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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection December 2014
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Dear Men of Resurrection,
I trust you have had a great Thanksgiving Week and have begun to set your hearts on Christmas. It was just two weeks ago that I once again visited the little town of Bethlehem in Palestine. Just on the outskirts of town are the shepherds fields, the very ones where two thousand years ago, poor shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night. Our group of 47 huddled in a cave, read Scripture and reflected about that night when Christ was born. Although so much in our world has changed since then, the essential experiences, questions, conflicts and worries of our race have not. Questions of the first order remain the same, questions like "Is there a God?" and "If God does exist, what is He like and what does He expect of me?" The answers to life’s ultimate questions can be found, bound together with the hopes and fears of all the years, in Jesus Christ. My prayer is that you will meet the living, loving Savior of the World in fresh and life-transforming ways this Christmas.
Every Christmas Blessing,
Jeff |
A Reflection from Tim Ehinger:
Personally, I have been so blessed! A recent robust twelve-day visit to the Holy Land has left me humbled beyond belief.
The remarkable experiences that included being immersed in the Jordan River through the sacrament of holy baptism, weeping in the twisted Garden of Gethsemane, sailing the deep blue width of the Sea of Galilee, exploring nearby caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered, and walking the Via Dolorosa (the trail of sorrow) left a deep spiritual and eternal impression upon me. I felt a closer and growing relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ within my soul.
However, personally and transparently, the pilgrimage made me question the very depth and breadth of my own faith. Throughout the expedition, I routinely asked myself why it was necessary to experience these biblical settings in order for my faith to sustain to grow. Is not God’s grace, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, the Word and the boundless presence of the Holy Spirit abundantly sufficient? Oh! Me of little faith! For lack of a better word, I often felt “ashamed”. Then I remembered I am simply a mortal sinner.
Have you ever been to the battlefield of Gettysburg, visited the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, stepped off a boat on Ellis Island or visited Arlington Cemetery? For me, these visits added validity to the history that we were all taught and brought up on. Being there, re-enacting the battles, envisioning immigrants taking their first step on American soil, or observing the boundless headstones at Arlington, allowed me to (at least partially) experience historical truths. The same held true for my Holy Land visit.
“Seeing” Jesus calm the raging storm of Galilee….
“Watching” Jesus descend from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem…
“Hearing” Jesus deliver the Sermon on the Mount at the Mount of Beatitudes…
“Feeling” Jesus in the presence of His grave…
“Lamenting” Jesus being crucified…
“Celebrating” the Resurrection…
For me, this trip was the glue that binds historical locations and experiences with Scripture. Although I repent for my earthly lack of faith, I thank and glorify God for making the trip possible.
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13720 Roe Avenue Leawood, KS 66224 913.897.0120 www.cor.org
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What's happening in Men's Ministry?
Upcoming Study
begins in January!
Tuesday Evenings
Jan 6-Feb 10
7-8:30pm
Student Center
If you would like to receive email notifications of future TBS sessions, click here.
The Fellowship
Men's Group
Join anytime!
Tuesday Mornings
6:45—7:45am
Room C144
Click here for details.
No registration necessary
2015 Men's
Spiritual Retreat:
"All In"
Each spring the men of the Church of the Resurrection gather for a time of spiritual encouragement, friendship, worship and renewal. Together we will explore what a deeply committed Christian life means and how we can grow towards that purpose and goal.
Jason Gant (Campus Pastor at RezWest) is ALL IN!
Chris Folmsbee (Director of Discipleship) is ALL IN!
Jeff Kirby (Minister of Discipleship) is ALL IN!
Are you "ALL IN?"
Friday March 6
6:30 - 9:00pm
Saturday March 7
8:30am - 12:00pm
Student Center
Building C
Leawood Campus
For more information or to register, click here.
Sports &Recreation
Men's Pick-Up Basketball
Join us for adult men's pick-up basketball on Monday and Thursday nights.
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Jeff Kirby for Church of the Resurrection Men's Ministry | jeff.kirby@cor.org
Resurrection Learning Events Ministry
13720 Roe
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
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