It is such an encouragement to me to hear from friends who serve other churches and to gain a sense of how God’s Spirit drew many people to worship services on Easter Sunday.  At West Bradenton we had a God-sized day!  I am thankful for the Lord’s work among our church family and I pray His work has just begun through us.

• God’s not dead… the tomb is empty and He is alive!
• We took a risk and offered three identical morning worship services.  God drew our largest attendance in recent history (maybe ever) of over 1,700 people.
• Thank you church family for investing and inviting family and friends to worship Jesus Christ together.
• I am grateful for our worship ministry who labored diligently and without question and led us into the presence of the Lord through powerful praise.
• We mobilized dozens and dozens of new volunteers who genuinely were excited to serve.
• Our tech ministry did an awesome job.  So grateful for this team.
• Our ministry staff went above the call to make sure every detail received attention.
• With our Children’s Minister celebrating the birth of her new baby girl, our kidmin volunteer team was fantastic!
• Easter is an incredible opportunity to capture people’s attention for Christ.
• Easter is a time to take risks, dream big, and make a forever difference for Jesus Christ!
• Imagine what God will do over the course of this next year by what He began THIS weekend!
• I LOVE OUR CHURCH!

What excited you most about Easter Sunday at your church?

In light of today being observed as Good Friday, here are a few facts about Good Friday in history and around the world.

• Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ death and crucifixion on the cross.
• Many countries with a Christian heritage consider Good Friday a non-working holiday.
• Germany bans public dancing on this day.
• Some Christian countries ban the consumption of alcohol on Good Friday.
• In Bermuda, kites are flown to symbolize the cross and Jesus’ ascension to heaven.
• Good Friday is also known in some countries as Easter Friday, Great Friday, and Holy Friday.
• In countries such as Malta, Italy, Philippines, Spain, and even Puerto Rico, processions with statues representing the passion of the Christ are held.
• Many Roman Catholics as well as some Protestant Denominations eat fish and vegetables on Good Friday.
• The word “crucifixion” comes from the Latin word “crucifixio,” or “crucifixus,” meaning “fixed to a cross.”
• Jesus’ final hours on the cross lasted from approximately 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• Scripture references for the events of Jesus’ crucifixion can be found in Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 23, John 17-19.

CLICK HERE to listen to a poignant, worshipful music video declaring the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Excellent to prepare the viewer for Good Friday and Easter.