Purchase by March 28th
This Easter you have an opportunity give a lily ‘In Memory of’ or ‘In Honor of’ a loved one.
Lilies can be ordered via pew envelopes or by clicking the button below for $15 each. Please order by Tuesday, March 28.
Plants will be displayed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday and may be taken home after the service.
Thursday, April 6, 7pm, Sanctuary
Come experience our Maundy Thursday Communion Service like never before! If you prefer to join us via live stream, bring your communion elements and together, we will worship and “break bread” while focusing on the mandate to love with humility by serving one another while remembering His ultimate humility and sacrifice.
From the Latin word mandatum, meaning, “commandment,” Maundy refers to the command Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-45)
Jesus’ command seems very simple, but the understanding of what happened that night is far from simple. Why is the importance of remembering Communion so significant for Christians? Let us focus on the mandate to love with humility by serving one another while remembering His ultimate humility and sacrifice for us.
Live Stream Participation
Communion will be part of our Maundy Thursday service. Should you decide to participate with us from home, here are some instructions for taking communion remotely.
Communion (the Lord’s Supper) is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus to remember His sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant.
The elements of bread and wine/juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation, rather, it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, join us online to remember His GREAT sacrifice. If you are not in the place where you consider Christ your Savior then sit back and enjoy the service like normal.
ITEMS NEEDED FOR TAKING COMMUNION AT HOME
1. Grape Juice or Water (quantity depends on size of your group)
2. Bread or Baked Crackers | Unleavened bread is the best expression of the “bread” element. Unleavened bread simply is bread baked without a rising agent (most large grocery stores stock unleavened bread), but you can select any bread or cracker of your choice.
3. Be Ready at Home with Your Elements | The pastor will direct you through properly receiving communion. All you need to do is follow along online individually or as a group during the service.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR PERSONAL USE
Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
The Hare-Raising Egg Party is back on Saturday, April 1, from 1pm-3pm! Families and kids will love the egg and bunny themed carnival games, crafts, as well as pony rides and a petting zoo! Kids of all ages will enjoy this family-friendly event. Did we mention candy?? Kids will receive candy and prizes at the carnival game stations.
VIP Access for children with special needs starts at 12:15pm. We ask that only families with children with special needs register for the 12:15pm time slot.
General access starts at 1pm, so everyone else please register for either the 1pm or 2pm timeslot.
Register by March 31 to be included in the raffle drawing for PRIZES!
Join the Hare-Raising Easter Party Crew
MBC, we need your support! You can register to serve at the event below. And please consider donating candy- we’ll need lots! (We don’t need plastic eggs.) Thank you in advance!
QUESTIONS?
Contact Rachel (rachel@millingtonbaptist.org).
MBC will be offering DivorceCare support for those who are separated, going through a divorce or already divorced. You will find warm and caring people who will come alongside you as you walk on your journey.
For more information, please see the DivorceCare Website.
Time & Place:
Beginning March 28
13-week course on Tuesdays from 7-9pm
Fellowship Hall
Workbook: $20 ea.
Contact info: Deb Graisser or Glenn Guerin
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
A Study in Ecclesiastes: January 8-April 2
Chaos. That is a word that seems to capture the zeitgeist of our age. Instability, wars, pandemics, and institutional breakdown have led people to wonder: is anyone in control? Do meaning and purpose exist? Indeed, with endless choices and uncertain times people today are less secure and more jaded than ever before. Doubts about everything are the new normal. We are living through an era that feels a bit … mad.
So… how do we live by faith in a world of madness? That is what the book of Ecclesiastes is about. It assumes doubts and offers answers not addressed anywhere else. It explores issues that haunt us at the end of life. In short, this ancient book offers meaning in the madness by directing us to the purpose giver: God himself.
Over the 12 weeks, we are going to explore all the important issues in life: Meaning, purpose, happiness, work, wealth, fame, power, suffering, justice, and death. The world’s answers are incoherent and incomplete. The teacher of Ecclesiastes shows us that order is possible in chaos, meaning is birthed despite the madness, and true beauty is revealed at the feet of our Creator King. Join us as we discover meaning in the madness.
Recommended companion reading:
1/8 – Book and Series Introduction
1/15 – Meaning in the Madness
1/22 – Purposeful Use of Time
1/29 – CONTEND CONFERENCE
2/5 – Meaningful Work
2/12 – False Meaning: Worship and Money
2/19 – Meaning in the Midst of Pain
2/26 – Wisdom and Meaning
3/5 – Meaningful Joy
3/12 – The Danger of Folly
3/19 – Meaningful Risk
3/26 – The Creator of Meaning
4/2 – Meaningful Death
Previous Sermons in this Series
Discipleship for Kids: Heart + Soul + Strength
First Class: Nothing Less than God’s Word
Am I making a difference in my kids’ spiritual lives? How should I be leading my kids spiritually? Will they keep walking with God as they get older?
Have you ever found yourself asking these questions? At the first of a new series of Parenting Seminar Classes, we’ll be exploring this topic by looking at research from a book called Nothing Less: Engaging Kids in a Lifetime of Faith. The main takeaway is simple, yet significant: Reading God’s Word. Join us as we discover what we can do to most influence our kids to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength and to develop lasting faith.
Discipleship for Kids: Heart + Soul + Strength
Next Class: Feb. 12 – Family Mission, Vision, and Values
In the second of a new series of Parenting Seminar Classes, we’ll be discussing what it could look like to intentionally form your family’s mission, vision and values. This is for all ages and all types of families! Do it as a family now or start thinking ahead; do it as a single parent; allow your older kids to think through this with you. Join in on the discussion as we build one another up on this journey of discipling our kids.
*5th/6th Grade Class will be provided in the Education Building, along with the regular MBC Kids programs. Contact Rachel (rachel@millingtonbaptist.org) with questions.
Discipleship for Kids: Heart + Soul + Strength
Disciple your kids. What does that mean? What does that look like?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7).
In this passage, we are then called to teach His commandments to our children. We even get some practical tips! Do this in the moments of everyday life: when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down, when you rise (v.7 paraphrased). This is our foundation as we disciple our kids. We teach God’s Word with intention and out of the overflow of God’s love in our heart + soul + strength.
Class topics:
In Discipleship for Kids: Heart + Soul + Strength Parenting Seminar Classes we will be partnering with parents to disciple our kids so that they develop a lifelong faith. Discipling our kids starts at home with parents and extended family, and continues at church with teachers, mentors, and our spiritual family. It’s never too early to begin (even with babies!), and it’s not too late to start with your teens. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, anyone with kids whom they love in their lives are all invited.
Let’s come together to learn, share ideas, and encourage one another on this journey of discipling the next generation.
If you have any questions or want more information, reach out to our MBC Kids Director, Rachel at rachel@millingtonbaptist.org.
Sermon on deck…
Is Christmas Unbelievable: December 2022
Many people assume that the story of the baby in the manger at Bethlehem is just another made-up fantasy for kids. In this series based on the book by respected apologist Rebecca McLaughlin, we will outline the evidence that Jesus was a real person, explaining the reliability of the Bible’s accounts of his life and why believing in a virgin birth is not as ridiculous as it might sound. This series shows that there is a rational basis for the belief that the world’s most famous story is fact, not fantasy—and how those events in history can infuse our lives today with meaning and joy
12/4 – Was Jesus Even a Real Person?
12/11 – Weren’t the Gospels Made Up Later?
12/18 – How Can You believe in a Virgin Birth?
12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve
12/24 – Christmas Eve
12/25 – Christmas Online Event
Recommended companion reading:
Previous Sermons in this Series
What is Alpha
Alpha is a series of group conversations that explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly environment. It’s a place to connect with people, where you can say anything you like or nothing at all. Everyone’s welcome. You’re invited, no matter your background or beliefs. You can check out the ALPHA website HERE.
MEETING DATES:
The LAUNCH PARTY is February 5th, 2023 @ 6pm. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall section on the main church building (Signs on Campus). Come hungry!
What to Expect:
Do you have a burning question about life and faith, but you haven’t had anyone to talk to? If that is you, Alpha is the place to be. When you sign up to attend, here is what to expect: First, we’ll provide a meal and eat some great food together and make new friendships. Second, we’ll watch a film that explains the basics of the Christian faith. Finally, we’ll discuss what was presented in the video. Here is the best part—all questions are on the table. No matter your background, we want to hear from you!
Who Should Join?
Alpha is designed to create conversations around the big questions of life and meaning. As such, any and all spiritual seekers are invited to attend and learn more about life and the Christian faith. Also, if you like to eat, there will be great food!
Should I do anything beforehand?
Nope. Just bring yourself and your questions—we can’t wait to connect with you!
Questions?
Contact Pastor Bob: berbig@millingtonbaptist.org
Lord’s Table | We practice two ordinances at MBC: Baptism and the Lord’s Table. By participating in these ordinances, Christians proclaim both their individual faith in Christ and our whole congregation proclaims our unity in the Gospel. MBC believes that the Lord’s Supper (Communion) is a commemoration of the Savior’s death, and, through participating, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” MBC Articles of Faith, Article XI – To prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper we must understand that we are practicing these four things when we come to His table:
We Worship
This ordinance is part of corporate worship, normally on the first Sunday of each month. This is why the Lord’s Table is for believers only. It is an act of the gathered family, the church. Unbelievers may be present, indeed, we welcome them to be present as there is nothing secretive about the Lord’s Supper, it is done in public, but it is the family meal for those who have already professed their faith in Jesus Christ and have come to worship.
We Remember
Human beings are prone to forgetfulness. This is especially true spiritually. Therefore, the mental action of all the participants of the Lord’s Supper is to focus our minds on Jesus, especially remembering his sacrificial and historical work of dying on the cross for our sins. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 says “Do this in remembrance of me.” At the table we remember.
We Give Thanks
The word “Eucharist” in 1 Corinthians 11:24 means to “give thanks.” We are filled with gratitude at the table because Jesus paid our sin debt and provided for us in abundance all that we need.
We Practice Self-Examination
The Scripture says a person “ought to examine themselves before he or she eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:28-29) It’s important that we come to the table with a clear conscience before God. We come and confess our sins and renew our covenant commitment before God.
For Further Study
Communion is explained in the following key Scriptures: Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Cor 11:23-32.
Check our our informative Mini-Series on the Lords Table
Check out more of our relevant content on our You Tube Channel
Resources to Learn More:
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”
