Blue Springs, Missouri, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs enote from Reverend Penny Ellwood for Friday, 28 March 2014

Blue Springs, Missouri, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs enote from Reverend Penny Ellwood for Friday, 28 March 2014
Greetings Resurrection Blue Springs, 
This Sunday we have a special worship planned, which I hope you'll all be able to attend. We'll be continuing our series on “The Gospel of the Nobodies” with a look at Jesus' care for prostitutes and prodigals. We have a great message and music planned.  The highlight of the 10:45 am service for me though will be confirming the youth who will make their decision to claim the name of Christ for themselves tonight as they complete their Confirmation class at a retreat in Leawood. They will be joining all the other students currently going through confirmation at Resurrection. There is a very special evening planned.  
Confirmation in the United Methodist Church is a time of intentional preparation.  It is designed to give our youth the opportunity to reflect on the most basic tenants of our faith and provide them a safe environment to ask questions and grapple with the divine truths and mysteries proclaimed by the Church of Jesus Christ.  Confirmation helps youth to investigate the depths of their faith and helps them begin to understand what it means to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, and to make their first public profession of faith.  During this time young persons “make firm” what has gone before: God’s prevenient grace, baptism, the teaching and witness of parents and other persons of faith, the teachings and life together in the church, the youth’s own growing faith.  Youth are invited at the close of the confirmation class to claim for themselves the name Christian and the name United Methodist.  This is a significant step in the ongoing journey of faith.   
I ask that you would cover tonight's Confirmation retreat in prayer.  Praying that all the confirmation students’ hearts will be open and the Holy Spirit at work leading them to sincerely desire salvation through Jesus Christ and to know Him personally.  Join me in praying for our students: Kirk Dudgeon, Lillie Dudgeon, Joey Gleich, Phoebe Groceman, Addison Palmer and Austin Taylor and their mentors, Dave Taylor, Joanie Barber and Orrell Kurlandski. This is a amazing group of youth (and leaders)!
Here's more about what's coming up at Rez Blue Springs:
Items Needed for Healing House
Donations Needed for Easter Egg Hunt
Employment Opportunity
Come Serve with Us
Easter Egg Hunt
rezlife Purity Conference
ReStore Coming to Blue Springs!
Items Needed for Healing House  Resurrection's Life Restoration Ministry is requesting items to be given out to the homeless population at Easter.  These items, along with some non-perishable food items will all be packed into a backpack along with a pocket New Testament. Items needed:
Travel size:
Deodorant           Soap
Shampoo             Conditioner             Toothpaste          Hand Sanitizer
Wet wipes     
Bottled water       Pens
Notepads            AA batteries
Razors              Chapstick
Chips (small bags)            
Small cards/bookmarks with scripture         Toothbrushes        Washcloths
Please bring your items to the Missions Collection shelf in the west entrance this Sunday or drop by the office by Wednesday, April 3.
Donations Needed for Easter Egg Hunt –Through April 6, drop off wrapped candy and plastic eggs (filled or unfilled) in the children's check-in area near the west entrance. And don't forget to mark your calendars for the community party on April 12th at 10 am.  We will host a variety of fun, kid-friends games, activities, crafts and, of course, an egg hunt! We'll need extra hands for preparation ahead of time and the day of the party. If you'd be willing to volunteer, contact Diane.Enlow@rezbluesprings.org.
Employment Opportunity: Resurrection Blue Springs Guest Services Coordinating Assistant, 10 hours per week, including Sunday mornings. Ensure the highest level of hospitality for church members and guests. Coordinate hospitality efforts for our Connections Ministry, Worship and Special Events. Provide leadership, training, delegation and support to volunteer ministry teams. Serve as a resource for all church staff and church members. Qualified candidates will be organized, highly motivated and self-directed. This position will work as member of a dynamic and fast-paced team that requires the ability to handle change. To apply, visit rezbluesprings.org/apply.
Come Serve With Us – Training Provided! To prepare for Easter, we have planned a spring refresher for all current hospitality volunteers and training for new volunteers on Sunday, April 6, immediately after 10:45 worship. We will meet in Fellowship Hall to enjoy a quick lunch together as Pastor Penny shares our charge to provide Radical Hospitality to everyone who enters our doors. Then, we will split up into groups for a quick training specific to your role. We still need more Hospitality Team members, so please join us at the training if you'd like to find out how to serve. We will definitely need additional people to serve Easter Sunday (April 20), especially at the 7:30 am service. You don’t have to be a member to serve! Current Hospitality Volunteers, please contact Jennifer Palmer if you are not able to attend.  Please let her know ASAP so she has an accurate count for lunch.  New volunteers, RSVP to Jennifer Palmer.   
Easter Egg Hunt! Saturday, April 12, 10 am Rain or shine! Grab the KiDS, find the Easter baskets and join us for an awesome family event! Early childhood to elementary age children will enjoy the egg hunt, as well as snacks, games, crafts and fun! No registration is necessary. Bring your friends!  If you'd like to help out before, during or after the Egg Hunt sign up in the KiDS COR check in area, Connection Point or contact Diane Enlow.
rezlife Purity Conference – Register NOW! Friday, April 25, 7–10 pm, Leawood Student Center. This event is for 6th-12th grade students, parents and those who work with teens. Featured speaker is Pam Stenzel, author and key speaker for teens and parents on purity and abstinence. Pam tackles today’s tough issues of purity with candor, insight and humor, as she challenges young people to get the abstinence advantage. Visit her website at www.pamstenzel.com for more information. This even is designed for students and parents to attend together, however any adult that works with teens would benefit. For registration and information, go to cor.org/students.
A new Habitat for Humanity ReStore is coming to Blue Springs! Located at 1215 North 7 Highway, the store will open April 25.  The ReStore, a building supply store operated by Habitat for Humanity, accepts and resells quality new and used building materials which funds Habitat for Humanity projects.  Starting today, save those good, reusable building supplies, appliances, furniture, lighting or kitchen and bathroom fixtures for donation to the ReStore.  Items can be dropped off starting April 1 or call 816-886-7374 today to schedule a pick up.
I look forward to seeing you in worship.
Abundant Blessings, 
Penny
Contact Our Staff:
Church Office Phone: (816)389-8900
Rev. Penny Ellwood, Campus Pastor penny.ellwood@rezbluesprings.org
Mike Ash, Worship Leader/Director of Community mike.ash@rezbluesprings.org
Diane Enlow, Director of Children's Ministry diane.enlow@rezbluesprings.org
Clark Johnson, Technical Producer clark.johnson@rezbluesprings.org
Heather Sooley, Operations Coordinating Assistant heather.sooley@rezbluesprings.org
Lori Wolverton, Nursery Staff lori.wolverton@rezbluesprings.org
Visit us on the web:
www.rezbluesprings.org
www.facebook.com/rezbluesprings

For upcoming and ongoing programs and events at our Leawood Campus, visit www.cor.org.
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