Announcements
CHILI FELLOWSHIP: is coming up on Sunday, March 30, and the Generations Sunday School Class could still use help with donations of cornbread. Please sign up at the Welcome Desk if you can help.
LIVING CROSS COSTUMES: are available for pick up downstairs in the Costume Room, 30 minutes before and after the main services. Please see Eli Fenton for any questions.
USHERS & PARKING LOT ATTENDANTS: are needed for each night of the Living Cross. If you would be willing to help in this area, please sign up at the Welcome Desk.
LIVING CROSS NURSERY: We are in need of nursery workers for each night of the production. If you can help in this vital ministry, please text or call Anne-Marie Albaugh at (443) 375-2078.
CCS GOLF OUTING: Carroll Christian Schools' 2nd Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, April 28, at Quail Valley Golf Course. Registration is due by Monday, April 21 and can be turned in to the school office. Brochures are available at the Welcome Desk. For questions, please contact Morgan Peterson at mpeterson@carrollchristian.com.
From My Heart
I am very excited about our “Bring a Friend Day” coming on March 30th. I trust you will work hard to invite someone (or several someones) to be your guest on that day. We have a beautiful study Bible we will give to the person who brings the most “friends” with them to church on that Sunday morning. We also have a coffee mug we will give to each of our guests. When hot tea or coffee is poured into the cup, it changes the cup, on both sides, with a Church of the Open Door logo appearing.
On the evening of the 30th, we have scheduled our “chili fellowship.” We need someone in the Generations Class to challenge Pastor Brian with a chili that is so “spicy hot” that it will make his eyes water! While I have been announcing the “chili fellowship” each week, he has been behind me mumbling about how nobody makes one hot enough to suit his palate! I am not sure how many others would want their chili that spicy, but I think someone should challenge him this time.
The other day I sat down with my Bible and started reading in John 3. In v.1 we see that Nicodemus was a “ruler of the Jews.” That simply means that he was a member of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a judicial body that met to make decisions on Jewish issues. It was made up of seasoned men from the various groups within Judaism. Some were Pharisees, some were Sadducees, some were Herodians (Jews loyal to King Herod), etc., etc.
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he did not want anyone to see him! He was genuinely concerned with Christ and came to learn more. He said in v. 2, “...for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.” And Jesus dealt with him in this fashion when He said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (v. 3). He then repeated it a few more times in differing ways but still said the same thing.
One more observation, notice in vv. 15-16 the Lord Jesus mentions “eternal life” but then He speaks of “everlasting life.” What is the difference? Well, there is no difference. Once a sinner believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her Savior they immediately receive “eternal life,” which is the same thing as “everlasting life.” How long is“eternal?” It is forever! How long is “everlasting?” Again, it is forever!
But the word “everlasting” has one element to it that is vital! If, on the day I was born again I received “everlasting life,” that means that the life I received on the day I got saved is STILL lasting. I was born again on Oct. 25th, 1970! I received “everlasting life” on that day. And now, 55 years later, the “everlasting life” I was given - is still lasting! If it was everlasting life when Jesus gave it to me, then it is still lasting today! Praise the Lord for eternal life!
Pastor Norris
Hospitalizations
Charles Bugglen - Bayview 5
Camron Dill - Shock Trauma
Joe Garrett - CHC 222
Tracy Hochhalter - UMMC 15
Betty Ogle -Washington Hosp. 17