Checks may be mailed to:
First Baptist Church
Marked Attn: Collector
P. O. Box 1049
Manchester Ctr.
VT 05255
First Baptist Church
Marked Attn: Collector
P. O. Box 1049
Manchester Ctr.
VT 05255
Church service at
10:30 am
Communion first Sunday of the month
Sunday school at
9:30 am
10:30 am
Communion first Sunday of the month
Sunday school at
9:30 am
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
802-362-1555
for map click here
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.co,
First Baptist Church welcomed Rev. Rebecca Sommons to become their pastor in August of 2016. She studied Pastoral Care at Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine, graduating with a Master of Theology degree in 2012. Rebecca finished her Master of Divinity degree at Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania the spring before coming to Vermont. She and her husband, Matthew live in Danby and enjoy the beauty of the countryside as well as the charm of small-town life. Matthew works in the behavioral health field as a psychiatrist and medical director. Matthew and Rebecca have two grown daughters. Grace is married to Arthur Ward and lives in Maine. Natalie is a recent graduate of Houghton College. Everyone in the family enjoys hiking in the mountains, playing board games, and making music when they are together.
802-362-1555
for map click here
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.co,
First Baptist Church welcomed Rev. Rebecca Sommons to become their pastor in August of 2016. She studied Pastoral Care at Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine, graduating with a Master of Theology degree in 2012. Rebecca finished her Master of Divinity degree at Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania the spring before coming to Vermont. She and her husband, Matthew live in Danby and enjoy the beauty of the countryside as well as the charm of small-town life. Matthew works in the behavioral health field as a psychiatrist and medical director. Matthew and Rebecca have two grown daughters. Grace is married to Arthur Ward and lives in Maine. Natalie is a recent graduate of Houghton College. Everyone in the family enjoys hiking in the mountains, playing board games, and making music when they are together.
If you would like to give an offering to support the mission and ministry, you can either put it in the collection box at church on Sunday morning or mail it to our church P.O. Box 1049 Manchester Center, VT 05255 or directly to our collector Cathy Comar. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity.
The latest posted Church service.
For current bulletin and other services, please visit here.
For current bulletin and other services, please visit here.
Hello Everyone,
Spring has taken its sweet time in fully arriving, but the grass is green, trees are leafing out, and the days are growing steadily longer. Changes in our spiritual lives can seem slow in coming too. Yet, God is not in a hurry. His life-giving work in us takes time. Are you willing to keep showing up, connecting with God, and trusting in His slow and steady work helping you learn to live in Christ, sharing His resurrection life?
Our service in May will all be about this theme. We will finish Jesus’ story with the account of his ascension into heaven on May 4th. Rev. Dr. Theresa Taylor will be preaching that Sunday, and we will also have Communion. On May 11th, the men of the church will prepare a special breakfast for everyone in honor of Mother’s Day at 8:30 am. Our worship theme will come from Jesus’ teaching about His true family from Luke 8:19-21. On May 18th, we will hear a message from Colossians 3:1-4, learning about how Christ’s resurrection is our resurrection too. Then, on Memorial Day weekend, we will look at the teaching about earthly and eternal bodies from 1 Corinthians 15.
We would be delighted to have you come to worship, learn, and grow with us!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
Spring has taken its sweet time in fully arriving, but the grass is green, trees are leafing out, and the days are growing steadily longer. Changes in our spiritual lives can seem slow in coming too. Yet, God is not in a hurry. His life-giving work in us takes time. Are you willing to keep showing up, connecting with God, and trusting in His slow and steady work helping you learn to live in Christ, sharing His resurrection life?
Our service in May will all be about this theme. We will finish Jesus’ story with the account of his ascension into heaven on May 4th. Rev. Dr. Theresa Taylor will be preaching that Sunday, and we will also have Communion. On May 11th, the men of the church will prepare a special breakfast for everyone in honor of Mother’s Day at 8:30 am. Our worship theme will come from Jesus’ teaching about His true family from Luke 8:19-21. On May 18th, we will hear a message from Colossians 3:1-4, learning about how Christ’s resurrection is our resurrection too. Then, on Memorial Day weekend, we will look at the teaching about earthly and eternal bodies from 1 Corinthians 15.
We would be delighted to have you come to worship, learn, and grow with us!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
Please let us know what you think, also if you would like more information.
FOOTPRINTS GRIEF GROUP
“Walking together and reaching for Hope”
All are welcome to come to this safe place to share about the death of a loved one and receive support.
Psalm 39:7 (NIV)
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
“Walking together and reaching for Hope”
All are welcome to come to this safe place to share about the death of a loved one and receive support.
Psalm 39:7 (NIV)
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Cancer Support Group - UPLIFT
Uplift Cancer Support Group Rev. Dr. Theresa Taylor leads this encouraging group on Mondays afternoons. If your life has been touched by cancer, this is a place where you can come, share your story, and find friends to join you in prayer and tears and laughter as you support each other on life's journey.
We will be meeting in the vestry. Please feel free to spread the word and bring people you know who might be interested in participating. Let’s Uplift each other! I look forward to seeing all who are interested. Also bring any books or materials you have found helpful. We can share all that we have learned on our journeys.
Uplift Cancer Support Group Rev. Dr. Theresa Taylor leads this encouraging group on Mondays afternoons. If your life has been touched by cancer, this is a place where you can come, share your story, and find friends to join you in prayer and tears and laughter as you support each other on life's journey.
We will be meeting in the vestry. Please feel free to spread the word and bring people you know who might be interested in participating. Let’s Uplift each other! I look forward to seeing all who are interested. Also bring any books or materials you have found helpful. We can share all that we have learned on our journeys.
The Emmaus reunion group is a small group focusing on accountability to
help us practice our faith. We follow a specific format consisting of a
series of questions and ending with our Christian action plan for the
next week.
We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30.
If anyone is interested, please contact John Hess.
help us practice our faith. We follow a specific format consisting of a
series of questions and ending with our Christian action plan for the
next week.
We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30.
If anyone is interested, please contact John Hess.
PRAYER AND BOOK STUDY
Are you ready to move from insecure to God secure? From regret riddled to better-because-of-it? From afraid to die to ready to fly? Find freedom in God’s grace.
Next Prayer group 7 PM Zoom followed by book study.
Tuesday May 20, 2025 Ch 3 & 4 come for one or both
Speak with Pastor Rebecca for more information.
MAX LUCADO
" G R A C E "
We often talk about grace, but do we really understand it? Grace politely occupies a phrase in a hymn and fits nicely on a church sign. It never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no? Bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado helps us dive deeper into what it means to be changed by grace. God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you.
In this book, you will learn:
Grace is everything Jesus
You belong to Jesus
Jesus lives in you
You will increasingly grow more like Jesus
There is nothing you can do to get grace--grace gets you
Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Have you been shaped, emboldened, and softened by grace? Let’s make certain grace gets you.
Next Prayer group 7 PM Zoom followed by book study.
Tuesday May 20, 2025 Ch 3 & 4 come for one or both
Speak with Pastor Rebecca for more information.
MAX LUCADO
" G R A C E "
We often talk about grace, but do we really understand it? Grace politely occupies a phrase in a hymn and fits nicely on a church sign. It never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no? Bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado helps us dive deeper into what it means to be changed by grace. God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you.
In this book, you will learn:
Grace is everything Jesus
You belong to Jesus
Jesus lives in you
You will increasingly grow more like Jesus
There is nothing you can do to get grace--grace gets you
Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Have you been shaped, emboldened, and softened by grace? Let’s make certain grace gets you.
SHARE YOUR GIFTS
Have you ever considered being a worship assistant, greeting people, reading scripture, playing an instrument, singing, or giving a testimony in church? Please let us know how the Spirit is leading you, so we can include you in the worship services. See Pastor Rebecca if you have an interest in participating in the service.
Have you ever considered being a worship assistant, greeting people, reading scripture, playing an instrument, singing, or giving a testimony in church? Please let us know how the Spirit is leading you, so we can include you in the worship services. See Pastor Rebecca if you have an interest in participating in the service.
AA is meeting in our Church fellowship room morning and noon five days a week. Please use the Bonnet Street entrance to attend a meeting. Check the Church calendar on our website for exact dates and times.
GNAT_TV May 23, 2020 channels on Comcast are changing to new Channels.
First Baptist Church will be found on CHANNEL 1094. Our service is shown Tuesday 7AM and 6PM and Sunday 7AM and 7PM. Note GNAT can changes these dates and time as well as the service being shown.
If you would like you can watch past services on our CHURCH WEBSITE at fbcmanvt.org. Find the ABOUT US tab, click on it, and it will take you to another page. There you can click on watch past videos of church services, and you will be taken to another page where videos are listed.
You can also view past services on GNAT-TV by going to GNAT-TV.org. and clicking on FIND A VIDEO. Then click on SEARCH, type in FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, and that should bring up the latest videos. At the bottom of that page is a link to older posts.
First Baptist Church will be found on CHANNEL 1094. Our service is shown Tuesday 7AM and 6PM and Sunday 7AM and 7PM. Note GNAT can changes these dates and time as well as the service being shown.
If you would like you can watch past services on our CHURCH WEBSITE at fbcmanvt.org. Find the ABOUT US tab, click on it, and it will take you to another page. There you can click on watch past videos of church services, and you will be taken to another page where videos are listed.
You can also view past services on GNAT-TV by going to GNAT-TV.org. and clicking on FIND A VIDEO. Then click on SEARCH, type in FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, and that should bring up the latest videos. At the bottom of that page is a link to older posts.
FREE RIGHT NOW MEDIA
If you don't have a RightNow Media account you can click here to create your FREE account now. You'll get instant access to over 20,000 other Christian Video Resources for your whole family! You can also text FBCMANVT TO 49775
Invite Link: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/fbcmanchester
If you have any questions, please contact Russ Taxter, Jeremy Crumb or Rebecca Sommons.
If you don't have a RightNow Media account you can click here to create your FREE account now. You'll get instant access to over 20,000 other Christian Video Resources for your whole family! You can also text FBCMANVT TO 49775
Invite Link: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/fbcmanchester
If you have any questions, please contact Russ Taxter, Jeremy Crumb or Rebecca Sommons.
We continue in prayer asking for guardian angels to surround our men and women who are serving to protect our country and freedom. We pray that God will guide the leaders of this world toward peace.
From Shawn Harrington Manchester Historical Society
The first--- First Baptist Church stood on Meeting House Hill (site of today's Factory Point Cemetery) organized in 1781 and built in 1785. In 1833, the church relocated to its current site on the corner of Bonnet Street. Built at a cost of $2,300 originally, it has been expanded and modified, but remains relatively the same as it was in 1873.
The photo at right dates from 1915 with the Elm at the Crossroads- subject of a poem written by Walter Hard. The full text follows.
The document from 1834 shows the sale of Slip No. 2 in the new church sold to Mr. Martin Slocum of Manchester.
The first--- First Baptist Church stood on Meeting House Hill (site of today's Factory Point Cemetery) organized in 1781 and built in 1785. In 1833, the church relocated to its current site on the corner of Bonnet Street. Built at a cost of $2,300 originally, it has been expanded and modified, but remains relatively the same as it was in 1873.
The photo at right dates from 1915 with the Elm at the Crossroads- subject of a poem written by Walter Hard. The full text follows.
The document from 1834 shows the sale of Slip No. 2 in the new church sold to Mr. Martin Slocum of Manchester.
J E F F R E Y B E R N S T E I N
c o m p o s e r & c o n d u c t o r
In 1988, Mr. Bernstein composed a choral setting of the following poem and has given us permission to link it to our web site. Click here to be linked to Elm at the Crossroads.
Thank you, Mr Bernstein, for allowing this to be shared.
c o m p o s e r & c o n d u c t o r
In 1988, Mr. Bernstein composed a choral setting of the following poem and has given us permission to link it to our web site. Click here to be linked to Elm at the Crossroads.
Thank you, Mr Bernstein, for allowing this to be shared.
Elm at the Crossroads by Walter Hard
Of course a tree is just so much timber
Or so many cords of firewood.
The timber may make a home
Or the firewood may keep it warm.
But a tree like the elm at the crossroads
Has seen too much of life
To be just timber or firewood.
There it is with its thick trunk on the ground.
They’re chopping out the branches
And digging around the broad stump.
Count the rings.
A hundred and eight.
It could tell you a lot of history.
It was young when Factory Point was beginning.
There was the Tannery along the river
With piles of bark in the yard.
There was the woolen mill with its whirling looms,
And a dozen other mills along the stream.
It really was Factory Point.
Think of all the people who have passed that tree!
Think of all the people
Think of the slow plodding oxen with loads of goods;
Heavy creaking wagons with blocks of marble
From the quarries on Dorset Mountain;
Gay prancing horses drawing shining buggies;
Processions in somber black;
Gay parades with bands and flying banners;
Ladies walking with parasols held over quaint bonnets;
Men with high hats and tailed coats.
Statesmen, scholars, warriors, artists—
All have passed under its spreading branches.
There it lies.
Just so many cords of firewood.
Of course it had to go.
It’s a martyr to what we hope is progress.
Our rushing life cannot be stopped by a tree.
A hundred and eight years
To grow some firewood.
Of course a tree is just so much timber
Or so many cords of firewood.
The timber may make a home
Or the firewood may keep it warm.
But a tree like the elm at the crossroads
Has seen too much of life
To be just timber or firewood.
There it is with its thick trunk on the ground.
They’re chopping out the branches
And digging around the broad stump.
Count the rings.
A hundred and eight.
It could tell you a lot of history.
It was young when Factory Point was beginning.
There was the Tannery along the river
With piles of bark in the yard.
There was the woolen mill with its whirling looms,
And a dozen other mills along the stream.
It really was Factory Point.
Think of all the people who have passed that tree!
Think of all the people
Think of the slow plodding oxen with loads of goods;
Heavy creaking wagons with blocks of marble
From the quarries on Dorset Mountain;
Gay prancing horses drawing shining buggies;
Processions in somber black;
Gay parades with bands and flying banners;
Ladies walking with parasols held over quaint bonnets;
Men with high hats and tailed coats.
Statesmen, scholars, warriors, artists—
All have passed under its spreading branches.
There it lies.
Just so many cords of firewood.
Of course it had to go.
It’s a martyr to what we hope is progress.
Our rushing life cannot be stopped by a tree.
A hundred and eight years
To grow some firewood.