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Food Distribution every first Friday
Food Distribution this Friday
Our monthly breakfast ministry and food distribution is this Friday April 2nd. Clients are served starting at 9:00 AM until food runs out around 10:30am. Additional volunteers are always welcome; if you can help out please contact us and let the church office know.  Please continue to pray for opportunities to build connections with individuals we serve.
Food Distribution every first Friday
Invite from Mennonite Disaster Service
Mennonite Disaster Service is planning two local events: 
Friday, April 4, 10am Ribbon cutting and dedication of the new MDS Kingsburg Warehouse in Kingsburg. 
Saturday, April 5 the California MDS Unit Annual Meeting will take place here at Butler from 9am to 3pm, featuring stories on the impact of MDS projects in California; the Executive Director will also be speaking. 

For more info, contact Jim and Shirley Holm at mds.calif@gmail.com.
Living Your Life on Mission
New Member Testimonies this Sunday
Remember to join in this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm to hear testimonies from those formally joining our Butler family. You're invited to bring goodies to share for our fellowship time together. We plan to have baptisms and present new members as part of our combined service on Palm Sunday April 13th! 

Food Distribution every first Friday
Palm Sunday Combined Service 
Mark your calendar for April 13 for a special Palm Sunday service when all of our Butler congregations will be joining together for worship! The morning will start with Butler Cafe at 9:30 AM and the service will follow in the sanctuary with worship, a message, and baptisms of new members! Easter Sunday each congregation will have their worship service at the regular 9AM and 10:45AM times.
Living Your Life on Mission
Eric Pauls' Testimony 
This past Sunday in Common Ground, Eric Pauls shared about his cancer journey how he continues to experience God working through his story. The livestream recording is available on our YouTube channel. We're thankful for the medical care and miracles which spared Eric's life, and the grace that continues to sustain Eric and his family.

Watch here - Eric's sharing starts at 28 minutes.

Living Your Life on Mission
Spring Outreach Events
Together with our missionary Nzash Lumeya and the Garcia family, Butler will be joining in serving at a community BBQ before Easter on Wednesday afternoon, April 16 at the Cedar Courts apartments. We're looking forward to this opportunity to bless this community in southeast Fresno! Pray with us too for opportunities to share the love of Jesus there.

Please sign up this Sunday to serve! We would like to have at least 10 volunteers from Butler to help out in various ways - BQQing, egg hunt, a Butler table, and more - from 1-5pm on April 16. We are also planning some special activities for kids here at Butler for Easter Sunday! 
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Community Meal Highlights
What could you make with clay that represents you? At our March Community Meal we had several new folks join for a fun evening together. First we enjoyed delicious vermicelli bowls prepared by our own talented Butler cooks!  As one person said, "all the flavors did a dance in your mouth!"

After dinner, the youth, children, and adults all engaged in an activity. Using clay, we were challenged to create something simple that represents us - our identity, interests, or skills. We had a lot of talented sculptors! And it was a fun way to share and get to know each other even more. 

Our next Community Meal is scheduled for April 27! Find more on our Events page.
Living Your Life on Mission
MCC Sale Volunteer Opportunity
The West Coast Celebration for World Relief takes place each spring, on the FPU campus just across from Butler Church, this year on April 11&12. Proceeds go to support Mennonite Central Committee's relief projects around the world. There are many ways to participate, and MCC is specifically seeking volunteers for "Around the World with MCC." This interactive booth is designed to give kids a hands-on experience with MCC’s global work. If you would be available to volunteer that Saturday for an hour, email rosanazamudio@mcc.org

There are other ways to volunteer as well; if you'd like more info, visit MCC's event page here or contact the Church Office to get connected. Thanks!
Living Your Life on Mission
Spring Cleaning? 
As you are spring cleaning, remember to take items you no longer need to MCC's Thrift on Blackstone here in Fresno. Your donations help Fresno Area Community Enterprises and Mennonite Central Committee. When you drop off your donations or volunteer in the store, leave yourself time to find great bargains! Your purchases also benefit Mennonite Central Committee.

You can join the Team and help people in need around the world and in our community! The store needs volunteers as well-- sorting donations, pricing goods, cashiering, customer service, and organizing. 

Thrift on Blackstone is located at 6687 N. Blackstone Ave, south of Herndon. To volunteer, contact store manager Kathy Crowder (559-831-7567), or volunteer coordinator Pat Unruh (559-978-5538). 
 Special Butler Cafe this Sunday
This Sunday, April 6 will be a special Butler Café celebrating March/April birthdays and anniversaries. Special thanks to Frances Echavarria who keeps the birthday celebrations going! Check this week's Buzz email for a list of birthdays, and if you have one coming up, let us know!

Join in at 10:15AM every Sunday in the courtyard for Butler Cafe fellowship time with all of our Butler family! 
Special Offering Update
Thank you to all who have given toward the special offering in support of USMB, PDC, Multiply, and Fresno Pacific University and seminary. We are still aiming for our goal of $15,000. We have currently raised 82% of our goal. If you would still like to give, you can do that online or bring your gift this Sunday by designating to "MB Agencies Support."


More news items....

Upcoming Pastor Transition
On Sunday, March 23 an important announcement was shared with our church family. After much prayer and consideration, Pastor Scott has resigned as pastor of Butler Church and Common Ground. He will continue to serve the church and help in the transition process for the next 3 months.  

While his resignation was unanticipated, we are confident that God is at work in this decision and will guide both Butler through this next season of pastoral search/transition and Pastor Scott into his next season of his ministry.

For more, visit butlerchurch.org/councilupdates where you can also find letters from Pastor Scott and from the church Council, and this video clip of his personal announcement as shared during the Common Ground service on March 23.
New Weekly Men's Bible Study
Halfway through week we could all use a recharge. Butler men, let’s spend some time in the Word together and be refreshed! A weekly Wednesday night men’s Bible study is starting up this week! Join us in the Youth Room Wednesdays from 7-8 pm

Lenten Series
We are currently in the season of Lent...the weeks leading up to the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, and the celebration of resurrection on Easter Sunday. Our series for this jou rney is helping us encounter God in the midst of extremes; finding Him at work in Everything in Between. Join us in person on Sundays or find the livestream on our YouTube channel.

There will be additional opportunities to engage in these themes through the coming weeks, in scripture reading, art pieces for reflection, and memory verses. Look for these on Sundays, and in our media communications. Our desire is that through this season, our faith will grow and deepen as we experience how the cross leads us to new life.
Mark Your Calendar! 
The month is flying by, so take a moment and make sure you have some upcoming Butler events penciled in for the coming months! Check out the Butler calendar to note things like Combined Services, Women's Retreat, the annual church picnic, and other special events. Get ready for some yummy fundraisers, and stay tuned for more details on how to serve or sign up! 
 Text Updates from Butler Church
If you find an occasional text reminder helpful, be sure to “Opt In” so our “Breeze-butler” text messages get through! To share your preferences for text or email updates, you can complete the Butler Subscriptions form. Thanks! 

Note: If you have signed up, but are no longer receiving text updates - try texting START to 87447. Remember that "msg & data rates may apply." Details are in the Butler subscriptions form.
Butler Cultural Celebration Night
Spanish Translation Available!
Our Butler website is also available in Spanish! Click the upper left corner to switch between English and Spanish. (If you notice any translation errors, please let us know!) 

¡Nuestro sitio web Butler ahora también está disponible en español! Haga clic en el ícono de arriba para cambiar entre inglés y español. (Si nota algún error de traducción, ¡avísenos!)


Updated on: 3/12/2025


Looking for earlier Butler news stories? You can visit our news archive here.

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