Eight Days - Mark 16:1-8: What’s the part that matters most? It’s a question we all wrestle with quite frequently in virtually every dimension of life. This Easter, we want to visit the question. Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15 that the part that matters most is the reality that Jesus lived, died and was resurrected. A Roman cross and an empty tomb. Easter represents everything that matters most in our faith and it’s my deepest prayer that you will fully enter into the horror of it is finished and the wonder of He’s not here! Whether it’s the Free John Easter play or Good Friday service or Sunday morning Easter celebrations … I trust you will be here with a spirit of anticipation as we remember the sacred beauty and gift of Jesus. No wonder they called Him the Saviour! Have a blessed Easter! Pastor Ian

Eight Days - Luke 19:28-42: Passion. It's a word we use a dozen times a day. It might be directed towards a person, a sports team, or a personal endeavour - but make no mistake, we like passion. It's always fascinating to me to consider the origin of the word. It comes from the life of Jesus and the events of the final week of His life. This weekend, we enter into this Passion Week with a reminder of that day we know as Palm Sunday. It gives us a remarkable picture on the true character of Jesus and how he truly is a prophet, priest and King.

BLESS - Luke 19:1-9: Even a casual reading of the New Testament reveals the reality that the message of Jesus primarily spread through relationships. We've all been influenced by someone and we're all in the journey of influencing others! What kind of impact are we making in life...in helping others come to understand Christ's love for them? We're going to talk about the difference Jesus makes in a life and how we can help this happen. There will be a fantastic story of one lady's journey to faith and those who we're a part of her story.

BLESS - 1 Peter 3:15 & 2 Corinthians 10:5: This weekend at Foothills, we're hosting the Be Ready Conference and as part of our regular worship services, we'll welcome guest speaker and founder of CrossExamined.org, Dr. Frank Turek. Here's the scoop on what Dr. Turek will be sharing: To some, the concept of having faith in a higher power or a set of religious beliefs is nonsensical. Many view religion in general, and Christianity in particular, as unfounded and unreasonable. This weekend we'll learn that Christianity is not only more reasonable than all other belief systems, but is indeed more rational than unbelief itself. It's good to be a believer who knows why it's more than reasonable to believe in Jesus. I hope you'll be here to worship, be challenged and connect. After all, we're better together.

BLESS - Colossians 4:2-6: Have you ever taken the time to consider who influenced you most in your decision to follow Jesus? For many, it's a parent or a youth leader, a pastor or friend. For me, it might be a lady I've never met … the one who invited my brother and eventually me to spend a week at a Christian camp where I first met Jesus. Would you be on anyone's People Who Helped Me Find God list? We're going to talk about the coolest and most natural way to influence others for Jesus this weekend. I dearly hope you'll be here. We'll end with one of the most amazing stories you've heard in a real long time!

Better Together - Luke 10:25-37: I heard the term used in a news report yet again this past week – where a kind-hearted stranger stepped up to be a Good Samaritan to someone who needed help. Isn't it interesting how that term has become common language in our culture? Even people who don't have the slightest clue about the Bible, will use this phrase in their everyday speech. Why did Jesus tell that story? What meaning does it have for us today? Find out this weekend as we mine some of the gems buried in this classic parable. -- Pastor Scott

Better Together - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13: Loving people is awesome. Everyone who believes that knows that sometimes; loving people is also EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. We may be having a lot of sweets this weekend, but we will not sugar coat the struggle that comes with loving people in a Christ-like way. The challenge is real...but by the strength of Jesus, we are good for it! --Kenny Bayless, Youth Intern

Better Together - Acts 4:32-37: Church. Itg's kind of complicated for some of us. Some are beyond grateful for the role their faith community plays in their lives. Others ... not so much! How do we make sense of church in 2016? What is authentic biblical community and how do we find and extend it to others. Great things happen when we get church right. Come discover the plan for the church Jesus had in mind when He promised, "I will build my church." Our experience of community will be far richer with you here! Bless you. -- Pastor Ian

Two Minutes of Courage - Matthew 3:13-17: Defining moments. We all have them in our lives. Some come as wonderful, grace-filled surprises and others as painful, unwelcomed intruders. But there's another realm of defining moments that result from personal choices. Every once in a while, we just get it right and make the kinds of choices that alter destinies and shape legacies and transform trajectories. This weekend, we're going to study a defining moment in Jesus' journey ... his baptism. We'll remember the significant elements surrounding this event at the onset of His public ministry and reflect on our choices. For those of us who have been baptized, we'll remember our baptism and all that it meant for us. For those who have yet to take this step of faith ... well ... it might be an opportunity for you to make your own courageous choice that will become for you a defining moment!!

Insomniac - Philippians 4:4-7: I'm writing this Friday morning. I have a real love / hate relationship with Fridays. I get to study the Bible in preparation for teaching on the weekend... which I love, love, love!! But Sunday's coming fast (it even comes Saturday night now) and I often feel great pressure on Friday. So if you feel inclined... please pray for me... especially on Fridays! Here's a paragraph I just wrote that may or may not make it into this weekend's manuscript, but it will give you some insights on where we're going this weekend: One of the most prominent features of depression is the unrelenting belief that it will never get better than it is right now. One of the most prominent features of despair or failure is that I'll never change from who I am now. Both are lies from the pit of hell. Jesus came to bring peace. He came to bring purpose. He came to reclaim, rebuild, restore that which is broken and lost. There is no area of our lives where He cannot make a difference. He invites us to a life of prayer because He's inviting us to a life of transformation. Don't spend your days being anxious. Pray. Trust. Be grateful. Great things are coming. Prepare to be amazed! We're going to talk about stress and disappointment and pain... all in the shadow of the Lord's table in an environment of prayer.