Announcements
SYMPATHY: to George & Judy Nelson and Melody Gray, at the passing of their brother-in-law/uncle, Kenneth Vance, on Monday, April 6. Arrangements are pending out-of-state in West Virginia.
SYMPATHY: to Emma & Casey McKinney and their family, at the passing of their grandfather/father, Tom Hanson, on Tuesday, April 7. Arrangements are pending.
SYMPATHY: to Sandy Ridgely at the passing of her brother, Jack Holt, on Thursday, April 2. Visitation was held in Ashville, OH.
SYMPATHY: to Sherry Mauler at the passing of her son, Scott Mauler, on Saturday, March 28. The funeral was held on Wednesday, April 8, in Westminster.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Tom & Cheryl Humbert and Ruth Chrest, on the birth of their granddaughter/great granddaughter, Avery Grace, on Thursday, April 2, weighing 8lbs, 3oz., and 20¼ inches long. The proud parents are Cory & Lauryn Toth.
THANK YOU: We would like to thank our church family for their outpouring prayers, support, and love during our time of loss of our husband and dad. James thought highly of this church and would be amazed at the cards, messages, and offers to bring food to our family. Special thanks to Jen Brown for bringing food on one of the toughest days. Pastor Shutt and Lisa for coming to the hospital to help comfort us during our state of confusion and shock. Thank you, Pastor Belcher, for your guidance and kind words. We are very thankful for such a loving church family and ask that you continue to pray as God leads us forward. It is a blessing to know in our hearts that we will see James again. Thank you! Tammy, Jacob & Calla, Lucas, and Isaac Brooks
SOUL-WINNER’S CLUB: The next 12-week training sessions for Spring/Summer begin on Wednesday, April 15, downstairs in the Music Room. Please sign up online or at the Welcome Desk.
From My Heart
I want to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Living Cross such a huge success! We had a tremendous week, and that is because everyone did their part! It takes a huge number of folks to do this program. We see the orchestra, the choir, the cast members, the prop crew, the lighting, the sound, and all the teens and children who play such a huge part. But what you do not see, who are just as vital as anyone, are the parking lot attendants, the nursery workers, the make-up ladies, the ladies who sew the costumes and who distribute and then collect them, and the crew who set up the tomb and who take it down once the week is over. That is a huge number of people, and to all of you - I want to say thank you!
This last week, I spent an hour on the phone with Pastor Milad in Beirut, Lebanon. He made it back home after being unable to get a flight from America for a few weeks due to the fighting and bombing happening in Beirut. His church was unable to have services due to the inability of people to get around (because of no gasoline being available) and because there was no electricity. But last Sunday, on Easter, he announced they were opening the church for a “Resurrection Service.” He reported that a great walk-in crowd of folks showed up, and said half of the crowd were first-time visitors, and several were saved when he gave the invitation.
The radical Islamists in these Middle Eastern countries are the ones who are setting the whole region on fire. Hamas (Gaza), Hezbollah (in Lebanon), the Houthis (Yemen), and the radical Mullahs in Iran. Bro. Milad said the Iranian people (the Persians) are sick and tired of the oppression and are becoming very open to the Gospel. He wants us to pray for a quick takeover of the Iranian government by the Persian people, to free the people from the radical terrorist regime of the Ayatollah’s.
I said last Sunday evening that the world is experiencing revival, except for here in our country. Multitudes of people are getting saved throughout the Middle East, as the Holy Spirit of God is working in the Muslim-dominated nations. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Paul said, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them….” The “they” in this verse is the nation of Israel. So, when Israel cries peace and safety, sudden destruction will come (the Great Tribulation). The Bible is right on point, and I can see how President Trump has decided to stop all the brutality and hostility towards Israel, and how that finally…a U.S. President is acting to bring peace, instead of simply talking about it! And when “peace” comes to Israel, which will happen during the first half of the Tribulation, then under the Antichrist, the world will turn again to destroy God’s people. I believe we are so close to the Lord’s return for His Church. The Middle East is taking shape and lining up perfectly for the Lord’s soon return. We'd best be ready; Jesus is coming again.
Pastor Norris