Join us for Holy Week

Although there is a sense in which Christians celebrate the resurrection every Sunday, there is something special about Spring and Easter Sunday. The trees turning green again, the budding flowers and the warm days all remind us of new life. Not to be a party-pooper, but every honest and studied believer must confess many of the cultural customs tied to the Easter holiday have nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus. Hopping rabbits, decorated eggs or wearing brightly-colored clothes are merely man-made traditions. That does not necessarily mean they are wrong. In fact, some traditions are actually very helpful and spiritually beneficial. Case in point, our community customarily celebrates Easter Sunday by having special services several days prior, during what is called “Holy Week.” This annual event is organized and scheduled by members of the Perry Ministerial Association.

Beginning next Monday (April 03) and ending on Thursday (April 06), several local churches will be hosting these services. Every day, from 12:00 until 12:30 a local church will open their sanctuary and invite all to come and worship together. Each service will begin promptly at noon with singing, followed by a brief message. Each host church will also provide lunch for those in attendance.

The Lord willing, on Monday I will be speaking at Perry Presbyterian Church. On Tuesday, Pastor Les Albritton will be preaching at Life Church. On Wednesday, Pastor Jason Berl will be sharing God’s Word at Grace Church. Then on Thursday, Pastor Tim McLauchlin will be speaking at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Among this group of pastors and host churches there are many varied doctrinal opinions and denominational affiliations. Involved in this service will be Lutherans, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, non-denominational Christians and more. No, we do not agree on every single point of doctrine. We differ and debate on important Biblical issues such as; the proper mode of baptism, church policy or what will happen in the last days and other truths. However, there is one key central truth on which every true Christian agrees, and that is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those of us in the ministerial association can argue, and many of us have, on how much water it takes to properly baptize someone or what will happen when Jesus returns or numerous other Scriptural truths, yet there is one truth we all agree on; and it is this – Jesus, the Savior of sinners is alive! And that truth trumps all others.

Even if good Christians disagree on different doctrines, the Good News of the finished work of the risen Messiah is one Biblical truth that every Christian delights in and agrees upon. Those doctrinal distinctions that force us to separate into diverse ecclesiastical bodies of worship each Sunday, will all melt away one day when we see Jesus in glory. Yes, for now we must stand firm for Biblical truths as we understand them, even if that means we have different denominational names on our church signs. However, at the Holy Week services – every true believer in attendance will relegate those secondary truths to their proper place of lesser significance and gather to worship the Coming King!

Next week if you will come and join us, you can sing alongside other Christians and hear Gospel-rich sermons about the wonderful work of Jesus of Nazareth. When you attend these services, you can lift your heart and lift your voice beside other believers and worship the risen Christ!

As the old song writer said: He lives, He lives – Christ Jesus lives today!

In Christ, God was reconciling sinners to Himself. In Christ, God was doing for us what we could not and would not do for ourselves. Jesus lived, died and rose again that we might have everlasting life. Do you believe this? Do you believe the Gospel? If not, I plead with you to consider your own soul and what awaits you after death. If you do believe this message, would you come and join us for Holy Week?

Whether you are a believer or an unbeliever … whether you are Protestant or Catholic or Jewish or unaffiliated … I invite you to come hear about, and worship the risen Messiah King. He is worthy!

Holy Week Schedule:

April 03-06 at 12:00 noon. (Lunch to follow the service)

Monday – Perry Presbyterian located at 1111 S 2nd St, Perry.

Tuesday – Life Church located at 100 Todd Rd, Perry.

Wednesday – Grace Church located at 1736 Houston Lake Rd, Perry.

Thursday – St. Patrick Catholic Church located at 2410 GA HWY 127, Kathleen.

At each of these services, a love-offering will be collected to fund the ministry of the Perry Ministerial Association. Guests are not required to give, but any donations will be used to serve families and transients in need in our community.

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