April 6, 2023

Dear Central Church,
 
In just a few days we are going to gather as the people of God and proclaim the best news the world has ever heard: Christ is risen! As amazing as this celebration is going to be and as wonderful as this news is to those of us who believe, it’s important that we realize how many do not know the truth of Christ’s victory over death. Many people will have a day off work or indulge in a Cadbury egg or attend a community egg hunt with their kids, but they will not recognize what this day is all about. We should not take for granted that people know the good news of Easter.
 
We also should not expect that they know. It would be uncharitable to resent those who live in ignorance of something that is so important to us. If Jesus can pray “Father forgive” for those who are torturing him, the least we can do is extend grace to those who are unaware of the significance of this season.
 
Phineas Bresee, the founder of the Church of the Nazarene said this, “We are debtors to every person to give them the Gospel in the same measure with which we have received it.” According to Bresee, those who are ignorant of the Gospel owe no debt to us. We should not expect that they flock to our doors because they are open or our service times are published on our website. Rather, it is us - who know the truth and have been blessed by it - who owe a debt to them! Like the women who first discovered the reality of the empty tomb, it is our responsibility to go and tell all that we have seen and heard.
 
If you haven’t invited a friend to Easter at Central, it’s not too late! If you haven’t shared our service times on social media, it’s not too late. If you’re a Facebook user, click here to see our post and share it with your friend network.
 
Please note that our service times for Easter have been adjusted:
 
9am - First Service
10:15 - Fellowship/Refreshments
11am - Second Service
 
I look forward to seeing you and new friends on Sunday as we celebrate Christ’s victory over death. He is risen indeed!
 
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark