"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." -1 Peter 2:9
 

Once possessed by darkness, we are now the possession of the God of light. He is at work in us, making us a people who proclaim His excellencies to each other and to our city. 

This Sunday we will live out that reality with these songs:

1. Our God Saves
2. Generous King
3. How Great is Your Faithfulness
4. A Debtor to Mercy Alone
5. Your Words of Life
6. Stronger

1.   Friday night begins our Marriage Seminar with Garry and Betsy Ricucci, authors of the book - Love That Lasts.  If you have not yet registered, do it now!!!  Invite your friends, singles, married, thinking of marriage, haven't thought about it yet, those 18 and older are encouraged to come learn how the gospel gives hope to our marriages.  Childcare will be provided.  

2.  Newcomers class begins Sunday!!  April 14th at 1pm.  Please register ASAP if you are interested in learning more about our church or pursuing church membership.  This will be a great time of fellowship and introduction to Sovereign Grace!  Lunch will be provided.  

3.  Our church member meeting took place last Sunday after church.  We talked about the current proposal to reorganize our relationship with SGM.  You can learn about the proposal here.  If nothing else, the Introduction provides a good summary of "how we got here."   If you have any questions, please contact either Eric or Mike.  

Listen again to the message about the church at Smyrna.

Join us this week in Sunday School as we continue our course through the New City Catechism. This week we will take on question 8, which asks, "What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?" Join us as we discuss and seek to apply the law of God to our lives.

 "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." -Johann Sebastian Bach

Here are the songs that will unify our voices as we glorify God and refresh our souls this Sunday: 

1. Hosanna
2. Let Your Kingdom Come
3. Come Thou Fount
4. Our Song From Age to Age
5. Completely Done

1.  Love that Lasts - Married people with children - listen up, we have a group of young adults coming down from our sister church in Pasadena in two weeks to do one thing!  Watch your children during our marriage seminar!  Free awesome childcare! Friday night, Saturday morning,  While we talk conflict and romance, and where to find hope for marriages that last a lifetime!  Guests are welcome!  Register TODAY!!

2.  Starting Point - This is our course for people who want to get to know us and our church better (and perhaps pursue membership).  The next class begins in 2 Sundays. You need to register this week. It’s 3 lunches and a discussion at a pastors house after a Sunday service. 

3.  Member Meeting - We will be having a Church Member meeting next week after the service.  We are preparing as a church to cast our vote to form a brand new church denomination. If you are a member or regular attender, please don’t miss this. Bring a lunch and joins us!!

Missed the great Easter sermon - here's your chance to hear it!! 

The resurrection is something we celebrate throughout the year. It's the assurance that we walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). We died with Jesus in His death. We are raised up with Him in His life. Jesus' resurrection signals that we have eternal life.

And we are grateful that on one particular day throughout the year, people who normally don't attend church will attend a service. It's an opportunity for us to faithfully declare the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection to them, so that they might believe. We do this through the preaching, of course. But we will also sing this good news to them. Here are the songs we'll use: 

1. Forever
2. Christ the Lord is Risen Today
3. In Christ Alone
4. Behold Our God

1.    Polity and Prayer:  This Wednesday night at the church office (7-9pm), Pastor Mike and I will be hosting an evening of Polity and Prayer.  A discussion on church government.....followed by a time of prayer.  If you are unaware, our church planting network (Sovereign Grace Ministries) is preparing to (potentially) adopt a brand new organizational structure and we must decide whether or not we are in support of it.  Please go online and RSVP as soon as possible!

2.   Easter Outreach:   Next Sunday is Easter!   We have a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors into our church and homes!   We are heading out this Saturday evening to distribute flyers to families in Old Towne.   If you would like to join us,  please meet at the church offices at 6pm.  Another option is to invite someone to your home for lunch after the service.  Let us practice hospitality and welcome people as Christ has welcomed us!

"Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20

Our charge on Sunday mornings is not only to address God through song, but to address one another. We, God's people, are one of the important means He uses to reach others. Even our singing is a tool in God's hand as He reconciles and encourages. So come and sing expecting that God is going to use you!

The songlist this week is: 

1. Our God Saves
2. Beautiful One
3. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) 
4. Crown Him With Many Crowns
5. Now Why This Fear