One-on-One with Pastor Jerry is a weekly report on family news and church and community activities, events, ministries and missions. Visit this page each week or sign up to receive it weekly in your inbox. Archive issues can be viewed at NoblesvilleFirst.com/one-on-one-archive.
April 7, 2022
Book 7, Volume 51
This week I have been on vacation in Nashville, Tennessee, visiting my new granddaughter Linley Parker Meredith. She is wonderful of course and so far, has been a little less challenging than her sister Nella was as a baby. Nella is such a sweetheart as well now at the age of three. I took her to what she calls, “the jumpy place,” which is an indoor play area for toddlers. It has rained both days here, so we have not been able to enjoy the warmer weather but it is just good to spend time with my daughter Saisha’s family. Tonight, we will head back up to Evansville and hope to check out some homes but the way they currently fly off the market we are not getting our hopes up that we will find our future abode.
The king is coming! This Sunday is Palm Sunday and we have ordered palms for everyone to enjoy but especially for the children who will parade through the Sanctuary during 9:45 Worship. The kids will be checked in and dropped off at their normal classrooms and will head back to their classrooms after the palm parade for their regular programming.
Easter Sunday follows on April 17 and please note we have a slight change of schedule. We will hold three Traditional Worship opportunities at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 in the Sanctuary (Door 1) and led by the Chancel Choir. One Contemporary Worship will be held at 9:45 am in Celebration Hall (Door 2,7) and Ally Hall will be holding Noblesville First Kids programming at 9:45 downstairs as usual.
We will also hold Maundy Thursday worship in the Sanctuary (Door 1) at 7PM on April 14 led by Pastor Matt Hantelman and the Praise Band.
Good Friday worship is being planned by Pastor Jill Moffett and Dr. Jeff Wright on April 15 at 7PM, also in the Sanctuary (Door 1).
Don’t forget the Good Friday Prayer Vigil held from 7AM to 7PM on April 15. Half hour time slots will be available for prayer in Whitcomb Chapel and the Prayer Room. Sign up on the posters outside Celebration Hall or the Sanctuary or you can pray from home. A prayer guide and other details are available at ... NoblesvilleFirst.com/GoodFridayVigil.
Ally is still in need of volunteers for our Noblesville First Easter Egg-travaganza to be held at Teter Retreat and Farm on Saturday, April 16 from 10:30-noon. This year we are having games, crafts, and inflatables so we need volunteers to staff each of those activities. You can choose the time and the task you volunteer for. Bring your candy to the office anytime between now and Sunday. More details and an online for volunteering can be found at ... NoblesvilleFirst.com/EggHunt. Ally will also be glad to answer any questions you have if you email her at ahall@noblesvillefirst.com.
We are still collecting donations for the White River Elementary Snack Drive to help them finish out the year. They have 50 students on their snack pack list which means they hand out 250 snacks each week for these students who experience food insecurity at home. Go to NoblesvilleFirst.com/snacks to find the list of snacks that are most helpful. Drop donations off on the counter across the hall from the church office.
Want to learn more about volunteer opportunities at Teter Organic Farm? Then mark your calendar for Thursday, April 28 and come at either 11AM or 6PM for the annual Volunteer Orientation. Learn about this great opportunity to spend time in nature, feed hungry people in Hamilton County, and enjoy the camaraderie that surrounds the farm and the work that happens here. There's no obligation. If you decide that it's not for you, no worries! Learn more at … TeterOrganicFarm.com/VolunteerOrientation.
Dinner's on Us is starting back up TODAY with in-person dinner from 5:00-6:00 pm and continuing weekly on Thursdays. If you've never volunteered for this wonderful ministry, now would be a great time to get started. Or if you've volunteered in the past, we'd love to see you again! And everyone in the congregation and the community is invited to come and enjoy a delicious meal and fellowship. Contact Loi Mileham at mileham2@aol.com or call the church office 317-773-2500 if you have questions.
Spring is here and that means it's time for the Noblesville First Preschool Flower Sale! They have a new vendor this year but are still offering beautiful flowers at a great price. The online order form is available here. Flower pick-up will be Saturday, April 30 from 9:00-1:00 at the church. We appreciate your support for the preschool's biggest fundraiser of the year. Contact Lyndsay Sheridan lsheridan@noblesvillefirst.com for any questions.
On Sunday, May 22, we'll take time during 9:45 worship to recognize graduating seniors in the congregation---those earning high school, undergraduate and post-graduate diplomas. Each graduate will receive a gift and the sermon that day will be crafted with them in mind. In preparation, we want to gather the following information about each graduate: name, school from which they're graduating, and plans for after graduation. To ensure we have a gift for you/your graduate, please submit this information on or before May 15 to Director of Student Ministry David McKenzie at dmckenzie@NoblesvilleFirst.com.
At Noblesville First Kids this Sunday, we head to an incredible moment John recorded in John 12:9-16. God’s people had waited for generations for God to send the Messiah. They were overwhelmed when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. God kept His promise. The mission to save the world was happening. Of course, this didn’t happen exactly how they expected, but God was still working and up to something bigger than they could ever imagine! Bottom Line: Whatever happens, remember God is still working. The 6th-12th grade class meets in The Vine (Door 5) at 9:45 each Sunday morning. This week, they'll continue their discussion on the transformative impact of Jesus’ sacrifice as we approach Easter Sunday.
In tonight's Thursday Worship at 6:30 on Zoom, Pastor Matt Hantelman will dive into the book Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren. Matt is happy to purchase books for anyone who needs, please just let him know. Otherwise, you can find the book at all major retailers. For more information about this discussion focused group contact Matt at mhantelman@noblesvillefirst.com.
This Sunday, Pastor Jill will be preaching at the Traditional Worship at 8:30 & 9:45 in the Sanctuary (Door 1) as we close out our series on The Greatest Prayer, focusing on the last sentence in the Lord’s Prayer, For Thine is the Glory. Pastor Matt will be sharing the message at the Contemporary Worship at 9:45 & 11:00 am in Celebration Hall (Door 2,7).
Share prayer requests and check out the week's opportunities to connect on the Next Steps page at NoblesvilleFirst.com or on the Noblesville First mobile app. And share your pastoral needs by emailing care@noblesvillefirst.com or calling the 24/7 Care Line at 317-773-2590.
Pastor Jerry Rairdon