Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Dear Resurrection Family,

Did you know that the modern-day celebration of Mother’s Day began in a Methodist Church? See the article below for the history and a video about its founding on a Sunday morning in worship in 1908! If your mom is alive and in town, invite her to join you for worship. If you are a mom at Resurrection, and your kids are in town, invite them to join us!

WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND – FORGIVING FAMILIES

Among the most important skills we learn in life, and the most important things we put into practice, is the art of forgiveness. No marriage can survive without this skill. No family can be healthy without it. Friendships require it. Our happiness and joy in life depend upon it.

The simple words “I forgive you” and “I am forgiven” are easy to say, but hard to practice. We all long to be forgiven, but we also know how difficult it can be at times to forgive. In this series, we’ll explore forgiveness and what the Bible teaches about seeking it, extending it, and accepting it.

The sermon this weekend will begin with a touch of humor, celebrate moms who have modeled forgiveness, then look at some of the challenges some face when it comes to forgiveness in families, we’ll see how the Bible speaks of forgiveness, and then look at tools that can help us to forgive. Invite a friend and join us this weekend as we honor the women who have been important in our lives, and as we think together about forgiveness in our family relationships.

TELL ME YOUR FORGIVENESS STORIES OR STRUGGLES

If you have a story related to the struggle to extend forgiveness or to accept forgiveness, I’d welcome the chance to hear from you as I prepare this sermon series. Click here to send your forgiveness story to my assistant, Stephanie Hubers.

HONORING OUR MOTHERS AND THE IMPORTANT WOMEN IN OUR LIVES

In honor of Mother’s Day, we will have a special gift for all women in worship this weekend. Stop by the tables as you leave worship, where we will have carnations to give you as a small token of how much you are appreciated, loved and valued.

There is a strong connection between Mother’s Day and the Methodist Church. In the 1860’s Ann Jarvis organized women’s clubs to serve suffering mothers and children, and during the Civil War encouraged mothers to work for peace. She and her daughter Anna were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Anna is known for her efforts to get Mother’s Day recognized as a national observance, and in May of 1908, she organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.

According to a video produced by the United Methodist Women, renamed United Women in Faith, Anna “envisioned Mother’s Day as a time to write a personal letter to your mother, a time to send her an inexpensive carnation (a flower in which the petals hold tight like a mother’s love) and a time to visit or attend church together.” (You can watch the full video here.) Join us for worship this weekend, and we’ll carry on that tradition of presenting carnations to the women in our lives.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AT RESURRECTION

This weekend we’ll also be highlighting the variety of women’s groups at Resurrection for women of all ages and stages of life. These all offer perfect opportunities to deepen your faith and build meaningful connections. You can learn more to cor.org/next.

One of these groups, United Women in Faith, put on our annual Rummage Sale, which is coming up June 12 – 13. The proceeds of the Rummage Sale go to help families in need in the Kansas City area and beyond. Mark your calendars for the sale, but also check out how you can volunteer and donate here.

366 PEOPLE JOIN RESURRECTION. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

We are excited to welcome 366 new members to Resurrection who joined at our recent Explore Resurrection (formerly Coffee with the Pastors) events. We have new members at all our locations and online. You can see their names here. Please take a look at the list so you can welcome them personally. New members, please plan to be in worship about 5 minutes before worship begins – at the beginning of worship, we’ll ask our members to welcome you into the life of our church!

SERVE SATURDAY, MAY 17

Saturday, May 17, we continue our monthly tradition of serving our Kansas City neighbors on Serve Saturday! There are lots of flexible opportunities to make a meaningful difference in our metro community. Click here to learn more about all of the serve opportunities and find one that fits for you, your family, or small group.

MAY BLOOD DRIVES CONTINUE THIS WEEK

Thank you to everyone who donated blood this past week at Leawood, Overland Park and Blue Springs. We have opportunities coming up this week at Spring Hill, West, Downtown and Brookside. Your donation helps replenish community blood supplies as we head into summer. You can click on the time to sign up online, but walk-ins are also welcome, and all donors will be entered into a drawing to win four tickets to a Royals game and a parking pass.

Mon., May 12, 1-6 pm, Resurrection Spring Hill
Mon., May 12, noon – 6 pm, Resurrection West (Olathe)
Tue., May 13, 8 am – 2 pm, Resurrection West (Olathe)
Tue., May 13, 2 – 7 pm, Resurrection Downtown
Wed., May 14, 9 am – 1 pm, Resurrection Brookside

UPDATE ON RESURRECTION MASON, OHIO

Monday night, I had the joy of being in Mason, Ohio (a northeast suburb of Cincinnati) where the Ohio West Conference of the United Methodist Church is launching a Resurrection location. They are funding the launch, and one of their pastors, Rev. Jenn Lucas, will be leading the effort – she is amazing. We had 95 people interested in knowing more about the new congregation launching this October. I thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of photos of this gathering. (Click on photo to open full size). Resurrection Mason will begin with a terrific building in a fantastic location – a United Methodist Church that closed during COVID and did not reopen. Click here to find out more.

LIVE IMAGES OF LEAWOOD CHAPEL CONSTRUCTION

You may have noticed that we now have a camera sending a live video stream from our Leawood chapel construction site. If you ever want to check out the progress, you can go to this webpage and click on the construction live view video.

CONGRATULATIONS TO 29 YOUNG ADULTS COMPLETING RESURRECTION’S EMERGING LEADERS TRAINING

Resurrection is intentional about cultivating young adult leaders at Resurrection. Our aim is that a third of all of our leadership positions be filled with those under 35, one third by those 35-55, and one third by those 55 and up. The aim is that we lead our congregation mindful of the needs and insights of multiple generations. Each year, we offer a leadership development program called Emerging Leaders. Last night I had the joy of speaking at their “commencement” and will be traveling with many of them to England in August as we retrace the story of early Methodism. Congratulations to each of these remarkable young adults. I thought you might enjoy a photo of the group with some of their mentors.

PRAYERS FOR THE NEW POPE

What an important week for Roman Catholics, but also for the church universal, as a new pope was elected! And how exciting for American Christians that Pope Leo XIV is the first ever American-born pope. I am praying for him and hope you will join me. Pope Leo XIV will be the most influential Christian leader in the world, and I pray for wisdom, discernment, courage, and an ever-deepening love for God and love for people as he seeks to represent Christ and the Catholic Church. From what I’ve read so far, he seems like a remarkable leader and follower of Christ.

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST: THE BOTH-AND CHURCH IN AN EITHER-OR WORLD

This week on my podcast, Making Sense of Faith, I spoke with my friend Matt Miofsky, founding pastor of The Gathering, a United Methodist Church in St. Louis. We had a great conversation about our faith and the unique approach of the United Methodist Church that intentionally stands in the “radical center,” bringing together the intellectual and the spiritual and the progressive and the traditional. We explore how this “both-and” church creates space for questions, doubt and deep faith alike. You can listen or watch the podcast by clicking here.

Bring your mom (or your kids!) and join us for worship this weekend!

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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