Special church activities and services for Easter are listed below.

BAGDAD

EASTER SERVICE: Bagdad United Methodist Church, 4540 Forsyth St., will have one service Easter Sunday, April 21, at 10 a.m. The message will be “The Same Bold Story.” The Reverend Robert Warren is pastor. Call 850-626-1948.

BAKER

COMMUNITY EASTER FESTIVAL: Golan Assembly of God and the Baker Block Museum's Baker Community Easter Festival is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20 at the museum, 1307 State Road 4, Baker. Children ages 1-13 may register for door prizes which include several gift cards and other items. Attendees may join an Easter egg hunt, meet the Easter Bunny, and enjoy entertainment including face painting and bounce houses. A free hot dog lunch will be served, and the museum will have homemade ice cream and boiled peanuts for sale.

CRESTVIEW

FIRST UNITED METHODIST ACTIVITIES: First United Methodist Church at599 8th Ave., Crestview, will have a nursery available for children 6 weeks old through 4 years old during all Holy Week services in the main sanctuary. Easter services are 8:30, 9:45, and 11 a.m. April 21.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE: Live Oak Baptist Church's Easter sunrise service is 6:30 a.m. April 21 at the church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. Seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs. A continental breakfast is afterward in the fellowship hall.

LAUREL HILL

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE: Laurel Hill Ministerial Association churches will have a sunrise service 6:30 a.m. April 21 at Gene Clary Park pavilion on the corner of New Ebenezer Road and Park Street. The Rev. Carlos Jones of the First Baptist Church of Campton will deliver the message. A free Easter breakfast will follow at the Laurel Hill First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 3972 2nd Ave.

MILTON

OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH ACTIVITIES: The Easter Son-rise service is 6:30 a.m. April 21, and a Resurrection celebration starts at 11 a.m. Contact the church, 623-2780 or visit its website, Olivet.us for details.

NICEVILLE

ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL: Two Easter morning services are at 8 and 10:30 a.m. April 21. An egg hunt will follow the 10:30 a.m. service.

PACE

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE: First United Methodist Church of Pace's sunrise service at 7 a.m. April 21 at the church, 4540 Chumuckla Highway. A regular worship service follows at 10:10 a.m. Communion will be served at both. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EASTER

It was early in the morning, the third day after the body of Jesus was placed in a tomb and sealed. The disciples and followers of Jesus hid in fear that they would be arrested and face the same fate of Jesus.

Yet, when the sun began to rise, the women who had been closest to Jesus risked everything and went to the tomb to properly anoint his body. When they arrived at the tomb, they were met by a surreal scene.

The huge stone of the tomb had been rolled away. When they looked in the tomb the body of Jesus was missing.

Can you imagine what went through their minds? Grave robbers! They were being denied their last final act of love and respect for the man who had given them so much.

Suddenly, two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.

“The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” (Luke 24:5-7 NRSV)

Notice what the men said, “Remember how he told you …” It was not a question they asked. Rather it was a command. Remember.

The women already knew the answer to their quandary, “Where was Jesus?” Their grief, however, clouded their minds to the facts they already knew. But then, they remembered!

Jesus rose from the dead just as he said he would. He has overcome the power of sin and death. He has opened the door for all who believe in him to know his life-giving presence.

Don’t let the chaos of the world’s state cloud what you already know to be the truth about Jesus.

You know he rose from the dead. You know he is risen to rule the world and that he is still the friend of sinners. You know he is the Son of God. You know he has destroyed the power of sin and death. You know!

Remember!

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Jesus is risen! Remember!

Verse 18 of 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 states, “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (emphasis added)

With those few words — “from glory to glory” — Paul sums up our entire Christian life, from redemption on earth to our glorious eternal welcome in heaven.

As Christians we believe we receive the ultimate gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ while living on this earth. This is a glorious part of our lives.

When this earthly life is over, we receive the fulfillment of the promise of eternal life in God’s presence, another glorious gift.

So yes, we do go from glory to glory.

There is a caveat that needs to be kept in mind. When it comes to understanding the deep meaning of what was done so we can receive this glory, we cannot go from glory to glory during this coming week.

Tomorrow, we will celebrate the glory of Palm Sunday. This is the day crowds of people welcomed Jesus as their earthly king as he rode a donkey into Jerusalem. They didn’t understand what his true Kingship was all about.

Then the following Sunday, we will celebrate the glory of Easter, when Jesus returns to life. He defeats sin and death once and for always. This is what opens the door for us to receive eternal life.

The caution is this: If we go from the glory of Palm Sunday to the glory of Easter, we miss the deepest part of the love story that is between God and humanity. We miss what Jesus was willing to do for the grace of God to be made available to all.

Jesus sacrificed himself — for us. That sacrifice, with all the humiliation and excruciating pain that went with it, is what gives Easter its greater meaning. The danger in not getting to the foot of the cross ourselves before the celebration of Easter is that we will not have a full appreciation of what Jesus did.

After the glory of Palm Sunday, but before the glory of Easter, be sure to get to the foot of the cross so you can truly understand what was done — for you.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Recognize the importance of Jesus' sacrifice

UPCOMING 

'Doubting Like a Christian' sermon series starts soon

First United Methodist Church of Crestview will present its next sermon series, "Doubting Like a Christian," in April.

The sermons will be presented every Sunday during regular worship services at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. April 28 through May 19 at 599 8th Ave., Crestview.

"Whether we are talking about faith in God or just our own self-confidence, we usually describe doubt as the enemy. We think doubt is something to be avoided, ignored, or fought. But maybe our doubts can be useful … Even today, God can turn our doubts into discoveries," a media release for the event states.

RECURRING

AWANA PROGRAM: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Joy Fellowship, 5978 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed is for 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. Call 682-6219 to register.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS: 6 p.m. Fridays, Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Faith-based recovery program for people with any addiction. Directed by Wendell Morgan. 682-5525.

RESTORATION AND RECOVERY MINISTRY: 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. Weekly outreach ministry for healing, restoration, wellness and wholeness. For people who have struggles with addiction.

BREAD OF LIFE OUTREACH MINISTRY:  Sign up and a brief minstry and prayers at 11 a.m. and box pick-up is 3 p.m.11 a.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. The church distributes boxes of once a month per person.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Church of New Covenant, 3191 New Ave. N., Crestview. Faith-based 12-step program for people seeking healing from things that keep them from living healthy balanced lifestyles.

North Okaloosa County churches can send listings to news@crestviewbulletin.com. Items run on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa County Faith Calendar

Church activities and services around and during Holy Week, April 14-21, in Northwest Florida are listed below. To have your organization's information added, email it to faith@crestview bulletin.com.

BAGDAD

PALM SUNDAY SERVICE: Bagdad United Methodist Church's Palm Sunday services message is, “The Passion of Christ.” Contemporary worship is 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, and the traditional service is 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary at 4540 Forsyth St., Bagdad.

CRESTVIEW

FIRST UNITED METHODIST ACTIVITIES: First United Methodist Church at599 8th Ave. will have a nursery available for children 6 weeks old through 4 years old during all Holy Week services in the main sanctuary. They include Palm Sunday joint service at 10 a.m. April 14. A lunch and children's celebration will follow the event. Maundy Thursday communion service is 6:30 p.m. April 18. A Service of Darkness is 6:30 p.m. April 19. Easter services are 8:30, 9:45, and 11 a.m. April 21.

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS

HOPE IN AFFLICTION SERVICE: St. Agatha's Episcopal Church will have an interactive service of reflection at noon April 19, Good Friday, at the church, 144 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. Attend, hear and respond prayerfully to the last seven words uttered by Jesus on the cross. The Rev. Deborah Kempson-Thompson, priest-in-charge and officiant, invites everyone to contemplate with hope the end of Christ’s life in both word and song, and to prepare for the joy of the Resurrection.

MILTON

OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH ACTIVITIES: Olivet Baptist Church, 5240 Dogwood Drive, Milton, are 6 p.m. April 18, dinner and Communion service in honor of Jesus' last supper with his disciples; 6 p.m. April 19, Good Friday, with musical performances by Dan Kirkland. The Easter Son-rise service is 6:30 a.m. April 21, and a Resurrection celebration starts at 11 a.m. that morning. Contact the church, 623-2780 or visit its website, Olivet.us, for details.

PACE

WOODBINE FAMILY FUN DAY: Woodbine Church's annual Family Fun Day is 9:30 a.m. April 13 at 5200 Woodbine Road, Pace. An Easter Egg Hunt, the telling of The Easter Story, photos with the Easter Bunny are part of the activities planned. There will also be coloring and sticker fun, face-painting, and a bake sale. All proceeds from the bake sale will support Woodbine's mission team trip to Guatemala. Visit www.woodbinechurch.org for more information or call 850-995-0007.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HOLY WEEK

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently had a Day of Service at three locations throughout the Fort Walton Beach Stake. Its 10 congregations, including a brand new Spanish branch, Women of Crestview, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach chapels filled the needs of many in the community.

The men and boys and some of the ladies worked on the grounds of Children in Crisis, spreading pine straw, mowing, trimming and weeding.

Relief Society ladies created lap blankets for nursing home residents. In the Crestview Chapel alone, they created more than 50.

Girls representing "Activity Day" members put together potted blooms for the sick, the needy and new mothers in the congregations. Their Niceville counterparts earned money, chose supplies, bought and assembled them into gift bags for birthdays. They then delivered them to Sharing and Caring.

Participants sewed and decorated sturdy cloth bags for foster children, who often must throw their belongings into plastic garbage bags for a quick move.

Some groups decorated placemats to take to nursing homes and assembled hygiene kits for the homeless. The kits had toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, lip balm; crackers, nutrition bars, bottled water, Band-Aids, Q-tips and encouraging notes.

Participants also created teddy bears to take to the Pensacola Oncology Neonatal unit at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, and 24 volunteers donated pints of blood to the blood bank at the Niceville Chapel.

Jessica Boden, 18, said, "It is so cool to produce things and use our talents to serve others. And what a good feeling it produced in all of us to be part of such a vast project!"

Christine Cross said, "I am so impressed with the love, companionship and the sense of accomplishment we all feel as we create such varied items for the needy in our community."

President Tammy Jones and her counselors, Sally Reynolds, Katrina Dilmore and secretary Marcia Fleming, directed the event.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stake has Day of Service

Is ignorance bliss?  Sometimes.

I have not been on social media much over the past couple of weeks. Nor have I been watching the major news networks.

I’ve discovered my blood pressure has come down and my temperament has evened out a couple of notches.

I still read the newspapers to keep abreast of major items. And, fortunately, most of that news is opinion–free.

I don’t need the inflammatory rhetoric that comes from either “side of the aisle.” Those kinds of comments are designed to stir emotions, causing people to get riled up to support one side or the other. 

So, in this case (at least for me) ignorance is bliss. 

In another area, however, ignorance is disastrous. 

When one doesn’t know what the Lord says about living life, about how to treat other people, about how much one is worth to God, disaster can settle in. 

In Isaiah 43, God said, “I have called you by name, you are mine!” When that message is heard, it can bring great comfort, but you have to know this. 

In Hebrews 8, the Lord said, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Yes, God will forgive your sins, and they will not be held against you, but you have to know this.

Luke 18 states, “God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them.” It is important to understand that God will give what is needed, not what is wanted, but you need to know this.

Psalm 136 states, “He remembered us when we were in trouble.  His love continues forever.” God is with you in every circumstance in life. He will never abandon you, but you have to know this.

Matthew 10 states, “God even knows how many hairs are on your head.” You are known intimately by God, but you have to know this.

These passages from the Bible are just a few of the numerous reminders of who God is, who you are, and how much you mean to God. God never abandons those he loves. You are loved by God, and the door to forgiveness is open wide, but you must enter through that door.

Don’t be ignorant of what God has to say to you. That kind of ignorance can be disastrous.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ignorance not always bliss

RECURRING

AWANA PROGRAM: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Joy Fellowship, 5978 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed is for 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. Call 682-6219 to register.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS: 6 p.m. Fridays, Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Faith-based recovery program for people with any addiction. Directed by Wendell Morgan. 682-5525.

RESTORATION AND RECOVERY MINISTRY: 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. Weekly outreach ministry for healing, restoration, wellness and wholeness. For people who have struggles with addiction.

BREAD OF LIFE OUTREACH MINISTRY:  Sign up and a brief minstry and prayers at 11 a.m. and box pick-up is 3 p.m.11 a.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. The church distributes boxes of once a month per person.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Church of New Covenant, 3191 New Ave. N., Crestview. Faith-based 12-step program for people seeking healing from things that keep them from living healthy balanced lifestyles.

North Okaloosa County churches can send listings to news@crestviewbulletin.com. Items run on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa County Faith Calendar