Headlines like this one sound exaggerated, but in this case "biggest weekend ever" accurately describes the scene at Church Requel. You won't want to miss out on any of it. Here's a recap of what's happening this weekend.
Good Friday Service with OCF. The weekend begins this evening at 7pm with a combined Good Friday service with Ontario Christian Fellowship. We'll be meeting in the sanctuary - on the other side of the church facility than we normally meet in - to accommodate both our churches. Our set decoration team's paintings of Jesus final words will decorate the sanctuary. Our own Haleigh Trubachik will be running the computer graphics. Their team will lead the worship music. (The Nursery will be open but not staffed.)
We will have a video visit tonight from The Skit Guys with their presentation of The Birdcage. This will lead perfectly into my talk tonight. I'll continue the Final Words sermon series with a discussion of Jesus' last words before his death, "It is finished." Only one word in the original Greek language, you'll be fascinated with all the layers of meanings... and implications for your faith... from this final word.
Christy Anne Pierce is coming back to Church Requel tonight from her home in Cleveland to sing Natalie Grant's "Power of the Cross." Her song will move you to worship and prepare you for communion, which will be led by Pastor Kim Mauer.
Tonight will be the first time ever that we have shared a worship service with another church. It demonstrates our core value of partnership in Christ's kingdom. Pastor Maurer and the entire OCF family have been so supportive of our ministry. Tonight is just one more example of the good will that exists between our two congregations.
Saturday Morning Viewpoints. We have been given an extraordinary opportunity to let Mansfield know about Church Requel. The News Journal called me Monday and wondered if I would submit an article for their Viewpoints section in Saturday's paper. I really enjoyed writing about the "Saturday-in-between" Good Friday and Easter. All of us at one time or another find ourselves in those "Saturday-in-between" moments of life. Pray that this article reaches many eyes and hearts for Christ and his kingdom.
Easter Donation of 100 meals! This is the Saturday we have been working toward for the last two months. Back on March 3rd we announced our initiative to feed 100 families on Easter weekend. 
Sheri Pryor has worked hard to organize this effort. You as a congregation have been faithful, bringing groceries with you every week to church. Local businesses have provided the potatoes and the loaves of bread. Two local families purchased the turkeys. Everybody has done their part. Let's not let up now! Tomorrow morning at 9am we'll show up at church and receive final instructions. We'll transport all the groceries into all the vehicles. We'll divide up into 3 teams. Two teams will head downtown. One team will head out to deliver to specifically designated families. Then we'll gather back at the church to share our God-moment stories. This promises to be a special moment in Church Requel's short life!
Easter Sunday Evening Service. You might think that after all that we would just sit back on Sunday and relax. Not at all! We have a very special Easter Sunday service lined up. We'll start off with a video that will challenge the very reason we are gathered together on Easter. 
Then Nate Williams will return to the Church Requel platform with a really great band. Jana, Stephen, Jean, Josh and Haleigh will all join Nate to lead us in an awesome praise and worship music set. They also have an Easter special lined up in which I guarantee you will be singing with them before they're finished. Christy Anne Pierce will be back Sunday evening to reprise her "Power of the Cross," a song which will lead us into communion. We'll see The Skit Guys one more time too with an insightful look at how it must have been for Peter when he first talked with the resurrected Jesus. This will segue nicely into our Easter evening talk about resurrection G.R.A.C.E., our final session of our Final Words sermon series. You'll have one more opportunity to sing with the band and celebrate the wonderful weekend together!
Is anyone else excited besides me? God has provided a great opportunity for our small church to do some big things this weekend. Let's enjoy it together. God's kingdom will grow in our community... and in our hearts. Hope to see you many times this weekend! Pastor Mark
