WEATHER ALERT:

Due to weather conditions, all in-person daytime and evening programs have been canceled across the church’s locations for Wednesday, except for the Recovery programs and Food Pantry at Overland Park. Decisions for Thursday daytime programs will correspond with local school district decisions and will be posted on the church’s website.

IMPORTANT:

Scheduled programming has resumed for Thursday, February 13 at all Resurrection locations.

Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024
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December 13, 2024

Dear Resurrection Family,

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Last night was the first performance of Christmas at Resurrection, and it was awesome! You really don’t want to miss this family holiday tradition. We have performances tonight at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm. Here is the link for tickets. If you would like tickets but are struggling financially this year, please click here to reach out to Hope Crook.

THIS WEEKEND: JOSEPH, PATRON SAINT OF…

The third weekend of Advent is Joy Sunday. It’s going to be a joyful weekend of worship. This weekend we’ll continue in our study of Matthew’s telling of the Christmas story, turning our attention to Joseph. Luke’s Christmas story was written with a focus on Mary, but Matthew puts the focus on Joseph. In my sermon, we’ll see how St. Joseph’s story speaks to our lives today.

It’s also Festive (or Tacky) Christmas Sweater Weekend in worship. I ordered a new Christmas sweatshirt this year just for this Sunday – LaVon told me it is quite “tacky,” but I’ll let you decide! Wear your fun Christmas sweater, or anything festive this weekend as we celebrate Joy Sunday in Advent. We’ll have prizes at each location for the best holiday attire!

345 ATTEND RESURRECTION LIBERTY LAUNCH!

Last Sunday we launched our 8th location, Resurrection Liberty with a beautiful worship service in Gano Chapel of William Jewell College. We had 345 people in worship, including many worshiping with Resurrection for the first time, as well as members of Resurrection and the Liberty community supporting this new location. If you live in the Northland or have friends who do, please let them know about our new location and invite them to worship with us each Sunday at 10 am. Share this web page with them for more information.

DOWNTOWN EXPANSION RIBBON CUTTING THIS WEEKEND

This will be an exciting weekend at Resurrection Downtown as we unveil our new building addition. Our Downtown location will celebrate this milestone in our church’s history with ribbon-cutting ceremonies after the 5 pm service on Saturday and at 10:20 am on Sunday between the 9 and 11 am worship services. This new space includes three new classrooms and a multipurpose space. We are grateful for the generosity of our congregation that makes it possible for us to continue to be a vital, growing church serving all generations in the heart of the city.

RESURRECTION LEE’S SUMMIT CAROLS AND COCOA SUNDAY NIGHT

Preparations are continuing for our launch of Resurrection Lee’s Summit this coming spring. If you are interested in being part of Resurrection Lee’s Summit, you are invited to join Pastors Robert and Ally for an evening of Christmas cheer as they gather on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 5 to 7 pm at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 1200 SW Blue Parkway in Lee’s Summit, MO. You can learn more and register here.

PREPARING FOR CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE

Each week I try and share opportunities for you to grow in your faith as you engage in the spiritual practices of worship, study, service, generosity and sharing your faith. As we approach Christmas Eve, I want to remind you of some specific ways you can do this.
  1. Worship with us. Times and locations are here and listed below for all 36 in-person services at 8 different locations plus online and television.
  2. Invite someone to join you. Here’s a video invitation that you can share with them.
  3. Help welcome our guests. Sign up here if you are able to volunteer at a Christmas Eve service.
  4. Share the light of Christmas through the Special Christmas Eve Offeringand our Holiday Joy in Serving.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE SCHEDULE

This weekend we’ll have a handout in worship that lists the 36 in-person services at 8 different locations, and service times online and on television. You can also find all this information at cor.org/Christmas. At every service and location, we’ll sing Christmas carols, explore the Christmas story from the Gospel of Matthew, and share in the tradition of passing candlelight while singing Silent Night. The 10 am services are our *Kids’ Interactive services (full sermon, candle lighting and kids elements included), and childcare for ages 4 and under is offered at all services before 9 pm.
Typically services at certain times reach capacity. If Resurrection is your church home, please consider attending services listed below in green where we anticipate the best availability. If this works for you, it will help make room for our first-time guests.

Leawood
Sunday, Dec. 22 – 5 pm
Monday, Dec. 23 – 5 pm, 7 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – *10 am, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 pm (Sanctuary), 3 and 5 pm(Foundry)

West (Olathe)
Monday, Dec. 23 – 5 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – *10 am, 3, 5, and 7 pm

Downtown KCMO
Monday, Dec. 23 – 5 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – *10 am, 3, 5, and 7 pm

Blue Springs
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – *10 am, 3 and 5 pm

Overland Park
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – *10 am, 3, 5, and 7 pm

Brookside
Monday, Dec. 23 – 5 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – *10 am, 3, 5, and 7 pm

Spring Hill
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – 3 and 5 pm

Liberty
Tuesday, Dec. 24 – 5 pm

CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING: THE GIFT OF HOPE FOR A CHILD IN NEED

If you’re looking for a meaningful gift for someone who really doesn’t need more “stuff,” consider giving a gift to our special Candlelight Christmas Eve Offering in their honor. We have cards that you can download here or pick up at worship this weekend to let them know of this contribution.

It’s our tradition at Resurrection to give our entire Christmas Eve offering to projects and programs benefiting children and families in need. Half supports local programs transforming the lives of children in our community through literacy and education, while also addressing critical family needs of food security and housing. The other half will help alleviate extreme poverty globally through education, permaculture, economic empowerment, and healthcare initiatives. I’ll be sharing more about this in our Christmas Eve services.

MY NEW BOOK THE MESSAGE OF JESUS AVAILABLE

My new book, The Message of Jesus: Words that Changed the World, was just released last week. In the book, I explore six of the most important themes in Jesus’s teachings, why they matter, and how they speak to us today. More than 3 billion people claim to follow Jesus. But aside from a few verses, many are not certain what he actually taught. The book is intended to be a fresh encounter with the words of Jesus which are not only life-changing but world-changing.

If you are interested in a signed copy, I’ll be signing copies immediately following worship after the 9, 11 am and 5 pm services in the narthex. You can purchase copies in our Well bookstore, or, this Sunday only, we’ll also have them available in the narthex of Building A. The royalties from copies sold this weekend will benefit our Christmas Eve offering.

THE SPRING CAFE AND THE WELL BOOKSTORE HOLIDAY HOURS 

If you are interested in purchasing books or other gifts from The Well Bookstore at our Leawood location, please note the holiday hours: Tue. – Thur. 9 am – 2 pm; and Sun. 8:30 am – 12:45 pm. They will be open on Monday, Dec. 23, from 9 am – 2 pm for last-minute shopping! On the same day, The Spring Café will be open from 8:30 am to 2 pm. Both will then close for year-end inventory until Sunday, Jan. 5.

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: BEYOND THE MANGER  

This Tuesday, my next Making Sense of Faith podcast will be posted. The title of this episode is, “Ask Adam Anything, Christmas Edition.” Part of the fun of the podcast is inviting listeners to share their questions about theology, faith, or the Bible. Resurrection staff member Megan Cullum took questions that were submitted about the Christmas Story, the Virgin Birth, the Incarnation, and asked away. I also had some questions some of you had asked me directly and we tackled those too. Do we have to believe in the Virgin Birth? If Jesus was fully human, did he have faults and make mistakes like we do? What is the incarnation and why does it matter? And a lot of others. The format of the podcast is a 30 to 45-minute conversation about questions of faith. If you have questions you’d like us to consider for future episodes, click here to send your questions to the podcast producer, Matt Williams, or you can submit them on our website.

You can download episodes of Making Sense of Faith on your favorite podcast app, or click here to watch or listen to the earlier episodes and to sign up to be notified when a new episode is released.

ENJOY THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS 

Two quick things before I go. Music can offer us a great opportunity to pause during this busy season and reflect on the meaning of Christmas. The Resurrection Brookside choir and organist will perform a concert with beloved carols and holiday music on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 6 to 7 pm. This evening of festive songs will lift your spirits and set the tone for the holiday season. Here’s a link to learn more. Also, the COR Worship Collective, comprised of Resurrection musicians and worship leaders, has recorded a Christmas Album that you might also enjoy listening to. Here’s the link where you can check it out and download it.

We can’t wait to see your festive Christmas sweaters in worship 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.

Learn More About What's Happening Now at Your Location

Leawood

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Downtown

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Blue Springs

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Overland Park

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Brookside

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Spring Hill

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Liberty

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Lee's Summit

coming soon