This week, at the Leawood location, installers removed the original speaker clusters in the sanctuary, each the size of a small car, and replaced them with new speakers mounted above the stained glass window. Special thanks to Jonathan Rowell and his team at Vista Productions, who designed an audio solution that some of the best audio engineers in the country said could not be done. This weekend in worship, for the first time, the Leawood congregation will see the stained glass window without speakers obscuring part of the view (the speakers were installed before the stained glass window was finished; it literally has never been seen by anyone without the speakers obscuring part of the view). If you are a part of the Leawood location, don’t miss worship this weekend, where you can see the window, and hear, the difference. If you are a part of one of our other locations, stop by sometime during the week and take a look. The photo below is of the original left speaker, installed in 2017, after it was lowered this week. It gives you a chance to see how large these original speakers are!
For the last few weeks, I’ve been researching Christian Nationalism. I’ve listened to sermons by pastors who represent Christian Nationalism, read articles and watched documentaries from those who critique the ideology/theology. The meaning of the term itself is debated. Many embrace the ideas but would not claim the title. There are somewhat moderate versions of Christian Nationalism, and there are more extreme versions that are dangerous.
In my message this weekend I hope to help us understand what this ideology is, and where ordinary Christians, both Republicans and Democrats, might find points of connection with it, and what parts of it must be rejected as unchristian because they are antithetical to the life and teachings of Jesus. I believe this sermon is an important one and I hope you’ll plan to join us for worship at any of our locations, online or on TV.
Trunk or Treat is next weekend, Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27. This free event is one of our biggest outreach opportunities for kids and families and is an easy way to invite other family, friends and neighbors to join you for a day of fun, games, crafts and lots of candy! In the case of inclement weather, the events will move indoors at each location, so come on out rain or shine! Here is the schedule at each of our locations:
• Oct. 26, 10 am to noon, West (Olathe)
• Oct. 26, 3 – 5 pm, Leawood, Blue Springs, Overland Park, & Brookside
• Oct. 27, After worship services at 9 and 11 am, Downtown
• Oct. 27, After worship service at 9 am, Spring Hill
We could still use volunteers to decorate their trunks and distribute candy. Whether you’d like to volunteer or simply attend with your family, you can learn more here.
This Wednesday night, our Do Unto Others workshop will introduce us to “The After Party,” developed by Curtis Chang, Russell Moore and David French and is aimed at those weary of political division and seeking a new perspective on Christian engagement in politics. This free workshop is in person at Resurrection Leawood and Downtown and live-streamed online at
cor.org/live. Childcare is available for those attending in person, and an optional meal is available at 5:30 pm. You can learn more and register
here.
We’ve had some great speakers at these workshops providing tools to help us bridge the partisan divide and enhance our relationships with family, friends and co-workers – even those with whom we disagree. Last week we learned about Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our country. If you missed it, you can check out the organization
here.
FIND YOUR PURPOSE EVENT OCT. 26
Join us for a special one-day event happening Saturday, Oct. 26th from 9 am – Noon. Find Your Purpose is an event where you can come and explore a deeper sense of purpose, meaning and connection as you move into new seasons of life. This event will feature bestselling author Bob Goff, author of
Love Does and
Everybody Always, Neal Sharma a local CEO who will share personal insights and practical advice on how to find your purpose in any season of life, and Resurrection staff member Debi Nixon, our Executive Director of Generosity. Whatever your life stage, you don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to make the next season of life your best season.
Here’s the link for more information and to register for either in-person attendance or online.
KEEP RAISING THE BAR BY DONATING PROTEIN BARS FOR HUNGRY KIDS
Through Oct. 27, we are Raising the Bar Against Hunger and collecting as many kid-friendly protein bars as possible for our Backpacks for Hunger program that helps feed kids in our partner schools. These bars are part of the snack packs filled with nutritious things for children to eat at home on the weekends when they do not have the free or reduced breakfast and lunches they receive at school during the week. You can drop your protein bars off at any Resurrection location, and you can learn more about the hunger ministry and make a monetary donation
here.
REGISTER FOR THIRD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATIONS NOV. 17
Each year, at Resurrection, our third graders are invited to participate in a meaningful worship service where they’ll receive their very own Bible as a gift from the church. They will also be challenged to read one of the four Gospels as we approach Christmas. This year, the third grade Bible service will be on Sunday, Nov. 17, at all locations. Then, on Friday, Nov. 22, we will have an event for third graders and an adult to share fun, fellowship and play games as they explore their new Bibles. For all the details and to register, click
here.
$216,000 DONATED TO HURRICANE RELIEF IN FLORIDA AND NORTH CAROLINA
As of yesterday, you have donated $216,000 in hurricane relief to be administered through the United Methodist Church in Florida and Western North Carolina. I let Bishop Tom Berlin and Bishop Ken Carter know that these funds were coming, and they were both deeply moved by your generosity and the impact it will have in their communities. I’m so grateful for you, Resurrection, and your heart of compassion and service as you seek to embody the love of Christ.
VESPERS THIS TUESDAY NIGHT
I’ve got two more Tuesday Vespers before we shift the format and launch the
Making Sense of Faith podcast the week of the election. I’ll be coming to you from the Lake of the Ozarks – I’m going down to enjoy the leaves and see the pelicans while working on next weekend’s sermon.
Click here to go to my Pastor Adam Hamilton Facebook page. You can also access it
here on YouTube later in the week.
GET YOUR FLU AND COVID VACCINATIONS AND SUPPORT PHARMACY OF GRACE
Finally, if you haven’t gotten your flu or COVID vaccinations yet, consider doing this at Pharmacy of Grace. Pharmacy of Grace is a charitable pharmacy focused on helping uninsured and underinsured people afford their medication each and every month. Those with insurance can help support the mission of Pharmacy of Grace and make it possible to offer a limited number of flu shots for uninsured patients at no charge. Anyone needing vaccinations can call 913-953-8260 to schedule a time or just drop by the pharmacy location at 721 N. 31st, Suite 100, Kansas City, KS 66102.
Here’s a link to learn more about this ministry.
With gratitude and love,
Adam
