Weekly Updates from Pastor Adam - Jan. 13, 2023

Dear Resurrection Family,

Today I’m officiating the funeral of one of our founding members, Martha Highfill. Martha began attending the church literally our second Sunday. Over the years she started a women’s circle, taught countless Bible studies, was a hospital visitor, a Stephen Minister, and so much more. After her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, she continued to show up each week, to seek to encourage and bless others, all the way until she moved into the memory care unit at Brookdale several months ago. She found meaning and purpose, an ever-deepening faith, and dear friendships here. And, she constantly sought to bless others. Today we will celebrate God’s grace and Martha’s faith, and the knowledge that today, she is in that realm where “[God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4-5. I mention her, that she might inspire you and me to ever greater faithfulness.

THIS WEEKEND: LESSONS FROM @MLK ON USING SOCIAL MEDIA

If you ever use social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or others – you know it can be used in wonderful ways, staying connected with others and offering encouragement and care. But you also know that it can be used to insult, to agitate, and to irritate. You’ve likely read someone’s post whose words were inflammatory. I’ve known people who “unfriended” family members and neighbors because the comments the other posted were antagonistic or insulting, or reflected views that were the antithesis of their own.

Sometimes people comment on our posts and do so in “snarky” ways. We may have done the same to others. On this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, we’ll think about the power of social media to work for good, the ways we or others sometimes get it wrong, and we’ll see how scripture informs how we should use our words to speak up for the voiceless, but also to do so in a way that positively influences rather than merely irritates. I interviewed Kate O’Neill Rauber, a communications expert who helps CEO’s use social media in ways to positively influence others. You’ll appreciate her advice whether you are a CEO or just posting to your friends – it might save your friendships on social media. We’ll also look at Dr. King’s way of speaking and using the media of his time to create a force for positive change. Finally, we’ll see how many scriptures you already know that speak directly to our use of social media.

Sharing an invitation to join you for worship can be one of those “good” ways to speak on social media. :) I hope you’ll do so. Here’s the link to our video promo for the series that you can share.

By the way, we have nearly 1,700 people signed up to go serve the community for several hours on Saturday or Monday at all our locations in honor of Dr. King weekend. I’ll be at the Leawood location on Monday morning. I’m so proud of each of you and the way you take seriously not just saying you support justice and fairness and kindness, but you are actually working for it! As a result of the huge sign up we have filled all spots for serving, but you can find new opportunities to serve anytime at cor.org/localimpact.

$2,322,746 GIVEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND CHILDREN!

Last Sunday in worship, I shared the total of our Christmas Eve offering. On Christmas Eve you gave $2.3 million to benefit children and families living in or on the edge of poverty, half focused on projects here in Kansas City and half internationally. Twenty-six mission partners and projects will receive grants from these funds and together we will positively impact thousands of children and their families. Once again, I am so proud of your selfless and sacrificial love that led you to give so generously. Thank you! Thank you!! THANK YOU!!!

I also wanted to give you a sense of your total giving to missions in 2022, including the Christmas Eve offering, disaster relief, denominational support, our support of our global and local service with our partners and more. For 2022, you gave a total of $10,527,309 plus hundreds of thousands of dollars in in-kind donations like food, books, mattresses and more for over $11,000,000 in mission giving in 2022.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE SCREEN SANITY SUMMIT JAN. 25

In my sermon last week, I introduced you to Tracy Foster, one of the founders of Screen Sanity, the Kansas City non-profit committed to bringing people together to discuss digital health. We are joining this organization to host a Screen Sanity Summit on Wednesday, Jan. 25. You can attend the summit at any of our Resurrection locations or online. The evening begins with an optional meal at 6 pm at our physical locations, and the program starts at 6:30 pm CST. Our purpose is to equip participants with a variety of tips and tools designed to help families maximize the benefits of technology while minimizing the harmful side effects. You don’t want to miss this, so click here and register now.

SMALL GROUP ENROLLMENT IS OPEN NOW

We’re launching new small groups for the spring semester at all our locations and online, and we want to include you. Last fall, 1300 people found their place at Resurrection in a small group, and my hope is that you will also. I frequently hear people say that Resurrection can be a little overwhelming at first. That’s why it’s so important to get connected with a small group. In our groups, you will meet new people, form faithful friendships, and have the opportunity to study scripture, ask questions and learn together. The spring semester begins Wednesday, Feb. 8, and groups meet at every location and online. Enrollment is now open, so visit our website to find a group that works for you and sign up before Feb. 8!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR VACATION BIBLE CAMP!

The nice weather this week may have you thinking about summer vacation. I hope so; summer schedules fill up fast, and if you have elementary-age kids and grandkids, you definitely want to make sure that Vacation Bible Camp is part of your plans. This summer’s BEACH BASH-themed Vacation Bible Camp is July 17–21 at all Resurrection locations. Registration opens March 1 – so mark that date down and sign your K to 5th-grade kids up for games, snacks, crafts, FUN, and most importantly, learning about Jesus!

INVEST IN CHILDREN AT PARTNER SCHOOLS

Do you have a passion for learning and children? Through our elementary and pre-K partner schools, we show Christ’s love to the most vulnerable in Kansas City by providing hope through education and literacy initiatives. You can learn more about our partner schools, and the various ways to serve, at an informational meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 9 am at Resurrection Leawood, Building B, Room 253. Register here.

INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP? COFFEE WITH THE PASTORS FEB. 5

Have you thought about joining Resurrection? Our process for joining is to attend a Coffee with the Pastors where I and other pastors share with you more about Resurrection – what we believe, who we are, and what is expected of our members. It is an inspiring event that will take place on Sunday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 4 pm CST at each of our locations and via Zoom for online worshipers. You’ll meet our pastors, learn about Resurrection, and, after a short break near the end, you’ll have an opportunity to join the church. Click here to register for our next Coffee with the Pastors!

VESPERS JANUARY 17

Join me on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 pm CST on my Pastor Adam Hamilton Facebook page. You can also replay Vespers at your convenience on our YouTube channel. I’ll be sharing a preview of next weekend’s sermon on “A Byte from an Apple and the Seven Deadly Sins.”

ARE YOU GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE?

As I was preparing for Martha’s memorial service, I couldn’t help but think about and pray for all of the families in our congregation who have lost loved ones. We are your church family, and we want to walk with you through these dark times. If you are struggling right now and would like to talk with a pastor or caring volunteer, the best place to start is by submitting a prayer request. Here’s the link to do that. There is a place on this request to let us know that you would like someone to connect with you personally.

Our support groups and classes are also great resources for care and support. You can see all these care options on the website here. One example of this support is an upcoming study and discussion of the book Understanding Your Grief which is offered in person at Leawood, each week, on Thursdays, Jan. 26 – March 30, from 1 – 2:30 pm or online, each week, on Mondays, Jan. 23 – March 27 from 6-7:30 pm CST. Here’s the registration link.

I’m excited to see you in worship this weekend as we gather to learn several simple rules for living our faith and working for good on social media!

In Christ’s love,

Adam