Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

Dear Resurrection Family,

Though the spring equinox isn’t until March 20, and meteorologically, spring began March 1, liturgically, spring began two days ago with Ash Wednesday as we marked the beginning of the season of Lent (Lent comes from the Old English word, “lencten,” which meant spring). Lent is the 40-day liturgical season – a season of fasting, penance, prayer and spiritual growth – leading up to Good Friday and Easter. Each year my Lenten Challenge for you is to worship every weekend of Lent, find something to give up for Lent that will remind you daily of your commitment to Christ, and take on a practice that will help you grow in faith.

This weekend we’ll also “spring forward” as Daylight Savings Time begins – don’t forget to set your clocks forward, or you’ll be arriving an hour late for worship!

It’s going to be an exciting weekend at Resurrection! 

THIS WEEKEND: GUEST PREACHER JOHN ORTBERG

Last year, after reading and reviewing John Ortberg’s latest book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough, I asked John if he’d be willing to come to Resurrection and preach on the spiritual life, and to lead a workshop on his new book. The book is both inspiring and authentic and was written out of his own personal pain, while pointing us to hope. He’ll lead a workshop on his book on Saturday morning and preach at all locations this weekend.

John Ortberg is a personal friend whose ministry and writings have touched millions of people. He has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary, is a pastor and is the author of 17 books, including the best-selling, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat; When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box; and The Life You Always Wanted. I am looking forward to being in worship with John this weekend.

SATURDAY MORNING WITH JOHN ORTBERG

Join me tomorrow morning at our Leawood location or online for our workshop with John as he offers powerful insights from his new book Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life when Willpower Isn’t Enough tomorrow morning at 9 am in the Resurrection Leawood Foundry or at 9:30 am Online. Here’s the registration link. In-person registration is $20 and includes breakfast and a copy of John’s book. Online registration is $8.

CHURCHWIDE LENTEN STUDY OF STEPS  

Beginning this week at all of our locations and online we’ll study John Ortberg’s book Steps as a churchwide Lenten study. Resurrection staff members will guide discussions on developing lasting spiritual practices and authentic life change. This book draws upon the power of 12 Steps and uses them as a framework to guide us in shaping our faith. This is going to be a powerful study that will help you grow in your faith and build community with others. As a part of the study, you can also sign up to receive weekly videos that explore and complement each week’s topic. Here’s the link where you can register for this study at any of our Resurrection locations and online.

LENTEN CONCERTS BEGIN THIS WEEK

One of the ways you can focus on Jesus during the season of Lent is through music, and our Lenten Concert Series begins this week at Resurrection Leawood and Resurrection Brookside. The Brookside concerts are on Tuesdays at 6 pm (details here). The Leawood concerts on Wednesdays are in the Sanctuary, from 12:15-12:45 pm, and if you come early, the Spring Café is offering a lunch special (details here).

LOCAL MISSIONS SERVE SATURDAY, MARCH 15

Next Saturday, March 15, is our monthly Serve Saturday. Bring your friends and family and experience the powerful impact of helping others by becoming God’s hands and feet in our community as we demonstrate how we love our neighbors in tangible ways. Simply select where you are interested in serving and sign up here.

AMERICAN PUBLIC SQUARE EVENT TUESDAY, MARCH 11

For a number of years, Resurrection has collaborated with American Public Square, a local organization committed to bringing people together to build stronger, more connected communities. You are invited to the first program of American Public Square’s Civility Examined series, “Speaking Freely” which will address the question of whether free speech is undermining American democracy or essential to its survival. The thought-provoking program is on Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at The National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. A panel of experts will explore free speech in America—its evolution, how it is defined, and its impact on politics, education and the daily lives of Americans. Panelists will also deliberate on the tension that exists between preserving the ideals of free speech and addressing the challenges of free speech in today’s America. The program is free, but reservations are required. In-person seats are almost full, but you can also join online. Register here.

RESURRECTION LEE’S SUMMIT PREPARING FOR LAUNCH

We are excited to be launching our ninth Resurrection location in Lee’s Summit this month. We’ll have Preview Services on March 16 and 30, and then officially launch on Palm Sunday, April 13, at 10 am at The Pavilion at John Knox Village (520 NW Murray Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 64081). We’re thrilled to become part of the Lee’s Summit community. If you know someone in the Lee’s Summit are, be sure and share this invitation with them. You can learn more about Resurrection Lee’s Summit and how to get connected here.

LEAD KC STUDENT MINISTRIES EVENT

If you know an 8th – 12th grade student or are yourself a student who’s excited about student ministry, plan to join students from all our locations for Lead KC event at our Resurrection Downtown location on Sunday, March 30, from 2 to 7:30 pm. We’ll spend the afternoon brainstorming youth group topics, retreat themes, and activities while enjoying dinner, and snacks, and taking home some exclusive Lead KC swag. You can learn more and register here.

COUNSELING SERVICES AT RESURRECTION

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: INTERVIEW WITH MATT STEWART