Lenten Small Group Contemplative Vision: Seeing the Divine in the Ordinary

Transcription

1 Dedicated to bringing Christian faith and Life together through Worship, Outreach, Education, and A Caring Community First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut February 2018 Lenten Small Group Contemplative Vision: Seeing the Divine in the Ordinary God is everywhere. Today you saw God and God looked back you, wondering, did you notice? Sometimes we do notice, and the experience is powerful. A lot of times, however, we just can t seem to see God because God is elusive and surprising, and our lives are busy and full. In this four-week small group, we will spend some time together learning about and fostering Contemplative Vision: Seeing the Divine in the Ordinary. We will be introduced to the spiritual practice of Visio Divina using classic art and study the accompanying scripture each week. A new twist on Bible Study! No experience necessary, nothing to bring but yourself and your lunch, alongside a willingness to try something new and to enjoy the great company you will be in! Tuesdays at Noon in Gilbert Hall February 27: Christ in the Wilderness, Moretto da Brescia Mark 1:9-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 March 6: Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee, Rembrandt Mark 4:35-41 March 13: Procession to Calvary, Ridolfo Ghirlandaio John 19:16-18, Luke 23: March 20: The Supper at Emmaus, Caravaggio Luke 24:13-35 The First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut An American Baptist Church FBC CHURCH STAFF Reverend Stacy Emerson, Senior Minister Melinda Shilansky, Music Director Neil Shilansky, Accompanist Elizabeth Miller, Children s Music Director Bill Albert, Facilities Manager Michael Deak, Custodian Kris Hanko, Administrative Secretary 90 North Main Street West Hartford, CT Church Office Hours Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Phone whfbc@yahoo.com www. Follow First Baptist Church West Hartford on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram The Focus is a monthly newsletter of First Baptist Church Editor Faith Geist

2 Cinema and the Sacred Exploring faith and culture, through the art of film and community conversation 6:00 pm January 6th On February 3, we will view the acclaimed film, Collateral Beauty. Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. This 2016 movie has an MPAA rating of PG-13. Come and join us on February 3 rd! Things to be Desired The New Year is here! As 2018 unfolds, what intention do we bring? What hopes? What expectations of ourselves? To help us wonder and reflect, I share with you a poem entitled, Desiderata, which is Latin for things to be desired. I discovered that the poem has a dubious history, having been found in an old church in Baltimore, Maryland by the Rector there in He published it in a collection of devotional materials for his congregation with the notation under it: Old St. Paul s Church, Baltimore A.C The church was founded in that year. As it traveled from friend to friend, the authorship became clouded such that it was interpreted that the poem was from It was eventually discovered, however, that the poem was written in 1927, nearing the Great Depression, by a lawyer and poet from Terre Haute, Indiana, by the name of Max Ehrmann, who lived from He wrote in his journal that I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods. As we begin another year, and hope to reflect on humble goals and gains for it, I share with you the gift of this poem and hope for deep things to be desired. See next page

3 Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Peace to you in 2018, Stacy

4 Our heartfelt sympathy to David Crockett upon the unexpected passing of his brother, Donald on December 14th. A reminder from the Congregational Care Committee Our love and caring and prayers for each of the members of our congregation as well as their friends and families is vital to the health and well being of all of us here at First Baptist Church. Not often, however at times, our Pastor, church office or our Care committee does not receive the information of an illness or need of a member or relative. Please, if you or someone you care about or hear about is in need of prayers, a visit, food or any other need please let Kris in the church office know, or contact Pastor Stacy, Linda Greca, Patty Roones or Sherry Seeley. In common love, Your Congregational Care Committee Dear Stacy and FBC, Thank you for your cards and notes over these past months. I am recuperating again from yet another major surgery. But thus far my recovery is much better than last year's time. Thank you for all your prayers. Please know it has made a significant difference in my recovery. Shalom & in gratitude. Judy Allbee Birthdays Brad Wylie February 4 Wendy Girle February 5 Donald Taylor February 8 Amanda Banks February 9 Nathan Roones February 10 Anniversaries Will & Jean Forristall February 2 72 years Donald & Martha Taylor February years Scott & Rachel MacGregor February 16 5 years Geoffrey Carr February 16 Elsie Petersen February 17 Tom Gunn February 18 Bill Gaffin February 19 Carol Wylie February 20 Wade Hiltabidel February 24 Faith Geist February 24 Gabriel MacGregor February 28

5 FBC Out and About at Effies Good food and good company Out and About Town Join Pastor Stacy out and about town as we get to know our neighbors in West Hartford. Our consultant, Paul Nickerson, reminds us that being out in our community is essential as we reach new people. So, join Pastor Stacy for lunch on any or all of the dates below: Tuesday, February 12:00 PM Max Burger/LaSalle Road Wednesday, February 12:00 PM Panera Bread/Bishop s Corner Friday, February 12:00 PM The Elbow Room/986 Farmington Avenue Please RSVP to See you out and about town

6 Once again, FBC provided food for the Loaves and Fishes holiday dinners. Here is an excerpt from the thank you that they sent.

7 A Valentines Party February 8 at 11:30 In the Kitchen Join with other women for a Lunch Bunch Valentine party. We will enjoy our usual potluck lunch and hopefully, some special desserts. For details, call Edie Castagno.

8 Adult Education Sundays at 11 FEBRUARY February 4 Isaiah 40:21 31 Psalm 147:1 11, 20c 1 Corinthians 9:16 23 Transfiguration of the Lord February 11 2 Kings 2:1 12 Psalm 50:1 6 2 Corinthians 4:3 6 Mark 9:2 9 Ash Wednesday February 14 Joel 2:1 2, or Isa. 58:1 12 Psalm 51: Corinthians 5:20b 6:10 Matt. 6:1 6, First Sunday in Lent February 18 Genesis 9:8 17 Psalm 25: Peter 3:18 22 Mark 1:9 15 February 25 Genesis 17:1 7, Psalm 22:23 31 Romans 4:13 25 Mark 8:31 38 Parables from the Back Side Jesus told stories when he wanted to make a point, and many of these stories have become so familiar they lose their original power. Throughout Lent, in sermons and second hour, we will explore some of Jesus parables from the back side, to use the term from J. Ellsworth Kalas whose book, Parables from the Back Side: Bible Stories with a Twist, will guide our learning. Kalas shares this in his introduction to Volume 1: P.G. Wodehouse, the British humorist, has one of his characters refer to a parable of Jesus as looking like a straightforward yarn when you begin to read it, but then you find that it has something up its sleeve that pops out at you and leaves you flat. Let us visit these familiar stories again and see what pops out at us! February 11 Sharing from an Undoing Racism workshop led by The People s Institute with Rev. Emerson What is race? What is racism? What is power? And what does any of this have to do with us? In this second hour, we will explore some of the historical background behind the term race and define racism. We will also explore why this conversation is so critical for our community, country, and world. I hope you will join me as I share some of what I learned at an Undoing Racism workshop last fall.

9 Sun Mon. Tue Wed Thu Fri. Sat :00 Cinema & the Sacred 4 9:30 FBC Worship & Communion 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Education for all ages 8:00 AA 10:30 Missions Committee 5 12:00 Out & About Max Burger 7:00 Personnel Committee 7:00 Vitality Team 6 9:30 Staff Mtg 10:30 Loaves & Fishes 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Al-Anon 7 11:30 Lunch Bunch :00-9:00 PM Youth Game the Parsonage 11 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Education for all ages 8:00 AA 12 10:00 Cedar Mountain Commons 7:00 Trustees 7:00 General Board :30 Staff Mtg 12:00 Out & About Panera s/ Bishop Corner 1:00 Knitting 6:30 Ash Wednesday Service 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 15 FOCUS DEADLINE :30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Education for all ages 12:00 Women s Fellowship Meeting 8:00 AA :00 Deacons 9:30 Staff Mtg 21 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Al-Anon :00 PM Out & About Elbow Room :30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Education for Children & Youth 11:00 February Business Meeting 12:00 Congregational Care Comm Mtg 8:00 AA 7:00 Financial Vision Team 26 12:00 Lenten Small Group/ Gilbert Hall 27 9:30 Staff Mtg 1:00 Knitting 28 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Al-Anon