Easter at Friendship

Easter Sunday

Pastor Dennis Brown

When Jesus suddenly appeared in his resurrection body, the disciples hid behind locked doors for fear of arrest. Suddenly Jesus came through the doors in his resurrected body. It was an OMG (“Oh my gosh”) moment. Actually all the resurrection stories have that quality about them. When he meets some women on the road, he says, “Ni-hao-ma!”  What I mean is the term used as the common greeting of the day. Imagine, Jesus is dead. There is no thought that he could be resurrected. Suddenly, Jesus shows up and says “Hi.” It blew them away. Have you had an OMG moment? Why? Jesus is on the loose, looking for people, to draw them to himself!

This Sunday, the international students will lead worship. They will rock the house with love for Jesus.  I will share a message from John 20 on “Jesus Finds Thomas.” Thomas had said eight days earlier that he wouldn’t believe without objective evidence. Well, Jesus is listening to him and eight days later shows up and takes him “on.” It was a real OMG moment. Also during Sunday School, the children will have an Easter Egg hunt. Come and join us for this high day of celebration.

Good Friday Service

Join us Friday for the Good Friday Service on the fourth floor chapel at 7:30 pm. It’s a simple service of hymns, readings from the crucifixion, a message and the Lord’s Supper. The title of the message is, “Why did Jesus have to die?”

Newcomer’s Luncheon, April 10

If you are new to the church in the past couple of months, you are invited to a newcomer’s welcome at Pastor Dennis’ home on Sunday, April 10 at 1:00 pm. Just gather at the main doors of the church, and we will walk together to the apartment. At the last newcomers welcome we started a new small group from this gathering. If there is interest we may begin a new Christianity Explored group from those of you who attend.

“Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?”

How are we to understand Islam?  How can we be a community like Jesus who respond with both grace and truth? Christianity and Islam are two of the three Abrahamic faiths, and have a shared history of key figures. An Islamic caliphate was recently re-established in the Middle East by ISIS, the first serious effort at rebuilding a global political Islamic government since the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920’s. Come and discuss this important question and how we can reach out to our Muslim neighbors. This discussion will be led by Jason Warren on Sunday, April 10 in room 501 from 1:15 to 2:30 pm. Get your lunch and join us.

Children’s Ministry Social, April 16

If you are part of the children’s ministry, come join us for a social evening at the Pastor’s house on April 16. More information to come.