"For those who have a busy Easter weekend coming up, with faith, family, and fellowship - enjoy this season! On Sunday, our most holiest of days, only one thing needs to be said. 'He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!'"
Today is Maundy Thursday. It is the start of Holy Weekend in the Christian Church. It is when Jesus and his disciples gathered together for their last supper. Really, it was the first communion. That is where Jesus gave us the words of institution for communion, which are still used today.
Some churches worship on Maundy Thursday. Some do not. Some of the newer non-denomination churches, may worship only on Easter Sunday. Some may also have worship services on Good Friday, for a Tenebrae Service. Our church is doing something different this year. No Thursday service, but a Good Friday experience service. Holy Communion, with worship at stations of the cross. And - it will be for the entire family. Kids are encouraged to sit with mom and dad.
For years after we got married, my wife and I went to churches and were "back benchers". We attended on most Sundays, had our kids baptized as infants, and were involved in very little. Then when our kids were of high school and middle school age, they discovered a church in Ramsey which they loved to go to. My wife and I soon followed, and for the first time, we attended a church which was charismatic in nature. We loved it. It changed us. It woke up our faith.
To make a long story short, our current church is absolute perfect for us. It is charismatic. No, we don't have people wandering around speaking in tongues. But we do recognize the gifts of the Holy Spirit. After learning about the gifts of the Spirit while in the Alpha Program years ago, it is a journey we have been on, of which we will never go back.
Our church is also apostolic. We have learned how important it is to be "Ambassadors of Christ". Paul talks about this in the New Testament. To further the faith, living a Christ-like life is of the highest importance.
Finally, our church is evangelistic. Spread the word. Practice the Great Commission as spelled out in Matthew 28,16-20. With most outer suburbs of the Twin Cities only having 15% or so attending a church, inviting people to the church you go to is a must. With many churches shrinking in number, this trend must be reversed. Invite, invite, invite. We might not have much time.
If you attend a church which feeds your hunger and thirst for the Gospel, you are blessed! If however, you do not have a church, there are many in this area to choose from. Our current church, as well as our last church we attended, had a similar motto - "We are not a cruise ship, we are a row boat." What does that mean? A church is not a building. It is the people who attend. And in order for a church to grow, to be a healthy church, serving, as well as attending is important.
For those who have a busy Easter weekend coming up, with faith, family, and fellowship - enjoy this season! On Sunday, our most holiest of days, only one thing needs to be said. "He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!"
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