It is hard to believe that we will be celebrating our first Easter weekend at North in just a couple of days. It seems like just yesterday that we were getting ready for our launch back in September. I have a couple of things below that I want to remind each of you to help with this weekend as we prepare for guests. 

However, let me first start by saying that this has been an extremely tough week for our campus. On Monday, we had the sudden death of our dear friend Luke Grayson who has worked side by side with me at the North Campus since day one, making sure everything was finished and ready for our launch. Luke was also our maintenance guy here at North, one of the LifeGroup Team Leaders, as well as my sidekick/co-leader in my personal LifeGroup on Tuesday nights. Luke’s visitation is at the North Campus tonight at 6:00 pm, and the memorial service is Thursday at the Joplin Campus (7th and Range Line) at 1:00 pm. Luke’s fingerprints are all over the North Campus, and he will be missed. But his passion and heart will continue to motivate us all!

Then, on Tuesday morning, Jeanelle Knebel died after a tough battle with cancer. She is the wife of Willie and daughter of Tiffany Grinnell. They are all FP members and Jeanelle and Willie have their fingerprints all over the Preschool Ministry at FP Joplin. Their example of service is what keeps us doing what we do! 

There have been several other deaths in our church and with loved ones this past week, and I share all of this with you because this weekend’s sermon will be something you do not want to miss. We kick off the The Biggest Loser sermon series with a message from John called “The Fans in the Stands,” with a text from Hebrews 12:1-2 that says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Be praying for these families this week, and bring someone with you this weekend.

Here are a couple of things you can help us with:

1. Be early. Make sure you are in your place ready for guests as they come.
2. Park as far away as possible. Save the preferred spots for our guests.
3. Make a point to greet guests or new faces around you. A great line is this: How long have you been coming to the North Campus?
4. Engage in worship.
5. Pray that God would move in the lives of individuals. We will be having baptisms this weekend as well.

See you all this weekend!!