Day 1: Palm Sunday

Day 1: The Triumphal Entry

Read in the Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

The last week of Jesus’ life was especially important to the disciples and early Christians, so all four Gospels focus on this time. The story of the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem is a day of celebration for the followers of Jesus. They are shouting and celebrating and raising the roof!

The story reminds us of the importance of having a heart that welcomes and receives Jesus as the Messiah, the God-anointed King who sets the world aright. He is the King who comes to heal, restore, and grant freedom to those who have suffered from fallenness and sin in the world. He brings joy and light and victory to all who come to him. When Jesus is asked about the Messiah, he quotes Isaiah 61 which describes the coming of this joyous King.

Before they are plunged into the horror of Good Friday, the followers of Jesus spend the best week of their lives with him in Jerusalem. Here is Jesus in his prime: exuberant, bold, teaching with authority.  On Palm Sunday, there is no doubt, embarrassment, or timidity. His followers receive him openly and joyously. Yet they do so under a cloud – Jesus is not popular with everyone. A growing conspiracy looms around him.

Jesus is still controversial in our world today. But like those first followers, our call is to receive, welcome, and celebrate Jesus boldly and openly as God’s chosen one, the Messiah who comes to save the world. Will you find a way to do this in your life today? Will you raise your voice to welcome him, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” We need to be able to rejoice in Jesus. If we can’t, how will the world come to know and love him? Will you turn towards him with your whole heart and welcome him as your King?

 

What does it mean for Jesus to be the King of your life? Write down three things that having Jesus as your King means to you. Then spend some time in prayer, thanking Jesus for being those in your life. Make today your own personal Triumphal Entry, when you welcome Jesus into your heart with joy!

Holy Week

We will be posting short devotions for each day of Holy Week 2013. We hope that they add to your own study and reflections on Jesus as we prepare for Easter.

Holy Week takes place during the seven days before Easter. Christians have traditionally set aside this week to remember the last days of Jesus’ life.

Palm Sunday: The first day of Holy Week celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Holy Monday: The second day is often remembered for the cleansing of the Temple, which the Gospel of Mark clearly sets on this day. Mark 11:12

Holy Tuesday: The third day is remembered for the incredible teaching of Jesus, including his teaching of the Greatest Commandment and about the last days.

Spy Wednesday: This is the day that Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples made a deal to turn Jesus over to the Jewish authorities.

Maunday Thursday: “Maunday” comes from the Latin word mandatum – commandment, for the commandment Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper:
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another,” John 13:34-35. This is the day of the Last Supper.

Good Friday: Friday is the day of Jesus crucifixion and death. It is a solemn day when everything in the church was traditionally covered in the black of mourning.

Holy Saturday: The seventh day of Holy Week remembers Jesus in the tomb.

Easter Sunday: Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and the promise that all who are in Christ will share in his resurrection. Sin, Death, and Hell have been overcome; Death has lost its sting.  

SPAN Beauty and Talent Show

CedarCreek Church is helping with this event. Make plans to attend and support the Special Persons Advocacy Network! They do great work locally for people with special needs. Here is SPAN's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SPAN40422

DARE TO DREAM
Beauty and Talent Showcase

Saturday, September 29, 2012  2:00 PM 

DANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
GRAVELY HALL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Silent Auction from 1:00-2:00 PM

Join us for a reception following the pageant

Tickets Cost:  $5.00 Adults $3.00 Children/Students or $15.00 for family of 5 

100% of proceeds go to SPAN—Special Persons Advocacy Network

For more information contact Jamee Peyton at 859-329-7955

or email starangelsnetwork@gmail.com

Pure Water Pure Love

Did you know that in many parts of the world, clean safe drinking water is hard to find? While we can turn on the tap and trust what comes out, millions of people struggle everyday to find safe water.

Have you heard of Pure Water, Pure Love? It's an exciting ministry of the WMU that puts water filters into people's hands where clean drinking water is unavailable. This brings new meaning to the phrase "living water."

¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14 New International Version (NIV)

Imagine being able to hand a child a bottle of clean, safe water and at the same time describe to them a savior who offers living water for the soul! This is exactly what Pure Water, Pure Love makes possible.
Check out a Pure Water, Pure Love video here.

Find out how to get involved in this important ministry - this Sunday at Cedar Creek Church!

New Teaching Series

New Teaching Series at Cedar Creek: The Five Love Languages.

Whether you are married, single, parenting, a friend, or a member of a family - all our relationships could use a little tune-up now and then. And some might need a major overhaul! Learn about the 5 Love Languages and how they can help renew and restore the relationships in your life.  We were created to share love with God and others. We thrive when our "love tanks" are full! And the 5 Love Languages can help. Come join us for worship and teaching this Sunday at 10:30 AM!

What is your Love Language? Click here to take the online assessment and discover your love language. There are assessments for husbands, wives, singles, parents of teens, children, and even the languages of apology! While you are there - visit the rest of the 5 Love Languages websites, lots of great resources.

Watch a great video on the Love Languages here.

Follow us on Twitter

We've added a new feature to the way our church communicates - a Twitter account. So if you are already on Twitter, please follow us: @cedarcreekchurc ; if you are not on Twitter, consider getting an account and following us.


We can use Twitter in several ways.

• First, it can provide a quick way to update our congregation on events and happenings.
• Second, we will be using it occasionally in house, during teaching times. Congregation members can twitter a question or comment to the pastor, who can then quickly respond or include the point in the teaching moment. This is just another way that we can be interactive in our teaching at CedarCreek.

Girlfriends host Tea

Thanks so much to all our Girlfriends who hosted the Tea on Jan. 31st! It was an evening of sophistication and elegance. Our younger Girlfriends prepared and served tea, sandwiches, and desserts. Everyone had a wonderful time. Thanks to Pat Calico for all your work!

Stay tuned for more exciting events with Girlfriends, our women's ministry group!