Brothers and sisters,

We have lots to anticipate this week…

Foundations Classes this Wednesday night at 7pm. Many of you have been attending Foundations Classes and have expressed great encouragement in learning more about who God is (Knowing God) and how He saves his people (God’s Sovereign Saving Grace). I’m thankful for that! I’ve been particularly blessed by the men who have been teaching! They are labouring hard over their studies and are eager to open God’s Word with you. If you have been helped by their teaching, drop them a quick word of encouragement. Come join us Wednesday evening at 7pm!

Good Friday Service at 7pm at St. Paul's Bloor Street. The Resurrection doesn’t happen without the crucifixion—ponder that. Oh, but there was great purpose in his death. He was the spotless lamb who provided atonement (payment) for sin, and we’d be utterly lost without it. One pastor puts it perfectly, “The death of Christ was not an attempt, it was an accomplishment.” I know some church traditions treat Good Friday as a somber day, and one can certainly approach it that way. But I’m going to sing my guts out in exuberant joy because Jesus went to the cross for me! A wretched, no good sinner like myself. As you prepare to worship your Redeemer, maybe take some time to reflect and remember what your life was like before Christ; perhaps reflect on your current struggle with sin and your current frailties, and use all of that as kindling to set ablaze your praise to Jesus for what he has done for you.

A few quick logistics for Friday night:

• Give yourself enough time to beat traffic and find parking. Street parking is free on Good Friday (as long as it's not a no-parking zone). You still need to pay in Green P lots. 
• Grace Fellowship Church is responsible for providing ushers and greeters. If you’d like to help, drop Jaime an email!

Easter Sunday Service Sunday at 10am. We’re gathering together at our normal time on Sunday to worship God and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is God’s big stamp of approval on Jesus; his life and his ministry. Go read 1 Corinthians 15—that’s the apostles entire argument. If the resurrection never happened, then all of this is a lie and “we are of all people most to be pitied.” But the resurrection DID happen. Jesus DID conquer death, proving, once and for all, to be King over everything, including death itself. And because our lives our hidden with him, we too will be raised to everlasting life with him. This is our great hope, friends!

I’m excited to sing together with you—my family—this weekend! I hope you are too!

Patrick