Preparing for Easter

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7, 8, 10, 11 NIV

Dear friend,

I want to invite you to begin to prepare your heart for Easter. Many fellow Christians began observing the season of Lent this week starting Wednesday, February 24. This is often referred to as Ash Wednesday. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance, as the words are spoken over them, "Dust thou art, and to dust thou wilt return." Lent is the 40 day season leading up to Easter when many believers focus on Christ by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.

Lent, with its climax in Good Friday and Easter, is about participating more fully in the death and resurrection of Jesus. In Christ we die to the old way of life, our sinful flesh, our mistaken identity and a world-view that comes out of culture. We are resurrected to new life in Christ. Our life and identity becomes centered in Jesus Christ. Even how we think and look at our world is transformed.

Paul summarizes it in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Through prayer, repentance and the practice of spiritual disciplines, we allow God to continue the process of transformation. We come to know Christ in a greater way becoming more like him.

What specific things in our lives do we need to die to, or let go of? Where do we need to allow the Spirit of God new access and control so that our lives will be more centered in Christ? My prayer for you is that you will be refreshed and filled with all the fullness of Christ in the coming days.

Sunday, March 15 we will be starting a new series on the Book of Philippians. I am truly excited about the impact it can have in our lives as we prepare for Easter. You might want to start reading there soon. Small group and devotional material will be made available also.

This Sunday Pastor Brent will continue the very helpful series, Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith. We will celebrate communion together. Last Sunday we witnessed our church continue to grow with many new families and our highest attendance in Kid’s Ministry in 2009. Through our Vision Sunday, we added over 300 new members this last month, including children.

It has been exciting to see the momentum build these last few weeks as our church is filling up. We need you here this Sunday to help us keep that momentum growing as our Senior High Youth and Women’s Ministry will be away on retreat. Your presence is important and appreciated.



See You Sunday!

Pastor Ray