Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 15 April 2016

 Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 15 April 2016

Friday, April 15, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
Did you know that one in four Americans will suffer from some form of mental illness each year? One in five young adults will experience a more severe mental disorder in a given year. This weekend we continue our new sermon series, Second Chances. We’ll look at the story of Jesus’ ministry with persons afflicted by demons. Many scholars view the demons in these gospel stories as various forms of mental illness. Jesus regularly demonstrated compassion towards those afflicted with these conditions, delivering them and giving them a new life – a second chance, as our sermon series is titled. This week we interviewed both a counselor and a woman who has struggled with anxiety – clips from these interviews will be a part of the message this week.
Last week my sermon was about divorce. Here are the links to two videos with additional information: Divorce Proofing Your Marriage and Jesus & Divorce. Please share these with your friends. I'll also be posting excerpts from my new book Half Truths on my blog this week. Here's the link.
If you are interested in joining Resurrection or you just want to learn more about becoming a member, please join me for Coffee with the Pastors this Sunday at 2 pm in the Leawood Student Center. I’ll share with you more of the church’s story, what it means to be a United Methodist Christian, and our membership expectations. At the end of the coffee you’ll have an opportunity to officially join the church. We’ll be done by 4 p.m. Childcare is provided. You can register here.
This week people throughout our community have come together for events that challenge us to “Give Seven Days to make a ripple and change the world.” This is the second year for the event, following the tragedy at the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom in 2014. The week culminates with a 3.5-mile community walk from the Jewish Community Center to Church of the Resurrection at 6:30 pm on Monday, April 18. This is a great opportunity for young and old to come together, embrace our diversity and demonstrate that as a community we have the power to outshine and overcome senseless acts of hate. Plan to join LaVon and me on the walk! Here’s the link to register for the walk.
On Thursday, April 21, we’re hosting an event in Leawood that I think you’ll want to be a part of. The American Public Square is presenting Crossroads of Religion and Politics. The event will begin with a reception at 5:00 pm in the Narthex with the program beginning in the Sanctuary at 6:00 pm. Panelists include State Senator Steve Fitzgerald, Rev. Jim West (lead pastor of Colonial Presbyterian Church), Jennifer Butler (CEO of Faith and Public Life), Rev. Dr. Wallace Hartsfield, Jr. (professor of Hebrew Bible at Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Senior Pastor of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church) and me. This will be an interesting array of perspectives from conservative to progressive. We’ll look at how our faith should impact our politics and some of the issues about which Americans are divided. I’m expecting some passionate conversation. Former US Ambassador to Portugal, Allan Katz, will be moderating. Tickets are $10 and you can purchase online.
With this beautiful weather, could I convince you to join me for a great day of fun and fellowship on the golf course? And at the same time you can help provide scholarships for Resurrection seminary students. The Resurrection Golf Classic will be Monday, May 9, at Leawood Country Club, and proceeds will again go to the Joyce Eacock Seminary Tuition Grant Memorial Fund. Sign up online by Monday, April 18, and receive the Early Bird discount.
Over the next few weeks, when you walk in from the southwest parking lots, you may see some new fencing going up as construction on our Prayer Walk begins. The Prayer Walk was designed several years ago and many of you gave gifts to help make it possible. The project was put on hold to integrate it with the new Sanctuary construction. Now, with progress on the Sanctuary, we are taking advantage of the nice weather to begin the project. The Prayer Walk, which incorporates scripture and art, will be a beautiful outdoor place to pray and reflect as you follow a path through areas representing Jesus’ life and ministry.
Speaking of the new sanctuary, here are a couple of photos of the steel beams that you signed last October showing where they are located in the building. I just wanted you to see that the beams with your names are in fact upon the rafters in the new sanctuary where they will be, I hope, for hundreds of years. You won’t see these when the building is completed, but they will be there, surrounding worshippers for generations to come! (click on the photos to view full screen)


Finally, Resurrection member, Charlotte Morrow, will be installed as the President of United Methodist Women for the South Central Jurisdiction this weekend in Oklahoma. Charlotte and her family have been active members at Church of the Resurrection since 2000. She has served as the UMW President for Resurrection, for The Kansas East Annual Conference, and for the Great Plains Annual Conference, as well as serving many hours in our Mission and Adult Discipleship ministries. Please join me in congratulating Charlotte as she steps into her new leadership role with United Methodist Women in our Jurisdiction. We are very proud of you Charlotte!
Join me this weekend as we look at how our faith in Christ might play a role in mental health and deliverance of the kind of demons we all often wrestle with.
See you in worship!
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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