Weekly eNote from Pastor Scott | June 17, 2016 from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Downtown in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Friday, 17 June 2016

Weekly eNote from Pastor Scott | June 17, 2016 from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Downtown in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Friday, 17 June 2016
Greetings RezDowntowners,
I cannot believe it, but it has already been a year since Freddy came into the world! Yesterday, Wendy and I celebrated his birthday by doing all sorts of things around town, but the most exciting thing was being able to head out to watch some baseball last night. The Royals just so happened to be playing the Tigers last night in KC, so I had to take him there for his very first baseball game. In the end the Tigers won, but I have a feeling that the Royals knew Freddy was there for the first time, so they were very gracious. However, I anticipate tonight’s game will be much different. Tonight is Resurrection Night at the Royals Game…we have over 200 RezDowntowners heading out to the game, and Resurrection as a whole has over 1000 people attending…it is going to be a fun night. For those of you going – we look forward to seeing you there. Remember that the gates open early tonight at 4:30pm for the Big Slick Softball Game at 5 pm with actors Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet, David Koechner and Rob Riggle; first pitch for the Royals vs. Tigers game at 7:15 pm. Stay after the game and watch the summer fireworks display. See you at The K!
Tomorrow we have several opportunities to serve, as it is Faithwork Saturday. We’re anticipating that a large group will be gathering together to head out to Garfield Elementary and Bless the School. Please consider joining us as we join with several teams of volunteers from RezDowntown and our Leawood Campus. There are two shifts available this Saturday: 9 am – noon and 1-4 pm. For more information, visit cor.org/downtown/faithwork. Come on out to the church at 1522 McGee by 9am or simply meet us at Garfield Elementary as we spend Saturday putting our faith to work!
Also, our RezDT 20/30 Groups will be spending Saturday morning serving with Lazarus Ministries at Grand Avenue Temple from 10am until 1pm. If you’re interested in joining with other RezDowntown young adults in their 20s and 30s to serve a lunch to those in need at Grand Avenue Temple. Meet at Grand Avenue Temple (205 E 9th St., Kansas City, MO ) at 10 am to serve until 1 pm. For more information, visit cor.org/downtown/rezdt2030faithwork or contact Jory Mick at jorylmick@gmail.com.
This weekend in worship we’ll kick off a new sermon series on The Gospel According to Dogs. Pastor Adam will be leading us through this two week series by looking at our four-legged friends and drawing lessons from them that will inform our relationship with each other and with God. I hope you’ll invite friends and join us this weekend in worship!
In the meantime, here are a variety of ways to connect with our community in the coming weeks.
Vacation Bible Camp – June 20–23, 5:30-7 pm – Sign up Now to Meet the Royals @ Downtown! Royals of the Bible, that is. We will learn about wise King Solomon, courageous Queen Esther, young King Josiah and the one True King, Jesus! Registration is open to all children in K– 5th grades for the 2015-16 school year. Younger children may attend with an adult volunteer. Registration is online only, but if you need help with the website or registration, please contact Sarah.Brischle@cor.org. To register your children or to volunteer, visit cor.org/downtown/vbc.
RezLifeDT Middle School Wednesday Events of Fun Around Town! Meet at 1522 McGee this week, June 22, at 5 pm and help with Vacation Bible Camp! You will have an opportunity to hang out with some younger kids and have fun. We need help with crafts, snacks and recreation.
Bless the School – Continues through Friday, June 24! – Register to help as all Resurrection campuses are serving together to restore and renovate a school in preparation for the 2016-17 school year. We will paint, install a playground and perform other tasks at Garfield Elementary, located at 436 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO, which serves more than 500 students. All supplies provided; just register and show up for one shift or more and give a boost to the learning environment at Garfield. A variety of roles are available at every shift including painting, cleaning and organizing. Assisting with installing and mulching the playground will be needed on specific days, and those helping with the playground must be 16 or older and able to lift 50 pounds. Many hands and ability levels are needed! Register for one shift or multiple shifts at cor.org/blesstheschool.
Community Cookout – Hot Dog Dinner! Join us, Sunday, June 26, after the 10:15 am, 10:45 am and 5 pmworship services as we cook out, gather in the parking lot and enjoy these dog days of summer! There will be all-meat dogs and veggie dogs for your dining pleasure. Bring lawn chairs and perhaps a canopy tent if you have one to share for the day! No need to RSVP, just come ready to eat a dog or two! For more information, visit cor.org/downtown/hotdogdinner.
Theology, Literature & Race - Thursdays, June 30 – July 21, 7 pm. This class is an opportunity to explore issues of race through selected essays, dialogue and, most importantly, grace. Starting Thursday, June 30, at 7 pm, this 4-week study will take place in partnership with Centennial United Methodist Church and will be led by Rev. Dr. Jeff Williams, Associate Pastor, Centennial United Methodist Church and Professor of Literature at the University of Central Missouri, along with Matt Bisel, student at Saint Paul School of Theology. Classes will be held at Wesley Heights United Methodist Church at 1903 Hardesty Ave, Kansas City, MO. Registration for this class is required and limited. If you have any questions, visit cor.org/downtown/TheologyandRace or contact Matt.Bisel@cor.org.
As we anticipate a great and full weekend both within and outside the walls of our church, I wanted to take a moment to reflect quickly regarding the Orlando shootings. Like you, I have been watching interviews, reports, even video detailing and responding to this horrific event that happened a little less than a week ago. In these kinds of times, as we face this kind of darkness and death, our thoughts and emotions tend to go all over the place. We get caught up in conversation, debate, whereby we become critical of one another in the face of disagreement. However, I believe that it is in moments just like these I try with everything I have to focus on two things. First, I remember that God is with us. God loves us and never leaves us. In moments like these God isn’t distant, but he’s close, in fact, God’s heart was breaking right along with ours the night that all those people died entirely too soon. In the wake of death and despair God was with us, weeping beside us, but also encouraging us with his everpresent hope. In times like this I remember this about God and seek to draw nearer to God who is always with us. The second thing I focus on during times like these is that God expects that we love one another the way that He first loves us. This means that we are called to comfort those who are mourning, bind up the broken hearted, release all of those who are enslaved and proclaim life and light and hope in the midst of death in a way that draws everyone into the everlasting arms of God’s love by inviting others to live and love fully as people of confidence.
I am so thankful for you and I am thrilled to be able to connect with you all this weekend at the ballgame, in the community and once again in worship! Have a great Friday!
Blessings,
Scott
@scottchrostek
Congregational Care and Support
If you need pastoral care, call 816-979-1330. (After hours emergencies: 816-875-0267.)
To submit a prayer request, contact Anne.Williams@rezdowntown.org
For more information, visit our website: cor.org/downtown

Resurrection Downtown
1508 Grand Boulevard

Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
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