Cofradia Kitchen Kids 2022-04

The kids at the Cofradia Kitchen have been enjoying their daily breakfast at the church. The waffles have been a huge hit. Here are some pictures of this past month. Thank you for your contributions and helping make sure these kids get something to eat before they go to school.

Three Stones Rolled Away at the Resurrection

The Rolling Stones...a cheesy, over-used, uncreative title for a Resurrection Day message. Yet, the name itself has a profound meaning once you meditate on the significance of the actual stone being rolled away from the tomb on the most important day of humanity. May I suggest that there were THREE stones that were rolled away that day? The stone that rolled away on Resurrection Day had a ripple effect on two other stones. I will not go into complete depth, but instead hope that we can touch the surface of each stone together in order to experience their texture:

The Stone which covered the door to the tomb where Jesus' dead body laid. The first stone is obviously the one that was rolled away from the tomb's door which allowed the actual body of Jesus to cross the threshold from death to life. Each one of the gospels record the rolling away of that stone that covered death (Mt. 28:2; Mk. 16:4; Lk. 24:2; Jn. 20:1). That stone that covered death was removed and gave birth to eternal life and freedom (Jn. 5:24; 1 Jn. 5:11,12). That stone that covered death was removed and gave victory to all who believe (1 Cor. 15:51-58). That stone that covered death was removed and gave birth to a new covenant that God has with all mankind (Heb. 8:6-7).

The Stone on which the Ten Commandments were written. The second stone is a compound stone of the two sets of stones on which the Ten Commandments were written. The Old Covenant was replaced with a New Covenant. The Hebrews writer states in Hebrews 8:6 that Christ "is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises". In verse 10 the Lord says, "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people." Verse 13 continues to say, "...Now that which decayeth (the old covenant) and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." The stone on which the Ten Commandments were written was removed and rolled away to make room for a New Covenant that God wanted to make with His people. He was interested in something a little more palpable.

The Stone which lies inside each one of us. Finally, the last stone to be rolled away and removed is our Heart of Stone which we all have before God gives us new life. The Lord says in Ezekiel 36:25-28 "I will cleanse you" (v.25); "I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (v.26); "I will put my spirit within you" (v.27); "ye shall dwell in the land...ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." He cleanses us, transforms us, fills us, and gives us residency. Our identity is completely changed.

That stone that covered death was removed and caused a ripple effect for the other two stones to be removed and allowed all of us the opportunity to cross the threshold from death to life.

I had the opportunity to preach this in Spanish a couple weeks after writing it...

Family Camp Movie

 This looks like it's going to be good...

Cofradia United Pastors Meeting

 

L-R: Steve, Alan, Jimmy, Amado, Ruben, Goyo

I could not have imagined a better meeting! It has been a while since we've all met together and it was a much needed time. This was the first meeting the Pastor Alan has been to since taking over the church in Tepic. These are the Lead Pastors of each of our churches in La Cofradia United. We were able to talk and be transparent about life and struggles, give one another encouragement, pray with one another, and enjoy each other's company. It was amazing! The purpose for these meetings is to give the pastors a place to freely open up where they may not do so within their ministries. The relationships of pastors to pastors is important to us. You help make this possible! What a blessing!

April 2022 Ministry Update

This month's update features...

• 11th Anniversary in new church building
• Restoration House
• Spring Cleaning
• Cofradia Kitchen
• Pastor Ruben's son
• Links to More
• April Agenda
• How to Pray
• How to Give

Here is a link to April's update...

We appreciate you and your partnership with us. Thank you so much for keeping us and this ministry in prayer. We are blessed to have the support of brothers and sisters who collaborate with us.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

Spring Cleaning in Cofradia

This year Pastor Goyo suggested we have a Spring Cleaning Day at the church where everyone participates in cleaning some things that have needed much attention. Great idea! It was a wonderful time seeing so many people serving and taking care of their church. Drummer and Drum Fabricator, Hernan, was with us and he thoroughly cleaned our two drum sets while others extensively cleaned the music room, organized the tool and utility shed, fixed many chairs, dusted ceiling fans and lights, wiped down the kitchen area, repaired lights, and cleaned the Sunday School rooms along with the upstairs Student Ministry section. What a blessing! Together, we're Raising Up Leaders!