SMEC held its second session of ALPHA on Wednesday. Our topic for the night: Why Did Jesus Die?

You could say it was because Pilate condemned Him to death. Or because Judas betrayed Him. Or because the Temple priests needed Jesus dead. All that would be true, but to anyone reading the story in the Gospels it comes across that there is something more to it.

Jesus said that He came to give His life to redeem those willing to believe in Him - that His death was the price that had to be paid to release people from slavery, slavery in the sense that we are under the power of sin and death, and need to be set free. So Jesus is telling us that His death would make it possible to be linked with God in a new relationship.

St. Paul tells us that Jesus became sin for us, so that we might be declared righteous through Him. Because He suffered what we deserved, Jesus redeemed us from the curse or penalty of the law. “The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him.” Because He suffered the penalty, we can enjoy peace with God.

Next Wednesday night's topic: “How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?” Join us for worship, dinner, a video on our topic, dessert and conversation starting at 5:30 pm.

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This Week.........

This Sunday: The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Adult Sunday School
10:30 am Holy Eucharist & Younger Children’s Sunday School; Fellowship Hour

Wed: Alpha 5:30pm Holy Eucharist/Dinner/Discussion: “How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?”

Sat: Vestry Planning Day beginning at 8am

Next Sunday: The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 am Adult Sunday School; Choir Practice
10:30 am Holy Eucharist & Younger Children’s Sunday School; Fellowship Hour