WHAT A SON RISE!
Millions of people in the UK and northern Europe glimpsed one of the best solar eclipses in years on the morning of Friday 20 March. In a solar eclipse, a swathe of the Earth is plunged into darkness as her Moon comes between us and the Sun. There was intense interest in all parts of the UK as the eclipse reached at least 83% and the darkness peaked at about 09:35.
At Easter, Christians celebrate the emergence of a wonderful “Son Rise” and the saving of a lost world from sin darkness. O that the media and the astronomers and people in general would pay the same amount of attention to this eternity-changing event in the history of mankind!!
American pastor Rick Warren asks a fundamental question: “How did 12 peasant fishermen, tax collectors, farmers – how in the world did they multiply – 12 followers of Jesus to one out of every three people on the planet [identifying as Christian]? The answer is the Resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. It split our calendar to A.D. and B.C. No other event has impacted the world so much as the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
It is amazing to think about the fact that Jesus never wrote a book and yet more books have been written about Jesus than any other subject in the world. Jesus never composed a song, but there is more music written about Jesus Christ than any other subject, bar none, in history. Jesus never drew any pictures or did any sculpture, but more art has been made about Jesus Christ than any other subject in history. Jesus never travelled more than 100 miles from where he was born and yet you can find followers of Jesus in every nook and cranny of the planet.
Why did Christianity spread? Because it really is good news. There are six benefits for you and me that underline it as brilliant news:
- We can be free and forgiven by Jesus’ death. (Isaiah 56:6-10, Romans 4:25)
- Jesus defeated death so we don’t have to fear it. (2 Peter 1:16, Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
- We have God’s spirit inside us. (Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:19-20)
- God loves us unconditionally. (John 3:16,17, 1 John 13:34-35)
- God has a greater purpose for our lives. (Mark 8:35, Acts 15:26, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Philippians 1:21)
- We can be certain of a future in heaven. (1 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9, John 14:6, Romans 10:9)
Now that’s something to get excited about!
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BAPTISMAL SERVICE
Easter Sunday will be a special time of joy and thanksgiving for Beulah and Tabernacle as we will witness five people testifying publicly that they have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour by going through the waters of baptism.
Sian and her son Cae, Mina, Chloe and Christopher will be baptised in the evening service and we encourage you to invite friends and family to join us. Please pray that God will bless and protect the five at this pivotal time in their lives. Also pray for Pastor Peter as he preaches and that others will respond to the gospel call.
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EASTER SERVICES
Thursday 2nd: 7.00p.m. Rev. Peter Cho (United Communion Service)
Friday 3rd: 10.30a.m. Rev. Dr. Peter Stevenson (Principal, S. W. Baptist College, Cardiff)
7.00p.m. Rev. Dr. Peter Stevenson
Sunday 5th: 11.00a.m. Easter Play by Sunday School
6.00p.m. Rev. Peter Cho (Baptismal Service)
Speakers for Sunday Services in April
5th: a.m. Easter Play by Sunday School
p.m. Rev. Peter Cho – Baptismal Service
12th: a.m. Mr Geoff Champion
p.m. Rev. Richard Harrison
19th: a.m. Rev. Peter Cho
p.m. Mr Eric Palethorpe
26th: a.m. Rev. Peter Cho
p.m. Rev. Colin Lewis
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BUILDING WORK
Work will start on Tuesday, 7th April, on repairing and restoring external parts of the main chapel building at Tabernacle.
The £31,000 scheme, supported by a grant from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Community Regeneration Fund, will be undertaken by H. Smith Building Services Ltd, Ton Pentre following a competitive tendering process and it will be project managed by Hurley and Davies Ltd, property consultants, of Oakdale.
Main features of the work include replacing old windows, re-rendering the side walls and repairing and redecorating stonework on the front of the chapel. Repairing some damage following the major fire in neighbouring shops in February will also be carried out as part of the scheme which is expected to take five weeks to complete.
Members and visitors to the church are asked to take special care during the period of the work although safe walkways will be maintained to minimise disruption to our normal meetings and activities.