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V<\/FONT>OLUME <\/FONT>41 I<\/FONT>SSUE <\/FONT>4 A<\/FONT>PRIL <\/FONT>2010 <\/P>\n
<\/B><\/FONT>T<\/FONT><\/FONT>ODAY <\/FONT><\/FONT>& T<\/FONT><\/FONT>OMORROW<\/FONT><\/FONT><\/FONT>…<\/FONT> <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
K<\/FONT><\/FONT>NOWING <\/FONT><\/FONT>J<\/FONT><\/FONT>ESUS<\/FONT><\/FONT>, F<\/FONT><\/FONT>OLLOWING <\/FONT><\/FONT>J<\/FONT><\/FONT>ESUS AND <\/FONT><\/FONT>M<\/FONT><\/FONT>AKING <\/FONT><\/FONT>J<\/FONT><\/FONT>ESUS KNOWN <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
NEWS AT CAPE FEAR CHRISTIAN CHURCH | 811 N. COLLEGE RD. | WILMINGTON | NC <\/P><\/FONT>\n
A Chat with Chuck… <\/P><\/B><\/FONT>\n
You may have heard this anecdote before, but I like it: Several friends were talking in a restaurant when the conversation came around to dying. They asked each other what they would like to have said about them at their funerals. The first said, <\/FONT><\/FONT>\"I\'d like them to talk about my career successes and all the good I did for people during my lifetime of hard work.\" <\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>The second said, <\/FONT><\/FONT>\"I\'d like someone to tell what a great husband and father I was and how much I loved my family and my family loves me.\" <\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>The third said, <\/FONT><\/FONT>\"I\'d like some-one to say, \'Hey! His body just moved!\'\" <\/P><\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
That\'s the story of Easter. Jesus was dead from crucifixion on Friday, and on Sunday morning his body moved! We know the familiar story of how the women went to the tomb to finish Jesus’ burial rites, and how instead they were met by angels reminding them that Jesus had already taught them that he would rise on the third day. <\/P>\n
We are not so familiar with the story of the two guys heading home that Easter afternoon. <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
Two people were walking seven miles west on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were full of the news of the day. It seemed that all of Jerusalem was talking about what had happened. Jesus was famous. He had been crucified where every-one could watch. Everyone knew he was dead—some were grateful to be done with him and others were grieving their loss—but everyone knew he was dead. <\/P>\n
Now there were stories that his body was missing and claims that he had come back to life. Some remembered that Jesus had predicted this would happen. Others recalled his earlier miracles and figured that if anyone could do this Jesus was the one. For this couple it was too much to hope for—too farfetched, too impossible. It was more the delusions of deep grief than anything close to the truth. They had trusted that Jesus was the Savior everyone needed. They had joined his cause. They believed in him as being sent from God. All their hopes were shattered when the Romans killed Jesus. They didn\'t want to get their hopes back up just to be disap-pointed all over again. <\/P>\n
As they walked and talked, a fellow traveler came alongside them. They didn’t im-mediately recognize who the newcomer was but when they finally did—when they realized Jesus was alive—they rushed the seven miles back to Jerusalem in the dark to tell Jesus\' followers the news. \"It is true!\" they said, \"The Lord is risen!\" <\/FONT><\/FONT>(Luke 24:34) <\/P>\n
What if it really is true? <\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>Perhaps you have no doubt. You are convinced that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to pay for your sins. You believe. You\'ve declared your belief to God. You have committed to Jesus as your Savior from sin and Lord of life. You know it\'s true! <\/P>\n
If it\'s true that Jesus rose from the dead on that Easter morning, then everything Jesus taught must also be true. If everything Jesus taught is true, we can\'t be neutral. We must be total believers or not believers at all. <\/P>\n
C. S. Lewis said, <\/FONT><\/FONT>\"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, is of infi-nite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.\" <\/P><\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
If the resurrection of Jesus is true then we must believe fully in Jesus and follow him passionately. He is our guarantee of life after death and heaven forever. He is the assurance of God\'s presence and blessing in this life and beyond. If Easter is true, it changes everything! <\/P>\n
May you have a blessed Easter! And if you are coming to church to celebrate – bring a friend to join in our joy! <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
- Chuck <\/P>\n
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PASSOVER SEDER <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
Wednesday March 31<\/FONT><\/FONT>st <\/FONT><\/FONT>7:00 pm <\/P><\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
The Fellowship Ministry is hosting a Passover Seder at CFCC on March 31<\/FONT><\/FONT>st <\/FONT><\/FONT>at 7:00 pm. What is a Passover Seder you ask? That is EXACTLY why YOU should plan to ATTEND. <\/P>\n
Christians tend to think of Passover as a sad and dark time because of its relation with the Crucifixion of Christ. For Jews, Passover is a Celebration – the anniver-sary of the night God delivered them from slavery. It was in the \"upper room\" at the Passover Meal when Jesus instituted what we participate in every Sunday with breaking of bread and drinking of the vine in remembrance of Him. <\/P>\n
The Seder will be a demonstration led by Messianic Rabbi George Holland. The Sedar will NOT include dinner. <\/P>\n
Small donation of $2\/person or $5\/family would be appreciated to help offset some of the demonstration costs. <\/P>\n
Come prepared to have a great time celebrating your individual freedom through Jesus Christ! <\/P>\n
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Mr. Matt’s Minute <\/P><\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
What’s up my peeps? I hope and pray you all are doing well. Last month, I wrote about Wilmington\'s 3.5 inches of snow... this time around I have to mention the warmer weather we\'ve been experiencing. It\'s been really nice to spend some time outside, kicking it with Macey, not freezing. This winter seemed extra cold and extra rainy... not a great combination. But Spring is here! The cool thing about Spring is the new life it brings. I\'m not just talking about the plants and the overall landscape looking greener... I\'m talking about us humans. The moment it starts to warm up, we jet outside in our shorts and short-sleeves to soak up some warmth from the sun\'s rays. My parents were visiting recently on a warm, sunny weekend... so we decided to go down to Wrightsville Beach and take a walk. There were tons of people at the beach... in the middle of March! I heard several people say something like, \"yeah, the warm weather and the sunshine brings people out\". It\'s true... I\'m one of them. <\/P>\n
There\'s another Son that gives people new life... but not a temporary boost of energy that fades quickly when the clouds and storms roll in. This new life doesn\'t vanish for 3 to 4 months when the temperatures drop into the 40\'s, 30\'s and even 20\'s. This new life, from God\'s Son Jesus Christ, is eternal! Christ came to this earth and suffered our penalty, so that we can have the gift of a new, and eternal, life. God\'s Grace (God\'s Riches At Christ\'s Expense) is truly amazing (and, at times, hard for us humans to wrap our brains around). The ReVolution Youth Group has been working through a Bible study titled, \"Why Jesus?\"... and in one of the lessons, the teacher, David Nasser made the following comment in reference to his own personal experience with the church... \"I used to think Christianity was all about bad people becoming good. I then came to realize that the Christian faith is about dead people coming alive\". Powerful words. Think about that for a second... dead people coming alive. It doesn\'t mean that when we become alive in Christ, we won\'t face any hardship or troubles... that life is just going to be sunshine everyday on a bed of roses. Tough times do come, but if you\'re alive in Christ, fully relying on God\'s strength and allowing God to work in you... you will persevere. <\/P>\n
This Easter, I want you to think about David Nasser\'s words... \"dead people coming alive\". And I want you to ask yourself, \"Am I alive in Christ?\" Have a wonderful Easter as you celebrate Jesus\' resurrection and victory over death. <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
Grace & Peace <\/P>\n
-mR mATT <\/P>\n
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Second Annual Ladies Spring Retreat Be Free! <\/P>\n
<\/B><\/FONT><\/FONT>The Ladies’ Ministry Team recently hosted our second annual Spring Retreat, and we had a great time celebrating the freedom we have in Christ. <\/P>\n
Harold and Georgia Sill graciously offered us the use of their home for the retreat, and the weather certainly cooperated. It was gorgeous! Several people got up early to take pictures of the sunrise over the Intercoastal Waterway, and we got to see some dolphins two different times over the weekend. <\/P>\n
As I mentioned, the theme was Freedom in Christ. Mindy Turner, Stephanie Barkman and myself each gave a short devotional thought on what Freedom in Christ means to us. Stephanie reminded us to not be bound by man’s restrictions or rules, but simply serve Christ from our hearts. Mindy encouraged us to be free from our sin and guilt, and to remember that salvation isn’t up to me and what I do, it’s all about God. I encouraged everyone to celebrate the unique gifts and abilities and personalities that God gave them, and to always feel free to be themselves. <\/P>\n
Of course half the fun of a retreat is the fellowship, and we had plenty of time for getting to know each other better and for sharing laughter, tears, encouragement and our hearts. <\/P>\n
Putting on the retreat was truly a group effort; every member of the ministry team worked together to get everything done. It has been a privilege to serve as the La-dies’ Ministry Team leader for the past few years, and I am thrilled to see the way it has adapted to meet the needs of the women at Cape Fear Christian Church. However, I personally feel at this time that God is telling me it’s time to step aside as the leader for the Ladies’ Ministry Team. I know God will put this role on the heart of someone with a passion for women’s ministry (and if that’s you, give me a call and let me know!). <\/P>\n
\"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious unto you.\" <\/P>\n
-Amanda Waters <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
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Birthdays <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
Georgie Stephens...4th
Heather Finch...5th
Karen Straka...7th
Myles Mattox...7th
Krysia Davis...10th
Kenneth Bracy...12th
Ben Turner...13th
Gabby French...14th
Jenny Dahmer...14th
Tom Straka...15th
Wynn Hair...18th
David Morgan...27th
Matt Dahmer...29th <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>\n
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Cape Fear Christian Church
910-399-7131
<\/FONT><\/FONT>www.capefearchristianchurch.com<\/A>
capefearchristianchurch@bizec.rr.com<\/A>
<\/FONT><\/B>Staff & Shepherds
<\/FONT><\/FONT>Chuck Phillips, Senior Minister (910)-520-3364
Matt Dahmer, Youth Minister (910) 540-3778
Edwina Beck-Marbley, Admin. Assistant (910) 399-7131 (Office)
Donnie Cannon, Elder (910) 200-9000
David Morgan, Elder (910) 612-5208
Allen Pope, Elder (910) 471-7177
Harold Sill, Elder (910) 233-0130 <\/P>\n
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EVENTS
<\/FONT><\/STRONG>March 31...Passover Seder—7:00 pm
April 4….Easter
April 4...NO Jr. church (Nursery & Toddler class will meet)
April 4….NO Youth Groups
April 6…..Ministry Team Reports due
April 11...Roanoke Christian Service Camp meeting
(right after worship—lower fellowship hall)
April 11...Ministry Team Leaders meeting—1:30 pm
April 11...Youth Groups—5:00 pm
April 18...Youth Groups—5:00 pm
April 25...Youth Groups—5:00 pm <\/P><\/FONT><\/FONT>");