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A Word From Dr. Wilson

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A Word From Dr. Wilson

Thursday, March 20, 2008

 Dear Friends,

 My heart is full of gratitude for the prayers of God’s people on my behalf. More than blood pumps through my veins, as I am witness to God’s power and intervention during my recent surgery. I am healing up nicely and gaining strength every day. I want you to know how very grateful I am for the people of College Church. The day upon my return home from the hospital there was a “healthy” fruit basket waiting, an expression of kindness and concern from College Church. The letters and cards have been a tremendous encouragement. Joan joins me in saying, “You have been wonderful to us! Thank you so much.”

Working from home these days, I have been able to devote several hours to the pastoral search process at College Church, and that is coming along very nicely. I know it seems like it is taking forever, but God is at work in ways of which we are unaware, and His timing is always right! Be assured your board and this DS are doing their very best on your behalf, and we see light at the end of the tunnel (and it’s not a train coming our way). Thank you for keeping this important process in your prayers. And thanks for continuing to encourage the excellent staff of College Church who are doing an incredible job as we walk this journey together.

 I want to encourage you to focus these next few days on the marvelous message of Easter. This most holy of weeks on the Christian calendar draws us to a garden of passionate prayer, to the unjust condemnation of the Son of God and the abuse he suffered at hands of sinful men, to a trail of blood called the Via Dolorosa, to the foot of a cross on which our Saviour bled and died, and then to an empty tomb on Sunday morning. Would you allow the Scriptures to take you on that journey this weekend? I am reading through Luke, chapters 22-24 this week once again. You may be reading through another of the Gospels of Matthew (26-28), Mark (14-16) or John (18-20). I am grateful for such great love shown by our Savior.

I want to also suggest that you join the College Church family for a united congregational service on Good Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at the North Campus. While we regularly have four worship services in two venues at College Church, this is one of those special times when we gather in one place as one church. On Christmas Eve, we gathered at the University Campus. However, on Good Friday this year, we will gather at the North Campus for a special service: “Faces at the Cross." The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated. Childcare will be available for infants through age 3.

Then, bring friends and family with you to our Easter Sunday morning worship services. What a time of rejoicing for God’s people!! There will be two services at the North Campus (9 and 10:30) and one 9 a.m. combined service at the University Campus. Make this a memorable Easter as you open your life up to the kind of change we have all been praying for during the Lenten season. Could it be that the Risen Lord of Easter desires to bring new life to your walk, your family, your future! He is the God of miracles and grace. What will you find as you seek Him on Sunday morning?

I want to thank Paul Johnson for the inspiring Easter letter mailed out this week to the College Church family. And thanks to each of you for being faithful and generous in your giving for the cause of missions through the special Easter Offering this weekend. If you don’t have an Easter offering envelope, you may designate your special offering above and beyond the tithe, using the weekly envelopes available at church, and simply designating it “Easter Offering for Missions."

Finally, some calendar dates of which you need to make note: Be sure and put April 6 and 7 on your calendars as a time of concerted prayer at College Church. A 24-Hour Concert of Prayer will allow us to pray for each other, our church and our community, from 8 a.m. Sunday, April 6, until 8 a.m. Monday, April 7. Both campuses will be available with secure access. Call the church office at (815) 933-7749 to sign up for your hour. Also, April 4 is Marriage Makeover Weekend. See the bulletin or the church website for details.

These are great and holy days at College Church. Have a blessed Easter everyone!

 --Brian