Weekly Update – March 14th, 2024
In just a few weeks, we as Christians celebrate the cornerstone of our faith. As the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain.” What this means is that the resurrection does matter. We can’t simply resort to saying that Christianity is about doing good for others or living a morally pure life. If Christ has not been raised, then he is just like us, another man to succumb to the curse of death. But Christ was raised and He is alive today. Therefore we celebrate with Christians from all over the world the new life we have in Him because of the resurrection. As believers at First Baptist Church here are a few ways in which we will celebrate this year.
First, we will have a service on Thursday evening, March 28th at 7:00pm. This day is called Maundy Thursday and it has been remembered by the universal church since its early days. Maundy literally means “commandment” which specifically comes from what Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” It is then on this Thursday evening, the night before the crucifixion, that we remember this call to unity through loving one another with the shadow of Christ’s death in the background. We will specifically remember this time through singing, a short message and through taking the Lord’s Supper together.
Second, on Easter Sunday, March 31st at 9:15am we will host an Easter Brunch in the Faith Center. As we gather around a table filled with family, friends and even perhaps a few people we don’t know, we consider the reason for which we are gathering. We are eating together in celebration of what the Lord has done through raising Jesus Christ up from the dead. This will be a time to connect with guests as well as to invite family and friends before we have our service. We will have a full spread of different types of breakfast foods, but we need you to commit to help. This breakfast will be potluck style, so sign up this week to bring something for this occasion.
Lastly, on Easter Sunday at 10:30am we will have our service celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will join together in one song and in once voice around the message of Christ and his gospel. We have something truly amazing to celebrate as Christians. In Jesus, death is not the final say for us, but instead we can have life now and for all eternity. Because of the resurrection we can say along with Paul, “death is swallowed up in victory,” and we can be thankful to God “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55, 57).
I hope that you will join us throughout this week as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to take advantage of this time of year to not only celebrate our risen savior but to pray and invite someone else to hear of why we celebrate, so that they too might join with us. There we will be cards available this Sunday for you to pick up and hand out as an invitation. We have a great opportunity before us, let us use it fully to the glory of God.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. - Psalm 100:1-3
Announcements:
Prom Dress Giveaway: If you are interested in volunteering with the prom dress giveaway, please contact Amy Blankenship. More info can be found HERE.
Women’s Bible Study: The seasonal ladies’ Bible study began on Tuesday, February 20th. Sessions are offered at 9:30am and 6:30pm. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.
Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over North America who are serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This year, our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $8500. You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Annie.” Or you can give online HERE and choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Easter Schedule: There will be many opportunities to connect with us this Easter season. First, join us on Palm Sunday on March 24th at 10:30am. On this Sunday we will have Dr. Alex Granados from Calvary University with us. Second, Maundy Thursday will be on March 28th, at 7:00pm. Lastly, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us on March 31st. That morning we will have our annual Easter Breakfast at 9:15am with our Worship Service to follow at 10:30am. Also, during passion week (3/25-3/29) there will be short daily devotions posted on Facebook and YouTube. These devotions will aim to highlight some of the events that occurred the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.
Women’s Craft + Brunch: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson Home at 10am on Saturday, April 13th, for a potluck brunch and a time of crafting. Details can be found HERE.
Greeting Team: If you are interested in joining the greeting team, there will be a sign up sheet in the hallway this Sunday. We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.
Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.
Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.
Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter will meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Wednesday Evening Activities
Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3-pre-k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades K-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
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