Weekly Updates from Pastor Adam - Jan. 6, 2023

HAPPY EPIPHANY!

Dear Resurrection Family,

Epiphany is the day in the church liturgical year when we remember the Magi coming to Bethlehem to honor the Christ child. The point of the story in Matthew was that Christ came not only for the Jews, but to bring light to the Gentiles too, represented by Magi who likely traveled from modern Iran (Persia) to honor Jesus. My family has left the Christmas Tree up until today (January 6 is Epiphany) to remember this part of the story. The tree will come down tomorrow. So, Happy Epiphany!

I’ve got some important things to share with you today in this eNote. Let’s start with this weekend’s message.

THIS WEEKEND: ADDICTED TO OUR SCREENS?

This weekend we kick off our new sermon series, What the Tech?! The Promise and Perils of our Digital Age. My sermon this weekend asks the question, “Are We Addicted to our Screens?” I interviewed four amazing teens this week and you’ll hear their honest responses to this question. I also interviewed one of the co-founders of Screen Sanity, an organization aimed at helping parents know how to help themselves and their children to have a healthy relationship with technology. You’ll hear part of the conversation this weekend. Finally, we surveyed you as a congregation to find out about your relationship with technology (click here if you’d like to take the survey). I’ll be sharing some of this data as well. Finally, we’ll look at how scripture speaks to living a good and healthy life in the digital age in which we live. This may be one of the most important sermon series we’ll share all year. Preparing for it has already brought about changes in my life, and I believe it will do the same for you.

This is going to be a great sermon series to invite friends and co-workers to join. Technology is something that impacts everyone, and we often struggle with it. Here’s the link to our video promo for the series that you can share on your social media or email to them.

NATIONAL SCREEN SANITY SUMMIT FOR ADULTS AND FAMILIES JAN. 25

Registration is open for a Screen Sanity Summit on Wednesday, Jan. 25. You can attend the summit at any of our Resurrection locations or online. We’ll have an optional meal at the physical locations a 6 pm, followed by the program from 6:30-8 pm.

The Kansas City-based non-profit Screen Sanity and Resurrection are hosting this unique nationwide event that will bring adults and families together to discuss one of today’s most pressing topics—digital health. Participants will be equipped with a variety of tips and tools designed to help families maximize the benefits of technology while minimizing the harmful side effects. Here is the link to learn more and register.

ANOTHER KIND OF EPIPHANY IN POLITICS

On Epiphany in 2021, the US Capital was the center of America’s attention, a sign of the brokenness of America’s civil society. This Epiphany we’ve been observing something never seen in our lifetime – the House of Representatives unable to agree upon a new Speaker. This week, continuing our efforts to depolarize our community, we hosted a breakfast in Resurrection’s Foundry Hall with government leaders from Johnson County – state legislators, mayors, county commissioners, and city council members. The aim was to bless them and encourage them to get to know one another and build friendships, and to model for us how we can work together across the aisle and across cities for the common good. We had no agenda except fostering relationships and encouraging these leaders. Many are already doing this work. One of our members who serves on a City Council suggested something like this during the BE campaign. The word epiphany, when not used in reference to Christ’s appearance, also means a grasping, realization or understanding of something simple but essential – the breakfast yesterday was meant to foster an epiphany that we need each other, and that treating one another with justice, kindness and humility fosters better government and better human beings.

GROW IN FAITH WITH MID-WEEK PROGRAMS

This Wednesday night, Jan. 11, we’ll be kicking off opportunities for all ages to take the next step to learn and grow in your faith. Adult Small Groups, Young Adult Community Groups, Resurrection Students, and Resurrection Kids’ Programming all kick off on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at all locations. You can learn more at cor.org/next.

WILLIE MAYS AIKENS GUEST SPEAKER AT RESURRECTION RECOVERY

Thursday, Jan. 12, we’ll welcome guest speaker Willie Mays Aikens, former pro baseball player and current minor league hitting coach for the Royals, to Resurrection Recovery. Maybe you’re looking to make some big changes in your life in 2023, or maybe you’re just interested in hearing Willie’s amazing testimony. Either way, you can join Resurrection Recovery at 5:30 pm for a meal and fellowship, followed by Willie’s testimony at 6 pm at all our locations. The program will be live in the Building B Foundry at Leawood, and live-streamed following dinner at the other locations. Learn more at cor.org/next.

SIGN UP FOR DR. KING SERVE WEEKEND

We’ve had a lot of people already sign up, but we still have plenty of opportunities to serve in our community Jan. 14-16 to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Children, youth, and adults from all locations will be spreading the love of God by serving all over Kansas City with agencies on the front lines of community service and justice. Individuals, small groups, and families are encouraged to sign up together. Click here to register for MLK Serve Days. If you worship with us online from outside Kansas City, I encourage you to find a place to serve in your community in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. You can also check out some of the community justice resources on our website here.

BELIEVE: INSPIRED FOR LIFE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE FEB. 3 & 4

Registration is now open for the Women’s Conference Feb. 3 and 4 at our Leawood location. This gathering for women, led by women, will be filled with hope and feature well-known keynote speakers who are nationally recognized as leaders in faith today. We are really excited to host this event in person again for the first time in three years. Here’s the link to learn more and to take advantage of the “early bird” pricing, now through Jan. 20.

VESPERS THIS TUESDAY

Join me on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 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 where next weekend’s sermon is going “What Would Dr. King Have Done with Social Media?”

This weekend I’ll be announcing the results of our Christmas Eve Offering as part of the sermon. Your generosity is astounding and through the Christmas Eve offering you will support 26 projects serving children and families locally and globally. Join us for a great weekend of worship!

In Christ’s love,

Adam