It’s “Birthday Season” for the McAdow kids! Beginning this next week with Hannah, we will celebrate all our children’s birthdays, including Matt’s 18th birthday, within one month. With birthdays, of course, come invitations. In fact, we’re coming into one of the biggest invitation seasons of the year with 5th grade, high school and college graduations, as well as lots of May/June weddings, not to mention a significant 25th Wedding anniversary on June 16th (hint, hint to Lauren, Hannah and Matt)!

It’s fun to receive an invitation – especially to a big event – like a graduation or wedding or anniversary – if you are close to the person(s) who invites you or you would like to be! In other circumstances, an invitation can bring stress because of the expectation of a gift – whether you can be present or not. Most of us enjoy being included regardless. We get to make the decision then if we can and/or want to attend. It feels good to be included!

I want to tell you how much I appreciate each of you who has invited someone to check out First Church. I love to have guests with us in worship and to have the opportunity to meet them personally. You know my preference – I hope no one ever has to sit alone in worship at First Church. I believe God wants us to reach out to others in the pew, as well as at the altar and in the hallways. We do a good job at greeting folks; I pray we’ll do even better at welcoming and encouraging people who’ve taken the step to join us for worship!

How does The Church grow? Most often by invitation of it’s members! Most people will attend a church if someone, especially a friend, invites them to church. I’m thrilled several of you have done just that recently! Have you seen the signs around town that say “Invite someone to Church this month?” Let’s all see what we can do this week. After all, this is a great season for inviting people to First Church as well, with Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter right around the corner and our BIG 120th Anniversary Celebration on April 19th! Lot’s of exciting things are happening at First Church and we want all to be included! Thanks for all you do to share the love of Jesus with others!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. You may want to check out this highlight video of last year’s Holy Week activities! Blessings!