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Greetings in the name of Jesus, our resurrected Savior! Spring time is here and that means the most important day on the Christian calendar – Easter – is fast approaching. The good news of forgiveness, while so important, is only a “feel good” understanding without Resurrection Sunday. That most significant day brings the promise of eternal life. Because Jesus arose from the dead, we have the assurance of the promise of Easter: death defeated and eternal life. Consider the following scriptures and what they mean for us:

• Revelation 1:17-18; “…I was dead, but look – I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” These words of Jesus’ declare He died and was resurrected. They describe how He will someday open the graves of those Christians who have died;

• Romans 6:5; “For if we have been united with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” Paul’s words tell us that we will be as Jesus, victorious over death; and

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 17; “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout…and the dead in Christ will rise first…we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord…” Paul combines the promises of the two scriptures above. The rapture will see the dead in Christ resurrected joining those still living as they meet with Jesus in the air.

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Easter proclaims that all believers will not die and decay, but instead we will enjoy an afterlife rich in joy, peace, and celebratory praise.

 

As we gather on Resurrection Sunday, we dare not reserve our Easter festivities to ourselves.  This Easter we are establishing a new tradition to include family, friends and neighbors. We will hold a Good Friday Service, an Easter Sunday brunch, worship service and an Easter egg hunt. Here is our schedule:

• Sunday, April 13: The EVENING service will be cancelled in order to stuff Easter eggs. Our ENTIRE congregation is invited for a one hour time of fellowship. Everyone is asked to bring a bag of plastic Easter eggs and a bag of individually wrapped candies;

• Good Friday, April 18:  We will conduct a solemn Good Friday service from 6:00-6:45. This service will include readings of Jesus’ final words spoken from the Cross. Everyone is asked to refrain from speaking once entering the church building. We will begin promptly; and

• Easter Sunday, April 20: The solemnness of Good Friday will be replaced with a joyous celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. The day’s schedule includes:

 

        10:00-11:00 – Brunch (Sunday school cancelled)

        11:00-11:45 – Worship

        11:45-12:15 – Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn (toddlers -12 years old)

        The Sunday evening service will be cancelled.

 

Plan to attend each of these events, and be sure to invite someone who needs to hear the promise of Easter.

He is risen, He is risen indeed!

 

Pastor Steve