Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gant from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West in Olathe, Kansas, United States for Friday, 29 July 2016

Weekly eNote from Pastor Jason Gant from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West in Olathe, Kansas, United States for Friday, 29 July 2016Resurrection West,
After last Sunday’s sermon I talked with my mother. You’ll remember that we kicked off the Next Door Neighboring series to help us all become better neighbors. I shared a personal story about “the Danderan’s”, my closest neighbors growing up in the small community of Jasper, Florida. I shared how they were so much a part of my life as I grew from a young boy, into my teenage years, and on to becoming a young adult. My mom shared a story about Gene and Suzy I'd never heard. My parents wanted to give my sister and I a backyard swing set for Christmas. They really wanted to surprise us with it built and placed in the backyard for us to discover Christmas morning. They shared this vision with Gene and Suzy Danderan and they were excited to help my parents. They not only helped to build the swing set, but also agreed to hide it in their backyard (in plain sight) days before Christmas eve came. My mother said Suzy laughed and laughed when so many of their friends called to ask why they had a swing set in their backyard. Needless to say word spread and many of their friends, mostly retired, were now a part of the conspiracy to bring the Gant kids some joy at Christmas. My mom recounted for me the community effort to carry the swing set(completely put together) out of their backyard, across the street, and into our backyard undercover of darkness for us to discover on Christmas morning! It was quite moving for me to hear that story and the lengths our neighbors were willing to go for us kids!
I couldn’t help but think of how much the Danderan’s cared for me as a child. I want to ask you today if you remember the first time someone cared enough for you to help you know God's love? Gene and Suzy certainly did that for me. What would happen if you found out about God so early in your life, you never lived a day without believing that God really loves you? Do you think if a 4-year old really believes that God loves them that it will make a difference when they’re 14? When they’re 24? In KiDSCOR (birth to 5th grade) and rezlife (6th to 12th grade) we get to give children and students a first impression of God and invite them into a new understanding of how to grow in relationship with Jesus. It’s a big deal, and you’re invited to be a part. For KiDSCOR fill out a short Volunteer Interest Card Sunday at the KiDSCOR table, or contact christie.walker@cor.org for rezlife contact rick.webb@cor.org.
Worship this Sunday will be powerful as we look at ways to be better neighbors to the next generation. We will hear testimonials from our teenagers and a message by our youth pastor, Rick Webb. Our students will help lead in all areas of worship from ushering, greeting, music, message, and technical support. It will be an inspiring day in worship as we celebrate the many ways our teens are growing as disciples here at rezlife west!
Check out these additional opportunities to grow and serve.

• Ridgeview School Supply Drive - Bring Back the Bags by Wednesday!
• MEGA MISSION: Bless the School- August 6
• Fall Upward Sports Registration Open!
• Follow Moses this Fall
• Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit - August 11-12
• Serve with the Backpack Ministry or Become a Backpack Angel
• Men's Fly Fishing Retreat - September 16-18
• Honduras Mission team in January 2017

Ridgeview School Supply Drive - Great job everyone! All the bags were taken and many have been returned. Just a reminder to please bring those back to Resurrection West by Wednesday, August 3, so we can get all supplies sorted and delivered to the classrooms at our Bless the School Mega Mission onSaturday, August 6.
MEGA MISSION: Bless the School, Saturday, August 6, 9 am – 1:30 pm Meet at 9 am in the Resurrection West Sanctuary for prayer, project sign-ups, final instructions, coffee and breakfast snacks. Then, we’ll pack up the supplies and travel to Ridgeview Elementary to sort and organize school supplies, prepare classrooms, make crafts to welcome and support teachers, write encouraging notes to students and help with maintenance and beautify the grounds. Please bring gardening gloves, yard tools, rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows if you have them. About 11:30 am, we’ll host and enjoy a Celebration Cookout with the students and families of the Ridgeview community—complete with water play and fun for all ages! No registration is necessary— just come out and serve! Also, feel free to wear any year’s MEGA MISSION t-shirt (extras will be available). For more information, contact Chris.Holliday@cor.org.
Fall Upward Sports Ministry Registration Open for Fall Soccer, Flag Football and Cheerleading!Upward Sports brings children and adults to know, love and follow Jesus through sports and recreation. We use Upward Sports 360 Progression to help children develop mentally, athletically, spiritually and socially. Cost for each sport is $85 per child, $10 discount for each additional child registered. All practices begin the week of August 29. First Soccer season opens September 10, with Flag Football and Cheer beginning September 17. Learn more and register at cor.org/west/upward.
Follow Moses this Fall - “Exodus: Life of Moses” will not only be a sermon series by Pastor Adam startingAugust 14, but also a large group teaching event at Resurrection West beginning Monday, August 15, from6:30-8 pm. Each week’s teaching event will follow the theme from that week’s sermon. Explore the journey of Moses through in-depth teaching and engaging discussion around the tables, plus enjoy a catered dinner each week. Registration open at cor.org/west/exodus.
Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit - Join 305,000 leaders committed to leading a life of impact at the Global Leadership Summit, August 11-12. Both our Blue Springs and Leawood campuses will be hosting the live broadcast event. To register, visit cor.org/willow. To see the linup of speakers, visitwillowcreek.com/summit.
Serve with the Backpacks Ministry or Become a Backpack Angel - Did you know that over 90% of the children at our partner school, Ridgeview Elementary, qualify for free or reduced lunches? Families at risk for hunger struggle to provide children with the nutrition they need to thrive. As a result, many children come to school too distracted by their empty stomachs to focus on doing well in school. The Backpacks for Hunger program provides needed food to children who would otherwise not receive adequate nutrition during the weekends or school breaks. There are many ways to help. You can pick up food, fill bags, deliver bags and/or assist with administrative tasks. For more information on serving, please contact our RezWest Backpacks Coordinator, Jill Crockett, at rezwestbackpacks@gmail.com. You can also help a child at one of Resurrection’s partner schools get the nutrition they need by being a "Backpack Angel". A gift of $200 will support a child for the entire school year. You can help a child now with a monthly or yearly monetary contribution. Electronic payment options are available through August 14. Go tocor.org/giveonline and select the “Give Online With Pushpay” tab. Cash, Check and EFT (Elecronic Funds Transfer) options are available year-round at cor.org/backpacks.
Men’s Fly Fishing Retreat coming September 16-18. Relax, unwind, enjoy the outdoors at a world-class trout fishing game ranch. This is an awesome opportunity for guys to come together through scriptural study, devotion, worship, fellowship, and fly-fishing! Don't worry if you have never fly-fished before as there will be a casting clinic offered before fishing starts. Instruction will be provided for all levels of experience to ensure success for all on the waters. The trip cost is $145 per person and includes a fishing permit for the trip. Meals and gratuities are not included. Only 10 spots left, so register now atcor.org/west/mensflyfishing
Honduras Mission Team in January 2017- On January 15-23, 2017 we are sending a team to bless the school in Honduras. Our team will engage the youth in sports activities, equip the teachers to teach English and physically prepare the school for the new year. Come and serve alongside Pastor Jason on this exciting trip. If you are interested in going, please call or text Dan Strempke - trip leader, for more information at (775) 240-1589.
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Pastor Jason
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West Campus
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
913-538-7800
For an after hours urgent pastoral care need call 913-338-9477
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West Staff
Travis Morgan - Director of Staffing and Operations
Chris Holliday - Associate Pastor, Care and Missions
David Robertson - Director of Community Life
Lindsay Hefner - Director of Worship Arts
Ryan Rancudo - Assistant Director of Worship Arts
Rick Webb - Director of rezlife Student Ministries
Kirsten Baxter - Summer Intern
Christie Walker - Director of KiDS COR Children's Ministries
Lynnlea Nelson - Early Childhood Program Director
Sommer Kelling - Nursery Coordinator
Debbie Dietz - Coordinating Assistant to Pastor Jason
Kevin Euston - Technical Producer Team Lead
James Wear - Technical Producer Media and Graphics

The United Methodist Church of the
Resurrection West
24000 West Valley Parkway

Olathe, Kansas 66061, United States
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