This Sunday, we are celebrating the most sacred day on the Christian calendar. It is the day that Jesus gave his life as an atonement for our sin and brought those who would accept Him from death to life.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

As we prepare for a busy weekend of family events, egg hunts, worship services, and time with friends, I would encourage you to prepare yourself for a meaningful time of personal worship as well.

1. Prepare your own heart.
Worship rarely just “happens”. Instead, we must prepare ourselves to come before our Savior and worship Him fully. In the next few days, take the time to consider the great love and grace that we have received through Christ.

2. Read the account of the last week before the crucifixion.
If you have ever heard the Easter story, you likely remember the main details. I would encourage you to read it anew. Matthew 26-28 is one account of the 3 days that would change the world forever. As you read, remember that Jesus went through this for you.

3. Spend time in meditation and prayer
Worship is always preceded with repentance and humility. It is only when we see God through the lens of our brokenness that we can fully see His radiant beauty. Spend time in meditation about the wonderful things He has done for you and the beauty of His character.

4. Talk to your kids about the significance of this weekend.
Your kids are most excited about getting candy this weekend. Fully enjoy the fun of egg hunts and chocolate bunnies, but take the time to teach them what the true significance of this season really is. They will not value the gift of Jesus if we do not teach them.

4. Invite a friend to church.
The Gospel was never meant to be received and hidden. God wants us to share His great love with everyone we come in contact with. Easter is the most common time for a person to consider going to church. Decide you will invite them…if they are not already attending a church somewhere, they will probably take you up on your offer.

5. Be early on Sunday and park farther away.
We anticipate many guests this year at Journey. If you regularly attend our church, please consider parking a little farther away from the entrance so our guests can park up close. If you see someone that needs help or directions, take the time to help them have as stress-free an experience as possible in a new place.

6. Look for people you don’t recognize and say hello.
Easter is about relationships. We celebrate the relationship with have with Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection but we also celebrate the relationships we have with other followers of Him. It is easy to be caught up in all of the activities of the day, making sure everyone is dressed just right, and getting to your next event. Stop and take time to value the people that you are coming in contact with. Say hello and make some new friends. For our guests, your time to acknowledge them may be the thing that makes them open to hearing the message of the day.

I would also invite you to join us on Saturday for our Easter Block Party. We will have egg hunts, crafts, inflatables (that are anchored to the ground), and a lot of cars at our car meet. It will not only be fun, but a great time to meet new people. It all starts at 5:00 but if you can help, we would love to see you between 3:30 and 4:00.

Above all, I will be praying that you have a significant moment with your Savior as we celebrate the greatest gift of all time.

Mark Love
Lead Pastor