MARCH 2025
BEAC N
WE LEAD PEOPLE INTO LIFE-GIVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHRIST AND EACH OTHER.
UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
Ash Wednesday Service
6 pm, Sanctuary
THURSDAY, MARCH 6
Lent Bible Study begins
10 am, Room 326
Facilitator: Sondra Allen
SUNDAY, MARCH 9
All Church Meal
11:30 am, Fellowship Hall
MARCH 14-16
Youth DNOW Weekend
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
No children or youth activities due to JCPS Spring Break
MARCH 26-30
Oklahoma Mission Trip
Dear Church,
I recently had the joy of visiting the home of members of our congregation who faithfully watch online each Sunday Health no longer permits them to join us in person, however, they continue to worship with us through our live stream ministry They are deeply grateful to continue to participate with their church family
Stories like these make my day and warm my heart They are possible because many give generously of their time and finances as we live out our mission to lead people into life-giving relationships with Christ and each other
We closed 2024 with nearly $7,000 more donations given than was estimated when the budget was approved. We also had an increase in average giving of $236 this past year. We had 17 donors who made donations in 2024, but did not give anything in 2023. More people are investing in what God is doing in and through FBC JC.
You also gave $152,425 in 2024 to various mission partnerships and initiativesfrom Ukraine to South School, from Mission JC to Kenya, from Common Ground to persons unhoused in our city, and so much more $40,272 of that total was given to Benevolent needs in our community!! Wow When I tell people that FBC JC is a generous congregation, I have the facts to back it up
Before we get further into 2025, I want to thank you for your faithful generosity as givers and volunteers Every hour, volunteer, dollar, prayer, and person matter Together, God builds God’s Kingdom by inviting (and commanding) us to be a part of God’s redemptive work Together, we’re better than we’ll ever be on our own Great days are ahead as we continue to build on FBC JC’s great legacy, a legacy you are part of making.
As we prepare our hearts for the season of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 5, may we continue to be people who live “full to the brim!” You may read more about the Lenten season at FBC JC on page 2.
For the glory of God and the good of the World,
Pastor Melissa
LENT: FULL to the Brim
"Full to the Brim" invites us into a Lent focused not on scarcity but on abundance, encouraging us to live fully and give freely, grounded in the assurance of God’s grace When we allow ourselves to be “full to the brim” with God’s lavish love, that love spills over into our relationships with others.
While Lent traditionally emphasizes restraint, confession, and preparation, this year, we will be challenged to embrace the surprising grace of God as a constant presence not something to earn or wait for
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
March 5– Ash Wednesday | 6:00 pm Loved As We Are
March 9 – First Sunday in Lent | 9:00 am
Loved in Our Wildernesses
March 16 – Second Sunday in Lent | 9:00 am
Loved Even When We Resist
March 23 - Third Sunday in Lent | 9:00 am
Love Leads to Love
LENTEN DEVOTIONS
Lenten devotions will be sent via email Monday through Saturday, beginning Wednesday, March 5, through Easter Sunday
We hope the words and images provided by our church family will invite you to enter the season of Lent in deeper and more reflective ways as we journey together toward Holy Week
If you didn’t receive our Advent devotions but wish to, email mary@fbcjc org to sign up
March 30 – Fourth Sunday in Lent | 9:00 am
Love Leads to Grace
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
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
GROW FAITHFULLY
WEDNESDAY
SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES
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)
7:30 - 9:00 pm | Youth Grades 9 - 12 (Refuge Room)
WEEKDAY
Who: Women
Dates: Mondays
BIBLE STUDIES
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Room 101 with Alice Satterfield, Facilitator Study: “The Names of God” by Melissa Spoelstra
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: March 12 and 19
Time: 8:15 - 9:30 p m
Melissa Hatfield’s Home Bible Study Topics vary
Landra Collins and family in the death of her mother
Women's Monday Night Bible Study will begin September 16 We'll be doing "Luke in the Land" by Kristie McLelland 6:30-8 pm in room 101
Janice Ross and family in the death of her mother
Family and friends of Margaret Langley
Family and friends of Pat Cramer
Family and friends of Jake Phillips
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
Bryan and Dulce Stevens 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
Alice Satterfield Interim Worship Leader & Administrative Assistant alice@fbcjc.org
Dani Schmidbauer Accountant dani@fbcjc.org
Deborah Scott Senior Adult & Pastoral Care Minister deborah@fbcjc.org
Robin Stull Maintenance Supervisor robin@fbcjc org
KEYS TO HOPE: UNLOCKING HOUSING TOGETHER
We need to go no furt children in need Nea disproportionately de It greatly exacerbated
FBC JC has joined wi committed ourselves
Pastor Melissa Hatfie three-year covenants up to $50,000 to each about the community
The new initiative, “Ke two groups and have begun making donations to help fulfill FBC’s promised financial help for them
The first in a series of educational opportunities will be a poverty simulation workshop at First Baptist from 9:00 a m to 12:00 p m on Saturday, April 12th Participants at the workshops will be asked to step into the lives of Jefferson City’s most vulnerable and wrestle with the daily decisions they must make in meeting the costs of housing, food, and medical care Pastor Hatfield says, “I never really understood the almost impossible choices people in poverty face until I participated in a workshop like the one in April I hope many in our congregation will join us for a short walk in their shoes They will never look at these issues the same again ” Register today at fbcjc.org/ps.
Both organizations offer many opportunities for church members’ involvement
Transformational Housing accepts renters who, for one reason or another, are rejected by other landlords. Volunteers are needed to coach the residents on finances and other life skills to make them eligible for commercial rentals.
Transformational Housing has a five-unit building on Cherry Street and is constructing/renovating two similarly sized buildings at 1112 East McCarty Street and 101 Jackson Street. Volunteers with construction skills are needed at both sites.
Housing the Community Jefferson City is the parent organization of two missions in which FBC JC is already involved: Project Homeless Connect, which each fall connects people to services and systems of care that are otherwise difficult to access, and Jefferson City Room at the Inn, which offers a cold weather shelter from December to March in the upper floor of FBC JC’s gymnasium building. Both of those missions require an almost endless supply of volunteers.
^ L-R: Ron Medin, FBC Missions Coordinator; Scott Johnston, Housing the Community Jefferson City; Rev Melissa Hatfield, FBC Lead Pastor; Mark Kiekhaefer, Transformational Housing
WEDNESDAYS FOR
KIDS
IRTH - GRADE 5
| 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 on March 5 due to Ash Wednesday service, but First Friends will meet. NO First Kids or First Friends on March 26 due to JCPS Spring Break.
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.
SAVE THE DATES
March 5 - No First Friends or First Kids
Everyone is invited to our Ash Wednesday service at 6 pm in the sanctuary
March 26 - No First Friends or First Kids due to Jefferson City Public Schools Spring Break
^ First Kids prepares sweet treat bags for the staff at South Elementary School as part of our partnership!
April 13 - Palm Sunday Donkey Parade with First Christian Church Time TBD
April 27 - Children’s Sunday at FBC JC We’ll collect a noisy offering on this Sunday to go toward our Keys to Hope Housing Initiative at FBC JC
GRADES 6 - 12
DISCIPLENOW - MARCH 14-16
Disciple Now (DNOW) registration is now open! DNOW is one of the biggest weekends of our year! It is a weekend of small groups, worship, service, and fun for youth in grades 6 -12 DNOW begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and ends at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday. Cost is $50 through March 2nd, then increases to $60 on March 3rd. Go to refugejc.com/dnow to register!
MIDWEEK ON WEDNESDAYS
Games, Worship, Small Groups
Grades 6-8 | 5:45-7:00 pm
Grades 9-12 | 7:30-9:00 pm
JoinusonWednesdaynightsinMarchfortwoexcitingseries: OnYourOwnandInvited.Thesegatheringsaredesignedto inspireandconnectaswediveintomeaningfuldiscussionsand growthtogether.
MarchMidweekbringsacoupleofdifferentschedulechanges. Pleasemakenoteofthefollowingdates.
March5th:AshWednesdayserviceat6:00PM.Middle SchoolMidweekwillmeetintheSanctuarythateveningto participateinthatservice.HighSchoolwillmeetattheir regulartimeintheRefugeRoom.
March26th:NoMidweekduetoJCSchoolsSpringBreak.
SAVE THESE DATES
March 26 No Midweek
April 5 No Midweek (Easter) May 4 Graduate Sunday
May 14 End of Year BBQ
SUNDAYS | 10:15-11:15 am
Every Sunday, we dig deep into God’s word and grow in our faith
Celebrating Super Bowl Sunday with some Chiefs themed waffles made by the McGeorge Family
Sign up to bring 3-dozen donuts for Basecamp 10:15 a.m. Sundays
Pictures from our amazing youth that helped lead the FBC congregation in Youth Sunday, January 26th
SENIOR ADULTS
FRIENDSHIP CLUB
Monday, March 24
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Fellowship Hall
Program: The Boomer Generation musical program
Menu:
Catered by Madisons
Lasagna
Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken
Salad
Bread
Dessert
FRIENDSHIP SINGERS
Friendship Singers resume rehearsals on Monday, March 3 at 9:30 am in the choir room
Beginning March 10, rehearsals will be Mondays from 10-11 am.
HOMEBOUND BIRTHDAYS
Eric Ruhaak (3/3)
Vernell Williams (3/6)
Candace Hawkins (3/15)
Marie Colvin (3/17)
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.
On Sundays in the Offering Boxes