CLEARLAKE ? Crossroads Church of Clearlake reached out to the community with a special outdoor Easter Sunday service at Austin Park. An inspirational message of hope and faith was complemented with glorious music and a short drama performance by the church”s youth group.
Pastor Gary Logoteta led a light-hearted and entertaining service that offered spiritual guidance in a non-threatening, non-condemning manner. Embracing the beauty of the day and the opportunity to bring the church”s message “to the streets,” Pastor Logoteta said that there are several similar outdoor church events planned throughout the spring and summer.
“This is the first time something like this has been done in our community. We really want to change the spiritual place in our city,” Pastor Logoteta said. “We have more of these events planned. We are going to endeavor to reach this city in the name of Jesus Christ. We want to be a part of this community not separate from it.”
Crossroads” Worship Team warmed the crowd up with a selection of Gospel Rock songs that had listeners raising their hands in praise. Songs celebrated the sacrifices of Jesus, the Lord”s power and expectations of greater things to come.
“This is awesome being in this park, praising God,” Worship Team Leader Tony Efestione said. “I want to thank God for the sunshine and the birds singing. Only God could have given us a day like this ? rain all week and then a day like this to celebrate.”
Pastor Logoteta”s sermon reminded the congregation of the sacrifices made on the Cross in order that mankind be saved. He said that at man”s worst existence, God sent a Savior. “While we were at our worst, God sent his very best to die for you,” he said. “Heaven is a place for every person. You can only get there by asking Jesus Christ into your heart and forgive your sins. Jesus will free you from whatever is holding you down right now. Whatever you did, what Jesus Christ did on the cross is bigger. Jesus has set you free.”
Pastor Logoteta continued with words aimed at inspiring inner strength through the acceptance of Christ. “Every one of you has something to offer in the Kingdom of God,” he said. “You are limitless in what God can do through you. Through God you can face up to your giant. God is there to give you new life.”
The youth group offered a performance that illustrated a case of peer pressure that turned into a struggle against evil. The performance, which was choreographed to heavy metal music, showed a boy placed on a cross who was later saved by Jesus. The Savior took the boy”s place, was killed and then resurrected. The skit ended with the boy being embraced in the arms of Jesus.
“That is a picture of what Jesus did for you and I,” Logoteta said following the performance. “He gave his life on that Cross for you.”
Crossroads Church of Clearlake aims to share God”s love in an informal, non-threatening come as you style through Biblical teachings that are non-judgmental and relevant to today”s culture. For more information contact Pastor Gary Logoteta at 994-4009 or by e-mail at thecrossroads@mchsi.com.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
