DearFirst Family,

What a memorable day it was for us here at church yesterday! Celebrating thesacrament of Baptism became a high watermark moment for us as people steppedforward spontaneously and entered into the water in obedience to the promptingsof the Spirit of God, Himself. There was great rejoicing all over the House of the Lord.  Thank you for making the Lord’s Daysuch a great priority.

TheseSundays of 2009 continue to just get better and better.  We’ve had a strong start to the NewYear and it seems that every week builds on the last one.  I can only believe that this is goingto be an unforgettable Easter for us here at Salem First.

I’ve got a few thingsyou can help me with, if you would be so kind.  Ready?  Heregoes…

1.     Make it a priority to invite someone to attendEaster Sunday with you. As you know, this will be a tremendous day around the church.  People are open to an invitation.  It’s a priority for us to invitepeople, and then be praying for their connection to Christ.  Would you determine now whom you wouldinvite?  Whatever you do, don’t youdare leave it up to someone else to do the inviting, because they’re alreadyleaving it up to you! 

2.     Come expecting something “God size” when you areheaded to church. I believe that God will honor our faith and do things that only He cando that are in the category of “Impossible.”  When is the last time you specifically prayed and cameexpecting great things to happen on Sunday.  Let’s do this and watch what God does.

3.     Mark your calendar for April 5 and 3:00 pm.  This is an especiallyimportant meeting for our church family. I want to give you all of the latest information about our BuildingProject.  I think you’ll be excitedabout what you hear.  We are trulyat a crossroads and I really need your input.  So, don’t miss this extremely important gathering and visioncasting time.  There will benursery and childcare provided as well as things planned for children through 3^rdgrade.  There will also be toursavailable from 2:00-3:00 pm for those who would like to really get an honestlook at both the Student Ministry Annex and the Children’s Ministry area.  You’ll quickly see the needs that wehave and it will give you a better perspective on our Expansion Project.

4.     24/7 Prayer.  The week leading up to Easter, we willbe having 24 hours of prayer for 7 days straight.  You’ll be hearing much more about this soon.  But plan to participate.  We’ll be having the church opennon-stop for those days.  What doyou think could happen this Easter as a result of 24/7 Prayer?

Iwant all of you who were baptized, as well as all of you who are joining inmembership here at Salem First to know how blessed we are by each of you. 

One final note:  We close out our fiscal year at the endof this month.  We are about$35,000 short of staying in the black ink. Thanks for your continued faithfulness in giving!  God continues to make a differencethrough you!

Lookingforward to seeing you this Sunday. Come expecting great things!

TrulyBlessed,

Pastor Dave