FBC LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Transcription

1 Dedicated to bringing Christian faith and Life together through Worship, Outreach, Education, and A Caring Community First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut September 2017 FBC LOOKING TO THE FUTURE This fall, we will begin working with our coach and consultant, Rev. Paul Nickerson, as we learn how to reach new people. In January, we will continue our work with Rev. Nickerson to discuss a future direction and vision for FBC. Please join us for our first workshop with Rev. Nickerson on September 8 & 9. Registration for FBC members is free, but we need to know who is attending in order to prepare for the Saturday meal and snacks. See you there! You are invited to a weekend workshop Led by FBC coaching consultant Rev. Paul Nickerson Here at First Baptist Church, West Hartford September 8-9, 2017 To register, please contact the church The First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut An American Baptist Church FBC CHURCH STAFF Reverend Stacy Emerson, Senior Minister Reverend Jaimie D. Crumley, Minister of Faith Formation 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 This year s annual theme is ontheway. The life of faith is a journey it begins with a step in trust and leads through twists and turns, hills and valleys, wildernesses and brighter shores. The Bible is full of stories of people discerning wisdom while on the journey from Abraham and Sarah whom God called to go and find a new land to the disciples whom Jesus called to drop their nets and leave their boats and follow me. Being on the way, being on a journey, is not so much about the destination as it is about the way itself where key insights are gained and received. Here at First Baptist Church we are in a time of exploration in search of God s direction for our ministry. We are in a time of discernment seeking the signposts into a new future. We are in a time of intentional prayer and conversation to listen for the new thing that God is doing in our church, in our community, and in our world. Through weekly worship and small groups we will explore journey stories in the Bible and listen for ways these stories connect to our lives and the future of our church. In addition we will listen to the journeys that are unfolding right now around the world in the lives of our neighbors, refugees, immigrants, and people impacted by hate and bigotry. Lao Tzu said, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. So, let the journey begin! Together, we are on the way. The year ahead is full of possibility as we walk On the way in prayer, On the way with hope, On the way by faith. Stacy

3 June Noble passed away Wednesday, August 9th, after a short illness. She will be much missed here at FBC. Please keep June's daughter, Meredith, and her daughter -in-law, Andrea, as well as her many dear friends, especially Shirley, Deb & Johnnie, in your hearts and prayers. September Birthdays Melanie Banks September 4 Walter Eells September 4 Jason Sherrange September 6 Jean Forristall September 8 Percy Young September 10 Cynthia Albertelly September 10 Bennett Sherrange September 16 David Crockett September 19 David Roones September 22 Jeanne Gunn September 25 Michael Wu September 26 Katie Emerson September 26 Heather Adams September 27 Katherine Fagerburg September 30 September 10th, Homecoming Sunday is fast approaching! After the service that day, everyone is invited to our annual homecoming brunch. If you would like to share a dish please see Mindy Shilansky after the service. Any questions, FBC Hospitality Chair, Neil shilansky8@gmail.com SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 9:30 am September Anniversaries Lowell & Julie Fewster September 4 52 years Frank & Pamela Amazeen September 8 27 years Vern Baker & Katherine Fagerburg September years Michael & Missy Manish September 29 5 years

4 WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP FALL GET-TOGETHER and ANNUAL MEETING Thurs, Sept 1411:30 at Carol Eells house Come and share some women s fellowship after our summer apart. After lunch, we ll review the past year, elect leaders and vote a new budget, and talk about activities coming up this fall. Carol s address is in the church directory. Carpool if possible. Let your telephoner know if you would like to carpool from the church, so we ll know who to wait for if you re a moment late! Sonja will be phoning the Lunch Bunch list. If you re not on the list, give her a call. Remember, first timers don't have to bring a dish. It's very informal. All women and girls are invited! August 17, Mercy Gonzales Barnes visited FBC to tell us of her work in Iberio America and the Carribean. Her talk focused on her work with education and preparation of local church leaders in the region. Her insights on Cuba,after her visits there, were eye-opening. She spoke also about the on-line Masters level course for Spanish speaking church leaders that has begun.

5 September 3 Exodus 3:1 15 Psalm 105:1 6, 23 26, 45b Romans 12:9 21 Matthew 16:21 28 September 10 Exodus 12:1 14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8 14 Matthew 18:15 20 September 24 Exodus 16:2 15 Psalm 105:1 6, Philippians 1:21 30 Matthew 20:1 16 October 1 Exodus 17:1 7 Psalm 78:1 4, Philippians 2:1 13 Matthew 21:23 32 September 17 Exodus 14:19 31 Psalm 114 Romans 14:1 12 Matthew 18:21 35

6 Adult Education Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. Rainer Maria Rilke This fall during Second Hour, we will conclude the adult series, Living the Questions led by Rev. Stacy Emerson. Living the Questions is a DVD and web-based group study exploring themes of contemporary theology and faith. Living the Questions will help seekers and "church alumni/ae" alike in discovering the significance of Christianity in the 21st Century and what a meaningful faith can look like in today's world. THEMES this fall include Social Justice: Realizing God s Vision, Prayer: Intimacy with God, and more FORMAT The format of each session includes a video, guided discussion, spiritual exercises and Bible study. The 20 minute videos for each session include conversation, sermon clips, lecture excerpts, and spiritual exercises for practical applications (including different forms of prayer and meditation, movement, walking the labyrinth, etc.). Since the overall theme is that of faith as a journey, not a destination, the livingthequestions.com web site will offer resources for continued exploration, including downloadable expanded study guides, extra video resources, and links. Sessions begin September 17 th at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall Cinema and the Sacred Exploring faith and culture, through the art of film and community conversation On October 7, we will view the family film, The Lady in the Van. Based on the true story of Miss Shepherd, a woman of uncertain origins temporarily parks her van in Alan Bennett s London driveway and proceeds to live there for 15 years. What begins as a grudging favor becomes a relationship that will change both their lives. This 2015 movie has an MPAA rating of PG-13. Come and join us on October 7th!

7 Sun Mon. Tue Wed Thu Fri. Sat Aug 27 10:00 FBC Worship 11:00 Fellowship Time Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 31 Sept 1 Sept 2 6:30 Bible Study Sept 3 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time Sept 4 Sept 5 7:00 Trustees 7:00 Personnel Sept 6 10:30 Loaves & Fishes 7:30 Chancel Choir Sept 7 Sept 8 9:00 Social Action 6:00-9:00 PM Reaching New People 9:00-4:00 Reaching New People Sept 9 HOMECOMING SUNDAY Sept 10 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Brunch Sept 11 10:00 Cedar Mountain Commons 1:30 Adult Christian Ed Comm 7:00 General Board Sept 12 Sept 13 7:30 Chancel Choir Sept 14 11:30 Lunch Bunch Sept 15 Sept 16 11:00 Quassy Amusement Park Sept 17 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Ed for all ages 12:00 Women s Fellowship Mtg Sept 18 Sept 19 6:30 Deacons Sept 20 7:30 Chancel Choir Sept 21 Sept 22 Sept 23 Sept 24 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Ed for all ages 12:00 Congregational Care Comm Mtg Sept 25 Sept 26 Sept 27 7:30 Chancel Choir Sept 28 Sept 29 Sept 30

8 Farewell & God's Blessings Rev. Jaimie D. Crumley, will be on her way to UCLA in September to pursue her Ph.D. Those of us at FBC are saddened by her leaving but are joyful as she takes this next step in her journey. We will continue to pray for her ministry and wish her God s blessings on her adventure that is just beginning.