THE EVANGEL
First Baptist Church
218 N. 34 th Street, Billings MT 59101; Phone: 406-259-6546
Email: fbcblgs@gmail.com Website: http://www.fbcblgsmt.com Facebook: First Baptist Church Billings MT
Leading people to be transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit to become Christ centered servants.
Pastor Ross Lieuallen
April 2025
The First Sunrise Service!
Most churches today don’t hold sunrise services on Easter morning like they used to. At one
church I pastored, they had a tradition of holding their sunrise service in the local cemetery. I’ve
been part of sunrise services that were held in parks, local churches, or some other pleasant
setting. But not in a cemetery. . .on a chilly morning! But this church had this tradition, and quite
frankly, what a place to hold a sunrise service! What a place to remind us that as sincere believers
in Christ, death does not have the final say. We are not held captive. Upon death, our souls
immediately go to Paradise with Jesus; our bodies will one day be resurrected at His return!.
The first sunrise service was also in a cemetery. . .near a cave probably. . .a rock hewn tomb.
It was nothing fancy. This first service was attended by just a few women who came to mourn and
reflect on their memories. Some men ran to the cemetery, hearing that “something” had happened.
But those who came that morning were not looking for a miracle. Their purpose was to pay
respects, add spices to his corpse, and maybe be grateful for this wonderful teacher who had
touched and healed their lives. But resurrection was not an expectation, to say the least! They
watched Him die, perhaps watched Nicodemus and Joseph take him off the cross and place Him in
the tomb. But they surely weren’t expecting a surprise sunrise service!
Surprised they were! The women encountered angels; the men ran to the tomb hearing about
something unusual! The linen cloths were folded neatly; the tomb was empty! Mary thought He
was the gardener. Two men on the road the road to Emmaus were joined by a third person who
“knew too much.” Thomas wasn’t really amazed until he saw scars.
Ultimately, at some point in either on that morning or in the days after, they were all surprised by
joy, amazement, and renewed faith in their Savior, the risen Christ!
What will be our amazement as we celebrate His resurrection?
How will He appear to us in new joy, confirmed directions, answers to prayers, or in His
provisions?
Do we have very little expectation of His miracles only to be surprised by what He
does?
Is it okay to ask for surprise encounters with Him?
As we go about our daily lives and approach the week of celebrating His death and
resurrection, I trust we all will have encounters with Him like they did in that first sunrise service.
Blessings,
Pastor Ross
April Birthdays
Pat Bridwell Betty Schanaman Karen Ostrum Colleen Jacobson
April Scripture Reading
You are invited to read longer texts of Scripture this month. . .perhaps taking short paragraphs each day. Texts to read are from Matthew, John, and Acts. Pray before reading. Invite the Holy Spirit into your reading and reflection
April 1st - 5 th. . .Matthew 26:1-46
April 6th - 12th. . .Matthew 26:46-75
April 13th - 19th. . .Matthew 27:1-66
Sunday April 20th He is Risen!. . .Matthew 28:1-20
April 21st - 26th. . .John 21:1-25
April 27th -30th . . .Acts 1:1-26
Thank you for your contributions toward the America For Christ Offering in March.
$243.00 was collected to be shared with the Crow Agency and Lodge Grass Churches.
April Ministry Involvements & Activities
Sunday, April 6th, Billings Rehab Outreach, 3:00 pm
Tuesday, April 8 th, Women’s Circle at 1:00 pm
Tuesday, April 8 th, Diaconate Meeting w/dinner provided at 5:30 pm
Saturday, April 12th, Billings Rehab Outreach
Sunday, April 13th, Lenten Retreat, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday April 13th, Crisis Center Meal
Monday April 14th , Financial Practice Class, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday, April 18th – Good Friday
Community Good Friday Service, Noon
FBC Good Friday Service, 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 20th,
Easter Sunday Service, 10:00 am
Billings Rehab Outreach, 3:00 pm
Crisis Center Meal, 5:00 pm
Monday April 21st , Financial Practice Class, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sunday April 27th , Billings Rehab Outreach, 3:00 pm
Monday, April 28th , Financial Practice Class, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Crisis Center Outreach Meals
FBC is still involved in providing outreach meals at the Crisis Center. For April, those dates are Sunday the 13th and 20th . If you would like to participate in this ministry, please contact Pastor Ross or the church office at fbcblgs@gmail.com. Your willingness to serve this group is appreciated.
Mission Northwest Search Team Prayer!
Thank you for your continued prayers for your Mission Northwest search team as they make decisions and choices in the important search for our new Executive Minister. We will be conducting in-person interviews this month.
Big Sky Area Gathering
We are excited to once again be hosting the Big Sky Area Gathering!!! It’s a privilege as well as a convenience to have this wonderful event being held in our own church. We want to encourage everyone to attend. It is a time of fellowship, great food, fun, and a gathering of information through wonderful, workshops and speakers, on how we can better serve our community as Christ’s hands, and feet in very practical ways... PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND PLAN TO ATTEND
Saturday, May 31, 2025 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Financial Peace University Workshop
Monday, April 14—6:30 pm—8:30 pm
Monday, April 21—6:30 pm—8:30 pm
Monday, April 28—6:30 pm—8:30 pm
Sunday, May 4—11:45 am—1:45 pm
Monday, May 12—6:30 pm—8:30 pm
Monday, May 19—6:30 pm
PLEASE, JOIN TOGETHER AND PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH - OUR MEMBERS AND NEEDS
Church Needs ✓ Direction in our church outreach ministries ✓ Dream fund decision ✓ Sunday School Teachers
Church Events ✓ Lenten Retreat ✓ Good Friday Services ✓ Easter Morning Service
Church Members and Attendees ✓ Pray for healing, strength, wisdom, joy, peace. --Jae Stockton’s Parents ( Ken & Vicky), Bob Short, LuElla Kiser, Bill Clagg, Lorraine Morton, Linda Sago
Big Sky Area and Mission Northwest Region ✓ Direction going forward over Big Sky Area ✓New Executive Director for Region
