Today marks the third Sunday in Lent. We will welcome the Furman Singers from Furman University, receive communion, and collect our first Sunday benevolence offering. Pastor Eric will offer a brief meditation in the continuing sermon series “Wandering Heart,” tracing the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most well-known disciples, Simon Peter. This week, Jesus refers to Simon Peter as “The Rock.” Scripture passages are Matthew 16:13-20 and Psalm 19.
December 31, 2023 | New Year’s Eve | Pastor Eric Preaching
October 22, 2023 | The God Who Gives Grace | Pastor Eric Preaching
This Sunday in worship, we continue the sermon series “God on the Move.” Pastor Eric will preach the message “The God Who Gives Grace” from Exodus 33:12-23. Additional scripture readings are 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and Matthew 22:15-22.
September 3, 2023 | The God Who Sends | Pastor Eric
This Sunday in worship, Pastor Eric preaches the message, The God Who Sends, based on the story of Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-15. Additional Lectionary texts are Psalm 105:1-6 and Matthew 16:21-28.
This week begins a 9-week series of messages from Exodus, titled God on the Move. The book of Exodus paints on a wide canvas the story of a liberating God who leads a rebellious people on a risky journey filled with failures, fresh chances, and unfailing love.
As the Chancel Choir concludes their summer break, tenor Kevin Pinckney provides musical leadership in worship.
July 23, 2023 | The Wisdom of Wheat | Pastor Eric
This Morning in worship, Pastor Eric preaches the sermon “The Wisdom of Wheat.” We examine another of Jesus' parables in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Like last week’s Gospel reading, this passage contains a parable with images of sowing seeds.
While last week’s sower liberally spread seeds on every kind of ground with mixed results, this week’s sower presumably uses good ground, but also gets mixed results because of the actions of an enemy. Additional texts are Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 and Romans 8:12-25.
June 4 2023 | The Not-So-Great Commission | Pastor Eric Mathis
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. We celebrate God as revealed in three persons - Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. We will gather around Matthew 28:16-20, the familiar passage of scripture known as the Great Commission. Pastor Eric will preach the sermon The Not-So-Great Commission. Additional scripture readings are: Psalm 8 and 2 Corinthians 13:11-13.
We will share communion together in worship and, as is FBC’s custom on communion Sundays, we’ll have an opportunity to give to FBC’s benevolence fund.
April 7, 2023 | Good Friday: A Service of Silence and Sorrow
Remember Christ’s suffering and crucifixion through choral music and the reading of the Passion narratives from Scripture. The sanctuary grows darker as we extinguish a candle after each reading.
March 12, 2023 | Seeking: Will you give me a drink? | Pastor Eric
In the John 4 passage, Jesus seeks out connection with a Samaritan woman drawing water from the well. His question to her, “Will you give me a drink?” is an invitation to a new way of life. In their encounter, Jesus challenges Jewish and Samaritan assumptions about cultural and religious boundaries. He also sees the woman fully, and she leaves the well transformed.
This week, we might imagine ourselves at the well. Are we willing to let our assumptions be challenged? Are we open to seeking living waters that sustain us all? Are we willing to be changed by an encounter with the living Christ?
Message Text: John 4:5-30; 39-42
Lectionary Texts: Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11
December 11, 2022 | 64th Candlelight Carols: Veiled in Flesh
Capture the joy of the season with a beloved First Baptist tradition featuring the First Baptist Chancel Choir, 6,000-pipe Austin organ, and brass and timpani. A love offering will be collected in support of Charlie’s Place, a local organization serving unhoused and underserved populations in the neighborhoods of Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights.