Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - March 14, 2025

The entire Lenten season is leading to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. But both long-time Christians and skeptics ask questions about the crucifixion. Why did Jesus have to die? Did God need Jesus to die in order to forgive our sins? How, precisely, does Jesus’ death save us? What does the crucifixion mean? One person told me, “I believe Christ died for me, but the longer I think about it the less it makes sense to me.”

The theological term used to describe how Jesus’ death reconciles humans with God is ATONEMENT. There are multiple theories of the atonement, multiple answers suggested in the New Testament and developed in Christian theology, to these questions. Over the next six weeks we’ll focus on the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion, and we’ll unpack one or two of these atonement theories each week. Each of them is like a piece of the puzzle, and only together do we fully understand the significance of the crucifixion.

This may be the most important sermon series I’ve preached. The crucifixion is central to the Christian faith and to each of our lives. I’d like to encourage you to take notes so you can remember and reflect on the ideas. I take a small notebook with me wherever I go to take notes. At some of our locations we have sermon notecards in the seat backs for you to use.

I’d love for you to invite your friends this weekend. Here’s the sermon series promo for you to share on social media.

I’m so excited about the launch of Resurrection Lee’s Summit, in part because I have friends and family in Lee’s Summit that I’m hoping will be a part of it. This Sunday is our first preview service for Resurrection Lee’s Summit at 10 am at The Pavilion at John Knox Village (520 NW Murray Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 64081). This service is an opportunity for the planning team to “work the kinks out” before the official launch on Palm Sunday, April 13, but everyone is welcome. You’ll hear my same sermon at the preview service. Pastors Robert Johnson and Ally Drummond, our Lee’s Summit Location Pastors, are excited to get to know those of you in Lee’s Summit! You can learn more about Resurrection Lee’s Summit and how to get connected here.

Just a reminder, during Lent, we are studying John Ortberg’s book Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough at all our locations and online. This is a powerful study that will help you grow in your faith and build community with others. You can also sign up to receive weekly videos that explore and complement each week’s topic. You can still register and join us for this study.Here’s the link.

We had a few people let us know that we had inadvertently missed them on our list of those with high attendance in 2024. You can see the updated list here. I’ve challenged all of you to join us in worship every week during Lent. Don’t forget to register your attendance at cor.org/next so we know you are here!

Vacation Bible Camp: Wild Kingdom – Trust Leads the Way, kicks off the week of July 14 with both full-week and mini-week options at various locations. You can register your kindergartener through fifth grader here, and sign up to volunteer and join the fun! We’re also excited about a special all-camp, churchwide celebration at the Kansas City Zoo on Saturday, July 19. Stay tuned for more details!

Resurrection Women’s Ministries is inviting volunteers to join them in an important initiative supporting foster youth transitioning to financial independence. On Saturday, March 29 from 10 am to noon in the Foundry, you’ll participate in a lunch and learn session before mentoring young adults through a practical shopping experience at Walmart. Through this community-wide effort, volunteers assist Kansas and Missouri foster youth in developing critical financial skills, while child welfare professionals attend a free CCU-eligible class. Your involvement equips these young adults with both financial knowledge and practical resources as they move toward independence. Learn more and sign up here.

Matthew’s Ministry, Resurrection’s awareness, outreach, and support ministry for individuals with special needs and their families, is hosting a special event on April 5, at 10 am in the Foundry with guest speaker Ron Sandison. Ron is an author, a licensed minister, works in the medical profession and serves on the advisory board for the Autism Society of America’s Faith Initiative. And Ron is on the autism spectrum. His most recent work is Adulting on the Spectrum. He’s memorized 15,000 Scripture verses. Ron brings unique insight and expertise to conversations about faith and autism. This is a free, family-friendly event, and he will be signing his books, which will be available for purchase at the event. You can learn more here.

We are offering a unique opportunity this fall to experience the transformative power of faith and nature at the Methodist Heritage Retreat in the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains. September 14 – 20, Pastor Matt Bisel and Executive Director of Development Debi Nixon, will lead a week-long spiritual journey as you explore the rich Methodist heritage while surrounded by the awe-inspiring landscapes of the region. You’ll connect with fellow believers, deepen your understanding of the Methodist movement’s enduring impact, and find renewal among the misty peaks and serene valleys that have witnessed centuries of spiritual awakening. If you are interested in the trip, let us know here.

SevenDays, an organization that grew out of the response to a tragic hate crime in our community that included the murder of two of our members, Reit Underwood and his grandfather, Dr. William Corporon. It is committed to the mission of overcoming hate through education and dialogue and promoting kindness and understanding. Each year they sponsor community events to promote this message. I’d like to invite you to join me for The Cultivating Kindness Breakfast on Wednesday, April 2, at 7:30 am in the Resurrection Leawood Foundry. The breakfast is a morning of inspiration, celebration and community as we gather to share stories of compassion and inspire new acts of kindness. If you are interested in joining me at this breakfast, you can learn about sponsorships and purchase tickets here.

This week’s episode of my podcast Making Sense of Faith was entitled, “Cut Off Our Hands? The Message of Jesus” – a 15-minute discussion of some of the difficult sayings of Jesus, including what he said about divorce and remarriage, and how we make sense of them. To listen or watch click here.

Resurrection, I’m proud of you and humbled to be your pastor.

See you in worship!

Adam