Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 26 February 2016

Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 26 February 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
I arrived back in Kansas City last Sunday night after 17 days in Egypt, Jordan and Israel. It was an amazing trip, but it’s great to be home! My time in Egypt was spent with an Egyptologist seeking to learn all I could about ancient Egypt in the time of Moses in preparation for our fall sermon series on Moses. I can’t wait to share this sermon series with you later this year, when, by means of amazing film footage we shot, I’ll take the congregation to Egypt.
My time in Israel with 140 Resurrection members was also amazing as we retraced the footsteps of Jesus. Among the things we do with our groups is to meet and hear from both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Christians and Muslims in seeking to understand the conflict that we hear so much about on the news. Last night this was the subject of part of the Republican Presidential Candidate Debate. I’ll share some of my thoughts about the rhetoric at the debate on this subject at the end of this eNote.
We’ll continue our study of John’s gospel this weekend by turning to the “I Am” sayings in John. Specifically, we’ll focus on one of the most loved of these statements, from John 10, where Jesus notes, “I Am the good shepherd.” As part of the message we’ll hear from Dave Swickard, one of my neighbors in Stilwell whose sheep can be seen grazing at 191st and Mission Road. His description of the care he provides for his sheep will shed light on Jesus’ words. It will be a fun, informational and inspiring message about who Jesus is and how our faith in him changes our lives. Don’t miss this!
I heard from someone this week who thought we were spending $30 million on our stained glass window. The actual number is about one tenth of that amount. As you know, this was paid for by special gifts, most of them memorial gifts given in memory, or in honor of, loved ones. 2,936 of you gave a special gift to this effort, some buying a few square inches and others buying multiple square feet. So many of you expressed appreciation for the opportunity to remember or honor loved ones in this way noting that every time you will look at the window you’ll remember them.
The window is a sermon, actually multiple sermons, in glass. It tells the biblical story from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. I believe people will come from across the country just to see it. For hundreds of years this window will proclaim the gospel. Judson Studios in Pasadena, California, is making great progress on the window. I wanted you to have a chance to see a brief video update of the progress on the window. A documentary is being filmed about the window, titled, Magnifying Glass. This is a small video excerpt from that work.
I just stepped into the new Leawood sanctuary and snapped a pic for you to see the progress. It is really starting to take shape. The seven exterior sails, the roof structures representing the seven days of Holy Week, are nearly complete (they will be clad in stainless steel in April). The steel for the floor of the sanctuary is being laid with concrete to be poured in the next week, and the concrete (flatwork) in the balconies and parterre seating under the balconies is completed. Here’s a picture from the exterior and from the main entrance to the sanctuary. As you look at the interior photo you will see where the stained glass window goes. The blue canvass covers part of the choir loft. The red canvass on either side is hanging from the balcony and covers the seating beneath (click on the photos to see larger versions). The building is still on track for a Palm Sunday opening in 2017.


Next Monday, February 29, we’ve reserved a theatre at B&B (135th and Antioch) for Resurrection Night at the Movies. We’ll see Race – this is the Jesse Owens story – the African American runner who was the most successful athlete in the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin. Adolf Hitler watched as his “Aryan” runners were defeated by Owens – one of the great stories in Olympic history. LaVon and I will be there. If you’d like to join us, tickets are only $7.50 and you can purchase them online here. We only have 250 tickets available. We’re also looking at having a Resurrection night at the movies during Holy Week to see the new film, Risen. Stay tuned!
This weekend, we’ll confirm our largest confirmation class ever! We have 284 youth at Leawood who have gone through confirmation and who will profess their faith in Christ and become adult members of Resurrection. The confirmation class will be divided up and attending different services throughout the weekend, with the actual Confirmation service being held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm in the Leawood sanctuary. Many of you invested in the spiritual life and growth of these young people. Please know that you are welcome to attend.
Since we have many pastors across the country who receive my eNote, I want to mention that this summer Resurrection will host the Young Preachers Festival and Conference July 21-22. This gathering is aimed at mentoring, encouraging and inspiring young people – both pastors and young adults considering ordained ministry. A major focus will be on how one becomes an effective preacher. We have great speakers coming, and I’ll share with the group as well. Details can be found by clicking here. Please share this information with young people who are considering seminary, in seminary or young clergy already serving local churches.
Last night I was watching the Republican presidential candidate debate. At one point the questions turned to the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis. I’d like to say a word about this on the heels of my trip to Israel.
When we take groups to the Holy Land we stay in both Israel and the West Bank (Bethlehem is in the West Bank). I always schedule speakers, both Palestinians and Israelis, to share their perspectives on the conflict. Our members who go on these trips, seeing the world through the eyes of both Israelis and Palestinians, always come away with a different perspective on the issue than they had before going to Israel. A great book that humanizes the conflict from both Arab and Jewish perspectives is Sandy Tolan’s, The Lemon Tree. I highly recommend it to everyone in our congregation – it was first recommended to me by my friend rabbi Amy Katz.
I’ve been in the homes of Palestinians. Most of the guides who lead our trips in Israel are Palestinians. I have friends who are Palestinians. Nearly all of the Christians living in the Holy Land are Palestinians – including our Methodist missionaries who have lived there, Baptist preachers I know there, and Catholic and Orthodox Christians there. The mischaracterization of Palestinians by some presidential candidates, blanket statements casting Palestinians as terrorists, is tragic and uninformed.
Having said that, be they Muslim or Christian, all Palestinians are frustrated by the situation in the West Bank and Israel. The building of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the twenty-foot-tall security wall, the feelings of living as second or third class citizens in the land their families have lived in for centuries all leads to frustration. And that frustration at times gives rise to violence. I’m reminded once again of Langston Hughes famous poem, Harlem:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
The vast majority of Palestinians, both Muslims and Christians, do not want violence, but peace; but they want a peace that is just and fair. Most Israelis don’t want violence or security walls – they too want peace but with security. Both sides acknowledge that the current state of affairs for the Palestinians is neither just nor fair. But Israeli attempts at bringing peace have been rebuffed by Palestinian leaders because they did not go far enough. Meanwhile, Israel continues to build settlements in Palestinian territories, which simply increases the frustration.
As I listened to the debate last night one of the candidates offered what I felt was a helpful response on the conflict, while one or two of the other candidates only spoke of Palestinians as terrorists. This candidate was unwilling to demonize either side and noted that in a negotiation you have to treat both sides with respect. That was the most reasonable thing I heard on this topic last night, particularly having just spent a week with Palestinians and Israelis.
By even raising these questions one is often characterized as anti-Israel. This is part of the problem with election-year rhetoric. I support both a secure Israel and a just and fair homeland for Palestinians. The situation there is complex, and neither side feels hopeful at this time. But the chances for peace go down as we mischaracterize or demonize either side.
I have to run and you’ve been reading long enough! I look forward to an awesome weekend in worship as we ponder Jesus’ “I Am” sayings, particularly the role he would play in our lives as our good shepherd.
See you in worship!
Adam
Committed to Worship! Here are additions to those recognized previously.
100% Attendance in 2015
Arline Austin
Anita Boyer
Mark Boyer
Robert Butts
Gary Dilley
Nate Ebner
Peg Gray
Jan Leinbach
Norman Pishny
Amber Wallace
90% and above attendance
Nancy Bailey
Hal Cowan
Sally Cowan
Alice Hawk
Ginny Kirsch
Kathy Lawrenz
Beverly Miller
Ray Morrison
Larry VanSickle
Pat VanSickle
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Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 19 February 2016

Friday, February 19, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
As I write this, I am in Jerusalem with 142 folks from our church. We have had an amazing week retracing the step of Jesus. Today we stood in the ruins of the synagogue in Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene, and at Jacob’s well in Samaria where Jesus offered living water to a Samarian woman. As we reflected on Jesus’ compassion for those whom society considered outcasts, we were reminded that this is our mission – we want to be a church that seeks out and welcomes everyone. I’ll be back in Kansas City Sunday afternoon and look forward to sharing more with you.
I mentioned last week that Pastors Jason and Penny will lead a trip to the Holy Land in mid November for their congregations. In addition, Jeff Kirby will lead a group in early November. This is a trip I hope all of you would someday have an opportunity to take.
This weekend, we’ll continue our sermon series on the Gospel of John. Join us for worship during this season of Lent as we explore this gospel that helps us understand not just what Jesus said and did, but why he matters.
Each year, I invite you to read one of the gospels. This year, we’re reading the Gospel of John during the season of Lent, and I hope you are reading along with us. If you want to download our GPS (Grow, Pray Study) guide with scripture and reflection for each day on a passage from John, here’s the link.
We have a special Resurrection Movie Night coming up onMonday, February 29, at 6:30 pm. We’ll have a special showing of the movie Race at the B&B Theater, 8601 W. 135th St. in Overland Park. Race is the story of story of Jesse Owen’s quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history. Owens was the most successful athlete at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, Germany, and is credited with single handedly crushing Adolf Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy. Details are on the website, and you can buy tickets onlinefor $7.50 each.
Our mission team has shared that more than 500 volunteers srved at our Share Your Heart event last Saturday. here are some of the ways you made an impact:
Packed 7000 care kits for Heart to Heart International
Made 1561 testing kits for our school partners
Created 1800 flash cards for students at the Juan Wesley School in Honduras
Decorated 200 valentines for our Silver Link Ministry to distribute
Made 227 bookmarks for our Resurrection Bookmobile and mats for our Life Restoration Ministry to distribute
I also received the results from our Souper Bowl Food Drive. You donated enough food and funds for 40 pallets or 28 tons of food. That’s more than a ton for each of our community food pantries! I am so proud of the way you care for our community!
Plan to be in worship this weekend as we continue studying the Gospel of John. If you’re out of town, join us online atwww.rezonline.org.
In Christ’s Love,
Adam Hamilton
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Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 12 February 2016

Friday, February 12, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
Greetings from Egypt. I have had an amazing week travelling with an Egyptologist and a small film crew studying and preparing for a fall sermon series retracing the life of Moses. We began in the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, where Moses would have grown up. We explored the pyramids. We visited an archaeological site in the land of Goshen where the Israelites made mud bricks for the Pharaoh’s building projects. We retraced the journey the Israelites made from Egypt to Mt. Sinai. Yesterday we hiked up Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Today we’re in Luxor visiting the ancient city of Thebes and tomorrow we leave for Mt. Nebo in Jordan where Moses died. I’ll show you a bit of this in worship this weekend – we’re sending back a short clip today.
When I finish in Jordan, I’ll travel to Bethlehem where I will meet up with 142 people from Resurrection to begin their pilgrimage in the Holy Land, retracing the footsteps of Jesus. My hope is that every one of you, at some point in your life, will travel to the Holy Land to walk in Christ’s footsteps. It is the most meaningful, spiritual experience you’ll ever have. Each year one of our pastors leads a trip for people to visit the Holy Land. I try to do this once every four or five years. The next trip is November 14-23 and will be led by Pastors Jason Gant and Penny Ellwood. Here’s a link to a brochure if you are interested.
This weekend we begin a sermon series on John: The Gospel of Light and Life on the Leawood and West campuses. Join us as we explore this Gospel, written by one of Jesus’ closest companions, that reveals why Jesus matters.Here’s a link to a promo you can share with your friends. Downtown and Blue Springs will have important messages to share with their congregations this weekend as they prepare for new buildings and remodeled spaces that will help them continue to build community and reach new people.
Lent, the 40-day season of fasting and spiritual growth leading to Easter, began on Ash Wednesday this week. Thank you to our pastors who I understand led beautiful and meaningful Ash Wednesday services on all of our campuses. I want to remind you that I’m encouraging everyone to take the Lenten Challenge – to read the Gospel of John with the rest of our congregation during Lent. If you’d like to study John with a group, we’ll have classes beginning next week. Take a look at our Lenten web page for more information about events taking place during Lent: www.cor.org/lent. I’d also like to encourage you to be in worship each weekend during the season of Lent.
Are you looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Bring your valentine, friend or neighbor this Saturday, February 13 for our annualShare Your Heart Serve Day. Resurrection in conjunction with Heart to Heart International hopes to pack 5,000 care kits for survivors of natural disasters around the world, and another 2,500 kits for women and girls who are refugees. We still have some space available to sign for care kit packing, and you can just show up and serve between 9 and 11:30 on the Leawood Campus. We’ll have a variety of family friendly serving opportunities. For more information or to register, click on this link.
Finally, last week, I recognized Resurrection members who had perfect or near perfect worship attendance in (90 – 100%). As good as our attendance records are, sometimes we miss recording someone’s attendance. At the bottom of this email are some additional names of people we want to recognize for their commitment to worship each weekend.
Plan to be in worship this weekend and every weekend during Lent. I know that these messages from the Gospel of John will help you grow in your faith.
In Christ’s Love,
Adam Hamilton
Committed to Worship!
100% Attendance in 2015
Linda Atchison
Bill Boothe
Beth Dowler
Rick Estrin
Ron Fugate
Nick Golden
Elizabeth Gurklies
Bob Ludlow
Jake Magee
Norma Pishny
Gary Rothrock
Bill Voelker
Craig Wooldridge
Greg Yeutter
90% and above attendance
Nan Bennett
Steve Berry
Glenna Graham
Jim Houvener
John and Julienne Kaslaitis
George and Liz Meling
Mike Mitchell
Rich and Diane Moore
Lorraine Murray-Shikles
Becky Sullivan
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Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 5 February 2016

Friday, February 5, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
I hope you are doing well today as you read this note! This weekend is Super Bowl Weekend. Sunday night worshipers, remember, service will be from 4 to 5 pm this weekend to allow you time to worship and enjoy the big game. This is also Souper Bowl Weekend when we collect canned goodsand other food items for 18 Kansas City area food pantries If you forget, or prefer simply to give cash, our mission ministry team will be happy to shop for you. There will be volunteers in the narthex to receive your cash offerings, and they will buy in bulk quantities to make the best use of your gifts. Either way, plan to participate and help “sack” hunger this weekend!
This weekend I’ll preach the last message in our sermon series on The Issues That Divide. We’re focusing this week on Christianity and Guns. We conducted a survey this week to find out your thoughts on various questions related to guns. 5,147 of you took the gun survey within 24 hours of its release – unbelievable! I’ll share the results, as well as interviews with Resurrection members, the Basores, who own a firing range in Olathe, an interview with Judy Sherry of Grandparents Against Gun Violence, and my interview with Tony Corporon whose father and nephew, both Resurrection members, were killed in the Jewish Community Center shootings two years ago. Finally, we’ll look at a few biblical texts that spoke to me concerning this issue. I learned a lot preparing for this message, and I believe it will speak to you.
I want to congratulate all of our Resurrection members who had perfect attendance in 2015 and those who got an ‘A’ in worship attendance (90% or more). At the bottom of this email you’ll find their names listed. If you believe you had perfect attendance at Resurrection, or had 90% or more, but you are not listed here, let us know and we’ll be happy to add your name next week. Our attendance records are really good, but sometimes we can’t read a signature or otherwise miss recording your attendance. Here’s what I can tell you: In 2014 we had 16 people who had perfect attendance. In 2015 that number grew to 127!!! How cool is that! And in 2014 we had 434 who had 90% or better attendance. In 2015 that number more than doubled to 893. Wow! This year we have made up a special permanent name tag for all with 90% or more in attendance – a sign of your commitment. Each year you have 90% of more in attendance we’ll add a sticker for that year – this recognizes your commitment and, for me, helps me to easily identify those who were intentional about being in worship at Resurrection nearly every weekend of the year. You will receive information in the next week regarding your new nametag and instructions for picking them up. Please e-mail Janice Updike atjanice.updike@cor.org if your name is not listed and you are confident that you were here 90% of the time.
This last Monday we had an awesome blood drive, collecting 644 pints of blood between the Leawood and West blood drives! Thank you to all who volunteered or who gave blood in this drive!
Tonight and tomorrow we have over 1,300 women attending our Inspired for Life Conference at the Leawood campus. That’s double the number of women who attended last year. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity for women to fellowship, worship and learn how to cultivate a life-long habit of gratitude.
I’d like to welcome the 56 adults and children who joined Resurrection this last week at Resurrection Downtown! Their names are listed below, just after the list of those who had 90% or more in attendance. Please take a look to see who joined Resurrection at our Downtown campus – there may be someone you know. Take the time to welcome them!
If you missed The Gathering, our annual leadership and vision casting event, you can watch it at our website by clicking this link. It was a great event! You’ll be able to take a tour of the inside of the new Leawood sanctuary, see the progress on the stained glass, hear reports from our campus pastors, and hear a bit of where we’re going in the coming year.
It’s hard to believe, but next week we begin the season of Lent – the 40-day season of fasting and spiritual growth in which we remember our need for Good Friday and Easter. This year I’m inviting you to take the Lenten Challenge – to read the Gospel of John with the rest of our congregation during Lent. Our children, youth and adults will all be focused on John in one way or another.Thousands of churches across the US will be joining our congregation in this focus. Click here to see the promo for the sermon series on John. Ash Wednesday services on February 10 will be at 7 pm in the sanctuary. Take a look at our Lenten web page for more information about events taking place during Lent: www.cor.org/lent.
If you’ve not yet heard, we have an awesome event planned on Saturday, February 13 called Share Your Heart Serve Day. It’s going to be amazing! You’ll have a chance, on Valentine’s Weekend, to work with Resurrection and Heart to Heart to pack care kits for survivors of natural disasters around the world. We hope to pack 5,000 kits for survivors of natural disasters, and another 2,500 kits for women and girls who are refugees. Plan to join us from 9 to 11:30 am on the 13th at the Leawood campus. There’s a lot more I’m not telling you about. For more information or to register, click on this link.
Some of you may have heard that last week I was appointed by the White House to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The focus of this Council, made up of religious leaders and community organizations, is on providing recommendations to the White House related to addressing poverty. It’s an honor to be asked to serve. What led the President to make this appointment is our church’s partnership with local schools and other community organizations which the White House saw as an exemplary model for effectively addressing poverty. The appointment is a volunteer position. The Council meets in the West Wing for a couple of in person meetings, but also meets by teleconference. I anticipate being in DC for one or two meetings this year, and joining by phone the rest of the time. I hope to learn from the experience and hope to have something to offer as well. Please know that I see this appointment as an affirmation not of anything I’ve done, but of what you as a church are continually doing to serve others. I’m proud to represent you.
Next Sunday, February 14, 142 Resurrection members will begin their pilgrimage in the Holy Land, retracing the footsteps of Jesus. Once every four or five years I lead a trip like this – our other pastors lead them in the years when I do not. My hope is that every one of you will make it your goal to take a pilgrimage to the Holy Land at least once in your life. You will never read the Bible the same way again. This week I’m heading over, in advance of the group, to travel with an archaeologist and a small film crew studying and preparing for a fall sermon series. I’ll tell you all about it next weekend in worship.
Plan to be in worship this weekend as we consider, Christianity and Guns!
In Christ’s Love,
Adam Hamilton
Welcome New Members at Resurrection Downtown!
Barbara Allen
Jerry and Glenda Arganbright
Chris and Melissa Ayers
Jason and Grant
John and Ginna Beckett
Reggie and Shannan Berry
Sandi Chase
Melissa Clark
Paul and Jennifer Clark
Raylene DeSuza
Jordan Elliott
Rayce and Carlene Farthing
Michael Fields
Arthur Friedman
Andrew Galvan
Marty Gough
Wes and Brook Harden
Wesley and Alex
Gene Harpster Jim and Mary Jane Hawkins
Bill Hodges
P.J. Jaime and Sandy Doolittle
Pam Kimble
Kara Lay
Rachael Meloy
Lloyd Musick
Kojo Owusu
Chris and Deidre Patton
Tasha Pettis
Lonnie and Ronda Ruckman
Sara and Annie
Rick Soetebier
Justin and Stephani Stancil
Evelyn and Quinton
George Walz
Deb Wertin
Wes and Vanessa Westmoreland
Rose
Kendrea White
Congratulations on Worship Attendance!100%
Craig Allers
Dean Axford
Jeannie Boothe
Barbara Borgelt
John Briggs
Synda Burton
Ann Carter
Rich Cavallaro
Jan Clarkson
Nancy Conrod
Eric Cox
Tom Coyle
Becca Day
Jeff Day
Mo Denton
Elise DiCarlo
Donna Dickson
Kathy Doerfler
Ted Dowler
Lori Ebner
Blake Ebner
Mike Ebner
Teresa Ellington
Bob Gadd
Judy Gadd
Henry Goben
Kay Goben
Susan Golden
Renee Golec
Felicia Gonzales
Kay Gorsuch
Larry Gorsuch
Tom Gray
Crista Green
Joe Greeson
Peter Gruber
Dianne Gruber
Dennis Haden
Bernie Haldiman
Bruce Hall
John Hamilton
John Hammel
Susan Hammel
Lee Harizanoff Jack Highfill
Helen Hinemeyer
Jennifer Holsapple
Cathy Hoyt
Cindy Huckvale
Joyce Hultgren
Myron Hultgren
Diane Irey
Sheri Izzard
David Izzard
Kent Jackson
Dianne Jackson
Lisa Janati
Michele Janson
Janelle Jennings-Drummond
Jim Jensen
Mary Jeanne Jensen
Doug Johnson
Trevor Jones
Montera Juraschek
Nate Juraschek
Teri Keeton
Marjorie Keith-Riggs
Kelley Kempker
Jan Kessinger
Alan Kimes
Kay Kimes
Patti Kortkamp
Katie Kramer
John Kurtz
Bob Lagerstrom
Jayne Langham
Fern LeFurjah
Barb Linnan
BJ Martin
Janet Mathis
Mary Jane McCullough
Betty McLaury
Dee Ann Meister
Norman Meister
Dean Moffitt
Nancy Moffitt
Bob Mooney
Linda Mooney Mary Morris
Norma Morrison
Lori Morrison
Eileen Nance
Dinah Nash
John Nash
Barbara Nauman
Annette Nilsson
Jack Noble
Len Pfeifer
Krista Pishny
Rosemary Plum
Carolyn Ratliff
Linda Rees
Donna Ribeiro
Jan Richeson
John Richeson
Sandra Riley
Linda Roser
Ron Ross
Janie Rothrock
Dave Schmidt
Dana Shay
Chris Shelar
Serena Smith
Jack Stemm
Guylene Stoddard
Richard Stoppelman
Steve Tower
Eric Tremblay
Marilyn Turpin
Scott Wallace
Greg Weber
Joe Whitaker
Sherlyn Whited
Brian Wilson
Tammy Wilson
Tricia Wolfe
Cheri Yeutter
90-99%
Linda Ackerman
Kristine Acuna
Mark Adams
Jerry Adams
Steve Adams
Leslie Adams
Carlene Adams
Jeanie Adams
David Adcock
Susan Ainsworth
Mary Lou Akright
Bill Akright
Howard Alfrey
Barbara Allen
Joyce Allen-Andrew
Colleen Allers
Susan Anderson
Robert Andrew
Clayton Anspaugh
Steve Appier
Anne Armstrong
Linda Atchison
David Austin
Jane Axon
C. K. Baber
Sharon Bagwill
Coni Bahr
Al Bahr
Ryan Baldwin
Jimmy Balough
Kaitlyn Balough
James Balough
Susan Bamford
Bill Bandt
Paula Bandt
Marilyn Barbeck
Darlene Bard
John Bard
Floyd Barkman
Jean Barone
R.J. Barth
Linda Barth
Bridget Bass
Linda Batrick
Ken Batrick
Laurel Bault
Terry Bauman
Marge Beard
Jonathan Bell
Ruth Benlon
Joe Bennett
Randy Bennett
Nancy Berk
Marvin Berk
Sally Betta
Pat Bever
Doug Blackwood
Wendy Blank
Kay Bleakley
David Bleakley
Jason Bledsoe
Jake Blythe
Terri Blythe
Audrey Bockelman
Wayne Bogart
Susan Bolton
John Bolton
Bill Boothe
Jackie Borge
Don Borge
Tina Bost
Chris Bost
Barbara Bower
Mark Boyer
Anita Boyer
Christy Bradley
Tom Bradley
Mark Brady
Jill Brady
Gretchen Brandt
Judy Brennan
Marilyn Brewer
Quentin Brinkworth
Sue Brower
Karen Brown
Abbie Brown
Eula Brown
Lanny Brown
Eleanor Brown
Irene Brown
Deanna Brown
Becky Brucker
Leslie Brumagin
Lynn Brust
Jody Bryan
Jim Burcalow
Judy Burgess
Pat Burkhead
Bob Burton
Mary Bush
Mary Bush
Kevin Bush
Harold Bushnell
Nancy Bushnell
Dennis Butler
Reve Butler
Robert Butts
Jim Byram
Katrina Byram
Vickie Byrd
Bill Byrd
Nancy Cain
Stephanie Campbell
John Campbell
Mark Campbell
Sandy Campbell
Fausto Campuzano
Ed Capps
Norman Capps
Marilyn Carino
Kyle Carpenter
Martha Carpenter Smith
Kathie Carr
Don Carrel
Pat Carson
Bob Carson
Gretchen Carter
Carol Cartmill
Jim Cartmill
Chris Casey
Margee Castle
Greg Caswell
Sunday Cavallaro
Ruth Ceule
Kevin Chaney
Surya Charles
Dan Chojnacki
Nancy Chop
Marta Christensen
Pete Christensen
Elaine Claiborne
Melba Clark
Joy Clarkson
Juli Clarkson
Jenni Clarkson
Renee Claycamp
Sean Claycamp
Sharon Clement
Scott Coats
Melanie Coats
Nancy Cody
Bill Cody
Jim Coleman
Joyce Coleman
Bob Colvin
Cathie Comerio
Mike Comerio
Eric Compton
Jen Compton
Sharon Cook
Sandra Cook
Jim Cook
Sherry Cook
Dean Cook
Homa Cooley
Eunice Coon
Jim Cooney
Ruth Cordell
Deborah Cott
Doc Courser
Cathy Cowans
Mark Cowans
Connie Cowdrey
Gary Cowdrey
Linda Coyle
Martha Crane
Colette Crist
Ron Crist
Wendy Croughan
Marylou Crum
Tess Culter
Tracy Cunningham
Chris Curry
Margaret Dack
Chris Dahm
Dale Daniel
Anita Darrah
Jane Dauer
Don Davidson
Lisa Davidson
John Davis
Willie Davis
Nancy Davis
Wendell Davis
Joe Davis
Ed Dawson
Beth Dawson
Bob Day
Jim Delfosse
Betty Delfosse
Pegi Denton
Mike Derham
Don DeWolfe
Pat DeWolfe
Leanne Dial
Jodie Dietz
Gary Dilley
Joe Dingwerth
Marie Ditzler
Bob Dizmang
Rick Dodd
Diana Dodge
Klaas Doeden
Martha Dolliver
Christy Dore
Mary Dougan
Betty Dougherty
Sarah Dowell
Beth Dowler
Joe Downs
Brad Drake
Linda Drake
Mike Duckett
Patsy Duncan
Randy Duncan
Robert Duncan
Helen Duncan
Judy Dupy
Amanda Dye
Dave Dyer
Mary Easterday
Bob Easterday
Nate Ebner
Lars Edburgh
Shyrl Edburgh
Jonathan Edmondson
Lori Edmondson
Tom Edmondson
Mona Edwards
Ruth Edwards
William Edwards
Brenda Eicher
Eric Eicher
Shelly Eisenreich-Ubalde
Hope Elven
Pam Emler
Rick Estrin
Beth Evans
Earle Evans
Susan Evers
Fred Ewing
Brenda Ewing
Lisa Farnsworth
Herb Farnsworth
Jeff Farnsworth
Joe Fiorella
Sue Fischer
Pam Flake
Joy Fletcher
Sandie Floyd
Lisa Floyd
Chuck Foura
Norma Foura
Debby Fowler
Jane Fowler
Richard Fray
Tom Fredrickson
Ron Fugate
Amy Fulton
Jeff Fyfe
Bruce Gaddis
Min Gaddis
Sharon Gambill
Jim Gann
Teddi Gapske
Deb Garrett-Bieker
Chris Garten
Jim Garten
Yvonne Gentile
Tom Gerstung
Rebecca Gillam
Marty Glaze
Diane Glaze
Nick Golden
Pam Goldman
Kathy Goldstein
Cathy Golub
Craig Golub
Debbie Goodin
Bob Goodin
Emily Goodwin
Simon Goodwin
Britany Gordon
Nick Gordon
Sherree Gorman
Tom Gorman
Genease Gornowicz Virgil Gornowicz
Jim Gould
Karen Gould
Bob Gould
Jessie Grace
Beth Graham
Jim Graham
Loretta Graham
Ryan Graham
Wendell Graham
Eve Grauberger
Al Grauberger
Peg Gray
Toni Gray
Rob Grbac
Ashli Grbac
Barbara Green
Kevin Green
Larry Green
David Greenlee
Shirley Greenlee
Laura Gregory
Jennifer Gribble
Melanie Gribble
Elizabeth Gurklies
Linda Gust
Larry Gust
Mary Halasa
Connie Haldiman
Linda Hall
Matt Hall
Sandy Hall
Madeline Hall
Marlene Hamp
Linda Haney
Judy Hanlin
Bob Hanlin
Don Hanna
Jodi Hanna
Margie Harden
Ron Harden
Sarah Hare
Claudia Harp
Mike Harp
Brenda Harrison
Mark Harsh
Bob Harsh
Jill Harsh
Patricia Hattaway
Mel Hawk
Barbara Haynes
Dianna Heidebrecht
Courtney Held
Matt Held
Linda Heller
Jenny Helzer
Marcy Henderson
Pat Hennessey
Judy Hensley
Ken Hensley
Marilu Herrick
Stuart Herrick
Mike Hess
Sue Hess
John Hey
Gary Heyka
Susan Heyka
Joyce Hilton
Gene Hinemeyer
Jim Hix
Nora Hix
Bruce Hodges
Marilyn Hodges
Ginny Hodnefield
Shawn Hoffart
Tim Hogan
Kimberly Holland
Pat Holm
Paul Holt
Eliese Holt
Darrell Holtz
Ruth Holzschuh
Peggy Hopkins
Gaye Hosier
Jean Hosseini
Robin Houghton
Jon Houghton
Jack Houser
Mary Houser
Terrie Houser
Sheila Houvener
Lindsay Howlett
Larry Huff
Karen Huff
Susan Hurd
Joyce Hursman
Ron Huscher
Karmen Huyser
Sharry Huyser
Ricky Ireland
Barbara Isaacson
Gina Islinger
Joe Jacelone
Brian Jaimes
Jeff James
Tamara James
Naomi James
Margaret Jansen
Mark Jansen
Kathy Janvrin
Todd Janvrin
Jacky Jaycox
Barbara Johnson
Sharon Johnson
Becky Johnson
Johnny Johnson
Leslie Johnson
Jim Johnson
Judy Johnson
Wally Johnson
Irv Johnson
Tim Johnson
Ruthie Jones
Michael Jones
Cheryl Jorgensen
Mark Jorgensen
Linda Joslin
Ann Joyner
Jerry Joyner
Barbara Kaiser
Fred Kalush
Linda Karman
Sandy Kasahara
Aaryn Kaufmann
Brad Kaufmann
Jerry Keeton
Judy Keith
Marilyn Keller
Peggy Keller
Gary Keller
Jennifer Kelley
Gary Kelley
Bryan Kelling
Glen Kelly
Darla Kelsey
Rick Kelsey
Denise Kerner
Bernice Kessinger
Kay King
Christy Klein
Gerry Knapp
Gloria Knight
John Kohl
Donna Kohl
Michele Kumm
Stacy Kussman
Imelda Labayen
Alan Labayen
Claudia Lagerstrom
Sandy Lahr
Bob Lahr
Marg Lake
Ray Lamfers
Wilma Lamfers
Bill Lane
Rani Lange
Brett Lange
Ed Langert
Tom Langhofer
Carol Ann Lanter
Dave Lanter
Karen Larson
Dean Lawrenz
Bill Lay
Carol Lay
David Lee
Seungmi Lee
George LeFurjah
Fred Lehman
Jan Leinbach
John Lentell
Connie Leonard
Jerry Lesjack
Emy Leung
Ginger Lew
Wayne Lew
Steve Link
Dianna Link
Brian Linnan
Matt Lirley
Jim Little
Jeanette Lloyd
Jan Logue
Jacquie Lombard
Jane Long
Les Longberg
Jan Lord
Jackie Lovercheck
Bob Ludlow
Janet Luessenheide
Larry Luke
Caren Luke
Laurian Lytle
Sherry MacPherson
Tom MacPherson
Rosemarie Magee
Jake Magee
Michael Makar
Linda Mallow
Rachel Manakul
Kevin Manley
Sue Marler
Norma Marshall
Rick Marston
Bobbi Martin
Shirley Martin
Shea Martin
Norm Martin
Ken Mason
Sharon Mason
Steve Mauer
Julie Mauer
Alberta Mawhiney
Barb May
Joe May
Norma McAdams
Joyce McCollum
John McCullough
Patty McFaddin
Julie McIver
Diann McKibben
Terry McLaury
Nancy McMillan
Peggy McMurry
Janine McPhee
Leah Meadows
Dave Meek
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Ann Meling
Bob Meling
Jan Merriman
Nicky Metzner
Jeanie Meyer
Katherine Mick
Todd Mick
Jane Miller
Cheryl Miller
Elaine Miller
Janet Miller
Kevin Miller
Larry Miller
Cecil Miller
Denise Mills
Paula Mischanko
Justin Mitchell
Sally Mitchell
Thomas Mitchell
Jason Mittendorf
Kristy Mohn
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Will Monie
Becky Monke
Pat Monroe
Nancy Montour
Andie Moon
Amy Morbeck
Michael Morbeck
Sue Morgan
Dennis Morgan
Kevin Moriarty
Alice Morris
Sue Morris
Betty Morris
Jerry Morris
Ray Morrison
Kerry Morse
Jeff Muchow
Kathy Muir
Jody Myers
Nancy Myers
Daniel Ndegwa
Lilly Ndegwa
Carol Nelson
Frieda Nelson
Mary Nelson
Gary Nelson
Duane Nelson
Susie Newman
Worley Nicholson
Shirley Nicholson
Laura Nigro
Debi Nixon
Charlotte Nydegger
Kathy O'Dowd
Cindy Oetting
Kathleen O'Kane
Rainer Olf
Jim Oliver Bonnie Oscarson
Oscy Oscarson
Kara Paradis
Carol Park
Grant Patton
Marilyn Pay
Art Pay
JoEllen Payne
Len Peeples
Lela Peeples
Bill Pelkey
Vicki Pelkey
Brandon Perkins
Doug Peschka
Vallee Peterson
Jim Pettijohn
Jeanne Pettijohn
Marcia Philbrick
Michael Philbrick
Betty Phillips
Lindsey Phillips
Peter Phillips
Rick Pickerill
Elspeth Pierce
Norman Pishny
Pam Place
Tom Polsley
Carole Pope
Donna Powell
Tom Powell
Christian Powell
Trevor Powell
Hailee Powell
Laura Jo Prange
Kelly Pratt
Jim Pressler
Rick Pretz
Nancy Pretz
Anna Price
Kenny Price
Ron Price
Serena Price
Tom Price
Cathy Prigel
Dave Prigel
Mary Pulley
Fred Raaf
Carol Raaf
Shirley Ramey
Pat Ramsey
Gene Ramsey
Jim Randall
Joellyn Randall
Helen Ransom
Chase Ransom
Bruce Re
Joanne Redd
Justin Reeder
Hope Reeder
Malia Reeder
Avalyn Reissig
Sue Replogle
Dave Retz
Gayle Rhea
Burt Rhea
Mike Ribeiro
Gwen Rico
Kay Ridgway
Cara Rinne
Gary Robben
Sharon Robinson
Sharon Robinson
Randall Rock
Steve Rockwell
Linda Roesch
Art Roesch
Nancy Rofail
Amin Rofail
Ken Rogel
Jerry Rogers
Lorna Roskop
Tom Roskop
Linda Ross
Pat Ross
Bill Ross
Jeff Rothen
Gary Rothrock
Janey Rouse
Judy Rouse
Caron Rowlen
Kim Rowlen
Nancy Royer
Mark Runyan
Gary Rutledge
Elaine Rutledge
Mike Ryberg
Amanda Saathoff
Robert Scearce
Suzie Scheer
Don Schierding
Glenetta Schierding
Gary Schlotzhauer
Patty Schmidt
Marcia Schmidt
Dick Schmidt
Bob Schneider
Deric Schnelle
Tessa Schnelle
Ivan Scholz
Valjean Schroll
Kurt Schropp
Barbara Schuellein
Steve Schuellein
Kay Scott
Larry Scott
Laura Scott
Shelly Seelen
Kristi Seiler
Pat Seward
Barry Seward
Susan Seymour
Sandra Sharkey
Gary Shaull
Connie Shaull
Darlene Sheffer
Sheryl Shelgren
Ginger Sheriff
Linda Sherron
Pete Sherron
Jessamine Shields
Davis Shikles
Patsy Shipley
Paul Shireman
Yvonne Short
Mary Jane Shuster
Wagih Silwance
David Sisney
Diane Slezak
Tom Slezak
Betty Smead
Kendra Smith
Joel Smith
Mike Smith
Adam Smith
Rusty Smith
Susie Smith
Jim Smith
Fran Smith
Beth Smith
Carolyn Smith
Hugh Smith
Judi Sonderegger
Jerry Sonderegger
Shannon Sorensen
Paul Spainhour
Will Spann
Joan Spann
Kelsey Sparrow
Loretta Springer
Brian Stack
Laura Stack
Karen Stanberry
Marlin Stanberry
Jim Starks
Pam Starks
Brad Staupp
Debra Steiner
James Stetson
Rachel Stetson
Jill Stevens
Tom Stevens
Terry Stevens
Shawn Stogsdill
Hillarey Stone
Barbara Stoppelman
Gail Stout
Kathy Stover
Darene Street
Cheri Streeter
Dave Streeter
Mary Strege
Marv Strege
Bill Strong
Diane Strong
David Stutzman
John Sullivan
Ron Sulzberger
Judy Sylte
Jim Sylte
Kim Syrett
Brigitte Syty
Katherine Tabor
Pat Tackett
Loralie Tangen
Eric Tangen
Barbara Tanner
Elaine Tappan
Shirley Teefey
Susanne Teel
Chad Thomas
Ronda Thomas
Doris Thompson
Jerry Thompson
Sherryl Thorne
Jean Thuma
Rich Todd
Diane Tolin
Larry Tolin
Bette Tranbarger
Gary Tranbarger
Suzy Trowbridge
Ray Trowbridge
Rich Trump
Sandy Trump
Jan Turner
Jake Turney
Bob Turrel
Linda Turrel
Deborah Ubel
Patti Urban
Donna Van Hoy
Donna Van Pelt
Mark Van Winkle
Susan Van Winkle
Kate Vande Brake
Mike Vande Brake
Bryan VanOsdale
Beverly Vansandt
Bob Vansandt
Sally Verma
Connie Veskerna
David Vinson
Bill Voelker
Greg Volkland
Ruth Waggoner
Scott Waldenville
Dick Walker
Lee Walker
Amber Wallace
Larry Wallace
Bill Walters
Coni Walters
Linda Ward
Cindy Warta
Steve Warta
Bernadine Watson
Mary Waye
Sally Weber
Dennis Weber
Pearl Wehrman
Debra Weilbacher
Dayna Weiler
Mary Weiss
Bill Welden
Debbie West
Mark West
Cindy Weston
Beth Wheeler
Ben White
Julie White
Matt Whiteaker
Tony Whited
Patsy Widler
Dee Widler
Bob Widmer
Janice Widmer
Chris Widmer
Madhuri Widmer
Howard Wilcox
Cathy Wilcox
Babe Wiley
Ellen Williams
Gary Williams
Jim Williams
Marilynn Williams
Jeanette Williams
Jamey Wills
Gary Wilson
Dave Wilson
Bob Wise
Judy Wise
Ginny Wisner
Barry Wood
Brenda Wood
Craig Wooldridge
Ashley Worth
Debra Wright
Darla Wright
John Wright
Mary Anne Wulfsberg
Marvin Wycoff
Mary Wycoff
Greg Yeutter
John Yost
Kirsten Young
Robyn Zaiser
Tiffany Zehr
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Presidential Administration Post Announced for Adam Hamilton for Wednesday, 3 February 2016



Presidential Administration Post Announced for Adam Hamilton
President Obama has appointed best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton as Member, President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. His selection as an appointee was announced in an official white house statement on Friday, January 29, 2016.
The other intended appointees joining Hamilton as members on the Present's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships include Acting Executive Minister of Justice and Witness Ministries for The United Church of Christ and Pastor at Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant, Missouri Reverend Traci D. Blackmon, and Christian blogger and the author Rachel Held Evans. READ MORE
PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION POST ANNOUNCED FOR ADAM HAMILTON for Tuesday, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 NEWS

(Nashville, TN) –President Obama has appointed best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton as Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. His selection as an appointee was announced in an official White House statement on Friday, January 29, 2016.
The other intended appointees joining Hamilton as members on thePresident’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships include Acting Executive Minister of Justice and Witness Ministries for The United Church of Christ and Pastor at Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant, Missouri Reverend Traci D. Blackmon, and Christian blogger and the author Rachel Held Evans.
The official announcement from the Office of the Press Secretary noted that President Obama said, “I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country. I look forward to working with them.”
“I’m honored to join with other leaders and experts in the work of evaluating and making recommendations for changes in policies, programs, and practices relating to faith-based and neighborhood organizations to better serve people in need,” shared Hamilton. “I believe I was chosen in part due to Church of the Resurrection’s commitment to serving the community and its long-standing work partnering with low income scho ls in the Kansas City area.”
Resurrection’s commitment is a reflection of Jesus’ command to love one’s neighbor. “Choosing to live under God’s law of love…leads to life and peace for the community… As Jesus’ teaching made clear, your neighbor is everyone you meet, and even those you haven’t met. It means doing good to them, seeking to bless and encourage them,” notes Hamilton in his forthcoming book and companion Bible study Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things The Bible Doesn’t Say (April 2016, Abingdon Press).
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Join The Lenten Challenge this Week! Adam Hamilton for Tuesday, February 2, 2016



Ash Wednesday is February 10 and begins the season of Lent.
So many people "give up" things for Lent: sweets, sodas, favorite TV shows. How about "taking on" something new this year?
Join me in establishing a new habit-reading through a Gospel each year. The Lenten season is the perfect time to read through the Gospel of John. We'll read together for 40 days and finish on Palm Sunday.
My new book, John: The Gospel of Light and Life, is the perfect companion to the Lenten Challenge, as it helps you explore the major themes of John and also features the Scripture text in its entirety.
Check out these book excerpts on my blog:
Jesus' Words, "I Am The Light of The World"
Both in Scripture and in literature from the Dead Sea Scrolls, written just before the time of Christ, we find that themes of darkness and light were prominent in Judaism. Darkness represents spiritual blindness, lostness, and also evil. In John, when we believe in Jesus our eyes are opened, and suddenly we see ourselves and the world in his light.
Light Shining in the Darkness
John frequently uses the idea of light in his gospel. Light is a metaphor for several things and is always understood over and against darkness. Sometimes darkness is synonymous with spiritual blindness or a failure to understand what it means to be human. Sometimes darkness refers to evil. Jesus came to dispel the darkness. He came to be the light for us.
Changing Water Into Wine
We focus on Jesus' first miraculous sign in John 2:1-12-turning water into wine-and how we might study it to find deeper meaning. John tells us that the wine that Jesus created was better than the wine the guests had been drinking before. John wants us to see that the life Jesus offers is richer, deeper, and of a higher quality than the life we live apart from him.
Find out more about the Lenten Challenge and plan to join us in reading through the Gospel of John for Lent, beginning February 10.

Still deciding on a churchwide Lenten study? Adam takes time out from filming video sessions to discussJohn: The Gospel of Light and Life. Listen as Adam covers a number of topics connected to John's Gospel, including Communion, the Holy Spirit, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the modern-day fascination in our culture with near-death experiences, heaven and hell.

The Gospel of John is the most deeply spiritual of the four gospels. This writing is filled with rich images and profound truths, but John notes that his aim in writing the gospel is that readers will not only believe in Jesus Christ, but that they "may have life in his name." This Lent, adults, youth, and children alike can experience a season of spiritual growth and life-changing renewal in Adam Hamilton's six-week, DVD-series, John: The Gospel of Light and Life. You'll follow the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus through the Gospel of John and understand the context of some of the best-known verses in the New Testament. Everything you need to lead small groups of all ages is available for this special study.
Click HERE to learn more
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Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 22 January 2016

Friday, January 22, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
I hope this note finds you doing well on this cold winter day! If you are a regular visitor to our church and you’ve been thinking about becoming a member of the Church of the Resurrection, I’d like to invite you to join me this Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at the Leawood Campus for Coffee with the Pastors. This gathering is the official process for joining the church. There are usually around 100 people who attend. I’ll share with you a bit of the church’s story, what it means to be a part of a United Methodist congregation, what it means to be a Christian, how you can get involved in the church and the expectations we have for our members. Then, for those ready to join, we have a brief joining service. It is an inspiring and informative gathering. I hope you’ll join me, (we also have coffee with the pastors at each of our other campuses led by our campus pastors – check your campus e-note for the time of your next coffee – anyone from any campus can join at any coffee with the pastors).
This last Tuesday we had a great event in the Leawood sanctuary, a forum on the Rise of Islamic Extremism. Over 1,500 attended in person or online. We recorded the program and edited it down a bit for length. I think it is an important program and would love for you to watch it and to share it with others. Here's the link.
ISIS is in the news daily and will loom large in the upcoming elections. This weekend my sermon will focus on A Christian Response to Islamic Extremism. Americans are united in their abhorrence of this group, but uncertain and divided on how to respond to them. In my message you’ll hear from Lieutenant Colonel Brian Steed who served eight and a half years as a Foreign Area Officer throughout the Middle East. Today he is an assistant professor of military history at the US Army Command and General Staff College. He has written and lectured extensively on the subject and has suggested that different tactics must be used in a war against ISIS than in any traditional wars we have known. This weekend we’ll seek to understand something of the worldview of the members of ISIS, how this differs from mainstream Islam, and how our faithful response as Christians to ISIS may hold the key to their ultimate defeat.
A bit of exciting news: This week we received approval from the Kansas City, Missouri City Council for rezoning the Kansas City Star parking lot downtown to allow Resurrection Downtown to build its permanent home on this site. This is very exciting. This will be the first new church constructed in downtown Kansas City in 80 years!
Next Tuesday night we’ll host our annual Church Conference at Resurrection Downtown at 6:30 pm. Resurrection Downtown is located at 1522 McGee St. All church members from all campuses are invited to join us as we approve the church’s budget for 2016, review pastor’s compensation, recommend pastoral candidates and elect leaders. Anyone may attend, only members can vote. Parking is available in the two lots directly south of the McGee church building. The first is directly adjacent to the building and the other is at the corner of 16th and McGee. Street parking is also available and is free after 6pm. Please do not park in the lot directly north of the building.
Then, next Friday night, January 29, we’ll hold The Gathering – our annual vision casting, leadership and fellowship event. We’ll have chili and soup for supper followed by the acclaimed Africa University Choir from Zimbabwe sharing a couple of songs. We’ll hear the report from Tuesday night’s all church conference, celebrate what God has done through us in the last year, and look ahead to where God is leading us in the next year. You’ll also have a chance to go inside the new Leawood sanctuary via video and to see an update on The Resurrection Window as we look at some of the latest work. Dinner starts at 5:30, the meeting begins at 6:30 and you’ll be out before 8:30 pm. Don’t miss this exciting evening! To register for dinner or childcare click here.
I received the year-end financial report from our finance department this week. We went into November a bit behind in our giving for both operating and building funds at all of our campuses. But in November and December you caught up and we ended the year on budget – it was amazing and a sign of your faithfulness. Thank you to all who gave generously and who fulfilled your commitments for our ministry budget and your building pledges. I am so grateful for your generosity and faithfulness which makes possible the mission and ministry of our church.
I also want to thank those of you who signed up for EFT (electronic fund transfer) giving for 2016. LaVon and I and more than 4,000 of our fellow church members do this. It keeps us on track to meet our commitment even when we’re out of town so we don’t get behind, but it also helps even out the church’s offerings so that even in the summer months the offerings are still coming in to fund our mission and ministry. If you are interested in finding out more about EFT giving, click here.
Lent is coming up in just a few weeks. For Lent our congregation will be reading the Gospel of John together – our children, youth and adults. Each week the sermons will be from John and many of our small group studies will be using my new book, John: The Gospel of Light and Life, as their guide along with small group videos I recorded in Nashville a few months ago. If you are not currently involved in a small group, we’ll be starting new small groups as we kick off John, or you may want to start your own. If you’d like to get involved in a small group for Lent, click here. (As a PS, we have an arrangement with the publisher that on my books sold for small group use at Resurrection I waive the royalty and the church receives a larger discount – it is important to me that you know I don’t personally benefit from the use of my books in church-wide studies). I’m excited about our focus on Lent this year and the idea that every Resurrection member, including children, might read the entire Gospel of John during the 40 days of Lent! I believe that every Christian should read through at least one gospel each year.
In two weeks I’ll recognize in my e-note all of our Resurrection members and visitors, both in person and online, who attended worship 90% of the time or more last year. It was exciting to see so many of you making a commitment to be in worship every weekend of the year. By the way, despite the cold, we’ve had over 12,000 in worship the last couple of weeks with large numbers joining us online due to the weather. Thank you for your faithfulness in worship!
I look forward to seeing you this weekend in worship, and to meeting some of you at Coffee with the Pastors on Sunday afternoon in our student center.
Adam---------------------
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue

Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120

www.cor.org
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