WESTLAKE COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Westlake, California, USA(Last updated March 8, 2001)
Get the Message?
Get the Message?
The rulers of the Roman Empire wanted everyone under their power to understand clearly that would be very costly to try to overthrow their government. They conceived the idea of crucifixion as a way of sending an unforgettable message to all people
under their control. Death on the cross would be a slow, excruciatingly painful death. The cross would be put in a very public place so as many as possible would get the message: Don't even think of defying Roman rule!
This is why Christ was crucified on Golgotha, a hill close to a busy road where no passerby could miss the shocking scene. Christ was guilty of nothing. Yet his enemies hated him so much that they told Pilate, Rome's representative in Jerusalem, th
at Jesus was a danger to Roman rule. Christ's enemies said to Pilate,
if you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; everyone who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar (John 19:12).
Pilate caved in to the pressure of the crowd and allowed Jesus to be crucified.
But those who saw to it that Jesus suffered death on the cross did not know that God had a message to send as well. God victoriously raised Christ from the dead! God touched the precious body of his Son and infused it with life, glorious, dynamic l ife in all its fullness.
God turned the cross, the executioner's tool of death, into a dramatic symbol of victory. The empty cross and the empty tomb, along with the resurrected body of Christ, reveal God's victory over the worst deed humans might ever do-assassination of t he Son of God. That is why we put crosses everywhere: boldly, proudly, joyously, and triumphantly. It is why we glory in the cross always.
After the Resurrection, Jesus' friend, Peter, explained God's message to all of Christ's enemies with these bold words: This Jesus you crucified and killed...But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for it was not possible for him to be held by it...This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses...Therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified (Acts 2:23-24, 32, 36). That is what Easter is all about; I hope you get the message. All praise to the living Lord!
Bible Study, John 13-16, Sunday, April 1 and 8, 8:30-9:30 AM at the North Ranch Community Center.
Effective Church Study: starts Sunday, April 22 and continues through Sunday, May 27, 8:30 AM at the North Ranch Community Center.
Advisory Council, Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 PM at the Greenlee home. Ministry team reports are to be turned in to Pastor Mike by Wednesday, April 11.
Choir Rehearsal every Wednesday, 7:30 PM at the Cox home. Special rehearsal Saturday, April 14, 9 AM at the Cox home.
Youth Fundraiser Sunday, April 29 (recycle old announcement)
Youth Sunday, April 22. Fellowship hour after the service.
Youth Activity horseback riding, Saturday, April 21.
Men's Breakfast Saturday, April 21, 8:30 AM at Conejo Graphics (2360 Townsgate Rd. W.V.).
Monday, April 30, 9 AM at Super Tommy's (T. O. Blvd. And Hampshire Rd.).
Prayer Gathering Thursday, April 26, 7 PM at the Myrdahl home??
MEN'S SOFTBALL
Ventura County Rescue Mission
Sunday, April 8 Team One
Communion
April 1 Maggie Boring
April 8 Joe Ehret
April 15 Mike McDonald
April 22 Karen Myrdahl
April 29 Nancy Shalkey
Stewardship
April 1 Tom Ehret
April 8 Bonnie McPherson
April 15 Mike McDonald
April 22 Paul Freedlund
April 29 Robin Privat
SUNDAY SCHOOL VOL.
April 1 Kim Aguilar & Teresa Dominguez
April 8 Kristine Rubish & Bonnie Cox
April 15 Maggie Boring & Nicki Ehret
April 22 Cathy Given & Bonnie McPherson
April 29 Open for YOU!
April 1 Bonnie Cox & Dean Hartman
April 8 Richard & Jan Dorman
April 15 George & Barbara Poole
April 22 Frank & Edith Sammartano
April 29 Michael & Nancy Shalkey
MEALS-ON-WHEELS
Tuesday, April 3 Frank & Edith Sammartano
Tuesday, April 10 Bonnie McPherson
Tuesday, April 17 Betty McFarlin
Tuesday, April 24 George Poole
Clocks Change April 1
Click on thumbnails for full picture
