Pastor Julia's Thoughts
Dear Friends,
As we continue in this season of Lent, let me share a few changes that are happening in our communications with our members. First of all, we will only have newsletters out quarterly (which will include our birthdays and anniversaries). The first will be sometime in April. Letters will also be sent Easter and Advent to make sure communication continues. We will always have up-to-date information in our bulletin notes, on our website (firstchristianchurchalexandria.org) and on our Facebook page. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to call or text me at 260-341-3669.
We are hoping those that can attend worship will be willing to pick up their newsletter after worship at the church saving on postage. If you need one mailed to you, please contact me or the church. I want to make sure everyone is included. I know this will be a change, but it is a major financial savings for the church. I beg your forgiveness if mistakes are made as we make this change.
In the meantime, here is a list of our upcoming Lent/Easter activities.
Sunday, March 24th – Palm Sunday. We will be moving our worship back into the
sanctuary with a Palm Processional.
Wednesday, March 27th – Final Lenten Bible Study at 6:00pm
Thursday, March 28th – Agape Feast and Last Supper Remembrance at 6:00pm.
Please bring an appetizer or finger foods to share. This is a time
for all ages. So please bring your youth and children.
Friday, March 29th - Good Friday Prayer Stations. You are invited to come any
time between 3:00pm – 7:00pm to Robinson Hall to walk through six
stations that will share in the last week of Jesus’ life leading to his
crucifixion.
Easter Sunday, March 31st – Continental Breakfast 9:00am – 10:00am
Resurrection Worship and Baptisms 10:30am
Holy Humor Sunday, April 7th – We will continue the celebration of our Risen
Christ. Invite your friends to join us for a worship service of laughter
and festivity.
Saturday, April 13th – CMF Pancake and Sausage Breakfast 9am – 10:30am.
Tickets are $6.00 adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Join us for
the best pancakes in town!
As we draw nearer to the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I want to encourage you to think of someone to invite for that day. While we live in a busy world, the most significant thing we can do with our time is spend it in the presence of our Lord in worship. There is something powerful about gathering together with people as well!
Here’s the “4 A’s” of inviting someone. First of all, you must ASK. Invite someone face-to-face, call them on the phone or send a digital communication. The second “A” is ASSIST. Meet your guests in the parking lot or at the door. Make sure they know how to get to the Sanctuary. Show them where the restrooms are. Invite them to sit with you. Make sure they know where to pick up a bulletin. Remind them that everyone is invited to join in Communion.
The third “A” is ARRANGE. Pick them up if they need a ride. Plan on people to introduce them to when they arrive. Possibly invite them to come early for Easter breakfast. The fourth “A” is ANSWER. Sometimes questions about your faith, church, or life can lead into an opportunity to invite someone to church. Answer questions before your guests ask them. Be ready to answer questions that will be asked as a result of the service or the sermon content.
As Christians, Jesus commissioned us to share the gospel (Good News). Sometimes, the easiest way to do this is to live in such a way that causes others to ask us questions about our faith or the church we attend. Seize these moments as opportunities to share Christ simply by answering questions.
As you prepare to invite friends, make sure to PRAY asking for God’s help. Ask God to reveal the people you should invite. Ask God to prepare the hearts of those you invite. People are waiting to be invited. People are longing to be included. So go ahead and seize your holy opportunity and watch what God does!
Don’t forget to let people know that they can also join us on Facebook Live! Maybe you have someone who works on Sunday. Our services stay on our Facebook page and on our website firstchristianchurchalexandria.org. So they can be watched other days than Sunday. If they do not have access to the internet, we also have Sermon-by-Phone at 765-724-7896 seven days a week/24 hours a day.
As we come to this holy time, may our hope lie in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is where we find our assurance. Rejoice in this hope and live with thankfulness, knowing your eternity with Him has already begun.
Till next time, God bless you!
Pastor Julia
As we continue in this season of Lent, let me share a few changes that are happening in our communications with our members. First of all, we will only have newsletters out quarterly (which will include our birthdays and anniversaries). The first will be sometime in April. Letters will also be sent Easter and Advent to make sure communication continues. We will always have up-to-date information in our bulletin notes, on our website (firstchristianchurchalexandria.org) and on our Facebook page. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to call or text me at 260-341-3669.
We are hoping those that can attend worship will be willing to pick up their newsletter after worship at the church saving on postage. If you need one mailed to you, please contact me or the church. I want to make sure everyone is included. I know this will be a change, but it is a major financial savings for the church. I beg your forgiveness if mistakes are made as we make this change.
In the meantime, here is a list of our upcoming Lent/Easter activities.
Sunday, March 24th – Palm Sunday. We will be moving our worship back into the
sanctuary with a Palm Processional.
Wednesday, March 27th – Final Lenten Bible Study at 6:00pm
Thursday, March 28th – Agape Feast and Last Supper Remembrance at 6:00pm.
Please bring an appetizer or finger foods to share. This is a time
for all ages. So please bring your youth and children.
Friday, March 29th - Good Friday Prayer Stations. You are invited to come any
time between 3:00pm – 7:00pm to Robinson Hall to walk through six
stations that will share in the last week of Jesus’ life leading to his
crucifixion.
Easter Sunday, March 31st – Continental Breakfast 9:00am – 10:00am
Resurrection Worship and Baptisms 10:30am
Holy Humor Sunday, April 7th – We will continue the celebration of our Risen
Christ. Invite your friends to join us for a worship service of laughter
and festivity.
Saturday, April 13th – CMF Pancake and Sausage Breakfast 9am – 10:30am.
Tickets are $6.00 adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Join us for
the best pancakes in town!
As we draw nearer to the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I want to encourage you to think of someone to invite for that day. While we live in a busy world, the most significant thing we can do with our time is spend it in the presence of our Lord in worship. There is something powerful about gathering together with people as well!
Here’s the “4 A’s” of inviting someone. First of all, you must ASK. Invite someone face-to-face, call them on the phone or send a digital communication. The second “A” is ASSIST. Meet your guests in the parking lot or at the door. Make sure they know how to get to the Sanctuary. Show them where the restrooms are. Invite them to sit with you. Make sure they know where to pick up a bulletin. Remind them that everyone is invited to join in Communion.
The third “A” is ARRANGE. Pick them up if they need a ride. Plan on people to introduce them to when they arrive. Possibly invite them to come early for Easter breakfast. The fourth “A” is ANSWER. Sometimes questions about your faith, church, or life can lead into an opportunity to invite someone to church. Answer questions before your guests ask them. Be ready to answer questions that will be asked as a result of the service or the sermon content.
As Christians, Jesus commissioned us to share the gospel (Good News). Sometimes, the easiest way to do this is to live in such a way that causes others to ask us questions about our faith or the church we attend. Seize these moments as opportunities to share Christ simply by answering questions.
As you prepare to invite friends, make sure to PRAY asking for God’s help. Ask God to reveal the people you should invite. Ask God to prepare the hearts of those you invite. People are waiting to be invited. People are longing to be included. So go ahead and seize your holy opportunity and watch what God does!
Don’t forget to let people know that they can also join us on Facebook Live! Maybe you have someone who works on Sunday. Our services stay on our Facebook page and on our website firstchristianchurchalexandria.org. So they can be watched other days than Sunday. If they do not have access to the internet, we also have Sermon-by-Phone at 765-724-7896 seven days a week/24 hours a day.
As we come to this holy time, may our hope lie in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is where we find our assurance. Rejoice in this hope and live with thankfulness, knowing your eternity with Him has already begun.
Till next time, God bless you!
Pastor Julia