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“...[T]his is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” From -1 John 3:16 -24 This is a sermon preview for the second sermon in our series on 1 John. To view livestreams, click here. International Ministries Global Servants Carlos Bonilla & Mayra Giovanetti make living and teaching the commands aimed at a disciple a core part of their work. They not only teach how to teach, but they live with and teach by example. They once shared a story about Laura Erica, a seminary student they worked with who started a discipleship program in Nicaragua. The goal of every teacher is to see the student learn and succeed. In discipleship, our goal is to see our disciples becoming disciplers who continue acquiring knowledge, vitally living out the Word, and educating others.  We met Laura Erica, who at the time was a seminary student and the National Youth President,on our first day in Nicaragua in 2013. A mutual friend had connected us through Facebook, so when we arrived for the final day of the National Baptist Convention of Nicaragua’s annual sessions, she found us and introduced herself in person During the next four years, Laura Erica became part of our family, and us part of hers. She continued and completed her studies at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Managua and her involvement in the National Youth Ministries. She'd teach us the local culture, and she would be integrated with our family and learn how we teach. She watched our every move and came with us when we started the discipleship groups in the regions We are so blessed to see how Laura Erica continues organizing her own Ministry Story discipleship groups. Even without her own transportation, she moves around. She is following what she learned with us those four years and giving of herself "to do even greater things than these" as Jesus in John 14 encouraged all of us who are his disciples. Each believer and follower of Christ is to be a disciple that disciples others, "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" as Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28. The discipleship encounters in Iberoamerica and the Caribbean continue….” From the Ministry Stories of International Ministries Global Servants Carlos Bonilla & Mayra Giovanetti Love in the Christian fellowship isn't simply a feeling. It's an action which reflects the love of Christ. Believers can have confidence in their relationship with God because of his action on our behalf. And this confidence should encourage us to follow his command to love one another. The Spirit testifies to the truth of the Good News of Jesus, and empowers us to follow his commands. Christ lives in us by the Spirit and the Spirit spurs us on to good works. Join us April 28th, as we welcome Mayra Giovanetti in worship, we learn what it means to live proclaiming the Lord and his love, and as we have a special Spaghetti lunch in honor of these Global Servants working in International Missions for decades. You can find more information at this page. And register for the lunch at this link.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” - Hebrews 13:6-16 FBCM is excited to welcome Jordan and Mindy Morris to lead worship on Sunday, April 21, 2024. They are the Camp Directors of Indian Creek Baptist Camp in Bedford, IN. Jordan will be preaching the message on this year’s camp theme: Always. In addition to reading Hebrews 13:6-16 and Psalm 118:1-6, you can prepare for worship by reading Pastor Kendall’s interview with the Morrises below! Q: What was your favorite thing about camp when you were growing up? A: Every part of it! I was kind of a wild kid, so playing outside all day was a perfect fit for who I was. It was a really rainy day during my first time at camp. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go until we played mud kickball, which is exactly what it sounds like. When you kick the ball, you have to slide through the mud puddles into the bases. It was everything a 5th grade boy wants. From then on, I was hooked. Hooked on the fun, the activities, and the time hanging out with friends. Q: When did you come to ICBC? What drew you there? A: Oh…let’s see. I think I first started in 1998 as a camper. I went to FBC, and my friends invited me to go. They had a tradition of going to ICBC together. I spent 4 years as a camper, then 8 years on staff. In 2010 I started this role as Camp Director. Mindy has a similar story, but she actually came first! She started as an ICBC camper a couple years before I did. Q: What do you love about being ICBC's Camp Director? A: Mindy and I heard God’s call to serve at ICBC so clearly. Being Camp Directors is just who He's created us to be, so we love living out that calling. The gifts we have help us to succeed here. Mindy has a degree in Early Education. I studied Secondary Education and Life Sciences. I’ve also learned a lot on the job, too: plumbing, groundskeeping, and so on. Mindy is incredible at program planning. She can make any game an object lesson for spiritual formation. Q: What are the "must-dos" for new campers at ICBC? A: Definitely play Monsoon! Let’s be clear: it’s a pointless game. There’s no goal or outcome. Your team is just trying to get as wet as you can in a relay-type series of events. Monsoon is hilarious and everyone loves it. Honestly, this points to another deeper “must-do.” New campers should embrace the fun! Go all out on the themes, memory making, and adventure! Like if it’s Medieval Night, eat the messy chicken legs and corn cobs from the table and go all out on jousting with pool noodles. Have fun and don't worry about fitting in. Just be yourself. Campers get the best experience when they are themselves in every way. As I heard one camper say, "Camp is where I can be the most me." That is the atmosphere we strive to create at ICBC. Ultimately, at the end of the week we want campers to have accomplished three things: connect, refresh and grow. This is ICBC’s vision. No matter how silly or serious something seems, every activity at camp will intentionally help you to connect, refresh, and grow with God and others. This is why we’re here. Q: How did you pick this year's camp theme? A: There’s not a super formal process for picking a camp theme. It’s more of a time of discernment as many camp leaders come together to listen and follow God’s prompting. In the Spring, we look for inspiration as we begin thinking about next year. Mindy and I will send ideas to Session Directors and Camp Pastors. It’s usually something God spoke through a song, devotional, or podcast. It’s tricky because the theme must be simple enough to be communicated in one day with Kindergarteners and deep enough to focus on for an entire week with High School. Narrow and broad. All ICBC themes are Gospel driven, but we also strive for topics that can be found across the entire narrative of scripture. And we always pick something that is relevant to what young people face today. So last year’s theme was “Come to the Table.” Throughout the summer, we looked at images of tables and feasting throughout scripture.Personally, that was a particularly meaningful theme for me. “Always”--the 2024 camp theme–came out of songs and a devotion about how God has always been doing things. But it was kind of awkward to say “Always Been,” so we ultimately decided to abbreviate it to “Always.” The one word seemed to emphasize God’s eternal faithfulness and action. In the Psalms, David begs the question, “Where can I go from your spirit?” Nowhere. David always has God surrounding him. And the incredible thing that we will see both on Sunday and throughout this summer is that God is always with us, too. Every year, we make a playlist of songs that goes along with the camp theme. As you continue to think about how God is always with you, I encourage you to give this year’s ICBC playlist a listen. As you prepare for Sunday, you should especially pay attention to “Always Love Me” by Iron Bell Music and “Always With Me (Song for Anxiety)” by IAmSon. Lightning Round Questions: -Fav Camp Food: Jiffy. It’s the most “camp thing” ever. It’s basically a pancake wrapped around sausage on a stick like a breakfast corn dog. I also really like the “Golden Meal.” We only eat gold-colored foods: chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, and mandarin oranges. It’s nothing fancy, but we make a big deal out of the “Golden Meal.” And ICBC has the best mac n cheese. -Best Camp Tradition: Deep conversations on a swing. ICBC has multiple swings around the camp. And some of those swings are really old. I honestly don’t know why that's such a big part of our camp culture, but people love to relax in the shade together and just talk. It’s a great way that I see campers connect, refresh, and grow. -Fav Bible Verse: This changes. A lot of time it has to do with the theme of the upcoming season. Last year was a message that affected me in a deep way because of John 21. It's when Jesus meets with his disciples on the sea shore after the resurrection. The disciples are trying to leave, and Jesus says, "come and have breakfast with me." It really shows me God's intimacy and provision for us. -Award for Best Camp Prank: We stay away from pranks in a BIG way. But there are some approved ones like getting the camp staff soaked in Monsoon. ICBC pranks have to make people feel part of the team. Included and loved. Team building pranks make people feel part of the family. -Go-to Fun Fact: I’m usually the one on stage who's like "oh man!" because I can’t think of one…I guess my fun fact is that I have a great uncle who was an astronaut and has done three space walks. He’s never been on the moon, but he’s been outside the shuttle. Closing Remarks: ICBC is an easy place to love because of the people. I always love to bring more people into the camp family. Lots of other camps have the big activities like zip lines, waterfront properties, and wild games. But ICBC’s family culture is what brings people back each year. We look forward to having FBCM join the ICBC family this year. There will be many opportunities to connect more with the Morrises on Sunday. Youth Families, please remember to join Pastor Kendall and Jordan for the Camp Info Meeting during Donut Fellowship at 10:15AM. The Morrises will also have a table set-up with information about ICBC near the Welcome Center. Stop by the table after worship to introduce yourself and learn how you can support God's work at ICBC.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! - 1 John 3:1-7 (one of the readings for this week in the Revised Common Lectionary) This is a sermon preview for the second sermon in our series on 1 John. To view livestreams, click here. Light and Dark. Children of God and Children of the Devil. The book of First John often speaks in stark terms. It can lead us with a lot of questions. For example: how is it that the writer (the Elder) can say: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1:8). And, then, also say: “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” (3:6)? How can these both be true? In fact, it might be tempting to leave off part of the passage because of the difficulty of making sense of the language 1 John uses. Sometimes, we at FBCM and other churches use something called the lectionary. A lectionary is a list of possible readings tied to the church calendar. It encourages churches to read a variety of biblical passages; many churches also use these for preaching. Without the lectionary, I likely would not have chosen a series on 1 John. But I saw the lectionary went through a good portion for 1 John and thought it would be good for us to focus on the important message it has for us today. At the same time, sometimes there are gaps in the lectionary. For space, or for other reasons, the pastors and scholars who edited the lectionary cut some verses. Unfortunately, I think the lectionary sometimes avoids uncomfortable texts, even when it would make sense, in context, to include them. I call these "lectionary hack jobs." For example, 3:18-10 are some of the verses the lectionary leaves out completely, despite covering large parts of 1 John: The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. The questions pile up quickly. Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child (Anyone! Ever?). Those who do wrong are "children of the devil" (is this demonizing those who do wrong?) If we do not love our brother or sister, we are not God's child (should every fight at church or at home cause us to panic about our salvation?) One Biblical scholar even wrote on this passage in a Preaching Commentary: "Perhaps the preacher should take a hint from the lectionary and take a vacation from this text." But we will do no such thing! The lectionary exists as a tool to help us preach a variety of passages and not ignore parts of the Bible. But we're going to, in turn, help the lectionary . . . not ignore some parts of the Bible it skips over either! 1 John emphasizes that sin is completely outside the character of God. He cannot be associated with it at all. And those in God should have no tolerant attitude toward it. At the same time, John says if we are in Christ, we are already children of God. We know this is not based on our actions, but in God’s grace and mercy. We should live as we are, admitting (not denying) our sins and seeking to be pure and purified. John speaks in what we might call dichotomies: light and dark, children of God and children of the Devil. For modern people such “dualistic thinking,” might make us uncomfortable. It might even want to make us skip parts of this letter altogether. There may be no simple solution here, because the Elder is not interested in resolving the tension we feel when reading this text. But he does acknowledge the reality that in Christ we are already children of God and not yet what we will be. At the beginning of the chapter, he says: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3, NIV). Perhaps keeping the message that Christians are already children of God, and not yet what we will be, will help us emphasize both God’s grace and holiness are inseparable in our salvation. Such a message will help us to do several things: admit the reality of sin, confess our sins to trust in God’s forgiveness And to do so: without becoming used to sin, accepting of it, or casual about sin in view of God's complete rejection of it. Reflection Questions: Do you find yourself skipping over some verses or parts of books – even favorite books of the Bible? Why do you do this, and why might it be important for you to read some of the uncomfortable passages in context? How do you understand both God’s mercy and holiness in your own life? Do you tend to favor one or the other in your thoughts and conceptions about God? Watch this summary video about the books of 1st, 2nd, & 3rd John (Bible Project - [9:35]). How does this help you understand the “big picture” of 1 John?

We have the privilege of welcoming Global Servants (Missionaries) Carlos Bonilla & Mayra Giovannetti (BGs for short) to Muncie Sunday April 28th. Since 2000, the BGs have worked with International Ministries (the Foreign Mission Board of the American Baptist Churches) resourcing pastors, and other missionaries, to disciple congregations. They have done this in the past through training pastors working with various ethnic groups at UNIBAUTISTA in Colombia, and their reach has extended throughout the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world. As a church with a history of teaching and sending, supporting their ministry involved in these tasks is an expression of God’s calling on our church. Since 2023, the BGs have been on our prayer list. In 2023, FBCM committed $3,000 to their vital work equipping the saints for service. However, with missions cuts to make a more modest 2024 budget, our church decided to commit to help our missionaries with outside the budget funds (fundraisers, etc.). In pursuit of that lofty (but attainable) goal, we are setting a goal of raising $3,000 for the BGs. Your Pastors are donating $500 to start off this campaign. FBCM is at 16% of our goal. We pray you will join our church family in welcoming the BGs at worship Sunday April 28th, and for a spaghetti lunch in the fellowship hall afterward. The BGs will share about their work, and all donations from the lunch will go to benefit their ministry. Register for the lunch on Church Center Today! Donations can also be given via Church Center under the heading “Global Servants.” Please prayerfully consider how God may be calling you to come alongside and support the BGs in prayer and financial contributions.

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." - from 1 John 1:1-2:2 This is the sermon preview for the first sermon in our series on 1 John. To view livestreams, click here. When you think of Holiness, what do you think of? A remarkable person, perhaps? Who wakes up and says their prayers. A person who is committed, and devout, who fasts and who prays, who has incredible commitment to meditating on the scriptures, someone who is seemingly impervious to temptations of ordinary people. Maybe you imagine a solitary monk or nun in the wilderness, away from human contact, the world, and all temptation. This idea of holiness is that holiness is separate, alone, and distinct. ... And what if that idea of holiness was not at all the vision of the New Testament? Sure, Jesus retreated to be alone. Then, he returned to his community of disciples. And his prayer for them was that his disciples would be one, as he and the Father are one (John 17:21). Of course, there is a monastic tradition in Christianity which has found itself seeking God in the deserts. But even in such places, there is a community. They share a life of work and prayer together. From the beginning, God declared, "It is not good for man [humanity] to be alone." (Genesis 2:18). Our relationships are the context in which we seek holiness. Holiness becomes living the story, together. The story for Christians is about the coming of the Son, Jesus the Christ. And sharing in his life, testifying to it, makes our joy complete. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. - 1 John 1:2-4 (NIV) The Lord calls us to Holiness, not loneliness. We seek holiness together. As one theologian said: “For the Christian seeks neither autonomy nor independence, but rather to be faithful to the way that manifests the conviction that we belong to another. Thus Christians learn to describe their lives as a gift rather than an achievement.” - Stanley Hauerwas, A Community of Character God made his home among us. He came, lived, died, and rose again, and his ministry does not end there. He wants us to be united to him and to his people. Holiness is not a path traveled alone, but in the Spirit, and with those we're united to in the Spirit. Reflection Questions: What ideas do you have about holiness? Does the idea that holiness is something pursued with others, challenge any of those ideas, and (if so) how? How have others encouraged you to pursue godliness and holiness? How have you encouraged others? Communities have ways they do things, patterns they follow. They serve as constant reminders. What do we do as a church which forms in us habits of openness to God and God's grace? Where do we fall short and need to recommit, or what is something we can do to start a new commitment to "walking in the light", as a church?

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” -From 1 Corinthians 15:12-26 Easter! Resurrection Sunday. Bright colors, pastels, Sunday dinners, and celebrations. Bunnies and baskets. Spring time and life. These might come to our mind: good things, fun things, things of this world. And then we walk into church. We hear about a man who died a gruesome, horrible death on a cross, was laid in a tomb which was not his own for days – and on the third day an angelic messenger tells his friends who are looking for his body: “He is not here! He is risen!” (Matthew 28:6). He rose – and the Christian faith makes a remarkable claim. He did not rise in our hearts. He didn’t represent an idea that lives on in his followers. As John Updike wrote: “Make no mistake: if he rose at all / It was as His body.” But, we might well ask: even if we were to believe such an extraordinary thing happened, what does it mean for our lives? The poet Mary Ruefle once wrote a reflection comparing King Tut– with his famous tomb crammed with his riches and worldly possessions to take with him to the Egyptian afterlife – to the tomb of Jesus: "Here are only two tombs: the tomb of Jesus and the tomb of Tut. Roll away one stone, and you will be given everything: food, clothing, shelter, gems, cloth, seeds and oil, a replica of the world in pure gold. Roll away the other stone and there's nothing." It seems like Jesus’s tomb has nothing to offer. But look closely: you’ll see the opposite is true. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Corinth. Some there had, evidently, questioned this idea of a bodily resurrection — that God will raise us again on “the Lord’s Day” or “the Last Day.” The Apostle doesn’t mince words. If the Father did not raise Jesus, the Son, then all this Christianity business really is sad and pitiable talk. Why? Because what happens to Jesus happens to us. This is what Paul means by calling Jesus the “firstfruits.” He is a preview of our destiny. Yes, we will face death, difficulty, dreams deferred and dour circumstances. Jesus of Nazareth himself had no shortage of such trials. He performed miracles, was lauded as a Messiah, healed people, taught crowds, was heralded as a prophet, teacher, and deliverer of his people – if not the whole world – and where did it get him? Killed: abandoned by his friends, and nailed to a tree. You can see what a dreadful story the Gospel becomes … if Christ is not raised from the dead. If our Easters were just candy-filled baskets, bright flowers Sunday hams, joyous songs, and the friends and family currently gathered around us, that would be delightful, for a moment, for a season, for a year. But the baskets will be empty, the flowers will wilt, the ham will be picked clean, the last note of the song will hang in the air and disappear forever, and even our friends and family will one day leave us – until we ourselves meet our end. If that is all Easter was about, if we only have Easter celebration for this life only, we of all people are to be found sad and pathetic. But, remember: what happens to Jesus, happens to us. If Christ is raised, then we will rise too. Our hope is not for this world. King Tut’s tomb is filled to the brim with stuff because that stuff is all that there is. Preserved in a tomb: hope for this world only. But Christ’s tomb is a gift turned on its head: we open it up, and are shocked, surprised – surprised by joy – to find it gloriously, wonderfully, empty. Because the power of the Spirit of God has raised him, our hope is not just for this life. The full tomb of King Tut signifies our lack: all the things that will fade and decay and be no more. The empty tomb of Christ shows our abundance: life to the full, abiding with God, an Easter which cannot end. “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” The Apostle tells us. And the Lord’s resurrection has shown us what happens in the end: Christ has put even this great foe under his feet. And what happened to him, will happen for us. Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is Risen Indeed.

This is a preview for the fifth sermon in the series “Passion: When God’s Love Meets Our Betrayal”  To watch the recording of any of the sermons in this sermon series, visit our website. Then [Jesus] returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -Mark 14:32-42 When I played soccer in high school, I wanted to like running for the sake of the game and my teammates. But my lungs were of the opinion that exercise was a form of torture and should be illegal. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. Desire to moderation but Lay’s chips won the bet and you couldn’t have just one? The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Meant to keep your calm but your firecracker disposition exploded on your family? The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We could fill a hundred blogs with example after example of our contradictory experiences. We aren’t evil. We’re just human, like Peter, James, and John. We’re just too weak to follow through with things God asks. Weakness is perhaps an odd way to betray someone because, in some ways, it’s not even our fault that we’re weak humans. What did Jesus actually expect from his friends in the Garden of Gethsemane? I mean, Jesus is a smart dude. Did Jesus actually think that his weak disciples would be able to stay up to pray with him after the exhausting day of Passover festivities and emotional conversations had hit them so hard? I suspect Jesus wasn’t surprised that Peter, James, and John fell asleep on him. But just because you expect a particular outcome doesn’t necessarily take away the sting. Ask anyone who gave a new restaurant a second chance only to get sick a second time. Very disappointing. Though his friends betrayed him and left him alone in his final moments of freedom, Jesus was the opposite of his disciples. A foil character of sorts, for all you literature buffs out there. Jesus desired something different than what the Father asked of him, but he was strong enough to press on faithfully, even to death on a cross. What a friend we have in Jesus, indeed. Reflection Questions Reflect on the Bible: Why do you think the disciples sleeping in the garden might have felt like a betrayal to Jesus? Reflect on your life and faith: What is something that God has asked of you recently? Did you desire to do that thing? What weakness made following-through with that task difficult? Reflect on God's grace: Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9-11: “[God’s] grace is sufficient for you, for [God’s] power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” How can you use Paul’s perspective to inspire how you pray as you prepare to live faithfully to whatever God is calling you to do this week?

This is a preview for the fourth sermon in the series “Passion: When God’s Love Meets Our Betrayal”  To watch the recording of any of the sermons in this sermon series, visit our website. “Peter said to Jesus, ‘Even though all become deserters, I will not.’ ” -Mark 14:26-31 I made a fool of myself this week. On the phone with a friend, I mentioned that I never ask Jonathan to feed the baby at night because “He’s just too loud. He doesn’t know how to get out of bed quietly without waking me up. So it’s not worth asking him.” Lo and behold, when I got up to feed the baby later that night, I tripped on a shoe. That shoe caused me to do that awkward half-stomp-half-run thing to keep myself from falling. And for some added flair, somehow I accidentally slammed the bedroom door on my way out. Not only did I wake Jonathan up, but my oversized dog came galloping down the hall to see what the commotion was while the baby let out a dramatic gasp from her nursery. Apparently, I’m worse at getting up quietly than my husband. Whoops. Of course, you don’t have to be married with a baby to have a similar experience. There’s something hardwired in our brains that makes us think better of ourselves than others. Cue the song, “Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you…” If Peter lived today, he’d definitely be singing that song to the other disciples. But just like me, Peter’s pride is about to catch up with him. Towards the end of the Passover meal, Jesus is trying to be honest with his besties. Jesus is trying to warn them that he is about to literally give his life for them, and in the process, things will be hard for the disciples. The persecution will be so bad that even Jesus’ closest disciples will leave him. Jesus is trying to be honest with them. He wants to prepare them, as best as he can, for the difficult days ahead. But Peter had a habit of assuming he was the best disciple. So it should come as no surprise that Peter refuses to listen to Jesus’ warning in Mark 14:26-31. Even when Jesus insists that Peter will deny him–not once–but three times, Peter isn’t having it. Peter confidently declares that he will die before betraying Jesus. Spoiler alert: Jesus was right. Peter eats his words. He denies he ever knew Jesus to servant girls and strangers (Mk. 14:66-72). When I read this story, it’s not the denial itself that gets me. The real betrayal happens before that. Peter’s betrayal starts with his pride. Peter’s pride is so intense that he doesn’t even consider listening to Jesus’ multiple warnings. So much for Jesus being Peter’s teacher. Peter’s pride is a betrayal that causes Peter to idolize himself rather than live in obedience to his Lord. Don’t we do this with God, too? People have told me that they want Bible-based preaching, but have also gotten frustrated when God’s word says something different than we expected. Or I’ve heard many a prayer request asking for God to show someone what to do, only to end with God answering and that person doing the opposite because they thought their plan was better. There’s a reason we all know the old idiom: “Pride comes before the fall.” We betray God when we allow our pride to keep us closed off from truly listening and living faithfully. Peter’s pride got the best of him. Our pride will get the best of us, too, unless we allow it to be crucified with Christ this Lenten season. Reflection Questions Reflect on the Bible: How do you think Peter is coming across to the other disciples in this text? What about how he’s coming off to Jesus? Reflect on your life and faith: What is an area of your life that you struggle to give to God? How do you think your pride might be preventing you from fully submitting to God in that area? Reflect on God's grace: Who is someone who can help you learn humility this week? Confess to them the area of pride you’re struggling with, and pray with them everyday this week that God will grow in you a spirit of humility and trust.

This year, Holy Week officially begins with Palm Sunday on March 23 and lasts until Easter morning, March 31. There are many things to be excited about as we finish the 2024 Lenten season and anticipate Easter celebrations together at FBCM! We hope you will plan to join us for the festivities and worship services below! Spring Egg Hunt - Saturday, March 23 2:00 p.m. - The Ross Community Center All families are invited to kick off Holy Week with FBCM, sister churches, and the Ross Community Center at this year's community egg hunt! We ask that you not arrive until 2:00 p.m. Children will be assigned to two egg hunt areas based on age, and the egg hunt will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. In preparation for this event, candy and egg donations can be brought to the FBCM Welcome Center. Interested volunteers can email children[at]fbcmuncie.org. Palm Sunday - Sunday, March 24 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School (Various Classrooms) 10:15 a.m. -Donut [Semi-] Hour (Fellowship Hall) 10:45 a.m. - Worship (Sanctuary) Join us for a special day of worship. Children and youth will kick off the service with a Palm Parade. Families who wish to participate in this special way to remember Christ's entry into Jerusalem should meet outside the Welcome Center to receive branches by 10:40 a.m. Music this week will be a beautiful mix from FBCM's ecumenical Handbell Choir and Praise Team. Pastor Kendall will preach the final sermon in the Passion: When God's Love Meets Our Betrayal series, titled "Passion Despite Ignorance." For more information about worship at FBCM keep your eyes on the Wednesday Weekly news! Good Friday - Friday, March 29 Noon - Christian Ministries' Community Service (FBCM Sanctuary) 7:00 p.m. - FBCM's Service of Shadows (FBCM Sanctuary) This year there will be two opportunities to remember that Christ went to the cross on Calvary for our salvation. During the lunch hour, Christian Ministries of Delaware County is hosting a brief time of reflection and prayer. FBCM Ministry Resident and Christian Ministries Board President, James Heimlich, will be giving the homily. This event is open to anyone in the community. Later that evening, FBCM will be hosting our traditional Service of Shadows. This intergenerational worship service will continue our study of Mark's gospel. There will not be a sermon. Instead, we will read and reflect on the events of Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. With each scripture reading and special music, you can expect the sanctuary to get darker and darker until the life of Christ has ended. Easter Sunrise Prayer - Sunday, March 31 6:15 a.m. - FBCM's Pavilion (corner of parking lot) Some of FBCM's elder members will remember the days when FBCM participated in a sunrise service. This year, we are bringing it back! We know it's early, so all are invited to roll out of bed and come as they are. Like the women who went to leave gifts at Jesus' tomb, we invite you to bring flowers for a collective art piece to honor the Lord. As the sun rises over Muncie, our prayers will rise to the Lord as we begin to celebrate the light and life that Christ Jesus gives us all this resurrection Sunday! Sunrise prayer will last for about thirty minutes. Everyone will have about two and a half hours to go home, get ready, and return for Easter Worship! Easter Worship - Sunday, March 31 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School (Various Classrooms) 10:15 a.m. - Easter Brunch (Fellowship Hall) 10:45 a.m. - Worship (Sanctuary) We invite you to join us for a celebration of Christ's Resurrection! Sunday School for all ages will meet as usual. Since Easter is a feast day in the Church Calendar, following Sunday School, we encourage everyone to grab a plate of food, and hot coffee, and enjoy fellowship during Easter Brunch. Around 10:40 a.m., we will all head upstairs to meet the same Christ who was raised from the grave in the preaching of the word, and in lifting our voices in praise. Co-Pastors Jonathan and Kendall will preach together on 1 Corinthians 15, so you won't want to miss it! There are ways for all ages to be involved in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. For more information on our worship see our "What to Expect" page! Bright Monday - April 1st The Church Office will be closed the Monday after Easter. Easter Open House with the Pastors - Saturday, April 13 Noon - 5:00 p.m. - Pastor Jonathan's and Pastor Kendall's House While this event doesn't technically fall on Holy Week, we recognize that Easter is more than just one Sunday a year! Eastertide is a 50-day celebration of Jesus' victory over death, hell, and sin! To keep the celebration going, the Pastors would like to invite everyone to their 2nd Annual Easter Open House. You can find their address in the Weekly Wednesday the week of the event. To help with traffic, please register on Planning Center for the one-hour time slot that your family plans to stop by and hang out. While you can register for whichever time works best for your schedule, Alpha the Dog will be put away during the noon slot to accommodate our friends with allergies. We are encouraging all Youth (Grades 6-12) to register for the 3:00 p.m. slot as their "Second Saturday" event for March.

Lent is a season marked by reflection and confession prior to Easter. Traditionally, the Church uses this time to fast, recognizing our depravity and need for Jesus’ salvation. This Lent, FBCM will be studying Mark’s gospel as we expand “Holy Week” into an entire series called Passion: When God's Love Meets Our Betrayal. We will explore the many ways in which the disciples betray Jesus leading up to his death. But more importantly, we will also see how our God responds to our betrayals with his love and invites us into repentance and life everlasting. As you fast from something this Lent, we encourage you to consider replacing that thing with one of the options below. Whether it’s through family discipleship, meditating on music, or seeking theological understanding, these spiritual practices below are a great starting point for recentering our lives on Christ. FBCM 2024 Living Lent Calendar Pastor Kendall and Carolyn Harke (Adult Coordinator) created a calendar of daily activities that families of all ages can practice together as they grow their faith this Lenten season. Each activity builds on the theme of that Sunday’s worship, can be finished in 15 minutes, and only uses normal things from around the house. Download the digital calendar here. Listening to Holy Week Here’s some albums that bring Mark’s gospel to life. Links go to Spotify, but you can listen on your preferred media app. Lent. (2019) Liturgical Folk. Lent to Maundy Thursday. (2014) Page CXVI. Good Friday to Easter. (2014) Page CXVI. Reading Through Lent Here’s some written materials that will deepen your understanding of Lent and the cross. Truett Seminary’s 2024 Daily Lenten Devotional Guide – Written by students and faculty, this free devotional can be completed in 5 minutes a day. It’s a great way to begin each morning! Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal by Essau McCaulley – This book is one of six in “The Fullness of Time” series edited by Easau McCaulley. Each book in the series is written by a different pastor theologian in an all-star cast, discussing each season of the Church Calendar. This book, obviously, focuses on Lent and its significant connection to repentance from the ways we betray God. This is on Pastor Kendall’s “to be read” pile this year! Let her know if you want to read it with her! The Crucifixion by Flemming Rutledge – Available to order wherever books are sold, this is a book of theology written by an Anglican pastor. One of Pastor Jonathan’s favorites, he’d love to talk with you about this book and why Christ’s cross is so crucial to the Christian faith! Don’t let the book’s size intimidate you!

This is a preview for the third sermon in the series “Passion: When God’s Love Meets Our Betrayal”  To watch the recording of any of the sermons in this sermon series, visit our website. “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” -Mark 14:10-21 I’m generally a rule follower, but there’s one rule of the elementary school cafeteria that I often ignored: no trading food. It’s not that I disliked what I was eating. I packed my own lunch, so I knew it was all stuff I liked! But once a week, there was at least one friend who saved up some extra allowance to buy the really special snacks: Fruit Gushers, Oreos, an extra slice of pizza. And if you were lucky enough that particular day, you might have something they liked enough to make a trade. Move over slimy turkey sandwich…helloooooo Cool Ranch Doritos! As Americans, I guess you can say capitalism runs deep in our culture. So much so that we learn as early as the school yard how to barter for what we want. This is resourceful of us, if nothing else. But the constant desire to “trade up” for “the next best thing” leaves us in a hollow, never-ending search. And this has dire consequences when it bleeds out of the commercial economy and into our spiritual lives. This is what we see happening in the events of Holy Wednesday (Mark 14). Judas, one of Jesus’ best friends, is looking to “trade up.” Mark’s gospel doesn’t give us many details about the trade. After everything Judas witnessed as a disciple, we don’t know why Judas was feeling like there was something more out there that Jesus couldn’t provide. We don’t know what negotiations looked like as Judas determined his price with the chief priests. We simply don’t know how Judas could seem so easily bought. This misunderstanding puts us in good company with the rest of the disciples. As they sit down to the Passover celebration meal together, everyone is shocked to learn from Jesus that one of them has betrayed him. The disciples murmur around the table, “Surely, you don’t mean me?” (Mk. 14:19) But what if God does mean us? We may not be literally paid off to betray Jesus the way Judas was. But in the attitude of Lenten repentance, perhaps we can be honest that this world is full of many opportunities in which we might try to “trade up” for something at the cost of bankrupting our spiritual relationship with God. Even though I’ve never actually watched Fight Club, the famous quote rings in my ears, “We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.” Intentionally or not, we are prone to trading just about anything–time, work, money, attention, and status–to try to come out “on top” by our own power. Turns out lessons from the school cafeteria are hard to shake. Thankfully, the most potent part of this story isn’t Judas’ bad trade. It’s the fact that despite the bad trade, Jesus still invites Judas to the party. Despite Judas’ misplaced love for riches, Jesus breaks bread with him–both literally in the meal that day and metaphorically with his life on the cross later that weekend. No matter how many times we try to "trade up," God meets us by trading His riches for poverty. It is my prayer this Lenten season that we will reflect on what is of true value in our lives–Christ Himself–so that we might choose the better. It is only through Christ’s grace that we become rich through him. Reflection Questions Reflect on the Bible: Who is the most surprising character in Mark 14: Judas, the other disciples, or Jesus? Why do their actions stick out to you? Reflect on your life and faith: How are you tempted to “trade up” for something that competes with Jesus in your life? What’s your price? Reflect on God's grace: How do you feel God inviting you back to the communion table with him? If you’ve made a bad trade recently, how might God be calling you to surrender those worldly riches back to Him?

This is a preview for the first sermon in the series “Passion: When God’s Love Meets Our Betrayal”  To watch the recording of any of the sermons in this sermon series, visit our website. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” -Mark 11:12-26 (NIV) In college, I found myself accidentally taking a pilgrimage to Rome during Holy Week. (I know, I know: how does a small town Kentucky girl accidentally get to Rome? That, my friends, is a story for another day. But you can thank my friend Melissa and a very upset stomach.) Eight years later, and I’ve still never experienced a city alive the way Rome was the Holy Week of 2016. The air buzzed with thousands of visitors flooding the city to remember the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and death. I remember visiting St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, filled with weary wanderers with hopeful eyes–those mourning the traps of sin around them and yet expectant of Christ’s victory to come. I remember Melissa teaching me to do the stations of the cross for the first time, and the wonder I experienced practicing them in the streets surrounding the Colosseum. Jesus may have died at Golgotha. But the shadow of death looms at the site of Christian martyrs. It gives new meaning to Jesus’ call, “take up your cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). And it was here that God helped me understand the power and purpose of Lent and Holy Week within the Church Calendar. Lent is a season marked by reflection and confession prior to Easter. Traditionally, the Church uses this time to fast, recognizing our depravity and need for Jesus everyday of our lives. Like many Baptist churches, FBCM doesn’t have much of a history incorporating Lent practices into our rhythms of the year. And while that doesn’t make us “bad Christians,” I can’t help but wonder if we’re missing out something that God uses to deeply form many of our sister churches throughout the globe. So this Lent, FBCM is going to be doing something a little bit different. For the next forty days, we will be studying Mark’s gospel as we expand “Holy Week” into an entire Lenten series. We will explore the many ways in which the disciples betray Jesus in the week leading up to his death. But more importantly, we will also see how our God responds to our betrayals with his love and invites us into repentance and life everlasting. And wow! The text for Holy Monday is quite the place to start! Mark 11:12-26 accounts what might be Jesus’ most infamous or most heroic moment–depending on which side of the debate you’re on! Jesus appears to have zero chill when he enters the Temple in Jerusalem. At first glance, he sees innocent Jews being taken advantage of by merchants trying to turn a profit by selling overpriced animals to sacrifice for worship. It’s a sickening display watching the merchants prey on those who have little and simply want to worship the Lord. So naturally, Jesus does what any of us would do. He runs and flips over all the merchant’s tables! He chases them throughout the Temple while yelling, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. But you have turned it into a den of robbers!” (And in other gospels, there’s even a whip! Yikes!) Alright, so maybe this isn’t exactly what any of you would do. I’ve personally never flipped tables or chased people down the street when I’m mad. So it’s shocking that our God, Jesus, does do such a thing. So what do we do with this scene? Is it an excuse to justify extreme actions when we’re angry or see injustice? No, not quite. To really understand odd passages like this in the Bible, the best thing we can actually do is look at the context. And Mark’s gospel gives us some pretty big clues about what’s going on here. Both before and after the temple scene is a story about Jesus and his disciples and a fig tree. Jesus curses the fig tree for not bearing fruit, so the tree shrivels up. Then he teaches his disciples, “Have faith in God.” Not a shallow or showy type of faith put on display for others. But a genuine faith built on prayer, belief, repentance, and forgiveness. This is the problem with the people at the temple that day. The merchants were like the fig tree. They wanted to appear to be spiritual by “providing” sacrifices for worship. But it was all a show. There was no fruit of the spirit in it. They didn’t care about the worship. They only cared about the money they could make off of ripping others off. Jesus’ reaction is one that removes the weeds of unfruitfulness that prevent the Temple from the true worship that God has called them too. And while FBCM doesn’t have merchants turning our Fellowship Hall into a market, this Holy Monday story should make us reflect on the way we come into worship each Sunday. Congregational worship is serious business. And yet, despite their betrayal in worship and fruitlessness, Jesus marches on towards the cross. Reflection Questions Reflect on the Bible: How does the comparison between the fig tree and the temple change the way you think about the story of Jesus cleansing the temple? Reflect on your life and faith: How has our church betrayed God in our worship? Are there times that you come to church without keeping your focus on God? Why do you think it’s so easy for us to forget God when we come to church? Reflect on God's grace: How is God leading you to go deeper in faith, prayer, repentance, and forgiveness this Lenten series?