Dear Crosswalkers,
On April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. In a couple of weeks we our culture will mark the 100th Anniversary of this disaster that has captured the hearts and minds of so many. It was touted as being "unsinkable." Yet more than 1,500 people perished as "the ship that not even God could sink" sank. One third of the passengers survived to give testimony to the horror that unfolded around them.
There have been a seemingly endless series of books, articles, movies, documentaries and exhibits dedicated to the memory of the Titanic. Phrases and images ("rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic") have stuck with us. Lessons and analogies have been continuously spun from the tragedy. Here's what gets me: Although the death toll was immense, the fact is many more people could have been rescued. The Titanic was certified to offer 1,178 people lifeboat space. But of the twenty lifeboats lowered overboard, only a few were filled to capacity. In fact, records reveal that many were less than half full!
Exhibit A is the first lifeboat that was lowered, boat seven. Records indicate it had room for 65 people, yet history tells us just 28 boarded. Lifeboat one could accommodate 40 people but left the sinking oceanliner with only 12 people on board! There are many more tragic examples. Only 40 percent of the available lifeboat spaces were filled, and thus only 711 passengers and crew were rescued. When the Titanic went down, hundreds of people floated in the open water wearing life jackets. Yet only one of the vessels went back in search of other survivors.
Why were so many spaces left unfilled?
Investigators found a couple of reasons. First, some of the Titaniccrewman wrongly assumed that filling the lifeboats to their "sea capacity" would cause the boats to break during the lowering process. Such misplaced caution cost people their lives. Secondly, some of the passengers, believing the ship was "unsinkable," didn't board the lifeboats because they didn't feel that there was really a pressing need.
For God has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
- Colossians 1:13-14
Easter is all about rescue. It shows us the greatest love of all. At Crosswalk, God wants us to "make room" for people who need the salvation ("rescue") that Jesus alone provides. Are there misconceptions that prevent us from rescuing those around us? Salvation is available, but we have to see our need and get into the lifesaving boat.
The next two weeks at Crosswalk will celebrate and make available this divine rescue mission. Here is our schedule:
April 1, PALM SUNDAY! This will be a great day as we look at one of the most important and foundational teachings the Lord has given us. The message is entitled, "How to Avoid Ruining Your Life!" Lord willing, we will feature a powerful testimony from Whitney Houston! This would be a most excellent day to invite a friend or family member to church.
April 5, HOLY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE @ 7:00 p.m. This is the most devotional and worshipful service of the year. Please plan to join us as we celebrate our Lord's death on the cross for us. The devotional is called, "Behold the Man!"
April 6, GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE, 11:00 a.m. to Noon. Sunnyvale Christian School hosts this service for the students and their families, but of course everyone is welcome to attend!
April 7, COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT @ Washington Park! Check in at 9:45 a.m., hunt begins at 10:15 a.m. Please use the invitation cards and talk up this event! Post the cards at coffee houses, etc. And then on the day of the hunt help us invite people to our Easter services at Crosswalk!
April 8 EASTER SUNDAY! This will be a grand celebration of the Good News. The message is"What Easter Means Today." It will be a practical message that you can freely invite friends and family to attend. People are very open to visiting a church on Easter. Please invite them to Crosswalk!!
Love in Jesus,
Pastor John Christie
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