April is Autism Awareness Month .  All volunteers who work with children and other interested people are invited to attend the Autism Training Class being offered next Sunday, April 24,  at 9:00 AM in the BFLC. 

Softball Season is here :  Please sign up on the ramp bulletin board if you are interested in playing.  Participants must be at least 15 years old.  The first game is May 2.  A schedule is posted on the bulletin board. 

 Vote to extend a call to Pastor Dawes as Sr. Pastor for FBC Please see the insert with for details

SURGE Young Adult Conference : May 13-15 ~ A deposit of $30 is needed by the 15th to hold your spot, with the remaining amount due before leaving. Please talk to Lynn Wintersteen for all the details.

5 Principles for Disciplining Your Children by Max Lacado is now available on Right Now Media. If you are a part of First Baptist, you can get a free subscription to this on-line library with thousands of videos and helps for children, teens, and families. Contact the office to find out how to join.

Be sure and pick up a M & M Tube this morning and fill it with quarters.   The quarters collected will pay for the rice, beans, and seeds that our team will be packing at the GAiN Warehouse on June 21. Please return the tubes by June 12.

Phone Prayer Chain : If you are on the Phone Prayer Chain, please pick up an updated calling list at the Information Desk.

April is Autism Awareness Month . On April 24th, at 9:00 AM in the BFLC, we are hosting an Autism Training Class. This is for all teachers and anyone who works with children. Anyone else who is interested is also welcome to attend.

Something new! What is Christianity all about? Who was Jesus and why did He come? What is the meaning of the gospel and grace? Christianity Explored is an 8 week class which will answer these questions through a though provoking video series and small group discussion. This class is for old and new believers and is a great way to get a hold of the good news that Jesus came to bring. The class will begin on May 1st in the music room at 9:00 AM.

Journeying with Jesus Ladies Sunday School class is just starting a new study from “A SHEPHERD LOOKS AT PSALM 23 by W. Phillip Keller. Ladies are welcome to join them any Sunday at 9:00 AM.

Planting Seeds of Service is the featured article in the Focus on the Family Bulletin Insert this morning. As you read the article you will see a suggestion of donating garden produce to a local food pantry or shelter as a teaching moment to children. We can help with that through our own community garden project at First Baptist. If you are interested in helping with a garden project that would provide food to the local food bank, please call, or email Sabrina at 570-764-4316 or sabrinasmith78@yahoo.com.

The Tract Rack has been updated with many new tracts available for your use. Large print Daily Bread Devotional books are also available.

Midweek Meal : Join us for our Midweek Family Meal on Wednesday, April 6.   The menu for this week is Springtime Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garden Salad, Fresh Garlic Bread & Desserts. Please sign up by Monday, April 4 on the Ramp Bulletin Board, in your SBS class, or by calling the office. Suggested donation for meals is $3 per person/$10 per family. If you would like to take a meal to a shut-in there is no charge.

All ladies are welcome to join a new group to begin working on the Luo pad project on Tuesday, April 5, at 9 AM in the BFLC. We’ll be tracing, cutting (bring fabric cutting scissors if you have some) sewing, and turning and sewing some more. If you have questions please call the office. This will be an on-going project.

Psalm 23 is the most read psalm, but did you ever wonder what some of the verses really mean? What was David referring to when he said “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me?” Come join the Journeying with Jesus Ladies Sunday School class in a study of this beautiful, comforting psalm based on the book, “A SHEPHERD LOOKS AT PSALM 23 by W. Phillip Keller. The study begins today, April 3rd, but come join us anytime during the next 12 weeks in room 228. For more information contact the office.

Sunday Evening, 6 PM ~ There will be a short business meeting followed by a Mission’s Report from Sam & Connie Gill.  Please bring a dessert to share.  

Please join us  on Thursday evening, 7 PM, in the sanctuary for the dramatic presentation of the Lord’s Supper, followed by communion.

 No midweek ministries  on Wednesday this week, as we will celebrate The Living Lord’s Supper on Thursday evening, March 24th, at 7 PM. 

If you are interested in being baptized, please talk to one of the pastors.  A baptism service is planned for Sunday, April 3. 

Parents of College-students  :  The deadline for filling out the update form is next Sunday, April 3.    Please pick up a form at the Information Desk or call the church office. A new form is required each time boxes are mailed so please make sure we get this information so no one will be left out.   Donations for the college boxes may be placed in the box located in the kitchen foyer through April 10.  The boxes will be packed on April 11. 

Be sure and stop by the Tract Rack  where you will find many helps to use during the Easter season. 

All ladies are invited  to our Ladies Friendship Tea, “Springtime in Paris”, on April 23.  Please stop by the table in the foyer  to pick up tickets for a $5 donation.  . 

Our Haiti Mission’s Team   is preparing for their trip April 16-23.  In addition to prayer and financial support, there are a couple projects that will help them minister to the people in Haiti. 

SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

Friday, March 18 ~ Mini trip to GAiN Warehouse 

Don’t forget to bring items to put in the college care packages.  Donations can be placed in the box located in the kitchen foyer today through
April 10.  Parents of college students need to fill out a form updating their child’s address (deadline April 3 

Please help us save postage  by picking up your letter containing the Haiti 10 (April 16-23) Mission Trip details. There is one copy for every family. The team can always use large suitcases to transport materials they are taking with them and linen plastic bags. These items may be placed in the office.

The Easter Offering this year will go toward Youth Mission Events.  If you would like to participate
in this offering, Easter Offering Envelopes are available in the pew racks this morning and will also be available next Sunday. 

Exploring FBC, a class for those who would like to find out more about our church, baptism, and/or membership, begins this morning at 9 AM in the Conference Room. It runs for three weeks.

A Baptism Service is being planned for April 3. Please talk to one of the pastors if you are interested.

Attention Deaconesses ~ There will be a brief meeting next Sunday, March 13, at 10 AM in the Conference Room.

Child Safe Church ~ if you would like to help in any ministry involving children/youth you must have various clearances (details found on our web-site). One of the requirements is to attend a Safe Church Class which will explain FBC’s policies. This class is being offered March 13 and March 20, at 9 AM in the BFLC. Please let the office know if you would like to attend this class.

Prayer Chain 2016 Update: It is time to update our Prayer Chain, which is used for urgent matters, hospitalizations, or for families who have had a death of a loved one, etc. If you are currently on either prayer chain (phone or email) and wish to continue, you do not need to do anything. If you would like to be added to a prayer chain or make any changes, please contact the office.

Have you ever wanted a garden but didn’t know how to make it happen? Let this be the year you do it, and help out the food bank in the process! If you are interested in helping with a garden project that would provide food to the local food bank, please call, or email Sabrina: 570-764-4316) or sabrinasmith78@yahoo.com. You do not need any prior experience or a green thumb…just a willingness to help!

Our Easter Offering this year will go toward Youth Mission Events. If you would like to participate in this offering, Easter Offering Envelopes will be available in the pew racks next Sunday.

Easter flowers may be ordered in honor or memory of a loved one. Suggested donation is $8.50. The flowers will be available to take on Resurrection Sunday after the 10:30 service. Please stop by the Information Desk or call the office by March 23rd.

Daylight Savings Time begins next week. Don’t forget to move your clock ahead one hour Saturday night before you go to bed!

Outside of Springer Chapel & in the main foyer today – please help us save postage by picking up your letter containing the Haiti 10 (April 16-23) Mission Trip details. There is one copy for every family. The team can always use large suitcases to transport materials they are taking with them and linen plastic bags. These items may be placed in the office.