Pastoral note, from Garrett

Here comes Easter. We will have 3 services to celebrate resurrection at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. No Sunday School. This will be a different kind of Easter, but it could be a really wonderful morning. The Sanctuary Choir will sing at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. At 11 a.m., there will be an ensemble. 

By the way, as the 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. services begin, it’s likely that there will still be people in the courtyard. They might even be laughing and talking. There might be a kid hopped up on jelly beans running around. These will be signs of resurrection to us this year. We’re out of the sanctuary, and you can clearly see into the courtyard from where we worship in Maresh Hall. So let the signs of fullness and the joy of distraction fill our hearts with awe this Sunday as much as the “planned content.” 

Also, let’s try something new this Sunday. In our effort to make 426 new friends before the end of the year, we’re going to give everyone time during the welcome on Sunday morning to fill out connection cards. Members and all. Studies have shown that churches that fill out “guest cards” or “connection cards” together collect more information from guests. So if we all do this together during the welcome, we are likely to get a better response. Lisa Shinkins and I will help to collect connection cards at the end of the welcome before the passing of the peace. We mainly want names and an email address or phone number. Simple. Straightforward. 

The church office will be closed on Monday in observance of Easter. 

April 19 is Woodland Fiesta. We will have food and fun at five on Sunday evening to celebrate one of our city's great eccentricities. I can’t promise Woodland pins, but it will be fun—5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Grace and peace, 

Garrett Vickrey
Senior Pastor