• Rescheduled FMC Retreat: Join us this afternoon at our retreat property in Geauga county. We will gather at 4pm for hiking, games and fellowship and have a potluck dinner around 5pm. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own table service.

• Gifts Discernment – Due Today: It is Gifts Discernment season at FMC. If you have not yet filled out a “Sign up to Serve” form, there are copies at the back of the sanctuary, along with the current volunteers list. Forms are due TODAY and can be emailed/handed to members of the Elder Team or Lauren Hurley.
• MMN Prayer Request: Menno Village is an 80-acre farm near Sapporo, Japan, that emphasizes sustainable agriculture and provides food for their neighbors via a community supported agriculture program. Pray that this ministry is able to challenge the systems that exploit people and land by caring for all creation.
• Celebration 2026 Registration: Registration is now open for this year’s Allegheny Mennonite Conference Celebration weekend at Laurelville, July 31-August 2! Visit the Events section of the AMC website or scan the QR code below to register. This year, they are offering special discounts to welcome new participants: first-time attendees will receive $100 off per adult, $25 per child, and youth grades 7-12 can attend for an all-inclusive price of $50. Last year’s Celebration brought together participants from 13 of the 18 congregations of the AMC for a joyful time of worship, music, outdoor activities and community building.

• FMC Retreat: Join us this afternoon at our retreat property in Geauga county. We will gather at 4pm for hiking, games and fellowship and have a potluck dinner around 5pm. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own table service.

• Gifts Discernment: It is Gifts Discernment season at FMC. If you have not yet filled out a “Sign up to Serve” form, there are copies at the back of the sanctuary, along with the current volunteers list. Forms are due Sunday, May 31 and can be emailed/handed to members of the Elder Team or Lauren Hurley.

• Celebration 2026 Registration: Registration is now open for this year’s Allegheny Mennonite Conference Celebration weekend at Laurelville, July 31-August 2! Visit the Events section of the AMC website or scan the QR code below to register. This year, they are offering special discounts to welcome new participants: first-time attendees will receive $100 off per adult, $25 per child, and youth grades 7-12 can attend for an all-inclusive price of $50. Last year’s Celebration brought together participants from 13 of the 18 congregations of the AMC for a joyful time of worship, music, outdoor activities and community building.
• MMN Prayer Request: The Venezuela Global Mission Partnership supports the Network of Mennonite Missions of Venezuela. Pray for their ministries in church planting, biblical and theological education, and food distribution to people in need.

• Gifts Discernment: It is Gifts Discernment season at FMC. After the worship service today, please consider staying for a few minutes to fill out a “Sign up to Serve” form.  

• You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our next meeting date is TODAY.
• Children’s Activity Volunteers Needed: The last Sunday for regular children’s Sunday school is TODAY. Starting next Sunday, there will be no regular Sunday school for these ages. Instead, there will be an informal time for games, playing, fellowshipping and fun on the playground. We still need volunteers to coordinate these 10am times with our children while the youth and adults participate in the story-sharing project for the following Sundays: May 24, May 31 & June 28
• FMC Retreat: Join us next Sunday (May 24) at our retreat property in Geauga county. We will gather at 4pm for hiking, games and fellowship and have a potluck dinner around 5pm. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own table service.

• Welcome, Jonathan Cahill: Jonathan Cahill is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He’s currently a part-time minister at Archwood United Church of Christ in Cleveland and a full-time stay-at-home dad in Cleveland Heights.

• You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our next meeting date is May 17.

• Children’s Activity Volunteers Needed: The last week for regular children’s Sunday school is Sunday, May 17. On Sundays from May 24-June 28, there will be no regular Sunday school for these ages. Instead, there will be an informal time for games, playing, fellowshipping and fun on the playground. We still need volunteers to coordinate these 10am times with our children while the youth and adults participate in the story-sharing project for the following Sundays: May 24, May 31, June 21 & June 28.
• MMN Prayer Request: This Mother’s Day, pray for all those who experience pain or grief due to loss, broken relationships or a yearning to become a parent. Pray that they would find comfort and love in the warm embrace of our heavenly parent.

• Welcome, Bret Johnson!: Bret Johnson serves as coordinator of the Southeast Clergy Meals on Wheels program. SEC Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals at a reasonable cost to residents in Bedford, Bedford Heights, Oakwood Village and Walton Hills, who are unable to shop or prepare adequate meals for themselves. This service enables each person to maintain or resume independent living in their own home. Meals on Wheels is an independent all-volunteer service which relies upon donations from the community, businesses, private donors and client donations for financial support.

• Mark Your Calendar: The 2026 FMC Retreat Schedule has been finalized! Mark your calendar and plan on joining us at our retreat property this summer for fellowship and potlucks. Questions? Reach out to Chris or Sue Coblentz.

• You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our next meeting date is May 17.
• Children’s Activity Volunteers Needed: The last week for regular children’s Sunday school is Sunday, May 17. On Sundays from May 24-June 28, there will be no regular Sunday school for these ages. Instead, there will be an informal time for games, playing, fellowshipping and fun on the playground. We still need volunteers to coordinate these 10am times with our children while the youth and adults participate in the story-sharing project for the following Sundays: May 24, May 31, June 21 & June 28.

• MCC Connections 25^th Anniversary: MCC Connections will celebrate its 25th anniversary from May 11-16!  We are grateful to the community for supporting both the Thrift Shop and the Material Resources Center. Please join us each day for special sales, food trucks, drawings, and giveaways at 4080 Kidron Rd. Kidron, OH. Monday – Cloud 9 Food Truck*, 25 cent bracelets Tuesday – Happy birthday, MCC Connections! Blend of Grace*, 25% off thrift purchases, 1 free commemorative shopping tote with every purchase Wednesday – 25 cent necklaces Thursday – Free coffee and donuts, 25 cent scarves Friday – Free coffee and donuts, 25 cent mugs Saturday – Patio 114 food truck*, Ruby’s Chipotle Bowls Food Truck*, free ice cream cup, free shopping tote with purchase, 25 cent flip flops *All food truck purchases are 25% off and covered by MCC Connections. Limited menus will be provided by the food trucks.
• You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our next meeting date is May 17.

• MMN Prayer Request: Laura and Nick Sharp, and their two children, are nearing the end of their one-year service term in La Mesa, Colombia, where they offer educational support at the Colegio Americano Menno. Pray that they are able use these final two months in Colombia to continue the relationships they have built, while also preparing themselves and the children they help teach for their inevitable good-byes.

• FMC Directory: Updated copies of the FMC Church Directory are available at the back of the sanctuary.

• Next Sunday – My Coins Count: Sunday, April 26 we will have our monthly My Coins Count collection during the worship service. Please bring your cash, coins, and checks to help support the mission and ministries of the Mennonite Central Committee.

• You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our upcoming meeting dates are: April 19 and May 17.

• MMN Prayer Request: Caleb and Stephanie Schrock-Hurst have been onsite at Mennonite Christian Hospital (MCH) in Hualien, Taiwan, for more than two months. Pray that the Bible study they are now leading with MCH staff will be a fruitful and fulfilling time of study and fellowship for all involved.

• MCUSA News: Mennonite Church USA joined hundreds of faith leaders to sign letter rejecting demonization of migrants, erosion of human and Constitutional rights. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/call-to-christians/

• Summer Camps: With the weather warming up, it’s time to think about summer camps! See the information below about some of the summer camps that children and youth from FMC have attended.

Registration is open for summer camp at Laurelville!  Sign up now for a week of fun, friends, and exploring faith in community with others.  Camp will give you memories that last a lifetime, and won’t leave you the same.  Weeklong camps are offered for youth ages 8 through 17.  A shorter, two-night option is available for youth ages 6 to 10 and is a great way to give overnight camp a try.  Reserve your spot today! www.laurelville.org

Early Bird Registration ends April 15 at Camp Luz! This summer at Camp Luz our theme is “Called and Sent,” based on Matthew 28:19-20. Camp sessions are available for kids ages 7 through 18, as well as a “Grown Up & Me” camp for kids ages 4-6 with a parent. For more information and to register: www.campluz.com

• You are invited to Encounter! Encounter meets once a month on Sundays at 7pm, led by Ted and Anita in a small space at First Baptist Church (3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights). It’s an opportunity to be with one another in prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never attended before. Our upcoming meeting dates are: April 19 and May 17.

• MMN Prayer Request: This week, four SOOP participants will begin two-week assignments at Hesston (Kansas) College and Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio in San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, another couple will wrap up a one-month SOOP placement in Calais, France, this week. Praise God for the willingness of these participants to give of their time and talents. 

• Free Concert: There will be a free choir concert by Ephrata Mennonite High School at Aurora Mennonite Church (59 E Mennonite Rd. Aurora, OH.) on Friday, April 10 at 7pm.   

• Easter Worship Arts: The Easter worship arts on display was made out of recycled materials by the middler Sunday school class a few years ago. During intergenerational Sunday school last week we had a chance to restore the artwork which had lost some of its pieces over the years. Check it out up close to see what the underlying materials are and how they have experienced a form of resurrection in this season of Easter!

• Tuesday Bible Study Break: While Pastor Alvis is away on sabbatical, the Tuesday Bible Study will not meet.
• Sunday School Update: YOUTH: Starting Sunday, April 12, the youth will join the adults downstairs for a story-sharing project. There will be no separate youth Sunday school during Alvis’s sabbatical and through the rest of the summer.  CHILDREN: For children ages 3-grade 5, the last week for regular Sunday school will be Sunday, May 17 (the weekend before Memorial Day). On Sundays from May 24-June 28, there will be no regular Sunday school for these ages. Instead, there will be an informal time for games, playing, fellowshipping, and for fun on the playground. We need volunteers to coordinate these 10 a.m. times with our children while the youth and adults participate in a story-sharing project. If you are able to help, please sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1284u2aJRMA6nwJ5SXFZ0OHECDW-DQtc7IvNqcBPuIUU/edit?gid=1365806384#gid=1365806384.

• Easter Flowers: We will have a fresh flower display on the altar during the worship service. You are invited to being a small potted flower if you would like to contribute (or cut flowers work too).  

• Easter Brunch Potluck: Sunday, April 5 at 10:00am join us for a brunch potluck in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish to share. All are welcome! 
• Sunday School Update: YOUTH: Starting Sunday, April 12, the youth will join the adults downstairs for a story-sharing project. There will be no separate youth Sunday school during Alvis’s sabbatical and through the rest of the summer.  CHILDREN: For children ages 3-grade 5, the last week for regular Sunday school will be Sunday, May 17 (the weekend before Memorial Day). On Sundays from May 24-June 28, there will be no regular Sunday school for these ages. Instead, there will be an informal time for games, playing, fellowshipping, and for fun on the playground. We need volunteers to coordinate these 10 a.m. times with our children while the youth and adults participate in a story-sharing project. If you are able to help, please sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1284u2aJRMA6nwJ5SXFZ0OHECDW-DQtc7IvNqcBPuIUU/edit?gid=1365806384#gid=1365806384.