Though the weather makes it seem like January, Easter Season is upon us once again.
Easter is really what it is all about for Christians. Without the events of Easter, we are still ‘dead in our trespasses and sins.” Max Lucado drives the message of Easter home in his article, “What Happens when You Die?” What_Happens_When_You_Die.03.docx
On Good Friday, we are brought face to face with the reality of our sin and the cost of our redemption. I love the imagery of Colossians 2:13-15, in which Paul writes,
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Last Sunday, Karen and were at Parkdale Church in Victoria, with Tim, Emily and family. As we focused on God’s wonderful grace and celebrated the Lord’s Supper together, the opportunity was given to, as in the imagery of Colossians 2, post notes on which we listed sins that have been paid for by the blood and sacrifice of Christ on a wooden cross at the front of the church. Many from the congregations joined in this exercise, including me. Among those with me were Earl, a First Nations gentleman, who is celebrating one year of sobriety, Terry, who has been rescued from various addictions and Mohamed, a new believer, who is to be baptized on Easter Sunday.
What a joy to welcome these brothers to the family as brothers in Christ – such is the power of what Christ has accomplished on the cross. My sin. Their sin. Your sin has been paid for in full through the blood of Christ. What an illustration of the church as it should be – “…and such were some of us!” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Sunday, we will celebrate the risen Christ! What a wonderful affirmation of our Saviour and a source of hope to all who believe! As Pastor Ben Crumback and I spoke this week, and reflected on the recent passing of his father, Brian, he shared that with the passing of loved ones, there are more and more reasons to look forward to heaven. Grief yes, but not without hope!
This Sunday, as Mohamed is baptized at Parkdale EFC, others will be baptized at Johnston Heights Church, at Grace Hanin Community Church, and at other LPD Churches as well. Many visitors will be coming for a semi-annual visit, and there is opportunity to share the Good News!
For Easter, Thom Rainer offers a helpful article entitled “Nine Considerations for Church Members This Easter,” in which he presents helpful reminders as to how to effectively minster to our guests this Sunday. Please take a moment to read this – and also to apply as needed 🙂
https://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2018/03/01/nine-considerations-church-members-easter/
Please pray for:
The refugees are in a serious need of tents to extend the gathering space due to the flooding number of the refugees who have arrived in the camp.
They are in immediate need of $1200 for buying tents and sticks to extend the place for worship. Sammy is seeking people who would continue to pray and if they could donate also, this would facilitate the project.
