Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - October 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

Dear Resurrection Family,

35 years ago this Sunday, a group of about 100 people from the community (along with some well-wishers from Central and Broadway UMCs) gathered for Resurrection’s very first worship service. I stayed up late the night before rewriting my sermon for the fourth time and was terribly nervous when I arrived at the McGilley Chapel Funeral Home at 123rd and State Line for our first service. I wondered if anyone would show up. I had no idea what the future held.

This weekend, we’ll celebrate our 35th anniversary, starting on Saturday with our annual Resurrection Car Show and Community Fun Day. Then, we’ll have a great weekend in worship, kicking off a month of celebration and service! If you have the 35th anniversary t-shirt or any other Resurrection t-shirt, be sure to wear it! Ashley Morgan-Kirk, one of our pastors created an amazing video graphic outlining our 35-year history. Click here to take a look.

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND!

As we celebrate our 35th anniversary this weekend, my sermon will begin with footage from our first service. We’ll then turn to what Jesus and Paul said about their vision of the church and why it matters. We’ll then recount our story as Resurrection, what matters most to us, and how God has used you to change the world over the last 35 years. After worship, stick around for donuts and fellowship. I believe you’ll find this weekend moving and inspiring. Don’t miss it!

JOIN ME SATURDAY FOR OUR CAR SHOW AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION AT RESURRECTION LEAWOOD!

The Resurrection Leawood parking lot (137th & Nall) is the place to be tomorrow from 10 am to 1 pm! Invite your family, friends and neighbors to join us for a morning of great cars, good food, and family fun as we kick off our anniversary weekend with a citywide celebration. With giant inflatables and special activities for kids, an impressive lineup of cars, local food trucks, and live music, there’s something for everyone! Check it out here. I love this event every year and look forward to meeting your friends as we enjoy this great event!

THANK YOU, LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE VOLUNTEERS

We had an amazing week at Resurrection as we welcomed 1,600+ pastors and church leaders to our annual Leadership Institute. Thank you to the 150+ volunteers and Resurrection staff who helped make this possible. I spoke with many church leaders and pastors who are returning to their churches energized and inspired with new ideas. I am grateful that Resurrection remains committed to our vision of strengthening churches by sharing with and supporting their leaders. It was such an awesome event. Here are a few photos from Leadership Institute 2025.

GRAND OPENING: RESURRECTION LEE’S SUMMIT AND RESURRECTION MASON, OHIO

Our Lee’s Summit location has been worshiping for several months in its launch phase, but this Sunday will be the official grand opening. If you have friends in Lee’s Summit, invite them to attend. We have over 500 people who are already a part of Resurrection Lee’s Summit. Worship is at 9 and 11 am at the northwest corner of 291 and MO 150. You can find out more here.

And this Sunday, we launch our first affiliate location of Resurrection in Mason, Ohio, a northern suburb of Cincinnati. If you know anyone in North Cincinnati who does not have a church home, please let them know. Their service will be at 9 am. Pastor Jenn Lucas is their location pastor – she’s amazing. They are being launched by the West Ohio Annual Conference. It’s an awesome location, a terrific building, and a wonderful group of people who have already become involved at Resurrection Mason. Check it out here.

Resurrection Mason, Ohio

Resurrection Lee’s Summit, Missouri

BE PART OF OUR “SERVE 35,000 HOURS” CHALLENGE

In recognition of our anniversary this month, we have challenged ourselves, as a congregation, to serve 35,000 hours in our communities. That’s a big goal, and it will take each of us, from all locations, online and on television, to make it happen. That’s why we’ve made it easy for everyone to participate. I remind you that serving is one of the essential practices of the Christian faith, and our hope is that you are already serving somewhere on a regular basis. We’ve never had a good way to track this until now. You can be part of helping reach this bold goal by simply logging the hours you serve this month. All you have to do is text the word serve to 913-914-2600, and you’ll receive a link to log your hours. If you forget this number, you can also find a link at resurrection.church/anniversary. Do this every time you serve this month. Besides helping us reach our goal, logging these hours will also help us see where and how our congregation is engaged in our community.

You can count any time you spend helping someone else – volunteering at your child’s school, coaching a little league team, doing yard work or making a meal for a neighbor, writing notes or visiting someone in a care center – it all counts. Whatever you are doing to demonstrate Jesus’ love to others can be an act of service.

We have several special ways you can serve with others this month.

Raising the Bar Against Hunger – Through October 12, we hope to collect 150,000 kid-friendly protein bars to support our Backpacks for Hunger program, which helps feed the children in our partner schools. We have packets of door hangers that you can place on your neighbor’s doors to spread awareness and to share your faith. (Make sure you log your time!) Learn more about this Fall Hunger Drive here.
Super Serve Saturday – On October 18, we’re going to blanket the city with Resurrection volunteers. We’ll have over 400 opportunities for you, your family or your small group to serve with others and make an impact on our community. You can select your project and sign up here.
Trunk or Treat – Help host this free annual community event happening at our locations on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26. We need volunteers to decorate their cars and distribute candy. This is one of our biggest outreach opportunities for kids and families, and it’s an easy way to invite other families, friends and neighbors to join you for a day of fun, games, crafts, and lots of candy. You can sign up here.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY FOR THE RESURRECTION FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY DINNER

I hope you are planning to join me for our anniversary celebration dinner hosted by the Resurrection Foundation on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 6 pm in the Resurrection Leawood Foundry. Everyone from all our locations is invited, but you do need to register for this celebration dinner here. Together, we’ll reflect on 35 years of Resurrection’s history, but also consider what the next 35 years hold as we explore inspiring ways to help ensure its mission thrives for generations to come. I’ll be sharing a special message you won’t want to miss.

IMPORTANT LEAWOOD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Phase One of the Student Recreation Area Opens – On Wednesday, our Leawood Student Ministries gathered for the very first time on the new playground. They celebrated with big smiles and joined hands for a prayer of dedication. You’ve invested in the lives of these teenagers, and the generation to follow them, and it was a blast to see your dream become reality. This Sunday, I’ll invite you after service to join me for celebratory pumpkin spice donuts on the new playground. Here are two photos from this past Wednesday night.

The interior Student Center renovation will open in mid-January, and construction of phase two of the outdoor recreation area will begin early next year with a covered pavilion and recreation patio to support students, Matthew’s Ministry and people of all ages for fellowship, outdoor worship, and movies on the lawn.

Leawood Access and Parking Updates – On Monday, the hallway on the southeast portion of Building B (just outside the new Chapel) will completely close through at least the end of this year. This will prevent all pedestrian travel between the Foundry and Building C. This is necessary to allow the installation of the new elevator that will serve the Foundry classrooms, and also to extend all the plumbing, electrical and ductwork into our new Chapel, which will require demolition of the existing floor and ceiling.

What this means is that during this phase, to access Buildings A (Sanctuary) and B (Kids and Foundry), you must either park in A and B parking lots, or park in the lots just north across 137th Street if you are able to negotiate stairs. Parking Lot C will only service Building C and Matthew’s Ministry. This is temporary, and we appreciate your patience. Here’s a map that shows the parking lots and building entrances.

OCTOBER STUDY: FIVE ESSENTIAL PRACTICES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

If you are not already involved with a small group or Bible study, I encourage you to join this three-week study offered at all our locations and online. We’ll explore the five foundational practices – worship and prayer, study, serve, give and share – that can transform how you experience faith in everyday life. You can learn more and register here.

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL STUDENT RETREATS

We have upcoming fall retreats for both Middle School and High School, and registration is open. Middle School Meta happens November 7-8 at Resurrection Leawood, and High School Vast runs November 21-23 at Youthfront West. These retreat weekends give students a break from the usual routine in order to spend a weekend connecting with friends, growing closer to God, and exploring their faith. You can register for Meta here and Vast here.

Resurrection, it is one of the greatest honors of my life to have served as your pastor these last 35 years. I can’t wait to celebrate what God has done through you this weekend in worship!

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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Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - October 3, 2025

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND!

JOIN ME SATURDAY FOR OUR CAR SHOW AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION AT RESURRECTION LEAWOOD!

THANK YOU, LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE VOLUNTEERS

GRAND OPENING: RESURRECTION LEE’S SUMMIT AND RESURRECTION MASON, OHIO

BE PART OF OUR “SERVE 35,000 HOURS” CHALLENGE

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY FOR THE RESURRECTION FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY DINNER

IMPORTANT LEAWOOD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

OCTOBER STUDY: FIVE ESSENTIAL PRACTICES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL STUDENT RETREATS

Adam Hamilton

Resurrection Senior Pastor

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