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It's Okay to Hope Again
by Pastor Bennett
Luke 24
It’s late in the day as two disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus. They were heading home from a time at Jerusalem. They should be excited to be heading home again, but instead, they are sad, downcast.
You see, they don’t know yet that it is Easter -- that the tomb is empty and Jesus Christ is alive. All they know is that just a few days prior they had watched Jesus Christ being crucified and He was dead. When Jesus died, all of their hopes and dreams died as well. Now, it’s late on the first Easter, and these two disciples are trying to make sense of it all, trying to get a handle on life and its disappointments.
Suddenly, the resurrected Jesus Christ begins to walk with them. As they talk to Jesus, they don’t recognize that it is Him. They believe it is just a stranger who is with them. Once they reach their village, they ask Jesus to stay with them and have a meal. Jesus blessed the bread, and as He did,
verse 31 says their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. Their hearts burned with excitement. Jesus Christ was alive. It was true! Suddenly, there was hope again -- hope for eternity, but also for life. Suddenly, it was okay to dream again, to hope.
Maybe you, too, are searching for hope in life. You can find it in Jesus Christ. He is still alive and still offers hope for eternity (eternal life and heaven), but also hope for today, hope for life and its disappointments.
You can find hope this Easter.
A Look Ahead to Holy Week and the Celebration of Easter
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Good Friday
Service |
Friday,
March 25, at 12:00 Noon
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Easter Sunrise
Service |
Sunday,
March 27 at 6:00 a.m.
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Easter Sunday
Services |
Sunday,
March 27 at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.
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Choir
Cantata,
“Lift Up Your Eyes” |
Saturday, April
9 at 7 p.m. |
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Sunday, April
10 at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m.
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 “Lift Up Your Eyes”
a Musical of Hope
created by
Gary Rhodes & Claire Cloninger
Lift Up Your Eyes is an uplifting cantata with a perfect blend of music that will encourage us to focus on the hope and joy of the Easter season that is found in our Risen Lord. It is inspired by
Psalm 121 which says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Publisher, Word Music, writes, “The message it contains will be a source of hope for the hurting and strength for those who have been battered by the storms of life. It will also strengthen the faith of those who are now walking with Christ as the center of their lives... We live in times of great trial. The only way we can continue in victory is to keep our mind stayed on Christ. He is our refuge and strength and we can know His peace, no matter what may come into our lives!”
The Chapel invites you and your family and friends to come worship with us, find encouragement in the message of hope, and celebrate the life we enjoy in the Risen Jesus Christ. Happy Easter!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR CELEBRATION MONTH
April is Celebration Month!
Calendar of Anniversary Speakers and Events
Sunday, April
3 -
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9:00 & 10:30
a.m. - guest speaker Pastor Gary Martin from True Light Christian Ministries.
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Evening Communion Service at True Light Christian Ministries - Pastor Larry Bennett will be the guest speaker at Pastor Martin’s church, located at 3719 Lesh St. NE, in Canton, near Rt. 62. Everyone at The Chapel is invited to attend and celebrate communion with Pastor Martin’s church.
Saturday, April
9 -
Sunday, April
10 -
Sunday, April
17 (Note: Only One Service @ 10:00
a.m.)
Sunday, April
24 -
BABY SHOWER for the Pregnancy Support Center of Stark County
Thursday, March 17, 2005, from 7 to 9 p.m. in ABF #3
 MOPS
(Mothers of Preschoolers) will be hosting this “Baby
Shower” for needy mothers in Stark County, and everyone is invited! Connie Carr will be speaking. NEW items needed by the Center include: baby clothes (newborn - 12 months), diapers (newborn to size 1), receiving blankets, formula, towels/washcloths, bottles (not with plastic inserts), coats, cozies, car seats, strollers, baby furnishings, and any newborn necessity. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to donate any of these items for the shower, please drop off your gifts to the church office before Thursday, March 17.
 Comfy Cozies
A New Ministry Just for Needle Workers!
Do you have a passion and a skill for needlework? We are looking for crocheters, knitters, sewers and quilters of all skill levels -- novice to expert. This new ministry is designed to share our God-given talents with our church and our community and to help minister to the needs of others. We will meet once a month to establish projects, hear the needs of our community and our church, and have a work night.
Please join us for an information meeting and a speaker from our church, on Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 7 p.m. in ABF #3. For any questions please call Bonnie Reed at (330) 854-3089.
Men's Fraternity: Where Men Network for God
Saturday, March 19, 2005, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center
Happy Peterson will be speaking on "How Parents Can Minister to Their Kids".
Sign up at the Men's Ministry Display in the Lobby.
"FIND YOUR PURPOSE" - LIFE DEVELOPMENT CLASSES
CLASS SCHEDULE FOR 2005
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April: |
Sunday, 10th |
Class 101, 201 & 301 |
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June: |
Sunday, 12th |
Class 101, 201, 301 & 401 |
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September: |
Sunday, 11th |
Class 101, 201, 301 & 401 |
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November: |
Sunday, 13th |
Class 101, 201, 301 & 401 |
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Membership
- Class 101: Membership - “Knowing Christ”
(this class is a prerequisite for membership at The Chapel)
Class Facilitator: Larry
Bennett - Senior Pastor |
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Maturity
- Class 201: Maturity - “Growing in Christ”
(current membership or completion of Class 101 is a prerequisite)
Class Facilitator: Dan
Hanny - Discipleship Pastor |
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Ministry
- Class 301: Ministry - “Serving Christ”
(class 201 is a prerequisite)
Class Facilitator: Mike
McCartney - Adult Ministries Pastor |
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Missions
- Class 401: Mission - “Sharing Christ”
(class 301 is a prerequisite) |
Sign up at the Purpose Driven Display Table in the Lobby.
Refreshments will be provided during a break in the class meeting. Babysitting provided upon request.
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