Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - October 13, 2023
October 13, 2023
Dear Resurrection Family,
As you likely know, I spent the last week on board a cruise ship as the lecturer for a group of 450+ United Methodists from across the U.S. We were to spend three days in Israel studying Jesus, another two days in Egypt studying Moses and the Exodus, and several more days in Turkey and Greece studying Paul. As we approached Israel, the attacks from Hamas began and we were diverted away. Then, as we prepared to travel to Egypt, two Israeli tourists and their Egyptian guide were killed in Alexandria, where our ship was to land the next day. Once more, the group was diverted. The cruise line was wise in redirecting us back towards the Aegean Sea. Everyone is fine on the ship, but all have been praying for what’s happening in Israel and Gaza.
I recorded the pastoral prayer (and a few comments before it) for worship this weekend. I’ll keep this eNote brief as I’m writing this in the middle of the night and I’ve been falling asleep as I do. I’ve had a number of late nights this week.
THIS WEEKEND: TAKE THE LOG OUT OF YOUR OWN EYE, BEWARE OF BAD LEAVEN
This month, we are focusing on the Parables of Jesus, turning our attention to some of the most important stories Jesus told, what they meant to his hearers, and what they mean for us today. This weekend some of our location pastors will be preaching at their locations, and at Leawood, Online, Downtown and Blue Springs you will hear from Pastor Cheryl Jefferson Bell.
Throughout October, we have fun fall activities at all our locations. You can learn more at cor.org/next. This weekend, join us after worship at Leawood on Sunday for a Fall Sidewalk Party, and enjoy the fall weather, live music, popcorn and bubbles!
PET BLESSING AT WEST, DOWNTOWN, OVERLAND PARK AND BROOKSIDE
Tomorrow, Oct. 14, bring your pet for the Pet Blessing at West, Downtown, Overland Park and Brookside. Click on your location for specific times.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO RETURNED YOUR COMMITMENT CARDS!
Thank you to all who have returned your commitment cards in our annual stewardship campaign and our Generation to Generation capital campaign. If you have yet to make a commitment, you can do so now, by clicking here to make your commitment online, or by returning a commitment card in worship this weekend.
PEANUT BUTTER DRIVE TO SUPPORT BACKPACKS FOR HUNGER
Throughout the month of October, we are collecting 14-16 oz jars of peanut butter, a simple yet nutritious staple, to support students in our partner schools facing food insecurity. Drop off your donations at any Resurrection location to help fill backpacks with nourishment and hope, ensuring that no child goes hungry. For more information, go to cor.org/next.
SERVE SATURDAY OCT. 21 ACROSS THE CITY
Join us in making a big impact across the city on this last Serve Saturday before the Holiday season. Opportunities for all ages and abilities available at many of our Resurrection locations and at agencies doing great work in KC to address hunger, homelessness, creation care, and social service needs. Invite others to join you as we strive towards closing the Love, Justice, Opportunity, Spiritual and Generational gaps identified in our 2030 Vision. Here’s the link to find your place to serve and sign up.
TRUNK OR TREAT AT RESURRECTION LOCATIONS
Get ready for a spooktacular good time at Trunk or Treat this month! This free, family event includes decorated trunks, exciting games, and loads of candy at all of our Resurrection locations on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 3 – 5 pm at five Resurrection locations (on Sunday after the 9 and 11 am services at Resurrection Downtown)! This is one of our biggest outreach events all year to families with young children. Two ways to get involved: 1) sign up now to decorate your trunk and join in the fun, and 2) plan to attend and bring your friends and neighbors. Learn more here.
VESPERS THIS TUESDAY NIGHT
This past week I preempted Vespers to broadcast live from the ship, speaking about the attacks in Israel. By accident, my vespers that had previously been recorded still posted. But as many did not see it, this week I’ll be posting the conversation about the future of United Methodism that we hosted at Leadership Institute. Tune in this coming Tuesday night from 7:30 to 8:30 pm CT on Facebook Live. Here are the links to view the video this Tuesday night: Facebook, or YouTube.
PRAYING FOR ISRAEL AND PALESTINE, ENCOURAGING NEIGHBORS
I want to end by calling you to pray for, and be a source of encouragement to your neighbors who are Jewish, who this week have experienced a 911-like trauma with the attacks from Hamas. After 911, those of us who were here felt anger, hurt, grief and confusion. Some of the Jewish people I’ve spoken to have described those same feelings, both here among U.S. Jewish communities, and particularly, in Israel. Reach out to your Jewish friends and neighbors to express your support. Likewise, Palestinians in Kansas City have felt pain and trauma, not only over what Hamas had done, but now over the loss of life in Gaza. Please also reach out to Palestinians you may know in Kansas City and pray for them.
The actions of Hamas were reprehensible; the slaughter of unarmed civilians and the murder of children, is not only evil, but it has harmed the very people Hamas claim to represent. It must be condemned. And, Hamas’ actions have set the cause of Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere backward by years. The anger and moral outrage of the Israeli government and people is understandable and appropriate.
But as I write this, a humanitarian crisis appears looming for the Palestinian people in Gaza, many of whom do not support Hamas. My prayer is that diplomatic solutions are found and that in its anger, the Israeli government does not violate its own moral code in bringing about an even greater slaughter of civilians.
The underlying issues that fuel the Palestinian-Israeli conflict must also be addressed, or this cycle of violence will continue to be repeated. We’ve hosted events at Resurrection with Israeli Jews and Palestinian Muslims or Christians aimed at helping our congregation understand the nature of the conflict. When in the Holy Land, we always invite speakers from both Israel and Palestine to speak to our people and we pray at the Israeli security wall where it surrounds Bethlehem.
I stand with Israel’s right to exist and its right to defend itself. I stand with the Jewish community in Kansas City, as friends, particularly when it faces anti-Semitism. But I also stand with Palestinians who, for a variety of reasons, live as second-class citizens in the land where they have lived for hundreds of years. I pray for the day when a lasting compromise solution has been arrived at, whereby Palestinians and Israelis live at peace with one another.
I began the week grieving the horrible evil done to Israelis in communities near Gaza, and finished the week feeling grief for Palestinians unrelated to Hamas who are bearing the brunt of Israel’s response to Hamas.
Let’s pray, but let’s also act in reaching out to Jews and Palestinians we may know to express our care for them.
Resurrection, I’m grateful for you.
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.
