The Burned Cross

This cross, built by Jim Kirkbride, originally hung in our previous church facility at 168 Main Street. When our new facility was completed in December 1997, we moved the cross here during our first service. It hung in the entrance, just above the stairway.

Fire, caused by a faulty woodstove pipe in the attic, destroyed our new facility on Novenber 19, 1998. Dean Reynolds discovered this cross, as it is, in the rubble remaining in the basement after the fire. The fire destroyed everything else around it.

We, the members of Morning Star Community Church, feel that this cross as it is now, better represents our salvation than an ornate, polished cross.

The Bible tells us "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18). God loved us so much, however, that He allowed that wrath to fall on His Son, Jesus Christ, while He hung on the cross. Jesus Christ experienced the fiery wrath of God against sin in our place. I Peter 3:18 reveals, "Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God."

Jesus survived the fiery wrath of God by His resurrection, just as this cross miraculously survived the church fire. All who place their faith in Him receive complete forgiveness. John 3:16 is very clear: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

We pray that this cross will remind you of the wrath Jesus suffered in your place so that you could have eternal life. We pray that you will place your faith in Jesus Christ alone as the One who died for you and rose for you that you might have eternal life. Please consider well what this burned cross represents.

Would you like to receive Christ as your Saviour? Here's how:

1. Realize that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

2. Realize the penalty for your sin is death. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death..."

3. Realize that Christ paid the penalty for you. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

4. Make a decision to trust Christ alone for your forgiveness. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."