Sunday, June 29, 2025 | Trusting the Promise | Without a Net: Life Lessons from Elijah

Today in worship, Pastor Julie begins a new sermon series – Without a Net: Life Lessons from Elijah. In this series, we meet Elijah, one of the Bible's most fascinating characters.

He was remarkably human—he experienced fear, loneliness, and doubt like we do. But Elijah also had this amazing ability to trust God without a net, taking leap after leap of faith, trusting God would catch him. Join us for five weeks as we discover how Elijah's willingness to take risks and speak hard truths to his world can inspire our own journey of faith.

Today's message is titled “Trusting the Promise,” from 1 Kings 17:8-16. Accompanying scripture passages are 1 Peter 5:6-11 and Luke 9:51-62.

Sunday, June 22, 2025 | A Healing Question | Pastor Eric Preaching

Today in worship, Pastor Eric preaches the message A Healing Question, based on Luke 8:26-39. Accompanying scripture passages are 1 Kings 19:1-7, 8-15a and Galatians 3:23-29.

Jesus' question to the demoniac—"What is your name?"—initiates healing by inviting the man to reclaim his true identity beyond what possesses him. As Richard Rohr suggests, being "possessed" means allowing unhealthy others to define us, whether through career status, political tribalism, or family dysfunction.

The man's response—"Legion"—reveals how he has become what has afflicted him, but Jesus serves as a perfect mirror, reflecting back his true self rather than his distortions. Christ doesn't simply exorcise negative identities but performs what Rohr calls a "positive repossession," freeing the man from defining himself by his afflictions and guiding him toward joy rather than merely away from suffering.

This transformation from isolation to wholeness calls the church to a similar ministry—becoming communities that mirror people's true identities in Christ rather than reflecting society's judgments. When we serve as this positive mirror for one another and the church, we participate in Christ's ongoing work of liberation, creating spaces where people discover not just freedom from what possesses them, but the joy of authentic belonging.

Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2025 | A Guide We Can Trust | Pastor Eric Preaching

Today is Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate God as revealed in three persons - Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. We celebrate our graduates in worship, and Pastor Eric preaches the message A Guide We Can Trust, based on John 16:12-15. Accompanying scripture passages are Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 and Romans 5:1-5.

The incarnation was foundational for the gospel writer John. It might have been easy for John to dismiss the Holy Spirit, or any new understanding of Christianity after Jesus returned to God. However, John chose to hold onto the possibility that the Spirit that Christ gave to us makes possible a “deep understanding of what Jesus means for one’s own time,” says one theologian.

That same Spirit holds together all the disparate and fragmented parts of our lives, fills in all the gaps, owns all the mistakes, forgives all the failures—and loves us into an ever-deeper life with God in Christ. Can we imitate John, and trust the Spirit to hold our whole lives, and guide us as we discern what it means to be followers of Christ today?

Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025 | The Unprejudiced Spirit

Today in worship we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Christ followers after his ascent to heaven. Pastor Julie preaches the message The Unprejudiced Spirit, based on Acts 2:1-21. Accompanying scripture passages are Romans 8:14-17 and John 14:8-17, 25-27. We also dedicate to God Jermaine Ricardo Kittrell.

World Pride Sunday, June 1, 2025 | Outsiders Like Us

Today in worship, we celebrate Pride Sunday, honoring the beauty and dignity of all God's children. Pastor Julie preaches the message “Outsiders Like Us” from Acts 15:1-11. Accompanying scripture passages are Genesis 17:1-14 and Matthew 22:34-40. Worship includes communion.

This year holds special significance as Washington, DC hosts World Pride, welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals and allies from around the globe to our city.

Sunday, May 25, 2025 | Love Surprises: As I Have Loved You

As I Have Loved You | John 13:31-35 | May 25, 2025 | The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Today, Pastor Julie will continue the Easter sermon series with the sermon, As I Have Loved You based on John 13:31-35. In this familiar passage, Jesus says to his disciples, “A new commandment I give to you—that you love one another…By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Accompanying scripture texts are Psalm 148 and Revelation 21:1-6.

Sunday, May 18, 2025 | Love Surprises: Being Led Where We Don’t Want to Go

Today, Pastor Julie will continue the Easter sermon series with the sermon, “Being Led Where We Don’t Want to Go,” based on John 21:15-19. Accompanying scripture texts are Isaiah 48:12-13, 16-17 and Philippians 4:10-14.

Love empowers us to open ourselves to situations we dread. In following Jesus, there is the active way and the passive way. Both ways are necessary; both require courage. Sooner or later, each of us will be called to the passive way of discipleship, of being led into situations we’d just as soon avoid. Jesus modeled both ways for us.

Sunday, May 11, 2025 | Love Surprises: On Earth as it is in Heaven

This Sunday, Pastor Eric will continue the Easter sermon series with the sermon, “On Earth as it is in Heaven,” based on Revelation 7:9-17. Accompanying scripture texts are Psalm 23 and John 10:22-30.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Gospel reading focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and the vision in Revelation shows a great crowd from every nation standing before the throne of the Lamb. In these passages, we are reminded that Jesus welcomes all people to follow him. The love of Christ is for everyone.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 | Love Surprises: Breakfast Time

Today, Pastor Julie continues her Easter sermon series with the sermon,“Breakfast Time,” based on John 21:1-14, in which the risen Christ appears to the disciples and invites them to join him for breakfast on the beach—the first meal of their new life together. New beginnings are Jesus' specialty. Accompanying scripture texts are Psalm 30:1-5, 11-12 and Revelation 5:11-14. 

We will also celebrate communion in worship, collect a benevolence offering, and welcome a number of guests—former ministers and staff members as well as denominational and community partners, including members of the National Children's Chorus.

Sunday, April 27, 2025 | Love Surprises: In the Middle

Today, Pastor Julie will begin a new sermon series, “Love Surprises.” This week’s sermon, “In the Middle,” is based on John 20:19-31, in which Jesus appears to the disciples and Thomas after the resurrection. In this passage, and in life, Christ comes and stands in the middle of everything we experience—loneliness, elation, grief, stress, etc. Accompanying scripture texts are Psalm 150 and Revelation 1:4-8.

Sunday, April 20, 2025 | Easter Sunday | Everything in Between: Grief and Hope

Today, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection with the flowered cross; the music of choir, organ, and brass; communion; and a message of hope from Pastor Julie. Pastor Julie will conclude the Lenten sermon series with the Easter message, Everything In Between Grief and Hope based on Luke 24:1-12. Accompanying text is Acts 10:34-43.

Easter Sunday is meant to be jubilant and joyful—a chance to begin again in a weary world. And yet, for too many, grief can feel like a heavy weight tugging at our hearts. For too many, shame encroaches if we can’t find our way to joy. This Easter, we are invited to make space for grief and joy, mourning and hope—for all these feelings can coexist.

No matter how you arrive this Easter morning—whether steeped in grief, stunned in disbelief, or running in the direction of hope—resurrection is for you. This story is for you.

Sunday, April 13, 2025 | Palm Sunday | Everything in Between: Shouting and Silence

Today, Pastor Julie preaches the message, Everything in Between: Shouting and Silence from Luke 19:29-40. Accompanying text is Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29.

 Jesus embodies divine silence as he rides the colt through the cloaks and crowds. This event marks a pivotal turning point as Jesus enters the holy in-between of his final days before he departs from this world. His entry marks the beginning of the end. Did his silence helped steady and prepare him for what was to come? Did the praise from the disciples gave him strength?

Have you ever experienced divine silence, or silence that restored you in some way? Have you ever felt fortified by shouts and praise?

Sunday, April 6, 2025 | Pastor Eric Preaching | Everything in Between: Compassion and Justice

This Sunday, we celebrate communion and collect a benevolence offering in worship, and fellowship together at our First Sunday potluck after worship. Pastor Eric will preach the message, Everything in Between: Compassion and Justice from Luke 19:1-10. The accompanying Scripture text is Psalm 126.

The Luke 19 passage is the familiar story of Zacchaeus, and the crowds who grumble at Jesus’ self-invitation to stay with Zacchaeus. Their desire for justice isn’t without cause. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus has extorted money and acted in collusion with the empire, using his position to oppress his own people. It is important to call out oppression and seek justice, and yet, Jesus offers compassion. That compassion then begets more compassion as Zacchaeus, unprompted, offers to return what he took, and then some.

Sunday, March 30, 2025 | Fourth Sunday in Lent | Everything in Between: Lost and Found

Today Pastor Julie preached the message, Lost and Found, from Luke 15:1-7. Accompanying Scripture text is Psalm 32.

Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow—in one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. But no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good Shepherd is on watch.

Sunday, March 23, 2025 | Third Sunday in Lent | Everything in Between: Rest and Growth

This Sunday, Pastor Julie will preach the message “Everything in Between: Rest and Growth" based on Luke 13:6-9. Accompanying scripture text is Psalm 63:1-8.

The gardener in the vineyard knows the fig tree needs rest, nutrients, and time—and it also needs to produce fruit. Both things are true, which is also true for us. If we are always striving for more growth without taking time to rest, we will burn out. But if we are only ever resting, we won’t bear fruit or grow. The fig tree also teaches us that the in between time—of nurture before fruit—can be where transformation begins.

Sunday, March 16, 2025 | Second Sunday in Lent | Everything in Between: Faith and Works

The story of Mary and Martha often seems to create a divide between “spiritual” types and “practical” types, between thinkers and doers, and between contemplatives and activists—as if the faithful must choose one over the other. But what if prayer and action depend on one another to make sense in the world? Today’s story from Luke 10 is about more than just a spat over who’s going to get supper on the table. Accompanying scripture text is Psalm 23.

Sunday, March 9, 2025 | First Sunday in Lent | Everything in Between: Stranger & Neighbor

This Sunday, March 9, we continue the journey through Lent that began on Ash Wednesday.

Our Lenten theme, “Everything In Between,” will invite us to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. We will explore supposed binaries, like “faith & works” or “rest & growth,” or “grief & hope.” These ideas often seem to oppose one another.

However, as we explore these concepts within the scriptures, we find nuance and complexity. We find that these dichotomies are false. We might begin to see a full spectrum instead of black and white. We might find that God is present in between.

Today, Pastor Julie will preach the message “Everything in Between: Stranger and Neighbor.” The sermon text will be Luke 10:25-37 and the accompanying scripture passage will be Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16.

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The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
1328 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 387-2206

Office Hours
Sunday  10 AM–2 PM
Monday-Thursday 10 AM–4 PM
Friday-Saturday Closed