I HEARD YOUR CRY. And my heart melted into a million pieces for what you were feeling at the moment my phone call reached you. We have prayed for your Gerard … your 21 year old son whom we’ve never met, and have unashamedly fallen in love with the incredible person he is! We’ve never met him, never known him … yet we feel like we do! We’ve walked the final months of his battle with cancer – lifting him and all of you up in prayer, trusting God for a supernatural miracle. We could tell how much you love him. And what a band of prayer warriors, friends, and supporters he had – besides his family who adored him! While we prayed, he ran the race, he stayed the course, he kept his eye on the prize – perhaps not knowing exactly where or when he would receive it … here on earth, or there in heaven. Now – or at a ripe old age. He just knew he’d win it, though! And win it, he did, as he drew his last breath on this side … for when he inhaled the next breath, it was filled with life like he’s never known before! His young life on earth impacted his family, friends, acquaintances, surgeons, and staff – and they will forever be changed because of who Gerard was. He packed some powerful living in those short 21 years, and now God is unpacking all kinds of amazing surprises for Gerard! As much as he doted on his family, now that he has stepped into heaven, looked into the face of Jesus, and walked into his forever home … there’s no way he would want to come back! What he would really say is, “Hey, I’m hanging out here for a really long time, so I’ll be counting down the days ‘til you can come and be with me again. I’m waiting … and I’m getting ready for all of you! Don’t you dare disappoint me and not show up! I’ll give you a personal tour – and hey, if you wanna know if heaven is real … just ask me – and be ready to listen to my unbelievable stories! But you know me, you know you can believe me! I’ll see you soon! Just make sure you say “yes” to Jesus like I did!” I HEARD HER CRY. It echoed down through the ages, but I heard it tonight. And my heart bled for what she must have felt at the very moment she heard her Son cry out, “It is finished!” She had been with Him through the struggles that being both Son of God and Son of man had thrust upon Him, and through that all, He was her child. Even as a grown man, He was her child. A mother’s heart never changes with each passing birthday of her child. The love only increases. Yes, He was her child, but He belonged to God. And now He seemed to have been overtaken by the sins of the world. While those standing by saw this Man dying on a rough-hewn cross … this mother, heartbroken at the moment, knew there was more to His life. She knew there was more to come! She just had to wait a little while. So while she grieved for the momentary loss, her heart connected to the Promise that He would live again! And He DID! Three days later, life filled His body, and that was her prize … and ours! We get to LIVE! Forever! You see, when Jesus was on the cross, Gerard was on His mind! And because Gerard one day said “yes” to Jesus, he gets to live with Him forever! God must have decided He couldn’t wait any longer for Gerard to arrive … what a Resurrection Sunday it will be!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
A SPECIAL WELCOME to Jeremy and Christina who worshipped with us for the first time recently! God bless you!
SUN, MAR 25: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message: “The Characteristics of Jesus” - invite someone!
SUN, MAR 25: 11:15 A.M. – Women of Faith Meeting/Men’s Round-Table Discussion/Youth Class/Puppet Ministry
SUN, MAR 25: 6:00 P.M. – BAPTISMAL SERVICE at Victory Church; call Pastor D if you are interested!
WED, MAR 28: 6:30 P.M. – Pre-Easter Bible Study on “Christ’s Final Words on the Cross” – join us!
SUN, APR 01: 10:00 A.M. – PALM SUNDAY PRAISE & WORSHIP / Message: “The Touch of Jesus”
FRI, APR 06: 7:00 P.M. – GOOD FRIDAY COMMUNION SERVICE
COMING: SAT, APR 07: Kidz Resurrection Celebration / SUN, APR 08: Resurrection Sunday Worship
SAT, MAY 05: 2:00 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER COUNTRY GARDEN GETAWAY – plan now to attend!
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Cherry & Johnny, Gerard’s family, Tina, Chuck, Justin, Lundstroms, Seykoras
REMEMBER . . . “Jesus’ final prayer was about you. His final pain was for you. His final passion was you.” (Max Lucado)
Serving Christ Joyfully,
Pastor Doug and Debbie
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