GOODNESS GROWS

IN NORTH CAROLINA

Michelle and Matt Norman are CBF field personnel serving in Barcelona, Spain. Michelle grew up in Raleigh and Matt is from Western NC (although he grew up on the mission field in Uganda and Greece). They are home for a few months planning their daughter’s wedding, so we are privileged to have an opportunity to hear from them on Sunday, April 27. Mark your calendar for a chance to learn about the ministry they are providing in a region of Spain that is less than one percent Protestant and most of the population are two to three generations removed from the Church.

--Nancy Moore Phillips, WMU Director

HONOR A LOVED ONE

AT EASTER



By paying tribute to a loved one this Easter, you will also support FBC mission teams. With each gift of $10 or more, a portion will be used to prepare a small display of lilies in the sanctuary on Easter and the remainder will be directed to the Day Mission Fund, supporting the efforts of various mission teams sent from our congregation. An insert in the Easter worship order will list the names of those memorialized or honored along with the donor’s name. Submit your requests here. Checks or electronic payments should be received no later than Wednesday, April 16. Electronic gifts may be made on the credit card kiosk or by going to the church website. Forms are also available in Sunday School boxes. Checks should be mailed to: Financial Administrator, First Baptist Church, 99 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603; please write “Easter Gift” in the memo line.



HOLY WEEK SERVICES

We have five opportunities for worship during Holy Week, the annual recognition of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.

We begin with Palm Sunday, April 13, at 11 am, remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem which includes shouts of “Hosanna!” and the waving of palms, but which also takes place under the shadow of the cross.

We continue with a Maundy Thursday service (a name derived from the Latin mandatum which means “command” or “mandate” and refers to Jesus’ last teachings at the table, recorded in John 13) on Thursday, April 17, at 7pm. This service will include the celebration of communion.

Next, for the first time in a number of years, we will have a Good Friday service, April 18 at noon with a lunch to follow (no reservations are necessary).

And then on Easter Sunday, April 20, you will have two opportunities to worship and celebrate the resurrection: the Easter Sunrise Service at the Capitol at 6:30am (music begins at 6:20am; Dr Chapman is preaching; and music is led by Warren Howell, featuring a duet with Tom Childrey) and our worship service in the sanctuary at 11am.

This is a week that defines our faith, one that points to the central mysteries of crucifixion and resurrection, and each part of this story is significant. Thus, we encourage you to participate in as many of the services as possible and to reflect daily on the meaning of this week for your life and the whole world. To experience Maundy Thursday and Good Friday without experiencing Easter is to miss the ultimate joy that is ours. To experience Easter without experiencing Maundy Thursday or Good Friday is to miss the cost of our salvation and to hide from our responsibility. To experience all of the events of this week is to know authentic joy – the joy that comes because love prevails over fear, hope prevails over despair, life prevails over death. Who would want to miss that?

 DID YOU KNOW ??

• Our clothing ministry began in 1983 and serves 1,000 people each month.

• Our Toy Joy ministry began in 2002 and serves over 900 children and 300 families each Christmas.

• Our Prayer Shawl Committee began in 2006 and has provided over 500 knitted prayer shawls and 1000 prayer squares to people experiencing trying times.

• Our monthly Mike Morris Fellowship Fund, in a collaborative effort with other downtown churches, assisted our neighbors experiencing a financial crisis with $83,452 in 2024.

• Our Rise Against Hunger involvement began In 2013 and reached 100,000 meals in 2023.

• Our food truck ministry began in 2020 and provided 3,051 meals in 2024 to hungry local neighbors.

• Our police Adopt-a-District involvement began in 2023 by providing a monthly lunch and personal interaction with officers of the downtown district.

• Our White Flag involvement in 2024 hosted 80 women for over 40 nights when the temperature was below 35°.

If you’re interested in joining our efforts to be the hands and feet of Jesus, these wonderful programs are always looking for more volunteers. 

--Nancy Moore Phillips, WMU Director 

UPCOMING SOFTBALL GAMES

Come cheer the team on! All games are

at the Millbrook Exchange Park.

If you're interested in playing, contact Michael Hood.

WEDNESDAYS IN APRIL

April 9: As a makeup from February 19, we will look at and discuss a speech given by Martin Luther King Jr., who in December of 1964 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dynamic leadership of the Civil Rights movement and steadfast commitment to achieving racial justice through nonviolent action and advocacy. For those who may want to access the talk prior to, it can be found here.

April 16 - In accordance with the timing of Holy Week, Dr. Barry Jones will speak with us in a program titled "Celebrating Holy Week with Respect for Judaism". 

April 23 - We will hear from Dr. Charles Kiimball. His presentation is titled "Christian Faith and Religious Pluralism: A Framework for Understanding". 

April 30 - We will hear a presentation from the Director of Outreach at the Kadampa Center, a Buddhist temple here in Raleigh. We will learn the basic tenants of the Buddhist practice and personal experiences of living in the Buddhist faith. 

WHAT'S FOR SUPPER?

We would love for you to join us for a mid-week meal! The supper line is open each Wednesday night, 5:15–6:15pm. You may reserve your spot at this link on the website or by calling the church office. Please note that every person eating Wednesday night supper must check-in with our volunteer collection team before getting their meal. Even if you have pre-paid online, please check-in with our volunteer. We accept cash, checks, or credit cards.



Ages 0–3: Free

Ages 4-12: $4

Adults (over 12): $8

Family cap: $24

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):

April 9: Chicken cordon bleu casserole with stuffing and green beans; non-meat option: non-meat casserole; kids: meatballs.

April 16: Breakfast for dinner; non-meat-option: veggie sausage.

April 23: Pork bbq with baked beans and coleslaw; non-meat option: non-meat bbq. 

April 30: Hamburger steak and gravy with potatoes, fried apples, and corn; non-meat option: mock hamburger steak.

CHURCH CONFERENCE DATES

Mark your calendar for the following 2025 dates for church conference:

May 28, August 27, September 24,

October 22, November 19, and December 17.

MATERNITY LEAVE DETAILS

While Leah Reed, our Minister with Community, is on maternity leave, you may contact the following people with questions:

White Flag - Holly Ivel & Holly Cook

Clothing ministry - Sabrina Tyndall

Mike Morris Fellowship Fund - LaCount Anderson

Rose Window Weekly - Jennie Herrick

Social media (Facebook & Instagram) - Michael Hood

Mass emails to the congregation - Jennie Herrick or Wayne Hager

Website - Wayne Hager

First Foundations magazine - Jen Foster

And Also With ‘Cue - David With 

Sunday morning greeters - Mary Powell Rhodes

Community Ministries - Sam Carothers 

THIRTY-NINERS GATHERINGS

Join us Thursdays at 10:30am in the fellowship hall for interesting speakers, mission projects, and once a month, a program that's a little out of the ordinary. We also have an outing each month, but mostly we enjoy spending time together, learning something new and useful, and always ending with a meal.

APRIL

10 Easter cards to homebound members

17 Behind the Scenes (FBC staff)

24 LUNCH OUTING: Piccolo Italia (423 Woodburn Road, Cameron Village; meet at FBC at 11:45am to ride in vans)



WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS!

On Sunday, April 6, Jonathan Babb and Elizabeth Glontz joined our church. Jonathan is moving his letter from Trinity Baptist and Elizabeth is transferring from St. Clement's Episcopal in Clemmons, NC. Welcome to FBC!