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At the start of my evening walk yesterday, an older gentleman, a neighbor, a man who always makes fun of my shoes, began talking to my mom and I. Halfway through the 20-minute conversation, I knew God wanted me to invite him to our Easter services. It took me another five minutes to agree. Finally, I told him about Sunday. "My daughter died in 1986," he said. "I told God a few things then. Asked Him why He took her and not an old man." I knew what he was saying. I saw the broken heart in his eyes. I've seen the look before. He thanked me for the invitation but declined. Explained he used to be very active in a church not far from his house. He confessed he hasn't talked to God since. I realized why God wanted me to be the one to invite him, and I assured him it's not too late, that God wants him back. "It was the hardest thing," he continued. Twenty-eight years later, and I still see his pain.
An hour later, we walked back by his house. We waved. He flagged us down. "What time did you say that was? And it's Sunday? Easter?" I smiled. Yes. I told him again all the times and the day. And the place. "Would you write it down and put it in my mailbox tomorrow?" Of course. "And ... clothes? I don't have any suits." Thankful we are a church that dresses as we please.
I told you a couple emails back that God had me going through Exodus. I just finished the slow, slow, slow reading of Leviticus. I read each verse in anticipation of ... something. It wasn't until the end when I realized what God wanted to say. "For I am the Lord your God. I am the Lord." A reminder. In Exodus, I was desperate for answers to all my questions of why. He answered with, "And you shall know that I am the Lord your God."
Who does God want you to invite to Easter services? I encourage you to obey. Be brave. Be courageous. Allow God to prove He is the Lord our God. Pray that God will draw people to Him.
Oh.Happy.Day.
Julie
Creative Design Director |
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Striving for Christ-centered lives,
seven days a week.
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Easter!
April 20, all services
We are EXCITED about Easter services. Join us for Celebration Worship (9 & 10:30 a.m., Worship Center) to experience the  resurrection of Jesus. You've seen the tomb, right? Spoiler alert: Come Sunday, it will be empty. Jesus is alive! Death could not hold Him. AND/OR Join us for TEN31 Modern Worship (10:30 a.m., Fellowship Center). Pastor John Black will be  preaching. Craig Wieneke will be leading worship. A mirror will be involved. We'll be singing songs such as, "Glorious Day" and "This is Amazing Grace." AND/OR Join us for jubilee Worship (6:30 p.m., Worship Center). Pastor Hosea Bilyeu will be there.  Pastor Travis Laws will be there. It's Easter Southern Gospel-style.
TWO DAYS. We have two days to invite folks. Let's do that. |
Etcetera.
1. We have requested two additional shuttles running from Remington's to Ridgecrest and back again on Easter Sunday because we are asking YOU to park at Remington's and be chauffeured to Ridgecrest for services. Shuttles will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will continue until 1 p.m. Have I mentioned we are hoping for lots of people wanting to hear about Jesus on Sunday??? Park at Remington's. Please.
2. Side note: I have my serious face on while I announce this announcement: Please sit in the front sections of each worship center before filling the back rows. I am never bothered by folks coming to service late because I like to see them in service. However, I understand that sometimes people who are running late do not want to walk around a room looking for empty seats. SO please fill front to back.
3. Because we are anticipating unfamiliar faces on Sunday, we need additional help caring for our smallest kiddos (pre-kindergarten). If you can help at 10:30 a.m., contact Donna Murphy at [email protected]
4. NEXT Sunday, April 27, at 1:45 p.m., Remington's needs assistance unloading THREE semi trucks of books, moving books to tables and placing empty boxes for the Friends of the Library sale. They are hoping for at least 100 of us. Families can work together! Questions? Contact Joy Bilyeu-Steele at [email protected]. Ya'll be here, okay?
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Communion with the Disciples
Good Friday, April 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
 Why am I so stoked about our Good Friday service??? Because Sunday's coming. Jesus was tortured on Friday. Killed on Friday. God turned His face away from His Son on Friday. Jesus paid your debt, my debt on Friday. But Sunday's coming. Jesus is alive. Do you know Him? Be here on Good Friday at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. We'll be in the Worship Center. We'll have drama. Disciples will serve us communion. We'll worship our Savior with music. Robin Rees will sing, "Oh the Blood," with Craig Wieneke on piano. Other familiar faces will be there. Be here too. |
Things to pick up and hand out.
1. Stop by a Welcome Center and pick up the latest edition of the newsletter to read articles and mission project updates by Hosea Bilyeu, Wayne Barron, Alli Rees, Lauren O'Steen, Jourdain Bagby, Hailey Whorton, James Copeland and Abi Copeland. We also have pictures of places near and far. And more news from across Ridgecrest.
Or read it here: www.ridgecrestbaptist.org/Newsletters
 2. Are you missing out on being part of a spiritual community? Not sure what Small Groups are available? Know someone who might be interested in a young adults group or a men's group or an empty nesters group? Grab a Small Group guide at a Welcome Center. As a treat, we have included pictures. Who doesn't enjoy looking at pictures? |
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