I hope you’re doing well. We are officially on the other side of Spring Break and marching towards Easter Sunday! Last year the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus fell a little flat due to COVID-19 and having to shut down the facilities. This year, we are regathering in person and we are celebrating our socks off! (metaphorically speaking only please)
I titled this update “Preparation for a Celebration” and hope you’ll think about the next couple of weeks through that lens. We are kicking off a new series in the book of Revelation this weekend and all of the passages we have ahead of us are perfectly suited for that kind of preparation.
These are exciting days for our church. People are coming back to in person gatherings and we are seeing God move in specific and tangible ways. We had a great turn out for the Discover Broadview lunch last weekend (10 people) and there are so many new families starting to plug into the life of our church
I’m also happy to report we are now officially meeting budget for the year. Last year we lowered our budget due to the projected decrease in giving and the impact COVID was having. Giving at the beginning of 2021 wasn’t meeting our weekly requirement even though we had lowered our overall budget.
In February those trends turned around and we are now officially “caught up” and moving a positive direction. Some have sensed the Lord leading them to give “above and beyond” whereas others have started to give for the first time. Whatever the case, it’s a great answer to prayer and an encouragement as we move forward in what God has called us to do together.
Thanks for being such a generous church.
Lead Pastor Wes Terry gives a video update on the events taking place at Broadview leading up to Easter Sunday.
Besides engaging with worship on Sunday mornings there are a few more ways you can prepare your heart for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus this coming April 4th.
Of the the first is a Palm Sunday family activity called “The Empty Tomb Eggstravaganza.”
Starts March 28th | 3-4PM
This is a time for families to celebrate together that the tomb is empty and our Savior lives! We will enjoy exciting worship, an engaging lesson, an Easter craft, and an egg hunt.
The event will be Sunday, March 28th from 3:00-4:00 pm. If you would like to donate individually wrapped candy for the egg hunt, there will be a donation bin located in the Gathering Place, as well as in the Preschool and Children’s welcome areas.
If you would like to help the day of the event, please contact Ora or Tiffany.
The second way to prepare your heart for Easter Sunday is to attend the Monday evening prayer meetings.
We are now about 3-4 weeks in and each Monday the Lord moves in a different and fresh way. We’ve seen the Lord answer some specific prayers like a replacement vehicle for an international student and physical healing for a bodily injury. We’re still praying for God to provide on various other fronts but that’s ultimately NOT the purpose of these meetings.
The prayer meetings are not primarily about asking God to answer certain prayers. The prayer meetings are primarily about enjoying the presence of God. It’s not about the “gifts” that God gives as much as it is the “GIFT GIVER” God himself.
My two goals for every prayer meeting are
(1) find the presence of God and
(2) stay in his presence as long as possible.
Obviously God is always present anytime the church gathers. But we all know there are times when God manifests his presence in a special way when we are in step with the Holy Spirit and seeking Him with all of our heart. That’s what these prayer meetings are all about.
If you haven’t yet attended one then please consider it. If you doubt their value, talk to somebody who has been going and see what they have to say. I’m confident their response will encourage you to experience it for yourself.
The last thing you can do to prepare for Easter Sunday is attend our Good Friday service.
April 2nd | 6PM
This service will be similar to the Good Friday service we did in 2019. This won’t be a typical type of service with music and preaching.
We will recreate in our “minds eye” the last days of Jesus’ earthly life. Whether through prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane or the trial before Pontus Pilate we will “go back in time” and relive that darkest night.
In so doing we will have times of corporate prayer and confession to express our gratitude to Jesus for his great love. We will also take the Lord’s Supper that evening as a way of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
We will leave with gratitude in our heart for the amazing grace of God displayed at the cross of Christ and eagerly await the celebration of his resurrection on Sunday morning.
I hope you will put it on your calendar and choose to join us.
If:Gathering 2021
All of these events are worthy of your consideration as you prepare yourself for Easter Sunday. It’s an important time to be reminded that Jesus has overcome and we too will overcome because we are “in Him.” We’ve faced plenty of challenges over the past year and God has been faithful through it all.
On that theme, I also want to remind you about this year’s IF:Gathering. The theme behind this year’s gathering is perfect for all that we’ve faced this past year. And, while it may be for ladies only, it’s also a great way to prepare your heart for Easter Sunday.
So here are the details
Starts March 26th-27th
His kingdom is coming. Join the women of Broadview Baptist Church for IF:Gathering 2021! All women and teens ages 14+ are invited to attend this two-day time of worship, teaching, panel groups, and discussion.
The theme of these two days is “Even If.” Even if the worst happens, we won’t lose hope. Come join us as we remember that together. Doors will open for check-in on Friday at 5:30 PM
Event will happen from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Doors will open Saturday at 8:30 AM
Event will happen from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Coffee and tea will be served throughout. Please bring a pre-packaged snack to share. Saturday lunch will be on your own. (Please plan to go out or pick up take-out in smaller groups from nearby restaurants.)
(Note: Broadview Baptist Church will replay the LIVE event originally simulcast on March 5-6, 2021 due to our local Spring Break conflict.)
Final Thoughts
That’s it for me this week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that you’ll plan to join us this coming Sunday for worship. In our last update I knew I planned to preach Revelation 2-3 after Easter but in thinking through my own preparation for Easter the Lord led me to Revelation 1 for the three weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. It’s amazing how it all ties in to what we’re going through right now.
So read ahead and come to church ready to encounter the risen Lord Jesus Christ. If we will come with hearts eager to meet with Him then I have every confidence He will meet with us. If there’s anyway I can pray for you please let me know. Also if you have prayers you want shared during Monday prayer meetings please submit them.
Who is Jesus? Why did He come to earth? How can I know Him?
We live in a world where there’s a lot of confusion about Jesus. Too often people want to shape Him and His message to fit their personal needs or agendas. So how can we know the truth?
Join Seamless author Angie Smith in this 8-session search for truth as she unfnews the story of our matchless Savior—His mission, miracles, and message.
This study will deepen your understanding of Jesus through biblical, historical, and cultural insight and help you see Him less as an iconic figure and more as an intimate friend.
This class will meet on Wednesdays starting March 17th. There will be two options available. There is a 10AM option and a 6:30PM option. Childcare will be provided for both hours.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to read the New Testament in it’s original language? Have you ever felt intimated when someone quotes “The Greek” and wish you could dive deeper into certain words in the Bible? You’re not alone.
In this class, participants will get a general overview to the Greek language used in the New Testament. The classes will also help participants learn how to use certain Bible Study Tools that open up the meaning of Greek words and the way biblical authors use them.
Classes will be held on Sunday nights at 5:00PM. The first class starts March 21st.
