WELCOME
We are so glad you’re here!
The Central family is committed to loving God and loving people. During our worship, our prayer is you experience the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to help you feel at home in an authentic and inspiring way.
LESSON NOTES | Hope > Despair
July 23 & 25, 2021
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!”3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.
John 20:1-10
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put Him.” 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize Him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will go and get Him.”16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to Him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them His message.
John 20:11-18
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” He said. 20 As He spoke, He showed them the wounds in His hands and His side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!
John 20:19-20
The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.
John 20:30-31
“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in Heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” 37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to “those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
Act 2:32-41
Then Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”.
John 16:33
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Second Edition
Copyright © 1996, 2004, Tyndale Charitable Trust. All rights reserved.
WAYS TO GIVE
- Text “GIVE” to 517.201.0330
- Visit centralnow.com/give
- Use your credit or debit card at the giving kiosk in the atrium.
- Place checks/cash in blue boxes in the Worship Center tunnels.
BY THE NUMBERS: July 16 & 18, 2021
Total Attendance: 2,673 Onsite: 1,552 Online: 1,121
Giving: $50,337 [YTD: 98% of need or -$33,965]
REQUEST PRAYER
At Central, we value prayer, and our pastors pray over your requests each week. So, take a minute to share whatever’s on your heart. Submit your request on the back of the information card in front of you or at centralnow.com/prayer
YAM: Night of Worship
Thursday July 29 at 7pm | Student Worship Center (Door 21)
Join us for a laid back, spirit lead night of growth, speaking, and worship. This powerful event is for young adults between the ages of 18-35, or anyone who worships young at heart!
BACKPACK COMMUNITY COLLECTION
All July | Atrium
You can bless children and families in our community as they start the school year with a new backpack. If you’d like to participate, it’s super simple! You can donate backpacks with or without school supplies in the atrium at Central through July 31.
