WE LEAD PEOPLE INTO LIFE-GIVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHRIST AND EACH OTHER.
Dear Church,
We are proud to be members of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Each year, a few thousand folks from the Fellowship gather in June for the annual Gathering. We are fortunate that this year's Gathering will take place in St. Louis from June 25 to 27. The Gathering includes worship, learning labs, networking, and mission updates. It is an excellent opportunity to connect with our larger CBF family throughout the US
During this year's Gathering, First Baptist will receive the prestigious Missions Excellence Award Our church's commitment to exemplifying one or more of CBF's Mission Distinctives has not gone unnoticed In the email I received from CBF Leadership announcing the award, it said, "We believe your dedication provides the wider Fellowship with cause for celebration and serves as a model for replication. We are honored to acknowledge your church's outstanding contributions to God's mission " The award will be presented on Thursday, June 26, during the morning business session of the CBF Gathering I am deeply proud to serve as pastor of this congregation, which has a long-standing commitment to missions at home and around the world
I also have the distinct honor of preaching at the Gathering on Wednesday, June 25, during the opening worship service, which begins at 9:30 am. If you would like to attend for the day, we have arranged for transportation. We will depart at 6:30 am and return at 6:45 pm. Details and cost are available at fbcjc.org/events.
We give thanks to God for the many good things happening at and through this faithful congregation, as we lead people into life-giving relationships with Christ and with one another
UPCOMING
SUNDAY, MAY 4
Graduate Sunday, 9 am
Graduate Brunch, 10:15 am Quarterly Business Meeting, 11:30 am, Sanctuary
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 Refuge End of Year Picnic
MAY 18 - 23
Refuge Senior Trip
MONDAY, MAY 19
Friendship Club, 11:30am
MAY 21 - 27
Personal Enrichment Week (No evening events)
MONDAY, MAY 26
Office Closed for holiday
MAY SERMON SERIES
May 4 – Graduate Sunday
Swipe Right on New Beginnings
John 21:1-19
Rev Melissa Hatfield, Preacher
May 11 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Swipe Right on Healing Together Acts 9:36-43
Rev Melissa Hatfield, Preacher
May 18 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Swipe Right on Acceptance Acts 11:1-18
Rev Jeanie McGowan, Preacher
May 25 –Sixth Sunday of Easter
Swipe Right on Peace
John 14:23-29
Rev Melissa Hatfield, Preacher
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
9:00 am | WORSHIP
10:15 am | BIBLE STUDY GROUPS
Join us in person or online at facebook com/fbcjc or youtube.com/fbcjc
You may also contact the church office to request a DVD of each service.
Each week, we’ll explore how, in a culture that often promotes quick judgments and easy dismissals, we’re called to “swipe right” to choose love, patience, and reconciliation in our relationships. This series challenges us to adopt a heartcentered relationship approach, choosing compassion and God’s love as the foundation for all our interactions.
MUSIC REHEARSALS
Now is a great time to join the choir or orchestra!
Contact Alice Satterfield, Interim Worship Leader, at alice@fbcjc org
Family and friends of Carol Sanning
Cherri Williams and family in the death of her uncle
Kay Dinolfo and family in the death of her brotherin-law
SYMPATHY
Family and friends of Don Munford
RESERVED PARKING PRAYER REQUESTS
NEWMEMBER
Welcome,Brooklyn Werdehausen!
Art and Beth McGeorge 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.
WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES
Who: Women
Dates: Mondays
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Room 101 with Alice Satterfield, Facilitator
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
WEDNESDAY 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 *
5:45 - 7:00 pm | Adult Book Study (Room 326)
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*
*May 14 is the last day for children's and youth programming for the summer.
Pickleball is on summer break until August.
CALLING COLLEGE GRADUATES
Are you or a family member who is a member of FBC JC graduating from college this month? We want to celebrate you! Send the graduate's name, school, and degree to Mary Huhn (mary@fbcjc org) by May 18.
We will share their accomplishment in our June Beacon
KEYS TO HOPE UPDATE
Since launching Keys to Hope in February, several developments have been in place We’ve sent our first donations of $5,000 each to Housing the Community Jefferson City (HCJC) and Transformational Housing (TH), our two covenant partners We are grateful for two wonderful articles in the News Tribune about our Keys to Hope endeavor
We held a Poverty Simulation on April 12 with 29 participants from FBC JC and the community. The goal was to expose participants to some of the challenges and resources for those living in poverty.
Our work group with TH has begun and is serving on Fridays from 8 am to noon. If you are interested in volunteering for this work group, contact Ron Medin at ronmedin@gmail.com.
OKLAHOMA TRIP DEEPENS RELATIONSHIP ROOTS
On March 26, a team of twelve from First Baptist Church traveled to Geary and Watonga, Oklahoma, for our second trip partnering with two Native congregations. In 2024, we began intentional relationships with All Tribes Baptist Church in Geary and Watonga Indian Baptist Church in Watonga Both churches are affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the American Baptist Churches USA
This partnership was made possible through connections with CBF and Together for Hope a rural development coalition committed to engaging the 338 counties in America marked by persistent rural poverty
During our time in Oklahoma, our team offered hands-on support based on the priorities identified by our partners At All Tribes Church, we painted the church’s logo on the side of the building to increase visibility, completed drywall and mudding for what will soon be the pastor’s office, enhanced landscaping around the main entrance, and prepared the site for a community garden We also removed a tree that was too close to the building
At Watonga Indian Baptist Church, the team prepared the community garden for its first planting season, removed a tree, and refreshed the landscaping and front entry with new paint and care Most significantly, this trip deepened the life-giving relationships we’re building with these congregations Shared meals, conversations, and worship on Sunday created meaningful connections among our team and with our hosts We’re grateful for the hospitality extended to us and look forward to future opportunities to serve and grow together 4
The First Baptist Church Dream Team
Josh Arthur shares a laugh with one of the kids.
PIE FOR SOUTH SCHOOL!
PIE, in this case, is not a tasty dessert It stands for “Partner In Educatio Partner in Education, FBC has embraced helping faculty, staff, and stud South School for many years During that time, FBC has, among other th provided supplies for students and teachers, hosted teacher appreciatio luncheons, sponsored the annual PIE Outstanding Student Leadership a and provided food and support for students and their families at a “Back to School Bash” each fall
Last September, the Bash featured JCPS Resource Police Officers grilling the hot dogs FBC s Legacy Class provided teacher snacks in October. Each quarter, FBC provides items requested by teachers for learning enrichment activities. Thank you to all who have provided assistance with the teacher boxes.
South School celebrated a considerable improvement in student performance on the I-Ready test this spring. The school improved from 11 place among JCPS elementary schools last year to 1 place this year! A parent seminar and celebration were held in honor of the accomplishment. FBC and Capital City Christian Church helped with financial support for a program meal for parents and pizza for students. This month, we’ll treat teachers and staff to an appreciation luncheon.
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FBC’s coordinator for South School is Cherri Williams, and she is always appreciative of volunteers who help with various one who enjoys shopping from a detailed list is invited to contact Cherri Williams at com. This summer, there will be an opportunity to do outdoor power washing and
MISSION JC UPDATE
Mission JC 2025 will be held on Sunday, October 19
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
Mark and Kailey Leesman Interim
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
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
First Kids and First Friends ends on May 14 for the summer.
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.
Every Sunday, we dig deep into God’s word and grow in our faith
Sign up to bring 3-dozen donuts for Basecamp 10:15 a.m. Sundays
GRADUATE CELEBRATIONS
May is an exciting month full of celebrations honoring our graduating seniors!
May 4th, we’ll recognize our seniors during the Sunday service, followed by a special brunch open to all seniors, their families, and Refuge youth
May 18–23, we’ll take our annual Senior Trip a meaningful time for small groups to connect, reflect, and make lasting memories together before graduation.
Retired Lt. Colonel US AirForce; “Every Person is a Story: Cliff Notes from 25 Years of Neuropsychology”
Menu: (Annie’s Station)
Honey Glazed Chicken
Roast Beef
Mashed Potatoes/gravy
Salad Rolls
Dessert
There are no rehearsals until the fall Sign up is open for our fall mission trip to ChicagoSeptember 29 - October 3
Visit fbcjc.org/events to register online.
Cost: $1,000 person: cost includes transportation, driver’s tip; lodging, entertainment; and two meals a day (3rd meal is on you)!
Nellie Sloan (5/4)
Denny Hodges (5/8)
Betty Blythe (5/16)
Ethelmae Champ (5/17)
Lois Jeffries (5/29)
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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.
