Easter Ezra Sermons

Hands Spread Out – Ezra 9

April 5, 2020 –

This is normally a special time of the year. This year we are seeking normal in an unusual time. I know that it will be hard to not be together as a church for the Easter events. It will also be hard to be separated from family for an Easter lunch or dinner. But we are praying for God’s grace and His mercies which are new every morning. We are reminded that the believers were separated and hiding that first and greatest Resurrection Sunday. But we can still join together as we join in prayer, join in worship, and join in celebration. Christ is Risen!

Services:

This week we celebrate Palm Sunday. There is a Palm Sunday Puppet Show video that we made for the kids (but anyone can watch it!). We are posting a video of my message from Ezra 9 entitled “Hands Spread Out.” It is a call to recognition of sin and the need for intercessory prayers. It can be watched from below or on FaceBook directly. There are also some lyric videos, so you can listen or sing along at home to be a part of your worship experience. We are having our Weekly Zoom Meeting where we touch base with each other, reflect on the message, talk about what God is teaching us, and share prayer needs. Please check your email for this information.

Special Live Sunday Morning: Next Sunday for Easter

Next week for Resurrection Sunday, we plan on live streaming the message on YouTube at 10:15 am. If you miss the live feed, it will be posted on our website. We are planning on having another Children’s Sermon video and a video of a Chalk Drawing done by Pastor Bob that morning.

To access the live stream video you will be able to click on a link that will be provided shortly or look under the Butter Valley Community Church YouTube page.

Let’s continue to be a church family. Pray for each other. Keep in contact with each other. Let’s help each other get through this time. We want to be as Christ to each other and to our neighbors.

Fellowship and Study Opportunities

Youth Group

On Sunday nights at 6:30 pm, we will be holding a Zoom Meeting for the Youth Group. Last week we had 16 students in the meeting. Parents, please encourage your children to join. Please check the email sent out or Remind for the information.

Weekly Prayer Meeting:

We will continue making each Wednesday a day for Prayer and Fasting for God’s mercy during this time. You can fast from one meal, two meals, or three meals. You can only drink water or drink juice or other drinks. You can do a fast of only fruits and vegetables. There are lots of ways to fast, but it should all be to remind you to pray. Some of you should not fast for various health or physical reasons. Each Wednesday, we have a Zoom Meeting at 6:30 pm to join together in prayer. We will not be sending out the church bulletins at this time, but we will try to make you aware of prayer needs through emails. The details for joining the meeting can be found in the email that was sent out.

As we pray for God’s mercy, we should all reflect on Titus 3:5, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit….” Our standing to come to God crying out for mercy is fortunately not based on our righteous acts but on God’s character and on the righteousness of Jesus.

Women’s Bible Study

Women’s Ministries is offering a Bible Study, Finding God Faithful by Kelly Minter, starting this Monday night. The videos are free on Lifeway and we will meet to discuss our weekly learning. This Monday we will meet to discuss the first video. For more information, see the PDF attached in the email you have received. Books will be purchased by individuals. The information for the Zoom can also be found in the email.

Giving and Service

Your normal tithes and offerings can be done online at buttervalleycc.org, or checks can be mailed to the church office. A number of people have been checking in to see if there is anyone in need from our church family. I have not heard of anyone in this situation, but please let us know if you have needs as there are others willing to help. If you have a need, physical or emotional, please call your deacon, deaconess, Pastor Mark, or the church office. We will be happy to see how we could help or pray with you. If anyone is afflicted with Covid-19, please let me know so that the church can be in prayer.

Pastor Mark

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