Scripture for Sunday (3/15/2026)

Kathryn “Kay” Vierling Norris, 96, of Junction passed from this life on March 8, 2026, at her residence. Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Junction City Cemetery with Rev. Jim and Rev. Laurie Barker officiating. There will be a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Lenten Luncheon on Wednesday at 11:45 at First Baptist. We are responsible for the food and Jim will be preaching.

Scripture for Sunday
John 9:1–9 (ESV)
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.”

Scripture for Sunday (3/8/2026)

Men’s Breakfast on Saturday at 8 AM. 

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday! Remember to spring forward 1-hour.

Scripture for Sunday
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 (ESV)
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, [2] "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. [10] And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. [11] "You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. [12] You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. [13] "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning. [14] You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord. [15] "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. [16] You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. [17] "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. [18] You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Matthew 5:38-48 (ESV)
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. [41] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [42] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. [43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [48] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Prayer for the Day
Gracious and holy God, You have shown us a better way in your Son, teaching us not to return evil for evil but to overcome it with mercy and love. When we are wounded, guard our hearts from bitterness. When we are wronged, keep us from seeking revenge. Shape us by your Spirit into people who pray for those who oppose us and who reflect the perfect love of our Father in heaven.
Make us children who bear the family likeness of Christ, loving not only those who love us, but even our enemies. Grow us in that costly, cross-shaped love that shines like the sun you send on the just and the unjust alike. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

March 2026 Newsletter

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March 2026 Newsletter

Have a great day!

Scripture for Sunday (3/1/2026)

Scripture for Sunday
John 3:1–17 (ESV)
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Prayer of the Day
Gracious and merciful God, you who so loved the world that you gave your only Son, we come in this holy season of Lent longing to be born from above. As you met Nicodemus in the quiet of the night, meet us in the hidden places of our hearts. By your Spirit, bring new birth where there is weariness, light where there is darkness, and faith where there is doubt. Keep us from trusting in ourselves and draw us instead to trust in your saving love revealed in Jesus Christ, who came not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Shape us as children of the light, that our lives may bear witness to your grace. Amen.

Scripture for Sunday (2/22/2026)

Scripture for Sunday
Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "' Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "' He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "' You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Prayer for the Day
Gracious and sovereign God, as Your Son was led into the wilderness and stood firm against temptation, remind us today that we don’t have to be self-sufficient. When we are hungry for control, quick comfort, or worldly security, turn our hearts back to Your Word and to Christ our faithful Savior. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to trust not in ourselves but in Your grace alone and keep us steadfast in faith as we follow Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Bell & Rhythm Choirs

 The Bell and Rhythm Choirs have begun but it’s not too late to join! All ages are welcome. You do not have to read music. Practice will be Wednesday (Feb 18) at 4 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  They will continue to meet weekly on Wednesday evenings. 

Ash Wednesday

 

We will have a service of Imposition of the Ashes on Wednesday February 18, 2026, 7:00 AM. 

 Lenten Luncheons also begin on Wednesday, Feb 18, 11:45 at the Frist Baptist Church Gym. If you signed up to bring something and are dropping it off at the church, please have it in the kitchen by 10:30. Thank you!