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THE EASTER STORY: Read the Easter story straight from the Bible and be reminded why we celebrate.

MUSIC AND CONCERTS: Find Christian concerts and events coming to SoCal soon.

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E A S T E R S U N D A Y S E R M O N O N M T. R U B I D O U X

WHAT’S HOT ON-AIR: What are the hottest Christian songs? Learn who is topping the charts.

Page 2Page 4

T H E R E A L S T O R Y O F N O A H ’ S A R K

Continued on page 6

One of the oldest stories ever told, and one of the first recorded in the Bible, is now on the big screen attracting a w o r l d w i d e a u d i e n c e . Paramount Pictures presents the story of Noah, starring Russell Crowe. As with every other Christian themed movie that has graced the silver screen, this one will no doubt draw its fair share of controversy due to the artistic liberties taken in the movies production. It is fair to say that Hollywood has more interest in the financial aspect of the movie rather than a theologically correct story. This fact aside, there are many Christians who applaud the efforts of Hollywood, stating that these movies certainly bring biblical stories in to the pop-culture world and open m a n y o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r discussion.

The story of Noah's Ark is a benchmark of every children's church, Sunday

school, Christian preschool, and vacation Bible school study plan. Once illustrated, the story is full of wonderful animals, a giant ship, a thunderous storm, a n d a r e n e w i n g o f t h e population. If it has been a while since you last read the story of Noah straight from the Bible, or if you have yet to read it, Life in His Hands print ministry presents the actual word-for-word scripture of Noah's Ark on page 7. This is a feature that you will find in every issue of Li fe in His Hands p r in t ministry. Along with a Biblical reading assignment (page 4), you will also find scripture of the Easter story on page 6. Of all of the areas that this publication may grow over the years, please be assured we will always print scripture in every issue. We hope that you find these stories inspirational and will find a closer relationship to Christ through your reading.

MT. RUBIDIOUX EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

Sunday, April 20

• Please plan 45 minutes to hike to the top of Mt. Rubidoux.

• Mt. Rubidoux is located at 4600 San Andreas Dr,

Riverside.

• Parking is available at Ryan Bonaminio Park located at

5000 Tequesquite Ave.

6 a.m. - 7 a.m.

Continued on page 3

T h e t r a d i t i o n continues on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014. The annual sunrise service atop Mount Rubidoux in front of the Serra cross has been attended for over 100 years, making this event the longest running Easter sunrise service west of the Mississippi. The first sunrise service on Mount Rubidoux was held in 1909, and from that date forward, thousands of people from multiple denominations have made the 45-minute-trek to the top of Mount Rubidoux to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

The Easter Sunday sunrise service this year will begin at 6 a.m. and will last for an hour. Worship and music with both contemporary and traditional influence will accompany three messages presented from three speakers on topics from the event theme: Faith, Hope, and Joy.

The first message of the Faith of Good Friday will be delivered by Brian Park from Glocal (a mix of the

words Global and local) outreach. The second message about the hope that the resurrection brings will be from C h a r l e s C a m p b e l l f r o m Koinonia Evangelistic Center. The final message of the morning about the joy of our calling as disciples of Christ is from Jeff Wright from Madison Street Church.

T h i s n o n -denominational service will also include many people leading prayers, reflections, and reading Scripture in both English and Spanish. Last year, there was a person translating the service in sign language, which was not p lanned. Organizers are hoping that the person who provided signing would attend again this year to assist with translation.

Reverend Hannah Burke, Associate Minister at First Congregational Church Riverside, and Chairperson of the planning committee for Easter morning sunrise service has been a part of the planning for the last three years. She says this event has a special

m e a n i n g d u e t o t h e togetherness it brings. “I really enjoy connecting with other f a i t h l e a d e r s o r f a i t h participants in the community. I think Riverside, because there’s so many faith communities, sometimes we stick the ones that we are theologically most similar to, but this group really brings together such a diverse group of faiths.”

Life in His Hands

2

ne of the s i m p l e p l ea su re s I find in life is t h e opportunity to try something new. I'm a fan of trying new

restaurants, new products, maybe listening to a new band or trying out a new activity with the kids. It seems to be a family trait as I will often hear from my father or brother about a new product they tried and what their review of it was. This typically leads me to go out and buy the same product, try it for myself and report back to them exactly what my findings are. I guess maybe I’m looking to stumble upon that one product that will be life-changing and become part of my every day routine.

The publication that you were holding in your hands falls into the same category. It is brand new. You can see from the top of the front page that this is Volume 1, defining this as the first issue of what I hope to be many. So, just as I would explain to my family about a new product I have found, I would like to tell you about this publication, the direction of the ministry, and the reasons that you have Life in His Hands print ministry now in your hands.

F i r s t o f f , a l t h o u g h t h i s publication is printed on newsprint, you should find us positioned away from what would be considered a newspaper. A newspaper brings you the stories and new perspectives on what is going on in a p a r t i c u l a r a r e n a . W e a r e unapologetically a Christian publication, but the news we plan to bring you more focused on the Good News of Jesus Christ.

One of the names you may have heard a paster quote is a gentleman by the name of Charles Spurgeon. Charles Spurgeon (1834 - 1892), a British Baptist preacher known as the "Prince of Preachers”, is regularly studied by many seminary students, as well as many pastors on the pulpit today.

Spurgeon once said, “rest assured that there is nothing new in theology except that which is false; and the facts of theology are to-day what they were 1800 years ago.”

This quote very c lose ly resembles what Life in His Hands print ministry is all about. It is not our goal to bring you a new way of looking at an old story but rather to be a positive light bringing training in scripture that is simple and straightforward. In every issue you will find a biblical reading assignment (page 4), definitions of Bible terms, listings of local Christian events, and a look at the world of the Bible in technology. I also hope (if support and page space permits) to include local pastor biographies, and pictures from your church events in future issues. You will find scripture in every issue taken straight out of the Bible, published to tell a specific story. In this issue, we are printing the Easter story (page 6) and the story of Noah's Ark (page7).

So as you are trying out this new product for the first time, let me tell you about my promises to you as a reader. Our main priority is, and will remain, to bring biblical content to the pages of this publication so to help all of us relate to the people and places in the Bible. We will always bring training in Scripture in the way of defining terms that are not in our world today. We will also bring commentary on spiritual disciplines that can help you grow in your Christian walk.

My hope is that you if you are granting us your precious time as you read through these pages in the debut issue of Life in His Hands print ministry, that you would call your friends and family and let them know you found s o m e t h i n g new that teaches a v e r y o l d story. An old story indeed, but still to this day, one that can l i t e r a l l y c h a n g e your life.

Life in His Hands Publisher: Chris Thompson

Director of Fundraising: Kelly Thompson Social Media Manager: Victoria Jeffers

Video/Photography Manager: Chris Jeffers Webmaster: Cory Jenkins

Graphic Design: Greg Bell

Editorial Contributors: Rick Roberts

Andrew Mosqueda

General Contact: Life in His Hands Print Ministries

(951) 230-8551 Chris@LifeinHisHands.org

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If you would like copies of Life in His Hands to distribute at your location, please call (951) 230-8551.

Life in His Hands is a ministry focused on bringing the Gospel of Christ to the public. We are not associated with any one church, but rather with the greater body

of Christ. We are supported by business and nonprofit sponsors who receive announcements inside Life in His Hands.

Individual support is appreciated and can be made by clicking on the donate tab at www.LifeinHisHands.org.

Letters to the Editor can be sent to: Letters@LifeinHisHands.org Church and Nonprofit events can be sent to: Events@LifeinHisHands.org

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Life in His Hands print ministry makes no promises that all events sent will be published in print, but soon we will be able to make all events known through our

website. All content and advertising must meet strict standards in both faith and quality. Advertising in Life in His Hands does not imply editorial endorsement.

ABOUT US

Cory is a diehard Dodger’s fan. He and his wife Mandy are overjoyed with the blessing of parenting their 6-month-old son Cooper.

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EDITOR’S NOTEO

Life in His Hands

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At least ten churches will participate in the event of which all people are warmly welcome. First Congregational Church of Riverside, Calvary Presbyterian Riverside, First Christian Church, Glocal Outreach, First Baptist of Riverside, the Diocese of San Bernardino, among others are all inviting their congregations to attend.

A cross has stood atop Mount Rubidoux since 1907, and has been part of a public park since 1955, when it was donated to the City of Riverside by the family of Mission Inn founder Frank Miller. In the summer of 2012, the position of the cross on

government property was challenged by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The Riverside City Council in January 2013 decided to sell the property to resolve the complaint.

This will be the first year that the cross will not be illuminated as event attendees come up to the top of Mount Roubidux, a change from past years when the cross could be seen lit up as a beacon that might guide walkers up to the top of the hill. This modification stems from the change in ownership of the .43-acre property that the cross sits on being auctioned to a private entity last April.

The cross and the surrounding steps are now property that is owned by the Riverside Land Conservancy. Executive Director Gail Egenes wants the public to know that the cross is not going to be illuminated as part of the legal transaction of the property from the City of Riverside to new ownership. This is not a decision made by the new owners of the property.

“Our goal and promise to the community is to preserve the Serra cross, but we do have to follow restrictions in the legal agreement. The rules that we cannot illuminate the cross on Easter Sunday was actually part of the deed,” says Egenes. The cross and the property associated with it were purchased at auction for $10,500 in order to keep the cross within the community. Without the sale of the property, the cross may have been lost due to a threatened lawsuit to force the removal of the religious symbol from government property.

This year, it will be much lighter outside at 6 AM than in the past, but it is always dark walking up the mountain. It’s certainly a powerful experience to

begin the walk up to the top of Mount Rubidoux in the dark and hearing the music from the peak as people prepare for the sunrise service.

“Arriving at the top and seeing, sometimes close to 2,000 people, gathered on top of the mountain, and it’s not a very large space, there are people sitting on rocks, on the ground, some people bring chairs and blankets some are just sitting wherever they can find a spot. And even behind where the service takes place, there are steps, and there are people sitting on those steps leading all the way up to the cross,” says Burke.

As residents throughout the Inland Empire celebrate that the cross is still available as a beautiful landmark and a place to hold E a s t e r S u n d a y s u n r i s e service, there are many volunteers preparing to make the mountain ready for this morning. One of the local organizations that service goers will no doubt encounter on their hike up the trail are the local Boy Scouts.

The Boy Scouts come to the trail the day before and clean the path to make it nice for the service. “Some of them camp out on the bottom of the mountain and in the early morning they bring their flashlights and they light the path for people who are walking up the mountain in the morning. They also hand out the bulletins to people who are

coming to the service,” says Burke. This year an offering will be collected and will be

given to a local needs-based organization. Last year the financial resources gathered were given to the fallen police officers fund for Riverside and San Bernardino counties in the wake of the Christopher Donner episode.

The Explorer Scouts will be helping with parking, which can always be a chore when it comes to Mount Rubidoux. Burke recommends that if you live close enough to walk or ride a bike to the service that would certainly help the parking situation. There will be places available to lock up bicycles, but it is not recommended to ride a bike up the mountain for the morning service. Carpools are helpful and parking at the Ryan Bonaminio Park is highly encouraged. There is also parking on the Jurupa Valley side of the mountain, although limited.

“The work that we've done . . . seems like such a drop in the bucket of all that God has done for us. So even though it's a lot of work leading up to sunrise service, it's such a joy to be a part of it and to share that day with so many other people from our community,” Burke states.

Sunrise Service from page 1

Easter Sunrise Service, 1913, Under Serra Cross, Mt. Rubidoux

“Our goal and promise to the community is to preserve the Serra cross, but we do have to follow restrictions in the legal agreement. The rules that we cannot illuminate the cross on Easter Sunday was actually part of the deed” -Riverside Land Conservancy Executive Director Gail Egenes

The Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge found along the Mt. Rubidoux trail

Life in His Hands

4

A P R I L R E A D I N G A S S I G N M E N T

In each issue of Life in His Hands, you’ll be presented with a Biblical reading assignment. The goal of the

assignment page is to focus on a passage, include facts, key places, and definitions of the terms you will come

across in your reading. We hope this helps to clarify key points while taking some fear out of Scripture.

The book of John chronicles the life of Jesus from his baptism through resurrection. In these three chapters,

you are going to read about John the Baptist (who is not the author of the book), and the moments when John

baptizes Jesus. You will also witness the first miracle Jesus performs when He turns water into wine. Listen to

what Jesus says to Nicodemus, and be there when Jesus drives the money changers from the temple. All of this

is wrapped up in these three chapters.

Don’t be intimidated by some of the terms you will be reading. We are going to define some of them for you

so to help you gain a better understanding of your reading. The average reading time of these three chapters is

14 minutes, so you should be able to finish the April reading assignment in less time than it takes to read this

entire paper.

Take notes, ask questions, and discover the miracles of Jesus. When you are done, please leave your comments

on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LifeinHisHands. Happy reading.

God Bless!

J O H N C H A P T E R S 1 - 3

LifeinHisHands.org

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The rules God gave to Israel through Moses on Mt. Sinai. This system, or way of life, contained requirements, blessings, and cursing. There are a total of 613 laws found throughout the first 5 books of the Old Testament.

April Reading Assignment Definitions

• The Law: John 1:17

• Levites: John 1:19 Caretakers of the Temple. The Levites are descendants of the tribe of Levi, one of the original 12 tribes of Israel. The tribe of Levi was not given land as part of God’s promise, but rather the responsibility to care for the house of God.

• Jews: John 1:19

• Pharisees: John 1:24

• Bridegroom: John 2:9

• Manifest: John 2:11

• Passover: John 2:13

• Nicodemus: John 3:1

• Testimony: John 3:33

A name applied first to the people living in the southern kingdom of Judah. They were also descendants of Abraham. The term is used in the New Testament for all Israelites in contrast to the “Gentiles,” or those of non-Jewish blood.

A religious and political party often unfriendly to Jesus due to the disparity between Jesus’ claims about Himself and His disregard for observances of the law. The Pharisees followed the customs and ceremonies of the written law and lived on the authority of their own oral traditions.

A man just married or about to be married.

To make known. In the sense of John 2:11, manifested means the moment when Jesus made His glory and deity evident to His disciples.

This celebration took place yearly at the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a week-long festival— The Passover was one day, and the Festival of Unleavened Bread lasted the rest of the week. The entire week commemorated the freeing of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.

Was a religious leader (Pharisee) and a member of a highly respected religious group (Sanhedrin). He was a wealthy, educated, and powerful man in Jerusalem — well respected by his people and also a descendant of Abraham. He came to Jesus at night because he was afraid of being ridiculed by the Pharisee group he was a part of.

The evidence given by a witness.

All scripture quoted in Life in His Hands print ministry is from the New King James Version except where noted.

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Life in His Hands

5

John was born in approximately 5 B.C. in the Judea region of Israel. His mother was Elizabeth and his father was Zechariah. He was prophesied about in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5. In the book of Luke 1:36, it is stated that Elizabeth (John’s mother) and Mary (Jesus’ mother) were either blood relatives, presumably cousins, or very close kin.

He was one of the strangest looking prophets of the New Testament; his usual clothes were a camel hair tunic and a leather belt around his waist. He also ate the most unusual foods as well, wild locusts (grasshoppers) and wild honey. All of the gospels state that John the Baptist lived in the wilderness—a vast area of jagged, rugged rock, high winds and extreme heat. This was an area where God had dwelled with His people after the Exodus.

He talked a strange message and many people that heard him talk thought he was crazy. He did have one thing going for him, he knew his mission for his life and he knew that God set him apart for a purpose. John the Baptist was appointed by God to announce to the world the arrival of Jesus.

K E Y S C R I P T U R E : J O H N 1 : 1 9 - 2 7

19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

And he answered, “No.”

22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”

23 He said: “I am

‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”

One of the miraculous parts of his ministry was the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

K E Y S C R I P T U R E : M A T T H E W 3 : 1 3 - 1 7

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

BIBLE BIOGRAPHY

J O H N T H E B A P T I S T

BIBLICAL FUN FACT: JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS WERE BOTH ANNOUNCED AND NAMED BY THE SAME ANGEL, GABRIEL, BEFORE

EACH OF THEIR BIRTHS.

L E S S O N S W E C A N L E A R N F R O M J O H N T H E B A P T I S T : G O D N E V E R P R O M I S E D A N Y O N E A N E A S Y L I F E .

J O H N U N D E R S T O O D H I S M I S S I O N W A S G O I N G T O B E D I F F I C U LT A N D N E V E R W A V E R E D F R O M H I S J O B .

Wild locusts

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A P R I L R E A D I N G A S S I G N M E N T

K E Y P L AC E S • J O H N 1 - 3

Modern Day Italy

Egypt

Bethany: John 1:28 - Where John the Baptist ministers east of the Jordan River.

Cana: John 2:1 - The town where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine.

Modern Day Turkey

Capernaum: John 2:12 - The town which became the new home of Jesus.

Jerusalem: John 3:1 - Where Jesus met with Nicodemus and attended special feasts.

Life in His Hands

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G O O D F R I D AY

LUKE 22:47-51 47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

MARK 14:53-65 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. 57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59 But not even then did their testimony agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

MATTHEW 27:3-10 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.

LUKE 23:1-7 23 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” 5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” 6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated H i m w i t h c o n t e m p t a n d mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

JOHN 18:28-19:11; 14-30 28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” 31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. 33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for

this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all. 39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

19 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. 4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” 6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, t h e y c r i e d o u t , s a y i n g , “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” 8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away. 17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.” 2 8 A f t e r t h i s , J e s u s , knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture migh t be fu l f i l l ed , sa id , “ I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

E A S T E R S U N D AY

MARK 16:1-3 16 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come a n d a n o i n t Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when t h e s u n h a d risen. 3 And they s a i d a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s , “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”

MATTHEW 28:2-10 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

JOHN 20:3-10 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

LUKE 24:13-43 13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 1 7 A n d H e s a i d t o t h e m , “ W h a t k i n d o f conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” 18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” 1 9 A n d H e s a i d t o them, “What things?”

So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. 28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. 30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. 36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the mids t o f them, and sa id to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and s u p p o s e d t h e y h a d s e e n a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.[c] 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a b r o i l e d f i s h a n d s o m e honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

4-year-old Samantha Thompson draws a picture for the Easter story.

THE STORY OF EASTERF R O M T H E N E W K I N G JA M E S V E R S I O N

Genesis Chapter 6 Now it came to pass, when

men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.

3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have

made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man,

perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15 And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits (450 feet), its width fifty cubits (75 feet), and its height thirty cubits (45 feet). 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit (18 inches) from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”

22 Thus Noah did ; according to a l l that God commanded him, so he did.

Genesis Chapter 7 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 2 You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” 5 And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.

7 So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, 9 two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.

13 On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark— 14 they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind,

every bird of every sort. 15 And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

17 Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. 23 So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and

bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. 24 And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.

Genesis Chapter 8 Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided. 2 The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. 3 And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. 4 Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the

month, on the mountains of Ararat. 5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.

6 So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. 7 Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. 8 He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. 10 And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out f rom the ark. 11 Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded f rom the ear th . 12 So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. 13 And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the cover ing of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry. 14 And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried. 15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying, 16 “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Bring out with you ever y l iving thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” 18 So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. 19 Ever y animal, every creeping thing, ever y bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark.

20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And the Lord smel led a

soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse

the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. 22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”

Genesis Chapter 9 So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them:

“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man.

6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.

7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth And multiply in it.”

8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: 9 “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth. 11 Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

12 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

18 Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

A full-sized replica of Noah’s Ark built by Dutch creationist Johan Huibersis open for visitors in Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

Noah’s Ark continued from page 1 T H E R E A L S T O R Y O F N O A H ’ S A R K F R O M T H E B O O K O F G E N E S I S

Life in His Hands

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S A T U R D A Y • A P R I L • 5 Gaither Homecoming Tour 2014 Citizen’s Business Bank Arena Ontario - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. 1-888-929-7849

S A T U R D A Y • A P R I L • 5 Electronic Waste Fundraiser to Benefit Seeds of Hope Walgreens/Back Parking Lot Grand Terrace - 12 p.m.

S A T U R D A Y • A P R I L • 5 Handbell Musician of America Southern Region Spring Ring Concert Hope Lutheran Church 29141 Vallejo Ave. Temecula 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

S A T U R D A Y • A P R I L • 5 Tradesmen with Jerry Pearson Sunrise Church 1355 W. Fifth Street, Ontario 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

S A T U R D A Y • A P R I L • 5 4:12 SPRING BASH featuring Manafest 4:12 Church 1450 W 7th Street, San Jacinto 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. (951) 654-1401

T H U R S D A Y • A P R I L • 1 0 Love Skate w/ NickdoG & DJ Jason Dean Fiesta Village 1405 E. Washington Street - Colton 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (909) 912-9320

T H U R S D A Y • A P R I L • 1 0 Crowder: A Night of Worship Mariners Church 5001 Newport Coast Dr. Irvine (949) 769-8100

F R I D A Y • A P R I L • 1 1 California Melody Boys Rancho Community Church 31300 Rancho Community Way Temecula 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

W E D N E S D A Y • A P R I L • 1 6 Easter Encounter 4/16-4/18 The Grove Community Church 19900 Grove Community Dr. Riverside, (951) 571-9090 The Easter Encounter is a free theatrical production that illustrates Jesus' last days. Showings for the event will be @ 6 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 8 p.m.

F R I D A Y • A P R I L • 1 8 An Easter Together Tour Tim Timmons, PawnShop Kings, Molly Jenson, Jadon Lavik, and Dominic Balli. The Packinghouse Church 27165 San Bernardino Ave. Redlands 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tickets: $10, can be purchased at The Packinghouse Bookstore or www.aneastertogether.com (909) 793-8744

S U N D A Y • A P R I L • 2 0 Easter morning Sunrise Service, Calvary Chapel Jurupa Valley 9215 Orco Parkway, Riverside, 6 a.m. (951) 685-1180

S U N D A Y • A P R I L • 2 0 Mt. Rubidoux Easter Sunrise Service Mt. Rubidoux 4600 San Andreas Drive, Riverside 6am - 7am (909) 337-7015

F R I D A Y • A P R I L • 2 5 Revive Outreach Crossroads Church, Corona 4:30 p.m. $15-20 (949) 370-1509

F R I D A Y • A P R I L • 2 5 The Dartts Calvary Baptist Church 395 E. San Bernardino Rd., Pomona 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. (951) 623-1228

S U N D A Y • A P R I L • 2 7 Walk for Life 2014 Ronald Reagan Sports Park Rancho Vista Way, Temecula 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (951) 699-9808 x103

S U N D A Y • A P R I L • 2 7 City RockFest Tour Cornerstone Church of Hemet 26089 Girard Street Seventh Day Slumber, Consumed By Fire, and At the Wayside 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tickets $5 + canned food item (951) 658-7133

S U N D A Y • A P R I L • 2 7 Liberty Quartet Butte Bible Fellowship 2255 Pillsbury Rd. Chico 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (530) 892-0521

S U N D A Y • A P R I L • 2 7 The Dartts Mountain View Baptist Church 2367 San Jacinto Ave. San Jacinto, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (951) 658-0780

F R I D A Y • M A Y • 2 The Dartts Homeland First Community Church of God 31371 Hwy. 74., Homeland 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. (951) 492-9692

S A T U R D A Y • M A Y • 3 Tradesmen w/ Steve Weatherford Sunrise Church 1355 W. Fifth Street, Ontario 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (909) 984-4419

S U N D A Y • M A Y • 4 Redeemed 4 Rialto Church of the Nazarene 1435 N. Willow Ave., Rialto 10:45 a.m. (909) 874-2034

T U E S D A Y • M A Y • 6 Rivers in the Wasteland Tour featuring Needtobreathe The Wiltern 3790 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Ticket prices $20-$32.50

F R I D A Y • M A Y • 9 The Dartts Princeton Freewill Baptist 810 E. Princeton, Ontario 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. (909) 983-5315

S U N D A Y • M A Y • 1 0 Steve Weatherford Yucaipa First Assembly of God 12226 Second Street, Yucaipa 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. (909) 797-5174

S U N D A Y • M A Y • 1 0 The Afters Harvest Christian Fellowship 6115 Arlington Avenue, Riverside 7 p.m. (951) 687-6902

S U N D A Y • M A Y • 1 0 Bluegrass Brethren Glen Avon Community Church 9020 Hastings Blvd., Riverside 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

COMMUNITY CONCERTS AND EVENTS

Planning an event?

Life in His Hands print ministry takes pride in publishing local church and Christian events throughout the Inland Empire and nearby areas. All of these event listings can also be found on our website at LifeinHIsHands.org.

If you have an event you would like us to consider for publishing, please send all the information to events@LifeinHIsHands.org. We cannot guarantee that every event will make it to the print addition due to space limitations.

Life in His Hands print ministry also offers advertising opportunities so you can guarantee placement to spread the word about your upcoming concert or event. For more information please call Kelly at (951) 638-9210. We hope you

have a chance to enjoy some of the shows and events listed. God Bless.

Life in His Hands

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