We will have FUN! This Sunday is special in a lot of ways. Many of the people who will show up will have little or no church background. They’re coming because it looks like fun. And, hey, it is! With the Easter egg hunt at 9am and the service at 10am, people will have plenty of opportunities to smile.

Yes, they’ll hear about Jesus and the real reason for Easter, but from the moment they arrive we hope we’re able to put a smile on their face. I’m praying that their smile sticks for a few days, at least long enough for people at work or school to ask them about it.

I’m sure you still have people to invite, so I’ll let you get out there. GO!

“A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.” (Proverbs 22:17, NCV)

I’m not talking about the time Michelle made the best decision of her life to marry me. No, I’m talking about that moment when she or he says YES to Jesus. That moment is amazing!

For us at Community, while we see this throughout the year, Easter has become a very special opportunity to see this happen in a big way.

Our decision time becomes a defining moment for men, women, young and old. People take that walk from their seat to the stage to unashamedly say they are ALL IN.

One thing that nearly broke me last year was watching whole families come forward and surrender their lives to Christ. That never gets old!

Here’s Lisa Swensen, our Pre-School director, praying with one of those families.

Keep praying! We’re getting close.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, NIV)

Speaking at Easter is exciting and also quite intimidating. It’s not intimidating because of the size of the crowd, but more the familiarity of the storyline. Hey people, guess what we’re talking about this Easter…!

What never gets old, however, is talking about Jesus and the life-altering reality of His tomb-conquering power. I can’t wait! God is still, always, faithfully up to something special in us day after day after day. So, while it’s familiar, it’s not dull. If it is, we’re not reading it right.

Here’s another verse I’ve been loving as I prepare. It speaks to God’s master plan that would eventually involve a cross and an empty tomb. I’ve read it in a number of translations. Here it is in the New Century Version.

Because of His love, God had already decided to make us His own children through Jesus Christ. That was what He wanted and what pleased Him, (Ephesians 1:4, NCV)

Because of His love. The Easter story is, after all, a love story. Everyone you invite gets to hear this simple truth: They are LOVED by God.

Now get back out there and keep inviting so these seats are filled with people who need to hear this!