When I was in my late teens and early twenties I wasn’t nearly as close to The Lord as I would have liked to be- odd thing too say –but sometimes we just don’t do the things we’d like to or know we need to do. I didn’t go to church that often and had no ministry or mission in my life.
But Easter always woke something up inside of me, especially Good Friday.
After my first year in college I started working in a bank. Banks in the early ‘70’s gave employees two hours off for Good Friday. It was a great excuse for tellers to get together and head out for lunch – I chose to walk to the local church – a church I only went to on Good Friday – share communion, hear God’s Word and be reminded of why I was. Those Friday’s helped save me. They were genuinely good.
Today I’ll preach two Good Friday Services – one at 7 this evening, usually the most crowded and my favorite, at noon. Easter decorations have b
een removed from the auditorium and the cross is draped in black. These are some of the most liturgical steps we take at Central Community; I didn’t learn them in seminary, though I read about them. I learned them when I was searching for hope, searching for God, searching for my own lost soul… one Friday a year at a church I can’t even remember the name of. That's it! I found it online! If you live in Belmont Shores check it out sometime. It's on Toledo.
People who visit Central Community just once a year – Good Friday – will sit and listen today and in their searching eyes, I’ll see an image of my own young self, longing for a resurrection. Together, we’ll share The Lord.
Hope you have the opportunity to mark the sacrifice of our Savior today. Good Friday’s a great place to begin our search back to Him… a great place to anchor our soul… an incredible reminder that Jesus, The Son of God, was only 33 years old when He gave His all for you and me. That’s why we call it good.
Blessings,
Eric
But Easter always woke something up inside of me, especially Good Friday.
After my first year in college I started working in a bank. Banks in the early ‘70’s gave employees two hours off for Good Friday. It was a great excuse for tellers to get together and head out for lunch – I chose to walk to the local church – a church I only went to on Good Friday – share communion, hear God’s Word and be reminded of why I was. Those Friday’s helped save me. They were genuinely good.
Today I’ll preach two Good Friday Services – one at 7 this evening, usually the most crowded and my favorite, at noon. Easter decorations have b
een removed from the auditorium and the cross is draped in black. These are some of the most liturgical steps we take at Central Community; I didn’t learn them in seminary, though I read about them. I learned them when I was searching for hope, searching for God, searching for my own lost soul… one Friday a year at a church I can’t even remember the name of. That's it! I found it online! If you live in Belmont Shores check it out sometime. It's on Toledo.People who visit Central Community just once a year – Good Friday – will sit and listen today and in their searching eyes, I’ll see an image of my own young self, longing for a resurrection. Together, we’ll share The Lord.
Hope you have the opportunity to mark the sacrifice of our Savior today. Good Friday’s a great place to begin our search back to Him… a great place to anchor our soul… an incredible reminder that Jesus, The Son of God, was only 33 years old when He gave His all for you and me. That’s why we call it good.
Blessings,
Eric
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