This Sunday, March 3, we will welcome to worship the Furman Singers from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Furman Singers is Furman University’s flagship choir and includes students from many fields of study and backgrounds who are passionate about performing choral music. Since 1946, Furman Singers has captivated audiences with diverse repertoire that spans centuries, explored a range of styles and languages, and conveyed the human experience through one of the most powerful mediums: song.
The choir has an active presence on campus, tours annually across the United States and Europe, and regularly collaborates with the Furman Symphony Orchestra and Furman Symphonic Band. We look forward to welcoming them to FBCDC alongside their conductor Dr. Stephen Gusukuma, and Furman University Organist Dr. Charles Tompkins.
March Mission Fest & Tex-Mex! March 3
The FBC Mission Team will host the March Mission Fest after worship on March 3. Instead of a First Sunday Potluck the Mission Team is providing a catered Tex-Mex lunch.
The Mission Fest is connected to FBC’s work with Ministry Architects who, last fall, asked FBC to plan Nine Outward-Facing Events in 2024. There already are at least 7 events on the church calendar. The goal of the Mission Fest on March 3 is to solicit suggestions from the congregation for two more outward-facing events that will:
meet a need in FBC’s local community,
have some appeal to the demographics of the DuPont Circle community,
and bring people into FBC’s building or send the congregation out into the community.
Please reach out to Mission Team leader Linda Salmon with any questions. lfsalmon@verizon.net
FBC Invited to Ukraine Documentary Screening at the Kennedy Center
Wednesday, February 21, 5-7pm
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Terrace Theater
On the eve of the third year of war between Ukraine and Russia, First Baptist Church is invited to a private screening of Fight for Ukraine: For the Children at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Wednesday, February 21, 5-7pm.
The 80-minute documentary from director Karen Floyd is the sequel to her award-winning 2023 documentary, Fight for Ukraine: Twelve Women's War. (Watch trailer here.)
This opportunity came about just days ago, through a colleague of Pastor Julie. Tickets are $100, but those who sign up with First Baptist will attend the screening for free, in the VIP section of the Terrace Theater, as guests of the director. Please RSVP to FBC’s Office below by tomorrow evening, Thursday, February 15, so we can send names of attenders to Elysian MultiMedia.
3D Thursdays: Young Adults in Lent
Many people practice Lent by giving something up – alcohol, meat, chocolate, social media. But, what if Lent is about taking something on in community instead of giving something up in isolation? What if Lent is about the practice of walking with other Christ followers on the good days and the bad days?
Young Adults, you are invited to take something on in community this Lent. Consider spending this holy season journeying together.
Here’s how we’ll do it. We’ll gather weekly for 3D Thursdays: Dinner, Drinks, and Dialogue. Our first gathering will be on Thursday, February 22. Our last gathering will be Thursday, March 28, which is our annual Maundy Thursday meal and worship. We’ll meet in the church parlor each week from 7 – 9 pm, where a modest dinner and drinks will be provided. The suggested donation for the meal is $10/week.
Can’t make all these gatherings? No worries. Show up when it works. Don’t feel guilt when you can’t.
Our dialogue will center around Kate Bowler’s new book Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! This is an honest and real reflection on what it means to follow Jesus through the ups and downs of our days. It allows for discussion about life as it really is – not just the Instagram worthy parts but the difficulty and the painful, too.
See you Thursday!
Ash Wednesday | February 14
Three 20-Minute Services on
Ash Wednesday
February 14
7:30am, 12:30pm & 5:30pm
This new Ash Wednesday schedule is an experiment based on FBC's work with Ministry Architects. In a report to FBC by FaithX last September, we learned that the daytime population in our surrounding neighborhood is described as "very high" (92% of the daytime population commutes in to work). By offering brief, easily accessible services, we hope to connect with more and more of our weekday neighbors.
Wandering Heart: A Lenten Walk with Peter
Lenten Worship Series - Sunday, February 18 - Easter Sunday, March 31
During the upcoming season of Lent, we will trace the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most well-known disciples. In Simon Peter, we see a person who is both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. In Peter we may see ourselves.
Like many of us, Peter has a wandering heart. His journey isn't polished, or linear, or perfect—yet he remains tethered to the love of God. In Peter’s story we find Jesus at each step of the way: offering him abundance, catching Peter when he begins to sink, challenging him when he stands in the way, washing his feet, predicting his betrayal, and offering him agape love.