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We know that the seasons are changing when day light savings time comes again. It always takes me a few days to adjust to moving the clocks ahead and fooling myself to get up an hour earlier.

?  One of the benefits of the time change is the longer daylight in the evenings. This provides more time for back yard BBQ?€™s and more time for golf, too! There is something nice about the longer evenings that the time change provides.

?  The time change is also a good reminder that Easter is almost here! Easter is one of the most important dates on the calendar for those who are followers of Jesus. It is the date on which we celebrate Jesus?€™ resurrection from the dead.

?  The Bible tells us that His resurrection is the center piece of the Christian faith. We are told that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. His resurrection is the confirmation of that. If Jesus did not really rise from the dead, then our faith has no basis and we have no hope. If Jesus really did rise from the dead, then He is unique in all of history and we should carefully consider His life and teaching.

?  If you haven?€™t been to church in a long time, I hope you will make plans to visit a church near you on Easter Sunday, April 4^th. If you are a regular church attendee, I hope you will take time to invite a neighbor or friend to come with you on Easter.

?  If you have never attended a Christian church, I hope you will look for one in your neighborhood and attend an Easter Sunday service this year. We?€™ll be having three services on Easter at 8:00 / 9:30 / 11:00 AM. If you don?€™t have a church home, please accept this invitation to worship with us on Easter Sunday.

The days are getting longer and the seasons are changing. It is a great time to renew friendships with neighbors and friends. And, it is a great time to renew your faith on Easter Sunday, April 4th!

I recently interviewed some people at our church. I asked them to share their thoughts to this simple question, ?€œWho did God use to bring you to Himself?€™? In other words, ?€œWho was the person who invited you to church or told you about God?€�?

I enjoyed the variety of answers that I heard from the people we interviewed. Some said that it was their parents who told them about God. Others said that it was a high school classmate that invited them to a church event. Others said that it was neighbor who extended an invitation to come with them to church.

Everyone?€™s story was different. But, there was a common thread that I heard over and over again. It was clear that God uses people to bring people to Himself! I know there are exceptions. Some people come to faith by reading a Bible alone in a hotel room. Others come to believe through a program on the radio or TV.

But, most of the time it seems that it is people that bring other people to faith in God.

If this is true, it seems that there are two important lessons for us to learn. First, you and I need to say ?€œthanks?€� to the people that pointed us toward faith in God. We need to express our appreciation to the parent, coach, neighbor, pastor or friend who told us the ?€œgood news?€�.

Second, you and I have a unique opportunity to help other people find a faith in God. There are people all around us who may be seeking and searching for meaning in life. There are people in your office, on your campus, in your community or even in your own family. You could be the one to help point them to a personal relationship with God.

I realize you may not be a powerful or persuasive speaker. You may not be a person of influence in your company or community. But, you can invite a friend to church. You can extend an invitation to a neighbor to worship with you on Sunday.

As the Easter season approaches, I believe you and I have a unique opportunity to help others find a meaningful and personal relationship with God. Don?€™t miss this once-a-year opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor to come to your church this Easter.

Remember this principle ?€“ God uses people to bring people to Himself. I?€™m sure you are thankful for the people that pointed you in His direction. I?€™m hopeful that you will be the person that God uses to point others to Him.

Calling all high school students! I know you are all so popular and have the next 16 Friday nights already booked with dates, movie nights or other fun stuff?€¦.BUT?€¦cancel everything!!! Starting Friday February 6th, and every Friday after that, we will be meeting in the basement of the church from 6-9pm to hangout, play Wii, Playstation, Pingpong, boardgames, dodgeball and to just hang out. Bring your own food or snacks to share with your friends! Check out the high school page on the website for other info.