Hello Bertolinis!

The Bertolinis are leading a study tour to Israel, and we thought we'd say Hi to make sure they know they are missed. So Dewey and Rebecca, this little greeting is for you! Hope you had a blessed Sunday over there on the other side of the world!

Youth Swim

Our youth group took an afternoon trip to the Dallas Aquatic Center on Wednesday, and Dawn Carver was nice enough to send me a few pictures and a quick report:

Hi Brian! Here are a few pictures from the youth outing. We didn't take any pictures inside the aquatic center, just the group shot outside and a few at Burgerville. The boys were trying to look cool for their picture...fun fun.

It was a great trip, we had 15 youth and Toby and I. They spent a lot of time on the 100 ft water slide and the rope swing as well as the lazy river. They were also great on the diving board, doing impressive dives and some flips as well. All in all they are a TERRIFIC bunch of kids.

Israel Itinerary

As many of you know, Dewey and Rebecca are now on the other side of the world leading a tour of Israel. The trip goes from March 24-April 4 and they have a full schedule!

If you're curious about where the Bertolinis are on any particular day, we've had a tour itinerary listed on our website for a while on the page that advertised the trip. You can see it by clicking here. Pray for spiritual blessing and travel safety for their group.

Tabasco Baby

I don't know how doctored this picture is, but it still cracks me up!

Now on NewHopeConnection.com...

We have a few new downloads available on our website's Sermons, Etc. page. You'll find Dewey's sermon from Sunday about the light following the darkness, as well as a recording of the song we closed the service with, Happy Day.

I also uploaded a recording of The King Shall Come, which we sang February 24th, since some people have been asking about it.

You can click here to go to our downloads page now. Enjoy!

Eagle Scout

New Hope's own Jason Alexander, who normally runs our PowerPoint song slides on Sundays, is receiving his Eagle Scout award this Friday!

Jason is inviting everyone at NHCF to come to the ceremony, and he's buying a big pizza dinner for everyone to celebrate.

The event is being held at the Sheridan High School cafeteria on Friday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

He is risen!

Easter is my favorite Sunday of the year, and we had a great celebration this weekend remembering Christ's death and rejoicing in the resurrection!

Dewey's sermon reminded me of Carman's song Sunday's On the Way, so I included the lyrics below a few pictures from the weekend. He is risen indeed!

Sunday's On the Way - by Carman Licciardello

The demons were planning on having a party one night.

They got beer, Jack Daniels, and pretzels, there was red wine, some white.

They were celebratin' how they crucified Christ on that tree.

But Satan, the snake himself, wasn't so at ease.

Well, he took his crooked finger, And he dialed the phone by his bed,

To call an old faithful friend, who'd know for sure if he was dead.

He said, "Grave, Grave tell me, did my plan fail?"

Grave just laughed and said, "Ah man, the dude is dead as nails."

*chorus*

On Friday night, they crucified the Lord at Calvary,

But he said, "Don't dread, in three days I'm gonna live again, you'll see!"

When problems try to bury you, and make it hard to pray,

It may seem like Friday night, but Sunday's on the way!

A tranquilizer and a horror flick, could not calm Satan's fear.

So Saturday night, he calls up the Grave, scared of what he'd hear.

"Hey, Grave, what's going on?" Grave said, "Man look you've called me twice,

and I'll tell you one more time, boss, the Jew's on ice."

The devil said, "Man, Grave, you remember when Old Lazarus was in his grave.

You see everything was cool then four days later...BOOM, Old Lazarus, he was raised.

Now, this Jesus, he is much more trouble than anyone has ever been to me,

And look, Grave, it's got old Devil shook 'cause this man said he'll only be dead for three."

*chorus*

Sunday morning Satan woke with a jump, ready to blow a fuse.

He was shaking from the tips of his pointed ears, to the toes of his pointy shoes.

He said, "Grave tell me is he alive? I don't wanna lose my neck!"

Grave said, "Your evilness, maintain your cool! Devil, you are a wreck!"

Grave said, "Cool your jets Big D, my sting is still intact.

You see Jesus is dead forever, take it from the Grave brother, he ain't never coming back!

So mellow out, man, just go drink up or shoot up, but look, Devil, just leave old Grave alone.

And I'll catch you la...la...Oh no! Oh no! OH NO! OH NO! OH NO!!

Somebody's messin' with the stone!!!"

Well, the stone was rolled away, and it bounced a time or two,

and an angel stepped inside and said, "Yo, I'm Gabriel, who are you?

If you're wondering where the Lord is at this very hour,

I tell ya he's alive and well, with resurrection power!"

Friday night they crucified the Lord at Calvary

But He said, "don't dread," He said, "In three days--you can even count 'em boys--

I'm gonna be kickin' again, you'll see!"

When problems try to bury you and make it hard to pray

It may seem like Friday night...

But I say Sunday,

The devil hates Sunday,

I tell you Sunday is here to stay!