Friday, February 19, 2016
Greetings Resurrection Blue Springs,
This past Sunday I laid out the plans for a renovation project for our Blue Springs campus in our “it’s Time to Shine” sermon series. We’ve been working hard this past year to come up with creative solutions to improve first impressions and provide the radical hospitality that continues our mission of building a deeply committed Christian community. We believe the renovation plan presented will solve some of our current challenges until our campus is ready for a bigger expansion plans.
This week most of you should have received a packet in the mail including a letter from me, a detailed informational booklet about our renovation plan, and a commitment card to return this Sunday. If you missed this past Sunday and didn’t receive a packet, you can view the details for our remodeling plans at build.cor.org/bluesprings.
This Sunday will be so important in the life of our church. I will be preaching live another sermon from John’s gospel on the importance of hospitality and then we will offer our sacrificial gifts to God for this one-year gift campaign. This campaign is about equal sacrifice, not equal amounts. Every gift matters. Our children will be leading us in a song exemplifying the future God is calling us into just before our moment of commitment. We will also have a small gift for you as you leave worship.
When we look back years from now, we will remember these few weeks when God moved among us in transformative ways! I hope that each and every one of you who call Rez Blue Springs your home will be there this Sunday.
Please continue to be in prayer for our church and how God is calling you to participate in this venture. I believe that when we come together in this act of worship, God will use it to build His kingdom beyond our imagination. We will have commitment cards available in the bulletin this Sunday. If you are unable to join us or prefer to make your commitment online, here is the link to giving.
Join me now in offering this prayer. . . Lord, grant us the vision for a future that enables us to be a light to our community and a beacon that guides to You. We trust You with all things. Amen.
We’ve got some great mission and ministry coming up. Check out our Faithwork fortomorrow and other great opportunities to grow and connect:
- Hillcrest Thrift Store FaithWork – Feb 20th We have an opportunity to serve for two short hours at the Hillcrest Thrift Store in Lee’s Summit on Feb 20th. We need people to help sort, fold, clean, stack, stock, organize and price donations to the store. It will be from 10am to 1pm. Register here or sign up at Guest Services. This is a great way to assist with the ministry of Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Eastern Jackson County. For more information about Hillcrest, go to http://www.hillcresttransitionalhousing.org/about.
- Men’s Group Lenten Study of John – Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Guys, join a study of the Gospel of John during Lent using Pastor Adam Hamilton’s book, John, the Gospel of Light and Life, available at Guest Services for $10. Contact Mike.Ash@cor.org for more information.
- Serve those affected by unexpected disasters on Resurrection's Early Response Team. Information and training offered Saturday, Feb. 27, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Leawood Campus. Register online.
- Stop Hunger Now Food Packaging Event – Help package 10,152 meals of dried food that will be sent overseas to those who desperately need it for school feeding programs. We’ll gather at Resurrection Blue Springs in the Sanctuary on Saturday, March 12, 9-11 am in our Sanctuary; arrive at 8:45 am for coffee and donuts. We need 10 people to help with set-up at 8 am, and at least 50 people to package food. This event is a great opportunity for families to serve and is open to ages 4 and up accompanied by an adult. Please sign up at Guest Services or at cor.org/bluesprings/faithwork. For more information, visitstophungernow.org.
- Men’s Spiritual Retreat: “Home!” – Friday, April 1, 6:30-9 pm and Saturday, April 2, 8:30 am – noon, Leawood Student Center. Look at the parable of the Prodigal Son from the perspective of the three characters: The Rebellious Son, The Older Self-Righteous Son and The Waiting Father. Two-day retreat features pastors Jeff Kirby and Glen Shoup and Director of Discipleship, Chris Folmsbee. Dinner and Breakfast included. Suggested donation of $30. Register online.
- Consider fostering or adopting a child – More than 800 children are waiting to be adopted in Kansas. Begin this journey at an informational session by A Child's Hope Foster/Adopt Ministry on Monday, Feb. 22, 6 pm, Leawood B205.
- Our annual Prom Drive provides gowns, tuxedos/suits, dress shoes and other accessories to area high school students. Bring gently used items to the missions collection area in the west entrance by Sunday, Feb. 21.
- Sign Up for rezlife Mission Trips Students are invited to grow in faith by serving on a mission trip. Adult volunteers are encouraged to serve alongside students. Upcoming trips include (grades based on fall 2016:
- • March 10–14, St. Louis, 9th-12th grades
- • June 6–10, Omaha, 8th grade
- • June 12–18, Dallas, 9th-12th grades
- • July 9–14, Chicago, 9th-12th grades
- • July 9–17, Jamaica, 10th-12th grades
- • July 20–24, Surge KC, 7th/8th grades
- • July 24–31, Honduras, 10th-12th grades
- Students can also travel on our adult Global Impact serve teams with a parent or guardian. Age restrictions vary by country. Click here for upcoming trips.
- Holy Land Tour - November 14-23, 2016. Join Pastor Penny and her husband on the Church of the Resurrection's Holy Land Tour. We hope every member of our church will one day experience where Jesus has walked. This is an opportunity to grow in faith and bring Scripture to life like never before - to walk where Jesus walked. We will be joining with members of our West campus and Pastor Jason Gant as we journey together. Information is available at the Guest Services desk or online here.
- Lost and Found! Are you missing something? Stop by the table in the west entrance area and check out a wide array of jackets, umbrellas, scarves, sunglasses, readers, etc., and see if anything looks familiar. The display will be available through Feb. 21, after which all remaining items will be donated.
Penny
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Pastor Penny Ellwood's eNote of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs of Blue Springs, Missouri, United States for Friday, 12 February 2016
Friday, February 12, 2016
Greetings Resurrection Blue Springs,
Wednesday evening we began the season of Lent by hosting an Ash Wednesday service. As a part of the service, we received the imposition of ashes to both acknowledge our mortality but also recieve God’s forgiveness and mercy and the promise of new life as we start this 40 day journey together toward Easter (40 days marking Jesus' forty day period in the wilderness). Mark Maschger, a member of Blue Springs pursuing a call to ministry, led our worship. I love how Mark described this season. He said that our celebrations of Christmas and Easter represent God’s love story with humanity -- about the sending and sacrifice of God's son, Jesus for us. "Lent on the other hand represents our love story with God, and our opportunity to express our love through intentional behaviors." Lent reminds us of our need for a Savior, and encourages this season of repentance, moderation, fasting and other disciplines that help us grow closer to him. With this thought in mind, it seems especially appropriate that we would begin the first Sunday of Lent on Valentine's day. This day that we set aside to show our love for others. As I prepare for this Sunday, I’m getting really excited to start off a new sermon series to lead us through this season.
This Sunday we will begin a new sermon series entitled “It's Time to Shine.” This series of messages from the Gospel of John will focus on who Jesus was and our mission to extend the light of Christ. In these first two weeks I will be preaching live as we explore John's gospel and consider our next steps as a community. Beginning this Sunday, we will be talking specifically about an upcoming renovation project and our plans to extend the light of Christ to our community so that together we might be a part of changing lives, transforming communities and renewing the church. This is an exciting time for our church and I believe that God is calling us all to participate in this love story that will change hearts. Join me this Valentine’s Day as we seek to uncover the life-giving heart of God and our responsibility and opportunity to bear and embody his light! I am looking forward to seeing you!
Below you'll find information about the Studies of John's Gospel being offered through Lent and several other ways to connect to the life of this community!
Abundant Blessings,
Penny
Pastor Penny Ellwood's eNote of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs of Blue Springs, Missouri, United States for Friday, 12 February 2016
Friday, February 12, 2016
Greetings Resurrection Blue Springs,
Wednesday evening we began the season of Lent by hosting an Ash Wednesday service. As a part of the service, we received the imposition of ashes to both acknowledge our mortality but also recieve God’s forgiveness and mercy and the promise of new life as we start this 40 day journey together toward Easter (40 days marking Jesus' forty day period in the wilderness). Mark Maschger, a member of Blue Springs pursuing a call to ministry, led our worship. I love how Mark described this season. He said that our celebrations of Christmas and Easter represent God’s love story with humanity -- about the sending and sacrifice of God's son, Jesus for us. "Lent on the other hand represents our love story with God, and our opportunity to express our love through intentional behaviors." Lent reminds us of our need for a Savior, and encourages this season of repentance, moderation, fasting and other disciplines that help us grow closer to him. With this thought in mind, it seems especially appropriate that we would begin the first Sunday of Lent on Valentine's day. This day that we set aside to show our love for others. As I prepare for this Sunday, I’m getting really excited to start off a new sermon series to lead us through this season.
This Sunday we will begin a new sermon series entitled “It's Time to Shine.” This series of messages from the Gospel of John will focus on who Jesus was and our mission to extend the light of Christ. In these first two weeks I will be preaching live as we explore John's gospel and consider our next steps as a community. Beginning this Sunday, we will be talking specifically about an upcoming renovation project and our plans to extend the light of Christ to our community so that together we might be a part of changing lives, transforming communities and renewing the church. This is an exciting time for our church and I believe that God is calling us all to participate in this love story that will change hearts. Join me this Valentine’s Day as we seek to uncover the life-giving heart of God and our responsibility and opportunity to bear and embody his light! I am looking forward to seeing you!
Below you'll find information about the Studies of John's Gospel being offered through Lent and several other ways to connect to the life of this community!
- Over 50 Game Night Tonight! Adults age 50+ are invited to bring cards and board games and a snack to share, and join us Friday, February 12, at 6:30 pm for some fun and fellowship. For more information, contact Betty Witt.
- Share your Heart Serve Day – Saturday, Feb. 13, 9 am, Leawood Campus Bldg. B. Help pack 5,000 general hygiene kits for Heart to Heart International to help prevent the spread of disease after natural disasters. Register online (required, only a few spots remain). Additional opportunities to serve or learn more about our Local and Global Impact mission ministries:
- • Learn what it’s like to go on a Global Impact Serve Team.
- • Find out about our Medical Teams
- • Participate in Urban Volunteer Training to prepare to serve in our partner schools or summer reading program.
- • Bookmobile tours, make a bookmark for a partner school student and drop off book donations
- • Learn to crochet mats for the homeless.
- • Make plarn (plastic yarn) out of recycled plastic bags for the Life Restoration Ministry to use in making the mats
- • Create flash cards for the Juan Wesley Methodist School in Honduras
- • Tour Heart to Heart’s Mobile Medical Unit
- • Decorate Valentines for the Silver Link Ministry (elderly)
- 2 NEW Lenten Studies of John's Gospel being offered – Join our congregation for a study of John’s gospel during Lent. We have two new five week opportunities in addition to the two beginning this Sunday. All Men are invited to join a Tuesday night group beginning Feb. 16th at 6:30 pm. Mark Maschger is leading this group. There is also an in-home group with Steve and Becky Pellegrino beginning this Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 pm. There is still room in the Sunday evening group that will meet at 6 pm with Mike Ash and one spot left in Chris Condra's Sunday morning group meeting at 9am begining this Sunday. Pastor Adam Hamilton’s book, John, the Gospel of Light and Life, will be used for the studies. Books are available at Guest Services for $10. Register at Guest Services on Sunday or online here.
- Hillcrest Thrift Store FaithWork – Feb 20th We have an opportunity to serve for two short hours at the Hillcrest Thrift Store in Lee’s Summit on Feb 20th. We need people to help sort, fold, clean, stack, stock, organize and price donations to the store. It will be from 10am to 1pm. Register here or sign up at Guest Services. This is a great way to assist with the ministry of Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Eastern Jackson County. For more information about Hillcrest, go to http://www.hillcresttransitionalhousing.org/about.
- Men’s Spiritual Retreat: “Home!” – Friday, April 1, 6:30-9 pm and Saturday, April 2, 8:30 am – noon, Leawood Student Center. Look at the parable of the Prodigal Son from the perspective of the three characters: The Rebellious Son, The Older Self-Righteous Son and The Waiting Father. Two-day retreat features pastors Jeff Kirby and Glen Shoup and Director of Discipleship, Chris Folmsbee. Dinner and Breakfast included. Suggested donation of $30. Register online.
- Consider fostering or adopting a child – More than 800 children are waiting to be adopted in Kansas. Begin this journey at an informational session by A Child's Hope Foster/Adopt Ministry on Monday, Feb. 22, 6 pm, Leawood B205.
- Our annual Prom Drive provides gowns, tuxedos/suits, dress shoes and other accessories to area high school students. Bring gently used items to the missions collection area in the west entrance by Sunday, Feb. 21.
- Sign Up for rezlife Mission Trips Students are invited to grow in faith by serving on a mission trip. Adult volunteers are encouraged to serve alongside students. Upcoming trips include (grades based on fall 2016:
- • March 10–14, St. Louis, 9th-12th grades
- • June 6–10, Omaha, 8th grade
- • June 12–18, Dallas, 9th-12th grades
- • July 9–14, Chicago, 9th-12th grades
- • July 9–17, Jamaica, 10th-12th grades
- • July 20–24, Surge KC, 7th/8th grades
- • July 24–31, Honduras, 10th-12th grades
- Students can also travel on our adult Global Impact serve teams with a parent or guardian. Age restrictions vary by country. Click here for upcoming trips.
- Holy Land Tour - November 14-23, 2016. Join Pastor Penny and her husband on the Church of the Resurrection's Holy Land Tour. We hope every member of our church will one day experience where Jesus has walked. This is an opportunity to grow in faith and bring Scripture to life like never before - to walk where Jesus walked. We will be joining with members of our West campus and Pastor Jason Gant as we journey together. Information is available at the Guest Services desk or online here.
Abundant Blessings,
Penny
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For our Resurrection Blue Springs Campus Calendar: click here
Contact Our Staff
Church Office Phone: (816) 389-8900
Rev. Penny Ellwood, Campus Pastor penny.ellwood@cor.org
Mike Ash, Worship Leader/Director of Community mike.ash@cor.org
Diane Enlow, Director of Children's Ministry diane.enlow@cor.org
Riley Ledford, Technical Producer riley.ledford@cor.org
Heather Sooley, Operations Coordinating Assistant heather.sooley@cor.org
Stephanie Weigel, Guest Services Coordinating Assistant stephanie.weigel@cor.org
Caitlin Willis, Nursery Coordinator caitlin.willis@cor.org
Lori Wolverton, Nursery Staff lori.wolverton@cor.org
Resurrection Blue Springs
601 NE Jefferson Street
Contact Our Staff
Church Office Phone: (816) 389-8900
Rev. Penny Ellwood, Campus Pastor penny.ellwood@cor.org
Mike Ash, Worship Leader/Director of Community mike.ash@cor.org
Diane Enlow, Director of Children's Ministry diane.enlow@cor.org
Riley Ledford, Technical Producer riley.ledford@cor.org
Heather Sooley, Operations Coordinating Assistant heather.sooley@cor.org
Stephanie Weigel, Guest Services Coordinating Assistant stephanie.weigel@cor.org
Caitlin Willis, Nursery Coordinator caitlin.willis@cor.org
Lori Wolverton, Nursery Staff lori.wolverton@cor.org
Resurrection Blue Springs
601 NE Jefferson Street
Blue Springs, Missouri 64014, United States
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