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MARCH
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH J E F F E R S O N C I T Y, M O
As we begin March, we are only a couple weeks into Lent. Lent is a 40-day season (not including Sundays) when we are invited to be honest about who we are and who God is. N.T. Wright wrote, “Lent is a time for discipline, for confession, for honesty, not because God is mean or fault-finding or finger-pointing but because he wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out, ready for all the good things he now has in store.”
Maybe more hikes, snowball fights, or star-gazing nights.
Often, we talk about giving something up for Lent, but Lent can also be about adding something. Both are done with the intent of drawing us closer to God, relying on God and God alone. We’ve lost so much this past year. Maybe this year the invitation is to add things that invite us to dwell more with God and participate with God in God’s dream for us and our world rather than losing yet another thing.
Maybe more Love. Yes, definitely more Love.
Maybe more calls, texts, or “thinkingof-you” notes.
Maybe more meals around the table or picnics in the park. Maybe more random acts of kindness or “just because” gifts. Maybe more silence than noise, more being than doing.
We’ve lost a lot, friends. Maybe God is inviting us to add more of what really matters in the spaces already left open by loss this year. Perhaps this will be one of the ways God renovates our hearts this season.
With Christ’s hope and love,
FBC Pastors
UPCOMING
March 14 - Noon Special Called Business Meeting
April 1 Maundy Thursday @ 7pm
April 4 Easter Services
“Add more of what really matters in the spaces left open by loss.”
FIXER UPPER R E N O V A T I O N
O F
T H E
H E A R T
In-Person Sundays @ 8:15 & 10:45am // online @ 8:15am
Watch online services on
facebook.com/fbcjc OR yo u t u b e . c o m / f b c j c O R a t f b c j c . o rg
You can once again watch our services on Blue Tiger Multi Media (formerly JCTV) each Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm on CenturyLink channel 99 or Mediacom channels 81 and HD 80.16. 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.
SPECIAL CALLED BUSINESS MEETING
U P C O M I N G DAT E S – Thursday April 1, 7pm - Maundy Thursday Service Join us in person or online for our service and Lord’s Supper observance. April 4 - Easter Sunday Services
GIVING O P TI O N S 301 E. Capitol Avenue Jefferson City, MO 65101
churchlife app
2 - PRAISE & WORSHIP
fbcjc.org/give
Sunday, March 14, 12 pm, Sanctuary or Zoom The purpose of this meeting is to decide as a congregation whether to apply for and accept forgiveness of the Payroll Protection Program loan received under the CARES Act or to repay the loan. You will soon receive more information in the mail, if you have not already. This information can also be found at fbcjc. org/vote. Visit fbcjc.org/zoom for instructions on how to participate virtually. Our COVID protocols will be observed for the in-person meeting.
MISSIONS MARCH ON! Any other year, our FBC family would be gearing up in March for Mission JC. Not surprisingly, Mission JC will not occur in 2021. It is also no surprise that FBC has continued to focus on local, national, and international missions. Here are some of the highlights: A total of $19,400 was allocated for local missions. These include our continued support for South School, Mission JC, Project Homeless Connect; Samaritan Center; River City Habitat for Humanity; Pregnancy Help Center; Salvation Army. Although all planned mission trips were canceled, FBC provided financial support totaling $16,615. to Diamond Willows (South Dakota); Oasis for Orchards (Kenya); Macedonia Project, House of Mercy and Disciples Church (all in Ukraine); Global Orphan Project (Dominican Republic). Education partners receiving support include The Baptist Home; Word & Way; and Windermere.
extension of our church’s mission to serve generously. Each week, they prepare meals or treats to deliver to various organizations and individuals in our community. They’ve delivered muffins and baked goods to essential workers and sack lunches to the guests at the Salvation Army Shelter. We are grateful for Chef Michael Ferguson and Tonny Hammond for their ministry and commitment to be Christ’s love and hope to our neighbors. We also want to recognize and give thanks for Gregory Blackwell, a member of our Food Service Team the past two years who passed away unexpectedly February 6 at his home. Gregory was a valued member of our team. Continue to pray for the Blackwell family. Thank you for your generous support of missions, which truly “march on” in spite of the challenges of 2020!
The Mission Leadership Team addressed other needs and approved one-time disbursements of $5,000 to JC Transformational Housing; $1,510 for Hovinghs Transition; $25,000 as well as work crews for building to Habitat Blitz Build for tornado victims; $1,500 to Logan Valley for facility and program development; FBC Community Thanksgiving Dinner $1,427 to offset prior year shortfall; $500 to Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church after it was vandalized; and $250 to Baptist World Alliance Additionally, THANK YOU to our FBC Food Service Team for blessing our community during this season as an
MISSIONS
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SAVE THE DATE
Our first ever Refuge Summer Camp at Logan Valley, July 12-16, 2021. Due to COVID, planning a mission trip is not possible this summer for several reasons. The next best thing is a youth camp together at our favorite place, Logan Valley. This gives our seniors one more time there since we missed Fall Retreat.
Only Refuge will be at the camp, no other outside groups. We will monitor the situation up until we go and will adjust plans if deemed unsafe, but at this time, our medical advisors feel our plan is wise and good. We wanted to get the word to you ASAP as you plan your summer calendars and spring budgets. Registration will open April 1 with a $50 deposit. The remaining $150 is due by June 15. Total: $200 [includes meals, transportation, lodging, and nifty t-shirt] Some partial scholarships will be available.
People get lost for all sorts of reasons but sometimes we get lost because of decisions we make or because of decisions that people make around us. We need spaces and people who will help us find our way back when we find out we are lost and people who will welcome us home when we make mistakes. Jesus wanted everyone to know that these environments exist, especially with Him. With Jesus, lost things get taken care of and found things get celebrated. It’s important to know when you feel lost, Jesus notices you. Jesus values you more than you know. Jesus always welcomes us back. And, the best news, Jesus invites you to the party. WEEKLY SCHEDULE 6:30 - 7:30 pm - Grades 6-8 (doors open at 6:15) 7:30 - 8:00 pm - Transition/Cleaning 8:00 - 9:00 pm - Grades 9-12 (doors open at 7:45) WHAT TO EXPECT // We will meet as a large group in the gym, seated in chairs socially distanced. The gym gives us plenty of room to spread out and tall ceilings. The first 25 minutes will be a game, worship and a message ... all following our guidelines. We will dismiss small groups one at a time to go to their designated meeting space inside or outside (if weather permits) for the final 30 minutes. Temps will be checked when youth enter, hand sanitizer will be available and masks will be worn by everyone at all times. Chairs and all touch surfaces will be disinfected between the MS and HS gatherings. LOCATION FBC GYM, 107 Monroe St. / Down the hill from youth room.
Get text updates: RefugeJC to 313131
FIND US ONLINE @refugejc
refugejc.com
MARCH IN PERSON MIDWEEK SCHEDULE March 10 & 17 No Midweek March 3, 24, and 31 due to Spring Break and Holy Week
SAVE THE DATES: April 11: Youth Sunday May 16: Graduate Sunday June 1–7: Senior Trip* July 12-16: Refuge Youth Week* *Dates are firm. Locations and plans are subject to change due to recommended COVID protocols at the time of trips.
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Virtual Gatherings for Kids Virtual Gatherings for kids, Sunday’s in March @ 9:30am online. Email hannah@fbcjc.org to receive the weekly link.
Family Devos & Weekly Videos Each week this year, our families will receive weekly Bible story videos that are age-specific for each child in your family. The weekend is a great time to watch and talk about these videos together. We hope these videos and devos will be helpful for your family. Email hannah@fbcjc.org for more info.
6 - K I D S & FA M I LY
T RA N S I T I O N U P DAT ES FO R On Sunday, February 21, at our Quarterly Business Meeting, the Enlistment Committee presented a slate of nominees to serve on a special committee, the Transition Committee. According to our FBC Constitution, “Pastoral leadership, including pulpit supply while a new pastor is being sought, shall be arranged by a special committee elected for that purpose. An interim pastor may be selected by the church upon recommendation of this special committee.” The Bylaws further state, “Special committees shall be named for specific purposes as desired by the church. These committees and their chair shall be elected by the church from its membership after the Enlistment Committee submits its nominations and opportunity is given for additional nominations. A Special Committee shall not exercise the functions of a standing committee.” The following individuals were approved by the membership to serve on the Transition Committee: Sharon Nelson, Chair; Susan Bell, Mandee Carney, Gary Collins, Travis Ford, and Stephen Mathis. The committee will begin to meet and have conversations to learn more about what the church is needing for the interim or transition time before the church begins the interim search process. The Transition Committee will provide updates on their work to the congregation as needed. These updates will be shared via the Weekly, the Beacon, and on our website at fbcjc.org/transition.
LENT DEVOTION SIGN UP
S P I R I T UA L FORMATION
To receive these daily devotions via email, go to fbcjc.org/lent to complete the form. Select “Daily Devotions” from the options. You may also sign up by contacting Mary@fbcjc.org or calling 573.634.3603.
M A U N DY T H U R S D AY SERVICE April 1, 2021 @ 7 pm Join us in person or online for our service and Lord’s Supper observance.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES:
fbcjc.org/lent
Lent is a time to focus on growing in Christ. Each week during Lent we are offering a different spiritual practice to use throughout the week. The practices are available at fbcjc.org/lent and in our weekly worship guide. Let us continue to grow faithfully, investing time and energy in our relationship with Christ.
S P I R I T U A L F O R M AT I O N
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HOMEBOUND
BIRTHDAY Paulette Meyer (3/1) 1306 West Main St. Room 302 Jefferson City, MO 65109 Vernell Williams (3/6) P.O. Box 87 Ironton, MO 63650 Oma Lee Tracy (3/8) 1002 West Main St. Jefferson City, MO 65109 Candice Hawkins (3/15) 712 Nelson Dr. Jefferson City, MO 65101
Our homebound folks love to hear from you and your families, even if you don’t know them. A simple note introducing yourself or sharing a favorite scripture verse or the text to a song or hymn would mean the world to them. Contact Mary Huhn at mary@fbcjc. org or 573.634.3603 for names and addresses. Your notes would truly bless them!
FRIENDSHIP
SINGERS Friendship Singers are cancelled until further notice to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect
Seniors those who are most
vulnerable among us!
THE N U MB E RS Bible Teaching Worship Attendance Attendance
Budget Offering
Jan 31
79 $
24,990.00
Feb 7
online $
33,806.20
Feb 14
online $
Feb 21
93 $
40,088.00
Feb 28
93 $
16,117.79
Weekly Budget Needs . . . . . . $ 25,905.90 Budget needs to date . . . . . . . $177,707.28 Budget given to date . . . . . . . $180,595.68
Sympathy
Budget expenses to date* . . . $125,079.06 *not all invoices have been received
Dale Feeler and family in the death of his mother. Jeff Feeler and family in the death of his grandmother. Preston Feeler and family in the death of his grandmother. Christina Hudson and family in the death of her grandfather. Family and friends of Jeanette Stone. Mary Kladiva and family in the death of her brother. Pat Bartlett and family in the death of her brother-in-law. Family and friends of Jim Abernathy.
301 E. Capitol Ave. / Jefferson City, MO 65101 / fbcjc.org / 573.634.3603