I write this on Monday of Easter Week.  As we celebrate this week we should all remember the final week of our Lord.

Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on the back of a colt on Palm Sunday.  He was praised and given Glory and Honor.

Jesus took specific time to spend with those closest to Him.  He spent a “last” supper with them, telling them of his sacrifice and his covenant with them.

Jesus took an opportunity to spend time with the Father to pray and ask God to “take from him” the bitter cup of what was going to happen.  The Bible said it was such an intense time he had sweat drops of blood.  Jesus did tell God that he would do exactly what God wanted.  The perfect example of obedience.

Jesus was betrayed by one of his closest followers, Judas.  Judas gave Jesus up to the opposition leaders for his own benefit.   One of the most amazing things is that Jesus still washed Judas’ feet. 

Jesus was then taken before the religious leaders and eventually taken to the Roman government and charged as a traitor and blasphemer.  He became a perceived threat and they wanted to get rid of him.

Jesus went before Pilate and Herod and Pilate again and was sentenced to beating, flogging, torture and eventually death on a cross.

Jesus carried his own cross on the road to Golgotha where he would be killed.   He continued to be beaten, spat upon and mocked.

Jesus was nailed to a cross and crucified between two common criminals.  He would speak to his mother, John and to the thief on the cross.  He asked God to forgive the people who were killing him.  He committed his spirit back to the Lord.  He became sin for us so we could have forgiveness and eternity.  He then hung his head and died.

Some thought this was the end of the story.  God has another plan.

ON THE THIRD DAY JESUS DEFEATED DEATH, HELL, and the GRAVE.  HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!  HE LIVES.  THE FIRST EASTER CHANGED EVERYTHING.  

Come worship with us this Easter! JESUS IS ALIVE!!!!

Darrel Harvey

On April 10, 2010 our church will host a night of worship.  We have entitled it, ENCOUNTER: A WBC WORSHIP EVENT.  It is my hope that these worship events are a regular part of our attempt to give God his due worship. 

This ENCOUNTER weekend will include special musical group, Altared, inluding our own members; Marcia Walters, Colton and Quade Simpson.  Our special guest speaker is Darrel Harvey from Flusing Michigan. Darrel is a former church planter and works with Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene. 

I am excited to have a night specifically reserved for worship.  It is my hope that everyone will make plans to be at Williamstown Baptist that night for a great night of worship and fellowship.  The music will be great, the message will be timely, the only remaining question is will you be there? 

Plan on being at WBC Saturday April 10, 2010 @ 6:30  Bring anyone interested in worshipping our great God. 

God moves in ways we can never imagine.  He promised he would always be with us and never forsake us.  We can always count Him to work in our lives. Last Sunday in our worship service at Williamstown Baptist Church, God showed up in unique and powerful way.  Many people have said they felt the power of the Holy Spirit like they never had before.  I also sensed something different in our service Sunday even before it began.  I have preached hundreds of sermons, been to thousands of worship services and many times without notice, without any sense of it happening, God shows up in a powerful way. 

 If their is one thing we also know about God is that he moves when he desires.  He changes lives on his time schedule and he draws us in right when we need him most.  No worship service can be planned to do what happened in our church on Sunday.  It is the power of the Triune God; Father, Son and Spirit doing what He does.  He changes things.  There was a new sense of freedom and joy in our church on Sunday and it is my deep prayer that those things continue.  We serve a great God and he has blessed us with salvation, eternity and many good things.  May we as a church always be ready for a move of God and be willing to respond.  When we acknowledge his presence and do what he says.........All things are possible!

Do you ever do anything that takes guts?  Do you ever push yourself out of your comfort zone? Is there any time in the recent past you had to reach way down deep and forsake all for something larger than yourself?

This last Sunday night, we were reminded by a great friend, Dorothy B., that it takes guts to do some things.  She was referring to my friend Evan Johnson. .  Evan is going to Africa on a long term mission trip.  In a testimony time, Dorothy, reminded Evan that it takes faith and guts or courage to forsake all to go on mission. Evans blog - here

I am proud of Evan and his journey, join me in praying for him and for the gospel to be spread in Uganda. 

I am also motivated by Evans "guts'.  It makes me want to evaluate and change my life so it requires more "guts."   I want to do things that are challenging, I want my story to make a difference not only for me but so others are impacted.  Thanks Evan for the example you have set.  May God bless your journey.