The Spire - First Baptist Church in America · Praise ignorance, ... 401-454-3418 Anne Gagan,...
8
The Spire From The Pastor…. Newsletter of the First Baptist Church in America March 15, 2016, Volume 19, Issue 5 As we approach Holy Week and Easter, I offer you the words of Kentucky’s own farmer/poet/theologian, Wendell Ber- ry. May you accept his challenge, in this season, each, in your own way, to “practice resurrection.” Peace, Pastor Jamie Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front Love the quick profit, the annual raise, vacation with pay. Want more of everything ready-made. Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die. And you will have a window in your head. Not even your future will be a mystery any more. Your mind will be punched in a card and shut away in a little drawer. When they want you to buy something they will call you. When they want you to die for profit they will let you know. So, friends, every day do something that won’t compute. Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it. Denounce the government and embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands. Give your approval to all you cannot understand. Praise ignorance, for what man has not encountered he has not destroyed. Ask the questions that have no answers. Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias. Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant, that you will not live to harvest. Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold. Call that profit. Prophesy such returns. Put your faith in the two inches of hu- mus that will build under the trees every thousand years. Listen to carrion – put your ear close, and hear the faint chattering of the songs that are to come. Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. So long as women do not go cheap for power, please women more than men. Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman satisfied to bear a child? Will this disturb the sleep of a woman near to giving birth? Go with your love to the fields. Lie down in the shade. Rest your head in her lap. Swear allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts. As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the motions of your mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn’t go. Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary, some in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection. ~ Wendell Berry, The Country of Marriage, 1973
Transcript of The Spire - First Baptist Church in America · Praise ignorance, ... 401-454-3418 Anne Gagan,...
The Spire
From The Pastor….
Newsletter of the First Baptist Church in America March 15, 2016, Volume 19, Issue 5
As we approach Holy Week and Easter, I offer you the words of Kentucky’s own farmer/poet/theologian, Wendell Ber-ry. May you accept his challenge, in this season, each, in your own way, to “practice resurrection.”
Peace, Pastor Jamie
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more of everything ready-made. Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die. And you will have a window in your head. Not even your future will be a mystery any more. Your mind will be punched in a card and shut away in a little drawer. When they want you to buy something they will call you. When they want you to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something that won’t compute. Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it. Denounce the government and embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands. Give your approval to all you cannot understand. Praise ignorance, for what man has not encountered he has not destroyed. Ask the questions that have no answers. Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias. Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant, that you will not live to harvest. Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold. Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of hu-mus that will build under the trees every thousand years. Listen to carrion – put your ear close, and hear the faint chattering of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. So long as women do not go cheap for power, please women more than men. Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman satisfied to bear a child? Will this disturb the sleep of a woman near to giving birth? Go with your love to the fields. Lie down in the shade. Rest your head in her lap. Swear allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts. As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the motions of your mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn’t go. Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary, some in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection. ~Wendell Berry, The Country of Marriage, 1973
Mission and Outreach
Page 2 The Spire March 15, 2016
Thank you for all that you do to support the mission and outreach programs at FBCIA
PICA
Your monthly donation to PICA
should include items of protein such as canned tuna, canned chicken or peanut butter. These items are in high-est demand at the food pantry. Remember that PICA serves over 15,000 people each month in Providence.
This month’s American Baptist offering supports work here in the US and in Puerto Rico in programs such as prison ministries, programs to aid children in poverty and a continuing long-standing commitment to refugee families. You can donate by writing a check to FBCIA with America for Christ on the memo line or by donating cash in the envelopes that you will find in each pew.
America for Christ Offering
The Easter offering this year will go to support the work of South Provi-dence Neighbor-
hood Ministries. To discover what they do, please visit their web site www.spnm.org. You will find out more about Louie’s Place youth program, an after school and extended learning program for at-risk youth and their Community Outreach and Food Pantry. Our own Susan Lepore chairs their board.
The Spire March 15, 2016 Page 3
2015 Status Report on Hunger in RI
According to the latest Status Report on Hunger and Poverty in Rhode Island that you can find in our Fellowship Hall, 1 in 8 or roughly 54,000 of our neighbors in Rhode Island do not have resources to purchase adequate food. On Friday, February 19th RI Community Food Bank posted to its Facebook Page another disturbing statistic. According to the United Way of Rhode Island, more than 117,000 calls were made to 2-1-1 seeking food assistance.
ABCORI's Social Witness Team has set a goal for the next three years to raise aware-ness about hunger and poverty in Rhode Island and our nation and to connect local churches with opportunities to take direct action in order to advocate for and serve those who are food insecure.
The Social Witness Team is hosting a viewing of the documentary 'A Place at the Table' at Community Church of Providence on Saturday April 23rd. This program will start at 8:30 am and conclude by 11:00. Along with the documentary, Emily Jones of the Interfaith Coalition will offer ways that we can advocate for the hungry and impov-erished in our state as well as other opportunities for local churches to serve the hungry.
If you are interested in attending this event, please speak to Ken Clauser.
Page 4 The Spire March 15, 2016
Children’s Sunday School
Jesus Lives!
I’ve seen the Lord. (John 20:18)
March 20: Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Bible Story: Luke 19:28-40
March 27: Jesus is Alive!
Bible Story: John 20:1-18
UPCOMING SUNDAY
MORNING FORUMS
The Christian Education Committee has planned forums until the end of May when we move on to our summer schedule. Although some dates are yet to be finalized we wanted everyone to know what is coming up.
Linda will wrap up her series on Holy Week on Palm Sunday.
There will be no forum on Easter Sunday as we will have the Easter Breakfast with an egg hunt for the children and some activities for those adults who would like to engage in them.
In the first part of April we are planning forums on the training of service dogs (Larry and Col-leen) and an update on our refugee families.
Following these will be a series on Commitment, Relationships and Families with Pastor Jamie and other speakers, and we will probably wrap up with a presentation from Betsy on the Special Education Bill.
Look in your next Spire for firm dates!
Christian Education
Music
ECCLESIA CONSORT
Pierre Massé, Director
Stephen T. Martorella, Organ
MY SONG IS LOVE Unknown
Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 4:00 PM
Church of the Blessed Sacrament
179 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI
This musical journey through the Passion of Christ
will feature Scriptural chants as well as choral Masterpieces of: Weelkes, Byrd, Gjeilo, Ešenvalds, Lassus, Casals, Proulx, Lotti and Mawby, organ
works of Vaughan Williams and Martorella, as well as glorious hymns of the season.
A Musical Meditation on the Passion
of the Christ
Free and Open to All!
The Spire March 15, 2016 Page 5
Kenneth Clauser told the church of the success of the "Blankets for the World" campaign which
raised $850, topping our goal of $500. Each heart represented a $5 contribution. Listening was Peter
Schoonmaker, the worship leader on March 6.
Linda Bausserman and Ruth Marris Macaulay engaged Mayor Alorza in a conversation at the coffee
hour and Robert Douglass was an intent listener.
Dot White and Alice Miles talked to
Mayor Alorza.
Providence Mayor Jorge Alorza has been visit-ing the churches in Providence and March 6
was the day when he was a guest at worship at First Baptist. He was accompanied by some of
his staff, including Mr. & Mrs. Vargas.
Around FBCIA
The Spire March 15, 2016 Page 6
2016 EASTER MEMORIALS2016 EASTER MEMORIALS2016 EASTER MEMORIALS2016 EASTER MEMORIALS
If you would like to have a plant in Church on
Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016
Please fill out this form and return it to the church office
on or before, but no later than Sunday, March 20, 2016!
(Please Print Clearly)
IN MEMORY OF:________________________________
GIVEN BY:_____________________________________
Number of Tulips Cost:$9.50 each
Number of Daffodils: Cost: $9.50 each
Number of Lilies: $11.50 each
Please make your check payable to:
The First Baptist Church in America
Payment Must Accompany Order Form!
Friday Seekers
The Spire March 15, 2016 Page 7
PROGRAM: “FROM THE MASTRO’S MOUTH”
The “two Steve’s” will offer a completely inprovised program of music created just for Seekers “in the moment.” We will talk about the creative process of improvisa-tion, and how that type of improvised music was in fact the first form of church mu-sic, scripture reading, and prayer.
Also, the day before our get together – is ST. PATRICK’S DAY – and the day after is ST. JOSEPH’S DAY. So for any you who may be Irish or Italian you may also want to think about Irish and Italian Food for the pot luck.
FRIIDAY – MARCH 18, 2016
MEET AT CHURCH AT 6:00 P.M.
POT LUCK AT 6:30 P.M.
PROGRAM: 7:00 P.M. (Steve Martorella and Steve Unruh)
IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY SIGNED UP AND PLAN ON COMING, YOU CAN CALL THE CHURCH AND HAVE HOLLY EDWARDS SIGN UP FOR YOU.
The First Baptist Church in America Jamie Washam, Pastor 75 North Main Street Stephen T. Martorella, Minister of Music Providence, RI 02903 Holly B. Edwards, Administrative Assistant Phone: 401-454-3418 Anne Gagan, Bookkeeper Fax: 401-421-4095 David Michel, Sexton E-Mail: [email protected] Ivy Bermudez, Child Care Worker Web: www.fbcia.org
Sunday Calendar Sunday Calendar Sunday Calendar Sunday Calendar
Sun. March 20 11:00 AM Worship: Rev. Jamie Washam
Palm Sunday Sermon: “In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb”
Scripture: Luke 19:28-40
Worship Leader: Bruce Leonard
Greeters: Deanna and Sam Beachen
Ushers: Donna and Henry Campopiano
12:15 PM Tour Guide: Richard Aubin
Sun. March 27 11:00 AM Worship: Rev. Jamie Washam
Easter Sunday Sermon: Easter Message
Scripture Luke 24:1-12
Greeters: Barbara Staples and Lee McDaniel
Ushers: Joanne Schneider and Art Bone
12:15 PM Tour Guide: Elsa Grieder
Page 8 The Spire March 15, 2016
