The Messenger - April 8, 2009

Pastor's Ponderings
by Rev. Neal Neuenchwander

April 8, 2009

Who Will You Invite for Easter?

This weekend brings each of us a very rare opportunity to celebrate the great news of Easter with those who might not experience it without us. Those with some church experience would like to feel the joy of this holiday--even if they haven't been to church for years. And those with no church experience are often curious about our customs and the things that we believe. Just as you would feel honored to celebrate passover with a Jewish friend or neighbor, non-believers will often feel honored to share an Easter celebration with you. They'd never ask you to include them in your Easter plans, but they would respond to your invitation for worship and lunch together with joy.

Many of us have extended family in the area, and we've developed a tradition of Easter gatherings for years. These traditions form the basis of many wonderful memories, but they can become a bit "ingrown": each year seems like the last one after a while. But if you include new faces--neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, and friends--then this holiday becomes a bit different from the last one, your children are taught to care for those outside the family circle, and the experience of your family is enhanced.

Some of us do not have extended family in the area, and our holiday celebrations tend to be quite small. Sometimes, that's O.K. But including those non-churched neighbors or a person who shares your interest in sports or cards or crafts brings a whole new sense of depth into these relationships. You see them in a whole new setting, and they see you as person who finds more to life than maintaining a tidy neighborhood or winning at some game. They see you as a person who cares.

So, we return to the question: who will you ask to share this holiday with you? Ask God to direct your thinking, and make a call today. That's because everyone needs a church on Easter Sunday. And no one should have to spend this day alone.

Calendar
Week of April 8, 2009

• Sunday

  9:00 am
  Easter Sunday Service
• 11:00 am
  Easter Sunday Service
• Service
  Children and Youth Sunday School (Sue Headley)

• Monday

  6:30 pm
  Youth Praise Band (Tim Gray)
• 7:00 pm
  Women's Bible Study (Kim Neuenschwander)

• Wednesday

  7:00 am
  Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's (Bob Erbacker)
• 1:00 pm
  Women's Bible Study (Kim Neuenschwander)
• 4:30 pm
  Cherub Choir (Emily Anderson)
• 4:30 pm
  Gospel Gang (Lesley Sirianni)
• 5:30 pm
  Kings Chorus (Lesley Sirianni)
• 6:30 pm
  SonLight Singers (Lesley Sirianni)
• 6:30 pm
  Jr. High Fellowship (Todd Bender)
• 7:00 pm
  Chapel Bells (Nan Roberts)

• Thursday

  7:30 pm
  Chancel Choir

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