Did Jesus rise from the dead? What are the implications of his resurrection to your life?

These are two of the most important questions you will ever answer. We're not a perfect place, with perfect people, but we can point you to the truth that answers these questions.

This year, you're invited to start a new Easter tradition and join us at Linwood Community Church. We will have special services that focus on the true meaning of Easter from the primary source, the Bible. There will be something for the whole family.

Resurrection Sunday activities include:

6:30 AM Sunrise Service at the Seaview Dock

8:45 AM Breakfast (All invited)

10:00 AM Worship Service 

Other Services:

Palm Sunday Choir Cantata April 10th at 10:45

Good Friday Service April 15th at 6:00 PM

Ministry Leaders

Grief Share

• Barbara Heinold
• Jennifer McClun-Waggoner

Music Coordinator (Worship Team & Choir

• Jamie Byrd

Handi*Vangelism

• Beth Hasson
• Betty Helfrich
• Jane Sear

Youth Group

• Pastor George Myers
• Michael & Linda Sommers
• Melissa King
• Dave & Patty Hanson

Olympians Club

• Pastor George Myers

Safety Team

• Ken Kisby

Video Team

• Richard Lamkin

Deaconesses

Beverly Adkisson

Linda Berry

Andrise Alexis

Ruth Homer

Carol Kisby

Jennifer McClun-Waggoner

Jane Sear

Denise Stringer

Committees

Building & Grounds Committee (Trustees)

• Mark Hoch - Chairman
• Jack Berry - Vice Chairman
• Matt VanSant - Secretary
• Daniel Mercadante
• Nelson Maldonado
• Kevin Kleitches
• Greg Stringer

Missions Committee

• Barbara Heinold -
• Ruth Homer
• Lloyd Jones
• Paul Alexis
• Kevin Kleitches
• Paul Vogel

Budget/Finance Committee

• Richard Lamkin
• Mike Sommers
• Stephanie Del Biondo
• Mark Hoch
• Sue Lamkin

Other Officers

Church Clerk - Lloyd Jones

Church Treasurer - Michael Sommers

Assistant Treasurer / Financial Secretary - Susan Lamkin

Missionary Treasurer - Paul Vogel

Finance Committee - Member at Large - Stephanie Del Biondo

Financial Associates:

• Adam King
• Lloyd Jones
• Chick Kisby
• Sandy Hoch
• Terry Vogel
• Robbie Schlundt

Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday so this morning I preached a Pro-Life message titled "The Imago Dei Matters" that addressed not only abortion, but also racism, euthanasia, a Biblical view of disability, and more.

It was an exciting day! I make no apology for deliberately being a Pro-Life pastor. Our Church started its annual baby bottle drive for the Hope Pregnancy Center in Ocean City.

As a follow-up to the message and as a way to recommend some good resources to reflect on today, here are some sources I would like to commend to you.

• R.C. Sproul answers Why Churches should observe Sanctity of Life Sunday
• John Piper Resources:
• Free Chapter in For the Fame of God's Name outlining John Piper's Prophetic Pro-Life Preaching
• Piper's Sanctity of Life Sermons.
• Abort73: powerful and helpful website
• Albert Mohler article, "Abortion is as American as Apple Pie."
• 180 The Movie. If you haven't seen, you simply must! Visit 180movie.com
• Here's a wonderful article by Randy Alcorn on the Biblical perspectives on an unborn child.
• I used Tim Tebow's story, as an illustration, this morning. Here's an interview with Bob & Pam following last year's Super Bowl ad

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgKfIlj3sD0&feature=player_embedded%E2%80%99%5D[/embed]

• Here's a followup article by Randy Alcorn
• Here's a really cool visualization from conception to birth.

I love the text in this stanza of Immortal Invisible, it was a joy to affirm it as a congregation this morning.

To all, life Thou givest, 

to both great and small; 

In all life Thou livest, 

the true life of all; 

We blossom and flourish

as leaves on the tree,

And wither and perish--

but naught changeth Thee.

If you're struggling because you've aborted a child, there is hope and healing. If you think you're pregnant and are considering aborting the child, there are options.

Pro-Life Resources

Here are some good resources on the issue of abortion that I would commend to you.

Top Recommendation - Randy Alcorn's book has become a classic and go-to book in this area.

Alcorn, Randy. Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments Expanded & Updated. Expanded. Multnomah Books, 2000

———. Why Pro-Life?: Caring for the Unborn and Their Mothers. Multnomah Books, 2004. While this book is out-of-print it is still available at Eternal Perspective Ministries. You can also get a free pdf of the entire book here.

Feinberg, John S., and Paul D. Feinberg.Ethics for a Brave New World, Second Edition. 2nd ed. Crossway Books, 2010.

Klusendorf, Scott. The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture. Crossway Books, 2009.

Masse, Sydna. Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion. New. David C. Cook, 2009.

McCorvey, Norma, and Gary Thomas. Won by Love: Norma McCorvey, Jane Roe of Roe V. Wade, Speaks Out for the Unborn As She Shares Her New Conviction for Life. Thomas Nelson Inc, 1998. Jamie and I read this book together several years ago, it is a very transparent and eye-opening book of Norma’s experience as being “Jane Roe.” It chronicles her conversion and introduces her Roe no More Ministry.

Powlison, David. Healing after Abortion. 1st ed. New Growth Press, 2008

Beloved LCC Family & Friends,

One area of discipleship that cuts to our hearts is in the area of finances. Many times in scriptures the connection between our heart and our money is highlighted, especially by our Lord.

Individuals and families struggle with financial decisions. Questions related to credit cards, co-signing a loan for a family member, basic saving, investing and Social Security can become overwhelming. As Believers, we are taught to become a “Wise Steward” for the sake of our testimony and to protect our family. We only have to look as far as God’s Word to find the wisdom to answer many of these questions.

Our church has partnered with Life Institute to conduct a Stewardship Lifestyle Seminar to provide us with useful applications for Biblical Stewardship. I personally encourage you to attend these sessions that we are hosting on Sunday, November 14th through Tuesday,

November 16.

For more information about the session times, please see the Seminar Schedule in the Welcome Center.

  The Stewardship Lifestyle Seminar will offer teaching sessions that cover Biblical principles and practical applications including:

• What is the difference between a secular and a Biblical worldview of money?
• How can we train the next generation to understand and become better stewards?
• How can I establish a budget that works?
• How can I accelerate a way to get out of debt?
• When should I start saving and investing?
• When can I afford to retire and how much will I need?
• What is a “Christian’s Will”?
• How can I lay up treasures in heaven and invest in the Kingdom of God?

Whether you are just starting out or you are well experienced in your understanding of financial stewardship, this Biblical overview of stewardship will benefit you greatly. I would also like to encourage you to invite your friends and relatives who do not attend our church. This is a tremendous witness for us as Christians to show non-believers that there is relevance in the Scriptures and the ministries we provide.

Grace to you,

Jayson Byrd

2020 has been a year full of turmoil, unexpected changes, and anxiety all reminding us of the broken fallen world we live in that needs a rescuer. Christmas is the reminder that God's rescuer has come in the redeemer and rescuer, Jesus the Christ.

Although different, these are the opportunities to celebrate and serve at LCC this Christmas.

Christmas Around the World

Sunday, December 13th at 6 PM we'll be celebrating the diversity in the Body of Christ and the unity of the Gospel by celebrating the diversity of Christmas music and backgrounds in our local church. We'll have readings and songs from several different countries.

A desert fellowship will be held afterward.

Piercing Word Drama

A musical remembrance of Christ's Birth presented by The Piercing Word Drama, Christmas Through The Ages. Experience the story of Christ's birth told by performing the Scripture. Sunday, December 20th at 6:00 pm

Christmas Eve Service

Join us on December 24th at 7 pm for a time of singing, scripture, prayers, and reflection in a family-friendly Christmas Eve Service.

We're excited to be back to inside services.

Guidelines and Procedures for resuming indoor services

We are so excited to be getting back to the pattern of Jesus followers from the time of Christ onward of gathering on the first day of the week, Sunday, for corporate worship and fellowship. 

As we said in closing announcements in March, we pray that our guiding priorities are love for God and love for neighbor while submitting to the God-given civil authorities over us. We’re so grateful for the many hours of work and added stresses involved in supplying video services and drive-in services. 

Gathering Instructions

Please know that many details and factors have been discussed and many steps have been taken to be prepared for worship. The following is our plan based on recommendations from health, legal, and church leaders. We look forward to regathering in a safe, sanitized, and socially distanced way. 

Attendance & Capacity 

• All are invited, welcomed, and encouraged to gather. However, attendance capacity will be limited to the Governor’s temporary guidelines. 
• So that we are able to be compliant with capacity limitations we are asking everyone to register for a service or call the church office. Knowing approximately how many to expect will help prepare for capacity and add services as needed. 

Register Here

• If you are in any of the categories listed high risk, have a weakened immune system, or live with someone in these categories we encourage you to participate in an alternative way and feel no social pressure or guilt for doing so in this temporary season. 
• We will have a VIP Room:  The overflow rooms behind the auditorium will be reserved as a separate venue for those in the VP (Vulnerable Population). This is behind the glass, but still able to see and hear the service. 
• If you are sick in any way or showing symptoms please do not attend. Your duty is love for neighbor. Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 may be asked to have their temperature taken and/or asked to leave. 
• If you do not attend we encourage you to participate by watching via Livestream. 

Distancing Guidelines

1. We encourage following the recommended guidelines for physical distancing. Avoid handshaking and hugs temporarily. Smiles, words of encouragement, Wakanda Salutes, and Vulcan signs ;-), etc. are still encouraged. Bows & courtesies are permissible for those more formal types. :-) 
2. We encourage you to follow the Governor’s Executive Order in regard to Face Masks. 
3. Restrooms should be used in a limited and distanced way. 
4. Wash hands regularly. 
5. Use the added hand sanitizer stations often. 
6. Follow the posted instructions. 

Instructions & Expectations

Entering & Exiting  the Building

• Parking: Follow distancing guidelines in the parking lot and when entering the building. 
• Touchless Entrances: Doors will be propped open or opened by an attendant for a touchless entry. 

Seating

• Follow ushers and greeters’ instructions for distanced seating.
• To reduce congestion and added contact we’re asking many to plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early. We’re planning some extra “Gathering Music” during this time. This same pattern will be followed for exiting after the closing. 
• Seating will be distanced by the family unit. 

Service Expectations

Elements: Expect the regular elements of worship, scripture reading, congregational singing, ministry of the Word, prayer, giving, and fellowship. 

Offering: We will not be passing offering plates but will have a box available in the lobby. Online giving will be available as well. 

Family Integrated: At this phase our services are Family Integrated, meaning that children worship with their parents or guardians. You can all help this by: 

• Help: parents, grandparents, and siblings can help little ones pay attention.
• Accept it as a good thing: Baby’s and children making some noise during the service is normal and should be expected. Don’t worry about it. We actually think it’s awesome to have the sound of children at LCC, it’s a sign of life and health. 
• Be courteous: We do, however, want to make sure the message of Christ is heard and clear. So, if the sound gets to a distracting level, it’s quite appropriate and even courteous to get up during the service and take the little one to another room or space. 

Please do not Socially Distance or Quarantine the following

While there is a time for physical quarantine, please remember that there are a few things that never should be quarantined.

• Don't quarantine disciple-making and the great commission. Use this opportunity to initiate Gospel relationships and conversations online and in person. Times of crisis give us incredible opportunities to display trust in God and share the hope of the Gospel.
• Don't quarantine prayer. Please keep our church family and ministries in prayer.
• Don't quarantine giving. The work, ministry, and expenses of LCC and our supported missionaries are continuing and in many ways busier now than ever.