Just recently I have been thinking about God's amazing love. Reading just 2 scriptures about love makes me even more grateful for God's amazing grace for without it I would fail God's love. Here are those 2 scriptures:

1. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us...since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...and if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:7-12
2. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Thank God for His grace that covers all my failings. However, I still need to keep working on my love. How about you?

~ Steve

The Abundant and Attractive Life / Steve Clark
Luke 7:12-16, John 10:10
This week we are starting a new series that look at what have we been called to do as the Church of Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus tells us that our role is to be light and salt in the world, to have an influence and to shine with the love of God in a way that declares the gospel message. This is our mandate to look beyond ourselves to our community, our nation and to the world.
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...  
Welcome back to term two. 
Wonder Kids (Preschool Programme) - We are learning about the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and how it encourages us to share that Jesus is alive with others.
Discovery Kids (Primary aged Programme) - We are looking at the story of the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) and exploring how we can put others first by helping them to understand. 
FBI (Intermediate Programme) - We are revisiting and reconnecting after e-camp. We will be sharing our stories and watching some videos.

If you have any questions, 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.
 

Parenting for Faith
Come and join us for an 8 week course, designed to support you in being a key witness in your child's life.  This course is designed to equip Parents, Grandparents, and Godparents for their very important role supporting faith development in children.  You are perfectly positioned, just as you are to have an impact.
Day: Sunday
Time:3-4:30pm
Location: Franklin Baptist Church with childcare avaiable onsite 
Course dates: 7th May, 21st May, 30th May, 11th June, 18th June, 25th June, 2nd July, 9th July 

Franklin Food Bank
We are partnering with the Catholic Church in Pukekohe to provide a food bank for those in need. They would love donations of:

Donation Rebates/Receipts
Please note that donation receipts will be sent out on the last week of April 2023.
If you’ve made a donation above $5 to any registered charity, religious organisation or school in the past 4 years, you’re eligible for a 33% rebate from Inland Revenue. If you need help in processing your rebates, please come and see Den.  He will be able to point you to places that can help. Completing a refund will give you the choice to either get the refund or re-gift it back to Franklin Baptist Church. 

Oasis
Oasis will have a break for 2 weeks from next Wednesday the 12th of April and will resume on the 26th of April. 

Seedpods
Seedpods is a weekly play workshop and friendship group for pre-schoolers and their caregivers. Thursdays at 9.30am during term time. 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.

Church Center App
Our Church Center app is where you can find what's going on in our church whanau. Click this link to find out how to download the app here.

GAT Prayer
Check out the latest news from the Global Action Team. Click here for the APR - MAY newsletter. A printed copy is available at the Info desk. Thanks for upholding them and our other partners in prayer.

Pilates Mat Classes at FBC
Term 2 Pilates Mat Classes for Beginners and Intermediate level are starting soon.
Where: Franklin Baptist Church Blue Room
When: Thursdays April 27th to June 29th 
Timings: 5.15pm to 6pm Beginners Class
6.15pm to 7 pm Intermediate Class
Cost: The full block of 8 lessons costs $120
Taught by Liz Kelsey, a Physiotherapist and Qualified Pilates Instructor.
Bookings essential.
Please contact Liz at physio.ekelsey@xtra.co.nz

The Runway Foundation
The Runway Foundation currently has an opportunity for someone who has a passion to work with children and youth, to join their Team to lead the primary school aged programmes of support as well as mentoring for a few girls on our Youth programme. This is a fully paid position for 32-38 hours a week, including a few afternoons a week running programmes. It would absolutely amazing if we could help them find a new Team member that comes from a Christian community and has a love for our local community.
For more information, please contact Terese Marr: terese@runway.net.nz, 0292810223, or check out their website: www.therunwayfoundation.org.
 

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