Easter

This year, I wanted us to see Easter like we've never seen it before. I wanted to see the powers aligned against the son of God trying to thwart God's plan to bring light and hope to a broken world. This part of the story matters because it's how God tells the Easter story.

This part of the story matters because it's so much like our own because we live in a world that's far from perfect. How do we make it when people we cared about have hurt us and even betrayed us? Where do we turn when it seems that all hope is gone when everyone and everything is aligned against you? What gives you hope?

This is the part of the Easter story that seldom gets told, but it's the part we desperately need. Easter begins in the darkness, but the story doesn't end there...

- Senior Pastor Keith Stewart

Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
It’s easy to assume that good guys have the only lessons we need to learn. But that’s not even remotely true. There are plenty of things to learn from the bad guys as well. On a basic level, villains often propel the story forward and provide contrast to the hero. Honestly, stories can’t exist without them. Typically, the worse the bad guy, the greater the triumph of the good guy. This is especially true when it comes to the Easter story. As the salvation story reaches its climax, the villains multiply and bring their collective power against the Son of God. But far from a message of despair and hopelessness, Easter’s Victor soars above the conflict to bring light and salvation to all who seek it.

Part 1 | March 19 - Jesus and the Belligerent (Religious Leaders)

Part 2 | March 26 - Jesus and the Betrayer (Judas Iscariot)

Part 3 | April 2 - Jesus and the Conflicted (Pontius Pilate)

Part 4 | April 9 - Jesus and the Condemned (The Devil) | EASTER

Lent is a 40-day period before Easter that commemorates the time Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan before He began His public ministry. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. There are more than 40 days because Sundays are not considered days of fasting.

The church has long regarded Lent as a season of soul searching and repentance as believers prepare for the joy and celebration of Easter. We should reflect on the significance of Christ’s death, examine our hearts, and confess our sins. It is to be an intentional time of spiritual cleansing and renewal.

Fasting is encouraged as a part of Lent in preparing our hearts for Christ. Fasting includes giving up food or something meaningful to us (alcohol, swearing, criticizing, social media, rage, etc). Fasting also includes adding a spiritual disciple to our daily schedule where the time is spent in developing our relationship with Christ (solitude, silence, meditation, prayer).

Springcreek will offer daily devotionals each day of Lent (February 22 - April 8). Additionally, we hope you will join us for our Ash Wednesday services, in-person and online, as well as join us on Sundays for our Easter series to encourage personal reflection during the Lenten season preparing us for Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection Easter morning.