Stay up to date with what's happening at CFC by reading the eBulletin each week.

Culture claims to know about Jesus, but many people are in the dark about who He really is. Some might see Jesus as just a person from history or a good man or a good teacher, but He is much more than any of that! This summer, VBS will shine a light on the truth of who Jesus really is. Like the disciples, our kids will be challenged to answer Jesus’s question, “Who do you say that I am?” They will discover it’s not a matter of opinion; Jesus is who Scripture says He is — the perfect, proven, and powerful Son of God.

Two-thirds of church-attending children disengage with church after high school, many because they don't feel connected. VBS is a great connection point, both for the kids and for those serving. We'd love for you to come connect with the kids, connect with God, and help the kids connect with God and each other, as we all deepen our understanding of who Jesus is.

You can sign your kids up, sign up to serve (VBS takes a village) or see the list of items to donate  for snacks and crafts. HERE.

As always, we can't wait to worship with you Sunday!

Wow! We are thanking the Lord for the testimonies of those who were baptized last Sunday. It was such an encouragement to see so many make a public declaration of their faith in Jesus. For those of us who witnessed these baptisms, it was a reminder not only of God's grace, but also of the forgiveness and new life available through Jesus — and ONLY through JESUS. 
 
Our prayer for you is that these baptisms and testimonies reignited the passion and commitment you have for Jesus and reinvigorated your walk with Him. If you haven’t yet been baptized since professing your faith in Jesus as your Savior, the next baptisms will be later this summer at Burdette Park. You can take the online classes to prepare now HERE.
 
CFC, if you didn’t see the baptism testimonies at the 9:15 and 10:45 services on April 26, you can watch them below. Prepare to be blessed! Just remember that each video you watch represents the ongoing work of God in the world – proof that lives are still being changed and that the mission of the Church is alive!
 
We can't wait to worship our great God – who is changing lives here and around the world – with you this Sunday!
 
Watch 9:15 baptisms HERE
Watch 10:45 baptisms HERE

John 16:5-9
5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.

Luke 10:25-29
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

To love God is to pursue his glory passionately; to love your neighbor is to compassionately and righteously respond for their good.

Who qualifies as your neighbor?

In Jewish understanding at the time of Jesus, “neighbor” was:

• A fellow Israelite
• Someone within the covenant community
• Sometimes extended to “a friend” or “associate”

Luke 10:30-32
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

Luke 10:33-35
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Luke 10:36-37
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

What does it mean to “neighbor?”

How does this parable confront our modern justifications?

Go and Do for One by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Luke 10:25-37; John 16:5-9; and Matthew 25:40.

1. Pastor Dale opens with a story about a retired farmer who drove slowly to survey the fields, noting that “because you’re a farmer, you see farms.”. How does your current "identity" (your career, hobbies, or passions) shape what you notice—or what you ignore—as you move through your daily routine?
2. Read John 16:5-9. Jesus told His disciples it was best for Him to go away so the Advocate (the Holy Spirit) would come to convict the world and empower the church. How does it change your view of your weekly activities to realize you are a citizen of His kingdom, currently “passing through with purpose” under the leadership of the Spirit?.
3. Read Luke 10:25-28. A religious expert asked Jesus what he must "do" to inherit eternal life, yet Pastor Dale notes that an inheritance is usually about who you belong to rather than what you earn. Why are we so often tempted to try to be “worthy” of God’s grace through our own performance?
4. Jesus affirms that the Law is summarized by loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself. Why is it impossible to truly have one of these loves without the other?
5. Defining Love. The sermon defines loving your neighbor as a “compassionate, righteous, and responsible” response for their good. How does adding the words "righteous" and "responsible" challenge the modern idea that love should always just "make me feel good"?
6. Read Luke 10:29. The expert in the law asked, “And who is my neighbor?” because he was looking for a “loophole of exemption” to determine who was undeserving of his love. In what ways do we still try to narrow the definition of "neighbor" to only include people who are like us or convenient for us?
7. The Parable Breakdown. Read Luke 10:30-32. Both the priest and the temple assistant (Levite) saw the wounded man but crossed to the other side. What are some of the "modern justifications" (being in a hurry, fear of "defilement," or assuming someone got what they deserved) that cause us to pass by those in need?
8. The Despised Hero. Read Luke 10:33-35. A Samaritan—someone the Jewish audience would have despised—became the one who felt compassion and sacrificed his own clothes, donkey, time, and money to provide care. Can you share a time when you had to receive help from someone you previously looked down upon or considered an "enemy"?
9. Verb vs. Noun. Jesus shifted the focus from "Who qualifies as my neighbor?" to "What does it mean for YOU to be a neighbor?". Pastor Dale notes that "neighbor" is a verb more than a noun; how does this shift the responsibility from the person in the road onto your own character?
10. The Best Samaritan. The "sucker punch" of the sermon is the realization that we are all the "bloody man lying in the road" and Jesus is the Samaritan who came to us in our deepest need. How does seeing yourself as the one who needed rescue—rather than the one who is doing the rescuing—transform your motivation for serving others?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the one who didn't "pass by" when you were wrecked by the consequences of sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you “neighbor” someone this week—to do for one in the name of the One.

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Analogy for Understanding: Being a neighbor is like the "farmer seeing the farm.". A tourist driving down a country road only sees a mode of transportation from point A to point B, but a farmer sees the cattle that need inspecting and the gardens that need care. In the same way, we only truly "see" a neighbor when we have the heart of a neighbor; until then, we are just travelers looking for loopholes.

Acts 1:4-6
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

Jesus is THE One we “do for.”

Acts 1:7-8
 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
 
We do for one in the name of the One.
 
Acts 2:1-4
1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

John 14:17
 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.
 
John 20:19-22 (Genesis 2:7)
 19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

ἐμφυσάω (I breath upon; Heb. ruach)
 
Acts 2:5-13
 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. 7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
 13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
 
What am I doing with the flame I am called to keep?
 

Keeper of the Flame by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-13; John 14:17; and John 20:19-22.

1. Pastor Dale describes this new sermon series as starting with "passion up front" rather than a mechanical strategy, following the leading of the Spirit. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit prompting you to do something that didn't fit your "step-by-step" plan? How did you respond?.
2. "Do for one in the name of the One." Pastor Dale emphasizes that Jesus is the "One" we ultimately serve. How does the humble act of offering a "cup of cold water" to one person in Jesus' name redefine your definition of "success" compared to the world’s view of fame or social media influence?.
3. Read Acts 1:4-6. Even after the resurrection, the disciples were still focused on their own expectations of a restored political kingdom. In what ways do we sometimes get distracted by our own "agendas" for God instead of waiting for the power and timing of the Father?.
4. Read Acts 1:7-8. Pastor Dale uses the image of a pebble hitting a still lake to describe the "ripples" of the gospel moving from Jerusalem to the "ends of the earth". Who is in your immediate "neighborhood" or "Samaria"—the people or places you might normally avoid—that God is calling you to reach?.
5. The Mystery of the Spirit. Pastor Dale admits that at 61 years old, he has sometimes been "afraid" of the Holy Spirit because He is hard to quantify or control. What makes the Holy Spirit feel "mysterious" to you, and how does knowing He is here to illuminate Jesus rather than draw attention to Himself ease that fear?.
6. The Role of the Godhead. The sermon explains that the Father wills, the Son accomplishes, and the Holy Spirit applies. How does it help your faith to see the Holy Spirit as the one who actively "applies" the victory of Christ to your specific daily life?.
7. Read Acts 2:1-4. The text moves from the "all" (the group) to the "everyone" (the individual), as tongues of fire settled on each person present. How does the reality that the Holy Spirit indwells you personally change your sense of responsibility as a "keeper of the flame"?.
8. Read John 20:19-22. Pastor Dale connects Jesus "breathing" on the disciples to Genesis 2:7, where God breathed life into Adam. Just as God breathed physical life into humanity, how is Jesus breathing "mission and purpose" into your life today?.
9. The Reversal of Babel. Pastor Dale notes that while the Spirit confounded languages at the Tower of Babel because of human pride, at Pentecost, the Spirit helped everyone understand the "wonderful things God has done" in their own language. How can we use our words to foster understanding and unity rather than confusion and pride?.
10. Lighthouse in the Daytime. The sermon concludes by warning against being like a "pretty lighthouse in the daytime"—great for postcards but failing its true purpose. In a "dark world," what does it look like for you to keep your light lit this week through your service to others?.
11. Close in Prayer: Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit who "lives in you". Ask the Father to help you stop trying to quantify your own success and instead focus on doing for the one in the name of the One, trusting that your service will not be forgotten.

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Analogy for Understanding: A believer without the Holy Spirit is like a lighthouse with a beautiful exterior but a cold, dark lamp inside; it looks impressive in the sun, but it provides no guidance to those lost in the storm. Keeping the flame means ensuring the "fire" of the Spirit's power is always burning, so that our lives serve the purpose for which they were built: pointing others to the safety of Jesus.

In the fall of 2004, CFC launched our very own low-power radio station. For 22 years, it has had about a 12-mile radius and has highlighted the worship songs of CFC while also broadcasting our Sunday services live. We have loved having this station as part of our ministry, and it has borne much fruit—touching lives, spreading encouragement, and bringing the message of Christ to our community in ways we could never have imagined.
 
In recent months, some of the station’s equipment has failed, and we are no longer broadcasting over the airwaves. While we have continued streaming on our website and app, you can no longer listen on your radio dial. Maintaining the station has become extremely costly. The expense of repairing and replacing equipment combined with ongoing licensing fees is substantial. It is so much that when we consider these costs alongside the culture’s shift toward streaming music, it is clear that these resources can now have an even greater impact if redirected to other areas of our church’s mission. How we listen to music has shifted drastically from 2004 to 2026, and we have decided that we will not spend these large amounts of money to get the station back up. For now, you can still listen to the radio station by streaming HERE. This option will also end when our license expires on August 1, 2026. 
 
For those who enjoy the music we have shared on our station, we have good news! We have compiled a playlist of music from our weekend services on Spotify, and we encourage you to check it out at the same link above or search “CFC Worship.”
 
We are deeply grateful for everyone who has supported the station over the years. While this chapter is closing, we rejoice in the fruit that has come from it, and we look forward to continuing to share music, worship, and God’s Word in new and meaningful ways. Responsibly stewarding the money God provides us at CFC is among our highest priorities. 
 
If you have any questions, please let us know. We can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday!

Two of CFC’s Core Values are Missions and Children & Students. We’re excited to update you on how we were recently able to glorify God in both of those areas.
 
Over the EVSC Spring Break, our High School Ministry took 20 people to the Dominican Republic for their annual mission trip. This team spent months together in preparation for what God would do through them. As a first for our HSM teams, this group went on a weekend retreat in January where they spent extended time getting to know one another better and growing spiritually. 
 
One of the most memorable moments from this trip came on the last morning in La Cola when an opportunity was created for the team to join high school students from the community. Over the course of their time together, both CFC students and Dominican students were given the opportunity to share about their high school experiences, hopes for the future, and much more. Through conversation, a couple of high school girls from La Cola opened up about their unfortunate experiences with unloving fathers. They explained different ways they felt as if they were unable to be loved. A group of CFC students explained the gospel and demonstrated the loving heart of our Heavenly Father. They demonstrated how God not only communicates His love verbally but through actions, and none of these actions are more important than the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. These girls saw God as He has truly revealed Himself and came to trust Christ in that very moment! 
 
Throughout the trip, the team was focused on being Spirit-led and obeying all He was calling them to do. As a result of this, students saw God work in incredible ways and were deeply impacted. Since the team has returned, students from this trip have remained close and are focused on how they can go about living missionally right here in Evansville. This trip was truly an incredible experience for our high school students, and the name of Jesus was magnified. 
 
Thank you for being a part of CFC’s vision of “Glorifying God by Making Disciples of All People!” We can’t wait to worship with you on Sunday!

Confessions by Reid Schultheis
Read Romans 10:9; James 5:16; Psalm 32:1-5; and 1 John 1:7-9.

1. Reid shares about the "terrifying" experience of making his first confession in a dimly lit room as a child. Why is it so uncomfortable for us to lay out our "inside reality" to God or to another person?
2. Read Romans 10:9. Reid notes there is a big difference between saying "I believe there is a God" and "I believe Jesus is the Lord". What does it mean to you personally to declare that Jesus has the right to demand you live a certain way?
3. Read James 5:16. Reid points out that while we often focus on the "sexy" second half of this verse about powerful prayer, the first half is an "abundantly clear" command. Why is it important to see confession as a requirement of discipleship rather than an optional suggestion?
4. Biblical Anthropology. The sermon explains that we are "embodied souls"—material and immaterial entities joined together. How does the truth that sin is stored up in our bodies (affecting us physically) change your understanding of why we need to deal with it?
5. Read Psalm 32:3-5. David describes his body "wasting away" and his strength "evaporating" when he refused to confess. Have you ever felt a physical or emotional weight lift after finally being honest about a struggle or sin? Discuss.
6. Forgiveness vs. Healing. Reid argues that we go to God for forgiveness, but we often go to one another for healing. How does having a brother or sister in Christ stay with you after a confession help you experience the love of God, rather than just knowing it as a fact?
7. Read 1 John 1:7-9. The text links "living in the light" with having "fellowship with each other." Reid states that our relationship with Jesus is deeply personal but not private. How do your "hidden" sins impact the rest of the church body, even if no one else knows about them?
8. Sins of Omission. Beyond direct hurts, the sermon mentions that sin robs the church of the time, energy, and resources you could have used to serve your neighbor. How does this perspective convict you to prioritize reconciliation within your community?
9. The Heart of Confession. Reid emphasizes that confession is not a "secret sauce"—it is an act of trust in the finished work of Jesus. Why must we be convinced that Jesus’ sacrifice was "sufficient" before we will ever be brave enough to confess?
10. The Seven A’s. Review Ken Sande’s "7 A’s of a Good Confession" (Address everyone, Avoid 'if/but', Admit specifically, Acknowledge hurt, Accept consequences, Alter behavior, Ask for forgiveness). Which of these is usually the hardest for you to include in an apology?
11. Close in Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind any specific person you need to confess to this week. Pray for the humility and courage to value God's glory and the unity of the church above your own comfort.

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Analogy for Understanding: When we sin, it is like thunderclouds rolling in to block out the sun. We know the sun (God’s love) is still there, but we can no longer feel its warmth on our skin. Confessing our sins to one another is like the wind that parts the clouds, allowing us to once again experience the reality of the grace that was there all along.

Roman 10:9 (NLT)
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

God commands us to confess our sins to Him and to one another.

James 5:16 (NLT)
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Psalm 32:1-5 (NLT)
1 Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt,
    whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin,
    my body wasted away,
    and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
    My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”
    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

1 John 1:7-9 (NLT)
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

God commands confession for His glory, our good, and others’ good.

Ken Sande’s Peacemaker 7 A’s of a Good Confession

• Address everyone involved
• Avoid “if, but, and maybe”
• Admit specifically as sin
• Acknowledge the hurt
• Accept the consequences
• Alter your behavior
• Ask for forgiveness

Romans 12:1-2
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Your life is worship through service, not just a worship service.

“In contrasting chapters 1—11 with chapters 12—16 of Romans, perhaps the most important distinction is that the first part deals primarily with God’s actions for humanity, and the last part deals with people’s actions in response to God’s.”
-Constable, Notes on Romans

Ephesians 4:1
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Learning to love authentically takes practice. So practice!

Romans 12:9-13
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

Romans 13:12-14
12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Put up. Huddle up. Grow up.

Romans 14:1
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.

Romans 14:17-19
17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Romans 15:5-6
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 16:25-27
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Living the Gospel by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Romans 12:1-2, 9-13; Romans 13:8-14; Romans 14:1, 17-19; and Ephesians 4:1.

1. Pastor Dale shares a story about his old college ID cards and the importance of "validation". He notes that some people treat Easter or Christmas church attendance like getting a "parking pass validated" or a "passport stamped" for heaven. How can we move from seeking "validation" through religious attendance to a genuine relationship with Jesus?
2. Read Romans 12:1-2. The first 11 chapters of Romans focus on God’s actions for humanity (Justification), while chapters 12–16 focus on our response to God (Sanctification). Why is it important to understand what God has already done for us before we try to do anything for Him?
3. "Your life is worship through service, not just a worship service". Pastor Dale says we need to "get up off the altar" because the sacrifice has already been made by Jesus. What does it look like in your specific daily routine—at work, home, or in the community—to live as a "living sacrifice"?
4. Vocation vs. Profession. The sermon distinguishes between a profession (what you aspire to) and a vocation (a calling you respond to) 11, 12. How does viewing your current job or stage of life as a "vocation" change the way you use that platform to serve God?
5. Read Romans 12:9-13. Pastor Dale emphasizes that "learning to love authentically takes practice". The Greek word for "don't pretend" refers to being "unmasked" or "unhypocritical". Why is it often easier to "act" like we love others rather than "really" loving them?
6. The "Do for One" Strategy. Pastor Dale admits to feeling overwhelmed by the "impossible" task of loving everyone. He suggests an upcoming series called "Do for One," focusing on the person directly in front of you. Who is the "one" person God has placed in your life this week that you can serve or love specifically?
7. Read Romans 13:8-10. Even if you are financially debt-free, Pastor Dale notes that every believer has a permanent "obligation to love one another". How does this "debt of love" affect the way you view people you might otherwise find difficult or inconvenient?
8. Read Romans 13:12-14. We are told to "remove dark deeds like dirty clothes" and "clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ". What are some "dirty clothes" (attitudes or habits) you need to take off, and how do you practically "put on" the presence of Jesus each morning?
9. Put up, Huddle up, and Grow up. Pastor Dale uses these three expressions to summarize the call to harmony. Read Romans 14:1, 17-19. When someone makes a "basic discovery" in their faith, why is it vital that we don't "flex" on them with our own knowledge, but instead rejoice with them?
10. Aiming for Harmony. In the early church, people argued over food, drinks, and special days. Today, we might argue over different "opinions" or "preferences". According to Romans 14:17, what are the three true characteristics of the Kingdom of God that should define our groups and our church?
11. Close in Prayer: Read the blessing from Romans 16:25-27 aloud. Thank God for the "Good News" that makes us strong. Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your thinking this week so that your life becomes a "living sacrifice" that points others to the wise and only God.

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Analogy for Understanding: Living the gospel is like a soldier who has been honorably discharged from a life of slavery and given a new identity and "uniform" representing a different Kingdom. We don't wear the uniform to earn our citizenship—that was already secured by the King—but we wear it and practice the "drills" of love and service so that we can represent our true Home in a world that is still full of shadows.

We have had a new membership process for just over a year now, and we are so thankful for the Lord’s leading and guidance through implementing it. We are seeing fruit from the connections that have been made, as well as from the accountability that has come with the new process. We truly feel more like a family today than we did a year ago, and we hope that has been your experience, too! It's been incredibly encouraging to already see God's hand at work in the lives of our newest members. Many have jumped right in; they are serving throughout CFC and actively engaging in our small groups and Bible studies. They are truly embodying what it means to be a healthy church member.
 
If you would like to pursue membership at CFC (and we hope you want to if you’re not a member already), you can learn about the 3-step process and pertinent dates at onlinecfc.com/membership. The first step is the Intro to CFC Class, which we will have next on April 19.
 
We want to take a special moment to formally acknowledge and extend a warm welcome to those who have recently completed the process and are now members of CFC! We can't wait to see how the Lord continues to grow them and use them!  
 
We also can't wait to worship with you this Sunday! He is STILL risen, indeed!
 
Mike & Stacy Barta
Rodney & Erin Beeler
Scott & Stephanie Bosecker
Michael & Vicky Dye
Labelle Garrison
Keely Grangier
Zach Hardy
Rachel Harris
Jeff Hensley
John & Dianne Hensley
Joe & Emily Homer
Joseph & Shelby Klein
Matt & Olivia Klein
Blaine Orem
Wes & Kendra Reckner
Joey & Melody Ruffin
Lindsay Sanders
Cody & Savannah Smith
Sam Smith
Susan Wahlstrom
Phillip & Liz Williams

Romans 10:9-13
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The resurrection of Jesus calls for our confession.

Romans 10:9a, 10b
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord…
…it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

As resurrection was the ultimate validation of Jesus as Lord, our declaration of Jesus as Lord is evidence of our faith in Him.

“Confession here is the acknowledgment of one’s faith in Christ. The fact that Jesus is Lord (God and Savior) became clear when He arose from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection was proof that He was the divine Messiah, God’s Holy One (Ps.16:10-11). Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ meant belief that Jesus is Lord.”
-Constable, Notes on Romans

Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The resurrection of Jesus calls for our confidence.

Romans 10:9b-10a
…believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead…
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God.

Biblical heart-belief goes beyond intellectual agreement. It is deep, personal trust that the resurrection of Jesus is not only a historical fact but also seriously relevant for your life.

Romans 10:11
As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
The resurrection of Jesus calls for our call.

Romans 10:12-13
12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Today (Good Friday) is the day we remember the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross – a moment of deep sorrow that reveals the depth of God’s love for the world. Through His suffering and sacrifice, we see that even in humanity’s darkest moment, God was working to bring forgiveness, redemption, and hope. 
 
Easter weekend at CFC is one of the most meaningful opportunities that we have all year to invite someone into the hope of the gospel. Many people who normally would not attend church are open to coming on Easter if someone simply asks. That means each of us has a chance to play a small but important role in helping someone experience the good news of Jesus. Think about the people in your life – friends, neighbors, coworkers, or family members – who may not have a church family. A simple invitation could be the step that God uses to draw them closer to Himself. 
 
Every year, we welcome hundreds of guests during our Easter services, and we want to create as much space as possible for those who are visiting. Because of that, our Saturday service is for those who are serving on Sunday, as well as for anyone who would be willing to attend on Saturday to help create room for the many guests who will join us on Easter Sunday.
 
CFC, we are excited and blessed to celebrate Easter with you! Let’s approach this weekend with expectation. Pray for the people you plan to invite, ask God to prepare their hearts, and then take the step to invite them. You never know how God might use a simple invitation to change someone’s story. We can’t wait to celebrate the resurrection together as a church family and with the many new faces who will join us this Easter.

Saturday 4:15PM
Sunday 8AM (Classic Venue), 9:15 & 10:45AM
Find out more HERE.

John 8:10-11
10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Romans 8:1-4
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

When God is for us, every possible threat—accusation, condemnation, suffering, or separation—loses its ultimate power to the security of His victory.

Take every ____________ with bold confidence in the security of your right relationship with God.

Romans 8:31-32
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Romans 8:9-11
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Recall and affirm your secure position in a right relationship with God.

Romans 8:33-34
33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Romans 8:15-16
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

Expect to win your daily battle with sin.

Romans 8:35-37
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Romans 8:12-14
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Romans 8:17-19
17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

Romans 8:38-39
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

One of the things that helps a church truly feel like family is simply knowing one another. It’s harder to care for one another, pray for one another, and welcome new faces when we might recognize faces but don’t know names. One way we have tried to help with that at CFC is through our online church directory. It helps us put names with faces and grow in connection as a church family. Our hope is that something as simple as this can help make a big church feel a little smaller.
 
The directory is for anyone who calls CFC their home church, not just those who are formal members. If you regularly attend and consider CFC your church family, we would love for you to be included. To help keep the directory private, access is only given to those who are part of it. Once you submit your information and photo, you’ll be able to view it, too.
 
If you haven’t already, we’d encourage you to take a minute to submit your information and picture. It does not need to be a professionally taken photo; a simple picture from your phone is perfectly fine. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s simply helping our church family recognize each other and grow more connected. The more names and faces we have in the directory, the more we strengthen our sense of community and make this big place feel more like home.
 
If you are already in the directory and would like to update your info, you can do it in the directory page yourself or provide updated information HERE. If you forgot your password, you can find instructions on how to access the directory to reset it HERE. You’ll need to use the same email address that we have in the directory now. If you have trouble, email Andi Miller for help.
 
If you want to join the directory for the first time, please add your info HERE.
 
We can't wait to see you in the directory and at services Sunday!

Freed from Sin Alive to God by Dale Beaver
Read Romans 5:20–7:25; Galatians 3; and Revelation 8:1.

1. Pastor Dale opens the sermon mentioning "March Madness" and the popular brand Nike, which is the Greek word for "victory". He wears these "shoes of victory" not for basketball, but to symbolize the victory of the gospel. How does it change your daily perspective to realize that your "standing" before God is a gift you didn't buy, rather than something you earned through your own performance?
2. Read Romans 5:20-21. The sermon highlights the phrase "Grace rules." Where sin used to be the "master" that brought death, grace now reigns through Jesus Christ. In what areas of your life are you still living as if sin is the boss, rather than living under the rule of grace?
3. Read Romans 6:1-4. Paul uses a strong negation ("Of course not!") to answer the idea that we should keep sinning so God can show more grace. Pastor Dale explains that in baptism, we have "one foot in the grave" because we have died to our old selves. Why is it impossible to remain the same person once you have been "joined with Christ" in His death and resurrection?
4. Pastor Dale notes that Paul refers to believers not just as "Christians," but as those who are "in Christ." How does finding your primary identity "in Christ"—rather than in your career, relationship status, or successes—provide a sense of security that the world cannot offer?
5. Read Romans 6:15-18. This passage describes an "Exodus" from slavery to sin into a new "slavery" to righteous living. What does it look like practically to "wholeheartedly obey" God’s teaching this week, especially when your old "master" (sin) tries to call you back?
6. Read Romans 7:7-14. Pastor Dale clarifies that the Law is not sinful; it is "spiritual and good." Its job is to show us our sin—like a sign that tells us not to pick the neighbor's apples. How has God’s word recently acted as a mirror, showing you a "need for a Savior" that you might have otherwise ignored?
7. The Struggle of the "Tension." Read Romans 7:24-25. Paul cries out, "Oh, what a miserable person I am!" because he still struggles with a sinful nature even though he wants to obey God. Why is it actually a sign of spiritual life (rather than failure) that you feel an "honest tension" and a struggle against sin in your heart?
8. Trash-talking Sin. As an application for "March Madness," Pastor Dale suggests we should "trash talk" the sin in our lives by telling it: "This is not who I am anymore... you have no power here." What is one specific temptation you can "trash talk" this week by reminding yourself that you belong to Jesus?
9. The Role of the Deliverer. The sermon reminds us that Jesus is not just our "voice in the courtroom," but He is cheering us on and empowering us through the Holy Spirit. How does knowing that Jesus is "relentlessly" for you help you get back up after you stumble?
10. Close in Prayer: Thank God that you are no longer a slave to sin but are alive to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you "exercise" the victory Christ won for you and to find peace in the middle of the struggle.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analogy for Understanding: Living in the tension of Romans 7 is like a soldier who has been officially liberated from a prisoner-of-war camp. Though the war is won and the "shoes of victory" are on his feet, he may still hear the distant shouts of his former captors or feel the habits of his old life. However, those voices no longer have legal authority over him. He is free to walk toward home, not because he is strong enough to escape on his own, but because a Deliverer has already broken the gates.

Romans 5:20-21
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Summary of Romans 6-7
Paul’s four “Of course not!” statements guard the gospel from misuse, but each unleashes the positive reality of our union with Christ—freeing us from sin’s power and calling us to live as those who are truly alive to God.

Romans 6:1
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?

Romans 6:15a
Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning?

We do not continue in sin so that God can show us more grace.

Romans 6:1-4
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:10-11
10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

God's grace frees us from slavery to sin.

Romans 6:15-18
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Romans 6:19
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.

The Law is not sinful but good.

Romans 7:5
When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.

Romans 7:7a
Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful?

Romans 7b-8
7b Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” 8 But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.

Romans 7:13-14
13 But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes. 14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.

Romans 7:24-25
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Please pray for our high school short-term trip!
 
Each Spring Break, CFC sends a team of high school students and leaders to serve in the community of La Cola in the Dominican Republic. Tomorrow, a group of 20 people will travel to work alongside our dear friends there once again – friends who, after 15 years of partnership, truly feel like family! They will spend the week serving the community and sharing the good news of Jesus. 
 
As they go, we invite our entire church family to join us in praying for them: 

• Pray that the Lord would give them humility, boldness, and love as they represent Christ and that many in La Cola would be encouraged and strengthened through their presence and the message of the gospel. 
• Pray for the team to grow closer to each other and to the Lord. 
• Pray for their safety and health. 
• Pray for the many logistics surrounding the trip. With airports being overwhelmed and backed up right now, we ask the Lord for smooth travel, safety, and patience for the team as they navigate flights and transportation. 
• Pray for unity among the students, wisdom for their leaders, and open hearts for those whom they will serve. 

We are grateful for the long relationship God has given us with this community, and we trust Him to continue using these trips to teach us and serve them!  
 
Mark your calendar for April 12 at 6PM in Room 106 when the team will give a report about the trip and how God used it to shape their lives. These reports are always amazing, and we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to be blessed and to be a blessing by coming to support the team that night. 
 
We can't wait to worship with you Sunday!

We would love for our church family to join us for a special Maundy Thursday service on April 2 from 6:30–8PM in the chapel at CFC.
 
“Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “command” or “mandate.” This word is referring to the command Jesus gave His disciples during the Last Supper: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). On this evening, we remember the night (Maundy Thursday) before Christ’s crucifixion (Good Friday), when He served His disciples, instituted the Lord’s Supper, and called His followers to love one another as He has loved us.
 
We want to offer this time to you as a meaningful evening designed to help us prepare our hearts for Easter. Through worship, Scripture, and Communion, we will reflect on the sacrifice of Christ and the hope we have because of the cross. It will be an intentional time for us as a church family to remember what Jesus has done for us and to turn our hearts toward the resurrection that we celebrate on Easter Sunday.
 
This time of worship should not replace our time together on Easter weekend (see service times HERE), but it will help prepare us for our time together on Easter.