RESOURCES
Interested in diving deeper into our shared mission, values, and practices? Here are resources our pastors and staff have found enriching and helpful!
We believe that spiritual formation is both a communal and an individual journey that extends far beyond our weekly Sunday morning gatherings and the walls of the building. Explore the links below to find additional materials related to our current sermon series, small group & ministry area resources, and to dive deeper into our community’s shared mission, vision, values, and practices.
We would love to help you, your family, or your ministry group find spiritual formation resources to enhance your faith journey.
For any questions or resource requests, please contact Candace Shaw, Director of Spiritual Formation.
Candace Shaw
Looking for information about GrowGroups?
GrowGroups are small groups that meet on Sunday mornings as well as during the week, Bible Studies, topical classes and other small group spiritual formation opportunities.
We believe in the importance of Christian community. If you are interested in getting connected to a GrowGroup or Sunday school class, please contact Candace Shaw.
Learn more about GrowGroups at PWC & access GrowGroup materials here:
Seasonal and Sermon Series Resources
With Open Hands by Henry Nouwen
This book gently encourages an open, trusting stance toward God and offers insight into the components of prayer: silence, acceptance, hope, compassion, and prophetic criticism.
Paths to Prayer by Patricia D. Brown
This valuable guide contains over forty spiritual prayer practices that Christians have used over the last 2000 years from cultures around the world.
Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne LaMott
Through these three simple prayers – asking for assistance from a higher power, appreciating what we have that is good, and feeling awe at the world around us – author Anne Lamott shows us how prayer can get us through the day and show us the way forward.
A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal edited by Sarah Bessey
Encompassing the full breadth of the emotional landscape, these deeply tender yet subversive prayers give readers an intimate look at the diverse language and shapes of prayer.
Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley
Prayers, poems, and meditations for staying human for anyone asking what it means to be human in a world of both beauty and terror.
Our Daily Breath Devotional by Kayla Craig
This year-long devotional gives you daily wisdom to borrow, breath prayers to exhale, and space to connect with the One who gives each breath, right where you are.
The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer by Matt Miofsky
This book is for people who seek to strengthen and sustain their spiritual lives with a daily practice of Scripture reading and prayer. It provides complete texts for Morning Prayers and Evening Prayers, with brief passages of scripture and reflective readings for five days each week.
-
Theological Guidelines for Scripture from the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church
United Methodists share with other Christians the conviction that Scripture is the primary source and criterion for Christian doctrine. Through Scripture the living Christ meets us in the experience of redeeming grace. Click the link above to learn more about the UMC’s understanding of Scripture.
BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
An online concordance to help you find all the places in scripture where a word or theme appears.
Bible Hub: Online Bible Study Suite
A great resource to search for the original Hebrew or Greek words connected to your English translation. Use the "Interline" tab to examine a particular verse in both English and it's original language.
How to Read the Bible: A Podcast Series from The Bible Project
This podcast series from the creators of the Bible Project videos is aimed at helping you read the Bible more wisely, and with greater understanding!
How the Bible Was Formed: A podcast series from The Bible Project
What’s in our Bibles—and where did it come from? In this podcast series, Tim and Jon discuss the formation of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, other literature from the Second Temple period, and how we can understand Scripture as both from God and shaped by humans.
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: An online course from The Bible Project
Have you ever wondered where the Bible came from? This free, self-paced course from The Bible Project is all about the origins of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and how to develop the skills necessary for reading it well.
Biblical Interpretation: An online course from the Missouri Annual Conference of the UMC
Create a free account on Absorb, the online learning platform provided by the Missouri Annual Conference, in order to access this course on the history and practice of Bible interpretation.
What Is the Bible and Who Is It For? by Emanuel Cleaver III
This book offers an easy-to-understand explanation of the origins and purposes of the Bible. It will give modern perspectives on how we might read and understand scripture today in light of all that we know (and don’t know) about the world.
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans
Rachel Held Evans invites readers on a journey of rediscovery as she explores the magic of the Bible, engaging the old, familiar stories in new ways that honor the past and enlighten the present. Readers are invited to fall in love with Scripture all over again without checking their intellect--or their imaginations--at the door.
Making Sense of the Bible by Rev. Adam Hamilton
This book by Rev. Adam Hamilton provides a guide for understanding the Bible by addressing the hot-button issues that plague the church and cultural debate, and answering many of the questions frequently asked by Christians and non-Christians alike.
-
This parent conversation guide on Immigration focuses on the topics of home, belonging, and neighbor. You will find some conversation prompts, scripture, activities to do as a family, and prayers.
Message of the Holy Father for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2026
Pope Leo's recent message ahead of World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 27.
21 Bible Verses About Refugees
World Relief cares for and resettles refugees all over the world. Here's a collection of specific Bible verses about refugees which guide their ongoing work.
Bible Verses about Welcoming Immigrants
Another list of scriptures specific to the care and welcome of immigrants
Della Lamb is a ministry partner of Platte Woods Church and RU. Learn more about how to get involved in welcoming and caring for refugees and immigrants right here in Kansas City.
BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
An online concordance to help you find all the places in scripture where a word or theme appears.
Bible Hub: Online Bible Study Suite
A great resource to search for the original Hebrew or Greek words connected to your English translation. Use the "Interline" tab to examine a particular verse in both English and it's original language.
-
A custom guide from PWYouth for conversation.
Mr. Rogers - Kids and Difficult Things
Who better to go to about talking to our kids? : )
UMC Social Principles: War and Peace
Explore the UMC's belief about war, violence, weapons, and peace as shared by the UMC's Church & Society and Social Principles.
Ways United Methodists Can Talk About War and Peace
A guide from UMC.org for facilitating small group discussion on what our faith has to say about war and peace.
The Just War: Force & Political Responsibility - Paul Ramsey (1968)
A classic text on war and the ethics of modern statecraft written at the height of the Vietnam era. Characterized by a sophisticated yet back-to-basics approach, Ramsey explores the assumption that force is a fact in political life which must either be reckoned with or succumbed to.
Blessed are the Peacemakers: A Biblical Theology of Human Violence - Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter
Before exploring what the Bible says about violence, Old Testament scholar Helen Paynter addresses the various definitions of violence and the theories of its origins, prevalence, and purpose found throughout Scripture.
-
Custom conversation guide for parents and students created by PWYouth.
If you want to raise kids who love God, love their bodies, and understand sex as good, pastor and mom Dr. Kelly Edmiston has good news: you can.
Social Principles: The Social Community | UMC.org
The United Methodist Church affirms human sexuality as a sacred gift and acknowledge that sexual intimacy contributes to fostering the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of individuals and to nurturing healthy sexual relationships that are grounded in love, care and respect. Read the full text of the UMC’s Social Principles regarding the Social Community at the link above.
A comprehensive dive into the diversity of texts about sex in both the Old and New Testaments.
God and Sex: What the Bible Really Says by Michael Coogan
An examination of one of the most controversial aspects of the Hebrew Scripture: What the Old Testament really says about sex, and how contemporary understanding of those writings is frequently misunderstood or misrepresented.
Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality by Rob Bell
With profound beauty and insight, Bell addresses the truism that we can’t talk about ourselves as sexual beings without asking who made us that way.
-
Grief and Afterlife Parent Conversation Guide
Custom conversation guide for parents and students created by PWYouth
Our Christian Beliefs: God’s Reign - God's Reign | UMC.org
This excerpt from The United Methodist Member’s Handbook explains how Christian faith is rooted in hope for God’s promised future, emphasizing that Christians are called not just to wait for this future but to actively live out God’s values of justice, compassion, peace, and service in the world today.
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright
This book challenges common Christian ideas about life after death, emphasizing bodily resurrection, the renewal of creation, and the hope of a new heaven and new earth. It shows how these beliefs should shape how Christians live today, calling them to participate in God’s work of bringing healing, hope, and renewal to the world.
God's Homecoming: The Forgotten Promise of Future Renewal by N.T. Wright
This book explores the biblical promise that God intends to dwell with humanity and renew all creation, challenging the common Christian idea that our ultimate destiny is simply to leave earth and go to heaven. Tracing this theme from Genesis to Revelation, it shows how recovering this vision of God’s presence can reshape Christian faith, prayer, mission, and everyday life.
Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell
Love Wins addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—hell and the afterlife—arguing, would a loving God send people to eternal torment forever?
Heaven & Hell, A podcast series from the Bible Project
This podcast series starts on page 1 of the Bible, exploring the themes of life, death, the grave, eternal life, and eternal death, etc.
Staff Resource Picks
Paths to Prayer
By: Patricia D. Brown
Picked by: Yvi Martin, Lead Pastor
Discover Your Prayer Type and Explore 40 Ways to Pray from 2000 Years of Christian Tradition.
Right Here, Right Now
By: Amy G. Oden
Picked by: Mat Thornton, Associate Pastor
This book reveals the Christian roots of mindfulness and the actual practices that, when reclaimed, deepen the life of faith and the power of our mission of love in the world.
Mission - Vision - Values - Practices
Learn more about our Mission, Vision, Core Values and what inspires PWC here:
Spiritual Practices Resources
GATHER
Worship
Worship Comes to Its Senses by Don E. Saliers
Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley
The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle
Sacraments
United Methodists and the Sacraments by Gayle Carlton Felton
GROW
Scripture
Bible translations we frequently use: Common English Bible, NRSV, The Message
The Bible Project (Biblical Resources—video and text)
The Bible Tells Me So by Peter Enns
Inspired by Rachel Held Evans
Prayer
Paths to Prayer by Patricia D. Brown
A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal edited by Sarah Bessey
The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie
Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness by Amy G. Oden
GIVE
Sabbath
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now by Walter Brueggemann
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Tithe
Saving Grace from Abingdon Press
Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity by Adam Hamilton
GO
Mercy and Justice
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Dear White Peacemakers by Osheta Moore
A Christian Justice for the Common Good by Tex Sample
My Body is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church by Amy Kenny
Pilgrimage
An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor
Walk a Labyrinth near you
Inclement Weather Procedure
WEEKDAYS: In the event of cancellations due to inclement weather on weekdays, PWUMC will contact the leader of any group scheduled in the building that day. In addition, the most up to date information regarding event cancellations can be found on the Platte Woods United Methodist Church Facebook page and, when necessary, notification will be made to our E-News subscribers.
SUNBEAMS PRESCHOOL & PARENTS DAY OUT: These programs will be closed when the Park Hill School District calls for a snow day or an AMI day, including delayed starts or early dismissals.
SUNDAY WORSHIP: Please note that only under the most extreme weather conditions will worship services be canceled. If a cancellation occurs, notification can be found on the Events page our website, on TV channel KMBC-9, or by calling the church phone line (816-741-2972).