04-08-12 Pastor Mike Downie – A Series on Building Community

Greetings from Berlin, Germany on Good Friday,

Good Friday is a full holiday here in Berlin. All the shops and stores are closed. People go out for brunch after sleeping in or go on walks. I had a very touching and moving experience today. JP Larson, Ann Frenyo, Alexandra Bucchop and I took a cross and carried it through Volkspark – Friedrichshain which is a huge urban park (see attached pictures). The cross is a universal symbol of Christ’s suffering and hundreds of people stopped and starred as we walked by. During our walk, we talked and reflected on what Jesus has done for us and for the world. We hiked to the top of a hill made out of the ruble and destruction of WWII. At the top, I was moved to tears as we gathered around the cross and prayed and worshipped. What a picture of the triumph of Christ’s cross over the destruction and decay of all the thousands of years of our sin and rebellion since the time of Adam. Thanks for joining with me in asking God to use my time here. It has been very profitable.

This Sunday April 8th is Easter and we will have our regularly scheduled services at 9am & 10:45am. This Sunday we have the privilege of hearing from our new pastor Mike. He will continue our “Spring 2012 Focus” – “Building Community at Cedarcreek”. His topic will be on having a common sense of identity. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, God made all who believe into His special people. We belong to something very special that no one can take from us.

Pastor Dave