WORSHIP ALERT:

Sunday, February 8, our regular 5 pm worship service at Leawood will begin at 4 pm.

IMPORTANT:

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

Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - February 13, 2026

February 13, 2026
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February 13, 2026

Dear Resurrection Family,

As we approach Valentine’s weekend, and while Pastor Scott and our other location pastors are preaching on the importance of relationships (not just romantic ones), LaVon and I are on vacation, focused on our relationship! Read the next section below to hear about this weekend’s sermon. But since Valentine’s is tomorrow, I thought I’d offer a few words about making romantic love last a lifetime.

In four months, we’ll mark our 44th wedding anniversary (I fell in love with LaVon two years before that!). In my wedding vows, I promised God to love and to cherish her until we were parted by death. Here are a few things that I do everyday that have helped me keep those vows:
  • Thank God for your mate several times a day – it makes you grateful.
  • Ask God to use you to be a blessing to your mate – it makes you considerate.
  • Never leave home without a kiss and saying, “I love you” – it makes you affectionate.
  • Never go to bed without a kiss and saying, “I love you” – it makes you loving and forgiving.
  • Look for the good and beautiful in them, and tell them you see this – it makes them feel seen and cherished.
  • Say thank you for something specific at least once a day – it makes you appreciative, and makes them feel appreciated.
  • Learn what makes them feel loved, and do more of that – it fills their love bank.
Doing these things and others, LaVon and I feel closer and more in love with each other today, after 43 years, than we’ve felt at any time in our marriage. One last word: the most challenging times in most marriages are in the years your kids are growing up, and your career is taking off, and there seems to be little time or emotional energy left for one another. That’s normal, and nearly everyone experiences this. LaVon and I did. Don’t give up and be intentional about investing in your relationship. Make time for date nights, get away for a romantic or fun weekend without the kids, and regularly do the things in the list above.

THIS WEEKEND: WHEN RELATIONSHIPS GET DIFFICULT

This weekend, Pastor Scott and our Location Pastors wrap up the two-week series of messages exploring the power of relationships and how friendship and community can be the antidote to loneliness and isolation. We’ll look at how our relationships can actually heal and strengthen us, and what to do when those relationships get messy or difficult. We’ll remember that we’re better together, and that God designed us for connection—not just to make life easier, but to make us and the world better. Scott was interviewed earlier this week by KSHB about the power of relationships. For those of you worshiping at Leawood, Downtown, Liberty, Online, and on TV, you will hear from Pastor Scott; and at all other locations, from your Location Pastor.

SEASON OF LENT BEGINS NEXT WEEK WITH ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent, the 40 days (not counting Sundays) leading to Easter, begins with Ash Wednesday on February 18. Traditionally, Christians have fasted during this season as a way to focus on their spiritual lives and prepare their hearts for Jesus’ death and Resurrection at Easter. Each year, I encourage you to do three things as you approach Lent:
  • Commit to being in worship every weekend of Lent, in person if you can.
  • Give up something meaningful to you during Lent, as a way of identifying with Christ’s sacrifice and expressing your love for him each time you consider what you gave up. It could be a particular food, or a drink, or a habit or practice (television, social media, etc.).
  • Read and study the scriptures daily. This Lent, as a congregation, we’re going to focus on the final week of Jesus’ life as described in Matthew 21-28. Over the 40 days of Lent, as you use the GPS (the daily Grow, Pray and Study guide), you’ll read through every verse in Matthew’s account of the Final Week. I’ll be preaching from these same stories each weekend of Lent. Sign up here to receive the GPS by email each morning.

LENT OPPORTUNITIES

Ash Wednesday Services Feb. 18 – Plan to join us for one of our Ash Wednesday services that will include the traditional imposition of ashes, moments of quiet reflection, and prayer as we begin our 40-day journey toward Easter. We will have services at 7 pm at all our locations and online. There will be an additional service at Noon at Leawood and online. We also have family services, designed with children in mind, Wednesday at 6:15 pm at Leawood (Foundry), West, Downtown and Brookside.
Daily Scripture Reading in the GPS – Read through everything Jesus said and did during the Final Week of his life through though the GPS here.

Churchwide Lenten Study: Small Shifts, Big Change – Beginning Feb. 23, our Lenten study will explore simple practices that transform your faith over time. The study is offered at multiple locations and times as well as online. Learn more here.

Lenten Concert Series – Be intentional about focusing on Jesus through beautiful music during the season of Lent at the weekly Wednesday concerts Feb. 25 – Mar. 25 in the Leawood Sanctuary. Concerts begin at 12:15 pm, and you can also purchase lunch and enjoy fellowship in the Café in Building A starting at 11 am. Details are here.

Easter Egg-Venture for families – Mark your calendars and plan to invite your friends and join us at one of our locations, Saturday, March 28 (March 29 at Liberty), for a fun-filled day for the entire family. Locations and times here.

LENTEN WORSHIP SERIES – THE FINAL WEEK: WALKING WITH JESUS FROM PALM SUNDAY TO EASTER

During the season of Lent, we will spend seven weeks walking with Jesus through the events of the final week of his life. We’ll begin Lent on Feb. 22 with Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday – we’ll actually start Lent with Palm Sunday – then spend three weeks studying Jesus’ words spoken on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. We’ll next recount the story of his anointing and his betrayal. Then we’ll share in his last supper, followed by Passion Sunday when we’ll recount his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Finally, on Easter, April 5, we’ll celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. This will be a powerful series as we walk with Jesus through his Final Week. Plan to join us each week. It will be a powerful and moving Lent focused on the events of the last week of Jesus’ life.

AMERICAN PUBLIC SQUARE EVENT MOVES TO LEAWOOD SANCTUARY

We’ve had a great response to next week’s program, I Love You, but I Hate Your Politics, sponsored by American Public Square on Thursday, Feb. 19! The response has been so great, in fact, that we’ve had to move to a larger space – The Leawood Sanctuary in Building A. I’ll be moderating a discussion on the book I Love You, But I Hate Your Politics with author and psychotherapist Dr. Jeanne Safer and her husband, historian Richard Brookhiser. Dr. Safer wrote the book about how, despite holding different political beliefs, they have stayed married and built a life together. They’ll share practical insights on navigating disagreements with family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors without sacrificing the relationship. If you’re struggling to talk politics with someone you care about or simply want to understand how to stay curious rather than combative when beliefs collide, this program offers real strategies for preserving trust and connection in polarized times.

We have plenty of room for you to bring your friends and attend in person in the Sanctuary. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and the program begins at 6 pm. You can register for this free event here to attend either in-person or online. If you register to attend online, a link will be emailed to you with your confirmation. Childcare is available, but you need to register here.

FEBRUARY BLOOD DRIVES

For over 30 years, Resurrection has been the Kansas City area’s top blood drive location, and your donation really matters—each donated pint can help up to three patients in critical situations. The whole process takes about an hour; you’ll get a quick health screening, and as a bonus, every donor gets a free Chiefs t-shirt. You can reserve your time slot in advance or just walk in. Here are the dates and locations. Select your location and time, and use this link to sign up.

  • Mon., Feb. 16, 8 am – 8 pm, Leawood
  • Tue., Feb. 17, 8 am – 8 pm, Leawood
  • Thur., Feb. 19:
    • 8 am – Noon, Brookside
    • Noon – 6 pm, Overland Park
    • 2 – 6 pm, Blue Springs
  • Mon., Feb. 23, 10 am – 7 pm, West (Olathe)
  • Tue., Feb. 24, 3 – 7 pm, Downtown
  • Wed., Feb. 25, 1 – 6 pm, Spring Hill
  • Thur., Feb. 26, 2 – 7 pm, Lee’s Summit

REGISTRATION OPENS SUNDAY FOR VACATION BIBLE CAMP VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR CHILDREN

We’re already looking ahead to summer and to Vacation Bible Camp the week of July 12 for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. This year’s theme is GOAL—Go Out And Love—which fits perfectly since Kansas City is hosting the World Cup this summer. It’s going to be a great week of games, music, activities, and making new friends, with morning and evening sessions available to fit your family’s schedule. If you’re interested in volunteering as a leader, registration opens Sunday, Feb. 15. One perk is that volunteers get first access to register their own kids or grandkids at this time, before public registration opens on March 15. Spots fill up fast, so if you want to serve and get your kids signed up early, you can do so here.

I’ve got to run, LaVon and I are spending the day together hiking, talking, dreaming about the future, breaking bread together, and deepening our friendship!

Happy Valentine’s Day 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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