Monday, December 22 at 7:00 pm

Blue Christmas Service*

Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Service*

Thursday, December 25 at 10:30 am

Christmas Day Service

*These services will be live-streamed.

Our faith should "spark joy"

If you can remember back to the heady days of the pandemic, you may remember the world went through a period of infatuation with a Japanese organization guru and media personality named Marie Kondo. As she helped people organize and declutter on her show, she would evaluate and ask people to evaluate the things in their lives. She would ask people if a certain thing “sparked joy,” which was her catchphrase. If something did not spark joy, then something was wrong with how things were.

Advent reminds us that our faith should spark joy in us. The birth of Jesus should spark joy in us. Through Jesus’ birth, the world will never be the same. I hope that this season has been and continues to be a time of happiness and renewal for you. Yet, don’t forget that your faith is a part of the joy of the season. We worship a God that loves us to an unthinkable level. That love should spark joy in our hearts.

As the week of joy draws to a close, let this be a time when you seek to reconnect with Christ just like we use the season to reconnect with family. Pray. Study. Read the Bible. Meditate. Put others before yourself. Live your faith. Never forget that the birth of Jesus is a source of joy for all the people of the earth. Discover that divine joyous mystery anew as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Peace of Christ,

Fr. Jonathan +

Monday at 7:00 pm

In the Book of Amos, the prophet Amos speaks of God’s power over creation. It says God can “turn deep darkness into the morning.” For many of us, this image resonates. For all of the beauty in creation, sometimes our lives can feel like we live in deep darkness. As Christians, we cling to the hope that even in times of deep darkness God can bring the morning again.

Advent and Christmas are full of themes of positive emotions and light. It is a merry and bright time. Yet, when you feel like your life is in deep darkness, but the world around you is merry and bright, it leaves you feeling like you are living in shadow. In some ways, the themes and aesthetics of the season can make things even harder for those in pain.

A Blue Christmas service is a simple service to praise God at Christmas even when God feels far or absent. It is a service for those seeking God even when they feel they live in a parched land. If that speaks to you, or you think someone you know might appreciate that, please join us on Monday the 22nd at 7:00 pm. It will also be streamed online. Know God is with you now and always.

This Sunday

This Sunday is our monthly ingathering for the Necessity Pantry. The pantry provides personal care items for individuals and families in financial stress.

Needed items include shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, shaving cream, bath soap, lotion, deodorant, laundry detergent, toilet paper and feminine hygiene and incontinence products. Cash donations are also gratefully accepted.

The Necessity Pantry is a cooperative ministry supported by the Church of the Resurrection in Blue Springs, St. Anne’s in Lee’s Summit, Trinity and St. Michael’s in Independence, and St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Independence.

Contributions accepted

Poinsettias and other seasonal flowers will grace our worship space during the Christmas season.

Donations are accepted in any amount. Please make your check payable to Church of the Resurrection and note on the memo line “Christmas Flowers”. If giving a cash donation, please be sure to provide us your name.

Rich Conn winner

Congratulations to chef Rich Conn for winning the big chili cook off last Sunday following the 10:30 am service!

Attendees were rewarded as well with their fill of 6 different chili recipes and selected the winner based upon the total amount of donations given to support our music program.

Thank you to all who brought chili, ate chili and voted for their favorite chili. Thanks also to the Hospitality Committee for providing all the fixings.

Warm gifts appreciated

Thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to our CSL Christmas Tree project. The folks at the Community Services League were overwhelmed by your generosity!

Now the Christmas tree has been converted into a MITTEN TREE!

Please bring hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and other warm items to help keep the less fortunate and homeless warm this cold weather season.

Seeking Candidates

Anyone interested in serving on the Vestry should contact a member of the Vestry or Fr. Jonathan. The Vestry is the board of directors for the parish and is comprised of lay people who represent the parish as a whole in decision making, planning and communication.

A CANDIDATE FOR VESTRY MUST: 

• Be an adult, confirmed communicant in good standing. 

• Be at least 16 years of age.

• Be faithful in worship.

• Be faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God. 

• Be known to the treasurer (contributing financially each year.)

• Been confirmed by the Bishop or received into the church after having been confirmed in another denomination.

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Ring in 2026 at the Biggs' home on New Year's Eve beginning at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! BYOB and a finger food to share. Location: 30404 Pink Hill Road; Grain Valley

Submit your questions

We will have an Instructed Eucharist on Sunday, January 18 at both the 8:00 am and 10:30 am services.

An Instructed Eucharist is an opportunity to learn more about the worship we experience every Sunday. Verbal explanations of the parts of the service will be offered throughout the service.

If you have some curious questions you would like answered during the instruction (like why we do we do something specific in the service) feel free to respond to this email with your question.