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AP R I L
FI R ST BA PTI ST CHURCH / JEF F ERSON CITY, MO
INTERIM THOUGHTS John Claypool once observed that the Bible is written in the language of people and events. The Bible speaks of faith in a wide variety of ways - narrative, poetry, song, parables, correspondence, prophecy, wisdom sayings, pithy stories, comedy, tragedy, & fairy tale (myth), proclamation/ preaching - lions & tigers and bears, oh my! Most of us have been raised to think there is only one faith, only one way of believing, only one way of living the faith life. I suppose in some pedantic way, that may be true, but when it comes to living the faith, to accepting
the challenge of making faith 3-dimensional in our lives, it’s also true faith is like a cloud that hangs suspended above us floating at the whimsy of an unseen wind. A while back, I was sitting outdoors reading a book when I decided to stretch my neck and rest my thoughts by looking up at the sky. I looked up at the clouds scattered across the sky and noticed they weren’t all in motion to the same degree as others around them. No one cloud was like any of the others around it. There were similarities to be sure but every cloud was distinctly its own being separate and apart from any of the others.
UPCOMING April 3 Conversations for Our Future, 9:30 am Fellowship Hall/ Ordination Service for Melissa Hatfield, 6 pm April 14 Maundy Thursday Lord’s Supper Service, 7 pm April 17 Easter Services, 8:15 & 10:45 am April 24 Mission JC (No morning services)
One was headed in one direction and just below it, another skirted underneath headed in a slightly different direction. It looked for a moment there would be a collision but what would it matter? They were clouds, not cars!
is a part of your thinking and a part of your being. God is with you in the doing of faith, whether you’re succeeding in the moment or failing. All is gift, the air I breathe,
Around the fringes of each cloud, I could see how they were constantly disappearing and reappearing. I suppose if I could have seen the entire cloud clearly, I would have noticed the entirety of the cloud was simultaneously melting and morphing. Faith, like the clouds carried aloft above us, is dynamic and alive. It’s wispy and ever-changing. Faith is growing and failing all in the same moment. You can be headed in different directions at times while also recognizing that you are being carried aloft by a power beyond yourself. No matter what you use as a metaphor to say the Coming in January. unsayable, know that God is in it all with you. God
Conversations
FOR OUR FUTURE April 3 & May 1
9:30am / Fellowship Hall Each Sunday is a unique conversation so plan to attend all.
GIVING OPTIONS
the wind through the trees, the breath of God breathes in them and in me. I breathe the air that Jesus breathed. I feel the wind that Mary felt. Every breath a thanks, every breeze a praise. Mark your calendar for our next Conversations For Our Future: Sundays, April 3 and May 1
Keith Herron Interim Pastor
Join us for o w rship each Sunday ! In-Person and Livestreaming 8:15 & 10:45am facebook.com/fbcjc yo u t u b e . c o m / f b c j c You may continue to view our services online at fbcjc.org; facebook.com/fbcjc; and youtube. com/fbcjc. You may also contact the church office to receive a DVD of the service each week. MARCH PREACHING SCHEDULE April 3 - Keith Herron April 10 - Melissa Hatfield April 17 - Keith Herron
fbcjc.org/give 301 E. Capitol Avenue Jefferson City, MO 65101
churchlife app
April 24 - Mission JC (No morning services)
Holy Week AT F B C J C
Sunday, April 10 / Palm Sunday Service 8:15a and 10:45a In-Person and Live-Streamed 9:30a Bible Teaching Hour Thursday, April 14 / Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm, Sanctuary. Lord’s Supper observed. Sunday, April 17 / Easter Sunday 8:15a and 10:45a In-Person and Live-Streamed 9:30a Bible Teaching Hour
Ordination
S E R V I C E F O R R E V. M E L I S S A H AT F I E L D
Sunday, April 3 / 6:00 pm At the February 13 Quarterly Business Meeting, the church voted unanimously to ordain Rev. Melissa Hatfield to the work of the Gospel Ministry. Her ordination service is planned for Sunday, April 3, at 6 pm in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited to attend this celebration with Melissa, her family, special guests, and our congregation.
MISSION JC - APRIL 24, 2022 After a two-year break, Mission JC is returning! Make plans now to take part in this year’s event, on Sunday, April 24. As in years past, we’ll begin with a time of worship and instruction at Special Olympics Missouri off of Christy Lane at 8:30 a.m., with projects starting at 9:00 a.m. Churches throughout Jefferson City are getting involved and we plan on offering a variety of work projects that morning – from kits and cookies, to cleaning and repair, both indoor and outdoor. And as we continue to plan, be assured we will continue to track the COVID levels of transmission in Cole County and follow recommended guidelines according to that level. Registration will open on Friday, April 1 at missionjc.org. We’ll be sending out more information over the next few weeks. For now, share the word and encourage your friends to be involved. If you have any questions contact the First Baptist Church office at 573.634.3603 or mary@fbcjc.org. We look forward to working alongside you during this year’s Mission JC: In the City, For the City! Janet Wear-Enloe and Holly Schroer, 2022 Mission JC Co-Coordinators
MISSION PARTNER HIGHLIGHT // PREGNANCY HELP CENTER First Baptist Church has long supported the Pregnancy Help Center (PHC), an outreach providing a multitude of services – all free of charge and confidential. PHC offers pregnancy testing, ultrasound scanning, risks associated with abortion, a wide range of classes, and counseling with licensed professionals for both men and women. Since some potential clients lack transportation, a mobile unit brings pregnancy testing and ultrasound to surrounding communities. A newer program now available is Sexual Risk Avoidance which educates middle school students about sexual health. This five-day program is currently being offered in eleven schools, and has served 665 students last year. Another outreach program now available is testing for sexually transmitted infections. Director Leslie Kerns says clients earn ”baby bucks” with each visit to the PHC. These “bucks” can then be redeemed for donated items such as diapers, wipes, formula, clothes, toys and books that are available in the PHC Baby Boutique. Kerns says baby detergent is in high demand and supplies are quickly claimed. A major fundraiser for the PHC is the Bubbles and Bounces 5K, which will be held at Memorial Park on April 30 at 8:30 am. This family activity will feature a live band, free breakfast, bouncing activities and bubble fun. The cost is $30 (age 16 and above); $15 (ages 10-15); Children 9 and under are free. How can you help support this important mission? • Participate in the upcoming 5K walk/run. You may pre-register at www.friendsofphc.org or call (573)644-6635. • Bring baby detergent or other items for the Baby Boutique and place them in one of the Mission Tubs located in the church or to the church office (M-Th, 8am-5pm). • Donate through a future FBC “Baby Bottle campaign”
4 / MISSIONS
A P R I L M I DW E E K WEDNESDAYS
MS (Grades 6-8) // 5:45-7 pm HS (Grades 9-12) // 7:30-9 pm Refuge Youth Room (2nd Floor) No MIDWEEK April 13 due to Holy Week.
FOR YOUTH IN GRADES 6 - 12 Get text updates: RefugeJC to 573.606.4123
FIND US ONLINE @refugejc
refugejc.com
BASECAMP // Sundays - 9:30-10:30a Donuts and Large Group Conversations
YO U T H M I S S I O N T R I P
No Basecamp April 3 due to Congregational Converstaion or April 24 due to Mission JC.
Registration is now open for our summer youth mission trip to Arlington, Texas! Dates: July 10 - 17, 2022 Cost: $325 Youth grades 6 - 12.
S AV E T H E DAT E S
Register with a $100 non-refundable deposit on refugejc.com by May 1. Registration closes on this date.
April 24 // Mission JC
Second payment of $100 due by May 31. Third payment of $125 due by June 30.
May 30 - June 5 // Senior Trip
May 18 // End of School Picnic May 22 // Graduate Sunday July 10-17 // Youth Mission Trip
There are partial scholarships available. Contact Melissa Hatfield for more information.
YO U T H /
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VACATION BIBLE CAMP June 27- July 1 How can you help? 1.
Start praying for the children who will attend VBC. This is a wonderful experience in which they will learn about our amazing God. Begin praying NOW for open hearts. 2. Invite children to participate! VBC is for children age 3 5th grade. Registration will open soon! 3. Volunteer! VBC takes a team. Email Cara at cara@fbcjc. org to find out how YOU can play a part in this important week!
MIDWEEK // Join us on Wednesday nights as we have a blast discovering more about our BIG God and how He is at work in our world. We have a great group, and there’s still room for more! Ends May 11 for the summer. 5:00-5:45 pm - Family Meal in the Fellowship Hall // 5:45-7:00 pm - Porgramming for all ages.
W E D N E S DAY A D U LT B I B L E S T U DY We d n e s d a y s , A p r i l 2 0 - M a y 1 1 A Study on Prayer: Led by Sondra Allen / 5:45-7:00 pm / Room 326 Using the book Prayer, Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Tim Keller, we will continue our pre-Lent exploration our own prayer lives. Topics will be as follows: Desiring Prayer/Learning Prayer/Doing Prayer/ Understanding Prayer/Deepening Prayer. Kay Brejcha, FBC Prayer Ministry Team Leader, will join us at the beginning of each session to share prayer requests and lead us in a prayer time.
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS UPDATE Your Administrative Committee has been reviewing and updating FBC’s Constitution and Bylaws over the past few months. When various committees began working to call our next Lead Pastor, it became clear that both documents were outdated and needed to be refreshed. You may recall there were two changes made to these documents in late 2020 to address issues caused by the Pandemic. However, that was the only time any changes have been made since 2008. The Committee’s review identified sections in both documents that had not been updated as FBC adopted new practices, most of them through actions approved in business meetings. In addition, the language used in the documents is dated and needs to be updated to fit current writing and communication standards. A draft of the proposed updates to the Constitution and the proposed changes to the Bylaws are posted online at fbcjc.org/cbupdates or printed copies are available at the Church office. In addition, there is a summary of changes available. The Administrative Committee intends to move for the adoption of these changes at the May 1st Business Meeting. If you have any questions prior to the meeting please contact Gary Hemphill, Administrative Committee Chair, or the church office.
MEN’S CHURCH SUMMER SOFTBALL LEAGUE
ADULT MUSIC REHEARSALS IN APRIL
Games are Monday nights at Binder for 10 weeks, starting mid-May. Anyone who’s interested in playing can contact Ryan Kormann by April 30th, at 573-6947225.
New Rehearsal Schedule April 6, 20 & 27 • Orchestra 5:30 pm in Choir Room • Choir 6:00 pm in Choir Room • Praise Team 7:00 pm in Sanctuary
CHURCH RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE FBC is proud to host another blood drive for the American Red Cross. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, May 19. There will be slots from 1 - 5:30 pm. More information coming soon on how to sign up. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood. org and enter: FBCJeffCity to schedule an appointment.
S Y M PAT H Y
P R AY E R REQUESTS
Fa m i l y a n d f r i e n d s o f A n g e l a M e re d i t h
If you have prayer re q u e s t s , c o n t a c t the office or email p r a y e r t e a m @ f b c j c . o rg
Sundays in April, T h e re s a M c C l e l l a n will park in the spot R E S E R V E D re s e r v e d fo r t h e Le a d PA R K I N G P a s t o r. P ro c e e d s t o youth mission trip. T H A N K YO U !
FRIENDSHIP
FRIENDSHIP
HOMEBOUND
Monday, April 25 11:30am - 1:00 pm
Mondays in April 10:00 am Choir Room
Pam Smith (4/6) 828 Jefferson Street Fulton, MO 65251
Adult choir for adults 60+
Joyce Rodden (4/19) 504 Mesa Avenue Jefferson City, MO 65101
CLUB
SINGERS
Program: Jefferson City’s “Piano Man” Mike Michaelson Meal: presented by Chef Michael & his kitchen staff
Welcome OUR NEWEST
MEMBER
Steve DeVries
THE NUMBERS Bible Teaching Attendance
In-Person Worship
Budget Offering
March 6
189
214
$
37,612.52
March 13
192
236 $
28,965.00
March 20
228
257 $
20,051.87
March 27
NA
NA
NA**
BIRTHDAYS
Seniors
JOIN THE FOOD SERVICE MINISTRY TEAM // Do you want to be part of a hard-working, funloving ministry that serves the Lord? (John 21:17) Through the ministry of feeding others, you can share your gifts and talents. We have part-time immediate personnel openings for salad prep, line servers, and cleanup team. No previous experience necessary just a willingness to serve. For more information about available positions along with job duties and hours, contact the church office or Chef Michael Ferguson.
Budget needs to date . . . . . . $283,844.54 Budget given to date . . . . . . . $216,816.01 Budget expenses to date* . . . $200,800.37 *not all invoices have been received **info not available at time of publication
301 E. Capitol Ave. / Jefferson City, MO 65101 / fbcjc.org / 573.634.3603 / info@fbcjc.org