Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - January 16, 2026

January 16, 2026

Dear Resurrection Family,

This is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend – we’ve got hundreds and hundreds of you going out to serve across Kansas City on Saturday and Monday. Worship this weekend will focus on living courageously and fearlessly in our community and world. For those who missed worship this last weekend, check below where I’ll share with you the total of our Christmas Eve offering.

WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND: FEAR AND HATE, OR FEAR AND LOVE?

Over the last few weeks, 3,387 people took our Fearless Survey in which we asked about your fears, both personal and fears related more broadly to our world. This is one of the largest surveys on fear conducted in the last year. The data on fear is your data, and this weekend I’ll share with you your top seven fears related to issues or concerns in our world. My sermon will focus on the top three, with a nod to the fourth.

In preparing for my sermon, I spent two hours with Alvin Brooks this week. Alvin is 93 years old and grew up in Kansas City. He was one of the first black police officers in Kansas City. He went on to become one of the most respected civic leaders in our city and was named one of the “thousand points of light” by President George H. W. Bush. I wanted to hear from him on this Dr. King weekend about the connection between fear and prejudice.

In the message, we’ll turn to a couple of my favorite scriptures that help us know how faith helps us overcome fear. Bring a friend to come to worship with you.

RESURRECTION CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING: $2,338,504.08  

For the last 17 years, we’ve given away the Christmas Eve offering to ministries and programs benefitting children and families in need. Roughly half stays in Kansas City, and the other half is used in our partnerships in developing countries. I am so proud of you, Resurrection. To give this amount in one night requires significant sacrifices on your part. Your generosity will have a huge impact. Since we began giving away the Christmas Eve offering, you’ve now given $26,632,101. Thank you!

HONORING THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

This weekend, we honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s impact was revolutionary, spearheading the American Civil Rights Movement through nonviolent resistance, leading to landmark legislation that dismantled segregation and protected voting rights for Black Americans. He inspired global movements for justice, equality and human rights through powerful oratory and peaceful protests. His call for justice, equality, and love continues to resonate, reminding us that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”

Make it a day “on” by serving! On Saturday and Monday, thousands of people will be making the MLK holiday a day “on”, not a day “off” by serving the community. You can go into the community to serve through a variety of projects, or you can serve with a project on site at a Resurrection location. Many of the opportunities are already full, but there are still some openings you can sign up for on the website here. If you are a parent or grandparent of a 4th grader, you are invited to serve together as we celebrate this important faith milestone of serving. You can sign up here.

IMPORTANT ANNUAL CHURCH CONFERENCE JAN. 27

I hope you’ll plan to join me for our Church Conference from 7 – 8:30 pm on Tuesday, January 27. You can attend in person in the Leawood Student Center (Building C) or join us online via Zoom using this link. We will be approving elected leaders for governance committees, evaluating candidates for ministry, and discussing the 2026 budget, along with receiving important reports. Voting is open to church members present in-person, and no registration is necessary. For more information, contact Dan Entwistle. If you’re joining us on Zoom, you will be able to watch the meeting, but voting isn’t available online.

CONVERGE EVENT FOR STUDENTS IN NEW STUDENT CENTER

Converge is a two-day student conference for 6th – 12th graders on February 20-21 in the new Student Center for all Resurrection students and friends. It kicks off on Friday night from 6:30 – 10 pm, and then Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm. Over those two days student will experience powerful worship, interactive breakout sessions and teaching that explores how God’s love shapes who they are and calls them to live with courage and purpose. Cost is just $65 and includes both days of the event, materials, lunch and snacks. Register here for this awesome opportunity.

YOU COULD BE PART OF THE ONE ACCORD ENSEMBLE 

Do you love to sing? Isaac Cates, Resurrection’s director of worship outreach, is gathering singers from across our Resurrection community and the Kansas City area to celebrate worship through diverse musical styles and voices. This is your opportunity to be part of One AcCORd, a unique musical experience. You can check it out here.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CONFERENCES ARE COMING SOON!

Don’t miss the upcoming Beloved Women’s Conference Feb. 6-7 and the Determined Men’s Conference Feb. 27-28. This is a unique opportunity to be refreshed in spirit and strengthened in your walk with God alongside a community that truly cares for you. We will gather for powerful worship, inspirational teaching, and authentic fellowship. We also invite you to be the hands and feet of this event by joining our dedicated volunteer team. Visit our websites today to secure your spot or sign up to serve: Beloved for Women or Determined for Men.

THIS WEEK’S MAKING SENSE OF FAITH PODCAST: NINE VERSIONS OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE SERMON???

After a hiatus for the holidays, my Making Sense of Faith podcast is back. On this week’s podcast, I’ll take you behind the scenes to learn about preparing the Christmas Eve sermon, how it changed from the version recorded for TV, Online, and Locations to the version prepared for the Children and Family Service, and the version I preached on Christmas Eve. All told, I had nine drafts of the sermon, and I’ll share a bit about what made it in and what landed on the cutting room floor. At the end of the podcast, you can hear the 7 pm Christmas Eve sermon and then Dr. Cameron Smith singing O Holy Night. You can check it out here and share it with your friends.

LEAWOOD MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: JOIN ME IN THE NEW STUDENT CENTER WEDNESDAY