Good Friday has always been a cliché - a gloomy day, one that brings about a solemn reminder of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. As solemn as Good Friday may be, forget not the celebration that comes forth from it! Easter Sunday resounds triumphantly the resurrection of the Man who gave up His life for us all and that calls for a celebration.

GCC celebrated Easter Sunday last weekend at the Straits Regency Condominium, Tanjung Bungah, with a very homely Easter service. This year, the church approached Easter with a certain cause in mind. Pr. Edward spoke from John 10: 7-18, a passage where Jesus proclaims boldly to the Jews that He is the gate to salvation (v.9) and He is the good shepherd who sacrifices himself for the sheep (v.11). As we celebrate Easter, we are brought back to the essence of who God is, the Man who welcomes anyone into the gate of salvation. We are also reminded of Jesus being the good shepherd, a shepherd who wants to keep us safe from the clutches of the Devil. Satan seeks only “to steal and kill and destroy” (v.10) but God, our loving Father, seeks to bless us. Yes, you heard it right… God wants to bless us! Throughout scripture we can see how God’s words speak of redemption and blessings, His ever unshakable promises. But we can also see how Satan has worked his evil and deceiving schemes to steal, kill and destroy us from receiving God’s blessings in our lives.

As such, this year’s Easter coincides with GCC’s 2010 Blessing campaign. 2010 what?

2010 Blessing is a campaign in which the church seeks to bless two thousand and ten people in the period of three months. It is an intentional act of blessing upon anyone whom we may come in contact with throughout the day. In conjunction with the campaign, the church went through a fasting period for the past one month, praying to see God’s powerful move during this campaign. The whole idea of the 2010 Blessing is to release God’s blessing and promises upon lives, to pray together with the person and to pray for that person throughout the campaign, trusting that God will bless them even as we ask. This campaign is not just about releasing blessings to people, but it also exercises our faith to trust God. 2010 Blessing also reminds us of the authority in which God has given us, the power to speak and release blessings into the lives of others through the empowerment of His Spirit. Not only that, but also the authority through Jesus Christ to speak against the thief who seeks only to steal, kill and destroy. Therefore, let’s be bold to proclaim and speak forth His blessing to others!

Pr Edward sharing on the 2010 Blessing

Pr Edward sharing on the 2010 Blessing

Following through the celebration of Easter Sunday, the church also witnessed the baptism of three members, namely Henry Cheang, Chrisalynn Lim and Timothy Lee.

Chrisalynn being baptised

Chrisalynn being baptised

Timothy being baptised

Timothy being baptised

Henry being baptised

Henry being baptised

Communion

Partaking the Lord Supper together

That’s not the end of Easter celebration. We broke fast together with a pot bless dinner. It was a good time of fellowship and getting to know new friends.

Fellowship dinner

Fellowship dinner

As we reflect upon Easter 2010, let us be reminded that God has risen from the dead and there is no reason for us to stay gloomy! Let’s also be reminded that through His resurrection, He has given us the power and authority to speak into the lives of others and to bless them! Celebrating Easter Sunday is an act of boldness in itself because we declare that God has risen from the dead. So why not be bold to bless others? The Lord has risen from the dead!