This weekend we took one more step in our NEXT Phase II progress – the steel frame for our 45 foot Cross Tower arrived and was installed (with the help of a very big crane and some very dedicated men in our church family). The clouds and the winds came on Friday and tried to interfere with the installation, but the sun shone bright early on Saturday morning and the job was completed. In the weeks ahead, the tower will continue to transform as additional framework, brick and mortar, and ultimately the lit crosses at the top will be added.

In the weeks ahead, as we continue our Lenten journey toward Easter, followed by the 50 Days of Transformation that we will engage in as a church, we will individually be TRANSFORMED as well. As Pastor Eric outlined for us the ways that we can be “Living A Contagious Life” this past weekend in worship, we know that the world needs Jesus and it needs contagious Christians to bring Him to it [the world]…through living our lives showing all the ways Christ is at work in us, shining His light through us. Like the cross tower will soon be shining His light in the darkness for this community, we also, through our TRANSFORMED lives can shine His light for others in this community and in this world wherever we go.

If you didn’t catch the video of the cross tower installation, you can view it below. It is accompanied by a song by Jason Gray called “Glow in the Dark”. One of the verses really captures the essence of what it means to be “Living A Contagious Life” – it says:

Don’t be ashamed of your past – If you’re shattered like a piece of glass, The more broke you are the more the light gets through.
Show your wounds and your flaws, Show them why you still need the cross.
Let them see the work He’s doing in you

That even in the darkest place, His love can make you radiate…

God wants to be in relationship with us, He wants us to know Him through His Son Jesus – but even more, He wants others to know Him through YOU, and by the ways you show Jesus to others. So, be like that cross tower….built on a firm foundation [of Christ’s love, of God’s Word] and letting His Light shine forth in the dark places.

Take a look at “Glow in the Dark”, “Same Power” by Jeremy Camp, and other songs from this past weekend – lyrics included in the accordion feature below.

This week, take some steps to become more ‘contagious’ in your life…start with being regular in God’s Word (Bible study) and serving and helping others. 🙂 If you are looking for ways to do either of those, give me a call in our church office (217-423-6955) and let me or one of our pastors help you get connected and find a place to start.

Keep shining!

Andrea Gerhard