Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - February 9, 2024

Dear Resurrection Family,

We have a big weekend and week ahead at Resurrection! This weekend is our Sack Hunger Food Drive, Pastor Darryl Burton is preaching, and we have a Sober Super Bowl Party sponsored by our Resurrection Recovery Ministry. Leawood’s Sunday night worship will be from 4 to 4:50 pm to allow folks to make it home to watch the big game, and next Wednesday is both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday! Wow! So, let’s jump in…

THIS WEEKEND: LENT AND THE LOVE TRAIN

This weekend, Pastor Darryl Burton will be sharing the message at Resurrection. In 1984, Darryl was convicted of murder in St. Louis, Missouri. The only eyewitness to the crime (who told police Darryl was not the shooter) was not called upon to testify at Darryl’s trial. In 2008, 24 years later, he was exonerated. After he was released, he answered God’s call to go to seminary, attending Saint Paul School of Theology. Pastor Darryl joined our staff in 2014. He also co-founded Miracle of Innocence, a nonprofit focused on helping others wrongly accused and providing care for those newly exonerated.

Pastor Darryl has spoken across the country and around the world. His message of forgiveness, transformation and hope always inspires me. I know you will be inspired as well. I hope you’ll invite a friend to join you this weekend to hear Darryl’s message. I know it will inspire you, also.

DARRYL BURTON BOOK SIGNING FOLLOWING WORSHIP SUNDAY, FEB. 11

Pastor Darryl has written a book about his story that was just released two weeks ago entitled, Innocent: A Second Look. I had the privilege of reading an advance copy. It is a remarkable book that you will not want to put down. It details his life story, his arrest and conviction, what life was like in prison the 24 years he was there, and his journey in the years since. He’ll be in the narthex signing copies following the 9, 11 am and 4 pm services at Leawood this weekend. Additionally, he will be signing books after the 7:30 am worship service on Sunday, February 18 in Wesley Chapel. You can purchase a copy of his book at the bookstore nook near Resurrection Kids area or from The Well bookstore, beginning February 11.

DON’T FORGET OUR SACK HUNGER FOOD DRIVE AND SUPER BOWL CHALLENGE

United Methodists from California, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho – 49ers territory – have a friendly competition with United Methodists from the Chiefs Kingdom – Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, to see who will collect the most food in our Super Bowl-related food drives. All food and donations must be in by this Sunday to be counted.

We’re collecting items for our sack-lunch program for the homeless, and we’re collecting monetary donations to provide 20+ area food pantries in Kansas City with fresh meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Through our suppliers, we can purchase 1 lb. of fresh food for every $1.17 donated (versus an average cost of $1.99 per lb. when purchased from a grocery store.) Here’s the direct link to donate.

LENT BEGINS WITH ASH WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14

The season of Lent, the 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Good Friday and Easter, is a season of repentance and a time for more intentional spiritual reflection and growth. Most Christians choose to fast something during Lent as a way of expressing our love for God and identifying with Jesus who began his public ministry fasting 40 days and 40 nights. Lent officially begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14.

We have a noon service at Leawood for those with Valentine’s plans or join us at 7 pm at any of our six area locations or online. At Leawood, the services will be in the sanctuary. It is a powerful service climaxing with writing our prayers of confession, coming forward to have ashes imposed upon our foreheads, and then burning our prayers as we exit the church. It is a service, and a season for reflection, introspection and repentance. There will also be an Interactive Family service in the Foundry and at Resurrection West from 6:15 – 6:45 pm that will allow families to also attend the 7 pm service.

During the season of Lent, many choose to fast – give something up – to help them remember and focus on Jesus. I would also encourage you to use the season of Lent to adopt a new intentional way to grow in your faith. You could commit to being in worship every week, spend time daily in Bible reading and prayer, and commit to serving others. Here are a few ideas and opportunities.

WELCOME NEW RESURRECTION MEMBERS!

Welcome to the 197 people who joined Resurrection this past Sunday. We had 92 individuals (children and adults) join at Leawood, 19 at West, 20 at Downtown, 9 at Blue Springs, 12 at Overland Park, 36 at Brookside, and 9 Online. Click here to open a document with our new member names, and make it a point to reach out to those at your locations.

PRESIDENTS’ DAY SERVE WEEKEND – FEB. 17 AND 19

In January, we had to move our Martin Luther King, Jr. Serve Weekend to February because of the cold temperatures. We are looking forward to a community-wide day of service Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17 and 19. We have a variety of opportunities for you, your family and your friends to share the love of Jesus in impactful ways by serving our neighbors. Just follow this link to find where and when you are interested in serving, sign up and join us for a fun day of serving.

FEBRUARY BLOOD DRIVES – SHARE THE LOVE!

For 30 years, Resurrection has been saving lives together with the Community Blood Center. If you’re not sure if you are eligible to donate, check the donor eligibility here, many previous restrictions have been removed. Every donation makes a difference! Here are the dates and locations, click on your preferred time and location to make an appointment, but walk-ins are always welcome.

• Feb. 12, 8 am – 8 pm, Leawood
• Feb. 13, 8 am – 8 pm Leawood
• Feb. 15, 2-6 pm, Blue Springs
• Feb. 15, 2-7 pm, Overland Park
• Feb. 19, noon – 6 pm, West
• Feb. 20, 8 am – 2 pm, West
• Feb. 21, 9 am – 1 pm, Brookside 

RECOVERY HOSTS SOBER SUPER BOWL PARTY

Resurrection Recovery welcomes individuals in substance recovery and their loved ones participating in our Recovery groups to cheer on the Chiefs (and 49ers) on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 5 – 10 pm in the Resurrection Leawood Foundry (Bldg. B). Wear your Chiefs gear or just come as you are as we share sober fun, pizza and snacks and a few great giveaways! Bring a guest if you’d like and join us in a celebration that not only will support our boys in red but will also support your recovery!

VESPERS THIS TUESDAY: THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

This Tuesday Night at Vespers I’ll be sharing an update on what is likely going to happen at General Conference this April and how it will impact the future of the United Methodist Church. If you get a chance, follow me on Facebook and request to be notified when I go live. Here’s the link.

MY INTERVIEW ON THE CAREY NIEUWHOF LEADERSHIP PODCAST

Carey Nieuwhof’s Leadership Podcast is one of the top church leadership podcasts in the US. On Thursday of this week, he posted our conversation in which he asked me about leadership, Resurrection’s story, how a pastor can remain energized after serving the same church for 33 years, and the “denominational divorce” that’s been going on in the United Methodist Church. If you are interested in listening to our conversation, you can listen to it here.

Don’t miss worship this weekend, I know Pastor Darryl’s message will inspire us all.

Adam