Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gant of The United Methodist Church of the Resurretion West of Olathe, Kansas, United States - Friday, 15 January 2016

Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gant of The United Methodist Church of the Resurretion West of Olathe, Kansas, United States - Friday, 15 January 2016

Resurrection West,
There is much to share today including celebrations, invitations, ways you might connect and grow, an update on our building development, and a MEGA-opportunity to serve!
Our worship numbers continue to grow, along with record numbers of children on Sunday and teenson Sunday and Wednesday (over 100 each week in Wednesday Youth Groups). We are making strategic plans now (as the new building phase opens later this year) to add a fourth worship service when that time comes. We would like to invite you to consider worshiping at the 5pm service on Sundays and at all services to fill in the front rows when you arrive. Here you will see our worship andSunday school statistics from last week (worship total includes Sanctuary attendance and nursery up to 4 years old in attendance). We will continue to offer rezlife Sunday School at the 5pm, but will soon stop if there is not enough interest.
9:00am Worship (along with nursery) - 296
KiDS COR Sunday School - 108
10:45am Worship (along with nursery) - 439
KiDS COR Sunday School - 157
rezlife Sunday School - 31
5:00pm Worship (along with nursery) - 155
KiDS COR Sunday School - 30
rezlife Sunday School - 0
All three Sunday services and Sunday School programs are identical (with the exception of sharing in Holy Communion weekly at the 5pm service).
This past Sunday had lower attendance at the 9am than usual, but more at the 10:45 than usual. We think mainly due to the six degree early morning temperature - brrrrrrr! The sum total of our two morning services is usually split evenly in worship and KiDS COR Sunday School. We have tons of room at the 5pm evening service and the households that have embraced this time love it! My family worships at the 5pm service every week and we would love to invite you to worship with our 5pmcongregation.
The second invitation is that you would (especially in our two morning services) fill in every seat and the front rows. This is truly a celebration as we continue to branch out and make room for all! Yesterday I met with a new family who felt our genuine heart and hospitality as they came to worship for the first time. It was wonderful to hear their story and the impact you had from the greeting at the door, the personal escort to learn check-in at KiDS COR, and the ushers who guided them up to two open seats. They spoke of the warmth and smiles as people were so willing to "show them the way around" here at RezWest. They feel God's presence here and were moved to both tears and joy! This is our hope for everyone who comes to be a part of our faith community. Please consider these invitations and how you might respond as an act of faith in worship.

• As you are reading this eNote, our building plans are under "administrative review" by the city of Olathe and will move forward as soon as that process is complete. It's going to get pretty exciting around here as the excavation begins. Some of you missed the groundbreaking in December and I want to assure you we will have more events to come. We will pray over the foundation, write our hopes and prayers on steel beams, place our handprints on walls and more as we move through this exciting time!
• Make plans today to join us on Monday for MLK MEGA MISSION! Join us for MLK Mega Mission -January 18 - Monday, 9–11:30 am. Meet at Resurrection West for a morning of service and community building as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his amazing impact on our country and world. We will: Pack over 15,000 meals to help tackle hunger internationally, prepare shoe-making kits for our friends in Uganda, fill 500 bag lunches to assist the homeless in Kansas City, make Valentines for Veterans, spend time in the hands-on prayer room and focus on connecting with God, embracing diversity and loving/serving all. All participants will receive a 2016 MEGA MISSION t-shirt. All ages welcome. No sign-up required. For more information, contact Chris.Holliday@cor.org. Donations needed for MLK MEGA MISSION – We need your help gathering supplies for our upcoming MEGA MISSION. Please place plastic milk jugs (empty and rinsed), used jeans and cases of bottled water in the Resurrection Mission Bins. Contact Chris.Holliday@cor.org for more information.
• Check out these many ways to grow in knowing, loving, and serving God.
• Engaged Citizens Vote - One tangible way we can seek justice in our communities is to vote. Yet many of us don’t make a habit of voting in primary and local elections. These elections often have an immediate and profound impact on the mission work we do to combat poverty, set policies and help families thrive within our communities. Become a Registered Voter – Volunteers will be ready immediately following worship on Sunday to help you register to vote in Missouri or Kansas. Or, find links to register in Missouri or Kansas at cor.org/vote. Apply to Vote by Mail Ballot – Kansas residents: Avoid long lines and allow yourself the opportunity to research and make informed decisions by applying to vote by mail ballot. A side benefit is that once you’ve completed your ballot, campaigns remove you from their mailing and calling lists. Volunteers will be ready immediately following worship Sunday to assist Kansas voters to request advance mail ballots, or find links at cor.org/vote. Missouri residents may also request absentee voting in limited situations. Visit cor.org/vote for a link to information. 
• Understanding the Rise of and Response to Islamic Extremism – Join Pastor Adam HamiltonTuesday, Jan. 19, 6:30-8:30 pm, in the Leawood campus Sanctuary, as he moderates a panel discussion with guests Lt. Colonel Brian L. Steed and Gary Hobin, professors from the US Army Command and General Staff College, and Mahnaz Shabbir, a prominent member of the local Islamic community. Seecor.org/bridges for more information and to watch live on-line this Tuesday night.
• Camp Minecraft at Rez West – Elementary-age students with an adult partner interact with stories from the Bible in the game Minecraft. Camp will be held Jan. 22, 6-8:30 pm, and Jan 23, 8:30-noon. Cost is $30 per team (1 child, 1 adult) and each team needs a compatible pc with the Minecraft game loaded. Dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday will be provided, and each participant will receive a t-shirt. Register by January 18 at cor.org/west/campminecraft.
• Resurrection West Blood Drive - Monday, January 25th 1-7pm. Share the gift of life! Anyone who is healthy, at least 16 years old (with parental consent) and weighs at least 110 lbs can donate blood. One donation can save two lives! Make an appointment today at savealifenow.org, enter sponsor code “rezwest.”
• Matthew’s Ministry Family Night Out, Resurrection West - Sat., Jan 30, 5:30-8pm. This is a great night of fun for those with special needs, as well as an opportunity for rest for parents and caregivers. Participants are paired with volunteers to enjoy dinner, games, crafts and a movie. The theme is “Football” so wear you game gear! All ages are welcome, as well as siblings of children with special needs. Register as a participant or volunteer by visiting our online calendar of events atcor.org/west/kidscor. Youth and adult volunteers are welcome! Contact Christie.Walker@cor.org with questions.
• Coffee with the Pastors - February 21, 2:30-4:30pm. Are you considering joining Resurrection? Take the first step and attend Coffee with the Pastors where you will learn about the history of Resurrection West, hear from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton via video on the beliefs and traditions of the United Methodist Church, and get to know Resurrection West pastors Jason Gant and Chris Holliday. You will also meet your Congregational Care Ministers (CCMs), connect with fellow Resurrection West worshippers and hear about opportunities to serve, connect and grow! Childcare is available. Register atcor.org/west/coffee.
• 5-week Lenten Study of the Gospel of John starts Monday February 22nd at RezWest. Pastor Adam and Pastor Jason will share in preaching a 7-week Gospel of John sermon series during Lent and Easter and this teaching series will be a great companion for you or your small group. The course will be from 6:30-8:00 pm and will offer a catered meal. Children’s programming around John’s Gospel is also provided for kids 5 years old through 5th grade. Childcare offered for 4 years and below. Register atcor.org/west/bible-study.
• RezWest Upward Soccer is kicking off our 2nd season! Practices will be held on Tuesday or Thursday evenings starting March 22. Saturday morning games start April 2nd. Register at cor.org/west/upward by March 11. Cost is $85 per child, with a $10 discount for multiple children. For families who participated in our Upward Soccer program last fall, registration is $45/child, $35 for multiple children (enter discount code UNIFORM at registration). Contact David.Robertson@cor.org.
• The Alpha Marriage Course – Five weeks starting Monday, April 11, from 6:30-8:15 pm. Share a catered meal as a couple at the beginning of each session. Topics covered include: The Art of Communication/Conflict Resolution, The Power of Forgiveness, Impact of Family Past and Present, Good Sex and Love for a Lifetime. Registration is now open and the course is limited to 40 couples. Register atcor.org/west/alphamarriage. Check out our website for course costs. Childcare available.
• Holy Land Tour - November 14-23, 2016. Join Pastor Jason on the Church of the Resurrection's Holy Land Tour. We hope every member of our church will one day experience where Jesus has walked. This is an opportunity to grow in faith and experience the scripture coming to life like never before. Information available at the front reception desk. Contact Debbie.Dietz@cor.org with questions.

Finally, this Sunday Pastor Adam continues in our series about Building Bridges as we tackle the issue of immigration and how we look at politics in light of our faith. I am so grateful for the amount of research, prayer, and attention Pastor Adam is placing in his preparation for each sermon in this series on what can be decisive issues. It is no small thing to preach into these issues and I'm sure you join me in giving thanks for such a thoughtful and faithful servant leader in our Senior Pastor. I've told you before that taking time to pray for me and my servant leadership is important, just as I pray for you. Join me now in prayer that God would continue to teach, inspire, and challenge us as people of faith in this series through our pastor!
Looking forward to worshiping with you,
Pastor JasonThe United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West Campus
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
913-538-7800
For an after hours urgent pastoral care need call 913-314-6058
Resurrection West Staff
Travis Morgan - Director of Staffing and Operations
Chris Holliday - Associate Pastor, Care and Missions
David Robertson - Director of Community Life
Lindsay Hefner - Director of Worship Arts
Ryan Rancudo - Assistant Director of Worship Arts
Rick Webb - Director of rezlife Student Ministries
Christie Walker - Director of KiDS COR Children's Ministries
Lynnlea Nelson - Early Childhood Program Director
Sommer Kelling - Nursery Coordinator
Chris Monson - Worship Support and Community Events Program Director
Debbie Dietz - Coordinating Assistant to Pastor Jason
Kevin Euston - Technical Producer Team Lead
James Wear - Technical Producer Media and Graphics

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
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