Friday, April 1, 2016
Greetings Resurrection Blue Springs,
Happy April Fool's Day!
Last year with the Bradford Pear blossums blowing in the wind it looked like it was snowing on Easter morning. This year it was snowing! You never know what March will bring! But despite the weather and the start of Spring Break for our Blue Springs schools, we had an awesome Easter morning. Thank you to everyone who extended an invitation to a family member or friend to join us. Thank you also to all of our amazing volunteers who served Sunday morning in order to make Easter so special! Our hospitality crew was awesome going back and forth in the rain and snow to shelter our guests and members.
I also want to thank our Confirmands and the High School youth who participated in the leadership of our Maundy Thursday service. Their presentation of the Voices at the Cross made for a moving worship experience. I thank them for their hard work and the time given to minister to our congregation.
This Sunday we conclude our sermon series on the Gospel of John. I am excited to be preaching live a message about one of my favorite Bible characters, Thomas. Not everyone was quick to believe that Jesus had risen. Some of us have had our doubts as well – just like "Doubting Thomas." Come learn the value of questions in our faith and Invite someone to worship with us as we continue to celebrate the truth of Easter!
This will also be a special worship for another reason. During the 10:45 am worship service, we will be confirming this year's class of Confirmands as these youth take an important step in their faith journey. They will claim the name of Christ for themselves and enter into full membership of the church. I would ask for prayers for each one of them as they publically profess their faith in Jesus and make the decision to be a Christian. Here is the list of this year's confirmands:
- Olivia Hope Ash
- Michael Glenn Ash
- Claire Marie Campos
- Mason Lee Hontz
- Jonah Michael Loewe
- Joshua Robert Loewe
- Jacob Daniel Maschger
- Molly Richele O'Connell
- Matthew Brooks O'Connell
- Alison Michelle Sloop
- Jason Robert Sloop
- Korbin Michael Shepherd
Silverlink Volunteers Needed Would you be willing to help with a monthly worship service for the residents at Benton House Care Facility? We need a couple of volunteers who might be available to help with this worship servce for the residents and possibly read a scripture or lead singing, or generally be there as added hands. We could also use a pianist who could play hymns for the service. If you have interest, please contact Pastor Penny.
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.
General Conference Livestream Event Learn more about what exactly is General Conference and find out which subjects Bishop Scott Jones thinks will be discussed as he hosts a livestream event April 2nd. Starting at 9 a.m, the bishop will give a description of what General Conference is, how it functions and its links to the local church. He then will provide his insights into legislation that will be discussed, from issues related to human sexuality to the organization of the church, to potential changes in the way bishops are elected. Email questions you have for the bishop to David Burke, communications coordinator in the Wichita office, at dburke@greatplainsumc.org. Please type “General Conference” in the subject line. Questions can be sent ahead of the broadcast or during the event. Watch the livestream starting at 9 a.m. April 2nd at www.greatplainsumc.org/livestream.
The Prayer Course – Wednesdays, April 6 – May 11, 6:30-8 pm. The Prayer Course is a simple, practical introduction to a vast and exciting subject. The six sessions cover the simplest foundations of prayer. It’s not pitched at seasoned “prayer warriors,” but rather at the vast majority of us ordinary Christians who simply want to get better at talking to God and hearing his voice. The interactive sessions cover topics such as intercession, dealing with disappointment, learning to listen and spiritual warfare. Sign up at Guest Services or online.
Choosing Gratitude Thursdays, April 7-May 26 (no class on April 28), 6:30-8 pm. Ladies, join Bible study leader and Christian motivational speaker, Patricia Sanders-Hall, in a course structured as a follow-up to Resurrection’s 2016 Inspired for Life Women’s Conference with the theme of “Gratitude.” Whether you attended the conference or not, this study will explore practical tips, stories and scripture, which teach us how to practice gratitude as a life style so we can stay on the path to inner peace, hope and faith. Each class is designed to be self-contained, so missing a session will not cause you to fall behind. You can purchase Nancy Leigh DeMoss’s book, Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy, for $15 at Guest Services (coming soon). Register here or at Guest Services on Sunday.
April FaithWork - Join us for work on a Habitat for Humanity project on Saturday, April 9. This project will be with the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity which supports those in Eastern Jackson County. All are invited, ages 16 and up. Whether you have the gift of handyman/handywoman, clean-up person, or the gift of lunch provider, there will be a job available for you. So come and experience the camaraderie of working side-by-side and see the benefits of your service. Sign-up here: www.cor.org/bluesprings/faithwork or at Guest Services. We will meet at the church at 8:00 am and carpool/caravan to the site. See you there!
Help rebuild Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas damaged by tornadoes and floods in recent years. Work on homes with our Disaster Response team April 6-9. No experience necessary, ages 16+ may serve with an adult. Register online.
Above All Else: Love, Relationships, Purity and Dating – Friday, April 15 , 7-9:30 pm, in Leawood Student Center, for 6th-12th grade students and their parents. Author/speaker Vicki Courtney and youth ministers help lead engaging Christ-centered conversations on these important topics. Learn more and register at cor.org/students.
Holy Land Tour - November 14-23, 2016. Pastor Penny and Bill are excited to journey on the Church of the Resurrection's next Holy Land Tour with our campus. 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. 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.
Thank you so much for volunteering, for serving, for giving, for loving, for sharing of yourselves so that others will come to see the light of Christ shining through you! I can't wait to see you this weekend in worship!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen,Indeed!
Penny
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
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs
601 NorthEeast Jefferson Street
Blue Springs, Missouri 64014, United States
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