March 20, 2014

Church Leadership
Our ministers and lay leaders are available to answer any questions you may have to help you connect with the ministries of First Baptist Church. Rev. Matt Sturtevant Senior Pastor, x. 202 matt@firstbaptistlawrence.com Rev. Dr. Meredith Holladay Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation, x. 204 meredith@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jenny Purvis Office Manager, x.203 jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com Nathan Benfield Volunteer Building Manager, x.201 nathan@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jim Davidson Chancel Choir Director jamesrdavidson@ku.edu Holly Grassy Bookkeeper grassyclan@att.net John Pauls Moderator jphawk@yahoo.com Evelyn Falen Organist edfal13@gmail.com Buddy Langford Custodian Church Office: 785/843.0020 office@firstbaptistlawrence.com www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

Sanctuary of the Cinema This Sunday 6:00 p.m.

Comedy/Drama 2004, 1h, 38m, Rated PG-13. Saint Ralph is the unlikely story of Ralph Walker, a ninth grader who outran everyone's expectations except his own in his bold quest of trying to win the 1954 Boston Marathon.

Preparing for Worship MARCH 23, 2014 third Sunday in lent

where are you?

Rev. Matthew Sturtevant

Scripture: Job 23

America For Christ Offering 2014

Each Sunday through April 6, 2014 we will receive the AFC 2014 offering. With an America For Christ donation, you join with American Baptist Home Mission Societies in building communities of justice and hope across the United States and Puerto Rico through the transformational love of Jesus Christ.

Children Matter Program: Next Wednesday, 6:45 p.m.

YOU ARE INVITED!

Yes, you! Children Matter to all of us, and the entire church community matters to children. Come learn, talk, and share together the ways we can share in the nurture of the faith of the young and youngest among us. Our guest this month is Joanna Harader. Joanna is the pastor of Peace Mennonite Church in Lawrence, and a graduate of Central Seminary. She is also the founding and contributor of Practicing Families blog (www.practicingfamilies.com). She is a store of wisdom and experience in sharing faith with children in a multigenerational setting. (Also she claims FBC member, Cheryl Harader as her mother!)

Justice Ministry Kicks Off !

Earlier this month, individuals from 20 local congregations and the Lawrence Islamic Center gathered to study what their respective Scriptures teach about justice. Eight persons from FBC attended. In Deuteronomy, Moses presents God's kingdom as more than religious observance; it is to include fair, equitable, and just political and economic affairs. The prophet Micah says, What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Jesus proclaims the year of the Lord's favor, a reference to the 50th Jubilee Year when debts were cancelled, and land was returned to original owners - a time of resetting the economic clock. This Scripture Study was a first step in considering the need for Justice Ministry in Lawrence. Following Easter, congregations (including FBC) will explore justice as a sermon focus. Justice Ministry differs from Mercy Ministry in that it attempts to address the root causes of the problems in our community, rather than providing direct aid to those who are suffering. A Mercy Ministry response to homelessness is to provide shelter. A Justice Ministry response is to seek out what is causing homelessness and to find solutions that address those causes. God calls us to not only to show mercy, but to do justice as well. In the coming months FBC will be engaged with the broader Lawrence faith community in exploring our call to do justice in our community. You are invited to participate in this exciting initiative as we consider what it means to address root causes of suffering and injustice. Steve Yoder, Missions Ministry Vice Chair

Vacation Bible School June 9-13, 2014

This year we are partnering with several local churches for a combined Vacation Bible School. We will work together with Trinity Lutheran, Plymouth Congregational, and Peace Mennonite Churches to coordinate and celebrate VBS. The theme is Workshop of Wonders: Imagine & Build with God, and VBS will be in the evenings, June 9-13, 2014 located at Trinity Lutheran Church. Each evening will begin with a meal for children and parents. The week will conclude with a concert and pot luck picnic at South Park. The cost is $15/child, $45/family max. Registration deadline: May 23. Registration and Volunteer forms will be available soon.

New Photo Directory Ready for Appointments!

Are you a church member, regular attender, or college student? The FBC Membership Ministry invites everyone to get their picture taken for our new photo directory! Portrait sessions will be available April 30, May 1, 2, and 3. Simply go to our church website, www.firstbaptistlawrence.com and click on the link Church Portraits. It will take you right to a sign-up page. If you do not have access to a computer, please call the church office and we will make an appointment for you at your specified time.

Remember in Prayer Lois Reeves, hospitalized at LMH The Ordination Council for Angie Jackson will be Sunday, Kris Kennedy, (Wichita) brother-in-law of Neal & Jenny March 30, at 3:00 p.m. at Gage Park Baptist Church in ToPurvis, ALS/pneumonia peka, KS, 3601 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS (785) 272-7771. International Ministries Missionary: Ruth Mooney, serving Please contact your church office if you would like to read in Costa Rico her ordination paper. She and husband, Roger, currently Regional Minister: ABC of Los Angeles, Dr. Robert Walserve as co-pastors of Gage Park Baptist Church. Janet L. Crowl lace, serving in Claremont, CA Northeast Area Moderator Local congregation: First Southern Baptist Church

Ordination of Angie Jackson Invitation

American Baptist Central Region Senior Adult Retreat

Easter Flowers Order Forms Available

Our sanctuary will be decorated with flowers for Easter Sunday as a memorial to or in honor of our loved ones. If you would like to purchase a plant, please contact the church office by e-mail: jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com or phone. Forms are also available throughout the building in Sunday School rooms and on the First Touch table.

Treasures Hidden Treasures Revealed

The Senior Adult Retreat is April 23-24 at Cross Wind Conference Center, Hesston, KS. If you would like to attend, a registration form is available in the church office and due by April 3. You can also find a form online at Abccr.org . Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray will be the keynote speaker. Dr. McCray is the current president of the American Baptist Historical Society located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Out of the Whirlwind: Questions from Job

Lenten Worship Series; March 9-April 6

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind... Job 38.1
This Lenten season, as we open our hearts to God through contemplation and self-examination, we turn to one of the greatest stories in Scripture to invite us to both: Job. The story prods us, confuses us, and invites to ask honest questions about where God is when all we see around us is the whirlwind. As we prepare for Holy Week this year, let us ask together: March 23: Where Are You? Job 23 March 30: Where Were You? Job 38-42.1-6 April 6: Why? Job 42.7-17
Chupper Schedule: 3/23: Youth Team (Quad Nox) 3/30: Eskilson/DavaParent Night 4/6: Yoder/Reimer Summer Camp Deposit is due! Please let Pastor Meredith know if your student(s) will be going. Also please let her know if you need financial assistance. Spring Retreat Sign-Ups Due! The total cost for the Spring Retreat is $25. Dates: May 9-11, Tall Oaks Conference Center

First Baptist Church 1330 Kasold Drive Lawrence, Kansas 66049 785/843-0020 785/843-0021 (fax) www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

Wednesday Night Supper

Life of the Church

Sunday, March 23 8:30 a.m.Worship 9:30 a.m.Sunday School 11:00 a.m.Worship 5:00 p.m.ABY/ Chupper 6:00Sanctuary of the Cinema Tuesday, March 25 11:00 a.m.Newsletter announcements due Wednesday, March 26 6:00 p.m.Church-wide dinner 6:45Children Matter Group Thursday, March 27 7:00Project Comm. Mtg, Judson Rm. 7:30 p.m.Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday Morning Volunteers

Nursery 9:30 a.m.Jane Miller 11:00 a.m.Amy Munsterman Extended Care Kimberly Sturtevant

March 26

Office Notes
Nathan is in Arizona until early April. Matt and Meredith will be out of the office on Thurs. March 20 and the church office will be closed. Jenny will take some vacation time on March 20 & 21st. The church office will be open on Friday from 9 a.m. to Noon.

Looking Ahead: 3/30: Liturgist Training 4/13: Palm Sunday 4/13: Sanctuary of the Cinema 4/13: Family Promise Week begins 4/18: Good Friday combined evening worship at First Presbyterian Church 4/20: Easter Sunday 4/27: Quarterly Business Gathering

By the Numbersas of March 16, 2014

GENERAL OPERATING Weekly Receipts: $12,143.65.00 YTD Receipts: $79,379.65.00 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Weekly Receipts: $710.00 Cumulative Giving: $233,460.25 If you would like more detailed financial information, please contact our bookkeeper at grassyclan@att.net. Thank you for your generous giving. Your generosity helps to make our many ministries possible.

Liturgist Training Rescheduled: March 30, 12:15 pm

Roger Williams Room