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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