Most Important: the journey to easter

In March of 1981, President Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr., and was hospitalized for several weeks. Although Reagan was the nation's chief executive, his hospitalization had little impact on the nation's activity. Government continued on. On the other hand, suppose the garbage collectors in this country went on strike, as they did not long ago in Philadelphia. That city was not only in a literal mess, the pile of decaying trash quickly became a health hazard. A three-week nationwide strike would paralyze the country. Who is more important, the President or the garbage collectors? As we considered on April 6th, in my message on the Communion of Saints found in the body of Christ, seemingly insignificant ones are urgently needed. Paul reminds us, "The head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable."

Palm Sunday

We are preparing for the most important week of the Christian year. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday, I will be preaching on the “Forgiveness of Sins.” We will delve into the depths of God’s grace over our sins and God’s desire to extend that grace through our lives. We will have our children bringing in the Palm Branches and proclaiming, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” On that day, we will also have numerous people joining the church at both services, have our Methodist Women in Missions’ bake sale, and our next Connecting Point lunch for folks wanting more information about the church and who are considering joining into our church family. Throughout Holy Week we will also have daily video devotions posted by our staff on the church’s Facebook, Youtube, and Web Site that focus on the activities of Passion Week in the time of Jesus.

Holy Week and

Easter Sunday 2025

On Thursday night at 6PM, we will experience our Maundy Thursday worship service with hand washing and communion as we remember the Last Supper. On Friday night at 7PM, we will experience Jesus’ agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane, the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, Peter’s Denial outside the house of Caiaphas, Pilate’s washing of his hands, Jesus being mocked and beaten, the crucifixion, and the burial of Jesus. On Saturday morning at 10AM, children of our church and community will gather in the gym for a special Easter Egg hunt and lots of other activities. Then on Easter Sunday, we will enjoy three worship services. We have added a service to make room for you to invite your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and strangers to join us in celebrating the reality that we serve the RISEN Christ! We will have contemporary worship services at 8:15 and 11AM in the Artz Fellowship Hall and traditional worship at 9:45 in the sanctuary. We will also have a wonderful opportunity for children and their families to share a short celebration at the Living Cross at the corner of Main and 6th (by the Post Office).

Here are five things you can do to help us prepare for the most important week of the year:

First, pray that God would show up in special ways in all of our worship services and events.

Second, attend as many of these special gatherings as you are able.

Third, invite others to come and sit with you for these special worship services. Surveys tell us that 82% of people would come to church if someone invited them, but only 2% of people invite others to come. There is no better time of the year to invite others than Easter Sunday.

Fourth, share the social media or web site posts about these worship services.

Fifth, on Easter our hospitality team will need to double or triple. What I am asking everyone who considers Columbus First our home church to do is “Worship One and Serve One.” In other words, pick one of the 8:15, 9:45, or 11AM services to attend and choose at least one other to serve on the hospitality team. You can email elizabeth@columbufirst.org to find your place to serve. Who knows you could be the most important person to help others experience the love of Jesus.