Easter 2007 – Living Heart First

I am struggling to find exact words to describe our Easter 2007 weekend. I felt like I was living a “Rebirth of Hope,” it was more than a theme – I was seeing my personal hope raised as I looked in the eyes of first time guests – people I had never seen in my 20 years at LFC and watching our teams serve so well. Oh, we had some of our normal two or three time per year people too, but many first timers. I recall looking in the eyes of several first time guests as they raised their hands and said, “Yes” to Jesus for the very first time. This was a thrill and all of heaven rejoiced. We were a part of seeing 22 people decide to give their lives over to the “Stone” they could stand upon, while they began to experience the “stone” being rolled away for them and the forgiveness of Jesus being extended to them. There is nothing like it and to do it all with the team we call LFC was amazing. It was truly living heart first. We all know that God gave His very best – His Son Jesus for us. This was His way of showing us how much He loves us and how we ought to live. It is living heart first from heaven and was the very thing I sensed this weekend. Servanthood was all around us and the team unified well. From the band and choir, drama team, dancers and others who had learned their lines – to the hospitality team who brought to us a great food line – amazing. Those who served in the trenches commented how smoothly everything ran. Those who came to church were amazed and the first time guests I spoke with wondered, how we did it all. One guy asked: “Do you have this food buffet every week?” We had to tell him no, but yes we do have food every week. God feeds our souls as we gather at LFC. From our “service run through” on Thursday night to the set-up on Friday and Saturday – it was near effortless and filled with so much joy. For sure, lots of moving, lifting, cleaning, arranging – the labor is always there but when done with the right heart and with right-hearted people – the labor is joy-filled. I don’t recall ever be a part of a huge event or service like this and having so much joy and camaraderie. You could not only sense it but feel it. The teams clicked together so well and the additional servants stepping in - there was a special sense of grace and purpose – we were living heart first and connecting all we were doing back to souls and to the glory of God. Over 1,320 people attended our Easter services and our children, in their own tent with music and worship and puppets and goodies and a great lesson. There were over 165 children who attended our special services in the tent – just for them. Plus our nurseries and well, you get the picture. People were everywhere and God was with them too. Our overflow venue was the best ever. I have never seen clearer screens and the sound was amazing (with 12,000 Lumens projection – wow they were great and crystal clear and the sound was mixed so well and balanced – wonderfully). But the greatest thing of all (next to salvations) was the fact that we were able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.
Jesus points to Himself as the servanthood model. He says, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Do you want to know what servanthood looks like? Look at the life of Jesus. We read about Him in John 13, the scene where the disciples all arrive for a meal. The disciples are so concerned about the pecking order that none of them volunteers to do the work of a servant and wash the others' feet. So Jesus gets up and, going from one to the other, washes and dries. Then He says, "If this is the way that I as your master and your teacher, act, then know that you should do the same." The earliest Christian hymn that we know about was a hymn about Jesus. It's found in Philippians 2.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross."
He is our model and we are following Him. Thanks to all of you for making this an Easter to remember and for creating an atmosphere of graciousness and love in which 22 adults gave their lives to Jesus. Salvations – heart first for sure. You all made heaven rejoice and God smile.Let’s keep giving our hearts and sharing our joy and living heart-first.
I am proud to be your pastor and I love you,
Pastor Bernie