There is nothing more practical than books that are written on Family and Marriage. We finish off our series on Christ-centered family based on "Biblical Family Portraits." We also prepare for the Holy Week/Easter look at the meaning of Jesus death and resurrection in our lives by exploring the Fundamentals of the Theology of the Cross." We do so with the following scripture and themes:

Mar 7 "When Mom or Dad Get Old" Ruth 2: 2-12

Mar 14 "God's Primary Nature – Mercy" Ezekiel 33: 10-20

Mar 21 "Without shed blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9: 11-22

Mar 28 "Through the Death of One Salvation Comes to All" John 11: 47-53

Lenten Worship Services Continue on Wednesday Nights

At 7:15 p.m. each Wednesday night throughout Lent we will consider the story of Jesus' suffering and death and its connection to each of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. The theme of this year's Lenten season is: Teach Us to Pray. Worship services will follow immediately after the Family Night/small group activities conclude at 7:10. Worship will be devotional in nature and will last approximately ½ hour. We will sing familiar Lenten songs and hymns. The following topics will be considered:

Mar 3 – "Your Kingdom Come" John 18: 33-37

Mar 10 – "Your Will Be Done" John 18: 28-40

Mar 17 – "Give Us What We Need" John 19: 28-30

Mar 24 – "Forgive as We Forgive" Luke 23: 33-34

Apr 1(Holy Thru) – "Lead Us Not into Temptation Matthew 26: 40-46

Apr 9(Gd Friday) – "Deliver Us From Evil" Luke 23: 33-39

Apr 4(Easter) – "Yours Are the Kingdom, Power, and Glory" Phil. 2: 9-11

We take time out in the week leading up to Easter to commemorate Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. The following special services are planned:

March 28th – Palm Sunday

(Children participate in the procession of the palms as we focus in on Jesus willingness to carry out the Father's plan of salvation.)

April 1st – Holy Thursday 7 pm

(Our sixth grade Beginning Faith class takes communion for the first time, and our worship will focus around the story and teaching of the Last Supper.)

Apr 2nd – Good Friday 7 pm

(A special and memorable service of sight, sound, and word focusing us on the great sacrifice and love of the Father through Jesus for us.)

Apr 4th – Easter Sunrise 7:30 am (Note ½ hour earlier time this year – truly a sunrise)

(Beginning with the darkness of the empty tomb we burst into the glory of Jesus' resurrection climaxing with communion worship celebration)

– Easter Breakfast 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.

(Enjoy Christian fellowship and food. An Easter family activity is planned. Pancakes are the new order of food for this year.)

– Easter Festival 10:45 am

(An upbeat communion celebration will leave us with Jesus' living joy to face tomorrow.)

Christ is risen, indeed!