September 8, 2006
Dear Resurrection Family,
I have just finished the sermon notes and study guide for this weekend's message. I am really excited about this three-week series of sermons in which we will study the Letter of James in the New Testament. This letter is known for its practical wisdom related to how we live the Christian life. It focuses on "where the rubber hits the road" in living the Christian life. This weekend we'll look at what James teaches us about how we are to face temptations and trials in life. The Study Guides are designed to invite you to take a more in-depth look at the letter. As with all of the sermons, we will produce a small group guide for using the sermons and study guides in your small group. If you don't have a small group and you would like to get plugged in, or to start one, stop by the ministry fair in the Narthex this weekend where you can sign-up. I can imagine few studies with more practical wisdom than this one on James, and few ways that would be better to really ponder the meaning of this letter than doing so with other Christians in a small group.
Here's what I'll cover in today's e-mail:
1. Resurrection Night at Theatre in the Park - Great Music and Fellowship Sat. Night!
2. Talk Back Live interview available on DVD in The Well
3. Conference on Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
4. Bless Our Friends at Temple B'nai Jehudah
5. Coffee with the Pastors This Sunday
6. Speaking at Hendrix College in Arkansas Next Week - Please Pray for Me
7. Are you Heading to the Chiefs Game?
8. 7:45 am Service Back in Wesley Chapel This Weekend
1. Resurrection Night at Theatre in the Park - Great Music and Fellowship Sat. Night!
Tomorrow night, Saturday, September 9, we'll host an all-church fellowship event at Theatre in the Park as our Orchestra performs in concert. Enjoy great music, great fellowship and your own supper (bring your own picnic supper). You'll need to bring your own folding chairs (or blankets), food and soft drinks. Gates open at 5:00 pm and the concert begins at 7:00 pm, I'll come straight from the Saturday evening worship service. Theatre in the Park is located at approximately 77 th and Renner Road (take 435 to the 87 th Street exit, go west on 87 th Street to Renner, then north past the main entrance to Shawnee Mission Park to the entrance that says "Theatre in the Park"). Don't miss this terrific evening. Resurrection West folks - this is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend - and we're bringing this event to you! See you on Saturday Night!
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2. Talk Back Live interview available on DVD in The Well
KCPT has given us permission to reproduce copies of the interview and call-in program, Talk Back Live, that I was on recently. If you would like a copy to watch, stop by our bookstore this weekend and pick one up.
3. Conference on Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
The Village Presbyterian Church is hosting a special conference on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict called The Sabeel Conference. We see on the news nightly about events unfolding in and around Israel. Much of the current Middle East conflict, including terrorist acts perpetrated by extremists, has its origin in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. There are a host of opinions and voices relative to this issue. One important voice comes from the Palestinian Christians. Another is the Jewish Israeli perspective. I have been speaking this week with area Rabbis about the importance of helping people here in Kansas City understand the issues of conflict from all sides, and not simply praying for peace, but working toward peace. It is not just the Israelis and the Palestinians whose future depends upon working toward a just peace - it is all of us. Which is why I will attend the Sabeel Conference and try to learn and understand the issues from the Palestinian and Christian perspective. Alongside of this, I want to understand the issues from the Jewish and Israeli perspective. I am grateful Rabbi Mark Levin, of Congregation Beth Torah, will share at the Sabeel Conference as well. For more information or to register for this conference simply click on this link, www.kcsabeelconference.org
4. Bless Our Friends at Temple B'nai Jehudah
As you may know the last couple of years we have hosted the High Holy Day services for Temple B'nai Jehudah. This year the holy days occur over the weekend when we have services, so the synagogue will host multiple services at their own building and hope to accommodate everyone in this way. One thing we might do to bless our friends and neighbors who belong to B'nai Jehudah would be to volunteer to provide child-care for them so their members can worship together. We're looking for persons who could volunteer for two hours to love and care for children - the dates and times volunteers are needed for Rosh Hashanah are Friday September 22 either from 5:45 to 7:45 or 7:45 to 9:45 pm, or Saturday from 8:00 to 10:00 am, 10:00 am to noon, or noon to 1:45 pm. For Yom Kippur, volunteers are needed on Sunday, October 1 from 5:45 to 7:45 pm or 7:45 to 9:45 pm or on Monday, October 2 from 8:00 to 10:00 am, 10:00 a.m. to noon, or noon to 1:45 pm. Recently members of B'nai Jehudah volunteered at Church of the Resurrection to help sort food in our food drive. I would love to see us bless this congregation by caring for their children while they worship. If you can serve in this way, please contact Denise Mersmann at 913-544-0728 and we'll be in contact with you. Thanks for considering this special request.
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5. Coffee with the Pastors This Sunday
If you are a visitor to Church of the Resurrection and you have been thinking about joining, plan to join me and the other pastors for coffee and cookies in the Narthex this Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. During this time you'll learn more about our church, find out about our membership expectations, and then have the opportunity to formally join the church. It is an inspiring and informative time and I know you'll be blessed. Reservations are not required; however if you will need childcare, please call 913-897-0120, ext. 2003. Plan to join us this Sunday!
6. Speaking at Hendrix College in Arkansas Next Week - Please Pray for Me
This next Wednesday night and Thursday I'll speak at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas for their annual lectures on preaching. I'll speak to pastors and church leaders from across Arkansas. My hope in these events is to encourage, equip and inspire pastors as they work on honing their own preaching skills. I usually share a lot of ideas from our church - I'll share with them video clips from our Road Trip sermons, as well as 24 Hours That Changed the World and others. Would you please note on your calendar to pray for me, and for the pastors at the conference I am speaking at, this Wednesday and Thursday? Part of our vision at the Church of the Resurrection is to be a catalyst for renewal in the mainline church. Few things are more important in creating vital congregations than effective preaching.
7. Are you Heading to the Chiefs' Game?
Church attendance across Kansas City drops on Chiefs' home games. Hundreds of you have Chiefs' season tickets. You don't have to choose between going to the Chiefs' game and attending worship. Chiefs' players who are a part of our church attend Saturday nights on game weekends. If the players make it to worship, how can the fans miss out?! Join us on Saturday evening, or at the 7:45 am service if you are tailgating (wear your Chiefs' gear to worship). If you're not tailgating the 9:00 am service will get you out in plenty of time to get to the game. I love to attend the home games and I leave right after the 10:45 am service and I usually arrive before the end of the first quarter and get the best parking places (after the tailgaters put away their grills there are hundreds of spaces that open up!). Or plan to join us after the game at the 5:00 pm service.
8. 7:45 am Service Back in Wesley Chapel This Weekend
Just a quick note to remind you the 7:45 am service will resume this weekend in the Wesley Chapel.
See you in worship!
Adam Hamilton