Weekly Updates from Pastor Adam - June 3, 2022

Dear Resurrection Family,

LaVon and I left for Arizona last Sunday for a family vacation with our kids and granddaughter as we celebrate with them our 40th wedding anniversary this Sunday. We spent four nights in Sedona – just beautiful – hiking, playing games and just connecting. We arrived at the Grand Canyon yesterday and enjoyed sitting on the edge of the canyon watching the sunset last night. As you read this, we’re rafting on the Colorado River around Horseshoe Bend near Page, AZ. I can’t tell you what a blessing it has been to spend this time with family. Here’s a picture of the Grand Canyon at sunset at the south rim, and another of the two of us.

You no doubt remember how the canyon was formed; it was water (rains, floods, rivers and streams) slowly wearing down the various layers, particularly the softer ones, that created the magnificent canyons and the buttes that populate them. The entire canyon displays God’s glory. All of this, ultimately, is God’s handiwork. But here’s what struck me – God intends to do the same in us, by the events that happen in our lives, including the often painful things that happen. But little by little, the “living water” of the Holy Spirit is forming and shaping us into the people God wants us to be so that we, too, might reflect God’s glory.

This last weekend, I asked our kids to join us for worship online as we spoke about the keys to sustaining marriages and relationships that last a lifetime. I wanted them to hear these messages – I felt they were important messages for them to hear. If you have friends or adult children who could benefit from last weekend’s message, or if you haven’t seen it yourself, here’s the link.

This weekend, we look forward to worshipping together, as a family, as Pastor Scott Chrostek kicks off our next series on the Epic Tales from the Old Testament.

JUNE SERMON SERIES: EPIC TALES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

This month we will take a look at four big stories – Epic Tales – that many of us first heard in Sunday School. As we look at these foundational stories of faith, we’ll unpack relevant messages for today that not only inform who we are, but who God is calling us to be. One of the goals of this series is to help equip parents and grandparents to talk with their kids about Scripture, starting with four very familiar stories. Pastor Scott Chrostek will kick off the series this weekend with “Daniel and the Lion’s Den.” These sermons have something the whole family will enjoy, adults and children alike.

INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN US FOR WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND

Invite your family and friends to join you in person at one of our five locations, or online or television.

• Leawood location at 7:30 am in Wesley Chapel, 9 am in Sanctuary, and 11 am traditional in Sanctuary and modern in Foundry, or 5 pm in Sanctuary
• Downtown location Saturday at 5 pm or Sunday at 9 or 11 am
• Blue Springs, Olathe (West) and Overland Park locations Sunday at 9 or 11 am
• Online at cor.org on Saturday at 5 pm or Sunday at 7:30, 9 and 11 am or 5 pm
  On KMCI Channel 38 television at 8 am or 11 am
• On demand on YouTube throughout the week

7:30 AM LEAWOOD WORSHIPPING IN WESLEY CHAPEL

Over the month of May, we tested holding the 7:30 am worship service in the Wesley Chapel to see how the experience compared to worshipping in the Foundry. At the end of the trial period, the majority of 7:30 am worshippers wished to continue in the Wesley Chapel. It is a more intimate space than The Foundry and has a more traditional feel. If you are a 7:30 am Leawood worshipper who has yet to return to in-person worship, we invite you to join us in Wesley!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO GAVE BLOOD OR VOLUNTEERED!

A few weeks ago we held blood drives at our Leawood, West (Olathe), Overland Park and Blue Springs locations, resulting in 764 pints collected! Thank you to all who gave blood and to everyone who volunteered to make the blood drive happen! These donations will help replace critically low supplies in our community and provide the gift of life to hundreds!

SUMMER KICK-OFF FOR KIDSCOR THIS WEEKEND

Sunday, June 5, is the official kick-off of summer for our children and family ministries across all locations! Beach balls, sweet treats and yard games are just some of the ways we will celebrate together. Be sure to pick up your summer flyer and join KiDSCOR Sunday mornings, special Wacky Wednesdays, Vacation Bible Camp “Hero U“ (July 18-22), and more. All are welcome to “Have a Ball” with us this summer!

HUNGER DOESN’T TAKE THE SUMMER OFF

Many children and families in our community rely on their schools to provide supplemental nutrition. When school is out, families depend more heavily on community resources like the Overland Park Food Pantry, the Resurrection Food Mobile, and other pantries we help to support. This weekend, you can pick up a grocery bag with a list of requested items, or go online to learn more about our hunger ministry, how you can volunteer, and to donate online.

SUMMER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES!

We have lots of fun planned for this summer! Events created especially for building connection with others and getting to know our staff, as well as fun for the kids and students. Check out the event page: cor.org/summer created to help you see everything going on this summer. There’s something for everyone!

VACATION BIBLE CAMP COMING SOON: UNLEASH THE SUPER HERO IN YOUR KIDS!

I received this picture from the filming of videos for next month’s Vacation Bible Camp:

VBC is going to be awesome this summer, with a chance for your kids to study Scripture, play games, to grow in their faith, to make new friends, to serve others, to follow Jesus and to have a blast! You can sign up here for any location.

TUESDAY NIGHT VESPERS

I’ll be back with you this Tuesday night for Vespers at 7:30 pm CT. Check out my Facebook page: Pastor Adam Hamilton on Facebook for Tuesday Vespers. If you “follow” you’ll be notified when I go live. You’ll also be able to view Vespers on my Facebook page or on the Vespers YouTube page after Tuesday night.

Thirty-two years ago this week, as LaVon and I celebrated our eighth anniversary back in 1990, I was assigned by Bishop WT Handy to start Church of the Resurrection. That summer we set up a phone bank in the basement of Central United Methodist Church for a calling campaign to invite people in the southern part of the city to find out more about this newly forming congregation. Resurrection, I am so grateful for, and proud of, who you have become and how you seek to follow Christ!

In Christ’s love,

Adam