I Wonder?

Have you ever had the occasion to declare, "If I had only known ……I would have done things differently!"

To have the right information, the accurate information, the knowledge and understanding about something can save us a lot of grief with many things in our life.

Jesus tried to teach us and give us needed information about this life and the life to come. Now I ask myself, "Did Jesus think more about Himself than others?"
Why did He sacrifice everything in this life, His comfort, His earthly future, His time, and His energy for others?

As I think about these two questions it raises an even more interesting one,"What did Jesus Know that we don't?"  I think the answer to that question leaves me extremely intrigued and excited.

This Sunday, Where is the Fruit?  and What is the Fruit?   or something close to that.

See you soon. God has a plan for your life!   Love, pastor Kent

Last Sunday We Celebrated Easter

The resurrection of Jesus was the final stamp of authority on who Jesus said He was. We celebrated that event last Sunday. Now here it is Wednesday three days later, has your life changed?

For most of us it probably has not. And, it's not totally your fault because most of us have never been taught how to develop and live a scripture based, Christian world view.

In other words, "How do I live like Jesus would want me to live in this world today?

That is one of the purposes of church. If effective, church can help us develop a Christian world view and help us live like Jesus taught us to live.

Some things to ask yourself and think about:  

What is my agenda?

What am I focusing my life energy towards?

Work is important. It is how we pay the bills, put kids through college, plan for our future. 

Can I live a Christian world view and still pursue my career?

We are going to begin exploring these questions and more over the next several Sundays. I hope you will join us.

Garden Club tonight at Edwardsville Care Center located at route 143 and St. Mary Drive Edwardsville. Time 6:30.

Whats or message?  God has a plan for your life.

What' our mission? To open a conversation about Jesus with as many people as possible.

What's our method? To live our life as a demonstrate of Jesus' Hope, Love, Forgiveness, Compassion, and Healing with everyone we meet.

Hope to see you Sunday. Love, pastor Kent

Late Monday Thoughts

If you can come to terms that Jesus is who He said He is, and that God really does exists, the next problematic thing is determining what that means to your life!

Since I have made up my mind that Jesus is who He said He is and God does exist, here are a couple of conclusions I have come up with.

The ultimate purpose of my life is not up to me.
God always has my best interest in mind.
The best way for me to know and understand God and what He wants me to do is to spend time with Him.

Here is what is still real hard for me.
Allowing God to have complete control over everything in my life all the time.
Praying with complete faith.
Waiting on God for an answer before acting.

Garden Club this Wednesday at Edwardsville Care Center at 6:30 PM.

God does indeed have a plan for your life!  See you soon.  Love, Pastor Kent

Easter Service Tonight

Praise Community Fellowship Easter service is tonight at 6:30.

See you there!  Love, Pastor Kent

Another day?

Good Friday is just another day, another Friday. But to a group of people who were following Jesus many years ago, it was a day that shook their world to the core and seemed to have destroyed their hope.  What had begun as an amazing journey had now turned into a nightmare.

Sometimes what appears to be the worst possible thing happening in our life is really just the beginning of something bigger and better.

Suggested Reading for today:  Isaiah 53:3-9  and Matthew 27:11-65

God had a plan For Jesus' life and Jesus fulfilled it to the last detail.

Good news, God has a plan for your life too!

See you Saturday at 6:30PM   Love, pastor Kent

For your information

Two events worth noting:

1. Through a partnership between the Faith Coalition-Edwardsville and the Glen/Ed Ministerial Alliance and in cooperation with the city of Edwardsville, area residents are invited to attend the First Annual Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service in the Edwardsville’s City Park at 6 a.m. Easter Sunday.

Joe Russo with Faith Coalition-Edwardsville said that together, the organizers were quite excited to share with the broader community the celebration of Easter Sunday with this first annual sunrise service.  “We are not promoting any one church or the laws of any one faith tradition, rather unity through relationship with God and one another,” he explained.  “We are coming together in unity to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ simply as Christ followers not any one church.”

2.) On April 27th there will be a special benefit concert to help the "Wounded Warriors." This benefit will take place at the Wildey Theater from 1:00 till 5:45 PM.   For more information and ticket prices you can go to the Wildey Theater website.

John 8:12

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

That's all for now!  See you soon. Pastor Kent

Maundy Thursday

What is Maundy Thursday?  The word Maunday is the word used for the ceremonial observation of washing ones feet before a meal. Maundy Thursday is the observation of Christ washing the disciples feet at the last supper.

John 13:14-17

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Christ was demonstrating to his disciples in a physical way what He tried to teach them over the past three years.

Luke 14:11

11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Matthew 20:28

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Being a Christian, and the key word is "being" is a life committed to serving others. 

I hope you will consider inviting your family and friends to our Easter service this Saturday at 6:30 PM. You could be giving someone you love a chance to get involved in a relationship with Jesus. And that is a life changing experience, from now through eternity!

See you Saturday.  God has a plan of your life and for the ones you love!   Love, pastor Kent