Love From Your Pastor: Holy Week Edition – 3

Hi FBC Friends!

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:11-14 ESV)
What an amazing passage!  It would be great to meditate on this passage today as we consider the outcome of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For those who are “in Christ,” the gifts of God’s grace given to us are incredibly amazing!  Do you understand that prior to coming to faith in Christ we were “dead” in sin?  There’s not much a dead man can do for Himself!  But look at what He did for us!  With the same power that raised Christ from the dead, He made us “alive” together with Him!  Wow.
If I keep going this email could get really long.  But one other thought: take some time to picture in your mind the record of your debt.  How extensive would that record be?  I can imagine mine!  Now picture this: Christ takes that record, and instead of using it to condemn us (which we would completely deserve), He instead NAILS IT TO THE CROSS!  What mercy.  What grace.  Praise His name!
Remember that we will be praying together at the church in classroom #1 at 7pm tonight.  We’d love to have as many of you as possible join us.
Thank you for all the help, donations, and support of Experience Easter!  Just two more days!  Please invite the families you know to come experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Christ’s passion week.
Remember the Sunrise Service at 6:30am Sunday up on buttercup hill.  You’ll want to dress warm and wear your mud boots!
Thank you for praying for our 2 services on Sunday – 9am & 11am.  I hope you are inviting people to come and celebrate “The King of Glory” with us!
I wanted to mention briefly the “connection cards” we use on Sundays.  This Sunday will be very important for getting contact information from our guests.  One thing that will help assure that most people fill them out is if ALL of you fill them out too!  When a guest sees everybody filling out their card, they’re more likely to do the same.  Also, if you invite someone, or if you’re sitting by someone you know is a guest, please take the initiative to make sure they fill one out.  Just give a gracious “have you filled out your card?” and hand them a pen!  The more cards we get with names and contact info, the better chance we’ll have of doing effective follow-up.
Let’s all be ready to welcome everyone who comes through our doors this weekend with warmth, friendliness, and helpfulness.  If you see a family coming with little ones, offer to walk them to the nursery.  Help someone find a seat (or multiple seats if a family or group comes together).  Point out where the coffee is.  Ask them their name and introduce yourself.  These “little” things go a long way to helping someone feel welcome, and deciding to come back!
Thankful to have my record nailed to the cross…
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael