Hi Friends! (I am hoping to send out daily notes this week as we gear up toward Experience Easter and Easter Sunday. If you would prefer to be removed from my mailing list, please let me know. Don’t want to clog up your inbox unnecessarily!)
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27)
If you want to prepare your heart and mind for Easter (a.k.a. Resurrection Sunday), read John 20! It was part of my daily Bible reading today, and what a powerful chapter on the resurrection! The characters in the (true) story are so intriguing. Notice the Mary’s, Martha, and the disciples. Study their emotions, their reactions, etc. Great stuff! Thomas has always gotten a bad rap as we call him “Doubting Thomas.” But I love Jesus’s gracious response to him. He answers Thomas’s desire to have the proof he was looking for. And He challenges him to have faith. He is saying to us the same thing: “Do not disbelieve, but believe!” Of course, of all the characters described in John 20, the Hero is Jesus Christ! And he’s the only hero really worth celebrating! Celebrate with us this week!
Please be praying for the impact on the hearts and lives of people in our community this week!
Wednesday, 5:00 – 5:45am — Join us for prayer! I believe the more we pray together, the more fruit we’ll see.
Wednesday, 6:00 – 6:45am — Join us for prayer!
Wednesday, 7:00 – 7:45pm — Join us for prayer!
Thursday, 7pm – pray for Awana and the parents class, and that as families receive invites to Experience Easter they will decide to come!
Friday, “Experience Easter!” Tours begin at 5:30pm and continue until the last tour begins at 7:30. We will be decorating during the day, beginning at 9:00am. Please contact Elizabeth (541-979-1774) or myself if you’d like to help! A reminder – if you are donating items for the event, please have them to the church by Wednesday. Also, if anyone has decorative trees or plants or palms that we can borrow, contact Elizabeth. Thank you!
Sunday, 6:30am – Community Sunrise Service on Buttercup Hill. For directions, contact Roger Ruckert – 541-740-7821.
Sunday, 9:00am – First Easter Worship Service! Pray, pray, pray!
Sunday, 11:00am – Second Easter Worship Service! Pray, pray, pray! (Pray for our musicians, singers, children’s and nursery workers, sound people, ushers, greeters, the preacher, etc. etc.) (Pray for effective follow-up with our guests from these two services)
Have a blessed & holy week!
Do not disbelieve, but believe…
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael