Kia ora church whanau,

You are such a beautiful community! From the moment I arrived at Franklin Baptist, all of you have been a place of love and healing for me. I have loved getting to know each one of you! Thank you for embracing me, inviting me into your homes and cheering me on as I studied at Carey Baptist College over the past 2.5 years. I feel such a sense of loss as I leave the FBC church whānau. However, I am excited to see all that God will do in and through each one of you. May you continue to be a community that radically loves one another and a people who have open eyes to see how God is leading you to serve your local community!  

Aroha nui,
~ Sacha 

Sacha's Leaving Lunch
This Sunday the 19th of March is Sacha's last Sunday with us. We would love to have you join us after the service for a shared lunch. Please bring a plate of food to share.

The Practical Gospel / Paul Beisley
Paul will be sharing from Luke 7:11-17. 
Join us at 10AM in-person or online. We would love to have you join us online for the service if you are unwell.

For the Kids this Week...  
Wonder Kids (Preschool Programme) - Learning to love like Jesus loves through the story found in John 6:1-13 where Jesus feeds 5000 people. 
Discovery Kids (Primary aged Programme) - Forgiveness through the story of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) – we can forgive others because God forgives us. 
FBI (Intermediate Programme) - The important things that Jesus said. The key concept is that your failures don’t change Jesus’ love for you.

KIDS CHURCH DATES TO KEEP IN MIND 
2nd April - Parent meetings:
Parents of primary aged children, meeting during the service
Parents of Preschoolers, directly after the church service. 
If you have any questions about the above, please email carol@fbc.nz or come see Carol on Sunday.

Prayer at 5pm
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. The presence of God’s Spirit fuelled by prayer brings God’s wisdom, strength and compassion into our lives and victory over the many issues that have held us back in the past. We would love you to join us, humble ourselves and pray -Sundays 5pm in the Church Auditorium.
 

It's not too late to join in!
Alpha started, so please be praying for all those who will be attending these courses. Also, it is not too late to bring someone along. Contact Paul Brown: 021 1471923.
Mondays — 10am in the Cafe.
Wednesdays — 6:30pm in the Cafe.

Giving: Tax Year Ending The tax year will end on 31 March, so this is your last opportunity to give a donation that would reflect on this year's tax receipt (for rebating purposes). Please make sure that your donations are in the church bank account by Friday 31 March 2022. Give online, through automatic payment or direct debit. Our church bank account: 01 0403 0013842 00 or click here to donate now.

Forged 3.16 Men's Breakfast
PK’s next Online Event is Saturday 25 March, 7:30am-8:30am livestreamed to you with guest speaker Phil Strong sharing on how we can ‘Reset and Go Forward with Purpose’.
Phil Strong is a humorous and interesting man with a great story. He will share with us an inspiring and encouraging message about faith and overcoming challenges.
Join us for the livestream to find out more. Register here

Creation Ministries International
Why is there death and suffering in the world? Many reject God on the basis that he must be a cruel God to allow the terrible events and suffering that we see in the world today. Could you answer this? Find out how you can use this question, and more, as a powerful tool to reach others for Christ. Remember to bring a friend when you hear Mark James giving one of his dynamic messages Science and the Bible: Conflict or Confirmation? at 10.00am on Sunday 26 March 2023.

30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
The annual prayer focus for the Muslim World over the fasting month of Ramadan is from 22nd March to 20th April 2023. 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World is a prayer guide that inspires. It is filled with stories to help us learn about, love and pray for Muslim peoples. You can use it individually, in life groups and families. The prayer guide booklet is available to download from the international website https://www.pray30days.org. There is a cost of US$2 which is about NZ$3.25. Please contact Val Horne or Stuart Smith if you are unable to download the guide and would like a printed copy.

Barista Coffee
Due to the success of pre-ordering coffees before the service begins we are going to continue this as a trial. We will continue to take orders after the service, however, if you’re able to pre-order before 10am we would hugely appreciate it. Pre-ordering is available from 9:30am every Sunday morning for the next 4 weeks.  

Intermediates — E-Camp!
When: 7 - 10 April 2023
Where: Finlay Park, Karapiro
This is going to an awesome weekend with thousands of Intermediates from across the North Island. As a group we will be staying in Tent Town. You don't want to miss this. Grab a flyer at church on Sunday and SIGN UP!

Youth — AWAKEN Easter Camp!
When: 6 - 10 April 2023
Where: Mystery Creek, Hamilton
Join thousands of teenagers from all over the North Island for a massive five day combined-youth gathering in the Waikato. Buy your ticket now. Note: you need to come to camp with a youth group - check out our website for more info. For More Info Please email josh@fbc.nz or talk to your youth leader.

We do not want cost to be a barrier for young people to attend these events.  Please talk to staff if you would like your child/teen to attend e-camp/Easter camp and we will work with you to make this happen. 

Building Fund Update
Mortgage situation and High Tea/Picnic update will be given on Sunday 26 March.

Oasis
We meet next Wednesday for a regular weekly meeting beginning at 10am with morning tea and a time of fellowship together before a time of Praise and Worship, prayer time and viewing a teaching video. This is a wonderful mid week time together and all are welcome. A contribution of food towards morning tea is appreciated. For more information contact Charlie Potter on 027 529 8211.

Seedpods
Seedpods is a weekly play workshop and friendship group for pre-schoolers and their caregivers. Thursdays at 9.30am. Please contact Lynley Clark on 0276514349 if you are interested in attending. If you are interested but Thursday doesn't suit, please let us know. Flyers are available at the info desk if you have someone you would like to invite.

Booking Rooms at FBC
If you would like to book the use of a room at FBC (either for personal use or church use), please fill out the form. Link for FBC Booking Request Form

Prayer Chain
If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Prayer Chain, please email Arlene Hutcheon on arlene@ps.gen.nz or send a text to 0274726198. All prayer requests are treated as confidential.

Giving
You can give online, by automatic payment or direct debit. Our church bank account: 01 0403 0013842 00 or click here to donate now.

As an encouragement to all of you while you're at home...check out some of the songs we're currently singing on Sundays and a few new ones we might sing in the future. If you have a Spotify account, this is the link to FBC Worship on Spotify