One Person at a Time...

This Sunday at New Life!

Join us Sunday as we focus on the greatest reality of God's salvation in Jesus Christ: FORGIVENESS!  The message title is "Forgiven and Forgiving!" and it's the fifth of a seven-part message series focusing on the Lord's Prayer.  God's forgiveness to us is the most powerful spiritual weapon ever.  In fact, When Martin Luther penned the great hymn, "A MIghty Fortress Is Our God," he wrote, "...The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him.  One little word shall fell him."  What is the word?  Some would say, "Love!" and that would be a good word, but there is a word that causes the devil to tremble even more:  FORGIVE!  After all, as Jesus received the nails in His hands and feet on the day of His crucifixion, He did not say, "Father LOVE them, for they don't know what they're doing."  He said, "Father FORGIVE them, for they don't know what they are doing."  We all want to be forgiven.  In fact, our eternal future depends on God forgiving us, but as we'll see on Sunday, once we have been forgiven God EXPECTS (and DEMANDS) that we will forgive others!  I hope you'll be there as we see how to do just that!  (If you have friends in for the weekend---BRING THEM, TOO!)

I'm Baaaack!

Even for me, a 40+ day hiatus from blogging is a long time.  So many good things have been going on during that time, and I've missed the opportunity to comment on them, but I learned a long time ago that even God doesn't change the past, so instead of dwelling there, I'm moving forward with today!  Part of my Sabbath reflection today has been on the coming fall and all it holds for New Life.  In particular, I've been praying about and reflecting on what Sunday mornings are going to look like, since starting in late August, the focus is going to be moving steadily toward the "campaign" for funding Phase I of our Campus Development Plan, which will culminate in November.  We have operated as a "nomadic" church for so long, that looking forward to the day when we will have a mission outpost from which to share the New Life of Jesus Christ with the World--one person at a time--day in and day out-- is fantastic! Since our staff invested a week with Harvestime in March, and since 50+of you participated with me in the 10-100 Prayer Challenge, God has been blessing us in so many ways. If you are part of the New Life family and community, I thank you for your faithfulness!  If you are a new guest who has been part of the influx to our family over the past couple of months--welcome!  If you are an "outsider," right now, I want to invite you to join us, and be part of a great move of God that has started slowly and is gradually building momentum among us.  Whoever you are--may God's blessings be upon you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!  Join us as we move through a summer and fall like no other in our life together--and one that promises to be the launching pad for reaching our community with greater love and effectiveness than ever.  May it be so!

Good Friday at Northway...

Since New Life didn't have a Good Friday service yesterday, Nancy, Emmy and I decided to go to Northway's Good Friday Service.  It was powerful!  They celebrated baptisms and the Lord's Supper during the service.  At first, I thought having baptisms was a little strange -- on Good Friday, but as Pastor Kent reminded us when we are baptized we are "buried" with Jesus, what better what to remember His death AND to remember that the moment Jesus died one of the miracles that took place is that many people who were dead CAME BACK TO LIFE!  Jesus death has been producing new life from the very moment it took place!  What an awesome and powerful reality!

"Good" Friday...

Every year as Good Friday approaches, I'm reminded of how strange it sounds to call the day "Good" Friday. From outward appearances, it was the worst day in human history!  Jesus, the one and only Son of the Living God, who had lived a PERFECT life here on earth was beaten and crucified.  God came into the world, and the world executed Him.  How is that "good"?  We know the answer.  Jesus' death on the cross, His innocent blood poured out, paid the penalty for our sin, and opened the door to eternal life.  Jesus' resurrection on Easter morning provided the proof that Jesus was (and IS!) who He claimed to be--the Messiah, the Son of God!  Good Friday makes Romans 8:28 real.  When the Apostle Paul wrote:  In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, we need only turn to Jesus on the cross--ostensibly the WORST thing that ever happened, and see that profound truth of the statement.  If Jesus had not died on the cross, the way to heaven would be closed to us.  Since He died on the cross and rose from the dead, the door to eternal life stands wide open!  That is incredibly good news!  Yes, it is GOOD Friday, because through the amazing love and sacrifice of Jesus, each of us has the hope and promise of eternal life.  I pray that we will take time today to reflect on the day and THANK Jesus for His incredible sacrifice that we may have the life that is truly life each day!

Men--Join us at the Good Friday Breakfast--6:00 a.m. tomorrow!

MEN, if you haven't heard, there's a community Men's Good Friday breakfast tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. at the Saxonburg Memorial Church at the end of Main Street in Saxonburg.  Why not get up a little early (for most) or reschedule your day and give the Lord the best part of the day tomorrow by joining in fellowship and worship with men from around the community.  The breakfast costs $6.00 and you may pay at the door!  I'll be there and I hope to see you, too!

This Sunday at New Life!

This Sunday is EASTER DAY!  Join us at one of our two worship services (8:45 a.m and 10:15 a.m.) at the South Butler Primary School.  The theme of the day is CELEBRATION, and the message is titled "The Great Cover Up!"  What a great time to invite your family, friends, co-workers and classmates to join us at New Life!  I have a favor to ask those of you who don't have young children, and who participate regularly at New Life--would you join us at the 8:45 a.m. service?  That way those who have small children, and guests (who are more likely to come at the later hour) will find a place to sit when they arrive.  Our worship attendance has be growing each Sunday since we've moved back to the Primary School, and we praise God that so many of our guests have been returning and becoming part of the regular "crowd" at New Life.  My prayer is that God will bring dozens of guests to worship with us on Sunday, and that many will trust Jesus as Savior and Lord for the first time.  Please join me in that prayer---and bring your unchurched friends!

A Night Like No Other...

If you're planning to joinus for this evening's Maundy Thursday worship--"A Night Like No Other!" at 7:00 p.m., you need to know something important:  We are worshiping at the Plantation Clubhouse in Saxonburg instead of at 127 Knoch Road.  The wintry weather and wind made it impossible to put up the tents for worship and the ground is soft and muddy, so instead of worshiping outdoors, we'll be at the Plantation.  The service is a simple re-enactment of the last few hours before Jesus' arrest including portions of the Last Supper, and His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.  We'll celebrate the Lord's Supper together, and remember God's great love for us shown in Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.  I hope you'll be there!

Holy Week!

Tomorrow marks the start of" Holy Week."  Christians call it that, because it marks the last week of Jesus' life and takes us from Palm Sunday to Easter!  Along the way, we also celebrate the Last Supper through "Maundy" Thursday, and then we remember Jesus crucifixion on Good Friday.  At New Life, we'll be celebrating and remembering these holy days in various ways.  I've already mentioned Palm Sunday, and I hope you'll be there for worship at the South Butler Primary School at 10:00 a.m. 

Then on Maundy Thursday we'll be at 127 Knoch Road to celebrate the Last Supper together as we participate in "A Night Like No Other!"  The celebration will offer a re-enactment of the Last Supper as well as Jesus' time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.  We'll all take part in the Lord's Supper, too.  The evening starts at 7:00 p.m.  I hope you'll be there!

On Good Friday, we're encouraging everyone to participate in our community's morning services and breakfasts.  The Men's Breakfast will be at Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church at 6:00 a.m.  The Women and Children's Breakfast is at Thorncreek United Methodist Church at 9:00 a.m. and the Youth Good Friday Breakfast will be held at Summit U.P. Church at 11:00 a.m., with New Life's worship team providing the music! 

On Easter Day, we will celebrate Jesus' resurrection at 8:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.!  This will be a great time to invite everyone you know to join us for worship!  As the Apostle Paul reminded us over and over in his letters to the early churches--Jesus' resurrection from the dead is the pivotal reality in human history.  If Jesus has not been raised, then our faith is in vain, but Jesus HAS been raised, and that resurrection power lives in us today by the presence of the Holy Spirit!  Be there as we sing praises to our risen Lord, and celebrate His victory over sin and death--which is OUR victory over sin and death as we trust in Him!

Breaking the Fast...

This evening I will eat with my family for the first time since last Saturday evening.  I intended to make this week of fasting a "modified" fast in that I would eat some fruit for breakfast and some fruit and vegetables for dinner each night, but God had something else in mind.  Instead, I drank only water and a little juice each day.  Yesterday and today, I did add some almonds to give me a little energy, and I ate a banana yesterday, but I sensed that God wanted me relying on Him for strength, and while the week has had its ups and downs (as does every week!) from a standpoint of the events that took place, this was one of the most powerful weeks of my life from in the sense of God's strength being with me in my weakness.  I thought many times this week, particularly in the last several days as my physical strength became less, of how my strength truly is in the Lord.  A number of situations came up through the week that took me out of my "plan" for the week, and I didn't get several important things accomplished that I planned to do, but God used me in the unexpected events that took their place in powerful ways.  I don't mean to seem so nebulous, but sometimes pastors must be discreet, because ministry takes us into situations that are not for sharing with everyone.  God empowered me to offer counsel this week in several cases that I had not planned to be involved.  The challenge is to know when God is calling us to set aside our plans, which we have made in an effort to serve Him, and to participate in His greater plan.  It's a challenge because sometimes the "diversions" from our plans are just that--diversions.  At other times they are God's plan.  Discernment is necessary, and thankfully during times of fasting discernment typically grows, because we are more focused on God and His purposes in our lives.  I look forward to the meal with Nancy, Emmy and Emmy's friend, Rachel, this evening, but I have enjoyed feasting on God's strength in my time of fasting and weakness these past seven days.  I pray that for all of you who also fasted during this past week that God has worked in you in powerful ways as well!

Tomorrow at New Life!

I hope you're planning to join us tomorrow as we celebrate the conclusion of our 40 Days of Commitment with Jesus FIRST--Then and Now!  We'll reflect on the first "Palm Sunday" and how the people of Jerusalem finally recognized Jesus for who He is:  The King of kings and Lord of lords!  The key question for us is this: IS Jesus FIRST in our lives today, and will he be tomorrow?  The citizens of Jerusalem in Jesus' day shouted, "Hosanna!" when he entered the city on Palm Sunday, but "Crucify Him!" on Friday.  What about us?  Will our hosannas last through the week?  Will we keep our commitment to Jesus NO MATTER WHAT?  Join us tomorrow and celebrate Jesus kingship in our lives!