Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - November 7, 2025

November 7, 2025

Dear Resurrection Family,

As the government shutdown continues, we’re devoting more food to support our Overland Park food pantry and our mobile food pantry, which have seen significant increases in the number of people seeking help. We’ve increased the amount of food available at both. We’re also partnering with Ball Foods, Scavuzzo’s meats and Kanbe’s Market to set up three drive-through food pantries in several parts of our city (we’ll be looking for volunteers to help). We had a record number of grocery sacks taken for our November food drive, and our members are bringing them back full of groceries to share. And I’ve heard that a number of you are also participating in or leading efforts on your own to help friends and neighbors in need. This month, as we’re preaching on The Generous Life, that is a life I see you living. I’m grateful for all that you do to care for others.

THIS WEEKEND: THE GENEROUS LIFE

I am back in the pulpit this weekend to continue our sermon series on The Generous Life. My sermon this weekend will look at what the Bible teaches us about generosity toward God and others. I’ll share some of the data researchers have found on the impact of generosity on the giver. We’ll look at what some have called the crisis of generosity and the best data I can find on what Americans are actually giving to charity, and a surprising fact about the youngest generation in the workplace. We’ll talk about two keys to finding financial peace, and a lesson to teach your kids or grandkids about generosity. And I’ll share an illustration I share every few years to help us think about the connection between our faith and our budget.

HONORING OUR VETERANS THIS SUNDAY

In recognition of Veterans’ Day, a federal holiday observed annually on November 11, honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces, we will recognize all veterans in worship this weekend. We will also have veterans helping lead worship. And if you can still fit into your uniform, please feel free to wear it! Thank you for your service!

READY TO OFFICIALLY JOIN RESURRECTION? EXPLORE RESURRECTION GATHERING THIS SUNDAY

If you’ve been thinking about joining Resurrection, plan to join me this Sunday afternoon for our next Explore Resurrection, our quarterly membership classes. For those at our locations, you’ll meet with your location pastor, and I’ll speak to you for a bit by video. For those at Leawood, I’ll see you in person. If you are joining online, I’ll speak directly to you for a bit by Zoom. If you’ve been considering Resurrection membership, I invite you to join us at one of our locations or online. At these gatherings, you’ll learn more about the church and what it means to be Methodist, meet some of our pastors and staff, and have a chance to ask questions. At the end, those who are ready can participate in a brief membership ceremony. This is our last Explore Resurrection in 2025, so don’t miss this opportunity to join this year! Explore Resurrection is offered at each of our locations and online on Sunday, but the times differ. You can see the times and register for your preferred location here.

YOU DID IT! 44,053 HOURS YOU SERVED IN OCTOBER!

For our 35th Anniversary, we challenged ourselves as a congregation to give 35,000 hours of service last month. Numbers are still coming in, but so far, I’m told that you served 44,053 hours, and I know many of you did not record your hours. It is not the recording of the hours that matters; it was the challenge of serving that was important, but still I find it amazing how generously you serve – and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure we would meet the goal. I’m so proud of you and the way you so freely give of yourselves to serve others. What a picture of the generous life.

317 MIDDLE SCHOOLERS ATTENDING META RETREAT TONIGHT!!!

I’m really excited that this evening we have 317 middle schoolers from all of our locations attending our Middle School Meta Retreat/Lock-in. And thank you to the 95 adult volunteers, who, with your staff, are making this happen. I’ll be there later tonight – after 9 pm and LaVon will be there all day tomorrow. Please pray that God will speak to the participants – that they’ll have fun and grow in their faith. One of those middle schoolers is my granddaughter, and that’s my hope for her.

JOY IN SERVING: HOLIDAY MEALS, WINTER WARMTH AND CHRISTMAS GIFTS

As we enter the holiday season, we are focused on Joy in Serving experiences where we seek to serve and bless our neighbors in and around the Kansas City area. I encourage you will find a way to join us. If you are outside the Kansas City area, I hope that you will find a way to serve in your community. This is a great opportunity to be God’s hands and feet in our communities, and to see how even small acts of kindness can make a real difference. Here are some of the ways you might consider serving.

Provide Meals: We are continuing to work together to provide holiday meal bags, meat vouchers, and hot meals to families and individuals in our community who are facing food insecurity. If you picked up one of the 3,500 holiday meal grocery bags, don’t forget to return it to a Resurrection location by Sunday. You can learn about other ways to provide meals here.
Donate essential winter items, like new winter socks, hats, gloves, and winter coats, for our unhoused neighbors and kids in our partner schools. Details here.
Learn other ways to experience Joy in Serving this holiday season here.

RESURRECTION COUNSELING SERVICES AVAILABLE

Resurrection Counseling Services currently has little to no wait time for those requesting support. We offer both in-person and virtual sessions to provide supportive, affordable counseling to children, teens, adults and couples. This is an excellent resource for folks seeking affordable, professional support for emotional growth, relationship challenges, and more. Share this with your family, friends and co-workers. You can learn more here.

THIRD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION NEXT SUNDAY, NOV. 16

In worship on Sunday, Nov. 16, we will celebrate our 3rd graders as they receive their very own Bible—a gift from the church that marks a significant moment in their faith journey. Then the following Friday, Nov. 21, we’re hosting a special retreat for all of our 3rd Graders and their grown-ups, so they can share food, fun activities, and spend some time together learning how to explore and use their new Bibles. If you have a third grader, register them today for the Bible presentation next Sunday and the retreat on Friday. You can find all the details and register here.

CHRISTMAS AT RESURRECTION PROGRAM DEC. 11-14

Make your plans now to celebrate the Christmas season with Christmas at Resurrection, a Kansas City holiday tradition that brings the story of Christ’s birth to life through music and performance. Featuring the 120-voice Resurrection Choir and orchestra, the Kansas City Dance Collective, actors and soloists. This year’s program, “Let Heaven and Nature Sing,” will take you on a musical journey from the Kansas City Zoo to the manger in Bethlehem. Don’t wait, purchase your tickets here. You could be part of the cast for this year’s performance! We need families and kids for Act 1, and a variety of cast members for Acts 1 and 2. You can learn more and sign up here.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK:

TONIGHT RESURRECTION AT KC ZOO GLOWILD EVENT – Experience the zoo decorated with giant light displays, and hear our Christmas at Resurrection cast members, musicians and kids’ choir perform from 6:30-8:30 pm near the penguin exhibit. Make sure you tell them you’re with Resurrection for a discounted ticket for entry
FREE ONLINE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR MONDAY, NOV. 10 – Experienced estate planning attorneys from the Resurrection congregation will share helpful information at the Resurrection Foundation’s free online Estate Planning Seminar. You can learn more and get the online link here.

MY PODCAST THIS WEEK: WHY CHURCH? THE SURPRISING SCIENCE BEHIND FAITH COMMUNITY

Have you, or maybe a friend, ever asked the question “Why church?” In this week’s podcast, I’ll share some personal stories and the scientific research that reveal why a faith community might be exactly what we’re missing in our isolated, digital age. The data may surprise you, and the stories will move you. I hope you’ll share this with others. Here’s the link.

In Christ’s love,

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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