SUNDAY BULLETIN | April 20, 2025

Easter | We Have Confirmation

We welcome you this Easter Sunday for a special Confirmation service. Confirmation is more than just a ritual; it is a chosen, pivotal step on an individual's spiritual path. While baptism celebrates God’s boundless love for each of us, through confirmation we declare our profession of love and commitment to God. 


This Sunday, we will have the joy of witnessing Cara and Ben as they boldly share their statements of faith, publicly affirming their desire to be faithful followers of Jesus. May their testimonies inspire us all and remind us of our own commitments. 


Witnessing these confirmations presents us with a sacred opportunity to reflect on our own faith journeys and our dedication to living the example set for us by Jesus. Together, we get to celebrate and strengthen our bonds as a community.


Don’t miss this moment of collective renewal and commitment! Join us this Sunday for “We Have Confirmation” and experience the joy of recommitting yourself to a life of faith. Let's come together to support Cara and Ben and to celebrate the powerful journey of faith that can powerfully unite us all.


Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

ORDER OF SERVICE
SONG: "New Day" | Written by Colby Wedgeworth, Danny Gokey, & Ethan Hulse Kimberly Morgan
Welcome & Announcements Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes
Stepping Stones Lea Ann Koekenberg
Intro to the service Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes
Words of Welcome & Centering Rev. Richard Branden
The Confirmation of Cara Lynne Radcliffe
Prayer & Harvest Basket Christina Fidone
SONG: "Jesus Told Me So" | Written by Toy Caldwell Michael Read
The Confirmation of Benjamin Robert Fidone
Message Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes
SONG: "I Gotta Try" | Written by Kenneth Clark Loggins & Michael H. McDonald Caroline Smith
Closing Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes

At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus. They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words. They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the Eleven and the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things to the apostles, but the apostles didn’t believe a word of it, thought they were making it all up. But Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that’s all. He walked away puzzled, shaking his head.

Luke 24 :1-12


DEVOTIONAL MOMENT


We stand in awe

acknowledging that Jesus came alongside us to share our lot,

to display in his life a humanity

which could not be deflected from fulfilling Your purpose, Loving God:

not by the rejection of the powerful

or the failings of the disciples,

not by the testing of an unjust trial,

laceration by scourging, 

mockery and a crown of thorns,

not by the pain and humiliation of crucifixion.

We are amazed and strengthened.

by the life he lived.

It is a life we can put on

and it does not overwhelm our own being.

but rather enlarges, nourishes and completes us.

We stand in awe before Christ's humanity 

and give thanks that there is resurrection:

death does not have the last word.


Based on a longer prayer by Ian M. Fraser

OUR SERVING TEAMS:
The Good Earth Band Music Director: Doran Nash; Keyboards - Michael Read; Guitar - Michael Clark; Drums - Mike Kessler
Creative Team Creative Director: Dave Bradley, Betty Brandt, Becky Cheetham, Christina Fidone, Joleen House, Kimberly Morgan, Doran Nash, Marci Struble
Hospitality Team Hospitality Director: Tricia Frye, Kevin & Jessica Young, Konnie & John Schlechte, Tom Ford, Shannon Robinson, Beth Young
Technical Team Technical Director: Scott Carroll, Matthew Vire, Tom Ford, Arcy Clark, Jaco Carroll
Stepping Stones Program Coordinator: LeaAnn Koekenberg

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