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Dearly Beloved,

The Power of Invitation

Have you ever received a wedding invitation? There’s something special about opening that envelope and seeing your name printed on a beautifully designed card. Out of all the people the couple has met, they chose you to witness and celebrate their most important day. A wedding invitation isn’t just about attending an event; it’s about being wanted, included, and valued. It’s a personal and intentional act of love.

In the same way, invitations carry deep significance in our everyday lives. They create connections, extend opportunities, and invite people into something greater than themselves. And there is no greater invitation than the one Jesus extends to us.

An invitation is more than a piece of paper or a casual ask—it’s an opportunity. It carries the weight of love, belonging, and transformation.

  • It Makes People Feel Valued – When you invite someone, you’re telling them, "You matter. I want you to be part of this." That alone can uplift and encourage someone.
  • It Creates a Sense of Belonging – We all long to be included. An invitation welcomes people into something bigger than themselves—whether it's a conversation, an event, or even a relationship with God.
  • It Opens the Door to Transformation – Some of the most life-changing experiences begin with a simple invitation. A new friendship, a new opportunity, or even faith itself often starts with someone saying, "Come and see."
  • It Reflects God’s Heart – The Bible is full of invitations from God—inviting people into His presence, into rest, into relationship. One of the most powerful is Jesus' invitation:
    "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
  • It Requires Action – An invitation isn't just an idea; it's a call to step forward. It empowers the receiver to make a decision that could change their life.

The Easter Invitation

At our recent March Break Kids Camp, we had the joy of sharing with kids that Jesus is our ultimate champion. He took on the enemy no one else could defeat—death itself. Through His resurrection, He took away the sting of death and gave us the promise of eternal life. That is why we celebrate Easter—to be reminded of the power of God’s invitation. It was never meant for an elite group or the religious, but for all.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

This Sunday, we are handing out physical invitations to our Easter services:

  • Florence Filberg Center (for kids) – 9:45 AM
  • Sid Williams Theatre – 10:00 AM

We encourage you to be intentional with these invitations. Be praying about who to invite. Pick people you have a relationship with. There is power in your invitation, but that power comes from love and connection. Just like a wedding invitation, we want to invite people through relationship, not just obligation. And we want to extend the greatest invitation of all—the invitation of Jesus.

Let’s step out in faith and invite others into the hope and joy of Easter. Who will you invite?

Blessings,
Pastor Garrett