Tag Archive - Easter

Easter 2013

April 2, 2013 in Easter, Tampa Church with Comments Off

Wow- God gave us a great Easter!  Thank you Jesus for the gift of Eternal life!  I also want to thank the hundreds of volunteers that made our Good Friday and Easter Sunday services rock!  We had an “all hands on deck” call out and you served in droves.  How fun is it to worship in a full room with people celebrating our risen Lord?  We had 12 people indicate that they trusted Jesus as their savior for the first time- that makes our Easter Celebration even bigger.

I love watching the kids get the Easter Eggs!  The older kids cleaned up over 500 eggs in minutes and the younger kids- lets just say they are into certain colors and taking their time.  One of the more competitive moms told me she had coached up her kids in the art of picking up eggs.  She said the strategy was- “Go to the farthest point and work your way back – and then she taught them the art of the double pick up”.  All I can say is wow! And I thought I was competitive.

I am sure you have read enough and you would like to see some pictures- so here you go.

If you don’t see the slide show- click here.

You Have The Power!

March 25, 2013 in Easter, Tampa Church with Comments Off

It seems like weekly we hear a story about the abuse of power in our country and around the world.  These men or women have power because of position, name and or money and their stories of theft, abuse, enslavement and intimidation all find their roots in the abuse of power.  These people take their power and use it to meet their selfish needs.  Such are the stories that riddle our world and bring us to disgust.

How different it was with Jesus.  We read in Philippians 2:

(6) Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. (7) Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, (8) he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Rather than use His power to save himself- Jesus used His power to save us.  Jesus surrendered his position as Lord to become one of us and die on a cruel cross for our redemption. That doesn’t make sense in the world we live in and yet that is the call of Christ for us as well.    We are called to use our power to help people discover the love and forgiveness of God found in Jesus Christ.

I asked you to make a list of people you are going to pray for and invite to Easter Sunday.  You have the power of influence- will you use it this week to invite someone to hear the “good news” of Easter?  Make your list- pray for these folks daily and then invite them to come with you this Sunday.

Thank YOU!

April 10, 2012 in Tampa Church, Thank You with 3 Comments

For years I have been amazed at how God has taken a guy with so many miss-steps, miss-ques, and miss-speaks and still uses me.  I remember so many failures and times of disobedience in my life and yet when I repent and trust Jesus’ for forgiveness – He uses me and often uses my failure as a platform for His message.  God has not only redeemed me- he has redeemed my failure and uses it for His glory.  So on an Easter weekend when we see so many people said yes to following Jesus, said yes to Baptism, said yes to serving, and said yes to God- I am so thankful to Jesus for His grace and strength.

There is also a group of people I am thankful for and it’s our pastors and volunteers!  God used you all in HUGE ways.  Let me see if I can list a few, let’s begin with Friday Night:

  • Friday night the band and tech team nailed our Night of Worship.  Great job!
  • We Baptized 20 and the baptistry was leaking like a broken pot for the whole service.  BUT- our team kept mopping, emptying water, and smiling.
  • I thought the Lord’s Supper experience was moving as volunteers led it around tables.

Now how about Sunday:

  • Set-up and tear down people- you blow me away- every week you get us going!
  • Our greeters were spot on from the parking lot to the front door.  I loved watching greeters escort 1st time guests to kids check in and class rooms.
  • The ushers doubled up and did a great job of seating people.
  • Tech team another great job
  • Our kids volunteers cared for almost 200 children!  Wow- thank you!

So I just want to say- Thank you Church at the Bay for saying yes to God- and yes to doing whatever it takes to help people take their next step with Jesus.  It’s an honor to serve as your lead pastor.

I did have someone ask me if I “lip synced” the song I sang.  I told them, “no, the song was live- I lip synced the sermon. ;-)

 

Can’t see Baptism Video? Click here

 

 

The Power of an Invite!

April 4, 2012 in Invest and Invite with Comments Off

If you were at Church at the Bay this past Sunday you heard Luly Acosta’s story!  If you missed it or would like to see it again- it is posted below.

(No video Click here)

When I see life change by the power of Jesus I always want to know where it started.  So I asked Luly, “Who invited you to Church at the Bay”. Luly said, “My friend Yajaira”.  I can only imagine the joy that her friend feels now.

So here is my question

Who is your Luly?  Who do you know who needs to know Jesus personally?  What if they come on Sunday and commit their life to Jesus and you are the one who invited them?  Would that make your Easter the best ever?

The God of the universe made displayed His love for all mankind when He sent His Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life- die on a cross for our sins- raise from the dead on the third day!

Please invite your friends to meet Him this Sunday- Easter- at Church at the Bay.

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