April's Newsletter
Happy Easter - Let Us Experience His Power
April is arriving with much warmer weather and much more rain. How blessed we are as we experience the new buds on the trees, flowers sprouting up all around, and color being added to our landscape plus the birds arriving adding life, activity, and chirping in the mix.
The Easter Season, also known as the Great Fifty Days, begins at sunset Easter Eve and continues through the Day of Pentecost. It is the most joyous and celebrative season of the Christian year. It focuses on Christ's resurrection and ascension and on the givings of the Holy Spirit on the first Easter (John 20:22-23) and the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
Easter (Paschal) Vigil has both historic and symbolic roots in the Jewish Passover. That is why so many images are from the Old Testament and why so many analogies are experienced in Christ. In this service we experience the passage from slavery to freedom, from sin to salvation, and from death to life. (United Methodist Book of Worship, p.368-69).
Something we, as Christians, look forward to each year is "Passion Week" beginning with Palm Sunday - Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem - followed by His arrest, trial, judgment, flogging, crucifixion, and burial. The greatest joy for us is to know the Resurrection power of Christ from the physical death. He conquers death and rises from the tomb, appears to mankind and fulfills The Word of God - that on the third day He would rise from the dead. He Has Risen! Hallelujah!
What does this mean for you? It is critical for us to gain understanding of what Jesus did for us - to have our names written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Refer to Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Therefore, we must seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit to live in the resurrection power God has given to us. This is a basis to have the power of God to be overcomers of sin in our lives and to walk in the Spirit. The "fear" is placing God in a position of Awe, or holding Him in high regard. Understanding the first two commandments that God gave to us - putting God first in our lives! Making Him a priority! Developing a relationship with Him! Moreover, seeking God to give you understanding of the Word which you read and study from the Bible. As you do your part God will do His part. More importantly, we must be willing to do what He asks of us. That is to go out and make disciples of Jesus Christ! Tell someone your story of how you came to know Jesus. What a blessing it is to have a story to tell. I pray during this most magnificent time of year that you will take a good hard look at your life and measure it up to the Cross of Jesus Christ!
Please be in prayer for our Community Revival which has the theme "Unity in the Community to Build the Kingdom of God here in Linden, Alabama." The Revival will begin on Sunday, April 27th with Bro. Chad Ward preaching, on April 28th with Bro. Rob Wynne preaching, on April 29th with Bro. Robert Pierce preaching, and on April 30th with Bro. Randy Creel preaching. Music will be provided by Linden Baptist & Providence Baptist, Forest Hill Baptist & Linden UMC, Cornerstone, and First Baptist Church, respectively. What an opportunity to come together and refresh our relationships with one another and have a reason to invite our neighbors to come hear the Story of Jesus proclaimed. Thank you ahead of time for what you will do to make this an effective time for the LORD! May God bless your ministry this month!
In Christ Jesus,
Bro. Tony Antonelli