Join us bright and early Easter Sunday for breakfast at 8:15 am. At 10:00, we will celebrate baptisms in the sanctuary, followed by worship.  At 11:30, the children are invited to join will our annual Easter egg hunt on the front lawn.

By Madison McClendon

In English worship this Lenten season, more than one preacher has reminded us of a truth: when asking why Jesus had to die, the answer is often simpler than complex theories of the atonement would have you believe. The truth is that Jesus was human. And so he died, in the same way you and me and all other humans will die eventually.

​So the question, for me, is deeper than why Jesus died, the question is why he died the way he did. He was killed before he could live to the point that many of us hope and pray for, to die surrounded by loved ones and family, connected to others who will grieve us but can celebrate with us a long life. He died in pain, where for many of us what we desire most from our death is an easy struggle. This was a question that bothered the writers of the Gospels, too, and anyone who believed as we do that Jesus is God. If God is so powerful, why would Jesus die the way he did?

At the end of March, we will be commemorating the week of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. All are welcome at the following events: 

PALM SUNDAY/DOMINGO DE RAMOS.... On March 25, all the congregations will gather in front of the church at 10:00 am (weather permitting) to sing and wave palm branches as we mark Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We will then process into our spaces of worship. 

GOOD FRIDAY...We will gather to recall the suffering of Christ and lift up the suffering of our world at the Good Friday service on March 30 at 7:30 pm. The Karen/English service will be in the sanctuary, and Spanish service will be in Howel Hall.

SÁBADO DE GLORIA...On Holy Saturday, March 31, the Hispanic congregation will have a prayer vigil/retreat. It will be a day of music, games and activities, prayer, and reflections. Simple meals will be provided.

EASTER BAPTISMS...We will be having a baptismal service this Easter, which will take place on Sunday, April 1 at 10:00 am. 

NSBC will serve as a Launching Congregation for the Young Adult Initiative, sponsored by Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary’s Innovation Hub. The purpose of the Initiative is to develop new ministries aimed at adults between 18 and 35. During the spring, Sam Hartman-Pickerill and Pastor Kathryn will participate in a “Religious and Spiritual Lives of Young Adults” course, in which we will be guided through a process to design new young adult ministries.  In July, we will be eligible to receive a grant from the Lilly Endowment to fund a new ministry initiative.  Over the next two years, we will then participate in a monthly peer coaching group to support that ministry initiative.

 To begin this process, we are conducting an all-church survey. The purpose of the survey is learn more about the passions, visions, and frustrations of our church participants.  This will help us identify the strengths and resources we have for new ministries, as well as existing obstacles. This information will help us not only develop new ministries, but also achieve deeper understanding of our existing programs and relationships. 

By Saw Solomon Opehtoo

In Luke 12, Jesus gives us a valuable “Parable about the Rich Fool” that teaches us the danger of attachment to worldly wealth. Jesus invites us to search for the right thing, which is heavenly wealth that cannot be destroyed. Jesus was exposing the multitude to vital truths pertaining to the kingdom of God and teaching about the danger of rejecting the gospel and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. In verse 31, Jesus concludes his teaching about the search for the Kingdom of God by reminding us that God will surely fulfill whatever we need in this world.