April Events (2).doc (97 KB)

FBC News & Notes for March 31^st

Good morning from a remarkably quiet church;

The bathrooms are done, Dave Follack (gym) is working on another project during spring break, Debbie Mitchell is home with the kids over spring break, Ryan has had a couple of days at home, Jeremy has been in and out, Anne is doing her paper for Baptist History so has been at home, Sandy works Wednesday and Thursday but comes in after rush hour……. The building project next door is very quiet this morning. So, here I am amidst a silent church writing a note to one and all. I realize it is the calm before the busyness to come as Holy Week is upon us. I decided that having been reminded numerous times through Ryan’s preaching about Henri Nouwen’s book “The Return of the Prodigal Son” that I would reread it and ponder where home is for me. However, as I purchased it I found a new book written after his death and using his reflections on the parable. It is called, “Coming Home”. (Just had the first shake of the building… they are at work next door.) I am single, both my parents have died and I live alone. I left a job I had for almost 30 years and in the midst of that change and the death of my mother, I have needed to ask the question……. To whom do I belong and where is my home?  My humorous answer during a period of time when I had moved about 4 times in one year was where my clothes are… well actually where my underwear was. However, for all of us this is a question of import as all of us face the issue at some time. The answer is, of course, simple. Home is with and in God and we belong body and soul (to quote a source which I forget) to our Lord Jesus Christ. Deep understanding of that is not quite as simple. The most powerful looking at that came as I companioned a friend in her terminal illness. We were able to keep company with her throughout the time of her dying. However, death is a crossing that all must do alone. Again Nouwen came to the rescue. He had spent time with a family of trapeze artists. One brother was the catcher and the other was the flip in the air one. He asked the stunt brother what he had to do to catch his brother’s hands once he had finished his stunt. The brother said, absolutely nothing. All I can do is stretch out my hands and trust that the catcher’s hands will catch me. If I try to catch him I may break both our wrists. Nouwen said, death and I would add, life, is like that, all one can do is stretch out ones hands and trust that the hands of the catcher will be there to catch us. He said, trust the hands of God, He is faithful and will catch you. Ryan has reminded us that we are the beloved of God. We seem to take time to internalize that and to understand that it means we are “home” in God. Ultimately no job, no person, nothing can replace the belonging/home that comes from God.

CALENDAR

1. Thursday, April 1^st: Inside Out Practice for Children 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

                                      Children’s Play Group 10:00 am to 12:00 noon

                                      Mom’s Group 9:00 am

                                      Maundy Thursday Service 8:00 pm

1. Friday, April 2^nd: Service @ First Presb. 11:00 am

                                   Outdoor way of the Cross 10:00 am Boyle Street Community League

                                   Office closed

1. Saturday, April 3^rd:  Holy Saturday Service at Augustana Lutheran 8:00 pm
2. Sunday, April 4^th: Easter Sunday Service FBC Edmonton.
3. Monday, April 5^th: Office closed
4. Tuesday, April 6^th: Council Meeting 7:00 pm

NEWS

1. Jay Buhler sent the following note to us: a colleague of mine from work is moving to BC and is looking to give away her organ.  She is wondering if our church or someone from our church might be interested in taking it off her hands.  Apparently it is old but in excellent condition. 

This is the model number in case you would like to learn more:

Yamaha Electone BK-20B Series

those interested may call Sharon Chrismas at 780.415.0042. 

2. A Note from Jeremy Keay

Easter Sunday, naturally, marks the Umpteenth Annual Youth Breakfast.

I’ll be at the church at 8:00 am—those who are helping should come at that time.

Come cook breakfast and bless the church with a hearty Easter meal.

Really, it is a lot of fun and the food is delightful.

There will be a wo/mancake, and it will be eaten. – By some courage’s person.

3. One of our sister churches from Fort St. John is looking for lodging for 2 nights as they attend a Youth Conference here in Edmonton.  The nights needed are Fri/Sat May 28-29.  Two houses are needed with at least 1 leader and approx. 4-5 students per house.  They will bring sleeping bags and foamies and are ready to “rough it” on a basement floor if needed!  Contact Tana if you have space available:  tana@fbcedmonton.ca .

4. Holy Saturday Service, 8 pm, April 3

Augustana Lutheran Church has invited us to be a part of their Holy Saturday Service on Sat. April. 3.  Sandy Smith will be preaching a short homily and Ryan Sato will be assisting in the service.  We have been asked to provide 1-2 Scripture readers.  If you are planning to come to this service and are willing to read, please send Ryan a “YES” by Friday noon (April 2).  Thanks!  ryan@fbcedmonton.ca

5. Here are a few photos that our photographer posted on her Blog of the wedding. I think First Baptist Church looks very nice!!

       http://dragonflyphototographyrebecca.blogspot.com/

             Bonnie Bucher

6. If you are bringing a griddle for the pancake breakfast……. Please bring on Thursday.

7. A note from Karen Bellous

Karen Sucie is looking for grade 4-6 children to participate in the hand bell choir that will be performing May 9^th for Mother’s day. We need to know how many children are participating to make an appropriate selection of music. We will have puppet theater program for younger siblings of our hand bell choir. Come early, as the children will be practicing for the Easter Service for the next two Sundays. Please have your children at the church at 9:45am March 28^th and April 4 Easter Sunday to rehearse with the choir. We will meet in the sanctuary; they will practice Inside Out down in the classroom afterwards. As most of you are going to be around for Spring Break we will have a rehearsal for Inside Out from 10-12. The preschool group that meets during Mom’s group will also meet at this time so that the smaller children have something to do.  There is a calendar attached with the dates and times of all the practices for April. Our dress rehearsal is scheduled for May 29^th, please mark your calendars.

The five/six leadership group had a great time at the Wirzba’s creating video using a bag filled with props. While their skits tended to be a bit dark, there was lots of laughter. We had a great discussion about what it meant to be the body of Christ, a community of faith and children who attend First Baptist Church. Many of the children said they loved the relationships they had with people in our church; they valued everyone as an important part of our community and appreciated that everyone can contribute. They appreciated that they were prayed and cared for by people in our church. Our next event will be April 16^th with Mitchell’s hosting.

Easter is soon approaching and the children will be participating in the Easter service in a variety of ways. We need six children to help with the prayers of the people and all of our Son Kids will be singing in the children’s choir.. I have attached the parts for the Easter Service if you will be here for Easter please let me know so that we can get your children involved.

April 26th will be our last Children’s Ministry Table Round Table. Are there any topics you would like Joyce to share her expertise with us on? On May 17th we will meet to talk about the successes of the past year and plan for next year. Are you interested in visioning and planning for our children and would like to support me in Children’s Ministry? If so, this would be a monthly commitment of planning and praying for this ministry. Please let me know if you are interested in being on this team.

All from FBC with blessings for Easter

Tana