Like most children, our kiddos love stuffing their mouths with Easter candy. They gleefully dive into chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, Peeps, and more. Of course, we have to put a limit on the delightful confections, otherwise we’ll be racking up bills at the dental office. Even though we love our dentist, twice a year is enough!
But God’s Word reminds us of something even sweeter and more delightful than an overflowing candy basket: the harmonic unity when God’s people gather together as family.
As ancient followers of God journeyed up the steps toward Jerusalem to worship – en masse – they would sing this song to one another:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edges of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing – life forever.” (Psalm 133)
God’s grace to His people Israel in the Old Testament looked forward to the Messiah’s coming kingdom. The beauty of unity in God’s grace had a consecrating effect – signified in the anointing oil, yet also a refreshing result – pictured in the dew. Mount Hermon is the tallest peak in Israel. As a snowcapped mountain, the icy, freshwater runoff brings an abundance of dew and agricultural vitality. These streams ultimately feed into the Jordan River, the main life-source artery for all Israel. Fruitfulness. Beauty. Fullness.
So, we discover the beauty of unity ultimately leads to the blessing effect: Life! The sweetness of dwelling, worshiping, and journeying together in unity is an experience of God’s life among us.
The promised blessing of life forevermore in Zion remains the assured hope of we, the grafted-in family of faith in Christ. Today, the future breaks-through into the present. We can experience present joy because our future rests in the blessing of God. We live in the present reality of God’s presence. He is forming, sanctifying, and purifying us. We’re a kingdom of priests unto our God (Isa. 61:6; Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).
And where – in our everyday lives – do we most powerfully experience God’s presence? God the Holy Spirit’s presence dwells among His people. He is manifestly active among us as we gather, serve, sing, give, and love. We gain a foretaste of heaven when we’re gathered with God’s people on earth.
As much as we’re thankful for technological advances that allows us to live-stream our worship services, we fully believe this dramatically falls short of the sweeter-than-Easter-candy experience of gathering not just to spectate but to participate in one another’s lives; to serve someone, pray for a friend, or speak an encouraging word face-to-face. How good it is. How sweet the moment!
The past twelve months presented all of us with greater isolation from the joy of unity than ever before. By God’s grace, recent advances are allowing us to regather – to taste that inkling of the heaven to come. We’re looking forward to worshiping, serving, and dwelling together with you in the beauty of unity borne out of God’s grace.
As we look ahead to Easter Sunday and beyond, we want you to know of some changes we’re making so that you may, again, cultivate friendships, experience the blessing of serving, and be a part of what God is doing among us.
What’s Ahead?
- Operation Kindness: Last call for candy donations (Sunday, March 21). Email office@mayfairbible.org if you’d like to help deliver!
- Good Friday @ 6PM: Tenebrae Communion Service: in-person; mask-required section provided in south quarter of the auditorium; every other pew roped off.
- Resurrection Sunday (April 4)
- 9:15AM: super safe service – masks required. Are you member and able to wear a mask for the length of a service? If so, would you prayerfully consider attending this service to provide extra space for the 10:45AM service?
- THRIVE Kids activity bags provided
- 10:45AM: standard safety – masks recommended by not required.
- THRIVE Kids ministry offered (nursery – 5th grade)!
- Deploy Opportunities: Welcome Team and Coffee n’ Cookie Fellowship Team members. Contact us if you’d like to experience the joy of serving on either of these teams for Resurrection Sunday: office@mayfairbible.org | 810-733-7130.
- 9:15AM: super safe service – masks required. Are you member and able to wear a mask for the length of a service? If so, would you prayerfully consider attending this service to provide extra space for the 10:45AM service?
- Baptism Celebration: Sunday, April 11
- One 10:45AM Worship Service but Two Venues:
- The Auditorium: standard safety – masks recommended but not required.
- The Elevate Room: super safe service – masks required. Matt Pearson (elder) will be leading this venue service; music and sermon live-streamed.
- EQUIP Courses Relaunch: Sunday, April 18 | 9:15AM Classes for all ages
- The Battle Plan for Prayer: Tom Rench + Charles and Diane Breznau
- Proverbs to Live By: Darrell Foltz
- The Church in Babylon: (DVD w/ Erwin Lutzer) – Robert Blazer and Jerry Demick
- New Connections Class: Pastor Michael Breznau
- Thrive Kids + ELEVATE Youth classes
- Semi-Annual Business Meeting: Sunday, April 25 @ 5PM
- Mother’s Day Parent-Child Dedication: Sunday, May 9 | Contact us if you’re interested!
- One 10:45AM Worship Service but Two Venues:
In God’s Vineyard,
