Tonight we remember and reflect upon Christ's sacrifice through Scripture lessons, song, drama, and Holy Communion. I hope you'll join us this evening for the Maundy Thursday worship service at 7pm, childcare for 4 and under available. This service will be a time to prayerfully remember Christ's sacrifice, departing in silence as we move into Good Friday.
Tomorrow we will have the Sanctuary open for prayer from 7am - 7pm. Our Congregational Care Ministers will be present throughout the day and we will have materials to guide you in prayer. We will pray for every West member by name and also encourage you to walk The Way of the Cross trail and have materials to guide you along the stations of prayer on the trail.
Saturday we welcome children and those with child-like hearts to celebrate with an egg hunt and many different activity stations around the campus from 3-5:15. Sandwiches and snacks will be provided. We will also have an opening message for the children and have loads of fun!
At 5:30pm we begin celebrating Easter with the first of five worship services at Resurrection West, including powerful music, Pastor Adam Hamilton's Easter message, and an opportunity to give to our Easter offering grant! This year's Easter offering will provide hope and resources to low-income families through $100,000 in grants to partners in the Kansas City community. The first $75,000 from the offering will provide funds for Operation Breakthrough to develop family support services; resources and training for parents in the urban core so the can give their children a loving, stable environment. The reminding $25,000 from our Easter offering is going to Cross-Lines to fund another program supporting low-income families.
Then we continue with Sunday Easter services at 8am, 9:30am, 11:15am, and 5pm. Please consider worshipping at the 8am and the 5pm to make room for our many guests and visitors who are coming to celebrate with us. If you have a car tag, please post that for our parking volunteers to guide you to park farther out to make room and share hospitality with our guests.
Next Sunday, April 27th, it will be my honor and privilege to preach live as we conclude The Gospel of the Nobodies. I will be preaching a sermon entitled "The discouraged and the disbelieving". As a part of every service we will take time to remember our baptism through an experiential opportunity with water. One of the stations will also be available for Baptism. If you would like to receive baptism, please go online and complete the information found at this link rezwest.org/baptism.
On May 4th we have our Coffee with the Pastors. If you are considering making us your Church home I hope you'll join Pastor Chris and I, with our Congregational Care Ministers, as we share what it means to be a member at Resurrection West, You’ll hear our personal testimonies, hear from our Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton, via video, on the tradition of United Methodism, walk through what's expected in membership here, and of course share in coffee, sweets. And connection with others 2-4:30pm. Register at rezwest.org/coffee
My family and I are very excited for the coming days of reflection, remembrance, prayer, fun, and celebration! I hope you'll join us on this journey beginning tonight with the Maundy Thursday service.
Some of you may remember me sharing in a prior sermon about a past Holy Week when I was selfish and self-focused. I almost missed my oldest daughter Hailey's Easter play. God opened the eyes of my heart in that moment as she played the role of one of the disciples. Just after I send this enote to you, I am driving to my youngest daughter, Kaia's version of the same play. I am excited and reminded that people all over the world are acting out this story, Christ's story, our story,
My heart will be filled and my eyes will be holding back the tears as I watch and grieve with our families who have lost their loved ones this past week in this horrific tragedy. A piece of Scripture that I have been praying all week from John has been moving and transforming me once again.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
In John’s gospel we read of the disciples grief turning to joy! May each of us remember this Easter that the worst thing is never the last thing!
Looking forward to journeying with you toward Easter,
Pastor Jason
connect with me on twitter at twitter.com/jasongant
connect with me on facebook at facebook.com/jason.gant.3
Resurrection West Campus
24000 West Valley parkway Olathe, Kansas 66061
913-538-7800
For an after hours urgent pastoral care need call 913-314-6058
rezwest.org
Follow on twitter @rezwest
Connect on facebook at facebook.com/ResurrectionWest
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