We hope everyone is doing well this week. We are still social distancing, but maybe getting closer to being able to get back to our church family. Wouldn't it be so nice to see everyone's smiles again? I am going to give you our schedule for this week again.

What a different but beautiful Easter. Not our usual traditions, but we did celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the gift of eternal life. As we know, tradition contributes a sense of comfort and belonging. It reinforces our beliefs and faith. Christ is Risen! Please continue to pray for all of those affected, and the people on the front lines. I hope you are taking this time to reflect and come closer to our God. We continue to miss you all and can't wait to get back to a little normalcy in our lives.

Pastor Mike and I are missing you so much. We are in the week leading up to Easter, called Holy Week, or "Passion Week;" Maundy Thursday, the Last Supper, where Jesus met with his disciples to observe Passover; and Good Friday, when Jesus would be crucified on the cross. Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion.

We hope to have you join us tomorrow morning, 10 am, for our Palm Sunday Service. We miss you all and your smiling faces. Please stay safe and healthy.

Two Sundays ago, I preached a message on being more intentional in our love and care for each other. My heart's prayer for us as a church is the prayer the Apostle Paul prayed for the Thessalonians when he said, "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

New Sermon Series Sin, Grace, and the God Who Keeps His Promises, beginning August 5.

Plan to join us for the next six weeks as we take a look at Israel's story in the books of Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. As we prepare for worship each week, here are the sermon scriptures if you would like to read ahead:

We had a great worship service on Sunday as we heard from Trevor Johns of The Gideon's International. May we all remember the call of the church to share the good news and to make disciples.

As we all prepare for worship this upcoming Sunday, I wanted to be sure to give you a reading schedule for the book of Deuteronomy as we will wrap our series "The Five Books."

• Tuesday, July 17 - Deuteronomy chapters 1-2
• Wednesday, July 18 - Deuteronomy chapters 3-4
• Thursday, July 19 - Deuteronomy chapters 5-6
• Friday, July 20 - Deuteronomy chapters 7-8
• Saturday, July 21 - Deuteronomy chapter 30

I hope your week is off to a great start! As we prepare for worship this upcoming Sunday, here is a reading schedule for you as we will be taking a look at the book of Numbers. Don't forget that we are a "so that" people, called to be holy, set apart, and distinct from the world "so that" the world will come to know who our God is and what He is like. When we love our neighbors as ourselves, we show the world what our God is like.

• Monday, July 2 - Numbers 9-11
• Tuesday, July 3 - Numbers 12-14
• Wednesday, July 4 - Numbers 20-21
• Thursday, July 5 - Numbers 22-24
• Friday, July 6 - Numbers 33

Enjoy the July 4th celebration this week and I hope to see you Sunday!

I hope your week is off to a great start. Remember that we are a "so that" people. God has blessed us and set us free "so that" we can bless others as his kingdom of priests in the world. As we prepare for this upcoming Sunday, here is a reading schedule for the book of Leviticus:

• Monday, June 25 - Leviticus Chapter 1
• Tuesday, June 26 - Leviticus Chapter 16
• Wednesday, June 27 - Leviticus Chapter 19
• Thursday, June 28 - Leviticus Chapter 23
• Friday, June 29 - Leviticus Chapter 25

As we prepare for worship on Sunday, here is a reading schedule for the week as we will be discussing the book of Exodus together this upcoming Sunday!

Tuesday, June 19 - Exodus Chapters 1-3
Wednesday, June 20 - Exodus Chapters 5-7
Thursday, June 21 - Exodus Chapters 11-13
Friday, June 22 - Exodus Chapters 14-15
Saturday, June 23 - Exodus Chapters 19-20

I look forward to seeing you Sunday!