Good morning on this last day of April. I'm still basking in the blessings of last weekend's Easter celebration at Edgewood. What a wonderful weekend of services it was in every conceivable way. The Edgewood people rose to the occasion with outstanding commitment and service to make this Easter a tremendous celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Kudos to all who attended, invited, served, or ministered in any way. The people of Edgewood are the very best! I would like to give you a rundown of the services for the next several weeks. Tomorrow I will be preaching a prophecy message which will focus on the tumult which has been occurring throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa, with particular attention to the uprising and changes in Egypt. In preparation for this message, I encourage you to read two important chapters in the Bible, Isaiah 19 and Ezekiel 29, both of which focus on events predicted to occur regarding Egypt. The following week is Mother's Day and I will be preaching a special message in honor of the occasion dealing with what God says to mothers. The following week's message will focus on the host of other nations in the Middle East which are experiencing shifts in leadership and alignments that is critically rearranging the geopolitical checker board.
Please don't forget the fund-raising luncheon after the 10:45 a.m. service tomorrow and the special adult session with the Hillhouses in the church sanctuary during the 9:30 a.m Sunday school hour. I hope to see you at all of these special services.
Mel Brown

Happy Easter! Today marks the beginning of the four weekend Easter celebrations in the Edgewood Baptist Church. I hope you will be able to attend one of these great worship experiences called, "The Quad Cities Easter Experience" because of the thousands who attend. This year's Easter advertisements have also been referring to the Edgewood Baptist Church as "The Quad Cities Best Kept Secret," to get people's attention and recognition. All of this year's celebration will be led by Edgewood's own people. We'll be showcasing our own musicians, artists, testimonies, and, of course, preaching. Easter services are my favorite services and have been from the day I became a follower of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15, the great resurrection chapter in the Bible, begins by stating that the gospel is all about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No Resurrection - No Gospel. No Resurrection - No Salvation. "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification," says Romans 4:25. May I suggest that you take the time to read 1 Corinthians 15 this Easter and spend some time meditating upon all of the respective benefits of His resurrection itemized in these verses and then follow up by rejoicing in praise for all that God has done for us through His Son. You will be doubly blessed.
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, The Resurrection, Change You Can Believe In." You won't want to miss it.
Mel Brown

Good morning on this Saturday, April 16th. Next week is Holy Week during which we commemorate the final week in the life of Christ. It begins with Palm Sunday and ends on Easter. I recommend that you celebrate this week by reading the Scripture passages which focus upon the events in the final week of our Lord's earthly life. This schedule of events follows the traditional chronology of Christ's Passion Week. Previously I suggested the corresponding Scriptures taken from John's gospel, but this year I am taking the readings from Mark's gospel. Palm Sunday - April 17th: Mark 11:1-11 Monday - April 18th: Mark 11:12-19 Tuesday - April 19th: Mark 11:20 - 13:37 Wednesday - April 20th: Mark 14:1-11 Thursday - April 21st: Mark 14:12-72 Good Friday - April 22nd: Mark 15:1 - 15:47 (I also suggest reading or singing the words to the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" as you meditate upon Jesus' death on the cross) Saturday - April 23rd: (Read Old Testament prophecies about Christ's death fulfilled: Psalm 22:1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19; 16:10; 34:20; 41:9; 55:12-14; 69:21; Isaiah 50:6; 52:14; 53:3-7, 12; Zechariah 11:12-13; 13:7; Micah 5:2) Easter Sunday - April 24th: Mark 16:1-20 Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, Curing Heart Trouble. I hope you'll be able to attend. Mel Brown

I'm writing this blog on Friday evening because of previous commitments for Saturday. I'm getting more and more excited about this year's Easter services. This afternoon I did a trial run of the Easter sermon and painting with our two artists and was very pleased with the results. The painting was excellent, the coordination fitted very well, and the sermon was timely and power packed. You won't want to miss this Easter or you will be sorry you did when so many others tell you how tremendous it was. Anyone whom you invite and bring will not only hear the gospel of Christ clearly presented but will be blessed by the uniqueness of the presentation and whoever receives the painting for bringing the most visitors for that service will treasure having the canvas in their home. Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, Has God Got Your Attention? I certainly hope that you will not have to miss this message. Mel Brown

Good morning on this Saturday, April 2nd. Last week I wrote about the earthquake and tsunami which recently hit northeast Japan. Earthquakes were discussed by Jesus in answer to the disciples' question about the sign of His coming and the end times. They asked in Matthew 24:3, "Tell us when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?" Jesus answered, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you are not troubled: For all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there will be famines, and pestilences, and EARTHQUAKES, in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:4-8). During the last two decades, geologists report that the number of earthquakes worldwide has been very stable with an average of 17 tremors per year. But last year there were 22 major earthquakes and this year there have already been 7 within the first 10 weeks. The ultimate question is whether this surge in the number of earthquakes is the part of the fulfillment of Jesus' warning or merely a temporary phenomenon. It certainly behooves us as believers to monitor these developments. Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, God's RSVP. I hope you'll be there to hear this important message. Mel Brown