Weekly Update – March 19th, 2026
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, April 2nd 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, April 5th 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. 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
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name"
- Philippians 2:8-9
Announcements:
Prom Dress Giveaway: The prom dress giveaway is in need of volunteers. See Amy Blankenship or sign up on the bulletin board in the hall. Click HERE for more details.
Spring Work Day: On Saturday, March 21st at 8:00am there will be an all church work day. Come and help us clean, make minor repairs and get our building ready for all of the spring/summer activities that will take place. You can find a list of projects HERE.
Game Night: Our monthly game night is Friday, March 27th from 7:00-9:00pm. invite a friend to come with you and bring your favorite game and/or snack.
Members’ Meeting: Following the morning service on Sunday, March 29th, we will have a snack bar and members’ meeting. Bring a snack to share.
Elder Q&A: The elders would like to nominate Daniel Holsten as a potential elder for the church. There will be a question and answer time during the members’ meeting, followed by a vote. If you have a question that you would like asked, please submit it to an offering box, an elder, or to the office before that date.
Easter Schedule: There will be many opportunities to connect with us this Easter season. First, join us on Palm Sunday on March 29th at 10:30am. Second, Maundy Thursday will be on April 2nd, at 7:00pm. Lastly, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us on April 5th. That morning we will have our annual Easter Breakfast at 9:15am with our Worship Service to follow at 10:30am.
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 $3000. 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.
Men’s Study: Our next Men’s study will begin on Wednesday, April 8th from 8:00-9:15pm. The book for this study will be The Case for Christ. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Ladies Bible Study: On Tuesday, February 17th, a ten week Bible study through the book of Joshua began. There are two sessions, one at 9:30am and another at 6:00pm. You can check out more information about this Bible study, HERE.
Family Discipleship Guides: These guides are designed to help equip parents further engage with what our children and youth are learning. You can find a guide for AWANA, HERE and for our Youth, HERE.
Building Remodel: We have officially kicked off our fundraiser! There are commitment cards available in the sanctuary as well as in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Habits of the Household” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Hebrews in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old 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.