Dear Friends,

The church is in final preparation for our celebration of the story of God’s great love for humankind. Our choirs are practicing their Hosannas and hallelujahs. Dramas are being rehearsed. Decorating plans are being finalized, palm branches and Easter Lilies are being purchased. All this preparation culminates in our joyful Easter celebration.

I was thinking recently about one of my favorite movies “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It seems like an odd time of year to think about that film because it is often shown during the Christmas season. The story is about George Bailey who got a rare opportunity to see what life would be like if he had never been born.

The movie got me thinking about what the world would be like if there was no Holy week, Last Supper, Good Friday, or Easter Morning. I don’t think I want to live in that kind of a world. A world without forgiveness of sin would be horrible. It would be filled with guilt and sorrow and even more violence.

Think about death, about losing a loved one and not having the promise of eternal life to bring comfort and hope. Without Easter death would have the final say and loved ones would not live on in the presence of God.

I don’t think I want to live in a world where Easter never happened. The good news is we don’t have to experience a world without Easter. In just a few days we will have the opportunity to experience God’s master plan for the salvation of the world and experience God’s mercy, grace and love in very powerful ways.

Our four services from Palm Sunday to Easter are wonderful opportunities to invite others to experience our church. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a disciple.

Faithfully,
Tim