Church News for Sunday, March 26, 2023

First Baptist Church

The Donut Fellowship is here again. Come early this week at 9 a.m. on March 26 for donuts and coffee. Then stay for Sunday School and Morning Worship.

Sunday Morning Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. when the Rev. Dr. Quentin Madden will speak on “Seeing Jesus” based on the text John 12:20-33. You may come to the in-person service or view the livestream on Facebook or listen to the broadcast in the church parking lot on 88.9 FM.

Immediately after Morning Worship there will be a planning meeting for Vacation Bible School with Mary Ellen Collins. Anyone interested in helping this year should plan to attend.

Upcoming Events:

March 26 - Planning session for Vacation Bible School right after church

April 7 - Community Good Friday Service at First United Methodist Church at 12 noon

April 9 - Easter Egg Hunt right after church

April 21 - Family Fun Night at 6 p.m.

School clothes are available for newborns to high school seniors from the Children’s Clothes Closet. Please call the church office to arrange a pickup time if you are in need of clothes. Leave a message with your phone number and a volunteer will call back. Donations are not being accepted at this time.

You are invited to join us at the following weekly services: Sunday School classes for all ages begin at 9:30 a.m. Worship service follows at 10:30 a.m. On Wednesday evenings choir practice is held at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary; dinner is served at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall; And at 7 p.m. separate Bible studies are held for Youth, and Adults. On Thursday a Men’s Prayer Breakfast is held at Sunrise & Dine at 9 a.m. On Friday a Women’s Bible Study is held at the church at 9 a.m.

First Baptist Church is located at 413 S. Walnut Street. The church phone number is (812) 448-8112. Follow us on Facebook or the church website at www.brazilbaptistchurch.com. The Rev. Dr. Quentin Madden’s telephone number is (314) 910-7224 and his email is qtmadden@gmail.com.

The Little Historic Church

As we creep into Spring, let us sing! The Little Historic Church will host the Brazil Community Choir on Friday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m. The choir will present their 2023 Easter Cantata, No Greater Love, composed by Lloyd Larson and directed by Shaun Short. Bring your family and friends for a moving and glorious experience. Everyone is invited.

Many thanks to Graybeard for their terrific concert on St. Patrick’s Day.

We had a memorable night of uplifting music interspersed with the bantering humor of these talented men. We look forward to their return!

The Little Historic Church is located at 14695 N. Linden Street, Carbon, IN 47837. For more information, contact Dean Swearingen at 812-239-9169. If you are interested in performing at the Little Historic Church contact Kate Hoag at 812-251-4532. Follow us on Facebook for more information, photos and upcoming events.

Peniel United Methodist Church

“Because he loves me”, says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him; for he acknowledges my name.” – Psalm 91:14 We invite you to join us at Peniel United Methodist Church on March 26th, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. and includes classes for both children and adults. Our Worship Service is at 10:30 a.m. and is accompanied by a traditional choir. Pastor Kerry Clear will be presiding and brings us this week’s scriptures: John 11:1-45 and John 12:1-8. Pastor Kerry’s sermon is entitled, “Encounters with Jesus: What a Waste, Mary.” The sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated and shared during this service. Come, join us at Peniel and ‘Catch the Spirit!’ Peniel UMC is located at 9525 N. Kennedy Crossing Road, Brazil, IN 47834. Our phone number is 812-442-8062. Follow us on Facebook @penielumcbrazil.

Epworth United Methodist Church

“He will call on me and I will answer him…” – Psalm 91:15a You are invited to Epworth United Methodist Church this Sunday, March 26th the Fifth week of Lent. Our Worship Service is at 11:00 a.m. Lay Speaker, Sarah King brings us this week’s scripture, John 11:1-45 and her Message is entitled, “Power Over Death.” Each of you are invited and everyone is welcome! For additional information contact Pastor Kerry Clear at 812-443-2231.

A.A. Meetings are available at Epworth every Monday from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday ~ (Women’s Meeting) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Epworth UMC is located at 1414 E. National Ave., Brazil, IN 47834.

Prairie City United Methodist Church

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:2 Will you join us this Fifth Sunday of Lent? Prairie City United Methodist Church looks forward to welcoming you this Sunday, March 26th. At 9:00 a.m. the Worship Service begins and Pastor Kerry Clear will preside. The scripture readings are John 11:1-45 and John 12:1-8. Pastor Kerry’s sermon is entitled, ‘Encounters with Jesus: What a Waste, Mary.” We hope that you will join us! For more information contact Dick Boyce at 812-236-4119.

The Daily Lectionary Readings for March 27th through April 1st are as follows:

Monday ~ Psalm 143, 1 Kings 17:17-24 & Acts 20:7-12

Tuesday ~ Psalm 143, 2 Kings 4:18-37 & Ephesians 2:1-10

Wednesday ~ Psalm 143, Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41 & Matthew 22:23-33

Thursday ~ Psalm 31: 9-16, 1 Samuel 16:11-13 & Philippians 1:1-11

Friday ~ Psalm 31:9-16, Job 13:13-19 & Philippians 1:21-30

Saturday ~ Psalm 31:9-16, Lamentations 3:55-66, Mark 10:32-34

Prairie City UMC is located at State Road 42 & N. County Road 25 West, Brazil, IN 47834

Staunton United Methodist Church

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart that

you, God, will not despise. – Psalm 51:17

Everyone is invited to Staunton United Methodist Church, March 26th, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Pastor Heidi Clear will lead our Worship Service which begins at 11:00 a.m. The scripture readings are John 11:1-45 and John 12:1-8. Pastor Heidi’s Sermon is entitled, “Encounters with Jesus: What a Waste, Mary.” Won’t you join us? All are welcome! Staunton UMC is located at 206 W. Franklin St., Staunton, IN 47881. For additional information contact Pastor Kerry Clear at 812-443-2231.

Please Note: The Staunton UMC Food Pantry will be open Wednesday, March 29th from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Clay City First UMC

We continue our journey through Lent this Sunday and we would like to invite you to join us for Worship this Sunday at 9am. You are welcome and we hope you will come as you are!! Pastor Brad will preach from the Gospel of John as he continues with his sermon series on “Seeking: Questions with Jesus” with a sermon titled “You Want to Go Back?”. Worship is available in-person and will also be broadcasted LIVE on Facebook. Sunday School starts around 10am. All are welcome!!

Our Prayer Team meets each Wednesday at 9am at the church. All are welcome to attend. If you have a prayer request, please contact Pastor Brad.

Join us for our Taste and See Bible Study on the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30. We start with a potluck and fellowship and move into a time of devotion and Bible Study. Please contact Pastor Brad for more details. Our next gathering is May 4, 2023

Slice-a-Pie Bible Study takes place on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 2pm at the Pioneer Cafe in Bowling Green, IN. We are currently discussing what it means to think, act, and be more like Jesus. Our next gathering is April 20, 2023

Our Youth Group meets the 3rd Sunday of the month at 12pm at Bowling Green UMC. Our next meeting is April 16th!

Please visit the Christian Care and Share website for resources for those struggling financially in Clay County (www.christiancareandshare.com). The Christian Care and Share Food Pantry is located at 405 E 14th Street, Clay City, IN 47841 and is open every Wednesday from 10am-12pm and Thursday from 5pm-7pm. People can come any day that the pantry is open and are limited to one visit per month.

Clay City First UMC is located at 610 Washington Street, Clay City, IN 47841. You can reach the church at 812-939-2742 or by email at claycityfumc@frontier.com. Visit us at claycityfirstumc.org or on Facebook www.facebook.com/claycityfumc. Pastor Brad can be reached at 219-608-5301 or brad.hindsley@inumc.org.

Bowling Green UMC

This Sunday we will continue our journey through Lent and we want you to know that our doors are open to all and you are invited to join us for Worship this Sunday at 10:30am. Pastor Brad will be preaching from the Gospel of John as he continues with his sermon series on “Seeking: Questions with Jesus” with a sermon titled “You Want to Go Back?”. Worship is available in-person and a recording will be made available on our Facebook page later in the day. Sunday School begins at 9:30am.

First Friday Free Supper and Social- Join us on the first Friday of each month for supper, some fellowship, and some fun at the Bowling Green Community Building from 5pm-7pm. The best part is that it is FREE and open to all!! This month there will be a FREE Easter Egg Hunt starting at 3:30pm. Our Next FREE Supper is April 7, 2023

Join us for our Taste and See Bible Study on the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30. We start with a potluck and fellowship and move into a time of devotion and Bible Study. Please contact Pastor Brad for more details. Our next gathering is May 4, 2023.

Slice-a-Pie Bible Study takes place on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 2pm at the Pioneer Cafe in Bowling Green, IN. We are currently discussing what it means to think, act, and be more like Jesus. Our next gathering is April 20, 2023

On Tuesdays at 11am, we are hosting a Mental Health Peer Support Group for those experiencing moments or seasons of depression and anxiety.

Our Youth Group meets the 3rd Sunday of the month at 12pm at Bowling Green UMC. Our next meeting is April 16th.

Please visit the Christian Care and Share website for resources for those struggling financially in Clay County (www.christiancareandshare.com). The Christian Care and Share Food Pantry is located at 405 E 14th Street, Clay City, IN 47841 and is open every Wednesday from 10am-12pm and Thursday from 5pm-7pm. People can come any day that the pantry is open and are limited to one visit per month.

Bowling Green UMC is located at 160 S Jefferson in Bowling Green, IN. You can reach the church by emailing bowlinggreen.inumc@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bowling-Green-United-Methodist-Church-194139637304607 or at www.1body1faith.org. Pastor Brad can be reached at 219-608-5301 or brad.hindsley@inumc.org.

Benwood Mt. Lebanon Church

Benwood Mt. Lebanon Church, 945 E. Co. Rd. 1200 N, Brazil. Sunday school starts at 9:30 a.m. The Church Service begins at 10:30 a.m. Please come and join us in fellowship and worship. We also have a ladies Bible study that meets at 9:30 on Thursday morning in the fellowship hall. Any ladies in the community are welcome to attend.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 Esther was put in the position she was in by divine intervention. God created her with beauty and used her for his good at just the right time. When Xerxes sent the queen away and asked for 400 young beautiful women to be brought in, Esther was chosen in that group. She gained favor and was seen for her beauty not only inside but out. It was God’s perfect timing that put her where she was in a position to help. Some may call it a “God thing” or a “Godincedence” but whatever you call it, he is in charge! Sometimes God puts us where he wants us at just the right time. Other times things happen because God allows them to happen, and then he will use it for his good. We don’t always understand why. How many times have we seen good come from disasters/tragedies? Families or communities pull together and become stronger. When that happens, a talent may be discovered, or a friendship formed, or any other unexpected blessing. We don’t have to understand it we just need to know that God had a hand in it!