Newsletter   I   APRIL 2004

HE IS He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of it all! He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is and He always will be… Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated and never undone! He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and brought freedom! He was dead and brought life! He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace! The world can’t understand him, Herod couldn’t kill Him, The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and Nero couldn’t crush Him, The New Age can’t explain Him away! He is Light, Love, and Lord. He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful, and Pure. His ways are right, and His word is eternal. His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. He is the Redeemer and the Savior. He is a Guide in life and He is Peace. He is Joy and Comfort. His burden is light and His goal for all people is abundant life. He is the wisdom of the wise. He wants to have a personal relationship with you. He will never leave, forsake, mislead or forget you. When you fall he will lift you up and when you fail He will forgive. When you are weak He is strong and when you are lost He is the Way. When you are afraid He is your courage and when you are hurt He heals you. When you face trials He will be with you. When you face problems He will comfort you. When you face loss He will provide for you. When you face death He will carry you home. He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God and He is faithful. But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.                                                                                                       --Corinthians 15: 13-2

LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT Dear International Friend, Once again, we extend our warm and heartfelt greetings to you. Now that spring is here we are anticipating all that this time of year has to offer us. Gradually the weather will become warmer and we can enjoy the beautiful flowers that will soon be in bloom. Everything around us gives evidence to the greatness of our God in His design of our world. Take time to enjoy God’s creation. We are sure that it will have an impact on you. The month of April is sometimes associated with rain showers that will bring about the abundance of flowers. We have waited all winter long, here in the Pittsburgh area, for some of the color to return. It is the sign of new life around us after the deadness of winter. It is also the time that we will be celebrating the Easter Season commemorating the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Easter Sunday takes place on April 11th. Our next ISF gathering will be on Friday April 9th. This Friday before Easter is commonly referred to as Good Friday, a solemn day to remember the price of suffering and death that Jesus went through to pay the price for our sins. Our special Easter ISF Gathering will be on Friday, April 9th, 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and 5th. Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on 5th. Avenue and then follow the signs. At this gathering, we will be having a special chalk artist, Mrs. Joyce Gahagen, who will draw a special Easter presentation. Mrs. Gahagen utilizes fluorescent chalk and will draw utilizing both colored lights and the black light to highlight the features. You won’t want to miss this gathering. Of course there will also be a full course dinner, good music, special children’s activities in the Kurtzman Room, but especially good International fellowship. It’s all free, so do plan to come and invite your friends. We hope to see you on April 9th!                                                                                                       --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant

ISF MARCH GATHERING (March 19, 2004)