February 2019 CrossTie

The

Cross ie

MAGA ZI N E

VOL 3 | ISSUE 2 | FEBRUARY 2019

Be Part of Our

Journey

50 9 • 22 • 2019

C ON N EC T W ITH U S

SMOK ER I S EB A P T I ST. OR G O UR M INIST E R S

CO N T EN TS

B e c k y C a s w e l l - S p ei gh t Minister to Families with Children rspeight@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0546

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From the Pastor

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Worshiping

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Growing

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Serving

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Caring

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50 Years

Jeremy Colliver Minister of Communications, Missions and Youth jcolliver@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0551 Kat hy D obbi n s Minister of Spiritual Formation kdobbins@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0548 Chris G e o r ge Senior Pastor cgeorge@smokerisebaptist.org 770.469.5856 Bart McNiel Associate Pastor bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0540 Danny Va n c i l Minister of Music & Worship dvancil@smokerisebaptist.org 678.533.0560

1 0 Generosity 12 Family Ministry 13

Youth

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Connecting

15 Monthly Snapshot

facebook.com/ smokerise

twitter.com/ smokerisebaptist.org SmokeRiseBC

Smoke Rise

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F RO M THE PASTOR

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CA RIN G

In a profession where "burn-out" is a real risk, with stressful and unpredictable schedules, ministers who take sabbatical are much more likely to experience longer and more vital tenures with their congregation.

Nobody comes in the lower door to our church now without getting a warm welcome and the offer of a hot cup of coffee.

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G EN ERO S ITY

As we look toward our 50th Anniversary as a church in 2019, we invite our church family to help us "Remember Tomorrow" as we reflect on the goodness of God in the past, celebrate God's work among us in the present, and ready ourselves to receive God's continued blessing into the future.

A B O UT S M O K E RIS E 5901 Hugh Howell Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Tel: 770.469.5856 Fax: 770.498.3598 Office Hours M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Smoke Rise Baptist Church is a loving and caring faith community where people come to grow spiritually, worship communally and serve faithfully. We are committed to fostering authentic relationships and engaging in meaningful ministry in our congregation, our community and around the world. We partner with others in an effort to be about God’s work. We commit to love God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We seek to proclaim the Good News of Christ in all that we say and do.

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FR O M T H E PASTO R CH RIS G E ORGE - Senior Pastor

Sabbath is more than a word; it is essential practice. The commandment to “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” places the sacred rhythm of work, rest, and restoration deep at the heart of our covenant faith.

More than 15 years ago, Smoke Rise Baptist Church approved a Sabbatical Leave Policy, which is a very Biblical idea. At the end of seven years, a minister is eligible to take time away to experience rest and renewal. The personnel committee is taking the initiative to implement the church’s policy. While the policy has been “on the books” for several years, the committee believes it is important for the health and well-being of our ministers to put this policy into practice.

In a profession where “burn-out” is a real risk, with stressful and unpredictable schedules, ministers who take sabbatical are much more likely to experience longer and more vital tenures with their congregations. While many professions include stress, the work of ministry involves a unique kind of on-call availability; it also deals with levels of human experience that are emotionally intense, such as illness, death, and the other challenges of daily life. In the life of a minister, the separation between personal life and professional life is always blurred.

This summer, we are pleased that our minister of music, Danny Vancil, will be taking a long overdue sabbatical. I can assure you this was not an easy decision, but an important one.

Danny works hard. He goes non-stop. On a Saturday afternoon (his day off), he will be conducting a funeral, then on Sunday morning, he will be back in the Chapel practicing with the Ensemble at 8:00 AM. Each week, he finds the energy to prepare worship that always inspires awe and wonder in our congregation, then spends Sunday afternoons working with the Youth Choir.

And, I have described only his weekend. His work week is even more intense: hospital visits, Primetime Choir, bulletin preparation, working with the Children’s Choristers, ordering new anthems, and preparing for special musical presentations and worship experiences.

For 13 years, Danny has embraced this ministry among us. He has consistently exceeded expectations and always been willing to go the extra mile.

And, now, we have an opportunity to offer him something sacred-a gift of sabbath-a sabbatical leave.

He will go from here with our blessing to find rest and renewal for a period of seven weeks in late June, July and early August. His plan has been unanimously approved by our personnel committee. He will return to us with a new energy and a readiness to once again embrace his calling.

Smoke Rise has been blessed by Danny’s ministry among us; so we want to be a blessing to him and provide this essential time for his study, personal growth and spiritual nourishment. I encourage you to begin to pray now for Danny’s season of sabbatical and I hope all of us will set aside sabbath time in our lives.

The Goal of Sabbath (and Sabbatical) is reconnecting with God.

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WOR S H IP I N G AT S M OK E R I SE Recently, I was in a local grocery store getting ready to check out when the young clerk asked me if I qualified for the senior adult discount. I replied, “I’m not sure, how old do you need to be?” She replied – “You must be 60.” I said, “Well then, I’m not old enough.” She turned and stared at me and said, “Really?”

DANNY VANCIL Minister of Music

I had almost the same response when one of the dear senior adults in my former church (in her late 80’s) told me that she wasn’t old enough for our senior adult choir. Then she added, “And for your information, honey, I never will be!”

Well, if you don’t mind being associated with folks that have some age and experience, I want to invite you to one of the best ministries SRBC has to offer. On Monday mornings at 10:30, a great group gathers in the chapel to sing great hymns of the faith, share stories and pray. We also call and sing to shut-ins. It is a sweet time of fellowship.

While I can’t offer any senior discounts, I can guarantee a precious time.

Calling all Children, Grades 1-5 Join us on Wednesday nights at 6:00 in the children’s suite as we learn this wonderful musical written by Allen Pote and Tom Long. The musical will - Danny be performed on Children’s Sunday, May 5th at 4:00 pm.

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GROW IN G AT S M O K E R I SE K ATHY D OBBIN S - Minister of Spiritual Formation A New Year, A New You With the Smoke Rise Library!

Would you like a richer vocabulary, a deeper understanding of others, and a longer life span by nearly two or more years? Read a book for at least 30 minutes a day! Reading can also reduce symptoms of depression, make us feel part of a community, and help stave off dementia. Reading for pleasure has more impact on the cognitive development of adolescents than their parents’ level of education. (Information was obtained from a Martha Stewart article in the AJC.) If you haven’t visited our Smoke Rise Library, the library staff invites you to come in and browse all the wonderful resources available to everyone in our church family. On Wednesday, February 13, there will be a short overview of our library at 5:50 PM prior to the Wednesday night Bible study in the Fellowship Hall. The following Wednesday, February 20, the library staff will hold an Open House from 4:30-6:45 PM. Mark your calendars for these events, and make a resolution to visit our library and check out an interesting read for 2019!

- Karen Bates

Rediscovering the Bible Series for February

Wednesdays at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall 2/6 Philemon 2/13 Philippians 2/20 2 Corinthians 2/27 Romans

February 24; 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Childcare 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Hosts: Graham and Lynne Felton 1853 Chedworth Lane, Stone Mountain Connections is a once-a-month gathering for individuals and couples in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. Light snacks and drinks provided. Childcare is provided at the church. Parents can drop off children at the preschool area beginning at 5:30 pm. Please RSVP for children by the previous Wednesday through the church office, (770) 469-5856; mbrock@smokerisebaptist.org.

Camera Display Stop by the window display outside the library to see Bob Knell’s collection of cameras and equipment from the past.

Some were his father’s and some were collected and used by Bob over the years. Think about the drastic change in technology next time you pull out your phone to take a picture!

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S ERVIN G ON M I S SI ON J E R E MY C OLLI V ER - Minister of Communications, Missions and Youth

WE DID IT!

We have exceeded our goal of $40,000 for the 5th Annual World Mission Offering.

Thank you for your generous support!

Souper Sunday, February 3 Please begin collecting hearty soups for Lilburn and NETWorks Co-ops and bring them to the church by Sunday, February 3, 2019. There will be collection bins located in the Nursery Welcome Center, the downstairs Breezeway, outside the Missions Office, and the downstairs Welcome Center under the Gym.

A NETWorks Christmas Story One Saturday recently, Pete came into the Pantry just before closing. Could we help him with food--he was out of work and out of funds? Because of your generosity, we were able to help. Just before Pete left, Ana, her husband, and two young daughters came in. None of the volunteers (or staff) spoke Spanish. Pete, getting ready to leave, stepped in and said, "I grew up in Puerto Rico. Can I help?" He then translated all of the application and food order so we could help Ana's family. Then, he helped fill their order. THEN, he shared his phone number with them in case they needed any future translation help. Because of your generous support, we were there to provide food for Pete and for Ana. More importantly, you provided a place for them to come together and help each other. Thank YOU! Families like Ana’s and neighbors like Pete come in every day. You help give them hope. You show them you love them as you love yourself--by giving them food, toiletries, rent, or a chance to catch their breath in a motel. THANK YOU! 7 | S MOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

CA RIN G AT S M O KE R I SE BART McN IE L - Associate Pastor Welcome to Our Caffeine Ministry!

Dr. Bob Browning loved his coffee and he loved the conversations shared over it with friends. While he was our senior pastor, I’d see him from time-to-time at different coffee houses in our area. He was always surrounded by friends and acquaintances and usually deep in discussion or laughing gleefully. I sometimes wondered if he would have preferred to quietly read the book he had with him or work on his next sermon, but that would be hard because he was so well known, charismatic and friendly, always generating a gathering.

It was Dr. Browning who suggested we create a coffee cart with which to welcome people at the entry under the gym. Most of the people entering there were headed directly to a Sunday school class on that lower level, and there was little interaction between them.

A coffee station would be a way of saying, “Welcome” and giving people from various classes a chance to stop, greet one another, and meet people from other classes they might not otherwise meet.

For more than a decade now, Lou’s staff has prepped the cart and Bob Burkett has dutifully loaded and delivered the coffee to its strategic central location each Sunday when there was no conflicting event going on in Fellowship Hall. I began filling in when Bob was away hunting or visiting family and found the experience of serving and welcoming people rewarding. Bob and I jokingly began referring to the coffee duty as our “Caffeine Ministry.”

One morning, fellow greeter and retired pharmacy guru, Bill Riley, mentioned that adding some cocoa to your coffee had all sorts of positive medicinal effects, including lowering your blood pressure. Plus it made the coffee taste great. So we added cocoa to our cart. Then Barbara Conard brought some cinnamon, and we began seeing people linger longer as they enjoy mixing up their own special blend of ingredients.

Lou, our church hostess, graciously made room at the back of the kitchen refrigerator for our perishable ingredients and, with that, we have added whipped cream and nofat half-and-half creamer.

We’ve evolved now to having quite the coffeehouse experience with this expanded variety of creamers and extras. To make us “official,” we created our own Caffeine Ministry of Smoke Rise Baptist Church sign that we place each Sunday morning at the lower door to welcome members and visitors.

Nobody comes in the lower door to our church now without getting a warm welcome and the offer of a hot cup of coffee. This ministry of our church has taken on a significance that I think would make Bob Browning proud. Come by, catch up and share the community created by something as simple as a cup of coffee.

-Susan Gilbert 8 | S MOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

Monday Morning Grief Support Group Facilitator: Bart McNiel Room 220 9:30am-10:30am February 4 March 4 April 8 May 6

Wednesday Evening Grief Support Group Facilitator: Adam Arnold Room 220 6:00pm-7:00pm February 27 March 27 April 24 May 22

Thursday Afternoon Caregiver Support Group for Alzheimer’s and all other types of dementia Room 223 2:00pm February 7 & 21 March 7 & 21 April 4 & 18 May 2 & May 16

5 0 Y EA RS OF S M O K E R I SE As we get ready to celebrate 50 years of ministry at Smoke Rise Baptist Church, we thought we would begin to share some of the stories of Smoke Rise from the past 50 years. This month, Dick Pepper shares with us the origin of the CrossTie...

In the early 1960’s, the Smoke Rise community was small, but rapidly growing. Many of the residents were going back toward Atlanta to attend church. Some decided to visit some local churches, but were given a cold reception. One of the groups was able to obtain an option on the present piece of property belonging to the developer of Smoke Rise Subdivision. The Holy Spirit led Briarlake Baptist Church to the area as they wanted to start a mission in the area. This was the beginning of Smoke Rise Baptist.

The church had no meeting place and so rented Idlewood Elementary School on Sundays until Smoke Rise Elementary School was built. Since the church had no place to gather on the property, a decision was made to build a Vesper area.

The church had a newsletter sent weekly to the members, keeping everyone informed of news and member items. One member had a connection to get used crossties (large beams used in the construction of railroads). A load was thrown off beside Hugh Howell Road, but were stolen before they could be placed. The area [behind the current bus barn] was cleared of trees and growth and another load of crossties was delivered. On a hot fall day, church men gathered and hand carried all the crossties up to the hilltop of the property. At a much-needed break, our pastor, Frank Johnson, reflected, “Here we are sweating and hot, working these crossties, making a place for the church to gather. Now we only have our mailout to bring us together. Since it is the cross that ties us all together, how about we name our flyer CrossTie?” We all voted in favor of the idea and that is how the CrossTie got its name.

The Vesper Area, up behind the Bus Barn, is now overgrown and the cross ties have been scattered by as the area has been used, with permission, by the Boy Scouts.

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Save the Date

9:00 AM Open House with Continental Breakfast (Sunday school classes, check your schedule) 10:30 AM Worship in the Sanctuary Lunch at Evergreen Resort, Stone Mountain 9 | S MOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

GENEROS I T Y From the Stewardship Committee I am pleased to report that tithes and offerings over the last seven weeks of 2018 totaled $382,857.16. Thank you Smoke Rise church family for giving from the heart towards our end-of-year stewardship emphasis.

Our 2019 fiscal year ends on March 31. We often experience a shortfall in weekly giving after the new year. Let’s all do our part to help meet our fiscal year budget and start planning for the next fiscal year.

It has been my honor to serve as Chair of the Stewardship Committee in 2018 and, on behalf of the committee, I am pleased to announce that Chris Allison has agreed to serve as Chair for the 2019 calendar year. Chris has served in this role in the past, and we are grateful for his willingness to once again take up the mantle in support of stewardship at Smoke Rise.

May God continue to bless our church as we remain faithful stewards in the days ahead.

Kathy Goodenow, outgoing chairperson The Stewardship Committee From the Finance Committee It has been an honor serving as Chair of Finance in 2018. Thank you to our Finance Committee members, our church treasurer, Beth Smith, and our church staff for their support and service.

I am pleased to announce that Richard Swindle has been elected to serve as chair for 2019. Richard has served in a variety of volunteer and committee roles at Smoke Rise, and we look forward to his leadership in the coming year.

May we remain faithful stewards of the tithes, offerings and gifts that support the ministries and missions of our church.

Jeff Kelly, outgoing chairperson The Finance Committee

MONTH OF DECEMBER Amount Given $318,470.52

Amount Spent $213,841.29

Positive Balance $104,629.23

FISCAL YEAR-TO-DATE (APRIL 1, 2018 - DECEMBER 31, 2018)

Amount Given $1,654,874.52

Amount Spent $1,664,107.23

Negative Balance ($9,232.71)

REFRESH REPORT Pledged $1,346,104.00

Received Current Balance $1,019,082.76 $249,396.51

NEXT PROJECT Office Renovation Beginning February 1

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GENEROS I T Y

As we look toward our 50th Anniversary as a church in 2019, we invite our church family to help us "Remember Tomorrow" as we reflect on the goodness of God in the our past, celebrate God’s work among us in the present, and ready ourselves to receive God’s continued blessing in the future.

The timeless image of young and old walking hand-in-hand points us to a remembering that welcomes where God is leading us in the present as a new future is always unfolding among us.

When Jesus declares, “the kingdom of God is at hand,” he invites us to Remember Tomorrow by embracing a kingdom that is now. When Jesus invites us to pray, “Thy kingdom come,” he invites us to ready ourselves to receive the kingdom still unfolding among us.

Whether we are young or old, have much or little, have been connected to Smoke Rise for many years or have only been in our fellowship for a short time all are invited to "Remember Tomorrow" together by trusting that the God who began a good work among us will continue to bless us until God’s work of love in the world is complete.

Please be in prayer as you consider your pledge of support in this season of stewardship and commitment as we "Remember Tomorrow" by pledging our best in the present.

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FA M ILY M I N I ST RY AT SM OK E R I SE Being Miriam’s friend is one of the best things I’ve experienced while teaching at Smoke Rise. I’m not exactly sure why she chose me to be her pal, but I’m thankful for it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been her teacher in some capacity since she was around two years old.

We have a lot of fun learning together.

Miriam has come so far since I first met her, and watching her grow up has been rewarding. She always wants to be happy and wants others around her to be happy and laugh with her, She has such an infectious laugh and always goes out of her way to share it with others. Her selfie game is great and we love taking silly pictures together. I can’t believe she is growing up so quickly, it seems like not long ago she was falling asleep in my lap while I would read books to her.

-Nathan Reed

March 8-10

FAMILY MISSION TRIP Serving the Irene Wortham Center in Asheville, NC Register online or through Becky Caswell-Speight $80 deposit confirms registration

CHILI COOK-OFF FEBRUARY 3 FOLLOWING 11:00 AM WORSHIP

COME AS A COMPETITOR OR CONSUMER TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY MISSION TRIP IN MARCH FOR INFO: CONTACT JEN GEORGE 1 2 | S MOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

YOU TH AT S M O KE R I SE J E R E M Y C OLLI V ER - Minister of Communications, Missions and Youth “Why?” Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we gave the youth the opportunity to write down any question they wanted to have answered. Some of the questions were funny: “Have many Bibles can Jeremy stack on his head?” “Has the Golden Toilet ever been used?” “Would you rather have feet for arms or arms for feet?” The majority of the questions were very thoughtful: “Why do parts of the Bible not match up?” “What do I do when my friends push me away?” “How do we know Heaven is real?” “Why is there so much pressure on me to be the best?” As we gathered both the funny and serious questions, and began to group the questions, we noticed something: The majority of the questions began with the word “why.”

"God, It's Me!" High School Retreat

When you ask why, it is a reasoning question. Who, what, when and where are procedural questions; but when you ask why, you are asking for the reason behind something. Youth are at a point in their lives when they ask a lot of "why" questions. They have been observing the world around them. They have heard the stories of faith. They have been in a stage of development that is concrete and observable. As they become youth, they are moving into an abstract way of thinking. Youth are beginning to make and see connections between different things. In regard to their faith, as they hear the stories of faith, they are beginning to make connections between these stories and their own lives. “Why” becomes very prominent. The question changes from, “Where did Jesus perform the miracles?” to “Why did Jesus perform the miracles?”

February 8-10

Asking “why” deepens our faith. Asking “why” begins to make our faith our own as we connect the stories of faith to our own experiences. Asking “why” takes faith because the answers no longer have observable results. Asking “why” is the reason we can read the stories of our faith again and again and they can seem new and relevant even though we have read them over and over.

I’m glad our students aren’t content with only asking who, what, when and where questions. It thrills me as they ask their “why” questions and the light bulb goes on as they make connections to their own lives. It’s one of the reasons why I love serving with our students.

-Jeremy

JOIN US FOR

FOOTBALL AND COMMERCIALS BRING YOUR FAVORITE SNACK TO SHARE

FEBRUARY 3RD 6 PM 13 | SMOKE RIS E BAPT IST.ORG

Sunday Schedule 9:00 AM Worship in the Chapel 9:45 AM Sunday school

in the basement 11:00 AM Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 PM Choir in the Choir Suite 5:45 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Vespers in the basement Wednesday Schedule 5:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Youth in the basement

CONNE C T I N G AT SM OK E R I SE Smoke Rise Weekday School Smoke Rise Baptist Weekday School is a vital part of our community connection and family care ministries at Smoke Rise Baptist Church. For more than 40 years, Smoke Rise Baptist Weekday School has met the needs of children and families through caring teachers, excellent facilities, and a curriculum that stimulates young minds to explore, discover, worship and play.

Smoke Rise Baptist Weekday School cares deeply for each and every child. Our ministry welcomes little children with open arms, as Jesus did. We care for children and their families personally, nurturing them in a safe, loving and creative environment. Through play we teach them about their own capabilities, about Christian faith and cultivate the skills necessary for success in elementary school and beyond.

We are now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year until classes are full. Those that register by March 1, 2019 will receive a $50 discount off their application fee. Classes begin on Tuesday, August 13, 2019.

Pre-K 4 year olds: Tuesday-Friday or 5 day option 3 year olds: Tuesday-Friday or Tues/Wed/Thurs or 5 day option Younger 2 year olds: Tuesday-Friday or Tues/Wed/Thurs Older 2 year olds: Tuesday-Friday or Tues/Wed/Thurs Toddlers (18 months and up): Tuesday/Thursday School hours are 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

For more information, to schedule a tour, or to register a child, please call Christa Fox (Director) or Stacey McNiel (Assistant Director) at 678-533-0558. Also, information is available at www.smokerisebaptist.org/weekday-school.

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M ON TH LY S N A P S HOT

YOU T H CH OIR RETREAT

WEEKLY S C HE DUL E

F EB RUA RY DATES

Sunday 9:00 AM - Worship in the Chapel 9:45 AM - Sunday school for all ages 11:00 AM - Worship in the Sanctuary 4:00 PM - Liturgical Dance 5:00 PM - Youth Choir 5:45 PM - Youth Dinner 6:00 PM - Youth Vespers

1-20 Office Renovation

Wednesday 4:45 PM - Dinner in the Fellowship Hall 6:00 PM - Journeys, Children's Activities, Youth in the basement 7:00 PM - Sanctuary Choir

15 5th Grade Retreat

3 Chili Cook-off 8-10 High School Retreat 8-10 Drama Performance 10 Church in Conference

20 Library Open House 24 Connections

CHILI COOK-OFF FEBRUARY 3 FOLLOWING 11:00 AM WORSHIP

Worship Service March 6, 2019 • 6:30 PM Sanctuary

COME AS A COMPETITOR OR CONSUMER TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY MISSION TRIP IN MARCH FOR INFO: CONTACT JEN GEORGE

Academy of Arts Presents February 8, 2019 7:00 PM February 9, 2019 11:00 AM, 3:00 & 7:00 PM

Church in Conference February 10 immediately following 11:00 AM worship in Fellowship Hall Address Correction Requested

March 22, 2019 7:00 PM March 23, 2019 3:00 & 7:00 PM March 24, 2019 2:00 PM