Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - November 21, 2025

HOLIDAY JOY IN SERVING

• Winter Warmth: You can help Kansas City’s unhoused population and children in our partner schools stay warm this winter by donating new winter clothing items, such as coats, socks, hats, and gloves. Bring your donations to a Resurrection location by Nov. 30.
• Christmas Gifts: Sponsoring children and families in need by providing Christmas gifts that remind them they are loved and not forgotten. Pick up details at the Missions Christmas Hub at your location, and return gifts by Nov. 30.

LOOKING FOR MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS GIFTS?

While the Friday after Thanksgiving has traditionally been when Christmas shopping begins, Black Friday seems to be starting earlier and earlier. I know my mail is filled with ads! I’ve got an idea that might make your gift-giving meaningful and life-changing.

This weekend I’ll be sharing more about our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Offering. Each year, we give away 100% of this offering to support families and children in poverty, half locally and half globally. Each year, many of our congregants give gifts to this offering in lieu of purchasing Christmas presents for family and friends who don’t need more “stuff.” We have created cards that you can pick up this weekend to let your loved ones know that you are giving a gift in their honor. You can also download the gift card here.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER VIGIL TUES., NOV. 25

As you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to invite you to spend some time in prayer and reflection. If you can, join us at our Leawood location for our annual Thanksgiving Prayer Vigil. This year we will be in the Communion Chapel, outside the Sanctuary in Building A, on Tues., Nov. 25, from 9 am – 6 pm. This is a quiet space where you can pause, pray, and give thanks as you prepare for the days ahead. You can also participate in praying for every member of our church by name. You can drop in whenever it fits your schedule—whether that’s for five minutes or an hour. And, if you’re unable to join us in person, there’s a digital prayer guide for both Thanksgiving and Advent that you can download here.

BRAVER ANGELS THANKSGIVING PRAYER EVENT ONLINE SUNDAY NIGHT 

If you’re looking for a way to share gratitude and hope for our country, the Braver Faith section of the national Braver Angels organization will be leading Thanksgiving Voices – A Braver Faith National Event online on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 6 pm – 7:15 pm CST. This reflective event will explore how gratitude is shaped and sustained through diverse religious traditions and will include speakers, music and prayers offered by representatives of different faiths. You can register and get the online link here. Please note that the event is free, but you can make an optional donation to Braver Angels when you register.

JOIN OUR DIGITAL ADVENT STUDY 

More than 700 people have already registered for our 4-week digital study, Honest Advent, based on Scott Erickson’s book. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with the Christmas story wherever, whenever you can, in the midst of this busy time of year. We have a variety of in-person options at our locations. You can use the resources with your small group, or you can download the audio resource and take it with you anywhere you go. However you choose, it will help you encounter Christ and experience Advent in a meaningful way. Check it out here. The study begins Dec. 1.

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR THOSE NAVIGATING DIFFICULT TIMES

For many of us, the holidays aren’t always filled with joy. Sometimes this season brings up grief, illness, or life changes that make it hard to get through. Whether you’re navigating loss or just finding this season difficult, we want to offer a place where you can come as you are and find some comfort and hope. On Tues., Dec. 2, we’re hosting a Blue Christmas Service at 6 pm at our Leawood location and online. We’d love to have you join us and share this invitation with those you know who may appreciate this opportunity. Here are the details and the link to the livestream.

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK ABOUT RESURRECTION WINDOW AVAILABLE

Resurrection member Joey Peck has written a beautiful picture book for children about the Resurrection Window in the sanctuary at Resurrection Leawood. With beautiful images from the window, Do You See What I See guides children ages 4-8 as they explore the window with their grown-up, find the important figures and learn a little about them. If you pre-ordered a copy of the book, you can pick it up in the bookstore at Resurrection Leawood. Additional copies are also available for purchase. This Sunday, the author will be signing books at the bookstore from 8:30 am to 12:45 pm. This book would be a very special gift for the child or grandchild in your life, and all proceeds are being donated to support Resurrection Ministries. Here is a photo of the cover:

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER OPPORTUNITIES

• Honest Advent Digital Study begins Mon. Dec. 1
• Blue Christmas Service Tue., Dec. 2, 6 pm, Resurrection Leawood
• Kids Christmas Musical Sat., Dec. 6, 10:30 am at Leawood Building B Foundry
• Christmas at Resurrection annual musical production, Dec. 11 – 14, Leawood Sanctuary
• In-person Worship Weekend for online community, Dec. 13-14
• Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship Dec. 23-24, multiple service times at all Resurrection locations and online; special Traveler’s Service, Sun. Dec. 21, 5 pm at Leawood

2026 TRAINING FOR CHURCH LEADERS 

• Student Ministry Online Training – January 29, 2026
• AI in the Church Online Training – March 5, 2026
  
• Lead(HER) – April 20-22, 2026
  
• Evangelism Online Training – July 30, 2026
• Leadership Institute – Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2026

MY PODCAST THIS WEEK – BEYOND LEFT OR RIGHT: HOW TO READ THE NEWS IN POLARIZED TIMES 

In my Making Sense of Faith podcast this week, released this last Wednesday, Resurrection staff member Matt Williams and I discuss how we listen to, read or watch the news in polarized times. We talk about bias in the news, our own biases in our choice of news, and how it’s possible to listen and seek to understand without compromising your convictions. You can listen or watch by clicking here. If it’s helpful, share it with a friend. 

NEXT WEEK’S PODCAST: FAITH AND ORGAN DONATION

I also want to give you a heads up that this coming Tuesday, we’ll share our next podcast – we just recorded it yesterday, and on the podcast, I interview Resurrection member Jeff Risinger, whose story I told last Sunday. He became a living donor, donating half his liver to save a complete stranger. Joining us for the interview was the University of Kansas Health System Chief of Surgery and the director of the transplant program, Dr. Sean Kumer. Did you know there are over 100 people in the Kansas City area who are waiting for a liver transplant, who will die without it? Or that there are 150 people waiting for a kidney transplant. The story is remarkable, and it might just change your life and save someone else’s. Tune in next Tuesday.