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 through this time where we cannot gather as easily as in the past.
Hello Everyone,
March is a time for changes. Some of these are mentioned in John Updike’s poem about March.
The sun is nervous
As a kite
That can’t quite keep
Its own string tight.
Some days are fair,
And some are raw.
The timid earth
Decides to thaw.
Shy budlets peep
From twigs on trees,
And robins join
The chickadees.
Pale crocuses
Poke through the ground
Like roses come
To sniff around.
The mud smells happy
On our shoes.
We still wear mittens,
Which we lose.
March is a time for changes. Some of these are mentioned in John Updike’s poem about March.
The sun is nervous
As a kite
That can’t quite keep
Its own string tight.
Some days are fair,
And some are raw.
The timid earth
Decides to thaw.
Shy budlets peep
From twigs on trees,
And robins join
The chickadees.
Pale crocuses
Poke through the ground
Like roses come
To sniff around.
The mud smells happy
On our shoes.
We still wear mittens,
Which we lose.
As we see signs of spring all around us, let’s look for a quickening of our spirits as well. In church this month, we will wrap up our series of messages from the book of Jeremiah, learning about “The New Covenant,” “An Act of Faith,” and “God’s Shalom.” As a reminder, the clock changes on March 12 th , springing ahead one hour. On March 26 th , Cara Davenport will be sharing the message with our congregation. In Sunday School, Craig Keith will be leading discussions about the spiritual practices of the Lenten season. We have the opportunity to share a Seder meal with our friends at Israel Congregation on Sunday, March 26 th as well.
We hope you can join us in these opportunities to engage the Word of God together. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at fbcmanvt@gmail.com. I’m always happy to talk with people about their faith journey.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
We hope you can join us in these opportunities to engage the Word of God together. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at fbcmanvt@gmail.com. I’m always happy to talk with people about their faith journey.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
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
Communion first Sunday of the month
Sunday school at 9:30 am
A Member of the:
Pastor Rebecca Sommons
First Baptist Church "The Community Church"
4895 Main St. P.O. Box 1049
Manchester Center
VT 05255
802.362.1555
for map click here
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.com
She lives in Danby, Vermont with her husband Matthew.
You may call to request a meeting or visit outside of regular church office hours.
First Baptist Church "The Community Church"
4895 Main St. P.O. Box 1049
Manchester Center
VT 05255
802.362.1555
for map click here
Church email: fbcmanvt@gmail.com
She lives in Danby, Vermont with her husband Matthew.
You may call to request a meeting or visit outside of regular church office hours.
Pastor Rebecca continues to remain open and eager to meet with church family. These get-togethers have taken a different look over the past few months as they have moved away from set office hours. She has, instead, met on an as needed basis. She is happy to meet with you in person, over the phone, or through zoom. When the weather is good, she has often met people outside and talked while taking a walk and she is happy to continue that during the winter. She is open to any ideas you may have.
Feel free to reach out to her anytime throughout the week.
Feel free to reach out to her anytime throughout the week.
Cancer Support Group - UPLIFT
We will be meeting Apr 3, 2023 and Apr 17, 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 Apr 3, 2023 and Apr 17, 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 4 to 12 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.
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 4 to 12 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.
next episode of The Chosen is scheduled for Feb 25 at 6 pm, following a potluck dinner at 5 pm.
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 630-730. For the next few weeks we
are Zoom only, but hope to resume in-person meetings in a few weeks. 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 630-730. For the next few weeks we
are Zoom only, but hope to resume in-person meetings in a few weeks. If
anyone is interested, please contact John Hess.
The Prayer and Book Study group is going to start a new book at 7pm by zoom
Mar 21, 2023 Ch 1 & 2
Apr 11, 2023 Ch 3 & 4
Apr 25, 2023 Ch 5 & 6
"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, leading a children's conversation, 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, leading a children's conversation, 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 starting in our Church vestry starting the first week in OCT. Check the Church calendar on our website for dates and time.
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 service on our CHURCH WEBSITE at fbcmanvt.org Find the ABOUT US tab click on it and it will take you to another page were 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 go to GNAT-TV.org click 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 service on our CHURCH WEBSITE at fbcmanvt.org Find the ABOUT US tab click on it and it will take you to another page were 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 go to GNAT-TV.org click 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! |
Continue in prayer asking for guardian angels to surround our men and women who are serving to protect our country and freedom. We also pray that God will guide the leaders of this world toward peace.
Bobby Mattison Eric Malone
Rick Setzer James McReynolds
Tyson Fielding John Lewis
Harlen Capen Curtis Taft
Devon Campney Debbie White
Trevor McLenithan Brett Bushee
If there are other local troops, please let us know so we can add them to our prayer list
Bobby Mattison Eric Malone
Rick Setzer James McReynolds
Tyson Fielding John Lewis
Harlen Capen Curtis Taft
Devon Campney Debbie White
Trevor McLenithan Brett Bushee
If there are other local troops, please let us know so we can add them to our prayer list
The Prudential Committee thanks all of you who have done such great work as volunteers cleaning the church.
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 $2300 originally, it has been expanded and modified but remains relatively the same since 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 documents 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 $2300 originally, it has been expanded and modified but remains relatively the same since 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 documents 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.