Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - March 3, 2023
March 3, 2023
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March 3, 2023
Dear Resurrection Family,
I returned home on Sunday night from the Holy Land, with various groups of our people coming back just before or just after. It was a remarkable journey, what many described as “the trip of a lifetime.” It was remarkable and I so loved being with all of our Resurrection people who were there as we stepped into the Bible and retraced the life of Jesus in the land where he lived it. If you’ve not been, this should be on your bucket list.
As much as I enjoyed the trip, I’m excited to be home and for worship this weekend as we kick-off our new sermon series and as we confirm our confirmands on Sunday afternoon. First, let me tell you about this weekend’s message.
THIS WEEKEND IN WORSHIP – WORDS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: THE MESSAGE OF JESUS
What does the galaxy LEDA 2046648, a billion light years away from earth, a soft drink commercial from 1971, a blessing rabbis say dozens of times a day, and a couple of men from India who don’t speak English have to do with the central focus of Jesus preaching and teaching? You’ll find out this weekend as we kick off our Lenten sermons on, Words that Changed the World: The Message of Jesus.
Preparing this message spoke to me. It points to our life mission, and how God works in the world; and, it sets the stage for everything else we’ll consider during Lent. Each week we’ll consider another of the themes of Jesus’ teaching and ask how his words speak to our lives today. Would you invite your friends who don’t have a church home to join us? Here’s a link to the 30-second video trailer for you to share on social media, inviting your friends to join you.
You’ll also notice, if you worship in one of our traditional services at Leawood or Brookside, that our pastors will be wearing clergy robes. It is one way to point to the sacredness of the season of Lent – we also wear them during Advent – as we prepare for the high holy days of Easter and Christmas.
CONFIRMATION THIS WEEKEND
Congratulations to the 227 students who will be confirmed this Sunday at our Resurrection locations. Confirmation ceremonies will be 1:30 pm at Resurrection Leawood, 2 pm at Resurrection West, and during the 11 am services at Overland Park and the 9 am service at Downtown. I am so proud of these students. As their church family, I want to ask you to pray for them this weekend as they take this next step in their faith journey. If you click here you can see the list of students and pray for them by name. Feel free to join us for confirmation services, all are welcome.
ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS
I learned this week that we’ve got 34 college students joining me for a three week Bible Study – a walk through Luke’s Gospel, on Tuesday nights March 21, 28 and April 4. I’m really excited about this. For those who join us at Leawood, we’ll have free pizza before we kick off the study. We’ll be using my book, Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts and Outlaws. You can join us online too if you are away at college. This is a bit of a test to see if we have enough interest to start an ongoing college night of study and fellowship. I’m looking forward to being with you. If you are already signed up, invite a friend. If you are not, plan to join us. Sign up here – signing up allows us to have a book for you and make sure we have enough food!
EASTER EGG-VENTURE APRIL 1!
One of our favorite events of the year is just around the corner! This family-friendly free event on Saturday, April 1, from 10 am – noon, features egg hunts, snacks, crafts, and the Easter Bunny. You can join us at our Leawood, Overland Park, Blue Springs, West and Brookside locations or at the World War I Memorial where our Downtown locations is hosting a citywide event. Bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors and co-workers for some Easter fun. You can also join the fun as a volunteer. Here’s the link to sign up for any location.
WEEKLY VIDEOS AS PART OF GPS DURING LENT
During Lent, we always invite you to give something up (fast) for the 40 days of Lent, and to take something on – to add a spiritual practice (like reading scripture, prayer, acts of service, a small group, etc.). An easy way to add something this season is with our GPS (Grow, Pray, Study) Guide that provides daily scriptures, reflections and commentaries. You can read online or sign up to receive a daily email. As a bonus during Lent, each Monday the GPS will also have a link to a video with a reflection by one of our pastors or staff. You can sign up to receive our GPS in your email by clicking here.
LENTEN CONCERT SERIES
Don’t miss these opportunities to experience the power of Lent through music by joining us for one of these sacred music events:
- Resurrection Leawood Lenten Concert, 12:15 – 12:45 pm on Wednesdays in the Leawood Sanctuary and live streamed here. The March 8 concert is the Resurrection String Trio – Nathaniel Humphrey, Andrew Bonci and Larry Hernandez.
- Resurrection Brookside will host a beautiful organ concert at 7 pm in the Brookside Sanctuary this Tuesday, March 7 and another on Tuesday, March 28. Enjoy wonderful compositions all performed in the Brookside sanctuary by our amazing and talented organist at Brookside, Logan Hamilton. You will not want to miss this!
VESPERS TUESDAY, MARCH 7
Join me for Vespers this Tuesday, March 7, at 7:30 pm CST on my Pastor Adam Hamilton Facebook page. If you can’t join us then, you can always watch the replay on my FB page or on our YouTube channel after Tuesday. I’ll be expanding a bit on this weekend’s sermon as we think about what Jesus taught about the kingdom of God.
MEN’S RETREAT AT ARROWHEAD SOLD OUT
I want to take a moment to celebrate that tomorrow morning from 9 am to noon, 500 men from Resurrection will be at Arrowhead Stadium with former NFL player Kevin Lockett and Pastor Scott Chrostek. This is the largest men’s event ever at Resurrection. How cool is that!?!
A THINKING PERSON’S CHURCH
Last night, I was a part of William Jewell College’s Annual Celebration of Achievement where the college presented me with their annual Critical Thinker of the Year Award. Isaac Cates was there to sing, and Trent Green interviewed me as part of the event. Both were outstanding and made a great witness for our church.
I usually don’t mention things like this to you, but I felt this award is really about you as a congregation. The criteria for the award is working “for the betterment of the community” and demonstrating “the College’s attributes of a critical thinker: analytical, passionate, creative, problem solver, humanitarian, truth seeking and innovative.” At Resurrection, I see this in all of you – our members and staff. You are constantly giving yourselves to serve the community in more ways than I can count. You have been described as a thinking person’s church. The four distinctives you identified in a survey that helped define Resurrection were, “thought provoking,” and “outwardly focused” (as well as “bridge building” and “hope radiating”).
I’ve appreciated William Jewell’s emphasis on creating “critical thinkers” and believe that, as a church, we seek to be critical thinking Christians.
I’m looking forward to being back in worship with you this weekend!
In Christ’s love,
Adam
P.S. Make sure you check out all the exciting things that are happening at Resurrection during the season of Lent at resurrection.church/next.
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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