Adult Christian Education Committee will meet in Room 301 at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13.
CHILDREN
NURSERY:
Infants and children up to age 3 are invited to our nursery on the second floor (ML) during Worship.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH SCHOOL:
Church School will meet today following the Moment for Young Worshipers. Our lesson: “A Palm Sunday Parade” is based on Matthew 21:1-11. Children will celebrate the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem as we begin our “Take a Walk to Jerusalem” experience with members of the Health Ministry Committee. Children will be invited to take a walk around Bronson Park to experience how we can enjoy exercise, nature, and fellowship all at the same time. Parents may pick up their child(ren) in Room 314.
The children have collected $143.49 for “The Shoe that Grows”. These shoes will be sent with Rob Bradford on his mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
GOOD FRIDAY FAMILY NIGHT: April 14
Children and their families are invited to our Good Friday Family Night in Room 314. Dinner will be served at 6:00. Good Friday/Easter-themed movies, activities, and stories will be shared with the children while parents attend the Good Friday service in the Sanctuary at 7:00.
APRIL CHURCH SCHOOL SCHEDULE:
April 9—Palm Sunday **
10:00 a.m.—”Blessing of the Palms”
Palm Sunday Ecumenical Service in Bronson Park
10:20 a.m.—Palm Sunday Processional into the Worship Service (assemble in the Gathering Place)
During Church School—the children will parade around Bronson Park for “Take a Walk to Jerusalem” (a Health Ministry activity).
April 13—Good Friday
6:00 p.m.—Good Friday Dinner with Families at FPC. Please sign up by Palm Sunday (April 9) so Pat will know how many people to expect.
7:00 p.m.—Movies and activities (during the Good Friday worship service) VeggieTales “An Easter Carol” will be shown at our Good Friday with the First Families. Sign-up sheet is posted outside of Pat Stromsta’s office (#206).
April 16—Easter Sunday **
No Church School today.
April 23
10:45 a.m.—Church School: our Lesson is “Jesus will always be with us.”
April 30 – Earth Day Celebration (featuring Green P’s Bees)
12:00 p.m.—Lunch and demonstration in the Dining Room
1:00 p.m.—CROP Walk (Registration at 1:00; Walk at 2:00)
** The children will sing during the Palm Sunday worship service (“Hosanna! Hosanna! the little children sing” and “Hosanna! this is a special day”) and during the Easter Sunday worship service (“Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil” and “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High!”).
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: June 26-30
Bronson Park churches will host a Christian Day-Camp in June at First Congregational Church. Watch these Announcements for more details.
YOUTH
MISSION AND MOVIES: Local Urban Mission Trip Experience (June 19 – 22)
Students in middle and high school are invited to spend four days exploring local, urban poverty. Through our volunteering at the Gospel Mission, Ministry with Community, Kalamazoo Deacons Conference, and Loaves & Fishes, we will learn about resources that are available to the marginalized of our community. After lunch we will view movies that deal with systemic poverty and God’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves. On Wednesday afternoon, the students will prepare and serve dinner for our Celebrate the Vision guests. This Mission Trip/Experience is limited to 12 students. The cost is $50.00 for the week (scholarships are available). We will meet from 9:00–3:00 (Mon/Tues/Thur) and 9:00–6:00 (Wed).
ADULTS
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: (April 13 and 20)
Thursday Women’s Bible Study will meet from 9:30–11:00 a.m. in Room 301 on Thursday, April 13, for a Maundy Thursday meditation and a Holy Week experience. Visitors are always welcome. Childcare is provided in Room 306.
On April 20, we will begin a new study based on the book, James: Mercy Triumphs, by Beth Moore. This study includes eight video sessions plus an in-depth Bible study on the Book of James. Topics in this study include: joy, hardship, faith, reversal of fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness, the dangers of the tongue, humility, and prayer. Participants may approach this study by (1) watching the video sessions only, (2) watching the video session and doing homework each week, or (3) watching the video sessions, doing the homework, and writing out the entire Book of James. Pat Stromsta will facilitate this class.