A few of this week's highlights!

• You can view this email in its entirety here.
• We spring forward from Easter! See Pastor's Ponderings for more.
• We practice anticipation. See Faith Family Encouragement for more.

A column by Joel Zander, Director of Education and Youth.

Our weekly list of those in need of urgent and ongoing prayer.

Weekly charitable contribution updates and stewardship information.

Weekly updates on the Covering the Next Generation Capital Campaign.

“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell . . .” Mark 16:6-7a.

I want to keep celebrating Easter, but I have so many things on my plate I feel weary. I believe the solution is NOT to hang on to Easter . . .

Click here to see the rest of Pastor Heimsoth's article . . .

On Sunday, April 28th, we will conduct our annual elections for open leadership positions here at Faith. We are still seeking candidates for our Board of Publicity and Board of Elders. You can see more about the duties of these Boards in the Faith Lutheran Church Constitution Article Two.III.A.b (Publicity) and Article Two.IV (Elders) HERE.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact the church office. Please continue to pray for all of our current leaders at Faith and for those that God will lead to fill these openings.

You can view the current list of nominees HERE.

Winter/Spring 2024 Education: You can view a list of Faith's winter/spring educational opportunities, including 2024 Faith Legacy classes, HERE. Printed copies are also available at our Welcome Centers.

2024 Youth Calendar: A revised 2023-2024 Calendar of school year youth events can be found HERE. Printed copies are also available at the Welcome Centers.

Faith Family Directories for the new quarter are now available. They are purple in color, updated as of April 1st, and are located at the top of the stairway outside the north entrance of Heins Hall.

Peggy Van Vlack Memorial Bell Festival: The 14th annual "Peggy Ring" handbell festival will be held at Faith Saturday, April 13th, at 3:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Enjoy Faith's bell choir along with other local area bell choirs for a free en masse performance!

Confirmation Parent Meeting: Parents of confirmation students are invited to meet Sunday, April 14th, at 9:30 a.m. in the basement room B-4. This is the final parent meeting for this year. We will discuss what you think has gone well with catechism instruction and how support in the home can be improved.

April All Youth Hangout: Youth of all ages are invited to attend the April youth hangout on Sunday, April 14th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the youth lounge! Enter at door 4W.

Linda Mooney Celebration of Life: A Celebration of Life for former Faith member, Linda Mooney, will be held at Faith on Sunday, April 21st, in Heins Hall at 2:00 p.m. The day would have been her 80th birthday. Cake and ice cream will be served while we share memories of her involvement here at Faith in Parish Nursing, Journey to Bethlehem, Women's Bible Study, and as a constant Prayer Warrior. Linda's private Christian funeral/memorial service will be held later this year in Jackson. Any memorials may be made to Faith's "Covering the Next Generation" Fund or to Trinity Lutheran School in Jackson, Michigan.

Trivia Night! Trivia Night returns Friday, April 26th, at 5:30 p.m. Join the youth for a terrific night full of tasty treats and top-notch trivia! All proceeds benefit the youth program. Childcare will be available.

• Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
• Trivia begins at 5:30 p.m.
• Dinner served at 6:00 p.m.
• Silent auction bidding until 8:00 p.m.

EARLY BIRD RATES of $15/ticket or $75/table run until April 12th. After that, prices will be $20/ticket or $100/table. Tickets are being sold at services or anytime online HERE. Tickets will be sold through April 21st. Thank you for supporting our youth!

Faith Legacy: Faith Beyond: What happens after graduation from high school? How will you continue in your relationship with Jesus and other believers? This session will be held Sunday, April 28th, at 9:30 a.m. and will be a special opportunity for our High School Seniors to spend some time together reflecting on faith, friendships, and their futures. This is led by Mr. Zander for seniors in high school and their parents in room B-4 in the basement. There will be a blessing event following this session during the 10:45 worship service. Sign up to attend HERE.

Women's Faith-Based Book Club meets next on Thursday, May 2nd, to discuss "Grace in Thine Eyes" by Liz Curtis Higgs, masterful storyteller and Christian author. In this book, she artfully parallels biblical history with Scottish history into a compelling work of riveting fiction. Davina McKie is a bonny lass of seventeen, also a clever and gifted musician. Unable to speak since childhood, Davina is doted on by her younger brothers, who vow to protect their silent sister. Join us to discuss her gripping journey as a young woman finding our Lord's gift of grace. We will meet in the church library at 10:00 a.m., and our discussion will be led by Cindy Robson. You may share one of the eight copies in our church library generously gifted through a Wave Grant and a Thrivent Action Team Grant. Book Club participation is open, depending on your availability each month, with remote access also available via Zoom. Invite your friends to join this enjoyable fellowship any time. Check the bulletin board outside the church library or the church website HERE for a list of upcoming titles and meeting dates. Contact Roxanne Steffe at 810-280-1399 with questions.

VBS registration is open to children 4 years old through 6th grade! Youth 6th grade through 12th grade are invited and encouraged to sign up as a volunteer! VBS is June 24th-28th from 9 a.m. to noon. Register at faithgb.org/vbs.

You can view a running list of our regular service opportunities HERE.

Trivia Night Ticket Sales! Youth in middle and high school are invited and encouraged to participate in ticket sales for Trivia Night–the biggest fundraiser of the year–each Sunday through April 21st. You can sign up online HERE!

Grand Blanc Beautification Planning Underway! Faith is joining GB Township and other local groups and businesses for a Community Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 27th, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Everyone will meet at Faith to distribute supplies and choose assignments. After the clean-up, GB Township will treat volunteers to lunch. Our beautification efforts last year were noticed and lauded by the community! You can sign up to volunteer at bit.ly/gbtcleanup.

Youth Serving at FAM: Youth are invited to join other members of our Faith Family to serve Jesus by serving others at Franklin Avenue Mission on either or both April 30th and May 2nd. It is in situations like these that we can function as the hands and feet of Jesus. This is appropriate for youth in middle and high school. We are encouraged to arrive at Franklin Avenue about 4:00 p.m. and will leave at about 6:00 p.m. Be sure to wear a cap! Let us know you can serve HERE!

VBS Volunteers! Faith Family! We have an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus’ love and forgiveness with children in our community at our very own VBS this June 24th-28th! The volunteer registration form is live and available. There are many opportunities of various kinds for each morning as well as opportunities leading up to VBS including decorating. You are invited and encouraged to consider how you might join this mission to our very own community HERE. Look for the volunteer button with the heart.

Youth Ark Encounter + Creation Museum Trip: Youth in High School (current 8th graders through seniors) will have the opportunity to explore the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum on a 3-day, 2-night trip this July 14th-16th, 2024. The cost will not exceed $150 per youth assuming that youth are active at Faith Lutheran and have been involved in Trivia Night. Registration is live and closes on April 30th. Register HERE!

Trinity Time Retreat for high school students interested in or considering a church work career is July 21st-July 22nd at Concordia University, Ann Arbor. You can see additional info and a registration form HERE.

Ladies - ASPIRE! Aspire was born out of the desire and need for women to enjoy a night out with fellowship and spiritual growth. Join Aspire Saturday, April 20th, for one night of laughter, learning, stories, and music in Midland. 3 hours just for women! Visit aspirewomensevents.com for more information.

Church Extension Fund (CEF) is a unique ministry where LCMS members can invest their funds and earn interest. In turn, these funds provide a source of low-cost loans for new church sites and upgrading current facilities. Visit with Faith's Congregation Representative Greg Baehr, view CEF's FAQ page or website www.mi-cef.org, or call 800-242-3944 and learn how your invested dollars make a difference! CEF's interest rates for April can be found HERE.

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday

SUNDAY - April 7th

8:15 a.m. - Worship/Communion

9:30 a.m. - The Chosen Adult Bible Study (Sanctuary)

9:30 a.m. - Sunday School

• Grades K-5 Basement Classrooms
• Grade 6 Library
• Grades 7-8 Confirmation Music Room
• Grades 9-12 Youth Lounge

10:45 a.m. - Worship/Communion - Click here for the live stream.

MONDAY - April 8th

6:30 p.m. - Faithful Ringers (Sanctuary)

7:00 p.m. - Elders Meeting

TUESDAY - April 9th

10:00 a.m. - H.O.T. Ladies Bible Study (Music Room)

6:15 p.m. - K.O.O.L. Ministry (K.O.O.L. Room)

WEDNESDAY - April 10th

9:30 a.m. - Tiny Tots

4:30 p.m. - Puppet Club (basement B2)

5:30 p.m. - Faith Alive Dinner (Heins Hall)

6:00 p.m. - Faith Alive Bible Studies

• Adult: What Did Jesus Teach His Disciples (when no one else was around)? (Music Room)
• Grades K-5 (Basement Classrooms)
• Middle School (Living Room)
• High School (Youth Lounge)

7:00 p.m. - Worship/Communion - Click here for the live stream.

THURSDAY - April 11th

5:30 p.m. - Women's Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

6:15 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

7:15 p.m. - Male Chorus Practice (Sanctuary)

FRIDAY - April 12th

3:00 p.m. - Youth Worship Team

SATURDAY - April 13th

SUNDAY - April 14th

8:15 a.m. - Worship/Communion

9:30 a.m. - Adult Bible Class

9:30 a.m. - Sunday School

9:30 a.m. - Confirmation Parent Meeting

10:45 a.m. - Worship/Communion

6:00 p.m. - All Youth Hangout

Readings: Acts 3:11-21; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36-49

See the full schedule of our Bible study on The Chosen Season 3 HERE.

Our Sunday morning 10:45 a.m. service can be viewed HERE.

NOTE: To keep in compliance with copyright laws, our services can legally be live-streamed, but we are not able to keep recordings of several parts of our services. Our Sunday service is streamed at 10:45 a.m. and Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. After this, the full service will not be available; however, the pastor's sermons will be archived on our YouTube channel after the service.

The complete order of service for Sunday, April 7th, can be found HERE.

We also have Sunday morning children's bulletins for the children in our Faith family. You can print them from the following links:

• 3-6 year old HERE
• 7-12 year old HERE

Our COVID-19 response plan can be found HERE.