Easter Sunday was a great joy! I loved seeing so many of you and celebrating our risen Lord together.

I’m eager to continue worshipping and growing together as we emerge from pandemic living and start a new series in the book of Ephesians this Sunday.

We’ll be spending the rest of the year in this book and I’m excited about what it will teach us. Would you join me on this journey through Ephesians?

Here are 3 WAYS you can prepare your heart to engage with this series:

1) READ through Ephesians every week.

Our Children’s Pastor, Jessica Lee, is having our children memorize scripture during this season. They’re doing a great job! As adults, let’s also commit to being in scripture by reading through Ephesians each week. It’s six chapters.

I recently read through the whole book – it took 6-7 minutes. Or, if you prefer taking it in smaller chunks, you could try reading a chapter a day – chapter 1 on Monday, chapter 2 on Tuesday, etc. – all the way to Saturday.

Either way will prepare you for the message each Sunday. Getting familiar with Ephesians will allow you to have greater retention and impact.

2) PRAY for unification.

I believe the theme of Ephesians is “uniting all things in Christ.” Ephesians 1:9-10 says: Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Christ’s death and resurrection have brought heaven and earth together to unify everything that has been torn apart and alienated through sin. Jesus has recreated a new humanity, a multi-ethnic community we call the church.

This community is where the Holy Spirit will free us from strife, jealously, rivalry and selfishness and launch us so that His unity can permeate every aspect of our stories and lives together.

3) IDENTIFY one area in your life you would like Jesus to unify. Share that with a trusted friend. 

We are divided at school and work, and in our families, marriages and relationships. We are even divided within our own souls.

I’m convinced that God wants His gospel and His church to bring unity to some very divided places in our hearts, relationships and culture.

I recently challenged a friend to trust Jesus’ unification in a family relationship that felt impossible. This morning she sent me an email describing the breathtaking answers to these Gospel unifying prayers.

The Lord is with us and He hears and answers our prayers!

I can’t wait to begin this journey with you in the Book of Ephesians! I’d love for you to join me in reading, praying and trusting the Lord to work as we all prepare our hearts for His Word.

Much love,

David Anderson

P.S. This Sunday is also the start of our COD 101 class. If you’re wanting to find out more about this church family, this is for you! It’s a 3 week introduction to Church of the Open Door. It’s fun. It’s informative. Lunch is provided. The host couples are pretty awesome. Check it out!