Recent Worship
Today Pastor Julie preached the message, Lost and Found, from Luke 15:1-7. Accompanying Scripture text is Psalm 32.
Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow—in one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. But no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good Shepherd is on watch.
This Sunday, Pastor Julie will preach the message “Everything in Between: Rest and Growth" based on Luke 13:6-9. Accompanying scripture text is Psalm 63:1-8.
The gardener in the vineyard knows the fig tree needs rest, nutrients, and time—and it also needs to produce fruit. Both things are true, which is also true for us. If we are always striving for more growth without taking time to rest, we will burn out. But if we are only ever resting, we won’t bear fruit or grow. The fig tree also teaches us that the in between time—of nurture before fruit—can be where transformation begins.
The story of Mary and Martha often seems to create a divide between “spiritual” types and “practical” types, between thinkers and doers, and between contemplatives and activists—as if the faithful must choose one over the other. But what if prayer and action depend on one another to make sense in the world? Today’s story from Luke 10 is about more than just a spat over who’s going to get supper on the table. Accompanying scripture text is Psalm 23.
This Sunday, March 9, we continue the journey through Lent that began on Ash Wednesday.
Our Lenten theme, “Everything In Between,” will invite us to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. We will explore supposed binaries, like “faith & works” or “rest & growth,” or “grief & hope.” These ideas often seem to oppose one another.
However, as we explore these concepts within the scriptures, we find nuance and complexity. We find that these dichotomies are false. We might begin to see a full spectrum instead of black and white. We might find that God is present in between.
Today, Pastor Julie will preach the message “Everything in Between: Stranger and Neighbor.” The sermon text will be Luke 10:25-37 and the accompanying scripture passage will be Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the season of Lent. We hosted two 30-minute Ash Wednesday services at 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the season of Lent. We hosted two 30-minute Ash Wednesday services at 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Transfiguration is one of those five-syllable stained-glass words that only gets trotted out every once in a while in Sunday School or on Jeopardy. But the account of Jesus on the mountain with some disciples and Moses and Elijah, two rock stars of the Hebrew faith, is a story brimming with mystery, hope, and freedom.
Today Pastor Julie preaches the message, “A Liberation Story,” from Luke 9:28-36. Accompanying scripture passages are Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:2. We share communion together and collect a benevolence offering.
Today in worship, Pastor Julie completes a three-week sermon series, Encountering the Holy, based on Isaiah 6:1-8. Each week in worship we read a different translation of that passage. Today, we will hear the Isaiah 6 text from The Inclusive Bible.
Accompanying scripture passages are 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 and Luke 6:27-38.
This Sunday in worship, Pastor Julie continued a three-week sermon series, Encountering the Holy, based on Isaiah 6:1-8. Each week in worship we will read a different translation of that passage. This Sunday, we will hear the Isaiah 6 text from the NRSVue (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition). Accompanying scripture passages are Luke 6:17-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.
To live in wonder is to be alive to the signs of the sacred all around you. Frederick Buechner said, “To speak of [something] as holy is to say that it has something of God’s mark upon it. Times, places, things and people can all be holy—and when they are, they are usually not hard to recognize.”
This Sunday in worship, Pastor Julie begins a three-week sermon series, Encountering the Holy, based on Isaiah 6:1-8. Each week in worship we will read a different translation of that passage. This Sunday, we will hear the Isaiah 6 text from Eugene Peterson’s translation, The Message.
Accompanying scripture passages are Luke 5:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
Today in worship, we continue the season of Epiphany. Epiphany walks through the “firsts” of Christ such as his baptism, his first miracle, his first sermon, and this Sunday, his presentation in the temple.
Pastor Julie will be back from Orlando and in worship, and guest preacher Aqueelah Ligonde will preach the message “Fulfilling Your Divine Assignment” based on Jeremiah 1:4-10. Accompanying scripture passages are Luke 2:22-40 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
We will celebrate communion together, collect a benevolence offering, and enjoy our First Sunday potluck after worship.
This Sunday in worship, we continue the season of Epiphany. Epiphany walks through the “firsts” of Christ such as his baptism, his first miracle, and in this week's Gospel text, his first sermon. Pastor Eric will preach the message “His Inauguration Address” based on Luke 4:14-30.
In Luke 4, we encounter Jesus in his hometown temple beginning his earthly ministry by reading the prophet Isaiah's words and instructing those gathered. Many biblical scholars and theologians describe this moment as the inauguration of Jesus' ministry, because he lays out his earthly mission in explicit terms for the first time. It is not received well by those who hear it, and they try to run him out of town. Yet for Jesus, this moment proceeds from a foundational "yes" to God, which is ultimately a "no" to all injustices and forms of hatred - none of which are of God.
Accompanying scriptures are Psalm 19:7-14 and 1 Corinthians 12:18-31a.
Today in worship, we continue the season of Epiphany and celebrate the first of Christ’s miracles: turning water to wine at the wedding of Cana. Pastor Julie is preaches the message “The First of His Signs” from John 2:1-11. Accompanying scriptures are Isaiah 62:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
Who tells you who you are? Your family? Your friends? Your enemies? Your conscience? Your boss?
This Sunday in worship we continue the season of Epiphany by remembering the baptism of Jesus and the Divine affirmation: “You are my beloved, my own. In you I am well pleased.” To be baptized in Christ is to claim one’s identity: “I am a child of God.”
When we’ve lost our way, become confused or forgotten who we are, it helps so much to go back and look into those waters and see our face reflected there.
Accompanying scriptures are Psalm 29 and Acts 8:14-17.
This Sunday in worship, we welcome the new year and celebrate Epiphany. Epiphany marks the revelation of the Christ child to the magi who traveled from afar to worship and present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It reminds us that from the beginning of his life, Jesus shone forth as God’s great reveal to the whole world.
Pastor Julie preaches the message “All Things New” from Isaiah 43:16-21, with the accompanying scripture of Matthew 2:1-12. We will take communion together in worship, and collect the first benevolence offering of 2025. After worship, we will catch up from the holidays with a potluck downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
Today in worship we celebrate the season of Christmas in the life of the church. Pastor Julie preaches the message “Lay It Down in Peace” from Luke 2:21-39—the story of old Simeon meeting the Christ child in the temple. The story of Simeon invites us to ask, "What do I need to let go of so I can take hold of something new in the days ahead? What new beginnings will I let God place in my hand in 2025?"
The accompanying text is Isaiah 55:6-13.
Celebrate Christmas Eve with First Baptist Church tomorrow night. Our worship will include Christmas carols, the music of choir, organ, brass, holy communion, and a Christmas Eve meditation from Pastor Julie. The child and family-friendly service will end with the lighting of congregational candles and singing “Silent Night.”
In today’s Gospel text, the story of Joseph reminds us that the Christmas story has always been—and always will be—for ordinary people living messy, complex lives.
Pastor Julie will preach the message, “Hope is Worth the Risk,” based on Matthew 1:18-25. The accompanying text is Isaiah 7:10-16. FBC's Crossroads Group will light the candle of Love.
As you journey through this season, may you find words for beginning again. No matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings, love is your beginning.
In this Sunday’s Gospel text, Mary, who is visiting her older cousin Elizabeth, breaks into a sung prayer to God—a prophetic song of praise, judgment, and hope known as the Magnificat. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once called the Magnificat “the most passionate, the wildest, most revolutionary hymn ever sung.” For centuries, Mary’s words have become a rallying cry for the oppressed.
Pastor Julie continues the Advent sermon series with the message, “Do the Good That Is Yours To Do,” based on Luke 1:46-55. The accompanying text is Isaiah 58:9b-12. FBC's young adult group will light the candle of Joy.
We’re located at 16th and O Streets NW—in the heart of Washington, a mile north of the White House. We are part of the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle neighborhoods. Need more info? Call us or click below.
We look forward to greeting you in person. In the meantime, you can request prayer or ask a question by calling or sending an email.
At First Baptist DC, giving is the fuel that powers every congregational expression of hospitality, compassion, generosity and justice. FBC relies on the congregation for regular, sustainable financial support.
The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
1328 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 387-2206
Office Hours
Sunday 10 AM–2 PM
Monday-Thursday 10 AM–4 PM
Friday-Saturday Closed
