February Missions Update

We are blessed to have both the Johansen family and the Warne family faithfully ministering as missionaries sent out from Countryside. Since we are their lone sending and supporting church, it is essential that we engage in supporting them not only financially, but also personally and through prayer. Below is a recent update from both families informing us of how they are doing and how we can be praying.

Dark Death and the Living Light of the World

The suffering of Christ is not a morbid fascination for Christians. It is a real historical happening that carries immense spiritual importance. For those who know Christ, the suffering of Jesus is personally significant: the Messiah absorbed the wrath "my" sin earned. But the suffering of Christ is also corporately significant: the Messiah absorbed the wrath "our" sin earned. It is because of this that we take time as a body, as a church, to commemorate his death and celebrate his resurrection. We have been pardoned, forgiven and adopted into His family. And so we value the chance to set aside an evening for reflection and remembrance of the awful price that was paid to give us life.

Free Song "Praise for the Incarnation"

Although John Newton is mostly known for penning the words to "Amazing Grace", he was a prolific and deeply theological writer. His understanding of the gospel was something that moved him and flowed through his pen in words of praise. He truly believed that he owed all his hope and joy "to His birth and cross and shame."

On Christmas morning we were blessed to have Audrey Waddell and Cole Strehlow sing for us a text written by John Newton in 1779 that Cole had put to music this past year (along with adding some lyrics).  Following that service, Logan Blackburn was willing to have several people come to his home to record the song so we could give it away. We hope that it will be blessing and help you to meditate on God's gracious provision of Christ as a substitute to take the punishment for those who repent and believe (2 Corinthians 5:21).