April is here, and with it comes one of the most sacred and joy-filled times in our faith journey Holy Week and Easter.
We will gather on Maundy Thursday, April 17, at 7:00 p m to remember the Last Supper, sharing communion and reflecting on Christ’s command to love and serve one another
Then, on Easter Sunday, April 20, we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus God’s ultimate declaration that love is stronger than death and hope is never lost. Love Leads to Life will be our theme and declaration! Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us for this powerful morning of worship and celebration!
A quick update regarding Mission JC, our beloved citywide morning of service: this year, it will not be held in April as usual Instead, mark your calendars for Sunday, October 19, 2025 While it may feel different to serve in the fall, the heart behind it remains the same being the hands and feet of Christ in our community as we worship through service to our neighbors
I’m so grateful to journey through this holy season with each of you. May this month remind us that we are a resurrection people, called to live with courage, compassion, and joy as we live full to the brim out of the abundance of God!
For the glory of God and the good of the world,
Pastor Melissa
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
Poverty Simulation
8:45 - 10:15 am, Fellowship Hall
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
Palm Sunday Procession for children (see page 6)
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm, Sanctuary
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
Easter Sunday 9:00 am
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
Children’s Sunday 9:00 am
Holy Week and Easter Sunday
LENTEN MEMORY PASSAGE
Ephesians 3:17-19 CEB
I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God
LENTEN SEASON SCHEDULE
April 6 – Fifth Sunday in Lent | 9:00 am
Love Leads to Worship
April 13 – Palm Sunday | 9:00 am
Love Leads to Justice
April 17 – Maundy Thursday | 7:00 pm
Love Leads to Transformation
GROW FAITHFULLY
WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES
SCHEDULE
5:20 - 6:00 pm | Orchestra Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
5:45 - 7:00 pm | First Kids and First Friends
5:45 - 7:00 pm | Youth Grades 6 -8 (Refuge Room)
5:45 - 7:00 pm | Adult Book Study (Room 326)
5:45 - 7:30 pm | Pickleball (FBC Gym)
6:00 - 7:00 pm | Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:15 - 8:00 pm | Praise Team Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Study: The Gospel on the Ground by Kristie McClelland
Who: Adults of all ages
Dates: Wednesdays
Time: 5:45 - 7 pm
Room 326 with Sondra Allen, Facilitator
Study: “The Grace of God” by Andy Stanley
Who: College Young Adults (ages 18-25)
Dates: April 9 and 30
Time: 8:15 - 9:30 p m
Melissa Hatfield’s Home Bible Study Topics vary
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
No Wednesday activities due to Holy Week.
Don and Carmen Munford
Sunday, April 27, is Children’s Sunday! The children will collect a “noisy offering” in the worship service to benefit our Keys to Hope Housing Initiative! Bring your change with you to dump into their metal buckets during our offering time! Let’s makes some noise!
Women's Monday Night Bible Study will begin September 16 We'll be doing "Luke in the Land" by K 6:30-8 pm in room 101
Family and friends of Graham Williams
Family and friends of Eva Wood
Family and friends of Brandi McGeorge
Stan Farmer Church Administrator stan@fbcjc org
Preston Feeler Interim Praise Team Leader
Rev. Melissa Hatfield Lead Pastor melissa@fbcjc.org
Mary Huhn Administrative Assistant mary@fbcjc.org
RESERVED PARKING PRAYER REQUESTS
Matt and Karen Werdehausen purchased the Lead Pastor’s parking spot for Sundays this month. Thanks for your generous donation to the Youth Mission Trip.
If you have prayer requests, contact the office or email prayerteam@fbcjc.org.
Mark and Kailey Leesman Interim Youth Ministers mark@fbcjc org
Rev. Jeanie McGowan Associate Pastor of Engagement jeanie@fbcjc org
Senior Adult & Pastoral Care Minister deborah@fbcjc.org
Robin Stull Maintenance Supervisor robin@fbcjc org
KEYS TO HOPE: UNLOCKING HOUSING TOGETHER
TH has invited First Baptist Church to join in a celebration of its project at 1112 East McCarty Street at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8th TH is in the midst of a two-phase construction at the site After months of volunteers working on new construction behind a dilapidated structure fronting East McCarty Street, the first phase is nearly complete The second phase begins with demolishing the old structure to make room for a new apartment house
But the invitation goes beyond a few minutes at a ribbon-cutting ceremony A team from FBC JC will be volunteering from 8:00 a m to noon on Friday mornings beginning April 11 to help build the new apartment house Over a dozen congregation members have already signed up for the team Construction skills are always appreciated, but are not required Anyone interested can join the Transformational Housing Work Group in the church app or email Ron Medin at ronmedin@gmail com or Dale Feeler at d feeler66@gmail com
But wait, there’s more The residents moving into the new apartment buildings in mid-2026 will need coaches to walk alongside them as they grow as reliable renters for more conventional landlords Anyone interested in volunteering should sign up now to get the training well in advance of the day when the new residents move in Those interested may contact Debbie Bledsoe at dbledsoe242@gmail com or Marlene Medin at medin marlene@gmail com
IRTH - GRADE 5
WEDNESDAYS FOR KIDS | 5:45 - 7:00 pm
First Friends is for preschool children and meets in the 3rd-floor preschool room First Kids is for children in kindergarten through 5th grade They meet in Room 201 NO First Kids or First Friends on April 16 due to Holy Week.
SUNDAYS FOR KIDS
Children grades K-5 gather in Room 211 at 10:15 am for games and snacks before heading to their classes K-2 meets in Room 201 Grades 3-5 meet in Room 204 Bible Teaching groups meet from 10:15 -11:15 am each Sunday
Extended Care during worship for children ages birth to kindergarten is available on Sundays from 8:30 am until Sunday school ends at 11:15 am
April 14: Day Trip to Veterans Home in Mt Vernon and The Baptist Home in Ozark (must be registered) Cost: $20
April 21: Primrose Concert at 10 a m
April 28: Lenoir Woods Concert (Columbia) at 3 p m
HOMEBOUND BIRTHDAYS
Pam Smith (4/6)
Ray Bly (4/14)
Norma Calvert (4/26)
SEND A CARD!
Our Homebound members love to receive cards! If you’d like to send a birthday card, contact Mary at mary@fbcjc org or 573 634 3603 for addresses
The important ministry of the church continues as we fulfill our vision to be Christ's love and hope in our community and around the world
Our faithful giving is a spiritual discipline we practice as we trust God's abundant provision. We are grateful to partner with you and with God in Kingdom work.
