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Because He Lives!
As we ready to celebrate Easter this year, we look forward to a celebration without compulsory COVID “restrictions.” While each individual and each church will determine their own safety threshold and practice, we now have the opportunity to assemble and to gather with family and with church family again.
Easter, however is more than a celebration or festival; it celebrates a historical event and a historical fact – Christ purposefully and willingly died upon a cross for our sins, and three days later, he rose bodily from the dead. This changes everything! For us personally and for our world. It distinguishes Jesus from every prophet, guru priest and religious leader who has ever lived, before or since. All of their graves but one are still occupied.
As we view the devastation and destruction in Ukraine, we are graphically reminded again of the uncertainty of life and the fleeting nature of so much that we might hold dear. Lives are taken from innocent people. Other lives are shattered. Homes are destroyed and communities are scattered. All that was familiar is now gone. A person’s possessions suddenly seem insignificant when one is fleeing for one’s life. What a reminder of the importance to invest in what is of eternal significance!
How much of our lives are spent building lives, families and careers. So much is invested in “stuff” and in hopes, dreams and amusements. At the end of the day – at the end of our days, we will leave all this behind as we take up residence with our Lord. We will not take our stuff with us (as they say, “You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.”), but we will take what we have invested in gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor. 3: 10-15) . Our inheritance is kept in God’s safekeeping (protective custody) for us (1 Peter 1:3,4).
Kathy Keller, in her article, “Our Faith Is Historically Verifiable — Or It’s Nothing ,” notes that the angel rolled the stone away from Christ’s tomb to reveal his resurrection, not to, “let Jesus out.” She writes,
To my surprise, I realized that the stone needed to be rolled away NOT to let Jesus out, but to let US in! Trust, but verify. The resurrection needed to be verified by eyewitnesses, who could testify to the empty tomb and empty grave clothes. Ours is a faith founded on an event that took place in space, time, and history, and it began with an angel politely opening the tomb so that we could look into the empty space and see that he was no longer there.
Here is the link to the article by Kathy Keller Our_faith_is_historically_verifiable_trim.pdf
Adding to this is N.T. Wright’s short video presentation that answers the question, ” Why does the resurrection matter?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgiGB21LWmM
As we celebrate Easter this year, let’s remember what really matters. Because Christ died, we can are freely offered peace and reconciliation with God. Because He rose, we are freely offered hope – hope and assurance of eternal life with Christ and reunion with saints from every generation and every nation. As the old song from the Carpenters says, “We have only just begun…”
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Cor. 15:17,19).
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A Word of Encouragement for Pastors this Easter Weekend:
“Before You Preach this Easter”
before-you-preach-this-easter
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Church Boards 101
A practical workshop for church boards that will resource your church leadership to:
Please register at:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/event/church-boards-101/
Please click on the line: “Please register for April 19 or April 20 workshop here.”
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LPD Pastor and Staff Cruise
Wednesday, June 1
Plan to join us for this “cruise” aboard BC Ferry, “Coastal Inspiration,”
as Evans Hundermark takes command as “skipper” of our Lower Pacific District.
Please save the date and times, and watch for sign-up details in the weeks ahead.
Islanders, please plan to catch the 10:15 AM sailing from Duke Point, to return on the 12:45PM sailing.
Mainlanders, please plan to catch the 12:45 PM ferry, and return on the 3:15 PM ferry
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Internships and Ministry Positions:
Please see this link at our district website:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/opportunities/
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COVID UPDATE
Masks and Proof of Vaccination are no longer required for all indoor and outdoor activities and ministries, including faith services. Many people may still choose to wear masks, so please be sensitive to one another and respect the health and comfort of others.
Gathering and Events: There are no longer any restrictions on capacity at worship services or other events, regardless of vaccination status. Proof of Vaccination is no longer required.
For full details, please see the latest Provincial Health Order: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions#pho-order
Please check our LPD Website to keep up to date with the latest regulations and protocols: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/covid-19/
For personal assistance regarding COVID Policy and the Canadian Recovery Hiring Program (CHRP) and COVID Protocols, please contact Josephine at our district office.
