Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Steve and Beth Bond and Kevin, Danette, Mason, and Marissa Hoffman at the passing of Beth’s mother, Peggy Hesson, on Saturday, April 2. The funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 6, in Finksburg.
SYMPATHY: to family and friends of Connie Reid, who passed away on Wednesday, April 6. Funeral arrangements are pending.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: A celebration of life service will be held in remembrance of Harry Deegan on Saturday, April 23, at 11:00 am in the Auditorium, followed by refreshments.
THANK YOU: Thank you Open Door family for the prayers, cards, calls, and gifts. I was so surprised and grateful for the many people who have reached out to me and my husband Will. A special thank you to Pastor Holbrook, Pastor Shutt, Pastor Brian, and the Soul Winner’s Club who called or messaged to check on me. Even though I am now living in Kansas City, MO., I am thankful for the kindness of my home church. I miss all of you very much! I am getting better every day! Love, Michelle Staner Gregory
LIVING CROSS NURSERY: For those that signed up to work in the Nursery, please stop by the Welcome Desk to pick up your copy of the schedule for this week. Thank you for your help! Please text or call Anne-Marie at (410) 375-2078 if there are any questions.
LIVING CROSS MAKEUP: Main characters and cast, please plan to arrive early enough each night for your makeup to be done. The Makeup staff will be here by 5:15 pm each night to begin assisting you.
LIVE STREAM: The Living Cross presentations will be live-streamed on Sunday, April 10th, and on Friday, April 15th.
From My Heart
We begin this year’s presentation of the Living Cross tonight at 7:00 pm. Make sure you note the time difference for tonight’s service. Next week, we will go back to our regular, 6:00 pm start time for the evening service. The title of our drama this year is, “Convincing Thomas.” The storyline is based on Thomas doubting the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead. He tells the other disciples he will not believe until he can touch the nail prints in His hands and thrust his hand to touch the wound in His side. This is a new drama, and you will like the powerful message it delivers.
We still have some tickets available out on the tables in the foyer for you to use as reminders to those you invite. The program has a powerful message, so let’s try our best to get unsaved folks here each night. We will live-stream the Living Cross on Sunday night and again on Friday night. If you have family living away from the area, you can have them watch it online.
In that final week before our Savior was crucified, He gave a powerful message to His Disciples on the Mount of Olives, recorded for us in Matthew’s Gospel, chapters 24 and 25. The Mount of Olives overlooks the Temple Mount, where the Temple was located. In just a few days, Jesus would be nailed to the Cross of Calvary where He would shed His precious Blood and make a way of full atonement for you and for me.
The question the Disciples asked was this: “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?” (24:3). The Lord’s answer is in the rest of chapters 24 and 25. One of the things Jesus made several references to in this sermon was the admonition for His saints to be ready for Him to return to this earth. In 24:42, 24:44, and 25:13 we are told to be ready for the Lord to return to this earth.
I sure wish the Lord would return for His Church today! This world is already so blinded by sin and so filled with wickedness; it seems strange to me the Lord is being so patient with His coming. The stage is already set, nothing needs to be fulfilled from prophecy, the nations are in place, and the Church is certainly in a dire spiritual condition. The Lord’s return is surely at hand! We best be ready, watching, and laboring for the Lord until He comes.
I trust you will have a wonderful day and will allow the Lord to speak to your heart and draw you to His side.
Pastor Norris