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March 2008 by Ondria Durocher-Witt I Know My Redeemer Lives!
Lent has always been a hard season for me to get through. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, where I am reminded that I am dust, and will return to dust, I mull through Lent…longing for Easter Sunday to come. The Lenten season has always seemed so dreary to me, although I have always been able to appreciate why we observe Lent. And so I give up something of my choice for the 40 days and nights of this liturgical season, remembering that my giving up soda in no way compares to Jesus’ wandering and being tempted in the wilderness. I pray, sometimes quite selfishly that the Lord will restore order to my seemingly crazy life, instead of praying for hope, strength, wisdom and what I need most often- humility. I grudge when out to lunch or dinner, wanting to order that tasty, refreshing Coke, forgetting why I even gave it up in the first place.
Holy week is usually a very emotional time for me. It begins as early as Maundy Thursday. We gather together for an evening service, remembering what took place so long ago. When we commune, throughout the year, do you remember the Last Supper, and its significance? “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. This is my blood, shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the nails are driven into the cross on Good Friday, do you feel that “Pow! Pow! Pow!” being driven into your heart? Golly, I sure do. Do you feel haunted as the cantor sings “Were You There?” When I hear the words “It is finished!” I cannot help but let my tears flow. Brothers and sisters, Jesus was a man. A man sent by our Holy Father to save us. Jesus literally shed his blood for us, and he literally breathed his last breath, hanging on a cross! He died for us!
When we sing the words “Amazing love, how can it be that You my King would die for me?” at Center Celebration, are those words more than just a song to you? They are to me. I devote my life to serving the Lord because of what he has done for me! It is so amazing that a man would endure so much pain to save little insignificant me. But I am not insignificant in God’s eyes, and neither are you. We matter big time to Him!
Friends, the emotional, almost gut-wrenching story does not end with Jesus dying on the cross. Three days later, he rose from the grave, disappeared from the tomb. The stone was rolled away! “The tomb is EMPTY!” Yes, friends…the tomb is empty, indeed. Jesus lives on in our lives, in our hearts. I carry this with me, always. Every Sunday, I am reminded of what the Lord has done for us, and it stays with me. In a few weeks, when Easter is finally here, stand up and rejoice! Your Redeemer lives! We are redeemed, and are called to SAY SO! Our chains are gone, friends. We’ve been set free.
“I’m not ashamed of the gospel, Lord. Your power and your love that saved my soul. Now I’m alive in You. I LIVE IN THE RISEN SON!”
New Young Adult Bible Study Group
Targeting young adults ages 18-30
Beginning Tuesday, March 4th at 7:00 pm
Hosted at the home of Ondria and Sacha Witt 124 Lilly Avenue (Located between Walgreen’s Pharmacy and Catawba College)
We will begin with an 8-week series using the20/30 Young Adult Bible Study: BALANCE.
SCHEDULE
March 4- Introduction to series and sharing
March 11- Taking Care of Business
March 18- I’m So Busy! (Easter focus)
March 25- What a Rush! April 1- Lord, Where Are You?
April 8- It Takes Two (Or More)
April 15- It’s Not Fair!
April 22- Justice Goes Global
April 29- Fellowship Dinner Out
Bring a bible, your friends and a snack to share as we engage in conversations about faith in our lives today, and enjoy music and fellowship. We’ll open and close each session with prayer and have time to share and discuss whatever may be weighing on our hearts.
ALL ARE WELCOME
ALPHA
Join us
for our upcoming Alpha series
Registration deadline - to be announced
Alpha is for anyone who . . . *Wants to brush up on faith basics Interested in registering or finding out more? Contact us!
Joyce Meyer w/DELIRIOUS?
Date: Saturday, March 15th
Location: Lawrence Memorial Coliseum Winston-Salem
Doors open at 8 am!
A group will be leaving the St. John’s lower level parking lot at 7 am. Seating for the conference is first come, first serve.
If you’d like to spend the day being filled with inspiration from a wonderful Christian speaker, and worship with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, led by DELIRIOUS? (My Glorious, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever, What a Friend I’ve Found, Shout to the North, etc…), please join us for this event!
If you’d like to attend this conference, please contact Ondria Witt at 704-798-2413 or oduro1983@yahoo.com.
Center Celebration Team Mini Retreat
A mini-retreat will be held in the Center on Saturday March 8th from 9 am-1 pm. This is for the Team Leaders of Center Celebration. For more information, please contact Center Celebration coordinator Carolyn Byrd.
Livin’ Out, You’re Lookin’ Up Women’s Retreat
A One Day Event Designed to...
www.parkwoodbaptist.com | view map
From-the-Word messages
by Haven Parrott, teacher;
$35 before 3/31, $40 after
Schedule:
8:30
Doors open; Coffee and fellowship
*If anyone is interested in attending this event, please contact Ondria Durocher Witt.
The Alter and the Door Tour
Casting Crowns LeelandJohn Waller
Cricket Arena, Charlotte, NC Saturday, March 29th at 6 pm (Doors open at 5 pm)
** Groups of 15+ recieve 2 free tickets in addition to the amount purchased.
Limit 2 free per order.
Whispered and Shouted Tour
Aaron Shust Brandon Heath Meredith Andrews
First Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem Wednesday, April 16th 7 pm
For info contact: 336-723-1621
General admission In advance- $8.00Day of- $15.00
We Will Stand Tour
Avalon Michael English Cadia Daniel Doss Band
Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC Thursday, April 17th at 7 pm
Tickets:
Artist Circle $22.00 General Admission Individual- $17.50 GA Group 15 +- $15.50
WE WANT YOU!!!
We’d like to know what your favorite hymns or contemporary Christian songs are, and why. We’re gathering your favorites to post on the bulletin boards downstairs in the Center. We’ve had some wonderful responses so far! Please stop by and take a look at the boards. To submit your favorites, please e-mail them to oduro1983@yahoo.com. Thanks for sharing!
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