1. Holy Week is approaching! Have you noted these activities on your calendar? 

   • April 1, 6:00 p.m., Gym: KIDMIN Easter Egg Hunt and Ice Cream Social

   • April 2, 6:00 p.m., Morgan Hall: Maundy Thursday worship service

   • April 5, from 6:30 a.m. through the day, Chapel Garden: Bring greenery and flowers from your yard to place on the Easter cross

   • April 5, 6:30 a.m., Sanctuary: Griffin Community Easter Sunrise Service

   • April 5, following the Sunrise Service, Morgan Hall: Fellowship Breakfast

   • April 5, 10:00, across the church: Sunday school classes that have opted to meet 

   • April 5: 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary: Easter One Church worship service

Grace Notes

a weekly blog written by Senior Pastor, Steven Norris

The Sanctuary of Holy Week

 Some places in this world are indescribably different. Set apart. Sacred. Transcendent. While traveling last spring, my wife and I visited just such a place in Covington, KY. The first time I entered the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, I knew something was unique. Maybe it was the gothic architecture, the stained glass, the mosaics on the wall, the sounds of prayers offered, or the smell of incense, but I knew that this place was special. 

   Truthfully, the component parts were familiar — brick, stone, tile, wood, glass, and fabric — but the assembly of those parts drew the eye and the heart in a way that was emotionally and spiritually moving. I returned to the cathedral at least once a day for the remainder of our trip. I noted that visitors spoke in hushed tones, as though entry had invited them into reverence and awe. Though I did not personally witness it, I would not have been surprised me to see worshippers removing their shoes upon entering. 

   For centuries, church architecture was used to help “preach the gospel.” The symbols and structure invite guests into a divine encounter where the divisions between the finite and the infinite blur. For this reason, special language is often used to describe church architecture. The place where worshippers gather is referred to as the “nave.” It comes from the Latin word navis, meaning “boat” or “ship” and is intended to bring to mind the familiar story of Noah’s Ark. The ark (navis) was a place of refuge and safety from the storms raging just outside its hull. Similarly, the church is intended to be a “sanctuary,” a place of refuge from the storms of life. 

   Such holy sanctuaries need not be confined to physical spaces, however. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously referred to the Sabbath as “a sanctuary in time.” I cannot help but think that we stand at the cusp of a similar “sanctuary in time.”  

   For Christians, next week is referred to as “Holy Week.” The faithful will follow the story of Jesus as he rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; flips the tables of the moneychangers; criticizes religious hypocrisy; washes the disciples’ feet; breaks bread at the Last Supper; faces a trial before Pilate; receives a brutal beating at the hands of the Romans; is crucified next to two thieves; is buried in a borrowed tomb; and rises on the third day. 

  The events remembered this week have the power to revolutionize the world, transforming individuals who allow its message to take root in our hearts. Therefore, I urge you: this is not a week for business-as-usual. This is the kind of week we enter intoreverently. This is the kind of week before which we remove our shoes. This is the kind of week that we walk through slowly, reflectively, somberly, and gratefully.  

   Don’t rush ahead to Easter Sunday because you are hungry for the pomp and celebration. Enter the sanctuary of Holy Week and dare to be transformed. 

We invite you to join us for a special day at First Baptist Griffin.

Dr. Samuel Smith, Residential Department Chair and Director of the History Graduate Program at Liberty University, will be with us on May 6th for two guest lecture appearances. The subject of the day will be Baptists and Religious Liberty in America.

First, we will host Dr. Smith during a lunch and learn workshop from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Cheatham Room. This event is open to the public, but registration is required. Please reserve your spot today by calling the church office (770-227-5517) or by visiting our online registration form.

Later in the day, Dr. Smith will speak in Morgan Hall at 6:00 p.m. No registration is required for this public, evening event. Small groups are encouraged to attend.

Dr. Smith is a renown scholar in early American religious history and the author of books, articles, and reviews in his field. Prior to serving at Liberty University, he was a teacher and administrator in Christian schools.

What does it mean to live generously? Serving on a team at FBC is one way to share your God-given talents with others. Thank you to all who volunteer their time on teams, committees, councils, and just on the side to serve others in our community!

Community Garden Update

The 2026 FBC Community Garden is being cleaned up and prepared for the planting of vegetables and flowers!  Patrick Shepherd and family spread the mulch that Coleman Tatum generously donated and brought to the garden.  Weeding has begun and we are waiting on the perfect time for planting the plants and seeds!  We are excited about seeing what is in store for this season. During Children’s Worship on March 8th, Lori and the kids planted squash, zucchini, & cucumber seeds to make several starter plants for the garden.  We need people to sign up to help with watering and weeding.  This community garden is a blessing to those receiving the food and to those who work to make sure the garden is a success!   Please be a part of this amazing ministry!  Watch for the sign up soon!

Caregivers Clothes Closet

The Clothes Closet is in need of rolling carts, backpacks, belts for men, tennis shoes and dress shoes (in good condition). If you have any of these items in your closet that you are no longer using, please consider bringing them to the Welcome Center at FBC so they can find a new life with someone in need in our community. Thank you!

Benevolence Ministry

Our Benevolence Ministry and Caregivers Clothes Closet serves the public each Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (with the exception of holidays). If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, then please contact the church office. The Caregivers Clothes Closet is in need of blue jeans of any size (but especially boys, sizes 4-16 and larger sizes for men), as well as adult-sized book bags. You will find drop boxes in the Welcome Center on the Hill Street side of the church and in the Welcome area on the Family Life Center side of the church. Thank you for supporting this ministry and those who are vulnerable in our community.

Five Loaves & Two Fish Food Pantry

If you would like to be part of this ministry team, or if you would like to donate canned or boxed food goods, please contact Justin Keiser or the church office. Donation boxes are located in the Welcome Center and in the Family Life Center.

Rehearsal Schedule

Around the Neighborhood

If you are looking for something fun to do with your family in the coming weeks, you might consider these local events. (Look for FBC in the program when you attend.)

Camelot Theatre presents The Prince of Egypt on April 17-19 in the Griffin Auditorium. Tickets are available online at https://camelottheatrecompany.company.site/.

Saint George's Episcopal School presents Peter Pan, Jr. at the Lamar Co Performing Arts Center at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Admission is free. A morning show may also open up...so check back for those details.