This Sunday in worship, we gather around one of Jesus' seven “I am” statements found in the gospel of John: “I am the gate of the sheep … whoever enters through me will be saved.” Pastor Julie will preach the message, Discerning Love’s Voice. Additional lectionary texts are Psalm 23 and Acts 2:42-47.
April 16, 2023 | The Breaking and the Burning
Based on Luke 24:13-35
This Sunday in worship, we gather around the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Pastor Julie will preach the message, The Breaking and the Burning. Additional lectionary texts are Psalm 19:1-6 and Acts 2:14a, 36-41.
Scripture Readings: Psalm 19:1-6, Acts 2:14a, 36-41
April 16, 2023 | Welcoming Belief and Unbelief | Lanny Peters
This Sunday in worship, longtime friend and former staff member of FBCDC, Lanny Peters, will preach the message, “Welcoming Belief and Unbelief,” based on John 20:19-31. Additional lectionary texts are Isaiah 25:6-9 and 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Based on John 20:19-31
Lanny served as "Parish Minister" at FBCDC from 1982 to 1989 and is returning to Washington this weekend to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his ordination by First Baptist Church in 1983. Lanny retired from pastoral ministry in 2017 after serving as pastor of Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur, GA, for 28 years. He is married to Karen and they have two adult sons, Thomas and Ashe.
Photo of Group gathering of dear friends of Lanny that followed the service.
April 9, 2023 | Easter Sunday: Whom do you seek?
Celebrate the resurrection of Christ at FBC and offer hospitality to our community on the brightest day of the Christian year. Bring a flower or two to adorn the flowering cross. Worship at 11am includes the music of choir, organ, and brass; the reading of the Easter story; a message of hope from Pastor Julie; Holy Communion; and an invitation to join the Chancel Choir in singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. Cookies and conversation after worship at a reception on the front patio.
Based on John 20:1-18
April 7, 2023 | Good Friday: A Service of Silence and Sorrow
Remember Christ’s suffering and crucifixion through choral music and the reading of the Passion narratives from Scripture. The sanctuary grows darker as we extinguish a candle after each reading.
April 2, 2023 | Seeking: Where are you headed?
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. Pastor Julie will continue her sermon series “Seeking” with a message titled “Where are you headed?” The Gospel passage is Matthew 21:1-11 and the accompanying Lectionary texts are Isaiah 50:4-9a and Philippians 2:5-11.
In the Palm Sunday story, we see simultaneously-occurring parades of Jesus and Pontius Pilate entering Jerusalem. The question for us, essentially, is this: In which parade will we participate?
Message Text: Matthew 21:1-11
March 26, 2023 | Seeking: Can these bones live?
This Sunday, Pastor Julie continues the Lenten sermon series “Seeking,” with the message “Can these bones live?” The lectionary passages from Ezekiel 37 and John 11 focus on the stories of the prophet Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones and the raising of Lazarus.
As author and Bible commentator Danielle Shroyer observes: “God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones. Jesus tells those gathered to unbind Lazarus and let him go. This ridiculous, radical hope is ours not only to hold, but to proclaim.”
Message Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14
March 19, 2023 | Seeking: Who Sinned?
Pastor Julie continues the Lenten sermon series, Seeking: honest questions for deeper faith. This week's message is titled “Who Sinned?”
When it comes to faith, sometimes there are unhelpful questions—questions formed by assumptions. Questions that lead to judgment and/or isolation. When Jesus and the disciples encounter a blind man along the way, the disciples ask, “Teacher, whose sins—this man's or his parents'—caused him to be born blind?" (John 9:2). This unhelpful question assumes that illness and disability are the result of sin. It assumes that the man deserves to be born blind. It assumes that physical blindness is a form of failure.
How might this story have unfolded had more helpful questions been asked? This week, with the Spirit's help, let us pay attention to the questions we ask and the assumptions we carry.
Message Text: John 9:1-41
March 12, 2023 | Seeking: Will you give me a drink? | Pastor Eric
In the John 4 passage, Jesus seeks out connection with a Samaritan woman drawing water from the well. His question to her, “Will you give me a drink?” is an invitation to a new way of life. In their encounter, Jesus challenges Jewish and Samaritan assumptions about cultural and religious boundaries. He also sees the woman fully, and she leaves the well transformed.
This week, we might imagine ourselves at the well. Are we willing to let our assumptions be challenged? Are we open to seeking living waters that sustain us all? Are we willing to be changed by an encounter with the living Christ?
Message Text: John 4:5-30; 39-42
Lectionary Texts: Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11
March 5, 2023 | Seeking: How do we begin again?
The story of Nicodemus who asks the essential question: what does it mean to start over? Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the veil of night to ask him big faith questions. As a leader of Jewish law, Nicodemus holds beliefs that no longer align with the kingdom of God Jesus embodies. Jesus invites him to begin again, to learn a new way of knowing and living out his faith. In Genesis, God commands Abram and Sarai to leave everything—their home, their family, their land—to seek the land of Canaan and begin again. At 75 years old, Abram is called to start over, but through this new beginning, God creates a new family and a new nation. Like Nicodemus, what are the questions we ask in the dark? Like Abram and Sarai, how do we follow God’s calling to begin again?
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