Sunday March 1, 2015

Hello!! :)  Hope you're all home and cozy by this time of the night. It's another snowy and slippery night out there.

Here are some notes from last night.

Spencer's 'Something to think about'

- Remember the Pepsi vs Coca-cola commercials?! They told you what you wanted, but not much about the product.

- $600 Billion dollars is used to convince you of what you think you want.

- Do we as Christians/the church do the same?! Do we tell the whole truth?!

- Mark 8: Jesus fed the multitude, performed healings... but finished saying if they followed Him, they will have to carry death and persecution.

- Why did Jesus only have a small number of followers?! ... The Truth hurts!

- Santa's a myth, the Easter Bunny's a myth... Jesus too?! (people might ask themselves)

- We need to get back to the Truth, and build churches again... and not shut them down.

Pastor Caroline is feeling much better from last week, and brought the Word.

- She confessed to be a sound sleeper... However, when God wakes you, its with a little whisper; as what happened to her.

- She was awaken with a child-like version of the Easter Story; simple and understandable.

- The Easter Story reminds us of the penalty Jesus was given for taking our sins.

- She was given this story, and printed it as bookmarks, which she gave out during church (please see image attached)

- All lines but one has 3 words... which represents Father, Son, Holy Spirit... Beginning, Middle, End... Love, Mercy, and Grace'

- The first six lines of the bookmark gives us the invitation; the next three tell us of the promise; the remaining lines tell us of Truth.

- Pastor Caroline expressed her thankfulness that God speaks to her in a simple way to be understood (as are we).

- The Last Supper represents the covenant with God for the sins past, present, and future.

- ... We WILL live again.

- John 3:16, 17 Good News: 'For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.'

During communion we sang 'How Deep the Father's Love for Me'; oh how fitting!

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

I hope your heart sings this week... 'His wounds have paid my ransom.'

Good night!!