March 28, 2024
Dear Central Church,
I’m ready for some good news! This Sunday, we get to proclaim the best news the world has ever heard: Christ is risen. I love hearing the church respond to the Paschal greeting with a resounding, “He is risen indeed!”
The “indeed” makes all the difference. It’s the community of faith affirming this truth, not only announcing the resurrection as a historical fact but declaring the impact it has on their lives. Christ has INDEED given hope in moments of sorrow. He has INDEED been present in the lonliest of times. He has INDEED transformed lives that were headed towards destruction.
What has Christ INDEED done for you? This Sunday, you will have the opportunity to declare the significance of the resurrection in your life. When you say “INDEED,” you are naming the brokenness that Christ repaired (or is repairing), the darkness that he illuminated (or is illuminating), and the infirmity that he healed (or is healing). Declare it, sing it, shout it, and let the collective voice of the church’s INDEED include your story of what Jesus has done (is doing) for you!
As you prepare for this weekend, let me remind you of what we have planned:
Good Friday Service. This “service of shadows” will feature a reverse Advent wreath, as the story of Jesus’ death is told and the candles are extinguished. It starts at 6:30pm as Rev. Stan Rodes leads us in this reflect on the significance of Christ’s suffering and death. The Lord’s Supper will be received.
Adjusted Schedule. Our Easter service times are the same as they always are: 9 and 10:30am. There will be no adult, youth, or children’s Life Groups during these times, however, our Kids Ministry will have a special children’s worship service during both hours. If you have kids, you are free to choose whatever service best fits your schedule. Additionally, some families may choose to worship with their kids in one of the adult services and allow their kids to attend the children’s service in the other.
Photo Booth. We know you’re going to look your best this Sunday, so we have a special Easter photo booth set up for your family. You’re probably going to post that awesome picture on social media…be sure to tag our church socials in your post! What an easy way to show how awesome your family is AND let your friends know how awesome your church is!
Prayer Journal. We have a prayer and devotional journal available for everyone that takes us from Easter to Pentecost (May 19). Be sure to get your copy this Sunday as we think about how to “Bless Our Community” in this upcoming year.
This is INDEED going to be a great Sunday at Central Church. I can’t wait to celebrate Christ’s victory over the grave with you!
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark