“Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:19 NIV
How Great Is Our God? By Pastor Kara Krohg I am in the process of reading the Old Testament in a few different settings with the youth, friends, and by myself. The interesting relationship to watch is the people with God. God never changes, but the people often do. The people remained faithful while they had a good leader, but then after that leader died, the people fell away. I asked myself, why? Did they make their leader into an idol? Did they practice their faith apart from the time with their leader? Or was their view of God not powerful enough to weather the death of their beloved leader? The same questions can be asked of us every season of Lent.
What if we lift our heads and our hearts? When the people of the Old Testament turned their hearts towards God, humbled themselves, cried out to God, and changed their bad habits, they heard from Heaven. They made room for God to use them to accomplish great things through his mighty power. His love for them was never ending; he was so faithful to forgive. He even sent many angels, prophets, and miracles to remind the people of his devotion to his covenant with them. The way to the cross for Jesus was not easy, but that’s what makes Easter Hope so much sweeter. In order to know the joy we can share, we need to travel with him on the painful journey first.
I pray this Lent you would continue to work on the challenges with our church family, discovering together what sacrifices we need to make to help our faith grow, Why did the disciples fall away when Jesus was arrested be strengthened, and be led together to love God and and killed? Why did they not believe his promise to our neighbor. return? Why did some of John’s followers not become Remember on even the toughest days that Christ’s Jesus’ followers? How do we fit into this picture? death and resurrection has set you free - free from conOne of the ways we get caught in this trap is by keeping demnation, free from earthly fear, and free from evil. He our head down. We listen to the news and get discour- reminds us that he holds the whole world in his hands, aged; we see aging congregations and fear settles in; we he is working out good for us in his perfect will, and he experience unending death and disease with our family promises us that one day death and disease will be and friends. It seems chaotic, miserable, and hard. stopped when he returns or when we go permanently into his presence. Jesus gives us the authority to cast out our fears and take on his power, his love, and his selfdiscipline. Trust that God is at work, hold fast to his promises, and to be open to his Spirit to act when he calls.
Our Great God
Pastor Kara
Taken from “The Secret Place” devotional. You may pick one up for yourself for a donation of $.25 each in the narthex or east hallway.
Sunday Worship Service 9:30 a.m. April 2nd Communion April 9th Palm Sunday April 16th Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 7:00 a.m. Easter breakfast in Fellowship Hall following sunrise service Worship Service 9:30 a.m. April 30th Graduation Sunday Sunday School (No SS 4/16)
Apr 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
10:45 a.m.
Youth Group (No YG 4/16, 4/23 TBD) 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays (No Connect 4/12): CONNECT Meal 5:45 p.m. Spiritual Disciplines 6:30 p.m. PreK - 3rd Grade 6:30 p.m. Stitches from the Heart 6:30 p.m. *Tentatively the 26th* Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Last CONNECT - April 26th
1 Peter 5:1-11 Psalm 23 John 3:17-21 1 John 2:15-17 John 7:45-52 Numbers 21:4-9 John 19:38-42 Titus 3:1-7 John 3:1-16 John 19:31-37 1 John 5:6-12 Psalm 34:15-20 John 19:23-25a John 19:26-27 Luke 24:1-12 John 20:1-10; 1 Peter 1:3-5,8-9
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Romans 1:1-15 Romans 5:1-5 Romans 5:18-21 Romans 8:18-25 Romans 8:26-30 2 Corinth 11:21-27 Rom 5:6-11, 8:31-39
Matt 13:10-17 Ezekiel 34:1-10 Matt 18:1-5, 10-14 Acts 20:25-28 John 21:15-19 John 9:35-41 John 10:1-15
First Baptist Church 709 Independence St Pella, IA 50219 Senior Pastor Jay Thornton
[email protected] Assoc. Pastor Kara Krohg
[email protected] Regular Office Hours: Phone: Email: Website: Admin. Assistant: Custodian:
Maundy Thursday Potluck & Service - April 13th 6:00 p.m.
Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 641.628.3401
[email protected] fbcpella.org Ann Millar Merlin Van Dyk
Good Friday Service - April 14th, 6:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday 7:00/9:30 a.m. Services & Breakfast (approx. 8:00 a.m.) April 16th
How Great Is Our God? By Pastor Kara Krohg…………………………….………………………………. Front Board Reports & Inspiration……………………………………………………………...………………………. Page 3 Prayer Concerns, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Library News…………………………………………. Page 4 Opportunities to Give & Serve…………………..……..……...…………………………………………………. Page 5 Church Calendar………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… Page 6 Published monthly by First Baptist Church, 709 Independence St, Pella, IA 50219. All rights reserved.
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Use of Church Property Policy
Use of the property of the First Baptist Church is limited to functions sponsored by the church. This includes those functions that are held in the building and those that are sponsored by the church but held in an alternate location. Use of tables, chairs, equipment, choir music, and instruments is not allowed by individuals for purposes other than those sponsored by the church. (Trustee Policy, Aug 2011)
The diaconate is working with Pastor Jay on a plan for intentional change - what God is calling our church to do. The group voted in favor of moving forward with a vision team that Pastor Jay will put
This policy helps ensure that the property of the church is available and in good condition when it is needed for church activities. It’s always a good idea to ask one of the trustees when in doubt about borrowing and using anything from the church building. Thank you for your cooperation!
together.
There will be a congregational breakfast in between the Easter sunrise and 9:30 a.m. services.
Anyone interested in baptism or membership should contact Pastor Jay or one of the diaconate
Your trustees:
members.
Visitation assignments for 2017 were made. If you know of someone who would like weekly/monthly visitation, please contact the church office.
Mike Clark, chair
Ron Vander Linden
Marla Dahm
Alan Naaktgeboren
Curt Hite
Ron Vander Weerdt
Graduation recognition will be April 30, with one Central student, Colin Strickland, being recognized. Colin has graced our choir with his voice the past few years.
The CE board will be busy with meals this season. They are providing the CONNECT meal on April 5 and will host a meal for Sunday school and Connect teachers on May 21.
“I have held many things in my hands,
Ideas of for Connect for the fall are still being discussed.
and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.” Martin Luther 3
Lloyd & Arlene Brand
Darlene Kool
Dan Arnett & family
Bea Mick
Mary Carson
Lt A. J. Nunnikhoven
Cole Chavez
Ken & Miriam Roberts
Sgt. John Cogley
Albert Rouw
Alex Ehler
Dan Scaperoth
Joni Felton
Lovena Van Haaften
Donna Gilchrist
Dottie Van Vark
2nd Lt. Wesley Hoksbergen
Kevin Vander Hart
Robin Kemntz
The following books and movies were added to the church library in March: The Cherished Quilt By Amy Clipston (fiction) #3 Amish Heirloom Series Between Sundays By Karen Kingsbury (fiction) Shaped by God By Max Lucado (non-fiction)
Wilma Ver Heul
The Way of Women By Lauraine Snelling (fiction)
Pte. Matt Vos
Look for a good book or movie in the library or narthex this week!
A very happy birthday to… 2nd 3rd 4th 10th
15th 16th 17th
Judy Buitenwerf Barb Cruzen Matt Thomas Klaire De Vos Kayley De Vos Paul Pippel Lori Van Hal Grace Butler Peggy Klein Randy Sikkema Char Baumann Luke Duenwald
18th 19th 20th
25th 27th
May God bless these marriages with health, joy, and many more years!
Kathi Lucas Annette Dean Dawn Owens Kelly Taylor Wayne Vander Pol Wendy Van Haaften
Vince & Karla Nossaman were married 31 years ago on April 18th.
Mike & Judy Clark will celebrate 34 years of wedded bliss on April 29th.
Don’t see your birthday or anniversary in the newsletter? Please call or email the church office with your information and it’ll be added to the list! 4
April Food Shelf Needs:
April Van Drivers:
Taste of the Orient: Instant rice, Ramen noodles, sweet & sour sauce, soy sauce, Oriental meal mixes, sides, and spices
Curt & Pat Hite
628-3311
Van Coordinator: Ron Vander Linden
**Checks can be made out directly to the Food Shelf**
780-3682
*Greeter Schedule:
February donations: 74 items, $135.00
4/2
Lois Allen & Tami Van Zante
Thank you for supporting this important community service!
4/9
Curt & Pat Hite
4/16
(7:00 a.m.) Bob & Ruth Rieken (9:30 a.m.) Terry & Mary Lenox
April 17th - 22nd Please sign up in the narthex for the day(s) you can join the crew during the Forest Lake Work Week. This year we will be painting cabins along with other general clean-up tasks, so you can see there is something for everyone to do! It is always a good time and the work we do makes us feel good with God as our boss. Please sign up today!
4/23
Henry & Carol Schuring
4/30
Dennis & Sharon Blanke
*Usher Schedule: 4/2
Diaconate
4/9
Dennis Dingeman
Bob Owens
Bill Anderson
Questions? Contact Paul Ostrander or Arlin Harvey.
4/16
Note: we are not going the same week as other region churches because they are going the week of Tulip Time.
(7:00 a.m.)
Glen Vander Werf
Keith Gates
Darrell Dobernecker
(9:30 a.m.)
Curt & Pat Hite
Jeff & Liz Vander Werf 4/23
Tulips are poking out of the ground - Tulip Time is just around the corner! Please consider helping us make it another successful year for the Vetbollen stand.
Joe & Sherri Seekamp Terry Bandstra
4/30
Sign up in the narthex to donate supplies ingredients for the vetbollen, cleaning and cooking supplies. Please bring these to the church by noon on Sunday, April 30th.
Linda Vander Werf
Lovena Van Haaften
Pat Hite
Karen Matice
Nursery (please sign up in the narthex):
Monetary donations can be placed in the container in the narthex. This money will purchase the supplies to make Double Dutch sandwiches. Adult volunteers - sign up in the narthex for one or more 3 hour shifts working in the stand alongside the youth. This is a great bonding experience! Youth volunteers’ sign up will be coordinated by Pastor Kara.
4/2
Johnnie & Maria Bogaards
4/9
1 person needed
4/16
2 people needed for both 7:00/9:30 services
4/23
1 person needed
4/30
1 person needed
* If you have a conflict, please switch with someone or find a replacement. Call or email the church office and let us know about the change.
Used 5x9 or larger piece of carpet for the stand if you have one laying around, consider donating it!
Thank you! 5
First Baptist Church
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
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3
4
Sat
1 AB Women’s Ministries Area III Spring Rally Church Bingo 3-5 p.m.
5
6
7
8
13
14
CONNECT 5:45 p.m. Meal chili dogs 6:30 p.m. Activities 7:30 p.m. Choir
Communion Sunday
9
10
11
No CONNECT
CE Board Trustees 8:00 a.m.
16
12
17
18
19
No Sunday School/ Youth Group
23
Mary Martha Circle 1:30 p.m.
24
5:45 p.m. Meal 6:30 p.m. Activities 7:30 p.m. Choir
25
Maundy Thursday Good Friday Service Potluck/Service 6:30 p.m.
20
CONNECT Worship 7:00/9:30 a.m.
26
15
Senior Singles Outing 10:30 a.m.
Senior Citizens Lunch 11:30 a.m.
21
AB Women’s Ministries Regional Event
Search & Grow 7:00 p.m.
27
22
28
29
CONNECT
Leadership Council 8:00 a.m.
30
Senior Singles Game Day 2:00 p.m.
5:45 p.m. Meal 6:30 p.m. Activities 7:30 p.m. Choir
Egg Hunt 2:30 p.m.
Prairie Pastors’ Conference He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
Diaconate 8:00 a.m.
Mark 8:31 6
