Greetings Resurrection Blue Springs,
Tomorrow we will continue to spread the JOY of the season as two Faithwork teams head out to serve. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see so many of you participating in our serving opportunities. This is an indication to me of how our community is moving toward becoming deeply committed Christians and fulfilling our purpose as a church. One group will be providing a meal at the new Lazarus table location and another will be heading to Wendell Phillips to wrap the hundreds of JOY boxes donated by the Blue Springs and Downtown campuses for the students at Wendell Phillips (if you haven’t returned yours yet, please bring it on Sunday). These boxes will be given at the Holiday parties next Thursday. It will be so much fun, both the preparation tomorrow and seeing the joy of anticipation as they are passed out later next week to the kids.
On Sunday, we’ll light the third Advent candle in worship and continue our series on Rediscovering the Joy of Christmas by turning to the joy we can’t yet see. Pastor Adam will focus on Joseph’s story and his role in the Christmas story.
After almost four weeks of follow-up, we have had a strong response to our Stewardship Series. We are still leading the campuses on the percentage of cards returned! We have received about 21 more commitment cards to date than the year before and our total giving is up as well. If you have not been able to submit your 2018 commitment card in person over the past several weeks, we would be grateful if you would please go online and fill it out, as we are in the midst of dreaming, planning and budgeting for next year. You may also return it this weekend in worship.
As we are only 9 days away from Candlelight Christmas Eve, I want to remind you that we will have four services again. This year they will be at 10:45 am, 3, 5 and 7 pm. All will include Pastor Adam’s message, the candle lighting and have nursery available. Our children will be performing a short Christmas skit at the 10:45 am service. As this service draws many families and their visitors, I would ask those of you who consider Resurrection their church home (and don’t have children performing) to consider coming to a later service time. The attendance trend has been to lessen as we go to the later service times. This will allow us to have plenty of space to welcome our guests at each service. We still have some openings to serve. If you’d be willing to help with hospitality, follow the link below. I’m praying that you are considering who you might invite this week.
See you on Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Penny
Be sure to check out all the upcoming activities below. We've added some new classes and opportunities to connect, serve and grow.
Upcoming Events & Activities
It's Poinsettia Time!
Donate a Poinsettia in honor or memory of someone special, and add festive color to our Candlelight Christmas Eve worship. Use the order form found in the attendance notebooks or stop by Guest Services. Place your order by Dec. 20, for your dedication to be included in Pastor Penny’s eNote and on our website.
Serve at Candlelight Christmas Eve
Sunday | December 24 | 10:45 am, 3, 5, 7 pm
The hospitality shared by our volunteers is a key component of helping our members and guests experience God’s love when they come to worship. A great time to start serving is for our Candlelight Christmas Eve worship services! Serve at 10:45 am; 3, 5 or 7 pm. Ushers, greeters, hospitality and parking attendants needed. Sign up at Guest Services or online here.
JOY in Serving
Brighten someone’s holiday this year by Joyfully Offering Yourself in Serving.
• JOY Bags – Please remember to return the bags this Sunday with the Items to be used as incentives at the Tiger Store at Wendell Phillips Elementary.
• Christmas Lunch for Lazarus Table – Saturday, Dec. 16 at 31st & Olive St. in Kansas City, MO. We’ll prepare the lunch to serve to families in need, and provide some items of Joy for Santa to hand out. Carpool will leave from the church at 9:30 am and return around 2:30 pm.
• Class Christmas Party at Wendell Phillips Elementary – Thursday, Dec. 21. Help us create Christmas joy as we assist with cookie decorating, gift giving, craft making and snack time. Carpool from the church at 1:45 pm, and return around 4:15. (25 or more volunteers, school age and older) click here to register.
Youth Confirmation Class Forming Now
Confirmation Class will meet for 10 weeks on Sunday mornings at 9amstarting January 14 – Open to any student 7th-12th grade ready to grow in faith and who hasn’t already been through confirmation. Sign up at Guest Services or email Caleb.Longest@cor.org.
Conscious Discipline Class
Janet Clark from Play to Learn Preschool in Blue Springs will lead an 8-week Conscious Discipline class starting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 6:30. Cost is $15 per person and includes the book Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline. We will offer childcare at $3 per child per class session. Sign up for childcare with your registration at Guest Services or click here.
Winter Women’s Bible Study
Open Your Bible will meet Thursdays, Jan. 11 – Feb. 22, 10-11:30 am or 6:30-8 pm. Are you longing to know who God really is? We can encounter the living God today and every day in the pages of the Bible. Whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or struggle through, Open Your Bible will leave you with a greater appreciation and understanding for the Word of God and a stronger desire to know the Bible inside and out. This study is by two of the speakers at the 2018 Inspired for Life Women’s Conference at Leawood on Feb 2-3. Purchase your book at church for $20. We will offer childcare at $3 per child per class session. Register at Guest Services or click here.
Parenting Teens
Sundays at 6 pm (during rezlife) starting Jan 14. The 6 week Parenting Teens course is for any parents, step-parents, prospective parents or caretakers of children aged 11 – 18 years. Cost: $10.00 with a free will donation towards the meal. Childcare available on request $3 per child/per session. Click hereto register.
Alpha at Resurrection Blue Springs
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm starting Jan 16. This is a great class to join if you're looking for a next step. Alpha gives everyone the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course meets once a week for 10 weeks. Sessions begin with a meal, followed by a short talk and time to discuss what's been taught in a small group setting. Materials $15 with a free will donation towards the meal. Childcare available on request $3 per child/per session. Click here to register. Contact Mike Ash for more information.
Inspired for Life Women's Conference 2018
Friday, Feb 2: 7-9 pm + After Party
Saturday, Feb 3: 9 am – 1 pm w/Brunch
Inspired for Life is an annual event at Resurrection's Leawood Campus for women near and far to experience fun and meaningful connection through guest speakers, worship, inspiration, prayer, and sweet special touches. This year we will learn to “practice real love” in action and truth, going forth as an influence for good in our world. Click here to register. Use discount code RezBlueSprings for special $65 rate. ($80 day of the conference.)
Rez Blue Springs Women’s Group
We would like to coordinate a plan to carpool to the Inspired for Life Conference and to sit, eat and enjoy this experience together. Please click here if you would like to carpool on Friday and/or Saturday. There is a second sign up sheet for those who wish to reserve a room at the Holiday Inn Express at 135th & Metcalf for Friday, Feb 2. We need to reserve a minimum of 10 double queen rooms to get a discount rate of $99 per room ($50 per person). Click here to let us know you'd like to reserve a room.
RezMoms are also planning an overnight slumber party in conjunction with the conference at Camp Timberlake. Stay tuned for more details on it.
Resurrection Blue Springs Staff
Rev. Penny Ellwood, Resurrection Blue Springs Pastor
Mike Ash, Worship Leader & Director of Community
Caleb Longest, Director of Student Ministries
Diane Enlow, Director of Children's Ministries
Riley Ledford, Technical Producer
Heather Sooley, Operations Coordinating Assistant
Stephanie Weigel, Guest Connections Coordinating Assistant
Caitlin Willis, Nursery Coordinator
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs
For after-hours pastoral care, please call (913) 338-9477.
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