"Passionplay" takes the good news downtown on Good Friday

On Good Friday we have the opportunity to share the Good News of the resurrection of Jesus Christ at the beautifully restored Balboa Theatre. The production, “Passionplay: He Is Alive,” portrays the intense and compelling drama of the final week of Jesus' life. Thanks to a generous endowment we are able to offer the production free of admission. (No offering will be received.) The event is on Good Friday, April 2. Two presentations are offered at 5 and 8 pm. The Balboa Theatre is located in the Gaslamp at 4th and E Street, adjacent to Horton Plaza.

Register now for Women's Retreat 2010

“Fashioned by the Master's Hand” is the theme for this year's Women's Retreat. Special speaker Rose Necochea will explore the truth that God wants to fashion in us a heart that is wholly His. Be sure to mark your calendar for May 14-16. Look for registration information coming soon. A payment plan will be available. Contact: Leanette Golish, leanette3@hotmail.com .

Men's Retreat is weekend of March 12-14

Men: Set aside the weekend of March 12-14 for an unforgettable dude-ranch style retreat at Calicinto Ranch in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains. The weekend getaway includes opportunities for recreation, horseback riding, hiking and even a golf add-on at nearby Soboba Springs. The menu includes Calicinto's incomparable ranch-style breakfasts and steak and deep pit BBQ dinners, all prepared by the friendly Pirelli family staff. And, of course, there's always great food for the soul in times of worship and hearing God's Word. Registration begins soon. Don't miss it!

Easter Hunt expands to include 3 age-level hunts, 200 prize eggs

All invited to community-wide event - On Easter Sunday our church green will be swarming with hundreds of little kids scrambling for the candy and prizes hidden inside 1000s of Easter eggs. Three age-level hunts are offered this year: toddlers, pre-K and grades 1-6. Open to the public, the carnival-style environment includes free booths, photo-ops with the Easter Bunny, a petting zoo and more. This year's event will be Sunday, April 4, from 9-10:30 am. Families are invited to attend the Easter Celebration service at 10:45 am. A children's worship service is also offered at that time.

Free prizes - Each egg contains a free candy treat. Hidden among the eggs are 200 prize eggs with tickets for special fun prizes. And there will also be a grand prize giveaway for one lucky family - tickets for 4 to Universal Studios and a night's stay at the nearby Marriott Hotel. Participation in all games and giveaways is free of charge.

Candy donations needed – First Assembly attenders can help provide candy by contributing a bag or two of pre-wrapped Easter candy. (Note: Candy items must be kid-friendly and must fit inside a plastic egg.) Deliver candy to the church Foyer on Sundays or drop off items midweek at the church office. Thank you!

Next Baptism class is Sunday, March 21

If you have chosen to follow Christ and have not yet been baptized in water, you're invited to the next water baptism class at 12:15 in the Fellowship Center , on Sunday, March 21. The 30-minute class will be taught by Pastor Ed Chapman. To RSVP, register online or contact Cathy Console -Clark at the church office, 858.560.1870. (You may also simply attend the class session. Children and youth who would like to be baptized are required to first contact their pastor.) Candidates will be baptized on the following Sunday, March 28, at the 10:45 service.

New to First Assembly? Come get acquainted over Sunday lunch!

If you have recently begun attending First Assembly and would enjoy a low-key time to explore and get acquainted, you're invited to the next New Friends Lunch on Sunday, March 28. It's a fun and informal time to enjoy a meal together and hear briefly from a few of First Assembly's pastors and ministry leaders. It's all free, and children are welcome. RSVP is required. To reply, please sign up at the Guest Center in the lobby, phone the church office or register online at www.sdfa.org . The New Friends Lunch meets in the Fellowship Center immediately following the 10:45 am service.

Stop by new Breezeway Cafe between services

Come enjoy meeting with friends over a cup of coffee or a morning snack at the new Breezeway Café, serving you Sunday mornings between the 9:00 and 10:45 services. Enjoy fresh coffee, hot tea or cocoa, orange juice or water, along with a selection of light snacks – all for just 50 cents each! Or order your favorite espresso beverage, freshly prepared by our trained baristas, for just 2 bucks. All proceeds benefit Women's Ministries.

Give or sign up for events online

You can now pay your tithes, contribute offerings and submit your general missions giving online on First Assembly's secure website. You can use automatic bank transfer, credit or debit card, and you can give a one-time gift or set up recurring contributions. You can also sign up for specified events online. You'll find the online giving in the left-hand column.

Joshua Mission serves meals downtown on 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays

Showing love like Jesus did, First Assembly's Joshua Mission ministry serves meals to homeless San Diegans at Horizon Park Chapel, located at 6th and Fir streets near Balboa Park . First Assembly serves the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of each month. To participate, please deliver ready-to-serve items to the church kitchen by noon on those Sundays. (Items may also be delivered mid-week.) For more information, please contact ministry directors David and Rachel Sona, dsona88@aol.com .

Over 100 podcast messages available online

Listen to Sunday morning messages online through our San Diego First Assembly podcast. If you're familiar with podcasting, you can access messages at both our and at iTunes and our podcasts webpage. If you're new to podcasting, you'll find all the information you'll need at our podcast page.