April at New Bethel: Worship, Service, and Community

Zoe Willows

Hey everyone, welcome in. This is your warm little New Bethel Baptist Church update, and I am Zoe Willows here with Samuel Rivers. If you're part of the New Bethel family, or maybe just curious about what is happening, we are really glad you're listening.

Samuel Rivers

Yes we are. And right at the top, I wanna share the heart of New Bethel Baptist Church. The vision of New Bethel is to be a fellowship where everyone can worship, learn, and serve in an accepting community of believers. I love that word everyone. It feels open, grounded, and full of grace.

Zoe Willows

Totally. It is like, come as you are, bring your real self, and let’s do life and faith together. That vision really shows up in the rhythm of the month too, because there are ways to worship, ways to learn, and ways to serve. Nice neat little trio. Love that.

Samuel Rivers

And every Sunday, you are invited to join for coffee and Jesus with Pastor Dianna at 9:30 a.m. Then service begins at 10:30 a.m. So if you like a little time to settle in, greet folks, and prepare your heart, that 9:30 gathering is a beautiful way to start.

Zoe Willows

Yeah, coffee and Jesus is kind of the perfect pairing. I mean, spiritually and practically. Then worship at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. Nice and clear, easy to remember.

Samuel Rivers

Now let’s look at what Pastor Dianna has in store for April. On April 12, the scripture is Acts 2:14A, 22-32, and the sermon title is “The Bible still speaks to us.”

Zoe Willows

That title is so good. Simple, direct, still very alive. Then on April 19, the scripture is Luke 24:13-35, with the message “Walk to Emmaus.”

Samuel Rivers

And on April 26, the scripture is John 10:1-10, with the sermon title “Are you listening.” That one right there, whew, that asks a question all by itself.

Zoe Willows

It really does. So if you are planning your Sundays, there you go: coffee and Jesus with Pastor Dianna at 9:30 a.m., worship service at 10:30 a.m., and three meaningful April messages waiting for you on April 12, April 19, and April 26.

Samuel Rivers

Come worship, come learn, and come be part of the community. That’s the invitation, plain and simple.

Samuel Rivers

Alright, let’s keep moving through the April announcements. First up, the Church Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m. If that is part of your lane of involvement, make a note of it.

Zoe Willows

And then there is a really welcoming community event coming up: Community Breakfast on Saturday, April 11, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Honestly, church breakfasts just have their own energy. You walk in, somebody smiles, something smells amazing, and suddenly the whole morning feels better.

Samuel Rivers

That is very true. Now for ongoing ways to serve and connect, let’s talk about God’s Bounty. They accept donations at their pantry on Wednesday’s at 6:30 p.m. Then on Thursday’s beginning at 1 p.m. they serve the community.

Zoe Willows

And New Bethel serves at God’s Bounty on the first Thursday of each month. So if you’re looking for a way to step into service, that is a real, practical opportunity. For more information, contact Paul Young.

Samuel Rivers

Then there’s Book Club, led by Janie Bryant. The group meets on Wednesday’s at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. So if connecting from home works best for you, that may be a great fit. If you would like to join, contact Janie Bryant.

Zoe Willows

Also, Euchre Club. I love a church calendar that includes cards, books, worship, service, all of it. The Euchre Club meets at 1 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday’s of the month. Everyone is welcome, and they meet in the Judson Room on the lower level. Contact Janet Fiddler for more information.

Samuel Rivers

And one more invitation: Yoga on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. The group also meets in the Judson room on the lower level of the church. Everyone is welcome, participation is totally free, and all you need is a yoga mat and comfortable clothing.

Zoe Willows

Free and welcoming, we love to hear it. For more information on yoga, contact Barb Fengya. So just in this one stretch of announcements, you have leadership, breakfast, serving, reading, cards, and movement. That is a whole community life right there.

Samuel Rivers

It really is. Worship, learn, serve, and connect. New Bethel’s vision keeps showing up in very everyday ways.

Zoe Willows

Before we wrap up, let’s hit a couple of save-the-dates, because these are the kinds of things you mean to remember and then, you know, life gets loud. So here we go.

Samuel Rivers

First, Saturday, May 9 at noon will be the annual Ladies Lunch. That is a simple one to mark down: Saturday, May 9, noon.

Zoe Willows

And then on Saturday, May 3 at 4 p.m. is the ABCGI Annual Gathering Bicentennial Meeting. That will be held at First Baptist Church of Indianapolis.

Samuel Rivers

So those are your two bigger dates ahead: the ABCGI Annual Gathering Bicentennial Meeting on Saturday, May 3 at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Indianapolis, and the annual Ladies Lunch on Saturday, May 9 at noon.

Zoe Willows

I like ending on the future stuff because it reminds me that church life is not just one Sunday and done. It is a living calendar, a shared table, a place where people keep showing up for one another.

Samuel Rivers

Amen to that. So here’s the encouragement for this week: stay involved, stay connected, and keep showing up for worship and community. Whether that means Sunday morning, a council meeting, serving at God’s Bounty, joining Book Club, sitting down for Euchre, or stretching out at yoga, there is a place for you here.

Zoe Willows

And if you needed the reminder, yes, you are invited. That is the vibe, that is the vision, and that is the heartbeat of New Bethel Baptist Church.

Samuel Rivers

Thanks for spending a few minutes with us today. We’re grateful for you.

Zoe Willows

Alright Samuel, that is our church-news rundown.

Samuel Rivers

It sure is. We’ll catch y’all next time.

Zoe Willows

Bye everybody.