Blue Springs, Missouri, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection - enote from Pastor Penny Ellwood for Friday, 7 March 2014
Hello Rez Blue Springs,
Our Lenten season began this week with a beautiful service on Wednesday night. We had over 100 present as we offered our prayers of confession and received the ashes on our foreheads as a sign of our mortality and the new life found in Christ. Ash Wednesday begins a 40-day period (not including Sundays) of reflection, fasting and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter. These exercises in discipline are undertaken to allow us time to reflect on the life, words and sacrifices of Jesus Christ. Mike Ash offered our Ash Wednesday message this year and suggested that we think outside the box and consider fasting from worry, fear or complaining as a way to direct us toward God. We might also take on spiritual practices that draw us closer to Jesus during these days of Lent. Such as taking on an attitude of gratitude or being more intentional about using positive words in our interactions with others.
As an entire church, we're recommending that you also consider adding these four commitments to your lenten disciplines:
1. To worship with us each week as we explore "The Gospel of the Nobodies," our new sermon series. Many of us at some point have felt like a nobody - insignificant, invisible, worthless. The Gospel of Luke has much to teach us about ministering to those who are considered nobodies. Beginning Sunday, we'll turn our attention to specific stories that illustrate Jesus' concern for those who were marginalized by society, and as we do, we'll hear His word for our lives today.
2. To join us as we read the Gospel of Luke through Lent. Each day our GPS (Grow, Pray, Study Guide) will have a passage to read and reflection questions to guide us. You can receive this GPS devotional via email, text, or through a smart phone app by clicking here. I often read mine from my phone first thing in the morning.
3. To find a way to learn, serve and share with our church family. We've got several great opportunities listed below such as taking part in one of the Lenten small groups that will be studying Adam's book, The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, joining a group to see the new Son of Man movie this Sunday afternoon, serving next Saturday at FaithWork or helping with our community Easter party preparations.
4. To really pray about who you might invite to join us in worship or at one of these activities and then take that next step of action and extend the invitation.
Here's more about what's coming up at Rez Blue Springs:
Donations Needed for Easter Egg Hunt
Employment Opportunity
Lenten Studies
Son of God Movie
Men's Retreat - Leawood Campus
FaithWork
Mission Trip for 3rd Graders
Donations Needed for Easter Egg Hunt –Through April 6, drop off wrapped candy and plastic eggs (filled or unfilled) in the children's check-in area near the west entrance. And don't forget to mark your calendars for the community party on April 12th at 10 am. We will host a variety of fun, kid-friends games, activities, crafts and, of course, an egg hunt! We'll need extra hands for preparation ahead of time and the day of the party. If you'd be willing to volunteer, contact Diane.Enlow@rezbluesprings.org.
Employment Opportunity: Resurrection Blue Springs Guest Services Coordinating Assistant, 10 hours per week, including Sunday mornings. Ensure the highest level of hospitality for church members and guests. Coordinate hospitality efforts for our Connections Ministry, Worship and Special Events. Provide leadership, training, delegation and support to volunteer ministry teams. Serve as a resource for all church staff and church members. Qualified candidates will be organized, highly motivated and self-directed. This position will work as member of a dynamic and fast-paced team that requires the ability to handle change. To apply, visit rezbluesprings.org/apply.
Lenten Studies Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of an in-home small group? We’d like to give you a taste this Lenten season. Sign up to take part in a 6-week study of Adam Hamilton’s book, The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus. This will be great preparation for Easter. There will be a number of choices available for day and time, or you can take part in one of the Tuesday night options for men and women offered at the church. Childcare is available on Tuesdays and for some in-home groups. The groups begin the week of March 9, and finish before Easter. We hope you’ll take advantage of this great opportunity to connect with others and grow in your faith. Sign-ups for these small groups begin this Sunday at Connection Point or online. Books will be available to purchase at Connection Point for $10.
Son of God Movie - Join us for a matinee screening of the Son of God movie at Blue Springs 8 Theatre (1901 N. 7 Highway) at 4 pm on Sunday, March 9. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and there is a Sunday special of small popcorn and drink for $5. Tickets are available at the theater. Our 2.0 College and Young Adults also invite you to return back to the church after the showing for a group discussion.
Men’s Retreat – March 7 and 8. Men, there is still time to sign up to participate in the Men's Retreat at the Leawood campus. This is a great opportunity to take some time to refocus your heart, mind and energy on God’s plan for your life. Our guest presenter this year is James Bryan Smith who will share ideas from his Good and Beautiful series. Join us Friday, March 7, 6:30–9 pm, and Saturday, March 8, 8:30 am – noon, in the Student Center. For more information and to register, visit cor.org/mens.
FaithWork – March 15. We’ll be traveling to our Leawood Campus to put together Literacy Packs to support Resurrection’s Education and Life Skills Ministry. These packs will go to students in our partner schools. This is a family-friendly opportunity for ages 5 and older accompanied by an adult. We’ll meet at 8 am at Rez Blue Springs to carpool to Leawood. Please register here.
Faith Passage Mission Trip for 3rd Graders – Looking for an opportunity for your 3rd grader to experience serving in a totally new and transforming way? Consider joining the Faith Passage team in April and spend three days in St. Louis serving in a diverse community. Faith Passage will challenge you to know, love and serve God more fully. For more information visit cor.org/trips.
Don't forget to move your clocks forward one hour this Saturday night for Daylight Savings Time. I look forward to seeing you in worship.
Abundant Blessings,
Penny
Contact our Staff:
Church Office Phone: (816)389-8900
Rev. Penny Ellwood, Campus Pastor penny.ellwood@rezbluesprings.org
Mike Ash, Worship Leader/Director of Community mike.ash@rezbluesprings.org
Diane Enlow, Director of Children's Ministry diane.enlow@rezbluesprings.org
Clark Johnson, Technical Producer clark.johnson@rezbluesprings.org
Heather Sooley, Operations Coordinating Assistant heather.sooley@rezbluesprings.org
Lori Wolverton, Nursery Staff lori.wolverton@rezbluesprings.org
Visit us on the web:
www.rezbluesprings.org
www.facebook.com/rezbluesprings
For upcoming and ongoing programs and events at our Leawood Campus, visit www.cor.org.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
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