Saturday, March 9, 2013

MARCH 2013 PASTOR'S LETTER


March 2013

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
G A L A T I A N S   6 : 1 4

Good Morning Friends of FCC,

THIS IS THE MONTH WE REMEMBER THE PASSION, THE DEATH, AND GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR SAVIOR JESUS THE CHRIST!

Our inspired theme, “THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!” is true in time and it is true for eternity.  It is true for one, and it is true for all.  And it is true for me, and it is true for you!

THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE –
FOR TIME AND FOR ETERNITY!

When sin entered the world the gates to the garden of Eden were closed forever to Adam and Eve.  If there had been no cross the gates to glory would have been closed forever to every lost son and daughter of Adam’s race!  BUT THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!  “It twas on that old cross, Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me!... So I’ll cherish the Old Rugged Cross!” It was the Cross that opened to way to the joys of heaven for all eternity.

But the Cross not only makes the difference in eternity, it makes the difference in time! Had there been no cross humanity would have been immediately extinct and the joy of living and knowing Christ would have never been realized.  Had there been no cross no one would have experienced the relief of sins forgiven!  Had there been no cross no one would have known the power of Christ’s Spirit within!  Had there been no cross there would have been no victory over sin, and death, and hell! 



THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE –
FOR ONE AND FOR ALL!

All of human history was altered by the Cross of Christ.  If you think our world is wicked today, it is simply impossible to imagine how dreadful humanity would be without the sanctifying power of the Cross.  But THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!  In the name of the Christ of Calvary human civilization reached its apex.  Wherever the Cross Cause advances around the globe, human suffering is alleviated, ignorance is supplanted with knowledge, hatred is transformed into charity, and humanity is endued with divinity.

And the CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE not only “for all,” but for one, and then another one, and then another one!  By the power of the Cross addicts are set free from life threatening habits.  By the power of the Cross defeat is converted to triumph!  By the power of the Cross, hatred is banished and divine love is exalted!  By the power of the Cross, despair is transformed into mighty faith!  And by the power of the Cross, sinners are liberated to walk in victory
“Yes the Old Rugged Cross makes the difference! 
In a life bound for heartache and defeat!
 I will praise Him forever and ever!
 For the Cross makes the difference for me!” 
(Gaither)

THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE –
FOR YOU AND FOR ME!
It is amazing that our world is so profoundly ignorant of the difference the Cross made, is making, and will make forever.

I love testimonies!  I met a lady yesterday who told me that she was at the verge of self-destruction.  Her marriage had failed.  Her children were disappointing to her.  Her life seemed meaningless. She visited a mega church with its Starbucks coffee bar and rock and roll music, but left empty and longing for more.  The church was “cool” but it left her heart “cold.” 

Then someone invited her to a Gospel preaching holiness church.  She wept her way forward to an altar of prayer and poured her heart out to God as the saints of God gathered around.  She rose from that place of prayer a new person.  Gone were her fears!  Gone was her sense of worthlessness!  Gone was her despair!  Ah, THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

I went to pray with a man in the hospital this week.  He told me that many years ago he had been running as fast and as far as he could run from God.  His praying Grandmother would not give up.  She prayed, “Oh God, hold my grandson over the fires of hell if that what it takes to get his attention, but don’t let him go!”  The man was a heavy drinker.  He was a chain smoker.  He was into fast cars and honky tonk music.  But God heard his saintly grandmother’s prayers.  The Hound of Heaven pursued him until finally he could run no more!  Convicted of his sins, convinced of his need for Christ, he was gloriously converted as he sought the Lord at home in his garage.  He has never been the same!  THE CROSS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!

That Cross made and is making the difference for me too!  Oh I am so glad Jesus cried, “Father, forgive!”  The words of the song are my testimony:
“The sweetest words He ever said, were ‘I forgive!’
The stain of sin was wiped away and I could live! 
Oh I like the part where he tells about a Mansion He will give,
but the sweetest words He ever said, were ‘I Forgive!”



LOOKING FORWARD!

THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 10 is the day we SPRING FORWARD our CLOCKS ONE HOUR!  Church will seem an hour early so we are planning breakfast on the bus for the children.   I hope you’ll get up and get out and get going TO HONOR THE CROSS this SUNDAY at 11AM AND 6:30PM.  Let’s remember the LORD’S DAY and make it to both services this Sunday!

EVERYONE IS INVITED to FCC FELLOWSHIP after the SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES every other weekend.  Our next Fellowship will be ON SUNDAY, MARCH 17th!  Bring along a dessert or a snack dish.  It’s a great time for the family of God.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24 is PALM SUNDAY!  The day we celebrate our LORD’S TRIUMPHAL ENTRANCE into JERUSALEM!  There will be a fun parade for the kids and you’ll not want to miss seeing our children waving Palms and shouting Hosanna!

MAUNDY THURSDAY, REMEMBERING THE LAST SUPPER, March 28 at 7:00 pm.  We urge all of God’s Children to be in this service.  This was the time when Christ instituted the Last Supper.  We are not a closed communion church.  All who have with true repentance forsaken their sins, and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation are welcome to the table of the Lord.

GOOD FRIDAY, March 29 at 7:00 pm.  Join us as we remember our Lord’s Passion on the Cross in special service.  We remember that on the night Jesus was arrested, all the disciples forsook Him and fled.  We want to be those who are found faithful!

RESURRECTION SUNDAY, March 31
7:00 AM          SONRISE SERVICE!  Be like the ladies who were first to the tomb!  Hear the greatest news the world has ever heard, “HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!”
10:30 AM       CHILDREN’S RESURRECTION SUNDAY PROGRAM
                        There were 270+ who attended our Christmas Program last year.  Let’s top that number at this year’s RESURRECTION SUNDAY program.
11:00 AM       WORSHIP CELEBRATION
                        This is always one of the best services of our church year.  You’ll want to come early to get a seat.  Don’t miss this.
6:30 PM          EVENING PRAISE
                        Close out RESURRECTION SUNDAY by meeting with our LORD’S DISCIPLES!  When some of them saw the Risen Savior, they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us?”  Ah the presence of Jesus is heart touching, life transforming, and eternity changing! 

HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND AT FCC! If we can help you in any way please let us know.  We love and appreciate you every one!

Onward!


Pastor Richard M. Jones
FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH –  A Crusaders Church of America
2969 North Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri  63074 - Telephone (314) 298-5840; Cell (314) 607-1424

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