Spring Fellowship at NBBC: March Messages & Community Connections

Zoe Willows

Welcome back, everybody. You’re hanging out with Zoe and Samuel, and today we’re stepping into March at New Bethel Baptist Church in Indianapolis — right there on Southeastern Avenue — where the vibe on Sundays is basically: coffee, Jesus, and community.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, and in that order. If you’re new around here, Sundays at New Bethel start with “Coffee and Jesus” at 9:30 a.m. It’s this kind of relaxed, pre-service space to talk, wake up a little, and just be with folks. Then worship kicks off at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday.

Zoe Willows

I love that it’s not just “show up exactly at 10:30 and bolt when it’s over.” That 9:30 time feels very on-brand with the church’s vision — being a fellowship where everybody can worship, learn, and serve in an accepting community of believers. It’s like the “accepting community” part gets warmed up over coffee first.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, it’s like you step into the story before the “official” service even starts. And this March, Pastor Dianna has laid out this really cool journey through Scripture over the month. Four Sundays, four big themes.

Zoe Willows

Okay, walk us through it. Hit me with week one.

Samuel Rivers

So March 8, the passage is John 4:5–42. That’s Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. The theme is “Worship and breaking bread together.” I might be paraphrasing a bit, but that story is all about unexpected conversation, crossing barriers, and then that woman running back to her community like, “You all have to meet this Jesus.”

Zoe Willows

Yeah, she basically becomes the first influencer. She encounters Jesus, and suddenly she’s hosting the whole town at the spiritual table. I love tying that to worship and “breaking bread together” — because it’s not just singing songs, it’s sharing life, stories, even lunch after church.

Samuel Rivers

Exactly. Then March 15 you’ve got 1 Samuel 16:1–13, “God’s Selection Process.” That’s when Samuel is sent to anoint David, the kid nobody expected to be king. It’s God saying, “I don’t look at appearance the way humans do.”

Zoe Willows

The ultimate “don’t judge by the highlight reel” moment. I feel like that speaks into calling — God seeing something in us before we see it in ourselves, or before anybody else votes us “most likely to succeed.”

Samuel Rivers

Then March 22 is John 11:1–45, the raising of Lazarus. That’s new life, no question. Jesus speaks into grief, confusion, and then literally calls Lazarus out of the tomb. And honestly, people still come into church feeling like parts of their life are… kinda buried, you know?

Zoe Willows

Totally. You drag in on a Sunday like, “I’m fine, I’m fine,” but spiritually you feel like that stone is still in place. And then maybe through the message, or the music, or just someone remembering your name from last week, something in you wakes up again.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah. And then March 29, Palm Sunday, the Scripture is Psalm 118:1–2 and 19–29. The focus is “The King They Got vs. the One they expected.” That’s such a powerful contrast — people wanting a certain kind of king, and God sending a very different kind of Savior.

Zoe Willows

That hits home. We all bring our expectations to Jesus — like, “Fix this, bless that, make my life look like this Pinterest board” — and then God shows up in a quieter, humbler way that still somehow turns everything upside down.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, and I think Pastor Dianna weaving those four passages together — worship, calling, new life, expectations — it’s like she’s inviting the church to do a spring checkup of the heart. What are you worshiping with your time? Do you believe God can use you like David? Where do you need resurrection? What kind of King are you actually looking for?

Zoe Willows

And all of that is happening in a space that’s trying really hard to be welcoming. I’ve seen it — you walk in, and there’s that mix of chatter, coffee cups, people pointing each other toward seats. If you’re new, it doesn’t feel like you’re crashing a closed family reunion.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. You see folks who’ve been there for years talking with someone who, you can tell, is maybe there for the first or second time. And it’s not this big production, it’s just, “Hey, what’s your name? How was your week?”

Zoe Willows

Right. It’s those tiny Sunday-morning moments — someone saving you a spot, or asking if you wanna join them for “Coffee and Jesus” next week — that slowly turn “I’m just visiting” into “I think I belong here.”

Samuel Rivers

So if you’re listening and you’ve been hovering on the edge, March at New Bethel is a really good time to lean in — come at 9:30, stay for 10:30, and let those Scriptures and that community start doing their quiet, steady work.

Zoe Willows

Alright, so Sundays are kind of the front door, but New Bethel doesn’t go into hibernation Monday through Saturday. Let’s talk about some of the ways folks can connect and serve during the week.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, and one of the big ones is God’s Bounty. It’s a pantry ministry that New Bethel partners with. They accept donations on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., and then on Thursdays, starting at 1:00 p.m., they serve the community.

Zoe Willows

And New Bethel specifically serves there on the first Thursday of every month, right?

Samuel Rivers

Exactly. So if you’re trying to put this on your calendar, that first Thursday is when NBBC folks are intentionally showing up as a team. And if you want more info, you can contact Paul Young — he’s the point person.

Zoe Willows

I love food pantry ministry because it’s so concrete. Like, this is literally someone’s dinner tonight. Even if we don’t know all the details of who walks through the door at God’s Bounty, you can just picture it — a parent who’s stretched thin, a senior on a fixed income, a neighbor who’s had a tough month.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, and I’ll say this from experience with similar ministries: it blesses the volunteers, too. You show up thinking, “I’m here to help,” and you leave surprised by how much your own heart got softened just by listening, or carrying bags, or praying quietly for somebody.

Zoe Willows

And if serving at a pantry feels like a big first step, there are some super low-pressure ways to plug in midweek. Let’s hit those.

Samuel Rivers

Alright, lightning round. First up: Book Club. It’s led by Janie Bryant, and they meet on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. So you don’t even have to leave your house — pajamas and coffee, totally allowed. If you’d like to join, you just contact Janie.

Zoe Willows

Love that it’s on Zoom. If you’re introverted or you’re working from home, or maybe you’re caregiving during the day, that mid-morning, online thing can be a lifeline. You’re opening a book, but you’re also kind of opening up your life a little bit.

Samuel Rivers

Next: Euchre Club. They meet at 1:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, in the Judson Room on the lower level of the church. Everyone is welcome, and if you need more info, you can contact Janet Fiddler.

Zoe Willows

Card games as ministry — I am absolutely here for this. It’s such a gentle on-ramp. You don’t have to show up and spill your whole life story; you just sit down, learn the rules if you don’t know them, and let friendships grow around the table.

Samuel Rivers

Then we’ve got Yoga. That’s on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m., in the Judson Room on the lower level as well. Everyone is welcome, participation is totally free, and all you need is a yoga mat and comfortable clothing. If you want more information, you can contact Barb Fengya.

Zoe Willows

Free yoga in a church basement is kind of my favorite sentence. But seriously, if you’ve ever thought, “I’d like to take better care of my body and maybe meet a few people,” this is like a no-judgment zone. Just show up with your mat and see what happens.

Samuel Rivers

And tucked in the middle of the month, there’s also a Church Council meeting on Tuesday, March 10. That’s one of those behind-the-scenes ways the church stays organized and on mission. Even if you’re not on the council, just knowing it’s happening reminds you there are people praying, planning, and trying to steward the vision well.

Zoe Willows

What I’m hearing in all of this — pantry, book club, cards, yoga, meetings — is that New Bethel is giving people lots of doorways to move from “I attend on Sunday” to “I belong here.” You don’t have to jump into everything. You can just pick one.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, and sometimes that one step changes everything. Maybe you meet someone at Book Club who sits with you on Sunday. Or you serve at God’s Bounty and suddenly the prayers during worship feel more real because you’ve seen the faces of people you’re praying for.

Zoe Willows

So if you’re listening and you’ve felt like a spectator, these midweek spaces are your invitation to move a little closer. Whether you’re more “Bible and books,” “cards and laughter,” “yoga mat and quiet,” or “bagging groceries at the pantry,” there’s a place with your name on it.

Samuel Rivers

Alright, let’s talk about two of my favorite spring things: cleaning and Easter. And I say that as someone who did a lot of church spring cleanups growing up.

Zoe Willows

You’re a better person than I am. But I will say, there’s something really sweet about folks showing up in old T‑shirts to take care of the place where they worship.

Samuel Rivers

So at New Bethel, there’s a Cleaning Day on Saturday, March 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The focus is cleaning the sanctuary — the space where everyone gathers on Sundays.

Zoe Willows

That’s a pretty generous window of time. So if you’re thinking, “I can’t do five hours,” you probably don’t have to. You could come for an hour or two, meet some folks, and help make the sanctuary shine.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, and serving side by side like that is one of the easiest ways to get to know people. You’re dusting or vacuuming, you’re laughing about who brought the strongest cleaner, and before you know it, you know someone’s story a little better.

Zoe Willows

And it’s a really tangible way to say, “This is my church home.” You’re not just a guest anymore — you’re helping set the table for worship for everybody who will walk in on Sunday.

Samuel Rivers

Speaking of setting the table, we’ve gotta talk about the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 4. It starts at 10:00 a.m., and it’s one of those classic, joy-filled, family-friendly moments.

Zoe Willows

Yes! So there are a couple of needs here. First, volunteers. The church is looking for people to help make the hunt happen — from setting up to greeting families to helping kids find eggs. Second, they’re filling eggs right now, so they’re asking folks to take some empty eggs home and fill them.

Samuel Rivers

Yeah, that part is so simple. You literally grab a bag of empty plastic eggs, fill them with candy or small surprises, and bring them back. It’s a quiet way to contribute that still means a lot when those kids are out in the grass, baskets in hand.

Zoe Willows

And this is such a great opportunity to invite friends, neighbors, grandkids, that coworker who’s been looking for something positive for their family. You don’t have to have all the right church words. You can just say, “Hey, my church is doing an Easter egg hunt on April 4 at 10. Wanna come?”

Samuel Rivers

Exactly. Sometimes people’s first step toward church isn’t a sermon — it’s watching their kids laugh and run around on church grounds, or meeting a kind volunteer who remembers their name. And then, maybe, they show up the next day for Palm Sunday or Easter.

Zoe Willows

So as we wrap up, let’s zoom out for a second. March at New Bethel is packed, but in a really beautiful way: Sunday “Coffee and Jesus” at 9:30 and worship at 10:30, those powerful sermon passages all month, God’s Bounty, Book Club, Euchre, Yoga, Cleaning Day on March 28, and the Easter Egg Hunt on April 4.

Samuel Rivers

If you’re hearing all of that and feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t. You do not have to do everything. But maybe God is nudging you toward one next step.

Zoe Willows

Yeah, maybe your step is: “I’m finally gonna come early for Coffee and Jesus.” Or, “I’m gonna email Janie about Book Club.” Or, “I’ll take a bag of empty eggs home and fill them.” Or, “I’ll block out that first Thursday to serve at God’s Bounty with NBBC.”

Samuel Rivers

Or maybe your next step is simply inviting somebody — to the egg hunt, to yoga, to sit with you in worship. You never know how big an impact that small invitation can have.

Zoe Willows

However you choose to jump in, know this: there’s room for you. Whether you’ve been at New Bethel for years or you’re just now Googling the address, this March is a really good time to take that next step toward connection, serving, and sharing the love of Jesus in simple ways.

Samuel Rivers

Alright, that’s it from us for today. Thanks for spending a little time with Zoe and me as we walked through what’s happening this month.

Zoe Willows

We’ll be back with more stories and updates soon. Until then, go pick that one next step — just one — and see what God does with it.

Samuel Rivers

Take care, everybody.

Zoe Willows

Bye, friends.