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
First Baptist Church "The Community Church"
4895 Main St. P.O. Box 1049
Manchester Center VT 05255
802-362-1555
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.com
4895 Main St. P.O. Box 1049
Manchester Center VT 05255
802-362-1555
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.com
Church service Summer Hour at
9:30 am
Communion first Sunday of the month
Sunday school off during Summer
9:30 am
Communion first Sunday of the month
Sunday school off during Summer
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
802.362.1555
for map click here
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.com
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. mail to:fbcmanvt@gmail.com
802.362.1555
for map click here
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.com
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. mail to:fbcmanvt@gmail.com
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,
July ~ the heart of the summer ~ is a time to enjoy the long days of sunshine and replenish your body and soul. One great way to do that is to come and worship the Lord with us on Sunday mornings. This month, we’ll be starting a new series to learn a little bit more about the Minor Prophets from the Hebrew Scriptures. I think you’ll find that their words of warning are still relevant for us today, and I think you’ll agree that we could use their words of hope and encouragement. We’re learning about the Minor Prophets in chronological order, so this month will cover Jonah, Hosea, Amos, and Micah. Our worship service is at 9:30 am during the summertime to allow for maximum coolness in the sanctuary.
If you feel close to God when you are in nature, maybe you would like to join us as we read God’s Word outside together this month. Our plan is to meet near the office of Manchester’s Rec. Park at 9 am on Saturday, July 9th for “Walking on the Way.” If you would like to try something a bit more challenging, our “Holy Hike” is to go to Little Rock Pond. Weather permitting, we’ll be meeting at the trailhead at 9 am on Saturday, July 13th. If you choose that option, be sure to wear shoes that can get muddy and bring lunch and bottle of water.
Whatever this month holds for you, I pray that you will draw close to the Lord and find yourself refreshed in God’s presence. The Lord loves you and is ready to walk beside you.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca
July ~ the heart of the summer ~ is a time to enjoy the long days of sunshine and replenish your body and soul. One great way to do that is to come and worship the Lord with us on Sunday mornings. This month, we’ll be starting a new series to learn a little bit more about the Minor Prophets from the Hebrew Scriptures. I think you’ll find that their words of warning are still relevant for us today, and I think you’ll agree that we could use their words of hope and encouragement. We’re learning about the Minor Prophets in chronological order, so this month will cover Jonah, Hosea, Amos, and Micah. Our worship service is at 9:30 am during the summertime to allow for maximum coolness in the sanctuary.
If you feel close to God when you are in nature, maybe you would like to join us as we read God’s Word outside together this month. Our plan is to meet near the office of Manchester’s Rec. Park at 9 am on Saturday, July 9th for “Walking on the Way.” If you would like to try something a bit more challenging, our “Holy Hike” is to go to Little Rock Pond. Weather permitting, we’ll be meeting at the trailhead at 9 am on Saturday, July 13th. If you choose that option, be sure to wear shoes that can get muddy and bring lunch and bottle of water.
Whatever this month holds for you, I pray that you will draw close to the Lord and find yourself refreshed in God’s presence. The Lord loves you and is ready to walk beside you.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca
Please let us know what you think, also if you would like more information.
Cancer Support Group - UPLIFT
Uplift Cancer Support Group Rev. Dr. Theresa Taylor leads this encouraging group on Monday afternoons. In August, the dates are the 3th and 19 th. 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 Monday afternoons. In August, the dates are the 3th and 19 th. 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
Next get-together is July 30, Chapter 8
You we will have 2 oppertunes to join us in Prayer and Book Study
afternoon in person meeting at 2 PM and/or Zoom at 7 PM
contact Pastor Rebecca for more information
You we will have 2 oppertunes to join us in Prayer and Book Study
afternoon in person meeting at 2 PM and/or Zoom at 7 PM
contact Pastor Rebecca for more information
Come join us as we start
SACRED PATHWAYS BY GARY THOMAS
SACRED PATHWAYS BY GARY THOMAS
Sacred Pathways reveals nine distinct spiritual temperaments--and their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies--to help you improve your spiritual life and deepen your personal walk with God.
It's time to strip away the frustration of a one-size-fits-all spirituality and discover a path of worship that frees you to be you. Experienced spiritual directors, pastors, and church leaders recognize that all of us engage with God differently, and it's about time we do too.
In this updated and expanded edition of Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas details nine spiritual temperaments and--like the Enneagram and other tools do with personality--encourages you to investigate the ways you most naturally express yourself in your relationship with God. He encourages you to dig into the traits, strengths, and pitfalls in your devotional approach so you can eliminate the barriers that keep you locked into rigid methods of worship and praise.
Plus, as you begin to identify and understand your own temperament, you'll soon learn about the temperaments that aren't necessarily "you" but that may help you understand the spiritual tendencies of friends, family, and others around you.
Whatever temperament or blend of temperaments best describes you, rest assured it's not by accident. It's by the design of a Creator who knew what he was doing when he made you according to his own unique intentions. If your spiritual walk is not what you'd like it to be, you can change that, starting here. Sacred Pathways will show you the route you were made to travel, marked by growth and filled with the riches of a close walk with God.
It's time to strip away the frustration of a one-size-fits-all spirituality and discover a path of worship that frees you to be you. Experienced spiritual directors, pastors, and church leaders recognize that all of us engage with God differently, and it's about time we do too.
In this updated and expanded edition of Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas details nine spiritual temperaments and--like the Enneagram and other tools do with personality--encourages you to investigate the ways you most naturally express yourself in your relationship with God. He encourages you to dig into the traits, strengths, and pitfalls in your devotional approach so you can eliminate the barriers that keep you locked into rigid methods of worship and praise.
Plus, as you begin to identify and understand your own temperament, you'll soon learn about the temperaments that aren't necessarily "you" but that may help you understand the spiritual tendencies of friends, family, and others around you.
Whatever temperament or blend of temperaments best describes you, rest assured it's not by accident. It's by the design of a Creator who knew what he was doing when he made you according to his own unique intentions. If your spiritual walk is not what you'd like it to be, you can change that, starting here. Sacred Pathways will show you the route you were made to travel, marked by growth and filled with the riches of a close walk with God.
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.