The Federated Messenger The Importance of the Resurrection by Pastor Rick Plucknett If you are like me, when you fly in an airplane you like to make sure that it has two wings! No matter how solid the one wing may look, if there is not another one on the other side you get a strong feeling that this plane isn t going to fly! So it is with our faith. The validity of our plane of faith rests on two very important wings ( beliefs ): the death and the resurrection of Jesus! A strong belief in just the death of Jesus without a firm belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus will eventually crash land our faith! As a matter of fact, the Apostle Paul says that if it s not true that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, then we are still in our sins (I Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection of Jesus is not simply some add on to a more important work on the cross. If the cross is the payment for our sins, the empty tomb is the receipt showing that the perfect Son of God made a perfect and complete payment for our sins! The Scriptures go to great length to provide us with ample evidence for the Resurrection; there is the rolled away stone and the empty tomb (John 20: 1-2), there are the many resurrection appearances (I Corinthians 15:3-8), and there is the evidence of changed lives and the incredible spread of Christianity (read the book of Acts!). But Paul sums up the importance of believing in the Resurrection when he says in Romans 4:25 that Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. When Christ was raised from the dead, it was God s loud and clear statement of approval that He approved of Christ s work of suffering and dying for our sins, that His work was complete, and there was no penalty left to pay! You see if we don t really believe in the Resurrection of Jesus, our faith is useless (I Corinthians 15:14). It s useless because it makes Jesus out to be a liar, for Jesus said He would lay down His life and take it up again (John 10:17-18) and it means that my sins are not completely paid for and therefore I am still in my sin sentenced to an eternity in which I will have to atone for my own sin! Praise be to God for delivering Jesus over to death for our sins and for raising Jesus to life so that we can now stand justified before God no longer in our sins but clothed in the righteousness of Christ!
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch By Anna Beall SPRINGFIELD SENIOR CENTER Many times, God directs our life on a path that we don t always understand and sometimes don t particularly like where it leads. This is when we desire comfort for our very souls. We can seek worldly answers, or we can choose to go to the source of all truth and comfort in the person of Jesus. There are many many children in the world that are not even exposed to the truth of Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for them. They will automatically choose worldly answers for comfort, because that is all they know. At the WLD Ranch we strive to guide campers and guests to Jesus as the truth in life. We do more than just ride horses and play games. All our activities have meaning and purpose behind them, especially aiming to build relationships. We stand in the gap for children who need comfort. We introduce them to Jesus. It might be for the first time and that they need Him for salvation, or it could be a reminder for those that already believe, that they need to draw near to Him in times of difficulty. When God brings the WLD Ranch to mind, pray for us to be the light in a darkened world. Also, pray that the heart of the children coming will be prepared to receive the Gospel. This time of year, remembering what He did on the cross for us brings us to the realization that He is our redeemer and desires to be our comfort. WLD RANCH OUTDOORSMAN RETREAT May 10-11, 2019 For men ages 18 and older. Fathers can bring their sons (age 12-17). Enjoy hands-on activities, on-site demos, guest presenters, and WLD Ranch activities. See flyers in the Welcome Center. For more info or to register, go to www.wldranch.com/outdoorsman Tuesday, April 9 ~ Pastor Keith Nitschke, will have devotions. We will enjoy a wonderful musical program presented by Cheryl Trost. The meeting begins at 9:45 AM, but come at 9:30 AM to be a part of the Senior Ringers and Singers! A home-cooked meal will be served at Noon. You will enjoy good fellowship, blood pressure readings, exercises, and lunch all for a $3.00 donation. Travel with the Seniors The Oak Ridge Boys, Hartville, OH~June 7 & 8 Enjoy shopping at the Hartville Collectibles and Gifts, hardware and lumber store, marketplace and flea market and children s boutique and dinner and show Friday evening. Stay overnight at the Comfort Suites. Lunch on own both Friday and Saturday. Leaving the church parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Friday and returning Saturday about 4:00 p.m. Cost: Double-$248, Triple-$218, Quad-$203. Payment due by APRIL 19 Enjoy a buffet lunch on Buffalo Harbor Cruise, a two-hour narrated sightseeing cruise, get a sailor s point of view of the city of Buffalo, shopping experience right in the heart of the Village of Hamburg. Early dinner on your own in Hamburg. August 8, leaving the church parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and returning about 7:00 p.m. Cost: $99.00 pp Questions? Call the church office, 922-3655 or Jody Drakes, 323-7662
Maundy Thursday, April 18 ~ 7:00 p.m. Worship in the sanctuary with Holy Communion Good Friday, April 19 ~ Northwestern Community Worship in the sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20 ~ Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 a.m. for kids up to 5 th grade. Games, crafts and other goodies. Resurrection Sunday, April 21 ~ Sonrise Baptism Service, Familly Center, 7:00 a.m. Breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Family Center. Worship in the sanctuary at 9 & 11 a.m. NO Sunday School or evening ministries Breakfast will be available in the Family Center after the Sonrise Service and the 9:00 a.m. service. Donations for the breakfast will benefit the Alaska Mission Team. The next service of baptism will be held on Resurrection Sunday, April 21. If you would like to be baptised, plan to attend the Baptism Class Sunday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the Prayer Room. GRIEF GROUP WILL BEGIN Our Widows and Widowers Ministry will offer a Grief Group beginning in late April. All who have lost loved ones are welcome to join. Dave and Debbie Wehr will be the facilitators. Watch the bulletin for the date and time of the first meeting. SWISS STEAK DINNER SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 FEDERATED FAMILY CENTER Proceeds from this dinner support the SPRINGFIELD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. MENU: Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Corn, Cole Slaw or Applesauce Dessert and Beverage COST: Adults - $12.00, Children (4-10) - $6.00 Children (3 and under) - $2.00 A Self-Defense Class for Women will be held on four consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning April 23 rd in the Family Center at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Josh Slater will be the instructor. Let Josh know if you wish to attend. Women s Dinner to benefit the WLD Ranch Flowers in Your Valley May 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Federated Church Family Center (For women ages 14 and up) Speaker: Katie Morales Tickets for $15.00 each will be on sale in the Welcome Center April 14, 21, and 28 (last day). Proceeds from this dinner will go toward the new bunkhouse being built at the WLD Ranch to replace the bunkhouse lost by fire. Contact Anita Glover, 833-6492 or the Church Office, 922-3655 with questions.
EQUIPPING DISCIPLES IN SUNDAY SCHOOL Sanctuary Class A study of the book of Proverbs, led by Jerry Hills in the sanctuary. Good News Class Family Center, Room 6 & 7, is currently studying the book of 2 Samuel with Seth Huntley and Sam Ring leading. Kingdom Bound Class Led by Andy Ward, studying His Story, Christ s Last Week in Room 12, Family Center. Celebration Class All are invited to this class in the church dining room for prayer and Bible study led by Tom Hopkins. Newcomers Class Led by Paul Burgess in Room 31 in the church, is studying Building Up One Another by Gene Getz. Faith Chapel Ladies Class Discover Your Spiritual Gifts led by Tracy Shinko Ladies Class ing the book To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain by Matt Chandler in Room 10 on the ground floor of the church, taught by Suzanne Barton. Men s Class ing the book of Acts, led by Pastor Rick, Bob Pettis, and John Sargent, Family Center Rms 10/11 College/Young Adult Class, 18-24 years Rooms 8 & 9 of the Family Center, exploring what the Bible says about topics relative to life, led by Mike and Cheryl Anderson and Brennan and Dorothy Plucknett. The ACTS Class - Room 29 in the church basement, studying The Eschatological Christ a study of the prophecies and fulfillment of Christ, about Christ. Jeff Wuenschel is the facilitator. Moms & Daughters of the King Come to be refreshed, encouraged and challenged in the journey of motherhood-family Room, upstairs of the sanctuary, behind the balcony. Kingdom Finance Class learn or regood steward of your learn how to be a financial resourcess and living debt-free. April Childcare Schedule Nursery 8:30 AM April 7 P. Machacek, B. Hopkins April 14 J. Merritt, C. Merritt April 21 Easter, 9:00 AM Worship C. Repoff, D. Gerety April 28 D. Snyder, T. Snyder Nursery 10:00 AM April 7 A. Hayes, TBA April 14 B. Blum, K. Ring April 21 Easter, NO Sunday School April 28 S. Johnson, S. Stuyvesant Nursery 11:15 AM April 7 TBA April 14 E. Corbett, G. Kenyon April 21 Easter, 11:00 AM Worship M. Barlow, TBD April 28 M. Parmerterr Toddler 8: :30 AM April 7 TBA, C. Harpst April 14 C. Durfee, E. Durfee April 21 Easter, 9:00 AM Worship T. Pratt, M. Pratt April 28 TBA Toddler 10:00 AM April 7 A. Glover April 14 A. Glover, L. Burgess April 21 Easter, NO Sunday School April 28 A. Glover Toddler 11:15 AM April 7 D. Rogers, TBA April 14 J. Huntley, C. Huntley April 21Easter 11:00 AM Worship N. House, B. Crosby April 28 V. Sontheimer, K. Wurst NOTE to Childcare Workers: If you cannot serve on your Sunday, please try to switch with someone or call the church office, 814-922-3655. If it is a Saturday or Sunday morning, please call or email Ron ron@fedchurch.net, 941-626-5600. The Federated Church Preschool Open House will be held Sunday, May 5 from f 11 AM to 2 PM
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thurs. Fri. Sat. 1 Ladies 7 PM FOCAS 2 3 10 AM Golden 4 3:30 PM SALT 5 6 7:30 AM Elders & Deacons Prayer 7 8:30 & 11:15 AM Worship 5:30 PM AWANA Small Groups 8 9 9:45 AM Senior Center Elders & Deacons Mtg 10 10 AM Golden 11 3:30 PM SALT 12 10 AM Tabitha Team Sewing 13 14 8:30 & 11:15 AM Worship 11 AM-2 PM SVFD Swiss Steak Dinner 5:30 PM AWANA, Ignite, Praise Choir 15 7 PM FOCAS 16 17 10 AM Golden NO Prayer Meeting 7 PM JOURNEY 18 7 PM Maundy Thursday Service, Communion 19 7 PM Good Friday Community Service here at the Federated 20 10 AM Easter Egg Hunt 21 Resurrection Day! 7 AM Sonrise Service 8 AM Breakfast 9 & 11 AM Worship NO Sunday School 22 1 PM Mobile Food Pantry Ladies Bible 23 Women s Self Defense Class 24 10 AM Golden 25 26 27 28 8:30 & 11:15 AM Worship 5:30 PM AWANA, Ignite Small Groups 29 30 Women s Self Defense Class