Easter Sunday Service
Join us this Easter Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pastor Rob Byker begins our new series, Encountering the Resurrection, with a message from John 20:1–10 titled “Peter Encounters the Empty Tomb.”
Christians today celebrate the empty tomb as a joyful and triumphant reality. Yet on that first Easter morning, the empty tomb was a distressing sight. Mary Magdalene assumed grave robbers had taken Jesus’ body. When Peter arrived and saw the empty tomb for himself, he too found it perplexing.
Peter did not immediately remember that Jesus had foretold His resurrection. Instead, the moment did not yet fit his expectations. As John writes, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead” (v.9).
What Peter and the others did not yet realize was that all the wonderful “I AM” promises Jesus made depend on the reality of His resurrection. Christ rose to life ready to fulfill every promise He had given. Even more, our eternal salvation rests on this truth. The resurrection shows that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice as the payment for our sins.
For the Kids
This week in Children’s Church (preschool – elementary), the children will enjoy a Bible lesson and a fun craft that helps them connect what they’ve learned in a hands-on way. Take a moment to ask your child what they discovered and created, it’s a great way to hear about their time and keep the conversation going at home.
Nursery care for babies and toddlers is available as well. You can check in at the front lobby before the service.