Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - July 12, 2024

July 12, 2024

Dear Resurrection Family,

I was speaking to my dad yesterday by phone about my birthday. He told me that I was born in the afternoon. He was 17, my mom was 18. They had moved from Prairie Village, Kansas to Tucson, Arizona a few months before my birth. The nurses thought it would be several hours before delivery, but my dad said that I seemed to be in a hurry to get started in life and I came much more quickly. It may have been the only time in my life I was early for something 😊.

That was 60 years ago today! I’m excited to be 60. I began my day on my knees in prayer, as I do every day. But on my birthday each year I stop to give thanks for all the people and events that have shaped my life. Birthdays, to me, are about giving thanks and reflecting upon the blessings. You, as a church, are such a big part of what I’m thankful for.

I began serving as your pastor in my twenties (25), and have served you through my 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. As this e-mail is being sent, I’m recording this weekend’s sermon for TV and online, focused on Psalm 90:12 and inspired, in part, by my turning 60!

THIS WEEKEND: TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS

Psalm 90:12 says, Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. There’s more to this verse than you might think. In this weekend’s sermon, we’ll talk about the transience of life, and how Psalm 90:12 gives us the key to living a meaningful, faithful and joyful life whether you are in your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, or 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and older.

As part of my sermon, I’ll share a video clip I took at the Rolling Stones concert in Denver last month. Soon to be 81 years old, Mick Jagger illustrates a bit of truth found in Psalm 90:12. Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks, in his book, From Strength to Strength,  illustrates another truth from this passage. Last week, 1,371 of you took a survey I included in my eNote it, too, illustrates something important about age and happiness, something inferred to in Psalm 90:12. (You can still take the survey, simply click here). This week our staff celebrated my birthday in part by putting together a blooper video of a few of my many gaffes. I’ll share it with you too, for it also points to an important truth in Psalm 90. Come dressed in your favorite Resurrection t-shirt, whether it’s a classic vintage tee or your brand new Do Unto Others shirt!

If you are in town and can make it, join us in person at one of our six area locations – we’ll have special treats at each location. If you are out of town us online or, if you are sick or can’t make it and live in KC, join us on TV (KMCI Channel 38 at 8 or 11 am). Worship with us as we discover important spiritual lessons that will speak to you whether you are 16, 60 or 96, and lead to more meaningful, fulfilling and happy lives!

VACATION BIBLE CAMP THIS WEEK! 1470 CHILDREN REGISTERED!

This coming week kicks off Vacation Bible Camp! It’s going to be awesome. Our kids kick off our Do Unto Others campaign as they sing, play games, learn Bible stories, engage in mission and have a blast learning, and practicing, the teachings of Jesus. 1470 children and 543 volunteers will gather for learning, growing and a whole lot of fun! You can be part of the fun, as all are invited to join Friday night’s concluding part at all six locations. Please keep these children and their leaders in your prayers. Our prayer is that each child grows closer to Jesus this week.

258 ATTEND RESURRECTION LEE’S SUMMIT INFORMATIONAL MEETING

As you may know, over the next six months Resurrection will launch three new locations: Liberty (at William Jewell), Spring Hill, and Lee’s Summit. This last Tuesday I joined pastors Robert Johnson and Ally Drummond as we shared with 258 people in the Lee’s Summit area the vision for Resurrection Lee’s Summit. There was a great deal of excitement in the room. Over the next six months this group of 258, and others, will form the core group for the launch of the new Resurrection location. It was very exciting. We’ll have similar gatherings in Spring Hill and Liberty in the next two months. If you are interested in being added to the e-mail list for Resurrection Lee’s Summit, Resurrection Spring Hill-Gardner-South Olathe, or Resurrection Liberty, please click here.

BACK TO SCHOOL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Summer is more than halfway over, and students will be returning to school before you know it. Our annual Resurrection Back to School Drive begins this weekend and runs through July 28. You can help equip teachers in our partner schools with the supplies they need to support their students throughout the year. You can pick up school supply lists and bags for shopping this weekend, and then just drop off your donations during worship services or leave them in the wire bins at all our Resurrection locations. If you worship with us online, you can find the lists on the website. And, if you prefer, you can provide a monetary donation here or purchase from the Amazon Wishlist created by our partner school teachers.

If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer with our Partner School ministry, we are holding a special Literacy Event on Wed., July 24 at 6 pm in the Leawood Foundry. You’ll hear from local education leaders, including Dr. Jennifer Collier, Superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools, on the literacy challenges in our community and how you can get involved to make a difference. Learn more about this event here.

YOUNG ADULT WORSHIP NIGHT JULY 23

This special event on Tues., July 23 from 7 – In late August, I’ll be recreating a sermon series I preached 18 years ago involving the restoration of classic cars and how this process serves as a powerful parable, metaphor or illustration of the brokenness in our lives, and God’s work to restore us. Earlier this week, I went to Mustangs & More, a restoration shop for classic Mustangs, to interview owner Joe Pluff about the work he does. I thought you might enjoy seeing an early sneak preview of the sermon series, click here to see the one-minute preview. The series will kick-off as school starts in August. Kick-off weekend will also be the weekend of our annual car show and community event.

If you have a classic or collectible car, or know someone who does, we’d love to have your (or their) car in the car show Sat., August 17, and we’ll also be having classic cars parked in front of each of our locations each weekend for worship. Click here for more information about the car show. And, click here to email my assistant if you’ve got a classic or collectible you would be willing to bring to display outside of church on one of the Sundays of this sermon series!  9 pm at Resurrection Downtown is for young adults from all Resurrection locations, and if you’re a young adult, I hope you’ll invite your friends and participate. Come ready to meet new people and experience a night of inspiring and uplifting worship together. Learn more here.

DO YOU HAVE A CLASSIC CAR? 

In late August, I’ll be recreating a sermon series I preached 18 years ago involving the restoration of classic cars and how this process serves as a powerful parable, metaphor or illustration of the brokenness in our lives, and God’s work to restore us. Earlier this week, I went to Mustangs & More, a restoration shop for classic Mustangs, to interview owner Joe Pluff about the work he does. I thought you might enjoy seeing an early sneak preview of the sermon series, click here to see the one-minute preview. The series will kick-off as school starts in August. Kick-off weekend will also be the weekend of our annual car show and community event.

If you have a classic or collectible car, or know someone who does, we’d love to have your (or their) car in the car show Sat., August 17, and we’ll also be having classic cars parked in front of each of our locations each weekend for worship. Click here for more information about the car show. And, click here to email my assistant if you’ve got a classic or collectible you would be willing to bring to display outside of church on one of the Sundays of this sermon series!

HURRICANE BERYL RESPONSE

Our prayers go out to those affected by the recent hurricane. When natural disasters strike, Resurrection is prepared to offer assistance to our neighbors through our Disaster Response ministry. We have learned that the best way to help is by providing resources through church partners in the affected areas. That may include sending serve teams down the road, but our initial response is to provide needed resources through partners in the affected areas. The Disaster Response page on our website is regularly updated with current information, and you can check it out here.

Right now, we are preparing to send a donation from Resurrection to the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church to use for immediate assistance in the affected communities. We have also reached out to the UMC Bishop of the Caribbean and offered our assistance. If you would like to personally contribute to the recovery efforts, you can do so through the Disaster Response fund here. As we use this fund, we try to replenish it so we are prepared to respond to the next disaster.

SERVE WEEKEND COMING UP JULY 20

On the third weekend of each month, we have local serve events designed as easy, low-commitment ways to make a positive impact on your neighbors in the metro area. This is a great opportunity for individuals, families and groups to try something new or something you’re passionate about and experience the powerful impact of helping others by becoming God’s hands and feet right here in Kansas City. Just go to the website, pick your place to serve, sign up and show up.

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AUGUST 8-9

Don’t forget to register for this two-day Global Leadership Summit featuring some of the nation’s leading experts and business leaders, you’ll get to hear from Coach K (the all-time winningest basketball coach in Division I NCAA basketball), Marcus Buckingham (leadership consultant and author of First, Break All the Rules), Jo Saxton (author and speaker focused on helping women be intentional about maximizing their influence in leadership), Arthur Brooks (former head of the American Enterprises Institute, current Harvard professor and best-selling author) and so many more. Invite your coworkers to this inspiring experience and join us at Resurrection Leawood. Discounted prices are only available until July 17. Details are here.

JOIN ME FOR VESPERS THIS TUESDAY

For my 60th birthday, LaVon and I are taking several weeks of vacation, and I may share a vespers here or there at who knows what time 😊 but regular Tuesday vespers will be postponed until I’m back. In the meantime, you can catch past Vespers here at the church’s YouTube account: YouTube.

I’m looking forward to a great weekend of worship with you!

Adam

P.S. Check out your location newsletter on Tuesday for more opportunities to get connected with Resurrection. Here’s the link to subscribe.