Pastor’s Pen: [ April 15 - 16 ] CHURCHNET ANNUAL GATHERING FBC Lee’s Summit
[ April 24 ] MISSION JC 8:30am South Lawn of Capitol
[ April 27 ] QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING 5:45pm Fellowship Hall
@fbcjc @fbcjcmo FBCJC FBCJC
Through the years, I have made it a practice to give some of my personal time to an area outside the sphere of church. Full disclosure here: I do this partly to make a difference in the world, but partly so that I won't go stale, living my whole life in a church bubble. Lately, I've been volunteering with Bread for the World (BFW), a nonpartisan Christian organization committed to ending hunger in our lifetime. While food pantries and benevolence ministries are wonderful, they deal with symptoms. BFW focuses on causes, trying to impact policy and legislation. I recently took part in a "fly-in" to Washington, D.C., a cooperative effort with BFW and approximately 50 other faith organizations. Our expenses for this event were paid for by two grants, one from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the other from the Henry Wallace Foundation. We had meaningful conversations with our congressional delegations and/or staff members around the topic of poverty and justice. We reminded these decision makers that compassionate policies are not antithetical to fiscally responsible ones, and that a robust humanitarian approach that focuses on health and development is in the best interests of our U.S. security. That D.C. trip was on my mind as I thought about our recent Imagine If conversation which reported our congregation's audacious, God-sized dreams. One of those dreams was a radical commitment to our community's transformation. It states, "Spiritual, emotional, mental and physical needs are met through innovative efforts and active partnering with churches and community organizations." Yes! What a wise and healthy church, one which does not believe in the false dichotomy of secular-sacred. Our roots go down deep into the Hebrew prophets and our Messiah, Jesus, who believed that "justice" and "righteousness" are synonyms, that God cares about the total person. And so do we. This month's Mission JC (April 24) is yet another opportunity for us to love our city. More congregations join us each year as we care for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs around us. On this Sunday, we suspend our regular worship and Bible teaching schedule. Our service is our worship. I hope you will sign up today and join us on the Jesus Way. Grace,
Praise & WORSHIP
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ADULT CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA - All are welcome to be a
Upcoming Sermons APR
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CAN THESE FBC BONES LIVE? Ezekiel 37:1-14
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10 APR
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EVERYONE! Joel 2:23-29, 32
THE METRICS OF ETERNITY Ephesians 3:14-21
part of our worship leadership team: singers, instrumentalists and techs are needed! Orchestra……….Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:25pm; adults and youth Adult Choir…...Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm; adults
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS…...Wednesdays, 4:15 - 5:00pm; age 4 through 6th grade
SOUND TECHS AND PROJECTION TECHS…...if interested, see Rod.
YOUTH PRAISE TEAM AND YOUTH CHOIR - Grades 7-12 Youth Praise Team ……. Sundays, 5:15 - 6:00pm Youth Choir …….. Sundays, 6:00 - 6:45pm
Senior ADULTS Friendship Singers APR
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APR
FBC LEE’S SUMMIT
$5 per person, sign up in the Church Office. 8:30am Lower lot 4:00pm Return to lower lot
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NO FRIENDSHIP SINGERS
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HEISINGER BLUFFS
18 APR
25
1002 West Main, lower doors 10:00am
ST. JOSEPH’S BLUFFS 1306 West Main 10:00am
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Friendship Club
Roger Martin of the Stained Glass Theatre will be our guest. 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone 60 and over is invited. Bring a covered dish and a friend. Need a ride? Call the Church Office at 573.634.3603.
Youth MINISTRY
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SOULED OUT: Wednesdays, 6 - 7:30pm in the Refuge youth room. Join us on Wednesdays in April as we look at the Comparison Trap. Comparison is being caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up to others. There’s a lot of pressure to compare ourselves to others but it is a lose-lose situation. Join us for games, worship and small groups.
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YOUTH PRAISE TEAM YOUTH CHOIR LEAD IN WORSHIP
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YOUTH PROGRAM AT ADAMS STREET
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Deposit of $50 is due April 1. If you miss the deadline, you will need to check with Mel to see if there is still space available.
10:45am service 3:30pm - Load 4:00pm - Sing 5:15 - 6:15pm - Arris Pizza (downtown)
The second payment of $75 is due by May 15. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Snapchat at @refugejc!
REFUGE GAME NIGHT 6:00 - 7:30pm
Children’s MINISTRY
Website:
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BECOMING LIKE CHRIST Way to go Becoming Like Christ participants! During February and March this group learned about what it means to be a Christ-follower and about our faith traditions of baptism and communion. We are thankful for our special guests - Pastor Doyle Sager, Brooklyn McCoy, and Gary Hemphill, who provided leadership at some of our sessions.
YOUTH MISSION TRIP to DETROIT July 10 - 17
JUN
20-24
Refugejc.com
PARENT’S NIGHT OUT 6:00 - 9:00pm in the Gym Children 2 years old - 6th grade are invited RSVP Hannah by April 17 Movie/Theme: Charlotte’s Web
VACATION BIBLE CAMP SPORTS CRUSADERS BASKETBALL CAMP Registration will open in early May
FIRST KIDS AND FIRST FRIENDS On March 9, our First Kids group visited Oak Tree Villas Assisted Living and did crafts with the residents. These respectful, loving, fun children brought delight and joy to the residents. Way to go First Kids! On March 16, Patrick from Refugee and Immigration Services in Columbia, MO came and talked with our First Kids and First Friends. We did an activity exploring what it’s like to be a refugee and how we can help refugees.
First Friends and First Kids welcomed Patrick from Refugee and Immigration Services.
Congregational LIFE
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God-Sized Dreams Over a period of months, retreats, prayer and sharing sessions, the First Baptist Church congregation and leadership have listened to our own voices and those in the community to discern how God is leading this congregation into the future. (Download a copy) Here is what we believe are Five God-Sized Dreams for First Baptist Church Jefferson City:
GOD-CENTERED WORSHIP First Baptist Church honors God with extravagant love, seeking God’s mysterious and loving presence individually and together. Focal Scripture: John 4:23-24 (MSG) - “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: for those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself - Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” We love God.
LIFE-CHANGING FAITH First Baptist Church leads every person to follow the Way of Christ, discover their giftedness, and experience continual life transformation. All generations are rooted in a Biblical, hope-filled faith and experience the joy and significance of service. Focal Scripture: Romans 12:1-2a (MSG) - “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” We follow Christ.
AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS First Baptist Church is an imperfect family bound together by love and grace. We practice radical hospitality, affirm everyone’s journey and celebrate the living Christ working among us. Focal Scripture: John 13:34-35 (MSG) - “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other.”
We love each other.
COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION First Baptist Church has a profound impact on the health and well-being of our community. Spiritual, emotional, mental and physical needs are met through innovative efforts and active partnering with churches and community organizations. Focal Scripture: Micah 6:8 (MSG) - “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously - take God seriously.” We help people.
GLOBAL PARTNERS First Baptist Church is globally-aware and globally-engaged, using its unique giftedness and resources to partner with the international Christian family, sharing Christ in every region of the world. Focal Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 (MSG) - “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
We share Christ.
Congregational LIFE Welcome New Members Tracee Battee
Cooper Feeler
PAGE 5 ANNUAL GATHERING 15-16 OF CHURCHNET APR
Ruby Overman
FBC Lee’s Summit, 2 NE Douglas Register at www.churchnet.org
SPEAKERS will be: Sam Tolbert, National Baptist Convention of America Otto Echeverria, Guatemala Baptist Convention Carol Bercian, Tabitha Ministry APR
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QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING
Donna Potts, Churchnet
5:45pm, Fellowship Hall
Jim Hill, Churchnet
Mobile and Online Giving at FBC Contributions can be given quickly and easily by scanning our QR code or by accessing your account through the church life app. The church life app also allows you to access the church directory and calendar. If you have any questions, contact the Church Office.
In Sympathy Family and friends of Charles Stigers Alice Anne Burks and family in the death of her father Family and friends of Leroy Eggemeyer Barbara Wewerka and family in the death of her sister Carolyn Vargas and family in the death of her brother-in-law Dulce Stevens and family in the death of her uncle Charles Jobe and family in the death of his brother-in-law David Jobe and family in the death of his brother-in-law Scott Kaysen and family in the death of his mother
Bible Teaching Attendance February 28 March 6 March 13 March 20
498 463 460 415
RESERVED PARKING Each Sunday during April, Saundra Wiser will once again be able to park in the spot normally reserved for Doyle. The amount she paid will go to the fund for the youth summer mission trip. Thank you, Saundra, for supporting our youth.
Worship Attendance February 28 March 6 March 13 March 20
597 515 590 661
Offering February 28 March 6 March 13 March 20
$16,271.60 $53,526.91 $16,945.16 $44,135.34
Missions
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2016 Mission JC is a morning of worship through service. We will cancel our worship services and Bible study at the church building and instead, worship through service throughout our community. Mission JC has grown to include eight local congregations and over 50 different projects. We estimate over 600 volunteers this year!
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THANK YOU for giving generously to support the Red Cross. If you’d like to help, contact the Church Office to see what items are still needed.
Register online at www.missionjc.org, on Sundays in the Narthex, or Wednesday nights at the fellowship dinner. There are projects for all ages and all abilities. If you don’t have a t-shirt you can pick one up in the Church Office Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. If you are unable to participate on Sunday, feel free to serve on Saturday morning with Serve Jeff City (www.servejeffcity.org). APR
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MISSION JC 8:30am - Capitol, South Lawn 9:00am - Projects throughout the city 5:00pm - Worship at First Presbyterian Church followed by a meal at 5:45pm.
APRIL IS MISSION AMERICA OFFERING MONTH Support the work of sharing the love of Christ throughout the United States and North America through your financial gifts. You may give online, through the church life app or by check or cash. During April, blue envelopes will be available in the pews.
Coming SOON MAY
1
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY WORSHIP AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR PROGRAM
MAY
25-31
PERSONAL ENRICHMENT WEEK NO AFTERNOON OR EVENING ACTIVITIES
8:15 and 10:45am, Sanctuary MAY JUN MAY
2-9 MAY
15
FRIENDSHIP SINGERS NEW ORLEANS MISSION TRIP HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE RECOGNITION 10:45am, Sanctuary
30 - 4 HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR TRIP