Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gaant - Friday, 8 January 2016 The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West of Olathe, Kansas, United States

Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gaant - Friday, 8 January 2016 The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West of Olathe, Kansas, United States

Resurrection West,
Each New Year brings a fresh approach to grow as a disciple here at Resurrection West. Pastor Adam begins a new worship series inspiring us to take a direct look at our culture, our country, and ourselves as we seek to tear down walls and become bridge-builders. Please take a moment and consider someone you might invite to join you in worship this Sunday. Then take the action step to do just that! You can also share this video promo by email or post on your social media connections today. Click here to see and share it. Our teens will also be watching this sermon and discussing in Sunday School at10:45am and 5:00pm rezlife Student Ministries Sunday School.
It will be my honor to kick off the teaching at our first Alpha session Sunday afternoon and there is still time to sign-up by going to cor.org/west/alpha. I will also be joining our Saturday morning women’s grouptomorrow to lead the first session on how we might experience greater joy in our lives. Then heading over to cheer on our Upward basketball games. We have over 100 children participating and my youngest daughter couldn't be more excited to play in her first game. Spending time with our many different groups and ministries here at RezWest is one way I experience joy in my own life!
Below are many opportunities to get connected in this New Year to grow, serve, and experience joy with God. My hope is that each of us are involved in a smaller group in 2016.

• It's not to late to sign-up for Alpha - begins this Sunday!
• West Care Night - begins January 12th
• No FaithWork this Month! Instead, serve on MLK day Mega Mission - January 18th
• RezWest Blood Drive - January 25th
• Camp Minecraft at RezWest - January 22nd
• The Alpha Marriage Course - April 11th
• RezWest Upward Soccer - 2nd season starts March 22nd!
• Saturday morning men's group
• Saturday morning women's group
• Thursday LIVE women's
• Middle School tubing retreat
• High School St. Louis retreat

Explore Life in Alpha - Join us in the Resurrection West Sanctuary on Sunday afternoons beginningJanuary 10. We will meet at 12:30 pm (following 10:45 am worship service) for a catered meal, a live talk and great table discussion. Alpha is for anyone seeking to grow in faith – no matter what age and stage in life. There is no homework. This is a great first step in your faith journey beyond worship. Learn more and register at cor.org/west/alpha.
Resurrection West Care Night - We are a church that cares about you and what you’re going through. Starting Tuesday, January 12, you are invited to gather with others at 6:45 pm at Resurrection West for eight consecutive Tuesday evenings of learning and support. This Winter, we will offer two classes: depression/ anxiety help and grief support. For more information or to register, contact Congregational Care Minister Rosemary Plum at rosemary.plum@cor.org.
There will be no FaithWork in January! Instead, join us for MLK Mega Mission - January 18 - Monday,9–11:30 am. Meet at Resurrection West for a morning of service and community building as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his amazing impact on our country and world. We will:

• Pack over 15,000 meals to help tackle hunger internationally.
• Prepare shoe-making kits for our friends in Uganda.
• Fill 500 bag lunches to assist the homeless in Kansas City.
• Make Valentines for Veterans.
• Spend time in the hands-on prayer room and focus on connecting with God, embracing diversity and loving/serving all.
• All participants will receive a 2016 MEGA MISSION t-shirt. All ages welcome. No sign-up required. For more information, contact Chris.Holliday@cor.org.

Donations needed for MLK MEGA MISSION – We need your help gathering supplies for our upcoming MEGA MISSION. Please place plastic milk jugs (empty and rinsed), used jeans and cases of bottled water in the Resurrection Mission Bins by Thursday, Jan. 14. Contact Chris.Holliday@cor.org for more information.
Resurrection West Blood Drive - Monday, January 25th 1-7pm. Share the gift of life! Anyone who is healthy, at least 16 years old and weighs at least 115lbs can donate blood. One donation can save two lives! Make an appointment today at savealifenow.org, enter sponsor code “rezwest.”
Camp Minecraft at Rez West – Elementary-age students with an adult partner interact with stories from the Bible in the game Minecraft. Camp will be held Jan. 22, 6-8:30 pm, and Jan 23, 8:30-noon. Cost is $30 per team (1 child, 1 adult) and each team needs a compatible pc with the Minecraft game loaded. Dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday will be provided, and each participant will receive a t-shirt. Limited space - register at cor.org/west/campminecraft.
The Alpha Marriage Course – Five weeks starting Monday, April 11, from 6:30-8:15 pm. Share a catered meal as a couple at the beginning of each session. Topics covered include: The Art of Communication/Conflict Resolution, The Power of Forgiveness, Impact of Family Past and Present, Good Sex and Love for a Lifetime. Registration is now open and the course is limited to 40 couples. Register atcor.org/west/alphamarriage. Check out our website for course costs. Childcare available.
RezWest Upward Soccer is kicking off our 2nd season! Practices will be held on Tues or Thurs evenings starting March 22. Saturday morning games start April 2nd. Register at cor.org/west/upward by March 11. Cost is $85 per child, with a $10 discount for multiple children. For families who participated in our Upward Soccer program last fall, registration is $45/child, $35 for multiple children (enter discount code UNIFORM at registration). Contact David.Robertson@cor.org.
Saturday Morning Men’s Group session kicks off Jan. 9, with a 12-week study of the best- selling bookMarch Gladness by Doug Griggs. The NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament has it all! Upsets, game-winning shots, clutch free-throws, gut wrenching defeats and come from behind victories. While basketball offers excitement to its followers, the benefits of following Jesus are unparalleled. The good news is the truths of the Bible and the NCAA Tournament can go hand in hand! These devotions review every tournament since 1976, and relate a truth from God’s Word. We meet downstairs from 8-9:30 am, and will be serving breakfast catered by HyVee (suggested $5 donation). Cost of the book is $15. Contact Allan Henning at anhenning6@gmail.com for questions.
Saturday Morning Women’s Group – When Margaret Feinberg had cancer, she chose to fight back withjoy. Join us starting Jan. 9, as we study Fight back with Joy: Celebrate More. Regret Less. Stare Down your Greatest Fears. Registration and books ($18) are available at the front reception desk after worship, or contact Jane McGinnis at jane50mac@gmail.com.
Thursday LIVE! will offer two new studies this winter, Jan. 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4, 18, 25. For more information, visit cor.org/west/thursdaylive.
• Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith, facilitated by Kristi Aufderheide and Gretchen Aerni. Gain an understanding of the layout and meaning of God’s Word through study of the people, places and promises of the Bible. Move forward with confidence and lose the insecurities that hold many people back.
• Falling Upward by Richard Rohr, facilitated by Diane Robertson. Learn how our failings can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth and use disappointments as stepping stones to spiritual joys!
Totally Tubular Middle School Retreat – Get Ready for some Action & Adventure! Grades 6-8, Feb. 14-15, 2016, Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in Des Moines, IA. Register at cor.org/west/students.
High School St. Louis Retreat (Grades 9-12) - January 17-18, 2016. Downtown St. Louis, MO
Get ready for a fun, relaxing & spiritual getaway - join rezlife West for a retreat to St. Louis! We will be staying at Centenary United Methodist Church downtown St. Louis and will be touring and having a prayerful devotion time in the 1914 Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. We will also be going to the City Museum (a huge high school playground) and trying our best at "Escape the Room STL". For more information and registration, go to cor.org/west/students.
Finally, as we begin 2016 I want to express my thanks for making this an amazing place to serve God. Over Christmas break Pastor Molly, Ben, Joy, and David Simpson were visiting us in worship. Molly served before me as your campus pastor and the Carrey family helps to mark that transition. Molly baptized David and Katrina’s oldest son John and it was my honor to baptize their youngest James. We snapped this picture to celebrate that connection.

This January marks my ten-year anniversary serving here and Scharme, Hailey, Kaia, and myself feel so loved, supported, and encouraged by you as our faith community. Scharme and I followed God’s call to serve here at Resurrection Leawood for 7 ½ years and then now at West for the past 2 ½ years. We have seen God’s presence and love in powerful ways throughout our church. We are so grateful to serve and look forward to this next year with anticipation and excitement!
Looking forward to worshiping with you,
Pastor Jason
Resurrection West Campus
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
913-538-7800
For an after hours urgent pastoral care need call 913-314-6058

Resurrection West Staff
Travis Morgan - Director of Staffing and Operations
Chris Holliday - Associate Pastor, Care and Missions
Dave Robertson - Director of Community Life
Lindsay Hefner - Director of Worship Arts
Ryan Rancudo - Assistant Director of Worship Arts
Rick Webb - Director of rezlife Student Ministries
Christie Walker - Director of KiDS COR Children's Ministries
Lynnlea Nelson - Early Childhood Program Director
Sommer Kelling - Nursery Coordinator
Chris Monson - Worship Support and Community Events Program Director
Debbie Dietz - Coordinating Assistant to Pastor Jason
Kevin Euston - Technical Producer Team Lead
James Wear - Technical Producer Media and Graphics
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
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