August 18 2024 | Mark DeVries | A Camino Kind of Church

This Sunday in worship, we wrap up the sermon series, “What Kind of Church?” This series asks three important questions: What is the universal church called to be? What kind of church makes God’s heart glad? What kind of church will make the strongest gospel impact in our fractured, anxious world?

This Sunday, we will welcome back with joy, gratitude, and hope our Senior Pastor, Julie Pennington-Russell, from her 12-week sabbatical. Pastor Julie will assist with worship leadership this Sunday, and she will return to the pulpit next week: Sunday, August 25.

This week, we will welcome to the pulpit Rev. Mark DeVries. Mark spent 35 years in youth ministry, serving as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee for 28 years. Mark is the co-founder of Ministry Incubators and the founder and of Ministry Architects, the consulting group that has been working alongside First Baptist as they discern and begin to implement their next strategic chapter. Mark is the author of 12 books, including Sustainable Youth Ministry and Family-Based Youth Ministry.  He and his wife Susan make their home in Nashville, TN and have three grown children and four grandchildren.

Mark’s message on Sunday is “A Camino Kind of Church” from Mark 1:16-20. Accompanying scripture passages are Psalm 62:5-12 and Ephesians 1:15-23.

August 11 2024 | Charlie Fuller | The Scent of the Spirit

This morning in worship, we continue the sermon series, “What Kind of Church?” This series asks three important questions: What is the universal church called to be? What kind of church makes God’s heart glad? What kind of church will make the strongest gospel impact in our fractured, anxious world?

The message today is “The Scent of the Spirit” from John 6:35, 41-51. Accompanying scripture passages are Psalm 34:1-8 and Ephesians 4:25-5:2.

We welcome to the pulpit Rev. Dr. Charlie Fuller. Charlie is a former Executive Pastor of The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC. After failing at retirement, he is currently director of Pathways to Ministry and Coach in Residence for Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Pathways to Ministry is a nearly quarter-century-old ministerial preparation program that, among other things, hires ministerial residents for two-year terms to engage in the practice of ministry.

In addition to his time with First Baptist, Charlie has also been a music professor, dean, music minister, chaplain, and transition pastor. The position in Dallas has brought him and his wife Cindy near to their two daughters and four grandchildren who live in the Dallas suburbs. Charlie is truly excited for the privilege of coming back home to FBCDC!

August 4 2024 | Sterling Severns | The Peacemakers' Journey

This Sunday in worship, we continue the sermon series, “What Kind of Church?” This series asks three important questions: What is the universal church called to be? What kind of church makes God’s heart glad? What kind of church will make the strongest gospel impact in our fractured, anxious world?

The message this Sunday is “The Peacemakers' Journey” from Matthew 5:3-11. Accompanying scripture passages are Micah 6:1-8 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

We will welcome to the pulpit Rev. Sterling W. Severns. Sterling and his wife, Laura, are looking forward to being back among dear friends at FBCDC where he served as Associate Pastor from 1998 - 2004.

Since 2004, Sterling has served as the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. During his twenty-year tenure, he has focused on rekindling Tabernacle's role as a teaching congregation, partnering with several seminaries and universities to mentor numerous pastoral residents and interns. Under his leadership, Tabernacle has become known for its innovative and participatory worship practices and strong commitment to inclusivity. Sterling guided the congregation through a year-long discernment process on sexuality, leading to the church becoming welcoming and affirming. He also led efforts to integrate diverse ethnic refugee communities from Myanmar into the church's life and leadership and was instrumental in the founding of ReEstablish Richmond, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping newly resettled refugees integrate into the broader Richmond community.

In recent years, Sterling has expanded his ministry by focusing on re-missioning work and equipping pastors around the world. This work involves leading online collectives for church leaders, helping them develop vision and tools to revitalize their congregations. Sterling's leadership is characterized by a wholistic vision that values the interconnectedness of human experiences and prioritizes equipping the church to love God and live like it.

July 28 2024 | Bruce Salmon | A Church That Lives Like Jesus

This morning in worship, we will welcome with gratitude to the pulpit Rev. Bruce Salmon. Bruce graciously agreed to preach on short notice, following a family emergency that impacted Aqueelah Ligonde's ability to be with us in person. 

Bruce is a member of First Baptist Church, and retired pastor of Village Baptist Church in Bowie, Maryland, where he served for 33 years. During that time he preached almost 1,500 original Sunday morning sermons. He taught a Sunday morning Pastor’s Class which read and discussed entire books of the Bible. He also led winter, summer, and Lenten Sunday evening Bible studies for adults. Before his service at Village, he served for eight years as associate pastor of Montgomery Hills Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Thus, his entire full-time ministerial career was served in two churches in suburban Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. 

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Salmon received the Bachelor of Arts with a major in English from Baylor University. He received the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University, with a specialization in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. Salmon served on several commissions of the Baptist World Alliance and several committees of the D.C. Baptist Convention. He is the author of several books, including Storytelling in Preaching (Broadman Press) and six titles published by Nurturing Faith Books. He also authored a cover feature for Preaching magazine, “Preaching Without a Net,” which is available online.

Bruce is husband to wife Linda, father to grown children Amy and Marc, and grandfather to granddaughter Ford.

July 21 2024 | Tiffany Triplett Henkel | What Kind of Church?: Who Can Withhold the Water?

This Sunday in worship, we continue the second sabbatical series of the summer, “What Kind of Church?” This series asks three important questions: What is the universal church called to be? What kind of church makes God’s heart glad? What kind of church will make the strongest gospel impact in our fractured, anxious world?

The message this Sunday is “Who Can Withhold the Water?” from Acts 10:44-48. Accompanying scripture passages are Psalm 98 and John 9-17.

We will welcome to the pulpit Rev. Tiffany Triplett Henkel. Tiffany is the Pastor of Metro Baptist Church and Executive Director of Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries in New York City, where she has served since 2005.

Prior to Metro, Tiffany served on the ministerial staff of Immanuel Baptist Church in Nashville, TN where she was also Adjunct Professor of Religion at Belmont University. Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.

An active member of her community, Tiffany currently serves on the board of the Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance and is a founding member of the Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project.

July 14 2024 | Jonathan Merritt | The Longing for Belonging

This Sunday in worship, we continue the second sabbatical series of the summer, “What Kind of Church?” This series asks three important questions: What is the universal church called to be? What kind of church makes God’s heart glad? What kind of church will make the strongest gospel impact in our fractured, anxious world?

The message this Sunday is “The Longing for Belonging” from 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Accompanying scripture passages are Psalm 24:1-6 and John 15:1-8.

We will welcome to the pulpit noted speaker and author Jonathan Merritt. Jonathan is an award-winning faith and culture writer who has published hundreds of articles in outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, USA Today, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed and Christianity Today. He is the author of five critically-acclaimed books including Learning to Speak God from Scratch, named “Book of the Year” by Englewood Review.

Following worship this week, Jonathan hosted a book signing in the Narthex featuring his debut children’s book My Guncle and Me. You can purchase copies of My Guncle and Me or Jonathan’s book Speaking God from Scratch for on Amazon using the linked titles.

(note that there were technical difficulties - we had to use backup systems - and we apologize for the video and audio quality)

July 7 2024 | Pastor Eric | The Dangerous Act of Worship

This morning in worship we begin the second summer sabbatical series, “What Kind of Church.” Pastor Eric will preach the message titled, “The Dangerous Act of Worship.” The sermon text will be Luke 4:14-21. Accompanying passages will be Nehemiah 8:1-10 and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. We will celebrate communion and collect a benevolence offering in worship, and enjoy our first Sunday potluck fellowship following worship.

June 30 2024 | Chancel Choir | Hymns of the Presidents: A Service of Music and Worship

The FBCDC Chancel Choir leads worship inspired by hymns of the Presidents. This service includes hymns sung by the Chancel Choir and congregation, accompanied by readings that connect the hymns to the life and service of United States Presidents.

June 23 2024 | Glenn Prince | When Hunger Goes Unmet

We continue the summer sabbatical series, “One True Thing.” Our guest proclaimer is Glenn Prince, who grew up in our congregation. He is delivering the message titled, “When Hunger Goes Unmet.” The sermon text is Mark 11:12-14; 20-22. Accompanying passages will be Psalm 138 and Hebrews 13:7-16.

Reverend Glenn Monteith Prince is the Senior Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and a high school social studies teacher in the historic city of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Reverend Prince accepted Christ at the age of 13 while he attended First Baptist Church of Washington, DC. and accepted his call to the ministry at 17. He was ordained as a Baptist Minister in 1993 and throughout his walk with Christ, Rev Prince has been an educator, author, and community advocate.

Rev. Prince received his Bachelors in History from the University of South Carolina, and Master of Divinity degree from Howard University. He has over 25 years of experience in education as a special education analyst, church health ministry developer and as an organizer, speaker and an adjunct instructor for Claflin University, South Carolina State University and Benedict College. Rev. Prince is an ABD doctoral candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of South Carolina’s School of Education.

Rev Prince moved from Washington, DC to Columbia, SC in 1992. Prior to his current pastorate at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, he served as the Senior Pastor of Shiloh First Independent Church, Dean of Chapel for Benedict College, and as an associate minister where he preached and taught throughout the state.

Rev. Glenn M. Prince is the proud son of Wilma and the late Melvyn Prince, long-time FBCDC members. He is a loving and devoted father of three adult children ages 28, 27, and 21. He is a mentor to many youths and an advocate in the fight against poverty, and for senior care. Pastor Prince loves the Lord and seeks to walk with God each day.

June 16 2024 | Ben Sandford | It Depends on Your Perspective

This week we continue the summer sabbatical series, “One True Thing.” Our guest proclaimer will be Ben Sandford. He will be delivering the message titled, “It Depends on Your Perspective.” The sermon text will be Luke 10:25-37. Accompanying passages will be Deuteronomy 30:9-14 and Colossians 1:9-14.

Chaplain Bennett C. (“Ben”) Sandford, a native of Hampton, Virginia, entered active duty in 2001. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and he has earned a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. His prior service includes 6 years in the Navy Reserves as an Intelligence Specialist.

His first assignment was on USS NORMANDY (CG 60) where he deployed for 6 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002. He then served at CREDO Norfolk from 2003-2006. Transferring to 2D Marine Division, he was assigned to 2D Battalion, 6th Marines, and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq for 7 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return, he was reassigned to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion. In January 2009, he reported to U.S. Marine Corps, Special Operations Command, and deployed with the Special Operations Task Force-82 to Herat, Afghanistan for 10 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Chaplain Sandford completed the Pastoral Care Residency program in 2011, and served at Naval Medical Center-Portsmouth in 2012-2014.

Upon promotion to Commander, he became the Director, Surface Forces Ministry Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Following this tour, he served as Command Chaplain, USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75), and deployed as the Carrier Strike Group EIGHT Chaplain during a 9-month deployment to the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Norwegian Sea. He was then assigned as Command Chaplain, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. After selecting for Captain, he was forward-deployed to Okinawa, Japan as Wing Chaplain, 1st Marine Air Wing in November 2019. In 2022, he assumed the duties as Force Chaplain at III Marine Expeditionary Force. Chaplain Sandford became the current Director of Strategic Communication for the Chaplain Corps in July 2023.

Captain Sandford’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Combat Action Ribbon (two awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards. He is married to the former Lindsey Matthews, and he has three sons and a daughter.

June 9 2024 | Kasey Jones | God is Faithful

This week we continue the summer sabbatical series, “One True Thing.” Our guest proclaimer will be Kasey Jones. She will be delivering the message titled, “God is Faithful.” The sermon text will be 1 Kings 19:1-10. Accompanying passages will be 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 and Luke 12:22-31.

Rev. Kasey Jones serves as the Associate Coordinator of Outreach and Growth for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s (CBF) global office. The work brings together her organizing and ministry experience to help build God’s kingdom in more inclusive way by providing leadership to CBF’s racial justice and equity work.

Reverend Jones values and understands the importance of collaborative work between individuals and organizations. At her core, she believes both the faith community and local community are at their best when they work together cooperatively. Consequently, she has served on the local and national level for various Baptist bodies. She has served as an officer and national moderator to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The Baptist World Alliance chose her to participate in its Emerging Leaders Network. The Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention invited her to participate in their Pastoral Excellence Program.

Rev. Jones received her Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Howard University in Washington, DC.

In 2006, she became the first woman and African American to serve as Senior Pastor of National Baptist Memorial Church in Washington, DC where she served for nearly 12-years.

Prior to pursuing a call to ministry, Rev. Kasey Jones worked for more than 15+ years as a community organizer and advocate. She brings this background to her call in the form of expertise in program planning, community service, and advocacy work with both sacred and secular institutions at the local, national, and global levels. In all this work, she most enjoys developing initiatives that cultivate and challenge youth, adults, and seniors to use their individual and collective abilities to transform institutions and communities.

June 2 2024 | Amanda Tyler | Freedom to Love

Today we continue the summer sabbatical series, “One True Thing.” Our guest proclaimer will be Amanda Tyler. She will be delivering the message titled, “Freedom to Love.” The sermon text will be Galatians 5:1, 13-14. Accompanying passages will be Psalm 16 and John 15:9-17.

Amanda Tyler is executive director of BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), leading the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by government. She is the lead organizer of BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign and co-host of BJC’s Respecting Religion podcast.

Tyler is the author of How to End Christian Nationalism, which will be published by Broadleaf Books on October 22, 2024.

May 26 2024 | Eric Mathis | One True Thing | Resurrection is Real

Today in worship, we continue the sabbatical sermon series One True Thing. In this sermon series, guest preachers are drawing from biblical texts that have deeply influenced their lives. This week’s preacher is Pastor Eric, preaching a message from Romans 8:31-39, titled Resurrection is Real. Supplemental texts are 1 Corinthians 15:12-22 and Matthew 28:1-10.

May 19 2024 | Pentecost Worship: Chuck Poole | Concerning the Wind of The Spirit

Today is Pentecost Sunday. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered believers in Jesus to praise God in many languages that they had not learned in the ordinary way. On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the multilingual, multicultural, multiracial mission of the church—a community in which all peoples are drawn together by God’s love in Christ.

This morning our guest proclaimer will be Rev. Dr. Charles “Chuck” Poole. He will be delivering the message titled, “Concerning the Wind of the Spirit.” The sermon text will be Acts 2:1-21. Accompanying passages will be Psalm 104:24-34, 35b and John 20:19-22.

Dr. Poole is a sought-after preacher and theologian who retired in 2022 from forty-five years of pastoral life, during which he served churches in Georgia, North Carolina, Washington DC, and Jackson, Mississippi. He was the sixteenth Senior Pastor of The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington from 1995-1997. 

Chuck has served as a visiting preacher and teacher on the campuses of Mercer University, Furman University, The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, The Baptist House of Studies at Duke University, The McAfee School of Theology, Campbell University, Mississippi College, Gardner-Webb University and the Wake Forest University School of Divinity. He was the founding teacher of the Wood Street Bible Class in Jackson, which he led for twenty-one years.

The author of nine books, numerous published articles, one gospel song, and the lyrics to three hymns, Chuck has served as a “minister on the street”, and as an advocate for interfaith conversation and welcome.

Chuck and Marcia now live in Birmingham, where Chuck serves on the staff of Together for Hope. Marcia and Chuck have a son, Joshua, a daughter, Maria, and ten grandchildren.

May 12 2024 | The Powerful Pause: Pause to Be

Today in worship, Pastor Julie concludes the sermon series,The Powerful Pause: Reclaiming Your Soul Through Sabbath with a message from Ephesians 2:4-10, titled Pause to Be. As Pastor Julie prepares to step away for her sabbatical, we will commission her and commit ourselves to the work of the church.

Worship, and the sermon, will remind us that who we are before God and who we are becoming before God outweighs and outlasts anything that we do. The invitation to all of us on Sunday will be: “Don’t let your work be your whole life. Be alive to the people around you. Be alive to your own soul. And be alive to God. Let who you are be so much more than what you do.” Supplemental texts are Psalm 23 and Matthew 11:28-30.

Mel Doxie Celebration of Life

May 5 2024 | The Powerful Pause: Pause for Perspective

Today in worship, Pastor Julie continues the sermon series,The Powerful Pause: Reclaiming Your Soul Through Sabbath with a message from Matthew 14:10, 12-23, titled Pause for Perspective.

Jesus showed us the holy rhythm of advance and retreat; of stepping in, then stepping away. Setting aside the time and space for silence, contemplation, and prayer is the source of Jesus’ discernment, freedom from other people’s agenda, and capacity to speak and act in profound ways. Supplemental texts are Psalm 55:1-8 and Ephesians 3:14-21.

April 28 2024 | The Powerful Pause: Pause to Pay Attention

Today in worship, Pastor Julie continues the sermon series,The Powerful Pause: Reclaiming Your Soul Through Sabbath with a message from Exodus 3:1-12, titled Pause to Pay Attention.

In the story of Moses and the burning bush, Moses is willing to see, to pay attention to something that’s inviting him to deviate from his plans. God invites us to be fully present in whatever moment we happen to be. Supplemental texts are Matthew 6:24-34 and Philippians 4:4-9.

April 21, 2024 | The Powerful Pause: Pause to be Free

Today in worship, Pastor Julie continues her new sermon series,The Powerful Pause: Reclaiming Your Soul Through Sabbath with a message from Deuteronomy 5:6, 12-15.

Sabbath gives us the gift of freedom. A day of stopping is a day for us to know that we are in bondage to nothing in this world. When we keep a Sabbath, we’re practicing independence—at least for a day—from the frantic pace set by Wall Street, Washington, Hollywood, Amazon, and the culture around us. Supplemental texts are Luke 13:10-17 and Galatians 5:1-6, 13-14.

April 14, 2024 | The Powerful Pause: Pause Primer

This Sunday in worship, Pastor Julie begins a new sermon series,The Powerful Pause: Reclaiming Your Soul Through Sabbath with a message from Exodus 20:1-17, titled Pause Primer.

How astonishing that weekly rest and worship made it into God's list of Top Ten concerns. God’s good intention is that stopping, resting, and recalibrating be part of the regular rhythm of our living. Supplemental texts are Hebrews 4:1-11 and Mark 2:23-28.