I love Easter!  I am always drawn into reflecting on Jesus and the meaning of the cross and the hope of resurrection.  Every year, I feel the clear sense that it’s happening all over again as Spring reemerges with the new life, color and scents of a renewed earth.

This coming Easter Weekend, April 22-24, 2011, we’ll have special events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

• Good Friday Worship and Prayer at 6:30PM.  Through the gospels and their description of the Passion of Jesus Christ, we will set up a 90-minute reflection event, complete with stations for prayer, repentance, communion, and other ways of connecting with God, as well as worship and choir ministry.  We’re hoping that all generations will be present as we move close to the cross of Jesus, its tragedy and its triumphs.
• Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt from 10AM-12 noon.  The purpose of this event is to reach out in a fun and friendly way to our community with the joy of resurrection.  10,000 eggs, plenty of activities and an engaging entertainer will be there to help us offer a warm handshake to our surrounding community.  I am looking forward to this day, in particular, as it is an opportunity for us as a church to spread God’s love in a way that is not exactly religious, but is culturally relevant and centered in the Gospel.
• Easter Sunday is Friend Day at 9AM & 11AM.  We’re planning some special ways to welcome guests who will be with us that morning, as we’ve been challenging our congregation to bring at least one friend to come and experience First Assembly.  I’m already looking forward to the many special things we have planned that day (music, drama, cookies and punch, etc.), and preaching on the relevance of the cross and resurrection to every person.