From Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18, everyone is invited to our Family Life Center to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice by participating in the Stations of the Cross. This free, come-and-go event allows you to walk through seven rooms that tell the story of the suffering of Jesus. This journey will engage all the senses and provide an opportunity for deep reflection.

Come to the lobby of our Family Life Center from April 14-18 and learn about the gift of eternal life Jesus gives us through His death and resurrection. Kids and kids-at-heart are invited to read the Easter story and search for items in and around the tomb. Come and go as you please.

Reminder - The church office will be closed all day Good Friday, April 18.

Registration for Camp Luz is now open! Early bird prices are available only through Tuesday, April 15. Further information can be found at campluz.org. The church helps underwrite the cost for all families wishing to send children to camp. Any questions may be directed to Debby Neuenschwander (children) or Bill Helmlinger (youth).

The 17th season of dasMärit Farmers and Artists Market in Berne will soon be here! DasMarit is a not-for-profit market and is sponsored by First Mennonite Church at the corner of SR 218 and US 27 in Berne. The 2025 market season will be from May 10 to October 4. If you "make it, bake it, or grow it" you qualify to be a vendor. No resale items are permitted; you must make or grow what you sell. Cost is $2 for a 10x10-foot spot and $2 per table. If you bake items, you must have a Safe Serve certification from the Health Department. To receive a vendor application and handbook call or text 260-849-0527.

Rehearsals continue on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in preparation for the spring 2025 Mennonite Choral Society concert. The concert will feature hymns and choruses written by female composers and includes the work of Elaine Hagenberg, Heather Sorenson, and Alice Parker, to name a few. Singers are invited to join the Choral Society for this presentation on May 4 at 7:00 p.m.

We are planning a trip on Saturday, May 31, to Dearborn, Michigan, to put on an American-style barbeque (no pork) for those Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban. We will have four classes prior to this to help understand the culture and how to interact in ways that build bridges to the Kingdom of God. Please sign up in the foyer so we know how to plan the outreach. Please contact Pastor Jeff if you have any questions.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for this year’s Berne Community VBS, which will be held at South Adams Schools during the week of June 9-13! We’ll meet from 8:45-11:45 a.m. each morning, and end with a program on Friday evening. Please register at bernecommunityvbs.com or on the church app.

If you are interested in becoming a member of First Mennonite Church, or would like to be baptized, please contact the church office.

The Spiritual Guidance Cabinet would like to offer prayer for healing as well as anointing with oil to anyone struggling with health issues (James 5:14-15). Please contact Darin Ringger at (260) 820-0191.

Join us Wednesday evenings for Bible study, personal enrichment, and fellowship.  There is something for everyone!

• 5:15 p.m. Grace Notes rehearsal (choir room) 
• 6:10 p.m. Mennonotes rehearsal (choir room) 
• 6:15 p.m. JAM rehearsal (Room 7) 
• 5:45-6:30 p.m. Fellowship Meal in the patio
• 7:00 p.m. Ages 0-3: Nursery
• 7:00 p.m. Ages 4-K: Room at the bottom of the ramp
• 7:00 p.m. Grades 1-5: Family Life Center
• 7:00 p.m. Youth: Youth Room (opens at 6:30 p.m.) 
• 7:00 p.m. Bible Study - Genesis (Chapel)
• 7:00 p.m. Band of Brothers Men’s Group (Room 13) 
• 7:00 p.m. She Shares Women’s Group (Room 15) 
• 7:00 p.m. The “EDGE” for younger adults (Room 14) 
• 7:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry, Women’s Ministries, and Quilting
• 8:15 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal (choir loft of the sanctuary)

Forgotten Children: The youth will be serving at Forgotten Children in Bluffton on Saturday, April 12. 

Youth Worship Night: Youth Worship Night is Wednesday, April 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. down in the Youth room. 

Roller Skating: Youth will be taking a trip to the Roller Dome in Fort Wayne on Saturday, April 27. The cost is $10.00.

This July, Kaixo USA is bringing 40 students from Basque Country, Spain, to Indiana to live with host families from July 1-28, 2025. These students will experience English immersion and the joy of an authentic American summer, building meaningful connections along the way. We are looking for host families— any stage of life—to open their hearts and homes. Whether you have young kids, teens, or no kids at all, you can provide a life-changing experience for a student. Most importantly, this is a wonderful opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone from across the globe…all without leaving Indiana! Interested or have questions? Visit kaixo.com or contact Mya McClure at myamcclure22@gmail.com or (216) 517-3237. Text, call, or email—we’d love to share more.

Contribute to the needs of our community by participating in Project Share. You can place your donations on the table in the foyer or in the box inside the east entrance of the church.  Suggestions for each month are listed below, but all donations are appreciated.

• January - Cereal & Baby Food
• February - Monetary Donations
• March - Vegetables
• April - Boxed/Pouched Side Dishes
• May - Cake, Brownie, Muffin Mixes
• June - Paper Products
• July - Personal Hygiene Products
• August - Feminine Hygiene Products
• September - Canned Meat
• October - Soups
• November - Pasta
• December - Beans

Did you know that you can receive weekly parenting tips, videos, and devotion ideas right to your phone? If you would like to sign up for this, please text the following: @fmcpare to the number 81010 and request to be part of our Biblical Parenting thread. 

Have you heard about pickleball? Pickleball is fun, social, and friendly. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn. Come to the Family Life Center on Tuesday and Thursday evening anytime between 6:30 and 8:30 and/or on Saturday morning between 9 and 11 and join other individuals, couples, and families as they enjoy a new game. Don't have a paddle? No problem. We have extra if you need one. Contact Craig Sprunger for more information - 260.450.4206.

Please note: There will be no pickleball in the Family Life Center in July and August.

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