Easter Is Here

Easter 2018 Faith Perspectives, Plus Good Friday And Easter Events

Faith Perspectives – March 28, 2018

By Rev. John Campbell
United Presbyterian, Oakdale

In our world today, events and appointments come upon us rapidly. The days seem to pass quickly. Hopefully, we have taken some time to reflect on the season of Lent. Perhaps, you have observed a discipline of fasting, prayer, or reading the Bible during this time. And now it is coming to an end.
Holy week is here. This is a special time for the Christian Church. Believers down through the ages have set aside this week to remember Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Today, there are those who collapse the week into just Easter Sunday. Yet in this busy world perhaps it is necessary to emphasize anew that Christians should take time to meditate on God and the Christian life.
In considering the life of Jesus and in particular the end of his earthly life, there are a variety of beliefs concerning the timing of the last supper, the trial, the death on the cross, and the resurrection.
Some point to a Wednesday or Thursday as the day of crucifixion, others say it was on Friday. Yet all agree that Jesus arose some time on Sunday morning. The most important thing for us who believe is the fact that it happened and has significance for our lives. God loves us and gave his life for our salvation.
When we look at our lives we really do not spend much time in worship thanking God for what has been accomplished for us. So it may be a good time in the coming days to join with other believers in worshiping the Lord who has claimed us. There are many opportunities in the next four days participate in services of worship.
There are a variety of services, including Good Friday and Sunday sunrise service.
The United Presbyterian of Oakdale will be joining First Presbyterian, Nashville on Thursday at 7pm in the communion remembering the Lord’s Last Supper.
St. Ann’s Catholic will be having the Mass on Holy Thursday at 7pm.
On Good Friday, Grace Methodist, St. Paul’s UCC, and Trinity Lutheran will each be having a service. St Ann’s will be having the Passion Service at 7pm. United Presbyterian will be have a musical Service of Darkness at 7pm featuring Monty Jackson in Oakdale.
There will be a variety of services at the many churches in Nashville and the surrounding area. Times of the services can be obtained by calling the individual church.
Since that first Sunday that Jesus Christ arose, the assembled believers, the called-out ones, have celebrated the resurrection. Through the work of the Holy Spirit because of Jesus’ sacrifice,
Christians have new life. At Easter believers come together rejoicing in worship that Jesus is alive. And this should be the pattern for every Sunday, not just once a year.
Remember that the Church is every believer together, that is each person has a place in the Body of Christ. We are all called together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace United Methodist, St. Paul UCC To Hold Easter Sunrise Service

Grace United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ join together to celebrate our Risen Savior with a sunrise service to be held Easter morning at 7:00 A.M. at Grace United Methodist Church.
This will be followed by a breakfast in the fellowship hall at 8:00A.M. We invite everyone to attend the sunrise service and stay for the delicious breakfast being planned by the Evangelism Committee.
Following breakfast, at 9:00 A.M. There will be an Easter egg hunt for the young people. Sunday School classes will meet after we have all enjoyed watching the children find the hidden eggs.
Worship service will be at 10:15 in the sanctuary with Pastor Bill Bunnage bringing the message. HALLELUJAH, CHRIST IS RISEN!

Lighthouse Community Church To Host “Journey To The Cross Experience” On Good Friday

This Good Friday – see the story of Jesus on the Cross in a new way. Join us at Lighthouse Community Church, 7457 State Route 127 in Nashville, from 5 to 7 pm and walk through our “Journey to the Cross Experience” – don’t just hear the crucifixion story, Experience It.
Walk through our interactive Stations of the Cross at your own pace anytime between 5 and 7 pm on March 30, 2018.
Enjoy fellowship before and after – all ages welcome. The event is free and open to the public.

Special Music in Oakdale – Good Friday with Monty Jackson

A Good Friday service will be held at The United Presbyterian Church of Oakdale on Friday, March 30 at 7 pm.

Monty Jackson, singer, song writer, and producer will be leading the Service of Darkness with song and scripture in Oakdale.
The concert is for the whole family, a good way to prepare for Resurrection Sunday (Easter). Monty Jackson most recently performed in Oakdale at Christmas and the audience truly was blessed.
Mr. Jackson resides in Sparta with his wife and two children. He has sung numerous times at the Oakdale church. An opportunity to help with the concert will be available.