Wednesday, March 18, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
I know many of you have been out this week for Spring Break but if you are back in town, don’t miss worship this weekend (and if you are out of town, join us online). This weekend is Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday. The children will be bringing in the palms as we sing and remember that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last week of his life. People waived their palm branches – a sign of victory – and hailed Jesus as the long awaited messianic king.
I’ll be back in the pulpit this weekend and preaching on John chapters 18 and 19 – the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. This week someone sent me a message on Facebook noting that they had a loved one who didn’t understand why Jesus would have to die in order for God to forgive people. That’s a great question. This person also asked, “Wouldn’t it be cruel of God to insist that his own son be tortured and killed in order to be able or willing, himself, to forgive others?” Another great question.
If you’ve ever scratched your head wondering just exactly how Jesus’ death on the cross brings about salvation or forgiveness you are in good company. And the “standard” explanations are often more confusing than helpful. Did you know that John spends more time describing the meaning of the cross than the other three gospelscombined? John offers us what I think is the most helpful way of thinking about the significance of the death of Jesus – an event that is the climax of his gospel. As we begin Holy Week, don’t miss this weekend’s message on the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion.
It’s interesting to think about Jesus and the kind of King he was as we approach Holy Week, particularly as we are in the midst of a presidential election season. I’ve wondered if Jesus were running for office in America what would his campaign focus on? Do you think he would get elected? Which of the candidates do you think he would most likely support and why? The answer likely hinges on your image of Jesus. We tend to see Jesus through our socio-political lens – rather than seeing our politics through our Jesus lens. Conservatives see a conservative Jesus. Liberals see a liberal Jesus. I’ve yet to hear a candidate that perfectly aligned with Jesus as I see him, though some are closer than others. This will certainly be an interesting fall in the life of our nation.
Just a reminder, since this is our last Easter at Leawood with services in our current sanctuary, Wesley Chapel and Vibe, we’re holding all Leawood Easter services on site and not renting out the convention center. But, to make room for everyone we’re asking some of you to commit up front to worship at one of the less attended services – 7 pm Saturday night, 7 am Sunday morning or 5 pm Sunday night. We’re hoping for 750 more people to sign up online to help us so that we don’t turn anyone away at the door. Remember, if you need to worship at 9 or 11 on Sunday morning, the Vibe service in the Student Center and the traditional service in Wesley Chapel will have beautiful live music and the same sermon via video. If you are willing to help welcome our guests and attend a less crowded service, please take a minute and use this link to let us know which service you will commit to attend. Thank you! All of our Easter services are listed here: cor.org/Easter. Please share this page with your friends and on social media.
Also, if you are willing to help by being a part of the worship team on Easter, serving in the parking lots (my mom signed up to help in the parking lots during two of the services – thanks Mom!) or as an usher, greeter, mug deliverer or in a host of other ways, pleasesign up online here to greet, usher, deliver coffee mugs and more. Use this link to sign up to help with Easter childcare.
Our annual community Easter Egg Hunt is tomorrow. This is a great event to invite your friends and neighbors with children. We’ll have lots of activities for kids and families. On the Leawood and Blue Springs campuses, the egg hunt begins at 10 am. Downtown will host a community egg hunt at Liberty Memorial from 1-3 pm. West will have their egg hunt next Saturday, March 26, from 3-5 pm before their first Easter service. For more information about the Leawood campus Easter Egg hunt click here. I’ll be hanging out at the Leawood egg hunt and look forward to seeing you, and meeting your friends,tomorrow morning!
Saturday night and Sunday mark the beginning of Holy Week. Here are some of the other special events we have coming up this week. Resurrection Downtown, West and Blue Springs folks, check your campus pastor’s enote or the website cor.org/Easter for additional Holy Week activities at your locations.
Special screening of the movie Risen on Monday, March 21, at 6:30 pm at the B&B theaters in Overland Park. Seating is limited for this event, purchase tickets online for $9/each. Join LaVon and me for this film capturing the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus. I heard from a friend this week that the film is quite good. LaVon and I just bought our tickets. Click here to view the trailer for the film.
Lenten concert featuring lunch and the music of “The Bible on Broadway” on Wednesday, March 23, from 12:15-12:45 pm in the Leawood Narthex
Maundy Thursday worship service is March 24. In this service we dramatically recount the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples and we share together in the Lord’s Supper – a very powerful service. Services are at 7 pm in Leawood and Resurrection West and at 6:30 pm in Blue Springs
Good Friday Prayer Vigil on March 25 is from 6 am – 10 pmin the Wesley Chapel on the Leawood Campus. Prepare for Easter by spending time in prayer and contemplation, reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Come and pray for any amount of time you like. A printed Prayer Vigil Guide will be provided, and over the course of the day, we will pray for each member of our church family by name. We also have a prayer walk from7 am – 7 pm where you can follow a prayer guide and meditate on Christ’s Crucifixion at stations set up on sacred spots around the Leawood Campus.
It’s going to be an amazing Holy Week!
One of you sent me a note this week suggesting I give an update on my Presidential appointment to serve on the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. I was surprised this week when I was told that I needed to be sworn in to office – done over the telephone followed by a one hour ethics training. Prior to the swearing in I attended two meetings by phone. The aim of this group is to make recommendations for how the White House/Executive Branch can remove roadblocks and support efforts of local communities in addressing poverty. I’ll fly to D.C. for a day-long meeting at the White House next month. There are White House staff that attend these meetings but it is unlikely that the President would ever attend, though he ultimately receives the report and recommendations of the council. The council’s work will be completed by late summer so it is a relatively short term appointment with modest time requirements. I see it as a great learning experience for me and one that I hope will help us in our local missions work. I’m also hopeful that I have something to offer to the council.
That’s it for this week’s e-note. I look forward to seeing you in worship for Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday and a chance to reflect together on the meaning of Christ’s death. Invite a friend to join you!
In Christ’s Love,
Adam Hamilton
PS: I was just out at the building site and they are erecting the Narthex walls today!
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Friday, March 11, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
This weekend we’ll continue our Lenten sermon series on John: The Gospel of Light and Life, focusing on chapters 15-17, the second part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. Join us in worship as we explore some of the final, and most important, words of Jesus before his death.
Don’t forget, Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend. Set your clocks forward Saturday night. Each spring some Res worshipers forget and show up an hour late for worship.
I am so excited about what God has in store for our future. I was in the construction zone again yesterday to check on the workers’ progress. In my mind, I can picture worship in this space and I am more excited with each passing week. As our sanctuary continues to take shape I am convinced that one of our most important design priorities will be achieved—our new sanctuary will foster a greater sense of community, with more, but smaller, seating sections. Actually, we will have twice as many sections in the new Sanctuary. While this is thrilling, it also increases our need for volunteer leaders. We will need almost twice as many greeters, ushers, and communion servers!
Did you know it takes nearly 200 volunteers to serve communion over a weekend? Additional, volunteers are needed right now to join the team of communion servers. Since this service opportunity happens during worship, this is a great opportunity to serve without even changing your weekly routine. Here’s how it works.
First, click this link to let us know you’re willing to consider serving communion.
Each month we’ll send you an email, and if you’re available, you’ll let us know.
On communion weekend, you’ll check-in before your service and we’ll provide complete, simple instructions.
This is a simple opportunity, but you’ll find it is one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do in the church. Take the first step, click here to let us know you’re interested.
Here are two other ways you can serve your church this Easter:
Help welcome visitors by serving in one of our worship services. Opportunities to serve include greeting, ushering, delivering coffee mugs, and more. Sign up online here.
Help care for the children attending KiDSCOR and share the good news! Family and friends are welcome. Register by clicking on this link. Please contact Crystal.Yeggy@cor.org with questions.
Thank you to the 695 of you who have already made a commitment to worship this Easter at a service other than Sunday at 9 or 11 am in the Leawood Sanctuary. Freeing up seats in the Sanctuary during these services will help make the worship experience more meaningful for our visitors and guests. We still need at least another 1,000 of you to let us know that you will worship on Saturday at 3, 5 and 7 pm, or on Sunday at 7 am or 5 pm or in the Student Center or Wesley Chapel at 9 and 11 am. Remember, the service in Wesley Chapel will be beautiful, and this is the easiest place to drop someone off (pull right up to the door in the circle drive). Here’s the link for Easter worship, take a minute and to let us know which service you will commit to attend.
As I told you in worship, we are hosting a special screening of the movie Risen on Monday, March 21, at 6:30 pm at the B&B theaters in Overland Park. The story of a Roman soldier’s search for Jesus’ body following the Resurrection, this epic Biblical story is a great activity to begin Holy Week. Seating is limited for this event, purchase tickets online for $9/each.
I know many of you are on Spring Break this weekend, don’t forget you can still join us for worship at 10:45 am or 5 pm on Sunday. Just go to cor.org/online, and if you’re travelling on Sunday, here’s the schedule for the replays during the week.
In Christ’s Love,
Adam Hamilton
Friday, March 4, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
Every four years United Methodists elect new bishops to serve the church. Our church is located in the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. This Jurisdiction includes Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico. Delegates from these states will meet in Wichita this July to elect three new bishops as three bishops from this region retire. As you read this, delegates from Kansas and Nebraska are meeting at our Leawood campus with the eight official candidates being considered for election, interviewing them so that we might discern which of these we’ll vote for in July. Cheryl Bell and I are among those delegates interviewing candidates. Would you take a moment to offer a brief prayer for wisdom for the delegates as we interview the candidates today and tomorrow? Thank you!
This weekend we’ll continue our Lenten sermon series on John: The Gospel of Light and Life. My sermon will focus on chapters 13 and 14 of John, part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. Matthew, Mark and Luke devote a few verses to describing what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper. John devotes five chapters to this evening. These chapters contain the final words of Jesus to his disciples before his death. My sermon is entitled, “An Example, A Command and a Promise.” Join us in worship as we explore some of the final, and most important, words of Jesus before his death.
By the way, last weekend I spoke about our dog, Maggie, and the likelihood of her impending death. To our surprise she has rallied a bit since our visit to the vet last Saturday, even regaining her appetite. We may have her a few more weeks yet.
This weekend I’ll share some new video and photos and give you an update on the new Sanctuary construction. It’s very exciting to see the building take shape, and you’ll want to be in worship to see this!
Each year at Easter services, hundreds of people visit Resurrection for the first time. Here are two ways you can help us show hospitality to our guests and make their experience meaningful.
Share Easter by Making Room. The Sunday morning services at 9 and 11 am in the Leawood Sanctuary will be filled to capacity, and we’ll have hundreds sitting and standing in the Narthex. You can help plan for our guests and practice radical hospitality by registering your commitment to worship at a service other than 9 and 11 in the Sanctuary. We have services Saturday at 3, 5 and 7 pm, and Sunday at 7 am and 5 pm in the Sanctuary and 9 and 11 am in the Student Center and Wesley Chapel. Here’s the link to let us know which service you will commit to attend. All of our services will have inspiring music, great fellowship and the same Easter message, so I hope you’ll help share worship with our guests this year.
Help Welcome Visitors by serving in one of our worship services. Opportunities to serve include greeting, ushering, serving in the nurseries, delivering coffee mugs, and more. Sign up online here.
Downtown, West and Blue Springs folks, check your campus pastor’s enote to see how you can help welcome and make room for guests.
On Easter, each of our worship spaces is transformed into a beautiful garden with hundreds of potted blooming plants, lilies, and palm trees as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. You can help make that transformation possible and honor a loved one by donating a flowering plant or palm tree. Special Donation Envelopes will be available in worship this weekend.
Did you know that hundreds of churches across the United States are now using Resurrection’s model for providing congregational care – raising up Congregational Care Ministers who come alongside the pastors to care for the congregation? Pastor Karen Lampe and our Congregational Care team will host the Congregational Care Minister (CCM) Seminar April 7-9 at our Leawood Campus. The Seminar is designed for pastors and church staff who are interested in launching a CCM ministry at their churches and for volunteers who want to become CCMs - partners in ministry with pastors and staff to provide care for a congregation. Many of you who read this e-note are from other churches, or have friends at other churches. Please share the word about this conference. The Early Bird registration for $160 is available through March 16. Details can be found at cor.org/ccm.
Finally, as I mentioned last week, on Sunday we confirmed 284 youth. This was was likely the largest confirmation in any one church in the history of American Methodism. This group included 16 participants in our Matthew's Ministry. More than 40 of the students are considering a call to ordained ministry. Please take a look at the list of newly confirmed members of our church below and continue to pray for these amazing young people.
In Christ’s Love,
Adam Hamilton
Congratulations to our newest members, confirmed February 28, 2016
Zachary Scott Adams
Robert James Addison
Claire Pinkney Albers
Brock Taylor Anderson
Chase Stephen Auman
Grant Neil Auman
Mikaela Grace Aurand
Katherine Grace Bandré
Ava Downs Becker
Colby Paul Bjorem
Braden Christopher Black
Luke Phillip Blau
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Boehringer
Cade Christian Bohannon
Sophia Anne Bowersock
Anna Rose Breckenridge
Julia Louise Briscoe
Ellen Margaret Bruce
Hailey Catherine Burgess
Andrew James Burton
Maya Elizabeth Burton
Allison Elise Cable
Grant William Calvert
Abbie Morgan Campbell
Laura Elizabeth Campbell
Payton Suzanne Carlson
Andrew Jeffery Carter
Kirsten Breanne Casey
Kayley Rose Cassaday
Lauren Elizabeth Cassaday
Julia Marie Cecil
Aubrey Anne Chaney
Ashley Michelle Clark
Julia Lin Clarkson
Caitlin Ashley Closz
Wesley Donald Coats
Andrew Scott Coble
Grace Elizabeth Coble
Kline Matthew Corkill
Kaden Anthony Counts
Lukas Charles Courtney
Abigail Quenette Crews
Courtney Virginia Crews
Eric Liam Daly
Trey Cooper D'Amico
Zane Kinsley de la Pena
Kolin Nicholas Demel
Jack Ryan Dillavou
Jackson Owren Donaldson
Mitchell Ray Dondlinger
Spencer James Drew
Eric Ian Dundas
Nathan Richard Eckman
Charlotte Diane Edds
Julia Elise Edmondson
Riley Faith England
Brooke Olivia Erdley
James David Eshleman
Nikolas Oscar Espinoza
Noah Matthew Espinoza
Jack Patrick Etheridge
John Frederick Eurich IV
Hayden Ross Everett
Briley Elisabeth Everhart
Nicholas Philip Eyen
Zachary Michael Farley
Emily Marie Farthing
Kelsey Meghan Faubion
Michael Christopher Fiorella
Natalie Catherine Fiorella
Keeton Nicole Fitz
Renee Raquel Fortin
Molly Elizabeth Foster
Drake Kelly Franz
Mark Alexander Freeman
Madeline Elise Friesen
Chloe Diana Fuleihan
Olivia Marie Fuller
Jason Wayne Garlett
Hallie Elizabeth Gettings
Natalie Renee Gish
Emma Christine Govreau
Sarah Ann Graven
Brody Scott Greene
Carsyn Elizabeth Greet
John Gregory Griffiths
Trinity Katherine Hadel
Caitlyn Frances Hahn
Caleb Whitefield Haines
Milla Novikov Hanova
Madelyn Mae Harbison
Kendall Edwin Hargens
Nathan Alexander Harris
Owen Michael Harris
Sydnee Aliyah Harrison Glenne Elizabeth Harvell
Graham Alan Harvey
Jordan Riley Hause
Robert Wilhelm Helling
Tanner Wells Helton
Shawn Patrick Hendershot
Faith Ella Henzlik
Katherine Grace Herndon
Joshua Vincent Heroux
Grant Robert Hill
Hannah Elizabeth Hoeven
Luke Lloyd Horsch
Devin Danielle Howell
Cade Allan Hudler
William Harrison Hudler
Ian Davis Hulshof
Lauren Genevieve Hulshof
Creyton Bradley Hunt
Alexis Janae Hutton
Mallory Elizabeth Hymer
Sophia Elizabeth Ippolito
Christine Marie James
Luke Robert Jurgensmeyer
Logan Andrew Kain
Madelyn Lauren Kang
Courtney Lyn Kastelan
Adam Patrick Kauphusman
Megan Kate Kiekbusch
Emma Nicole Kingston
Ethan William Knauth
Elizabeth Drew Kneibert
Cole Dawson Kress
Reed Grant Krewson
Sarah Elizabeth Kriet
Lindsay Elaine Lahr
Delton Michael Larson
Haley Vaughn Ledman
Tate Alan Beasley Lenz
Regan Roberts LeValley
Joshua Patrick Liechty
Connor Matthew Loftus
Lukas Leonard Losen
Caroline Grace Loudenback
Heidi Lynn Love
Payton Christine Lujin
Kamerae Ashley Luster
Alex Ryan Macy
Olivia Sofia Mann
Blake H Martin
Sean Allan Mathews
Ethan Morgan Mayers
Addison Rose McAleer
Connor Xavier McCabe
Jenna Lee McCarty
Tess Fallon McChesney
Brooke Alessandra McKee
Sloane Nicole McKinney
Caroline Elizabeth McVay
Jackson Richard Mehlin
Mackenzie Kaye Meier
Isabella Grace Melcher
John Patrick Merchant
Matthew Anthony Miller
Ryan Anthony Moddesette
Lauren Rashelle Mohar
Avery Corinne Mohn
Lakota Featherstone Monson
Lauren Elizabeth Morris
Maria Jordan Musson
Gabriella Elle Myers
Lauren Elise Myers
Campbell Marie Newby
Jenna Leigh Newkirk
William Guy Newland
Catherine Claire Nichols
Maxwell Alexander Niehaus
Abigail Nicole Nielsen
Thomas Charles Noll
Kelsey Grace Norkey
Mallory Louise Norvell
Riley Nicole Nowak
John Emerson Oldroyd
Luke Matthew Kincheloe Olthoff
Andrée Elizabeth Orcutt
Natalie Alyssa Page
Peyton Alyse Palmer
Austin Thomas Parish
Taylor Lea Parish
KateAnn Margaret Penrose
Erik McGreer Peterson
Olivia Audrey Peterson
Carl Eric Pfanstiel
Justin Robert Pfeiff
Stephanie Ann Phillips
Sean Frederick Pleimann Sydney Elizabeth Polo
John Robert Price
Jacob Douglas Punch
Samuel Mark Pursley
Luke Douglas Raiford
Addison Elizabeth Raine
Evan Patrick Ranallo
Macoy James Rappe
Gracie Michele Ray
Grace Elizabeth Reininga
Lilian Jane Reininga
Peyton Elizabeth Renzi
Mason Lane Richman
Emily Grace Rine
Dylan Peter Roach
Jackson Steele Roane
Garrett Taylor Roberts
Spencer James Roy
Emma Claire Ryan
Kirstin Riley Ryan
Tess Alexandra Ryan
Lydia Marie Salberg
Gracee Joy Salesky
Kade Anthony Samber
Lauren Nicole Sanford
Zeb Galbreath Sarvis
Katlyn Elizabeth Scavuzzo
Connor William Schaffer
Jackson Frederick Schaffer
Sara Beth Schierling
Grace Elayna Schmidt
Ashley Nicole Schuler
Eric Michael Schultz
Tyler James Schuppert
Zac Brett Sewell
Eden Lilly Shaw
Abigail Lynn Sherer
Aidan Joseph Siefkes
Jackson Samuel Siegman
Trevor Gary Sinclair
Taylor Brooke Slusher
Lilly Kay Smith
McCall Allison Smith
Paige Elizabeth Smith
Lauren Grace Somerhalder
Andrew William Sonner
Jack William Souder
Blake Douglas Spencer
Chloe Ann Spencer
Rachel Elizabeth Spencer
Sarah Victoria Springer
Robert Wesley Stang II
Alexander Daniel Stark
Richard Landis Stewart
Samuel Alan Stewart
Rylie Christian Stone
Lindsey Marie Stoneman
Kori Lynn Stonestreet
Nora Grace Stoy
Benjamin Aaron Sussman
Elizabeth Margaret Sutton
Luke Andrew Svilarich
Emmy Lange Taranto
Abby Caroline Taylor
Jacob Donald Taylor
Lijana Gabrielle Teague
Quinn Nicholas Thielmann
Camryn Elizabeth Threinen
Ty Gamble Toney
Rachel Elizabeth Tonkin
Garrett Allen Torres
Alexa Grace Turpen
Ryan Rea Walters
Wyatt Dean Welhoelter
Maria Marchetti Wells
Hayden Cole Westerfield
Thomas Paul Wigdahl
Reagan Nicole Wiley
Emily Lynn Williams
Griffin John Williams
Elizabeth Claire Willson
Lauren O'Neil Wilson
Sophia Rose Espey Wilson
Bella DelFratte Wingrove
Kyra Anne Winslett
Carson Michael Wolf
Joseph Glaser Wolff
Keely Ann Woods
Gracie Leigh Wright
Keely Grace Yang
Hayden Noss Young
Katelyn Anne Young
Michael Bryan Zingg
Jennifer Leigh Zuspan
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
913.897.0120
www.cor.org
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