I hope this message finds you doing well! I decided to write you all today, given that we have spent the past three weeks giving thanks to God for all that we’ve been given through our sermon series With a Grateful Heart and our gratitude journals. As I spend time with my family (from Michigan and Louisiana) in KC today, I want each of you know just how grateful I am to be in community with you. It is a privilege.
On Monday night, more than 30 RezDT volunteers got together to make 900+ phone calls to people who worship with us regularly, simply to say “thank you.” It was an energizing and uplifting experience that led to amazing and surprising conversations. We received over 80 prayer requests and had more than 300 conversations. It was another reminder of how awesome it is to be part of this community of faith. Thank you!
Last weekend was Commitment Weekend and we had a great number of people prayerfully commit their 2018 pledges. It was humbling to see so many generous gifts laying on the altar at the end of each worship service. These commitments and gifts represent our best efforts toward reaching out into the city with mission and ministry. Your gifts make all of our care ministries, missions efforts, KidsCOR programming, and our ability to host worship services throughout the year, possible. Without them, our ability to live out loud as the body of Christ wouldn’t be possible. To those of you who made a commitment last weekend, I want to say thank you for your amazing generosity. If you were not able to turn in a commitment card last weekend, I want to encourage you to bring one with you this weekend, or fill out your card online here.
Finally, this weekend I will conclude our sermon series by preaching live at RezDT (both Grand and McGee) a message about the season ahead. I will talk about the power of giving thanks for Emmanuel (God With Us). One of the most amazing aspects of the gospel is revealed this season, as we anticipate the arrival of the baby born in Bethlehem. At Christmas, God takes on human flesh, is born into this world and meets us, never leaves us or forsakes us, but loves us always. The byproduct of this gift is a life lived without any fear, a life lived fully and gratefully, regardless of the circumstances surrounding you, because the light of Emmanuel pierces our darkness. This weekend, I will focus on the power of gratitude even when we find ourselves in dark places, trusting that God is with us. I hope you’ll join me and invite your family and friends; you won't want to miss it!
Pastor Scott
Upcoming Events & Activities
Final Hanging of the Greens Before Our New Space Opens
On Friday, Dec. 1, help decorate both of our church worship spaces for Christmas. Next year we will celebrate Christmas in our new building, but you will want to say you were around to fluff the greenery and string the lights before we moved across the street. Arrive around 6:30 pm at 1522 McGee for cookies, Christmas music and amazing community... Community, Cookies & Christmas!
Register Your Family for Family Advent Night!
Travel with us to the Island of Misfit Toys! Family Advent Night is Tuesday, Dec. 5, 5:30 pm at 1522 McGee. Come create some misfit Christmas “toys” on this fun evening with family and friends! Enjoy dinner, crafts, games, a photo booth, entertainment and more – all in the comfort of your favorite jammies. Misfits and families register at cor.org/downtown/familyadventnight.
J.O.Y. Boxes
J.O.Y. Boxes will line our walls on Sunday, ready to be filled with love (and the items found on the lists inside the boxes) for students at Wendell Phillips Elementary school! Principal Brown reminds us that these gifts help create a culture of care that aids students in succeeding academically. Please take a box or two and return it by Sunday, Dec. 10 with only the items requested. We’ll wrap the boxes Dec. 16 for FaithWork - mark your calendar if you would like to participate! Find other ways to give back this holiday season at cor.org/downtown/joy.
Chicken & Pickle with 40s and Up Group
Right after church on Sunday, Nov. 26, join the 40s and UP group to play Pickleball at 12:30 pm! It’s simple to learn, or just come to watch, laugh, chat and eat after the game. Chicken N Pickle is located at 1761 Burlington, NKC. The cost is right around $15 per person (for 4 individuals) -- this includes 4 paddles and 1 pickleball. The more the merrier! For more information, contact Julie Skalla at julie_skalla@yahoo.com.
Advent Study: Emmanuel, God with Us
Join Pastor Glory Revival and me for a 3-week Advent study starting Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6:30-8 pm at 1522 McGee. Invite friends and come with your family to experience the joy of Christmas through teaching, music and some unexpected surprises. Email Matt.Bisel@cor.org with questions! No registration is required.
Congregational Care & Support
If you need pastoral care, call (816) 979-1330.
For after hours emergencies, please call (913) 338-9477.
To submit a prayer request, email Anne.Williams@cor.org.
Serve Updates #withKC & Abroad
Check out our RezDT serve blog here, or view our Wendell Phillips Elementary partnership newsletter.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Downtown
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