Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - Jun. 13, 2025
June 13, 2025
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June 13, 2025
Dear Resurrection Family,
This weekend we’ll celebrate Father’s Day by honoring the important men in our lives, fathers and father figures, people who have helped to shape us into the people we are today. After worship, we’ll have a dad’s favorite – Krispy Kreme donuts, so you won’t want to miss! We’ll also be sharing some opportunities coming up for guys that I’ve also included in this eNote, but first, here’s our new sermon series.
WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND – DIRECTOR’S CUT: WHERE FAITH MEETS FILM
Every other summer we plan a sermon series tied to hit movies. Movies tell stories that capture our imagination. They inspire us, provoke questions, and invite deeper reflection. They make us laugh, cry, and think—and the really good ones even have the power to change us. Movies often echo God’s greater story, the greatest story ever told. Over the next three weeks, we’re going to look at God’s story through the scriptures and the lens of the movie camera.
This week we will look at how the movie Inside Out 2 points to the gospel message. Inside Out 2, produced by Pixar for Disney, became the highest grossing animated film of all time last year. The film takes a humorous yet serious look at the emotions at work in all of us including anxiety, sadness, anger, but also joy. Here’s the trailer.
Pastor Bill Gepford from our West location will share the message at Leawood, online, on television and at West (via video), and our locations pastors will be preaching live at their locations. Bring your family and friends and join us for worship. I’ll be back to preach the second sermon in this series on the movie, Despicable Me 4, but this weekend I’m looking forward to Pastor Bill’s message.
During this series, you’ll also have the opportunity to watch the movies featured in the sermons at fellowship events at our locations. You can see the movies, times and places (as well as lots of other summer events) at Resurrection.Church/summer. Below are this week’s movies:
- Resurrection Blue Springs – Monday, June 16 at 6:30 pm
- Resurrection Liberty – Wednesday, June 18 at 6 pm
- Resurrection West – Wednesday, June 18 at 6 pm
- Resurrection Downtown – Friday, June 20, 5:30 pm
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN
Resurrection Night at the Royals – You can still get tickets here for Resurrection Night at the K on Friday, June 27, at 7:10 pm when the Kansas City Royals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Kauffman Stadium. Resurrection’s discount ends June 16, so get your tickets soon before the prices go up. Make sure you stop by Gate A, where we’ll have a Resurrection table nearby to pick up a special gift and enter a drawing for a signed Bobby Witt, Jr.
Churchwide Men’s Pickleball Tournament – This annual event takes place June 29 at two area Chicken N Pickle locations in Leawood and North Kansas City on Sunday, June 29 from 1 – 4 pm. Register to play here.
Resurrection Car Show – Mark your calendars for Oct. 4 for this community event featuring cars of all makes and models, giant inflatables for kids, food trucks, and family fun. Check it out here.
Determined Men’s Conference – Looking ahead to 2026, this annual conference Feb. 27-28 offers two powerful days of worship, keynote speakers, and breakout sessions. In honor of Father’s Day, you can register this weekend for a special $15 discount! Here’s the link.
SCHOOL MAKEOVER JUNE 18-27 ADDS COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT
Our annual School Makeover Event is right around the corner, happening June 18–27! This year, we’re partnering with Woodland Early Learning Center and Global Academy to renovate classrooms into welcoming, inspiring spaces where students feel proud to learn and grow. But there’s an exciting new twist! In addition to the school makeover, we are teaming up with Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center and Kansas City Community Gardens to revitalize the school gardens at Woodland and install new garden beds at Samuel Rodgers across the street.
This project goes beyond physical improvements; it aims to encourage healthy habits, hands-on learning, and stronger community connection. It powerfully reflects Resurrection’s mission to close opportunity gaps and to love our neighbors in tangible, meaningful ways. No special skills are needed, just show up with a willingness to make a difference. We hope to get more than 500 volunteers for this project. Gather your family, friends, or coworkers and sign up for a shift here.
FOCUS ON JUSTICE MINISTRIES THIS MONTH
Resurrection’s Community Justice Ministry is one way that we work to close the justice gap and make Kansas City look more like the Kingdom of God by working with others in our community to ensure all persons have the opportunity to be part of a strong, thriving and safe community. You can learn more about this ministry on the website here. This month we have several opportunities to learn more and be part of this ministry.
Last week our LGBTQ+ ministry participated in the KC Pride Festival and Parade, and they are also leading a special program at Resurrection Downtown (1601 Grand) called Standing Together: A Guide to Queer Allyship on Saturday, June 28, from 9 am to noon. This informative session is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to be a supportive ally to the queer community. In this welcoming environment, you’ll gain understanding of key terminology, recognize challenges faced by the queer community, and discover practical ways to offer support and create inclusive spaces. No prior knowledge is required—just an open heart and willingness to learn. You can register here.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS
We will also be participating in Juneteenth celebrations. Juneteenth, celebrated on Thursday, June 19, is a nationally recognized holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
- Saturday, June 14, Overland Park Juneteenth Celebration at Prairie Fire (135th and Nall). This event includes a 5K run, parade and family friendly activities. Resurrection will have a booth, so stop by and say hello. Here are details.
- Saturday, June 21, Resurrection Celebration with St. James United Methodist Church (5520 Wayne Ave., KCMO). Join us to partner with St. James for a meaningful celebration called “For This We Give You Praise!” The program begins at 4 pm with discussion of the impact of Buffalo Soldiers in the military. The celebration at 5 pm will feature uplifting music, spoken word and dance. This intergenerational event will showcase the talent of young people from both congregations. Registration is not required but is appreciate for planning. Here’s the link.
By the way, as I write these words we have a group of 45 Resurrection members, led by our Lee’s Summit Location Pastor Robert Johnson and his wife Linda, who have been on a two-day human rights immersion to Tulsa and Pawhuska Oklahoma. They return tonight. Yesterday in Tulsa they visited the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 (read more about it here). Today they are visiting the Osage Native American Museum and Reservation, the site where the events described in the non-fiction novel and film based upon it, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” You can read more about it here. I was really grateful for Pastor Robert organizing and leading this trip – it was one I would have appreciated going on and hope to be a part of another trip like it next year.
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT COMING AUGUST 7-8
Resurrection Leawood is the host site for the annual Global Leadership Summit on August 7-8. This year’s summit will feature world renowned speakers including Craig Groeschel, Christine Caine, and John C. Maxwell, who will share practical wisdom to help you elevate your leadership skills and make a greater impact in your workplace and community—if you lead a staff team or are a part of networking groups, please consider this a great opportunity to introduce people to the church and to a great two- day leadership conference rooted in Christian practices. Early bird pricing ends July 16. You can learn more and register here.
THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: THOUGHTS ON PROTEST
On Tuesday of this week, while at the lake, I recorded an impromptu episode of my Making Sense of Faith podcast in response to the protests in LA and the National Guard and Marines being called up and in by the President to address the protests. It’s about a 20-minute listen and reflected some of my thoughts having just watched the evening news. You can listen to or watch the podcast by clicking here.
THE IMPORTANT HISTORY OF PROTESTS IN AMERICA
While my podcast mentioned above was in response to the protests in LA and the sending of the National Guard, it touched on immigration policy and protests planned across the country this weekend as well.
Yesterday, in response to these planned protests in Kansas City and across Missouri, Missouri governor Mike Kehoe “pre-emptively” declared a State of Emergency and called up the National Guard to keep the peace across Missouri. As in LA, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas felt this was not necessary, that violence was not anticipated in Kansas City and the Kansas City Police Department could protect the peace. No such State of Emergency was declared in Kansas where similar protests will be held.
As I noted in the podcast, tomorrow is the 250th anniversary of the founding the US Army, hence the President’s timing of a military parade (which also coincides with his birthday). The last military parade of this size was in 1991 at the end of the Gulf War, and there have been a dozen others over the history of our country. The celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday will also include a host of celebrations.
As the protests are timed to coincide with this celebration, it’s worth noting that the protests are not about the Army. The Army itself was formed as an act of protest, at a time of protests, and in part to protect American protestors. The Army was formed by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, when they authorized the formation of ten companies of riflemen, 810 total (including officers and drummers). The next day George Washington was named their commander. The Army, and our nation, were birthed out of protest. Starting in 1765, colonists were routinely protesting the policies of the government, particularly those of the British parliament, King and their representatives, largely around taxes, tariffs, and “taxation without representation.” This culminated in the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, and the Philadelphia Tea Party ten days later. More protests followed the British Parliament’s passage of the “Coercive Acts” (also known as the “Intolerable Acts”) in 1774.
Just as the Army was birthed out of protest, protest was enshrined in the Constitution in the First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What are people protesting tomorrow? They are protesting policies, expressing frustrations, and resisting perceived abuses of power. The changes in American policies have been head spinning for many. Americans disagree on these issues. What we can agree on is that peaceful protest is an important part of being American. You may not support these protests, but at some point, it may be you carrying a sign and supporting a cause. If you are protesting, do so reflecting the love of Christ, and remember that violence or hateful speech only undermines the cause for which one protests. If there are police or National Guard members present, demonstrate that love to them as well.
FINALLY, THANK YOU!
At our Leawood location during worship this last weekend, I was honored by the Staff Parish Relations Committee and founding member, Jack Highfill; 35 years ago last weekend, I was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church and assigned to start Church of the Resurrection. I was surprised, blessed and honored by their recognition of this milestone. On behalf of the congregation, they presented me with some terrific books (I’d set as a goal this year to read more books simply for pleasure, not just for sermon research). They compiled a list of additional suggested books, and they provided a gift to use at our place at the Lake of the Ozarks. It is there I write and at least part of this will be used for a new desk and chair for my study there. Resurrection, I’m so grateful and honored to have served as your pastor these last 35 years. Thank you for having me!
I’m on vacation and with my siblings this weekend. But I’m looking forward to hearing Pastor Bill Gepford’s sermon as we celebrate Father’s Day Weekend at Resurrection!
In Christ’s love,
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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