Will it be Okay? Reflections Following a Divisive Election from Adam Hamilton of Abingdon Press in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 9 November 2016
One of my good friends, a lifelong Republican, texted me today saying, "Tell me this is going to be okay!!!" I think he captured the feelings of many in our country on this day after a stunning upset victory by Donald Trump, a victory that surprised even many of his supporters.
Clearly 48% of voters are happy with the results of the election. Many felt disenfranchised, fearful or frustrated over the last eight years. Many felt we'd been headed in the wrong direction as a nation. To them this election brings the hope that Donald Trump can in fact, "make America great again."
The other half of our country is confused this morning, disappointed, angry or hurt. I heard from one young woman who took her daughter with her to the polls yesterday to vote, explaining how much this election meant for women. The results hit her really hard. Another, having seen the last eight years as a time of positive change, was in tears, angry and confused as she spoke to me about the election results.
WILL IT BE OKAY? REFLECTIONS FOLLOWING A DIVISIVE ELECTION
One of my good friends, a lifelong Republican, texted me today saying, “Tell me this is going to be okay!!!” I think he captured the feelings of many in our country on this day after a stunning upset victory by Donald Trump, a victory that surprised even many of his supporters.
Clearly 48% of voters are happy with the results of the election. Many felt disenfranchised, fearful or frustrated over the last eight years. Many felt we’d been headed in the wrong direction as a nation. To them this election brings the hope that Donald Trump can in fact, “make America great again.”
The other half of our country is confused this morning, disappointed, angry or hurt. I heard from one young woman who took her daughter with her to the polls yesterday to vote, explaining how much this election meant for women. The results hit her really hard. Another, having seen the last eight years as a time of positive change, was in tears, angry and confused as she spoke to me about the election results.
The pundits and politicians will analyze the election results, seeking to tell us what they mean in the hours and days ahead. But the questions for me are, Where do we go from here? How does our nation come together? And, to my friend’s point, Will it be okay?
Yes, it will be okay. I appreciated Donald Trump’s acceptance speech and the spirit it conveyed; a lofty vision, a humility, a willingness to work together and a desire to represent all Americans. I also appreciated Hillary Clinton’s concession speech, which was moving and which reflected, despite the disappointment and pain of loss, a hopefulness and confidence in America’s future.
It will be okay because we live in a democracy whose founding fathers wisely created a system of checks and balances in government that are meant to spread power across the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Presidents do not rule by decree, they seek to lead and influence, and if they are ineffective, they and their party are voted out. It’s a good system that has served us well for more than two centuries.
It will be okay because, despite his shortcomings and unsettling rhetoric, Donald Trump has strengths that he brings to the presidency. As I noted at the end of worship Sunday, in elections no candidates are as bad as their opponents paint them, nor as good as they believe themselves to be. I do believe his strengths in negotiating deals will serve him well in Washington and perhaps help find win-win solutions to challenging issues we face.
I believe it will be okay because my hope and faith has never been primarily in politicians and political parties, but in Jesus Christ and the kingdom he proclaimed. He has a knack for working in and through people and in history in surprising ways.
I’m praying today for Donald Trump and his team — that God will ennoble them, and prepare them and guide them as they prepare to lead our country. I’m also praying for Hillary Clinton, her team and her supporters. Finally, I’m praying that we as Christians can be instrumental in bringing healing to the divisions in our country today, rather than making the divisions even wider. We have a mandate to forgive, to love, and also to “speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves” and “to do justice, and practice loving kindness and walk humbly with God.”
There are challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Today is a day of deep disappointment for some, and a day of elation and celebration for others. But tomorrow we have to come together as Americans to face the challenges, to seize upon the opportunities and to, together, find a way to help our country live up to its potential.
New From Adam Hamilton - Half Truths!
They are simple phrases. They sound Christian__like something you might find in the Bible. We've all heard these words. Maybe we've said them. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways.Join Adam Hamilton in searching for the whole truth by comparing common Christian clichés to the message and ministry of Jesus
Click HERE to learn more
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Special eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States
Dear Resurrection Family,
Yesterday we began a special 21-day journey as a congregation focused on growing in the spiritual life. Each day during this journey we’ll focus on one of the 21 questions John Wesley developed for use with a group of college students at Oxford University in 1729 to help them grow in their faith. This group was derided by other students for their intentional and methodical approach to spiritual growth - their fellow students called them “Methodists.” The name stuck.
We’re including these questions each day on the GPS - our Grow/Pray/Study Guide - along with a daily scripture reading that ties into the question. If you don’t currently receive the GPS by email, here’s the link to sign up so that each day the questions and scriptures will appear early in the morning in your email inbox.
In addition, if you attend the Leawood Campus I’d like to invite you to join us Tuesday for Grow Night as we kick off a group study of the 21 questions. Grow Night starts at 6:30 pm and this study will be held in the Student Center in Building C. If you'd like to join us but you're not in the Kansas City area, the Grow Night class will also be streamed online at online.cor.org. Blue Springs and Resurrection Downtown are also offering three-week classes on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Click on the campus for details. Resurrection West groups will also be studying The Wesley Challenge together.
Finally, don’t forget that the Firestone Chapel at Leawood will be open for prayer and communion all day Tuesday for prayers for our nation as we elect our next president and a host of other leaders. The Chapel will be open and prayer guides available throughout the day from 7:30 am – 6:30 pm. Pastors will serve Communion from 7:30–9:30 am, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm and 4:30–6:30 pm. Resurrection West will also have prayer guides available.
I’m excited about your 21-day journey together as we pursue Wesley’s challenge!
Adam
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Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States
Friday, November 4, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
I hope you can spend a little time today enjoying this beautiful day! I’m finishing up this weekend’s sermon, the first in our new three-week sermon series, 21. We just completed a three-week series on The Good Life. This weekend we embark on a series closely related to The Good Life, we’ll focus on The Spiritual Life. I wonder how you would characterize your spiritual life. Is it deep and flourishing? Or is it shallow and superficial?
I was reading Evelyn Underhill’s little book, The Spiritual Life, this week and in it she writes, “So many Christians are like deaf people at a concert. They study the program carefully, believe every statement made in it, speak respectfully of the quality of the music, but only really hear a phrase now and again. So they have no notion at all of the mighty symphony which fills the universe… which is the self-expression of the Eternal God.” Many times I’ve felt like that – I believe in and speak about the spiritual life, but sometimes fail to actually do what it takes to experience it.
So, for the next three weeks we’ll look to go deeper, and to actually hear the mighty symphony. We’ll share tools, tips and practices that can help you experience God, while becoming more of the person God created you to be. Our daily GPS readings will focus on the 21 questions John Wesley developed for use by the first Methodists at Oxford University and which were intended to help a person have a deep and authentic faith. I want to thank Chris Folmsbee, our Director of Discipleship Ministries, for the idea for this series and for his daily guide which we will draw upon for the next three weeks in small groups and in our GPS readings, The Wesley Challenge. To find out more about how you can participate in the Wesley Challenge, click here.
We’ll also honor Veterans in worship this weekend (next Friday is Veterans Day). If you are a veteran or active duty we invite you to wear your uniform to worship. And don’t forget, this Saturday night we “fall back” – set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night. You’ll get an extra hour of sleep, but if you forget to set them back you’ll arrive an hour early for worship on Sunday.
Here’s a brief stewardship update: I want to thank all of you who have returned your 2017 annual stewardship commitment card! Your commitment and giving make possible the mission and ministry of this church. So far we’ve received 41% of our commitment cards to date, which is up a bit from the second weekend of the campaign last year (ultimately we anticipate receiving at least 65% of the cards back). Our average commitment is up 3% so far to $4,173. The average doesn’t tell all the story – we have pledges that range from $10 per month to over $10,000 per month. The aim is that your financial commitment reflects your means and your commitment to Christ. Last year for the first time we passed 50% of our giving being done electronically, via ResAccess (electronic funds transfer from individual’s banks as many of us pay our bills each month – LaVon and I do this) to PushPay and PayPal. We anticipate that this number will rise to 65% in the next few years as fewer and fewer people use or carry checks and cash with them. If you’ve yet to make your commitment, would you take a moment to do so today? Click here to make your 2017 annual stewardship commitment.
Yesterday I was listening to the testimony of four of our Silver Link volunteers who visit the elderly and infirm, and who lead worship services in 30 area retirement communities as well as skilled care facilities as well as worship services at our Leawood Campus for persons with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It was so moving to hear of the work of Silver Link who care for and minister with hundreds and hundreds of elderly people every month. And you make this possible by your giving.
Are you thinking about Christmas shopping yet? The catalogues have already started arriving at our house. What if the gifts you bought this year were unique, beautiful and made a difference in the lives of people in developing nations? This weekend in the Leawood Narthex our United Methodist Women are sponsoring Global Market, featuring amazing and beautiful gifts you won’t find anywhere else. The sale actually starts today from 1 to 4. The sales of these fair trade products help women provide for themselves and their families. Here’s a few of the items: Coffee beans from Honduras, banana leaf raffia baskets made by Ugandan women, handmade scarves from India, purses and jewelry from various countries in Africa, and much more. The hours for this Market are, Friday, November 4, from 1-4 pm; Saturday, November 5, 1-7pm; and Sunday, November 6, 9 am-1 pm and 4-7 pm. For more information, visit the website.
This Tuesday is Election Day. On that day we are offering guided prayer for our community and nation in the Firestone Chapel at the Leawood Campus from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Drop in and pray for as long as you like. Pastors will serve Communion three times: from 7:30–9:30 am, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm and 4:30–6:30 pm. The aim of this time of prayer is to give you an opportunity to pray for our nation, those voting and those running for office. It is to center us and to help us remember that we are called to love. It is to help us recall that our ultimate hope is in God, not in the results of the elections. I hope this time of prayer is a small step of healing in the midst of a divisive political season.
I voted yesterday. Among those I voted for were both Republicans and Democrats. I tried to find out as much as I could about the people I was voting for – their character, experience and views – rather than relying on the television commercials and the barrage of rumors and accusations coming from both sides. There are no perfect candidates, just as there are no perfect voters (or pastors!). I want to encourage you to vote and I want to encourage you to join us for a few minutes of prayer on election day as well.
Church of the Resurrection was recognized this week by the Community Blood Center for donating 2,481 units of blood last year. You continue to be the largest source of blood in the Kansas City area. Thank you to all who give the gift of life! And a reminder, our next Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14, and Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 am - 8 pm.Anyone who is healthy, at least 16 years old and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 8 weeks. Appointments are encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. Sign up here. Thank you for providing this life saving gift!
Finally, tomorrow morning our Foundation is sponsoring a breakfast at the Leawood campus for those who are interested in planned giving and leaving a legacy gift to continue the church’s ministry and mission long into the future. I’ll speak at the breakfast. If you would like to join us, click here.
I’m excited about this weekend in worship and look forward to seeing you as we seek to grow in the spiritual life!
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Special eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United StatesDear Resurrection Family,
Yesterday we began a special 21-day journey as a congregation focused on growing in the spiritual life. Each day during this journey we’ll focus on one of the 21 questions John Wesley developed for use with a group of college students at Oxford University in 1729 to help them grow in their faith. This group was derided by other students for their intentional and methodical approach to spiritual growth - their fellow students called them “Methodists.” The name stuck.
We’re including these questions each day on the GPS - our Grow/Pray/Study Guide - along with a daily scripture reading that ties into the question. If you don’t currently receive the GPS by email, here’s the link to sign up so that each day the questions and scriptures will appear early in the morning in your email inbox.
In addition, if you attend the Leawood Campus I’d like to invite you to join us Tuesday for Grow Night as we kick off a group study of the 21 questions. Grow Night starts at 6:30 pm and this study will be held in the Student Center in Building C. If you'd like to join us but you're not in the Kansas City area, the Grow Night class will also be streamed online at online.cor.org. Blue Springs and Resurrection Downtown are also offering three-week classes on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Click on the campus for details. Resurrection West groups will also be studying The Wesley Challenge together.
Finally, don’t forget that the Firestone Chapel at Leawood will be open for prayer and communion all day Tuesday for prayers for our nation as we elect our next president and a host of other leaders. The Chapel will be open and prayer guides available throughout the day from 7:30 am – 6:30 pm. Pastors will serve Communion from 7:30–9:30 am, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm and 4:30–6:30 pm. Resurrection West will also have prayer guides available.
I’m excited about your 21-day journey together as we pursue Wesley’s challenge!
Adam
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Weekly eNote from Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United StatesFriday, November 4, 2016
Dear Resurrection Family,
I hope you can spend a little time today enjoying this beautiful day! I’m finishing up this weekend’s sermon, the first in our new three-week sermon series, 21. We just completed a three-week series on The Good Life. This weekend we embark on a series closely related to The Good Life, we’ll focus on The Spiritual Life. I wonder how you would characterize your spiritual life. Is it deep and flourishing? Or is it shallow and superficial?
I was reading Evelyn Underhill’s little book, The Spiritual Life, this week and in it she writes, “So many Christians are like deaf people at a concert. They study the program carefully, believe every statement made in it, speak respectfully of the quality of the music, but only really hear a phrase now and again. So they have no notion at all of the mighty symphony which fills the universe… which is the self-expression of the Eternal God.” Many times I’ve felt like that – I believe in and speak about the spiritual life, but sometimes fail to actually do what it takes to experience it.
So, for the next three weeks we’ll look to go deeper, and to actually hear the mighty symphony. We’ll share tools, tips and practices that can help you experience God, while becoming more of the person God created you to be. Our daily GPS readings will focus on the 21 questions John Wesley developed for use by the first Methodists at Oxford University and which were intended to help a person have a deep and authentic faith. I want to thank Chris Folmsbee, our Director of Discipleship Ministries, for the idea for this series and for his daily guide which we will draw upon for the next three weeks in small groups and in our GPS readings, The Wesley Challenge. To find out more about how you can participate in the Wesley Challenge, click here.
We’ll also honor Veterans in worship this weekend (next Friday is Veterans Day). If you are a veteran or active duty we invite you to wear your uniform to worship. And don’t forget, this Saturday night we “fall back” – set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night. You’ll get an extra hour of sleep, but if you forget to set them back you’ll arrive an hour early for worship on Sunday.
Here’s a brief stewardship update: I want to thank all of you who have returned your 2017 annual stewardship commitment card! Your commitment and giving make possible the mission and ministry of this church. So far we’ve received 41% of our commitment cards to date, which is up a bit from the second weekend of the campaign last year (ultimately we anticipate receiving at least 65% of the cards back). Our average commitment is up 3% so far to $4,173. The average doesn’t tell all the story – we have pledges that range from $10 per month to over $10,000 per month. The aim is that your financial commitment reflects your means and your commitment to Christ. Last year for the first time we passed 50% of our giving being done electronically, via ResAccess (electronic funds transfer from individual’s banks as many of us pay our bills each month – LaVon and I do this) to PushPay and PayPal. We anticipate that this number will rise to 65% in the next few years as fewer and fewer people use or carry checks and cash with them. If you’ve yet to make your commitment, would you take a moment to do so today? Click here to make your 2017 annual stewardship commitment.
Yesterday I was listening to the testimony of four of our Silver Link volunteers who visit the elderly and infirm, and who lead worship services in 30 area retirement communities as well as skilled care facilities as well as worship services at our Leawood Campus for persons with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It was so moving to hear of the work of Silver Link who care for and minister with hundreds and hundreds of elderly people every month. And you make this possible by your giving.
Are you thinking about Christmas shopping yet? The catalogues have already started arriving at our house. What if the gifts you bought this year were unique, beautiful and made a difference in the lives of people in developing nations? This weekend in the Leawood Narthex our United Methodist Women are sponsoring Global Market, featuring amazing and beautiful gifts you won’t find anywhere else. The sale actually starts today from 1 to 4. The sales of these fair trade products help women provide for themselves and their families. Here’s a few of the items: Coffee beans from Honduras, banana leaf raffia baskets made by Ugandan women, handmade scarves from India, purses and jewelry from various countries in Africa, and much more. The hours for this Market are, Friday, November 4, from 1-4 pm; Saturday, November 5, 1-7pm; and Sunday, November 6, 9 am-1 pm and 4-7 pm. For more information, visit the website.
This Tuesday is Election Day. On that day we are offering guided prayer for our community and nation in the Firestone Chapel at the Leawood Campus from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Drop in and pray for as long as you like. Pastors will serve Communion three times: from 7:30–9:30 am, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm and 4:30–6:30 pm. The aim of this time of prayer is to give you an opportunity to pray for our nation, those voting and those running for office. It is to center us and to help us remember that we are called to love. It is to help us recall that our ultimate hope is in God, not in the results of the elections. I hope this time of prayer is a small step of healing in the midst of a divisive political season.
I voted yesterday. Among those I voted for were both Republicans and Democrats. I tried to find out as much as I could about the people I was voting for – their character, experience and views – rather than relying on the television commercials and the barrage of rumors and accusations coming from both sides. There are no perfect candidates, just as there are no perfect voters (or pastors!). I want to encourage you to vote and I want to encourage you to join us for a few minutes of prayer on election day as well.
Church of the Resurrection was recognized this week by the Community Blood Center for donating 2,481 units of blood last year. You continue to be the largest source of blood in the Kansas City area. Thank you to all who give the gift of life! And a reminder, our next Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14, and Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 am - 8 pm.Anyone who is healthy, at least 16 years old and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 8 weeks. Appointments are encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. Sign up here. Thank you for providing this life saving gift!
Finally, tomorrow morning our Foundation is sponsoring a breakfast at the Leawood campus for those who are interested in planned giving and leaving a legacy gift to continue the church’s ministry and mission long into the future. I’ll speak at the breakfast. If you would like to join us, click here.
I’m excited about this weekend in worship and look forward to seeing you as we seek to grow in the spiritual life!
Adam
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
913.897.0120
www.cor.org
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