Peter found assurance in Christ that we have been called to a living hope. In this message we examine Thomas who separated himself from the other disciples and missed Jesus’ first appearance in the upper room. We are reminded that we have been called not just to faith, but to a life of faith that is reflected in how we live.

After journeying along the path of confimration for 2 years, our second year students stand before the congregation, family, and God to affirm their baptism in a public profession of faith and what it means to them personally.

The message of Jesus' resurrection is the greatest message and the greatest love we can share with family, friends, and neighbors, for on it rests their hope of everlasting life. The woman who go to the tomb that first Easter morning are twice instructed, first by the angel, then by Jesus Himself to go and tell the disciples that Jesus is risen and will appear to them. Can we do anything less?

The Sunday before Resurrection Day, we call “Palm Sunday”. It’s also known as the “Triumphant Entry Of Christ” yet Jesus entered Jerusalem humbly not on a gold chariot but on the back of a donkey. The mind of Christ, among other things, involves a life of humility, obedience, and sacrifice. The crowds were drawn to him as Jesus humbled himself in the form of a slave, he showed his solidarity with the entire human race—sharing in their humanity and in so doing drawing us all to himself.

Jesus was not immune from the trials of grief mad the loss of people He cared deeply about. In the shortest verse in the Bible we are told simply "Jesus wept." Yet even in the midst of grief, in the midst of trials and tribulations there is hope. Even Lazarus is raised from the dead. We too are given new life through faith in Jesus.

Have you ever asked the question of God "WHY? when faced with trial or tragedy? In the man born blind God gives us a simple answer, that His Works may be revealed. Our world needs to hear of God's love for our brokenness. May He work through our times of trial, whether we have brought them only ourselves or do not understand them, and used us to share His strengths and power with those around us!

Faith is a gift of God and it is only through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives through His Word that we believe in Jesus and can live as His disciples. Such a life reflects faith to the world as the Spirit works in us. Each of us as a people born of the Spirit may reflect that faith in different ways depending on our personality and our skills and talents, but reflect we will under the blessing of God.

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)

Some Christians have a hard time getting up from their “bed”--they remain partially crippled by a "victim" mentality or by memories of their past lifestyles because they haven't fully availed themselves of the strength the Lord provides. Some Christians get up from the bed, but they don't want to shoulder the responsibilities of an active Christian daily life! Christ asks us to to get up off our beds of disability, take up the duties and obligations of a normal lifestyle and move forward in the Christian life--and He will give us the strength!