What is So Good about Good Friday?

This week I was reminded that we don't always understand what we say- the youth group was having a discussion, and asked, "Why is Good Friday called good?" It does seem strange to call that day good, when we know Jesus was crucified.

Many believe the name evolved. The earliest designation seemed to be "God's Friday". And just as God be with you evolved into "goodbye", so it did with Good Friday. Of course we know the church has always emphasized the sadness, the mourning, the fasting, and we drape our crosses in black as we follow Jesus on the Way to the Cross.

Yet, Good Friday is good. It is a Godly sorrow that should stand to remind us that our human sin, not the Jewish Leaders caused the death of Christ.We need to remember that the pursuit of our happiness in the temporary thrills of life, are most often those areas of life that grieve God the most.  Yet, in spite of our sin, God's Love was shown as Jesus went to the Cross in order that our Sin might be crucified, and with Him be resurrected to Life Abundantly and Life Eternally with Jesus on Resurrection Morning.

I would ask that each of us today use this time to Pray for God to reveal what in each of us needs to die, and what we can truly celebrate that only one was good enough to save us. That certainly makes Good Friday Good for Us.

See you and your family on Easter Morning.
  7:00am - Sunrise  
  9:00am - Choir and Handbells
11:00am - Redeemed in Praise and Worship

Holy Wednesday

What Makes It Holy Wednesday?
Once we entered into the Holy City with Jesus on Palm Sunday, we are making our way to the Cross and then Praise God to the Empty Tomb on Easter Sunday.

Tonight
No Meal Served
6:00pm - Service, WE will gather at the Lord's Table for Holy Communion, and Melissa Bowen will lead our devotional time.

Thursday
6:00pm -  support our Chancel Choir as the Combined choir and Orchestra presents the Tennebrae Service. We will have Holy Communion along with the Congregation of First Church.

Sunday
  7:00am - Sunrise Service
  9:00am - Choir and Handbells provide Easter Music
11:00am - Redeemed leads us in praise of the Risen Lord

Sermons
  7:00am - Just When We Think Life is Over!
  9:00am - Were You There?
11:00am - Easter 365/24/7

Holy Week Reminders

First, a Big Thanks to our Choir and to Ken Cheshire for such a great Musical Easter Program yesterday. Please, let us remember to continue to support our choir and travel to Lafayette First Church 6:00pm on Thursday.

Wednesday Evening at 6:00pm, no dinner, but we will have a special Easter Holy Week Service. Holy Communion and Melissa Bowen doing a dramatic presentation, "It's Friday but Sunday is Coming".

Then on Sunday
7:00am - Sunrise Service - outdoor, weather permitting
9:00am - Choir, Handbell and Redeemed Special Music
11:00am - Redeemed performing Special Music

Preaching at all three services, stay for all three - different message at each.

What a great time to Worship Our Risen Lord!

Celebrate The Risen Lord

Easter Eggs are being died or stuffed with Easter Candy. The Choir is working hard and special music is being prepared. The pollen is thick and heavy, so Easter is on it's way. This is like the Superbowl Season of our Christian Faith. Easter Eggs and Chocolate Candy are great, but have nothing close to the impact of Jesus' Resurrection.

This Week - our Wednesday schedule is the same:
9:30am - Explorer's Bible Study
5:30pm - Dinner: Catfish, grilled or fried, fries, slaw, bread pudding. What more do you need?
6:15pm - Holy Communion and Prayer
6:15pm - Children's Ministry Time
6:30pm - Study: This week our focus is on what is called the Prosperity Gospel

Saturday
8:00am - Men's Breakfast - small workday
11:00am - 1:00pm - Easter Family Celebration, Easter Egg Hunt, games, and food: hamburgers, hot dogs, briskett – with kids or not, come on out for the fellowship

Sunday

9:00am - We will have a "regular" Palm Sunday worship service followed by Sunday School. But plan on staying for the Special Easter Music performed by a combined choir of Covenant, Lafayette First, and a Chamber Orchestra. The sanctuary ought to be packed as we support our musicians and hear the Story of the depth of Jesus Love for us, and how His death and resurrection overcomes our Darkness.

Good Eats - Wednesday Night Dinner and Study plus more

The Big Pulled Pork Sandwich plus...Spiritual Food for All 

Wednesday:
9:30am - Explorer's Bible Study
5:30pm - Dinner: pulled pork, baked beans, slaw, cake, or nuggets for the kidos
6:15pm - Holy Communion & Prayer
6:30pm - Young Married Study
6:30pm - World Religions - Mormons & Jehovah Witness

Thursday:
8:30am - Men's Bull Session

Sunday Morning: 
Is There Grace in the House? 
Spaghetti to Go - Butch Lewis for Angel Tree Funds. Only $5 per plate.