Greetings Resurrection Blue Springs,
Yesterday I had the opportunity to join over 40 volunteers from our Blue Springs and Downtown campuses as we hosted the classroom Holiday parties at Wendell Phillips Elementary, one of our partner schools in the inner city. I was as caught up as the children in the excitement provided by the Magician, both from his magic and his enthusiastic words of empowerment for these kids. Then it was on to the Kindergarten classroom for me for crafts, cookie decorating and handing out the JOY boxes that so many of you filled as a part of our JOY in serving. I wish you all could have seen the smiles and received the hugs of thanks I did from these sweet, beautiful children. It gave my heart joy.
On Tuesday, I had a chance to get a preview of the kids Charlie Brown skit for our 10:45 am Christmas eve service. You can tell the kids have worked hard on their lines and there are some the cutest sheep you’ve ever seen in it! Last night the praise team filled the stage as they rehearsed the music for our 3, 5 and 7 pm services. The candles are all in their holders, the children’s packets prepared with new activity books and crayons, the bulletins are all stuffed, the cookies ordered, extra seats have been set out and the volunteers assigned for hospitality duty. I think we’re ready.
We did discover (just yesterday) that the map in our Candlelight Christmas Eve postcard directs you to our West campus. A mistake a dozen of us missed! So, if you extended an invitation, you have a second chance to follow it back up with some clarification. I also want to remind you again that we’re encouraging our regular members to come at a time other than 10:45 am, as we expect this service to fill quickly with families and relatives of our children.
I’m so excited. The Candlelight Christmas Eve services are my favorite of the whole year. It is such a joy to remember and welcome again Christ’s birth with so many that I love! I can’t wait.
Finally, please remember to complete your giving pledge for 2017 by this Sunday, Dec. 31st. To be deductible in 2017, contributions must be physically received at Resurrection Blue Springs by 3 pm, Thursday, Dec. 28 (offices will be closed on Dec. 25th & 26th); or mailed to Resurrection Finance Office at 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224 with a postmark of Dec. 31, 2017 or earlier. You may also donate through Pushpay at cor.org/bluesprings/give no later than 11:59pm CDT, Sunday, Dec. 31.
Thank you to the 157 households who have submitted your financial pledges for 2018. If you have yet to complete yours, would you please go now to cor.org/commitment and complete it as were nearing our wrap up for the 2018 budgeting.
See you on Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Penny
The beautiful poinsettias in our Sanctuary were provided by:
- Donna Abernathey “In memory of parents Jim & Shirley Harter and grandmother Mary Slack. I miss you! Merry Christmas.”
- Chuck & Janice Adams, in honor of Sheri Adams & William Jacobs.
- Patrick & Stacy Arnold, in memory of Sharon Sue Arnold.
- Marcia Bushnell in memory of husband Jerry and infant son Mark.
- Scott & Jan Chance in honor of Dr. Herbert Chance, Phyllis Taylor & Debbie McCarty.
- George & Joy Cooper, in memory of Pearl Cooper, Wilbert & Marion Matthews.
- Carman Duval, in honor of Chester & Ella Heyer, Kay & Erwin Apprill and Jim Franklin.
- The Enlow Family – Pat, Dan, Andrew, Diane, Mason, Reese & Asher.
- Tom & Sherree Gorman in memory of William, Gertrude & Bill Gorman and in honor or our family.
- Tom & Kathy Guzinski, “In loving memory of John Davis, our friend.”
- Steven & Patricia Hall, “To the memory of my mother, Marguerite Sanders who loved poinsettias every Christmas!”
- Marilu Herrick, in memory of Lucille Weldon, Ruth & Wally Herrick.
- Jan Hintz, in loving memory of Ken Hintz.
- Jodie Iams, in memory of Aaron Iams.
- Jennifer Osborne, “In honor of Adelaide and Emily’s grandparents, especially Joy and Wayne Koupal whom we are blessed to have with us from California this Christmas.”
- Steve & Becky Pellegrino, “In loving memory of our parents.”
- Jennifer Reeder, “For my Grandma O’Dell who was such an influence on me and loved so much. Also, for Zach Pearce, a former student of mine taken too soon.”
- Sharon Reynolds, Janet & Cully Scott in honor of R.M. & Sue Scott, Ruben & Marjorie Fuller and Larry Wessing.
- Randy Shaw & Tami Casey in honor of their mother Mary Ann Shaw.
- Wendy Spurgin, in memory of Gordon Drake and in honor of Jane Drake.
- Bob Spurgin, in memory of John and Mary Spurgin.
- Laura Ward, in memory of Sara Tuttle-Inman.
- Alan & Debra Weilbacher, in memory of William & Bessie Woods and Pam Woods.
- Jean Wilmott, in memory of Pete Wilmott and Samuel Webster.
- Be sure to check out all the upcoming activities below. We've added some new classes and opportunities to connect, serve and grow.
Upcoming Events & Activities
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Times
Sunday | December 24 | 10:45 am, 3, 5, 7 pm
All services include Pastor Adam's message and the candle lighting.
Our 10:45 am service will include the children's skit. .
Nursery will be provided at all services for birth - age 4.
Youth Confirmation Class Forming Now
Confirmation Class will meet for 10 weeks on Sunday mornings at 9amstarting January 14 – Open to any student 7th-12th grade ready to grow in faith and who hasn’t already been through confirmation. Sign up at Guest Services or email Caleb.Longest@cor.org.
Conscious Discipline Class
Janet Clark from Play to Learn Preschool in Blue Springs will lead an 8-week Conscious Discipline class starting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 6:30. Cost is $15 per person and includes the book Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline. We will offer childcare at $3 per child per class session. Sign up for childcare with your registration at Guest Services or click here.
Winter Women’s Bible Study
Open Your Bible will meet Thursdays, Jan. 11 – Feb. 22, 10-11:30 am or 6:30-8 pm. Are you longing to know who God really is? We can encounter the living God today and every day in the pages of the Bible. Whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or struggle through, Open Your Bible will leave you with a greater appreciation and understanding for the Word of God and a stronger desire to know the Bible inside and out. This study is by two of the speakers at the 2018 Inspired for Life Women’s Conference at Leawood on Feb 2-3. Purchase your book at church for $20. We will offer childcare at $3 per child per class session. Register at Guest Services or click here.
Parenting Teens
Sundays at 6 pm (during rezlife) starting Jan 14. The 6 week Parenting Teens course is for any parents, step-parents, prospective parents or caretakers of children aged 11 – 18 years. Cost: $10.00 with a free will donation towards the meal. Childcare available on request $3 per child/per session. Click here to register.
MLK Serve Day - January 15
We have an opportunity to serve at the Hillcrest Thrift Store in Lee’s Summit. We need people to help sort, fold, clean, stack, stock, organize and price donations to the store. It will be from 11:30am to 2pm. This is a great way to assist with the ministry of Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Eastern Jackson County. Another opportunity will be to help make plastic sleeping mats for the homeless at our church. Meet at the Church at 10amto make plastic mats and work until noon or so. The work for either opportunity is suitable for adults and children ages 8+, accompanied by an adult. Click here to register.
Alpha at Resurrection Blue Springs
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm starting Jan 16. This is a great class to join if you're looking for a next step. Alpha gives everyone the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course meets once a week for 10 weeks. Sessions begin with a meal, followed by a short talk and time to discuss what's been taught in a small group setting. Materials $15 with a free will donation towards the meal. Childcare available on request $3 per child/per session. Click here to register. Contact Mike Ash for more information.
Financial Peace University Information Meeting
Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30 pm. Come see a taster video by Dave Ramsey. Visit with the FPU class coordinator who will answer your questions about the dynamic 9-week personal financial management course. If you cannot attend the information meeting, you may still register online here for the course. Childcare on request, $3 per child/per class session. No registration required for the meeting, but do click here to register for childcare.
Inspired for Life Women's Conference 2018
Friday, Feb 2: 7-9 pm + After Party
Saturday, Feb 3: 9 am – 1 pm w/Brunch
Inspired for Life is an annual event at Resurrection's Leawood Campus for women near and far to experience fun and meaningful connection through guest speakers, worship, inspiration, prayer, and sweet special touches. This year we will learn to “practice real love” in action and truth, going forth as an influence for good in our world. Click here to register. Use discount code RezBlueSprings for special $65 rate. ($80 day of the conference.)
Rez Blue Springs Women’s Group
We would like to coordinate a plan to carpool to the Inspired for Life Conference and to sit, eat and enjoy this experience together. Please click here if you would like to carpool on Friday and/or Saturday. There is a second sign up sheet for those who wish to reserve a room at the Holiday Inn Express at 135th & Metcalf for Friday, Feb 2. We need to reserve a minimum of 10 double queen rooms to get a discount rate of $99 per room ($50 per person). Click here to let us know you'd like to reserve a room.
RezMoms are also planning an overnight slumber party in conjunction with the conference at Camp Timberlake. Stay tuned for more details on it.
The United Methodist Church of the
Resurrection Blue Springs Staff
Rev. Penny Ellwood, Resurrection Blue Springs Pastor
Mike Ash, Worship Leader & Director of Community
Caleb Longest, Director of Student Ministries
Diane Enlow, Director of Children's Ministries
Riley Ledford, Technical Producer
Heather Sooley, Operations Coordinating Assistant
Stephanie Weigel, Guest Connections Coordinating Assistant
Caitlin Willis, Nursery Coordinator
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs
For after-hours pastoral care, please call (913) 338-9477.
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