11 Apr Easter at First UB (Findlay, Ohio)

Children’s presentation on Easter Sunday at First UB.

Dan Maas (right), senior pastor, First UB Church (Findlay, Ohio)

First UB celebrated Good Friday with three separate services.

8:30 am: Totally Alone. Remembering the people who left Jesus to the authorities, and the forgiveness of Jesus towards those who left him behind.

Noon: Totally Abandoned. Remembering the dimming of the sun as the Father turned away from Jesus. We had a gradually dimming sanctuary eventually illuminated by only a small spotlight in the middle of the cross. A heartbeat in the dark commemorated the final pulses of hope in the world on that cross. The main theme was the determination of Jesus to finish the work of the cross through his death.

6:30 pm: Totally Accomplished. Celebrating the wonderful final words of Jesus on the cross, “It is finished!” Our freedom from sin was accomplished with that holy sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb! This service was special for the lighted atmosphere, two pieces of special music, and many visitors to the church. We asked Dr. John Noble, from Huntington University, to provide us a Hebrew reading of Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12. We played the recording and then had a responsive reading by Craig and Becky Kupferberg. It was amazing to hear and experience what Jesus might have heard in the synagogue!

Easter Sunday continued the theme with two services: Totally Alive (Sunrise) and Totally Accepted (Christ welcoming the disciples on the beach in Galilee with breakfast). The children celebrated with a special presentation, the worship team shared a meaningful piece, and others found different ways to bring the new life in Jesus into focus.

11 Apr Easter at Kilpatrick UB Church

Rocky Spear (right), senior pastor, Kilpatrick UB church (Woodland, Mich.)

On March 31, Kilpatrick Church sponsored our first Easter Eggs-travaganza. We are endeavoring to reach our “Jerusalem” (Woodland, Mich.).

It was a cold (30s), rainy, windy (gusts 30+ mph) kind of a day. Typical Michigan. 157 children were registered, along with 35 adults. Around 250 people showed up. Our volunteers were troopers as they set up refreshments, registration, and then distributed 5400 eggs for the children of our community.

Six bicycles and two tricycles were given away via drawing, and 40 prize eggs were in the mix. Fourteen families indicated they wanted more information about Kilpatrick Church.

Easter Sunday was well attended, with our largest number on record. The best part: three individuals chose to make Jesus Christ their Savior.

09 Apr UB Churches Hold Joint Good Friday Service

At the Good Friday service.

The worship team leading music at the joint Good Friday service.

Josh Kesler, pastor of The Well in Huntington, Ind., preaching at The Well on Easter Sunday.

Four United Brethren churches in Huntington, Ind., and surrounding areas held a joint Good Friday service on March 30 at Huntington University. Churches represented were College Park, Dillman, New Hope, and The Well. New Hope hosted a Stations of the Cross before the service. Matt Kennedy, pastor of Dillman, delivered the message. It was a great group effort and meaningful night.

09 Apr Easter at South Scipio (Harlan, Ind.)

South Scipio UB church (Harlan, Ind.)

Brad North, newly appointed senior pastor of South Scipio UB church (Harlan, Ind.), sent this note:

“What an amazing morning we had celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. An added celebration was this being my first Sunday as the pastor of this church.”

03 Apr The Easter Season at Your Church