New Life family photos: Baptism in the lake and Block Party of 2009.

 

(Philemon 1:7)  Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people.

 

1 It was February 1941, Auschwitz, Poland. Maxmillan Kolba was a Franciscan priest put in the infamous death camp for helping Jews escape Nazi terrorism. Months went by and in desperation an escape took place. The camp rule was enforced. Ten people would be rounded up randomly and herded into a cell where they would die of starvation and exposure as a lesson against future escape attempts. Names were called. A Polish Jew Frandishek Gasovnachek was called. He cried, "Wait, I have a wife and children!" Kolba stepped forward and said, "I will take his place." Kolba was marched into the cell with nine others where he managed to live until August 14.
 

This story was chronicled on an NBC news special several years ago. Gasovnachek, by this time 82, was shown telling this story while tears streamed down his cheeks. A mobile camera followed him around his little white house to a marble monument carefully tended with flowers. The inscription read: "IN MEMORY OF MAXIMILLAN KOLBA.HE DIED IN MY PLACE." Every day Gasovnachek lived since 1941, he lived with the knowledge, "I live because someone died for me." Every year on August 14 he travels to Auschwitz in memory of Kolba.

 

In the same way, for the follower of Jesus Christ, Easter is the time we remember that Someone died for you and me.The Bible says,
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). As great as a sacrifice that Kolba made for Gasovnachek and his family - it was a limited gift in that even though it gave him a little more time with his family - this great gift would end one day a with the passing of each family member.

 

Almost 2000 years ago Jesus Christ knowingly came to the city of Jerusalem with the expressed purpose of allowing Himself to be killed. As bizarre as this may seem, He did this for you and me. Why would He do this? You see there existed a separation between God and people -- it was called sin. Every person, with the exception of Jesus Himself, was born with it and thus have been alienated from knowing God since the beginning of time. But because God loved you and I so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to come and make reconciliation possible through His death and resurrection. Through this He not only bridged the gap between God and mankind, but He provided the way to us being able to experience a full and satisfying life (John 10:10b) and the promise of living forever with Him when our earthly bodies perish (John 3:16). Now that's the ultimate gift that keeps on giving! So you see, this is the time of year when we should remember that we live because Someone died for you and I.

 

This Easter season I encourage you to not only remember that Jesus died for you...to make knowing God possible...and to offer you hope in life today and for eternity, but that we like Gasovnachek, would find ways to share this incredibly good-news with others. If you're interested in knowing more about this free gift which God offers through Jesus Christ -- then go to New Life's home page and on the left column, under "Slice of Life", click on the word "Peace." This will show you how you can have peace with God. So remember -- God loves you and Jesus died in your place!

 

New Life Community Church: Easter Schedule:

8:00 am: Sunrise Celebration and Communion

8:45 am: Easter Breakfast

9:45 am: Kids Easter Egg Hunt (Grade 6 and under)

10:30 am: Easter Service

 

If you don't attend church regularly, we invite you to stop by for our Easter service on Sunday, April 4 (see the schedule below). We would love to meet you.

 

1 Victor Knowles, Peace on Earth Ministries. Adapted from Crossroads Family Circle.

 

Welcome from Pastor Dave

 

Can Church Be Fun?

How could it not be? A live band with guitars, bass and a keyboard and people who really care about one another, a casual atmosphere with relevant lessons. Sound interesting?

Welcome to New Life! A new church that puts God first and tradition last - A church that loves people regardless of their background. We are a church that wants to lead people into a "purpose-filled" life. When your relationship with God is healthy, then you will lead a passionate life! What could be more fun?

Hi, I'm David Sherwood, pastor at New Life Community Church. My wife, Tami and I, along with our four children, Caleb, Ashley, Alexa, and Andrae have moved to Lake Lorelei to fulfill the dream of starting an innovative and relevant church that will reach out to the needs of this community.

Tami and I have been in full-time ministry for over 14 years, both as a youth pastor and a senior pastor. We came to Lake Lorelei to start a church where people can find real answers to real life issues. So, if you're looking for a quick nap on Sunday morning, we're probably not your place! New Life will attempt to teach the truths of the Bible in an energetic, creative, and compelling way.

Our desire is to be a church that will minister to you. So come try us out and make New Life a part of your weekend!