Latest News https://www.eastwestchurch.org Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:10:54 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ What is Good Friday? https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/what-is-good-friday https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/what-is-good-friday#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/what-is-good-friday What happened on that Friday? Jesus was tried by the Jewish court system and found guilty of blasphemy by proclaiming Himself the Son of God. He was then sentenced to death. However, only the Romans were able to execute criminals. Therefore, Jesus was sent to Pontius Pilate, who sent Jesus to Herod, before being sent back to Pilate. Pilate told the chief priests and crowd “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him." The crowed shouted with one voice, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” Pilate argued because he wanted to release Jesus. However, they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” and their voices prevailed. (Matthew 27).

Although I do not believe we will ever comprehend with our carnal mind, the agony, pain and abandonment that Jesus felt on the cross, I can’t help but recall the depiction of that heart wrenching crucifixion scene in the movie, The Passion, and knowing He endured all of that gruesome punishment for me.

Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, has been a confusion for many Christians. If Jesus suffered and gave His life on this Friday: then why in the world would we call it good, holy or great?

We can call it Good Friday, because Good triumphed over evil. When Jesus died, He became the living sacrifice for us all. His blood would cover all our sins. For us, this becomes Good Friday, because His sacrifice became good for us.

On this day the veil of the temple was torn asunder, making it Holy Friday. Because of what Jesus accomplished on this day, we can all enter into the Holy of Holies, the very throne room of Almighty God.

It’s a Great Friday because great is our God and greatly to be praised. This was a Great Friday for all of mankind. Because Jesus died, we can share (as part of the Body of Christ) in His greatness and His Glory.

As we approach this Good Friday, I hope you will take time to reflect on the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us all and how special you are to God.

  • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
  • "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
  • "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” Peter 3:18
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What happened on that Friday? Jesus was tried by the Jewish court system and found guilty of blasphemy by proclaiming Himself the Son of God. He was then sentenced to death. However, only the Romans were able to execute criminals. Therefore, Jesus was sent to Pontius Pilate, who sent Jesus to Herod, before being sent back to Pilate. Pilate told the chief priests and crowd “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him." The crowed shouted with one voice, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” Pilate argued because he wanted to release Jesus. However, they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” and their voices prevailed. (Matthew 27).

Although I do not believe we will ever comprehend with our carnal mind, the agony, pain and abandonment that Jesus felt on the cross, I can’t help but recall the depiction of that heart wrenching crucifixion scene in the movie, The Passion, and knowing He endured all of that gruesome punishment for me.

Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, has been a confusion for many Christians. If Jesus suffered and gave His life on this Friday: then why in the world would we call it good, holy or great?

We can call it Good Friday, because Good triumphed over evil. When Jesus died, He became the living sacrifice for us all. His blood would cover all our sins. For us, this becomes Good Friday, because His sacrifice became good for us.

On this day the veil of the temple was torn asunder, making it Holy Friday. Because of what Jesus accomplished on this day, we can all enter into the Holy of Holies, the very throne room of Almighty God.

It’s a Great Friday because great is our God and greatly to be praised. This was a Great Friday for all of mankind. Because Jesus died, we can share (as part of the Body of Christ) in His greatness and His Glory.

As we approach this Good Friday, I hope you will take time to reflect on the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us all and how special you are to God.

  • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
  • "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
  • "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” Peter 3:18
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Are you ready to upgrade your life? https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/upgrade-your-life https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/upgrade-your-life#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/upgrade-your-life ss_life-gradeYou've heard that with God, all things are possible, but are you living in it?

We all want to walk in God's purpose and plan for our lives, but we're unsure how to reach our potential. Have you become discouraged and feel more like you're just existing than living a purpose-driven life?

If you're tired of living the same old, same old, and ready for real change, join me this Sunday as I walk you step by step on how to upgrade your life.

Pastor Alan Mushegan, Sr.

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ss_life-gradeYou've heard that with God, all things are possible, but are you living in it?

We all want to walk in God's purpose and plan for our lives, but we're unsure how to reach our potential. Have you become discouraged and feel more like you're just existing than living a purpose-driven life?

If you're tired of living the same old, same old, and ready for real change, join me this Sunday as I walk you step by step on how to upgrade your life.

Pastor Alan Mushegan, Sr.

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Online Services | Sunday 10:30am https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/online_services https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/online_services#comments Sun, 31 May 2020 18:00:00 -0400 https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/online_services We invite you to join us online each Sunday at 10:30 am as we stream our service to Facebook and Youtube.
    
Over the last few weeks, many have contacted us about how to give when we can't be together.  The following options are available:

  • Text your donation amount to 770.809.3929
  • Give online ewcgive.com
  • Mail a check 1521 Hurt Rd, Marietta, GA 30008
  • In-person using the secured mailbox on the outside of the office doors

Bishop and I, along with the staff, look forward to joining you Sunday morning for our online service.

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We invite you to join us online each Sunday at 10:30 am as we stream our service to Facebook and Youtube.
    
Over the last few weeks, many have contacted us about how to give when we can't be together.  The following options are available:

  • Text your donation amount to 770.809.3929
  • Give online ewcgive.com
  • Mail a check 1521 Hurt Rd, Marietta, GA 30008
  • In-person using the secured mailbox on the outside of the office doors

Bishop and I, along with the staff, look forward to joining you Sunday morning for our online service.

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Bishop's Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/coronavirus-covid19 https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/coronavirus-covid19#comments Sat, 14 Mar 2020 20:00:00 -0400 https://www.eastwestchurch.org/latest-news/post/coronavirus-covid19 As a Pastor, I always seek the Lord for guidance and wisdom. His word tells us if we pray for wisdom, He will give it to us, generously and graciously. But we are cautioned that when we ask, to be sure that our faith is in God alone.

Jesus also told us not to be troubled or afraid. He knew that fear would paralyze our ability to respond to life's difficult challenges. As I said recently, "to experience a life without limits, you'll have to deal with things you never see coming."

We need to use wisdom when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, not fear. God does not give us a spirit of fear; He gives us power, love, and self-control. I believe once you submit to fear, you surrender your power, love, and all self-control.

Knowing that God gives us wisdom, and Jesus is with us, we need to put our faith in action.   

Be Proactive:

We have to take this threat seriously. Simply washing your hands for 20 seconds, and avoiding people who are sick can reduce most people's chances of being infected. However, older people and people with severe chronic conditions should avoid crowds because they are at a higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.  The CDC also recommends that anyone who is sick should stay home.  

Following the recommendations of the CDC is not a lack of faith, it using wisdom.  And, as the Pastor of East-West Church, if you or a family member are sick with flu-like symptoms, we prefer you to stay home. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for those in your church family whose immune system may not be as strong as others.

Be in Prayer:

We need to pray the Lord will touch those who are infected and their families. We must call out to God and ask for His divine intervention to protect our families, friends, the healthcare workers, our country, and its citizens. Let's not forget to pray for wisdom over Vice President Pence, and the team around him responding to this crisis.

Be the Example:

As Christians, we have an incredible opportunity to show those around us that when we are in the lion's den, we will not fear, but remain calm and use wisdom, knowing that our God is our source and strength.

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As a Pastor, I always seek the Lord for guidance and wisdom. His word tells us if we pray for wisdom, He will give it to us, generously and graciously. But we are cautioned that when we ask, to be sure that our faith is in God alone.

Jesus also told us not to be troubled or afraid. He knew that fear would paralyze our ability to respond to life's difficult challenges. As I said recently, "to experience a life without limits, you'll have to deal with things you never see coming."

We need to use wisdom when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, not fear. God does not give us a spirit of fear; He gives us power, love, and self-control. I believe once you submit to fear, you surrender your power, love, and all self-control.

Knowing that God gives us wisdom, and Jesus is with us, we need to put our faith in action.   

Be Proactive:

We have to take this threat seriously. Simply washing your hands for 20 seconds, and avoiding people who are sick can reduce most people's chances of being infected. However, older people and people with severe chronic conditions should avoid crowds because they are at a higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.  The CDC also recommends that anyone who is sick should stay home.  

Following the recommendations of the CDC is not a lack of faith, it using wisdom.  And, as the Pastor of East-West Church, if you or a family member are sick with flu-like symptoms, we prefer you to stay home. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for those in your church family whose immune system may not be as strong as others.

Be in Prayer:

We need to pray the Lord will touch those who are infected and their families. We must call out to God and ask for His divine intervention to protect our families, friends, the healthcare workers, our country, and its citizens. Let's not forget to pray for wisdom over Vice President Pence, and the team around him responding to this crisis.

Be the Example:

As Christians, we have an incredible opportunity to show those around us that when we are in the lion's den, we will not fear, but remain calm and use wisdom, knowing that our God is our source and strength.

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