Get Ready for Easter Sunday: When Grace Opens the Door Again

What a special weekend we have in front of us. I hope you’ll make plans to join us for our Good Friday service tonight at 6pm as we slow down and reflect on the cross, and then come back Sunday as we gather to celebrate the resurrection together on Easter Sunday. There’s just something uniquely sweet about worshiping through the full story of the gospel in one weekend, from the weight of the cross to the wonder of the empty tomb.

And the beauty of Easter is this, the resurrection doesn’t just prove that Jesus is alive. It means His grace is still reaching for people like us right now.

This Sunday, we’ll be in John 21:12–19, where the risen Jesus meets Peter after one of the lowest failures of his life. Peter had denied Jesus. His confidence was gone. His shame was loud. But what Peter thought was a closed and locked door was actually the open door of restoring grace. This passage reminds us that our worst moments do not have the final word. Jesus doesn’t move on from Peter. He moves toward him. He restores him, reorients him, and calls him forward again. That’s what grace does. It doesn’t ignore failure, but it also doesn’t leave us there.

Here’s a question to carry with you this week...where in your life have you assumed the door is shut, when Jesus may actually be inviting you to walk back through grace?

Let’s come ready to worship with honest hearts, grateful hope, and a fresh awareness that the risen Christ still restores. 

What’s Happening

Celebrate Easter at Northbrook!

Easter reminds us that failure is never the final word.

Join us as we celebrate the hope of the resurrection. Our weekend begins with Good Friday, April 3 at 6:00pm, a reflective service remembering Christ’s sacrifice. Then on Easter Sunday, April 5, gather with us at:

  • 9:00am for Free Brunch, and

  • 10:30am for Worship

Our Easter message concludes the SEEN series with Peter: The Restored Disciple (John 21:15–19)—a powerful reminder that Jesus meets our failure with grace and calls us forward again.

Nursery and Preschool Worship available for infants through Pre-K.

Invite someone and celebrate Easter together.
 

Good Friday Service | April 3 at 6pm

New Sermon Series in Ecclesiastes

CLEAR: Clarity for Clouded Minds starting April 12

We begin this new five-week series through the book of Ecclesiastes after Easter, exploring how the gospel speaks into seasons of confusion, burnout, loneliness, and restlessness. Discover the clarity and hope only God can give.

Invite someone who may be feeling the weight of life—confusion, burnout, loneliness, or restlessness. Easter and this new series are a great opportunity to open the door for meaningful conversations and introduce friends, neighbors, coworkers, or family members to the hope found in Christ.

Reach ONE Challenge

Live Sent. Engage the Community. Extend Hope.

Pray for one person God has placed in your life who needs Jesus. Look for simple, intentional ways to engage them this week—you never know how God might use one step of faith for eternal impact.

You don’t have to do everything. Just take one step.

Invite. Pray. Start a conversation.

You can grab a Reach ONE sticker or magnet as a reminder to step into this challenge of reaching our community with the gospel.

 

Reach ONE ›

True North is coming up! 

April 12, 19 & 26

True North is a three-week membership orientation designed for anyone interested in learning more about Northbrook—who we are, what we believe, and how you can be a part of the life, mission, and ministry together with us. It’s the perfect way to get a snapshot of life at Northbrook and take your next step in connecting to our church and finding a place to belong.

True North includes two sessions the first two weeks and the third week is True North Connect, an opportunity to try out one of our Life Groups.

Upcoming Sessions:

  • April 12 & 19 | Sessions 1 & 2 | 9:00-10:15 AM | Conference Room (2nd Floor)

  • April 26 | True North Connect – Experience one of our Life Groups!

Sign Up for True North ›

Adult Luncheon

April 7 at 10:30am

Join us for a great time of food and fellowship as special guest Ben Harrison shares on Celebrating the History of the Strawberry Festival. We’d love to see you there!

Midweek at Northbrook

Wednesdays at 6:30pm

Midweek returns April 8 with a Midweek Summit for adults on the doctrine of God, along with regular activities for kids and students. Dinner begins at 5:00pm. We’d love to see you there.

Volunteer for Vacation Bible School [KingdomQuest]

June 14-17

VBS is just around the corner and we need your help! If you are interested in being on the Decoration team or a Rotation leader (crafts, missions, recreation) please email katie@northbrookbc.com. If you're not sure where to serve but want to be a part, click on the button below.

Sign Up to Volunteer ›


Vacation Bible School: KingdomQuest

June 14-17  |  Registration open Monday (April 6)

Join us for Kingdom Quest: An Epic Journey to Discover God’s Kingdom for 4-year-olds through 4th grade, nightly from 6-8pm. Kids will enjoy four fun-filled nights of stories, games, worship, and discovery as they learn to follow Jesus, the Light of the world. A free dinner will be served nightly at 5:30pm. All abilities welcome! 

Register for VBS ›

Moving Forward Together

We’re grateful for the continued momentum of the Forward Initiative—renovations at the Caring Center are underway! Thank you for your faithful giving. As we move ahead, consider automating your giving, keep praying, and let’s continue pressing forward—by faith, on mission, together. Follow along for more updates at northbrookbc.com/forward

Follow Forward Updates ›

Kingdom Investor Focus

How We Remain Faithful in the Everyday

At Northbrook, most of discipleship happens in the ordinary moments of life. Faithfulness is not found in the spotlight but in the steady, unseen choices to follow Jesus day by day. Kingdom Investors honor God in the small things over time.

  • Where is God calling you to quiet, consistent faithfulness right now?

On The Horizon

Ministry events and opportunities coming up over the next couple of months. Save these dates:

  • Good Friday Service | TONIGHT at 6pm

  • Easter at Northbrook | April 5

  • True North Membership Orientation | April 12, 19 & 26  Register ›

  • Elder Vote | May 3

  • Family (Baby) Dedication | May 10

  • Graduate Recognition & Commissioning Luncheon | May 17

  • Pine Cove City | May 25-29  Sign Up ›

  • VBS26: Kingdom Quest  | June 14-17  Learn More ›

  • Students Summer Camp at the Beach | June 19-22  Sign Up ›

Next Steps