Pastor’s Ponderings—April 2026
To the church of God as found at Marion Salem Church, called to be saints together with those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: You are miracles of God’s grace and mercy!
I pray that I do not confuse anyone with the following thoughts. So as to be clear, I am directing them to certain groups as a means of challenge, because I believe that there are ways that each of us can improve as followers of Jesus Christ.
To those who for any reason, typically watch service on Facebook: Easter Sunday is coming. We revere it as a particularly special and Holy day among the various Sundays of the year. For various reasons, many of them legitimate health issues, there are folks who cannot make it to worship each week. I want to challenge you to please go above and beyond to make the effort this year. If you must, call your doctor’s office as soon as you read this, leave them a message about how you can adjust medications or whatever routine you need so that you can be in-person for Easter Sunday worship.
To those trying to pick which service, I love Sonrise Service, especially as we can support our youth by attending, and I greatly enjoy the tradition of Easter Breakfast with my church family. That said, if you are deciding between Sonrise and Breakfast or the 10am Service—-please come to the 10am service. I want you to come to all our activities, yet if there must be a choice, come to the 10am Service.
To those who have family that stay home, this is the week. This is the important one. This is the week to pick the battle with your teenager. This is the week to put your foot down and say, “Come be with me in worship on Easter Sunday!” You do not have to be rude about it, but do be passionate about it! It’s important, it matters.
To those who have family, friends, coworkers, & neighbors that are not in worship, this is the day! Easter and Christmas are the “expected to be in Church” times. Those who watch you drive to church every week and see how important it is to you, they are kind of expecting you to make an invitation. They might say no. It’s really possible for them to say yes – yet you have to ask first. The de facto answer is no if you never ask so make the ask this year.
To those who believe Easter is the goal, or that the Resurrection is the end of the story, hang on to your bonnets—you might get blown away. The Resurrection was only the beginning of the story and the work that is ahead of the Church grows larger each and every year that has followed. When Easter comes this April 5th, it is not a moment of arrival for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ. Easter is only the starting point for the plans God has in store for those who love Him.
Blessings
Jason
Lenten Series: The Cure
Based off a book by the same name, we will explore the paths of Pleasing God and Trusting God, learning that one is built on self-effort and the other on humility. This series is for those seeking a deeper relationship with Christ no matter where they are starting on the journey.
3/1: “Two Solutions” 2 Corinthians 5 — 3/8: “Two Healings” 1 John 4:7-21
3/15: “Two Friends” John 3:16-21 — 3/22: “Two Destinies” John 12:12-16
