Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Continuing to Live in Jesus' Easter Victory

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Sunday was a great celebration of Easter at St. John.  After special Holy Week services on Thursday and Friday, we had 3 full worship services on Sunday.  Sunday’s worship included special music from the adult choir, the children’s choir, the bell choir, and a brass ensemble from Bartlett High School.  I am sure Christian churches around the country are also basking in the glow of such great celebrations of the power and love of God found in His Easter resurrection and victory.

But, this Sunday we go back to 2 Sunday services.  Since all the choirs sang last week, they won’t be singing this week.  History also tells us we won’t have 500 people in worship this week either.  A visitor might ask, “Was Jesus’ Easter victory only for one week?”

God tells us in Romans 6 that Jesus’ Easter victory is not just a one Sunday celebration, it is the way God’s children live. 

3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

One of the ways God has given us His Easter victory is our baptisms, where we die with Jesus to our sin, and rise with Him to new life.  This new life is not just found in heaven after our death, it is lived every day as we live in Jesus victory over sin.

I pray that Jesus’ Easter victory brings you joy and peace as He lives in you, and you live your new life for Him every day.

A Child of God, living a new life because of Jesus’ Easter Victory,
Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  On Sunday, April 17, 10 young people shared their faith in Jesus and Jesus’ love for them at their confirmation.  Here are pictures from that special day.

On Saturday, April 23, 75 or more children, parents, and grand children ran around outside looking for Easter eggs, after spending time with games and decorations inside.  Here are some pictures from the Easter Festival.


It is GOOD to celebrate the love of God in our lives!

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.
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