Ever wonder why
Christmas occurs every December 25 but Easter is a moving target? On Easter
we celebrate the day when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Chronologically,
this occurred after the Jewish Passover.
Practically, our problem is that early church leaders (Council of Nicaea, 325
A.D.) decided to tie the celebration of Christ’s resurrection to the Passover. But, it was decided Easter would be observed on the first Sunday after the
full moon immediately following the vernal equinox (first full moon of the
year). Translated: this means that Easter can be
celebrated as much as a month prior to Passover … and this year happens to be
the earliest possible date. As a matter of fact, it is one of only two that
have occurred this early in the years between 1875 and 2008 (the other one
occurred in 1913).
So this is a unique
Easter! But in more ways than just
the lunar cycle … we have a special worship experience planned for those who
join us at Celebration this Sunday morning.
We will do more than rehearse the events of his trial, crucifixion and
resurrection … we will worship the exalted Savior! In addition, we will make plain the
invitation of Jesus for everyone to start following him as a disciple.
We are praying for a great day of worship and ministry at Celebration. As a staff, we have been preparing for
weeks. As a church, we need to prepare
this weekend so that Sunday can be the best possible. Here are a few things I want to suggest to
help you prepare personally, spiritually and practically:
- Prepare
- take time on Friday and Saturday to read through the gospel accounts of
Jesus’ trial, crucifixion and resurrection (Matt. 26-28; Mark 14-16; Luke
22-24; John 18-21). If you have
children, read some of these stories to them so they, too, can have a
fuller appreciation for what we will celebrate on Sunday.
- Pray –
ask God to remind you of all that Jesus’ resurrection tells us about God
and means for us. Thank God for all you enjoy as His child because of Christ''s death and the hope you have because of His resurrection.
- Plan –
decide which worship service you will attend (8:30 or 11 am). Make your lunch plans and preparations in
advance so that you stay to participate in both worship and Connection
Groups.
- Invite
– Many people, whether Christian or not, understand the importance of
attending worship on Easter Sunday.
Look around and see who God has placed in your life that you should
invite to join you this Sunday.
- Welcome
- please help me receive our guests and make them feel welcome. Many of our guests represents months of
prayers and invitations by one of your fellow church members. Whether the people we invite attend or
not, we can help others reach their friends and neighbors for Christ.
Sunday will be unique and wonderful … please join me in
praying that God’s will in heaven will be done at Celebration as He has planned
it there in heaven.
Blessings,
Pastor Paul
Leaders: I have two requests of you. First, please park in the grass to the north
end of the facilities on the McCormick Road side of the building to allow our
guests to use the paved parking spots.
Second, we have arranged for overflow worship seating if it is
needed. If our attendance is more than
we have auditorium seats, I will ask anyone in leadership who is willing to move to
the lobby to participate in the worship service by watching on a large video
screen.
Posted on
Friday, March 21, 2008
by Paul White