March 6, 6:30 PM. First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut March 2019

Transcription

1 Dedicated to bringing Christian faith and Life together through Worship, Outreach, Education, and A Caring Community First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut March 2019 March 6, 6:30 PM

2 The Journey of Lent I lift up my eyes to the hills from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. ~Psalm 121:1-2 In his Lenten devotional, A Way Other Than Our Own, Walter Brueggemann writes: We are on the road again! As followers of Jesus, we are on the road again in Lent, walking the way of obedience to Jerusalem for the big showdown with the authorities of church and state. It turns out, every time, to be a hazardous journey, full of toils and snares, potholes and adversaries, ending in a rigged trial. But woman and men of faith are always on the road again, departing safe places, running risks, and hoping for well-being on the journey and if we ponder our destination, perhaps it is to be to the neighborhood of shalom, the neighborhood of shared resources, of inclusive politics, of random acts of hospitality and intentional acts of justice, of fearless neighborliness that is not propelled by greed or anxiety or excessive self-preoccupation. Brueggemann imagines a bold vision for the journey of Lent and all the potential it has within our collective human journey. Viewed through his eyes, Lent is more than an opportunity to give up chocolate or abstain from coffee. It is all about the life of Jesus transforming our lives even now in real and practical ways, in order to make the journey more fair, more safe, and more healing for everyone. Lent asks us, is this a journey we are willing to make, all the way to the cross and through it to the new life God offers? This journey then is one of sacrifice and compassion, radical love and limitless possibility. Let us walk this road, friends, and be grateful we do not walk alone. Grace and peace to you this Lenten season, Pastor Stacy

3 Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pestretto family. Sebastian Pestretto passed away on February 5th after a short illness. Our thoughts are with Juanita, Ellen, Dan, Steve, and their families at this time. Ruth Leggett March 6 Juanita Pestretto March 6 Dot Smith March 20 Carla Cowles March 29 I would to thank all of you for the calls, prayers, cards and thoughts during Seb's illness and passing. Having the love and support of my church family means so much to me. Juanita Matt & Katie Mangiafico March 29 5 years Kevin & Stacy Emerson March years 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 Kris Hanko, Administrative Secretary 90 North Main Street West Hartford, CT Church Office Hours Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 am - 2:30 pm Friday 9:00 am 12:00 pm March 10 With the season changing and the potential for inclement weather, please remember to watch WFSB Channel 3 or NBC Channel 30 for cancellations or postponements. Please also check your , and FBC News, for changes in scheduled events. 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

4 Note New Date Saturday, March 23 7:00 PM FBC Sanctuary

5 Exploring Celtic Spirituality Lenten Series 2019 This Lent join us during Second Hour as we explore the history, theology, and characteristics of Celtic Spirituality. Celtic spirituality is uniquely marked by its perspectives on the nature of humanity, the connectedness of creation, and its understanding of the sacred in contrast to the expressions found in the dominant Roman tradition. While there is no one way to define Celtic spirituality, we will explore its many dimensions from the vantage points of history, theology, saints, literature and liturgy. Join us on March 10, 17, 24, and April 7 & 14!

6 Adult Education Sundays after Fellowship time. March 3 We ll watch a DVD on Adoniram and Ann Judson: Spent for God. These American Baptist missionaries suffered greatly to bring the Gospel to Burma. March 10 Rev. Emerson will begin a series on Celtic spirituality to help us deepen our devotional life during Lent. March 17 March 24 March 31 The series on Celtic spirituality continues. Celtic spirituality continued. Baked potato fund-raiser by our Social Action Committee. No adult education. Lunch Bunch March 14 at 11:30 in the Kitchen It s March, Spring is coming (we hope), and St Patrick s Day is upon us. Come join other women for good food (potluck) and fellowship. And some conversation about the future of Women s Fellowship here, as our church is looking at new directions, and Edie moves to her new home. Questions, call Faith or Edie Transfiguration of the Lord March 3 Exodus 34:29 35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12 4:2 Luke 9:28 36 [37 43] March 10 Deuteronomy 26:1 11 Psalm 91:1 2, 9 16 Romans 10:8b 13 Luke 4:1 13 March 17 Genesis 15:1 12, Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17 4:1 Luke 13:31 35 or Luke 9:28 36 March 24 Isaiah 55:1 9 Psalm 63:1 8 1 Corinthians 10:1 13 Luke 13:1 9 March 31 Joshua 5:9 12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16 21 Luke 15:1 3, 11b 32

7 ABHMS works to broaden our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus in word and deed for the 21st century, and to nurture discipleship by expanding our network of highly motivated change-agents who share the Good News and impact the world with God s love. In this way, we encourage authentic Christian discipleship in which the fullness of the Gospel in its personal and social implications are manifested in individuals living Jesus message, involved in their communities and carrying out God s call in their lives. We will be collecting the America For Christ Offering during the month of March

8 Earthkeepers Corner Spring is just around the corner, and our CT legislators are hard at work considering many important environmental Bills. Here are three that can use and deserve our advocacy: FRACKING WASTE BAN SB 753: An Act Concerning the Statewide Ban on Fracking Waste. This bill has been raised and had a hearing in the Environment Committee. It hasn't been voted on yet, but we are anticipating that it will get voted out of committee and sent to the Senate. Actions for you to take: Call your Senator and representative and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. If they have already co-sponsored the bill, call them and thank them for doing so. RESTORING ENERGY EFFICIENCY FUNDS HB 5030: An Act Restoring Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Funds. This bill has been raised in the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. It has not been scheduled for a hearing yet. Actions for you to take: Call the Finance co-chairs, Senator Fonfara and Rep. Rojas, and ask them to schedule a hearing. Then call your representative and senator and ask them to co-sponsor. OFFSHORE WIND MANDATE SB 6839: An Act Requiring the Commissioner of the Energy and Environmental Protection Agency to Set a Goal to Procure At Least 2000 MW of Electricity Derived from Wind Power Generated Offshore of the State. This bill has been raised in the Energy and Technology Committee. It has not been scheduled for a hearing yet. Actions for you to take: Call the Energy and Technology co-chairs, Senator Needleman and Rep. Arconti, and ask them to schedule a hearing. Then call your representative and senator and ask them to co-sponsor. Find your legislator here - Thank you for making those calls; our actions can help save our precious Earth! Blessings from the Interreligious Eco justice Network,

9 Sun Mon. Tue Wed Thu Fri. Sat 1 2 6:00 Cinema & the Sacred :30 Loaves & Fishes 1:00 Knitting :30 Ash Wednesday Service 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Al-Anon 7:00 Bible Study 10 11:30 Exploring Celtic Spirituality :00 General Board 1:00 Knitting 13 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Al-Anon 14 11:30 Lunch Bunch FOCUS SUBMISSION DEADLINE :30 Exploring Celtic Spirituality - with Rev. Dr. Molly Louden :00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Al-Anon 7:00 Bible Study :00 Concert - Draw the Circle Wide 24 11:30 Exploring Celtic Spirituality :00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Al-Anon