First Baptist Church
Pastoral Letter
April 17, 2024
Greetings, First Baptist Church Family and Friends,
“Are We Disciples of Jesus Christ”
It is the greatest, joy of my life to hear that my children are consistently living their lives in the ways of truth!
(3 John 1:4)
Few things bring us more joy and happiness than when we achieve or are successful in our pursuits or endeavors. That’s why many of us participate in sports, learn how to play musical instruments, pursue
challenging careers, or participate in competitive activities. We often do this to achieve a high level of excellence. As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to also keep achieving growth in our relationships with God. It seems obvious, but it’s too important not to point out that our relationship with God is far more important than any skill, ability, or achievement we could ever attain.
We can’t will ourselves to follow Jesus any more than we can will ourselves to win a championship or competitive event. However, we can do things to make sure we are rightly dividing “The Word of God”. We can do this because we intentionally and deliberately “make the decision” to feed ourselves “God’s Holy Word”. David says to us in Psalm 119:11…
“thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee”. This spiritual growth that we reference can be best facilitated by daily personal Bible Study, Sunday School classes, and Bible Reflection groups.
Sometimes hearing other “Disciples” sharing their understanding of “The Word”, as well as sharing aspects of their “journey with Jesus”, can be quite enlightening, encouraging, and informative. Moreover, no matter how we go about getting a better understanding of God’s Word, it will bring us great joy, spiritual maturity, and sustained growth, as “Disciples of Jesus Christ”.
Ultimately, we can experience a great sense of spiritual accomplishment, especially as we pursue God’s truth alongside fellow believers!
Perhaps as we “Spring forth” into “Springtime”, let us show the world who we are, by the love faith, and Godly truth we share, teach, and live out. Thank God, it’s “Spring” again!
“WE CELEBRATE YOU!!!”
Happy Birthday to all of the members who have a new birthday in April. This week,
we say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to:
Yazemeen Bridgeman – April 15th
Roberta Stowe – April 20th
Julia Brown – April 17th
Vallie Jones – April 20th
Carl Williams, Sr. – April 17th
Cynthia Andrews – April 20th
Carolyn Smith – April 18th
Carla Andrews – April 20th
Patricia Bryant – April 19th
Joyce Johnson – April 21st
Tonya Mitchell – April 19th
May God bless you on your special day.
Please pay attention to all of the attachments associated with this letter. Stay safe, trust the Lord, and have a Christ-centered “Week”
Sunday, April 21, 2024, Men’s Emphasis
On Sunday, April 21, 2024, we will observe Men’s Emphasis Sunday. We
encourage all members who can, to join us at our in-person service. If you are unable
to be present in person, please join us on our virtual platforms. The message for our
Sunday worship will be delivered by Rev. Peggy Miller. Let’s come prepared to
worship the Lord, celebrate, and praise God together.
We especially want to encourage “Each Member” to bring someone with them,
when they come to the service this Sunday. Let’s come with an attitude of humility
and gratitude, as we celebrate the great things, our great God has done in the lives of
“His” people!
Upcoming Activities in April 2024
Just a reminder: If you’re hosting an event, please remember to submit an
Event Form for your events.
Administrative Professionals Day, April 24, 2024
Usher’s Anniversary, April 28, 2024, during the 10:00 a.m. worship service.
The Intercessory Prayer Ministry meets every Monday at 6:55 p.m.
All are welcome to join. The information is as follows:
Phone number: 1-857-232-0158 and the Conference Code: 183141
First Baptist Church Update Sheet
Attention to all FBC members: We kindly request that you take a moment to
complete the Information Update Form. If any of your details have changed recently,
please ensure they are updated on the form to ensure the office has your most current
information. Forms are available from the office or the ushers on Sundays. Kindly
complete the form and return it to the ushers. Your cooperation in keeping us
informed is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Church Office and Announcements
Just a friendly reminder to all members: The church office operates from
Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Should you have any church related requests or needs, please feel free to reach out to the office or contact Sister Yvette Lancaster, our Administrative Assistant, via email at info@fbcwdc.org.
Additionally, we strive to ensure our announcements are current and readily available.
They are displayed on our website and aired before Sunday service on our live stream.
To have your ministry’s announcements included, kindly send them to the church via
email (or U.S. mail) no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday each week to ensure timely
dissemination. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Thank you in advance.
Remember Our Bereaved
Please continue to keep all members of our church family and friends who are
mourning the loss of their loved ones in your prayers. Additionally, let us uplift the
family of Deaconess Ramona Battle in prayers during this difficult time.
Furthermore, please remember to lift the family of Rev. Nancy Knight in your
prayers. Her brother recently passed away. Let us also keep the family of Sister
Brenda Sellers, whose cousin recently passed. Also please keep the family of Sister
Corine Young in your prayers, she is the Godmother to Rev. Donald Robinson.
Please Pray for All of Our Sick and Shut-In Members
God is still in the prayer-answering business. The Bible lets us know, “the
effectual fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much”. It is our faithful duty to care
and pray for those who need prayer, even as we continue to trust God in the healing
process. Please remember to pray for Deaconess Joyce Gant, Deaconess Naomi
Rembert, Sister Collen Sweatt, Deacon Donald Claytor, Sister Helen Davis, Billye Jean Armstrong, Deaconess Linda Taylor, Deborah Powell, and Roger Powell. Let us persist in our prayers for Sister Donna McMillan. Although she is back home we pray for her ongoing recovery and healing. Additionally, let us extend our prayers and support to the Baysmore family. Deacon Christopher Baysmore’s son, Nolan
Baysmore was in a severe car accident. Let us also keep Deaconess Barbara Mickens and her granddaughter Chyna in our prayers. The two of them were both in an auto accident recently.
Thank You So Much
Let me extend a special thanks to all of the members who recently participated
in the “Quarterly Church Meeting” on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Your prayers,
presence, and participation helped us to continue to move forward that we can
collectively do God’s will, that “He” can get the Glory. Again Thank you!
Let me also extend thanks to each member of First Baptist Church, because of
your prayers, collective giving, and willingness to serve God’s people, you have left an
indelible impact on many. Let us continue to pray for one another, then work
feverishly, while it is the day, “because the night-time will come when no one can
work”! Meanwhile, let us also go forth and express kindness to someone, the same
measure of kindness, Christ has shown to us.
Finally, it’s here! Yes, Spring is here which means it’s time to awaken from our
deep Winter sleep and engage in Spring cleaning and “Spiritual Renewal”. As we look
around us, we see freshness and growth. The grass, the leaves, the flowers, the foliage,
even our children and grandchildren are growing!
The question is, as “Christian Disciples”, are we growing Spiritually? Let’s “Spring
into Springtime” by committing ourselves to daily personal Bible Study, and Sunday
School participation, as well as our “Virtual Tuesday Night Bible Study at 6:30 p.m.,
and our Thursday afternoon Bible Study Class at Noon. If everything else is growing
around us, don’t you think God wants us to grow as well?
“Let Us “Spring forth into Springtime, with Jesus Christ!”
Rev. Donald D. Robinson
Attachments:
Mother’s Day Salute on Sunday, May 12th, immediately following service Photo submission instructions
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SENIOR CENTER OPEN HOUSE Thursday, May 16th, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Jessica Ford FBC Book Scholarship
Circle Ministry “NEEDS YOU” new leader request
Special Call Meeting Notice Saturday, May 11th, 9:00 am
Choose a healthy life wellness event Sunday, April 28th, 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
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