Easter All Sorted at GP
Many look forward to attending church services at Easter time, often even non-churchgoers, perhaps especially this year. It has become an increasingly divided realm that we live in, overflowing with war, violence, and hatred, causing people to seek hope and answers like never before. Our church offers this hope with a packed Easter weekend programme and a special Easter message.
We believe that light replaces darkness when Jesus is in the house. That's certainly been the case lately, with numerous events well-attended. New converts and members appear routine as many young families and people of all backgrounds visit our fellowship. However, none of the previous events can match the excitement of the Easter season, seen by many as the most important day in the church calendar.
Senior Pastor Jeff Wright is excited about this weekend. "Our topic on Sunday is, I believe, extremely timely - "What on earth is going on? Our message is: bring your friends and families as we answer this world-changing question. In the final days, major financial systems, governments, nations, kings, and even our climate will be shaken by divine disturbance. God's going to disrupt the natural world order of things to prepare us for a new world order where the Lord Jesus Christ is on the throne and rules and reigns over the earth, showing humankind what the world could have been like when grace, truth, and justice are at the helm. Jesus Christ is on the verge of His appearance, and we can already see the earth begin to shake."
He added, "This Easter, more than ever, our church is determined to get people's attention everywhere because God, in His love, is trying to get their attention. As a society, we have been ignoring Him. In the book of Hebrews, we are told that just before He establishes His kingdom on the earth, He will set off a shaking in and on the planet. He is going to cause a disturbance! A divine disorder will unravel everything we hold on to and put our trust in for stability and order but in place of Him. Isn't this happening today in our generation?
"With the purpose of Easter at the centre, we want to create a space for all people to come and remember at the communion table, to worship with thanksgiving, to celebrate over food, fellowship, and fun, to become awed at the accurate, relevant and powerful word of God for each of us and to top it all off with the reminder in baptism, that because of Jesus, we too, can become dead to our old ways and rise into brand new life!"
Our Easter programme commences on Friday, 7th April, with a communion service at 7.30 pm, when people will gather as a church family to remember the day of the death of Christ. Available also that evening will be what's known as - the GP Kids' Group.
Then, at the Resurrection Sunday morning service on Sunday, 9th April commencing at 10.30 am, the worship will be lively and celebratory before that important Easter sermon is delivered. Both Kids' and youth churches will also occur on Sunday mornings. However, the celebrations won't end there, as a giant Easter Fun Day is planned following the morning worship. This includes inflatables, a petting farm, face painting, hotdogs, burgers, crepes, ice cream, chocolate treats, and many memories to be made.
Easter is a particular time. A prepared moment where people gather together across the globe in remembrance, thanksgiving, celebration, and awe of what Jesus has accomplished for all humankind through His death and resurrection. It is no ordinary day! Yet, we often box this eternal, world-changing event in with our chocolate eggs, cute bunnies and an annual trip to Portrush. These are great things, of course, but let's never become so familiar with this sacrifice and ultimate opportunity. Our salvation that it fades into the common. We are invited to recognize and receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. When we do, we realize that He is everything, for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. Our church message is simple - don't miss Him in this beautiful season.
Rounding the Easter Sunday programme off will be an exceptional baptismal celebration service for people who have followed the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone is invited to join the events, so why not come and receive a blessing? You may even find the perfect place for you and your family.
