Weekly Update from Pastor Adam - September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024

Dear Resurrection Family,

It’s been such a great fall kick-off here at Resurrection with so many exciting things happening! We’ve seen growth in our programs and participants in small groups, youth group and more. We baptized 40 people last weekend in worship and our special baptismal service. And I’m getting photos and notes from churches across the U.S. who are using our Do Unto Others campaign – over 1,000 churches and counting! And we’ve got an amazing fall planned. This weekend, we’ll turn to Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our deep dive into the scriptures as we study The Power of the Holy Spirit.

THIS WEEKEND: THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY?

This weekend in worship we’ll turn to the gospels and we’ll recount everything Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, with a focus on the Holy Spirit as parakletos – a Greek word that was used by a defense attorney who came alongside one who was accused. It is often translated as advocate, counselor, helper or even comforter. As part of my sermon, I interviewed my daughter, Danielle Hamilton Slate, a chief public defender in Kansas, and the Pentecostal pastor of Faith Chapel Assembly of God, Bob Cave. This is also National Suicide Prevention Month, and I’ll touch on this as well in the message.

What if you could really know that God was with you, on your side, your advocate, when you were walking through life? This is precisely what the Holy Spirit can do in your life. Don’t miss worship this weekend. If you are in town, plan to worship in person, and if you are traveling or out of town, join us by worshiping online.

IS THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN THE HANDS OF YOUR KIDS?

As we’re focused on encouraging our community to “Do Unto Others” during this election season, we’re also hosting a series of amazing and important workshops and speakers this fall built around this theme. This coming Monday night is the first of these as author and professor Lindsey Cormack will be at our Leawood location Foundry and online to speak on her book, How to Raise a Citizen. This gathering would be great for teachers and all parents and engaged grandparents. Sponsored by the American Public Square, there will be a cookie reception at 5:30 pm, and the program begins at 6 pm and will conclude at 7:30 pm. I’ll be interviewing Dr. Cormack and inviting your questions as well. If we are going to change the course of politics in our country, I think Dr. Cormack is right, and, in the words of Graham Nash, it is critical to, “teach your children well.”
Dr. Cormack grew up in the area, graduated from Blue Valley Northwest, got her Ph.D. in Government from New York University, and is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Stevens Institute in New Jersey. She will have books for purchase and signing after the presentation. This event is sponsored by American Public Square, and you can register free to attend either in person or online on their website here. Free childcare is available if you register here.

SEPTEMBER 21 SERVE SATURDAY: DO UNTO OTHERS SIGN BLITZ!

Join us for a special Serve Saturday event on September 21 as we promote kindness throughout our community during this election season. This month, we’re combining our regular community service with a unique focus on spreading a message of kindness. Volunteers will gather at Resurrection locations to receive “Do Unto Others” yard signs and area maps. Together, we’ll go out to place these signs throughout the community, making a positive impact and demonstrating that kindness transcends political divisions. You can sign up for one of our regular Serve Saturday opportunities and also help put our yard signs in the community. To learn more, click here, and then sign up for the location where you can serve. Signing up in advance will help us make sure we have enough signs and maps.

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COMING UP: AMAZING SPEAKERS, DON’T MISS IT!

Our annual Leadership Institute is coming up September 25-27. We’ll have over 1,500 pastors and church leaders joining us, along with some amazing speakers including theologian Brian McLaren, Gammon Theological Seminary president Candace Lewis, author Fuller Seminary Chief of Leadership Formation, Kara Powell, Cambridge Research Fellow in Wesley studies, Paul Chilcote, and many more. Clergy and leaders from other churches, bring a team or join us online. Resurrection members may also register to attend, or volunteer to serve. It’s going to be awesome! For more information or to register, click here.

DO UNTO OTHERS – A MINUTE OF KINDNESS

I have been recording a series of 60-second videos as part of our Do Unto Others Campaign. These are airing before CBS Sunday Morning each week this fall knowing they will be talking politics each week. These messages are intended to remind people of Jesus’ command to “Do unto others as we would have them do unto us” and to treat one another with kindness and respect during this divisive time. I thought you might enjoy seeing the spots and sharing them, and know that most of you are in worship or Sunday School, or on your way, and may not otherwise see them If you share on social media, use the #dountoothers when sharing. Here are the first three video links: 1) The Golden Rule, 2) Relationships, 3) Liberal or Conservative? Stay tuned for more to come!

WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS?

I’ve been asked this question over the past few weeks, and while we may all be experiencing some political fatigue during the highly polarized time, I believe that political participation is a privilege and responsibility of citizens. At Resurrection, we don’t endorse political candidates, but we do encourage you to be engaged in the political process The United Methodist Church acknowledges this responsibility in our Social Principles (as adopted at the 2024 General Conference):

“Our involvement in political systems is rooted in the Gospel imperative to love our neighbors, to do justice, and to care for the vulnerable. As United Methodists, we acknowledge that love requires responsible political action and engagement aimed at the betterment of society and the promotion of the common good. We acknowledge that such political engagement demand humility and mindfulness of our own complicity in perpetuating injustice. It also necessitates compassion, prayer and a willingness to discern God’s guidance.”

Historically, the people called Methodists have been actively involved in social and political matters from their founding in 18th century England. Methodists were among the primary advocates for the abolition of slavery across the British Empire, the organization of labor unions to protect workers from dangerous working conditions, the ending of the debtor’s prison system, and the creation of new systems of care for poor children.

Civic engagement begins with voting, and as we get closer to the November election, this is a good time to check your voter registration status. The National Association of Secretaries of State has a great website where you can check your voter registration status and your voting precinct here: nass.org/can-I-vote. You simply select you state and enter your name and birthdate. If you need to register to vote, select that option for information in your state. Just a reminder, in Missouri, Oct. 9 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election, and in Kansas the deadline is Oct. 15. Advance voting in Kansas begins Oct. 16.

BOB GOFF RETURNING TO RESURRECTION! FIND YOUR PURPOSE OCT. 26

Make plans now to join us for a special one-day event on Sat., October 26 from 9 am to Noon. Find Your Purpose is an opportunity to explore a deeper sense of purpose, meaning and connection as you move into new seasons of life. This inspiring 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. You don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to make the next season of life your best season. For more information and to register for either in-person attendance at the Leawood location or online, click here.

VESPERS TUESDAY

Join me for Vespers this Tuesday night. I’ll go live at 7:30 pm. from my home in Stilwell with a conversation about faith and life. Click here to go to my Pastor Adam Hamilton Facebook page. You can also access it here on YouTube later.

Looking forward to an amazing weekend in worship!

Adam