Welcome to The First Baptist Church
of
Manchester Center, Vermont
"The Community Church"
Church service at 10:30 am
Communion first Sunday of the month
Sunday school at 9:30 am
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
802-362-1555
Church email: 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.
Hello Everyone,
It is such a delight to watch the colors of spring spread upward toward the mountain peaks. Perhaps you have already started tending small plants that will bloom or even produce nourishing food. Is your soul also longing to come alive and be fruitful? If you would like to grow and flourish in faith, we invite you to come and worship with us. We’ll tend the soil of our hearts together as we read God’s Word, pray, sing, serve, and share our stories with each other.
This month, we will begin a new series of messages from the letters of John in the New Testament. On May 7th, we will have communion in our service and a dedication of a young family as we learn from First John 1 about God as the Life-Giver. On Mother’s Day, May 14th, Rev. Dr. Theresa Taylor will be bringing a message from Second John highlighting the joy it brings a mother to see her children walking in truth. On May 21st, our message will be from first John 1, which teaches us about God as Light. Then on May 28th, we plan to wear red to celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The message will come from First John 5, and focus on How to Know if You Have Eternal Life. We will have a special celebration with food and music around a campfire that evening, if the weather permits.
There is nothing that can enliven us more than knowing our Creator, experiencing the love and truth given to us in Jesus Christ, and enjoying the guidance, strength, and joy of the Holy Spirit. God invites you to have this vibrant relationship with Him, and we invite you to nourish that relationship with us in a community of faith.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
It is such a delight to watch the colors of spring spread upward toward the mountain peaks. Perhaps you have already started tending small plants that will bloom or even produce nourishing food. Is your soul also longing to come alive and be fruitful? If you would like to grow and flourish in faith, we invite you to come and worship with us. We’ll tend the soil of our hearts together as we read God’s Word, pray, sing, serve, and share our stories with each other.
This month, we will begin a new series of messages from the letters of John in the New Testament. On May 7th, we will have communion in our service and a dedication of a young family as we learn from First John 1 about God as the Life-Giver. On Mother’s Day, May 14th, Rev. Dr. Theresa Taylor will be bringing a message from Second John highlighting the joy it brings a mother to see her children walking in truth. On May 21st, our message will be from first John 1, which teaches us about God as Light. Then on May 28th, we plan to wear red to celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The message will come from First John 5, and focus on How to Know if You Have Eternal Life. We will have a special celebration with food and music around a campfire that evening, if the weather permits.
There is nothing that can enliven us more than knowing our Creator, experiencing the love and truth given to us in Jesus Christ, and enjoying the guidance, strength, and joy of the Holy Spirit. God invites you to have this vibrant relationship with Him, and we invite you to nourish that relationship with us in a community of faith.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
Please let us know you and what you think, also if you would like more information.
A Member of the:
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
Notice of Special Meeting
The members of The First Baptist Church at Manchester Center, VT are hereby notified to meet in person at their house of worship in Manchester Center, VT or by Zoom, or by phone following worship on June 11th, 2023 for a brief meeting to address the following purposes;
1. To discuss the status of the church building and form a fund-rasing subcommittee to address the financial needs to preserve the church for current and future use;
2. To hear, discuss, and act upon any other business proper to come before the congregation.
Cara Davenport, Church Clerk
The members of The First Baptist Church at Manchester Center, VT are hereby notified to meet in person at their house of worship in Manchester Center, VT or by Zoom, or by phone following worship on June 11th, 2023 for a brief meeting to address the following purposes;
1. To discuss the status of the church building and form a fund-rasing subcommittee to address the financial needs to preserve the church for current and future use;
2. To hear, discuss, and act upon any other business proper to come before the congregation.
Cara Davenport, Church Clerk
Ham and Strawberry Dinner
The Mary Martha Fellowship announces our Annual Ham and Strawberry Dinner, It is planned for June 22, 2023 as a takeout dinner. The menu is Baked ham, potato salad, home baked beans, broccoli salad, a biscuit and strawberry shortcake for dessert made with home baked biscuits, fresh strawberries and real whipped cream. The donation is $14 per serving. Takeout time begins at 5:00 P.M. til 6:30 P.M.. Reservations may be made by calling Martha Thompson at
802-362-3473.
The Mary Martha Fellowship announces our Annual Ham and Strawberry Dinner, It is planned for June 22, 2023 as a takeout dinner. The menu is Baked ham, potato salad, home baked beans, broccoli salad, a biscuit and strawberry shortcake for dessert made with home baked biscuits, fresh strawberries and real whipped cream. The donation is $14 per serving. Takeout time begins at 5:00 P.M. til 6:30 P.M.. Reservations may be made by calling Martha Thompson at
802-362-3473.
Dedication of Wilder Dombroski
May 7, 2023
Jacob & Brittany Dombroski
A Dedication of Parents and Children to the Lord
Apr 17, 2023
Tatum and Lucas Ryan and their parents ~ Sarah and Dustin
Apr 17, 2023
Tatum and Lucas Ryan and their parents ~ Sarah and Dustin
Cancer Support Group - UPLIFT
We will be meeting Jun 5, 2023 and Jun 19, 2023 at 3pm. We are only going to meet every other week this month to see what we actually prefer.
Attention to all people who currently are dealing with cancer, or who have had cancer, or someone in your life is dealing with cancer! So many of us are impacted by this disease. In recent months I have had a very strong feeling that it would be a good idea to start a support group for people affected by cancer. The intention of this group would be to lift each other up, discuss things that we have tried or are doing that are helpful, and to just be there as a group to listen and encourage each other. The group name is Uplift! That seemed appropriate for a group of us who are planning to lift each other up.
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.
Barb West
We will be meeting Jun 5, 2023 and Jun 19, 2023 at 3pm. We are only going to meet every other week this month to see what we actually prefer.
Attention to all people who currently are dealing with cancer, or who have had cancer, or someone in your life is dealing with cancer! So many of us are impacted by this disease. In recent months I have had a very strong feeling that it would be a good idea to start a support group for people affected by cancer. The intention of this group would be to lift each other up, discuss things that we have tried or are doing that are helpful, and to just be there as a group to listen and encourage each other. The group name is Uplift! That seemed appropriate for a group of us who are planning to lift each other up.
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.
Barb West
Vacation Bible School
Exciting news for this summer! First Baptist Church will be teaming up with Zion Episcopal Church and First Congregational Church to offer a Vacation Bible School to area children aged 5 to 13 this summer from July 17-21. Each day will run from 9:00 to 12:30, and lunch will be served. The theme will be Babylon and Daniel, with music, games, themed snacks, Bible lessons, and time outside.
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.
The Prayer and Book Study group is discussing the
What Does Your Soul Love book at 7pm by zoom.
Mar 21, 2023 Ch 1 & 2
Apr 11, 2023 Ch 3 & 4
Apr 25, 2023 Ch 5 & 6
May 9, 2023 Ch 7 & 8
May 30, 2023 Ch 9 &10 (end of book)
"WHAT DOES YOUR SOUL LOVE?"
by Gem & Alan Fadling
What do you really want?
What is your soul clinging to?
What is getting in your way?
We start with prayers and join us.
If you would like to join us for both prayer and or book study.
Contact Pastor Rebecca
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 interested 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 interested 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 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 If you have any questions, please contact Russ Taxter, Jeremy Crumb or Rebecca Sommons.
As Christians, we are called to share our faith with others. That’s why we encourage you to give others access to RightNow Media at no cost to your organization. Through two simple steps, you can invite your friends and family to experience RightNow Media for free. All you need are their email addresses to get started.
| In the Mobile App: |
| First, tap the menu icon and then, in the slide-out panel, tap “Invite.” Enter the person’s email address and hit “Send.” They’ll receive an email on behalf of your organization with an invitation to activate their free account! You can repeat this process to invite multiple people. |
| On Desktop: |
| Next to your organization’s name at the top right, click “Send Invite.” Enter the email addresses of those you want to invite and click “Send Invitations.” They’ll receive an email on behalf of your organization inviting them to activate their free account! |
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.
If there are people serving that you would like us to add to our prayer list, please let us know.
If there are people serving that you would like us to add to our prayer list, please let us know.
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.