to meet our pastors and staff, learn more about the church, and what it means to be a Christian, a United Methodist and a member of Resurrection. Toward the end of the gathering, we’ll have a joining ceremony for those who are ready to officially join Resurrection. Child care is available.
JOY IN SERVING WEEK 2: PARTNER SCHOOLS
During December we have a wide range of JOY Serve Opportunities for you and your friends. If you are interested in serving in the community, you can sign up here for a project. In addition, we have donation opportunities each week. This weekend, we’ll be focusing on toys for the children in our partner schools. Simply pick up a bag for a specific grade and gender after worship to fill and return.
CHRISTMAS AT RESURRECTION PERFORMANCES NEXT WEEK
SHARE THE LIGHT THIS CHRISTMAS
- Invite someone to join you for worship as we sing carols, hear the Christmas story and share the tradition of passing candlelight while we sing Silent Night. You can find a complete list of service times and locations on our website: resurrection.church/Christmas. We have a time and place for everyone! Share this page with your friends.
- Volunteer to serve at a Christmas Eve service and help welcome our guests. Sign up here.
COULD GOD BE CALLING YOU TO BE A SMALL GROUP LEADER?
As our Christian journey unfolds, one of the ways we respond to God’s calling in our lives is to disciple others. Discipling others doesn’t demand that you have everything perfectly figured out; it simply means you’re saying “yes” to helping others grow in their faith. One meaningful way to do this is by leading a small group. At Resurrection, we have 2,600 people actively involved in small groups and others ready to begin this journey, but we need leaders. Support and training are provided. If you’d like to explore being a leader, learn more here.
835 PINTS OF BLOOD GIVEN – THANK YOU FOR SAVING LIVES!
Thank you to everyone who donated blood at our November blood drives. A total of 835 life saving units of blood were collected, 689 at Leawood, 93 at West, 35 at Overland Park, and 18 at Blue Springs. I’m a so proud of the way you continue to step up and care for our community!
CONVERSATION WITH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT LEADERS
American Public Square at Jewell, which brings together people from different perspectives to improve the tone and quality of civil discourse and find actionable paths toward common ground, hosts an annual gala, Evening at the Square,which will take place on Monday, December 4. The event features David Axelrod, a political strategist, commentator, and former advisor to President Barack Obama, and Michale Steele, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee and political analyst, in a conversation moderated by award-winning journalist, Margaret Talev, and American Public Square founder and chairman, Amb. Allan Katz. The evening will also honor bullying prevention activist, writer and educator, SuEllen Fried, with the 2023 Founder’s Civility Award.
We’ve had a great partnership with American Public Square, hosting events on suicide, civility and more. Resurrection was recognized by them several years ago with their inaugural Civility Award. Their work aligns with our vision of closing the kindness and civility gap by bringing people together to listen, learn and respect one another through civil discourse. The event is sold out, but American Public Square is extending a special offer to the Resurrection community for discounted virtual tickets to the program for just $50 each. Here’s the website for details about the event, and here’s the link to take advantage of the special virtual ticket price.
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS NEEDED
We’re thrilled to introduce a fresh mental health initiative exclusively for members of Resurrection, and for you to be a part of it. In our ongoing efforts to enhance mental health support, we are inviting Resurrection mental health professionals who have a degree in Mental or Medical Helping Professions (counseling, social work, psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, or equivalent) and are actively involved and/or employed in the mental health or medical field to join our Mental Health Professionals Collective. Take advantage of this opportunity to be part of a collaborative community dedicated to teamwork, networking, sharing expertise, and providing input for future Resurrection Mental Health initiatives. If you are interested in joining us, please email Dr. Rebeca Chow, Resurrection Clinical Counseling and Support Groups Director, at rebeca.chow@cor.org.
DO YOU HAVE FEDERAL GRANT EXPERIENCE?
Resurrection is looking for congregants with federal grant experience to help the church with equipment procurement, project management, and reporting related to a recent award. The role requires a few hours per month and includes a two-year commitment. Please contact Rachel.Svaty@cor.org if you are interested or know someone who might be.
RESURRECTION WOMEN’S AND MEN’S CONFERENCES IN FEBRUARY
February may seem a ways off, but I’m sharing information about some amazing conferences coming up in Feburary with you now, because this could be a great Christmas gift to give your significant other, friend or family member, and if you register now, you’ll get a discounted rate! We have a Women’s Conference February 2-3 at Resurrection Leawood, and a Men’s Conference February 24 at Arrowhead. I’m excited to be speaking at the Men’s Conference. Here are the information/registration links: Women’s Conference, Men’s Conference.
ADDITIONAL SHOWINGS OF DOCUMENTARY ABOUT RESURRECTION WINDOW NEXT WEEK
The special showings of Holy Frit – the film about the making of the Resurrection Stained Glass Window – are nearly sold out, so the theaters have added two additional times. Invite a friend to join you for a chance to see the film on the big screen! The artist and film maker will be be at the showings on Monday and Tuesday night for Q&A after the show. I’ll be joining them for the two Tuesday night showings. Show times are:
- Monday, Dec. 4, 5:30 pm, Glenwood Arts Theater, 3707 W. 95th Street, Overland Park, KS. (Q&A with designer and fim producer). Ticket link.
- Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7 pm, AMC Town Center 20, 11701 Nall Ave., Leawood, KS. (Q&A with designer, fim producer and me.) Ticket link.
- Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7:45 pm, AMC Town Center, 11701 Nall Ave., Leawood, KS. (Q&A with designer, fim producer and me.) Ticket link.
- Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7 pm, AMC Prairie Fire, 5724 W 136th Terrace, Overland Park, KS. Ticket link.
VESPERS THIS TUESDAY NIGHT: JOIN ME AT THE MOVIES
I won’t be leading Vespers this Tuesday, as I’ll be at the showing of Holy Frit, at AMC 20 for both the 7 and 7:45 pm showings, answering questions with the artist and the film producer. You can go to our YouTube page and watch previous Vespers that you may have missed. Here’s the link.
I’m looking forward to celebrating the second week of Advent this weekend with you!
Adam
P.S. Check out your location newsletter on Tuesday for more opportunities to get connected with Resurrection. Sign up here.
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.
