December 1, 2006
Dear Resurrection Family,
What did you think about the snow storm last night? What you thought about it had a lot to do with your circumstances as you were watching it. If you were watching from the driver's seat of a rear wheel drive car, with bald tires and no cell phone, driving in the darkness down a deserted stretch of road, it might have been terrifying. If you were watching it out the window from a comfortable chair, in front of the fireplace, with a cup of hot chocolate, it was beautiful. We'll find this weekend that this is a metaphor for what happens in the final chapters of the Book of Revelation. For some the events described in its closing chapters are terrifying, but for others, they describe the most amazing and wondrous things one can imagine.
In this weekend's message I'll help you understand three different views of how the end-times unfold, we'll look at the Battle of Armageddon, the last judgment, and ultimately, Revelation's picture of heaven. This weekend is also the first weekend of Advent - a season when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and recall the promise of his Second Coming. The Sanctuary and Chapel are beautiful and we'll enjoy Advent and Christmas carols. It will be a great weekend in worship!
Here's a quick look at what I'll cover in today's e-mail:
1. Vote on Retreat Center Tomorrow at 9:00 am in Wesley Chapel
2. Resurrection Night at the Movies - The Nativity Story
3. Stewardship Campaign Update
4. A Letter From a Father
5. Attention Visitors: Join Me for Coffee this Tuesday Night
1. Vote on Retreat Center Tomorrow at 9:00 am in Wesley Chapel
Last weekend I announced the church has the opportunity to purchase 388 acres of land at 247th and 69 Highway for a future camp and retreat center. The property is beautiful with 150 acres of dense woods, a stream and one or two creeks, a bluff, and a huge open field that some of you would know as the Powell Pumpkin Patch. Before this last weekend we had commitments from some of our members who had learned of the possibility of purchasing this land equal to 264 acres. This last weekend we received additional commitments bringing the total committed to nearly 300 acres. We're still 88 acres shy of being able to purchase this ground. The land is $5,000 per acre and my hope is our members who have a vision for this retreat center would purchase a portion of an acre, an acre or several acres. LaVon and I are purchasing two acres, one in honor of each of our daughters. As I noted last weekend, we will not actually start building on this site for years to come; but if we don't acquire the land now, my feeling is that ten years from now, such sites will have all been developed. Tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 9:00 am we will vote on whether to move forward with the acquisition of this property. I had hoped we would meet at the church and drive to the land, but with the snow, we'll meet at the church and I'll show you a four minute video including aerial shots of the land. We'll pray, answer questions, debate, and then vote on whether to move forward. Everyone is welcome at the meeting. We'll meet in the Wesley Chapel at 9:00 am and be done by 10:00 am.
2. Resurrection Night at the Movies - The Nativity Story
Tonight The Nativity Story is released at area theatres. The Kansas City Star has an article about the film in the FYI section today. On Tuesday, December 12, we've rented one of the large screens at the Palazzo theatre (135th and Antioch) for a fellowship event and opportunity for you to see the film with your small group or other friends from the church. We'll have 400 tickets available for purchase at the church office beginning Tuesday, December 5 at 4:00 pm.
3. Stewardship Campaign Update
Last weekend was week 3 of our commitment period in our annual stewardship campaign. I want to thank each of you who have already returned your cards. To date we have received 2,759 cards, with an average commitment of $3,639 for a total pledged to date of $10,041,344. Thank you to each of you who have returned your cards. For those of you who have yet to return your pledge card, you can do it right now, on line, if you like. Simply click on this link. Know that every pledge matters, regardless of the size - your commitments to Christ and the work of the church make this ministry possible. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving to the Lord through our church.
4. A Letter From a Father
One of our members faced a battle with cancer last year. I received this letter from his father. I wanted you to see it - it captures what I see over and over in our congregation - pastors, staff and you, our members, caring for one another. We're not perfect, and sometimes we miss the mark, but most of the time this is what I see happening here...
Dear Adam,
I write to express a deep felt gratitude for the ministry of the Church of the Resurrection on behalf of my son.
I am a retired American Baptist pastor. I served four relatively small congregations during my years in pastoral ministry. I always felt that smaller congregations were more effective in ministry than larger congregations.
I am now certain that this is not necessarily true. I have not witnessed a more magnificent ministry than the ministry expressed through the congregation which you are leading.
You and your congregation have my family's admiration and gratitude. I feel sure that our broader community will continue to be enriched by the grace of our Lord because of the ministry of your congregation.
With gratefulness,
Donald Allen
What I know is that this man's son was cared for by so many different people - volunteers who served with him in ministry, pastors and staff, friends, those on the prayer ministry. Thank you for caring for one another as the body of Christ!
5. Attention Visitors: Join Me for Coffee this Tuesday Night
This coming Tuesday is our last Coffee with the Pastors for the year. If you are a visitor and thinking about joining the church, or just want to know more, I hope you'll plan to join me. We'll gather in the Wesley Chapel at 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm - at the end of this time, if you would like to join the church, we'll have a brief joining ceremony. To make reservations or to ask questions, please call 913-897-0120 ext. 2003.
I look forward to seeing you in worship as we begin the Advent season!
Adam