February 26, 2023 | Seeking: To whom will we listen?

In order to engage in the spiritual practice of seeking, we must maintain a posture of listening, staying open and curious instead of cautious and closed off. In our focal texts for this week, we see two different examples of listening. Seeking the fruit of the garden, Adam and Eve allow the snake’s manipulative voice to become louder than God’s voice. In the wilderness, Jesus defies the deception of the tempter by listening intuitively—to God, to his inner moral compass, to the teachings of his faith.

And so, who will you listen to? What sources do you seek for news, information, and media? Whose voices—and what messages—occupy the most space in your head? From the onslaught of messaging we receive, we are invited to choose carefully. Faith practices can help us listen and filter what we’re hearing to discern God’s voice.

Message Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Lectionary Texts: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Romans 5:12-19

February 22, 2023 | Ash Wednesday Service

FBC's Lenten journey begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. This year's 25-minute Ash Wednesday service will be online only, streamed live from the sanctuary at noon

February 19, 2023 | The Undoing that Heals Us

This Sunday, we follow Jesus and three disciples up a mountain. As they stand on the summit, Jesus is changed—“transfigured”—before their eyes, his face shining like the sun and his clothes becoming bright as light. The mysterious story of Jesus' transfiguration has a way of stripping away some of our assumptions and certitudes, opening us to the healing gift of God's presence.

Based on Matthew 17:1-9

Other Lectionary passages: Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21

February 18, 2023 | Marvin Marceron Celebration of Life

Born to Frank and Lucy Marceron in Washington, D.C, Marvin graduated from Coolidge High School in 1952. He married his high school sweetheart, Patty Anderson, in 1953 and was drafted during the Korean War. After two years in the Army, he worked for the Army Map Service. He continued to work as a civilian for the Army Corp of Engineers until his retirement in 1989.

He found joy in serving the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., where he was baptized in 1953, and served the church in many leadership roles, including as moderator, deacon and welcomer on Sunday mornings.

February 5, 2023 | Christ Crucified

This Sunday we ask together: "What does it mean to be a Christian?" The Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth it means, quite simply, to tell the truth about Jesus and that he was crucified. Why did Paul feel the need to include the crucifixion? Can't we just bypass the upsetting part about the cross and get on with the good news of resurrection? Join us this Sunday as we ask these questions and more...

Sermon Text:
1 Corinthians 2:1-12

Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 58:1-9a
Matthew 5:13-16

January 29, 2023 | Whose Fool?

This Sunday in worship, we take hold of the question, "What does it mean to be a 'fool' for Christ?" The Chancel Choir will sing the anthem "Offertory" by John Ness Beck and baritone Gustavo Ahualli will sing "The Prayer of St Francis" by Olive Dungan.

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Lectionary Readings:
Micah 6:6-8
Matthew 5:1-12

January 22, 2023 | Would You Like to Go Fishing? | Rev. Miller Manarin

We welcome Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, the Executive Director/Minister of the DC Baptist Convention, as our guest proclaimer.  Her sermon title is Would You Like to Go Fishing? based on Matthew 4:12-23.

Sermon Text: Matthew 4:12-23
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

January 15, 2023 | Light Bearer

This weekend celebrates the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will honor his legacy in worship through music, prayers, litanies, and Pastor Julie's message "Light Bearer."

Sermon Text: Matthew 3:1-12
Scripture Readings: Psalm 40:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

January 8, 2023 Epiphany Sunday | Home By Another Way

This week in worship, we observe Epiphany Sunday. 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. Epiphany reminds us that from the beginning of his life, Jesus shone forth as God’s great reveal to the whole world. Pastor Julie will preach the message “Home By Another Way,” and the Chancel Choir will sing “Thou Shalt Know Him” by Mark Sirett.

Lectionary Passages:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 2:1-12

January 1, 2023 New Years Day | This Curious Doorway

December 25, 2022 Christmastide | Go, Tell It!

Luke 2:8-20

"To you is born this day…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!"

Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with First Baptist Church. Worship includes Christmas carols, the music of choir and organ, and a Christmas Day meditation from Pastor Julie. 

December 18, 2022 | Blue Christmas: A Service of Consolation

The holidays are marked by celebrations, yet they are often stressful or sad for those experiencing grief of any kind, especially the death of loved ones in the last year. Let the music of the Chancel Choir, the comforting words of scripture and poetry, and words of hope from Pastor Julie bring peace to your tired soul. The service concludes with the lighting of candles in memory of people who have died, and/or in acknowledgment of other kinds of grief we carry.

December 18, 2022 | Seeing God in Each Other

Isaiah 12:2-6 | Luke 1:39-55

This week in worship we return to Mary's experience found in Luke 1:39-55. After receiving the news from the angel, she retreats to her cousin Elizabeth’s house. When Mary arrives, Elizabeth doesn’t just welcome her—she is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks a blessing upon Mary as her own child leaps and kicks within her womb. She sees how God is at work and names it out loud. In this moment of profound solidarity, Mary and Elizabeth see the divine in one another.

From generation to generation, we can see how God is at work in our relationships. The way we see the divine in each other impacts how we live and move in the world. When we view every human being as a child of God, we generate a different world.

December 11, 2022 | 64th Candlelight Carols: Veiled in Flesh

Capture the joy of the season with a beloved First Baptist tradition featuring the First Baptist Chancel Choir, 6,000-pipe Austin organ, and brass and timpani. A love offering will be collected in support of Charlie’s Place, a local organization serving unhoused and underserved populations in the neighborhoods of Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights.

December 11, 2022 Worship | Choosing a Better Way

Matthew 1:18-25 | Isaiah 35:1-10

This week, we continue with the season of Advent and our theme “From Generation to Generation.” In worship, we will focus on the story of Joseph with scripture passages from Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 1:18-25.

As far as Joseph knows, his new wife has been unfaithful to him and broken their marriage contract. And yet, instead of punishment, he chooses not to publicly disgrace or humiliate her. This interruption in his life becomes a holy invitation when the angel comes to him in a dream and says, “Do not be afraid.” When he awakes, Joseph once again has the courage to choose a better way. He chooses to stay with Mary, to become an adoptive parent. He chooses peace over violence, grace over condemnation.

When have our ancestors also chosen a better way, and when have they not? Isaiah 35 is a vision of what happens when we choose a better way: the wilderness blooms, water breaks forth in the desert, eyes are opened, ears are unstopped, sorrow and sadness flee away. A highway shall appear and it will become a holy way.

December 4, 2022 Worship | God Meets Us in Our Fear

This week, we continue with the season of Advent. Our central scripture passages this week are Luke 1:26-38 and Isaiah 11:1-10. They remind us that God meets us in our fear. When the angel Gabriel comes to Mary, she is perplexed and confused—and no doubt, afraid. And yet, the angel’s news is: “Do not be afraid.” We hear this refrain all throughout the Christmas story and remember it is the most common phrase in all the Bible.

From generation to generation, God shows up in the midst of our fear and uncertainty and confusion. From generation to generation, faithful people have said “yes” despite apprehension. From generation to generation, our ancestors in faith have accepted the invitation. The prophecy in Isaiah paints a vision of what we work toward when we say “yes”: righteousness and equity reign, the wolf lives with the lamb, no harm or hurt shall destroy the earth, a child shall lead the way.

November 27, 2022 Worship | Room for Every Story

On Sunday, November 27, we gather around the scripture passages of Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 1:1-17. As Pastor Julie preaches and we begin singing familiar Advent music, we begin the journey toward Christmas remembering that there is room for everyone’s story.

November 20, 2022 Worship | More Than Enough | Gratitude Sunday

Gratitude Sunday
November 20, is Gratitude Sunday. As part of a special offering, all worshipers will be invited to bring forward their pledge cards for the Give It Forward capital campaign for our new community building.

Pastor Julie will preach the message “More than Enough,” and the Chancel Choir, brass quartet, and organ will lead us in worship.

Scripture Readings:

• Psalm 145:1-10

• Colossians 3:12-17

• Luke 1:68-79

November 13, 2022 Worship | The Prescription for a Crumbling Foundation | Joel Campbell

This week in worship, Pastor Joel preaches “The Prescription for a Crumbling Foundation,” and we gather around Jesus’ teaching that foreshadowed the destruction of the Temple.

The Gospel reading is Luke 25:1-19. Other Lectionary readings are Isaiah 65:17-25 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13.

The Chancel Choir will sing “Blessed Quietness” arranged by Dr. Schreiber for the 50th anniversary of the First Baptist sanctuary. We will also welcome 13-year-old organist Storeé N. Denson, a student of Dr. Schreiber, who will play the postlude.

November 6, 2022 Worship | The Making of a Saint | All Saints Sunday

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY (Observed)

Sermon Text: Luke 22:54-62
Message: The Making of a Saint
Lectionary Texts: Psalm 90:1-6, 10, 12, Ephesians 1:11-23

This week in worship we celebrate All Saints Day. We will celebrate the lives of FBC members who have died in Christ—Charlyne Stadel, Melvyn Prince, and Ivie Davis—and others, and we will give thanks for those great witnesses who are living in our midst today. We also will share Communion together.