Recent Worship
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. Pastor Julie will continue her sermon series “Seeking” with a message titled “Where are you headed?” The Gospel passage is Matthew 21:1-11 and the accompanying Lectionary texts are Isaiah 50:4-9a and Philippians 2:5-11.
In the Palm Sunday story, we see simultaneously-occurring parades of Jesus and Pontius Pilate entering Jerusalem. The question for us, essentially, is this: In which parade will we participate?
Message Text: Matthew 21:1-11
This Sunday, Pastor Julie continues the Lenten sermon series “Seeking,” with the message “Can these bones live?” The lectionary passages from Ezekiel 37 and John 11 focus on the stories of the prophet Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones and the raising of Lazarus.
As author and Bible commentator Danielle Shroyer observes: “God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones. Jesus tells those gathered to unbind Lazarus and let him go. This ridiculous, radical hope is ours not only to hold, but to proclaim.”
Message Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Pastor Julie continues the Lenten sermon series, Seeking: honest questions for deeper faith. This week's message is titled “Who Sinned?”
When it comes to faith, sometimes there are unhelpful questions—questions formed by assumptions. Questions that lead to judgment and/or isolation. When Jesus and the disciples encounter a blind man along the way, the disciples ask, “Teacher, whose sins—this man's or his parents'—caused him to be born blind?" (John 9:2). This unhelpful question assumes that illness and disability are the result of sin. It assumes that the man deserves to be born blind. It assumes that physical blindness is a form of failure.
How might this story have unfolded had more helpful questions been asked? This week, with the Spirit's help, let us pay attention to the questions we ask and the assumptions we carry.
Message Text: John 9:1-41
In the John 4 passage, Jesus seeks out connection with a Samaritan woman drawing water from the well. His question to her, “Will you give me a drink?” is an invitation to a new way of life. In their encounter, Jesus challenges Jewish and Samaritan assumptions about cultural and religious boundaries. He also sees the woman fully, and she leaves the well transformed.
This week, we might imagine ourselves at the well. Are we willing to let our assumptions be challenged? Are we open to seeking living waters that sustain us all? Are we willing to be changed by an encounter with the living Christ?
Message Text: John 4:5-30; 39-42
Lectionary Texts: Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11
The story of Nicodemus who asks the essential question: what does it mean to start over? Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the veil of night to ask him big faith questions. As a leader of Jewish law, Nicodemus holds beliefs that no longer align with the kingdom of God Jesus embodies. Jesus invites him to begin again, to learn a new way of knowing and living out his faith. In Genesis, God commands Abram and Sarai to leave everything—their home, their family, their land—to seek the land of Canaan and begin again. At 75 years old, Abram is called to start over, but through this new beginning, God creates a new family and a new nation. Like Nicodemus, what are the questions we ask in the dark? Like Abram and Sarai, how do we follow God’s calling to begin again?
In order to engage in the spiritual practice of seeking, we must maintain a posture of listening, staying open and curious instead of cautious and closed off. In our focal texts for this week, we see two different examples of listening. Seeking the fruit of the garden, Adam and Eve allow the snake’s manipulative voice to become louder than God’s voice. In the wilderness, Jesus defies the deception of the tempter by listening intuitively—to God, to his inner moral compass, to the teachings of his faith.
And so, who will you listen to? What sources do you seek for news, information, and media? Whose voices—and what messages—occupy the most space in your head? From the onslaught of messaging we receive, we are invited to choose carefully. Faith practices can help us listen and filter what we’re hearing to discern God’s voice.
Message Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Lectionary Texts: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Romans 5:12-19
FBC's Lenten journey begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. This year's 25-minute Ash Wednesday service will be online only, streamed live from the sanctuary at noon
This Sunday, we follow Jesus and three disciples up a mountain. As they stand on the summit, Jesus is changed—“transfigured”—before their eyes, his face shining like the sun and his clothes becoming bright as light. The mysterious story of Jesus' transfiguration has a way of stripping away some of our assumptions and certitudes, opening us to the healing gift of God's presence.
Based on Matthew 17:1-9
Other Lectionary passages: Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21
Born to Frank and Lucy Marceron in Washington, D.C, Marvin graduated from Coolidge High School in 1952. He married his high school sweetheart, Patty Anderson, in 1953 and was drafted during the Korean War. After two years in the Army, he worked for the Army Map Service. He continued to work as a civilian for the Army Corp of Engineers until his retirement in 1989.
He found joy in serving the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., where he was baptized in 1953, and served the church in many leadership roles, including as moderator, deacon and welcomer on Sunday mornings.
This Sunday we ask together: "What does it mean to be a Christian?" The Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth it means, quite simply, to tell the truth about Jesus and that he was crucified. Why did Paul feel the need to include the crucifixion? Can't we just bypass the upsetting part about the cross and get on with the good news of resurrection? Join us this Sunday as we ask these questions and more...
Sermon Text:
1 Corinthians 2:1-12
Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 58:1-9a
Matthew 5:13-16
This Sunday in worship, we take hold of the question, "What does it mean to be a 'fool' for Christ?" The Chancel Choir will sing the anthem "Offertory" by John Ness Beck and baritone Gustavo Ahualli will sing "The Prayer of St Francis" by Olive Dungan.
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Lectionary Readings:
Micah 6:6-8
Matthew 5:1-12
We welcome Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, the Executive Director/Minister of the DC Baptist Convention, as our guest proclaimer. Her sermon title is Would You Like to Go Fishing? based on Matthew 4:12-23.
Sermon Text: Matthew 4:12-23
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
This weekend celebrates the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will honor his legacy in worship through music, prayers, litanies, and Pastor Julie's message "Light Bearer."
Sermon Text: Matthew 3:1-12
Scripture Readings: Psalm 40:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
This week in worship, we observe Epiphany Sunday. Epiphany marks the revelation of the Christ child to the magi who traveled from afar to worship and present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Epiphany reminds us that from the beginning of his life, Jesus shone forth as God’s great reveal to the whole world. Pastor Julie will preach the message “Home By Another Way,” and the Chancel Choir will sing “Thou Shalt Know Him” by Mark Sirett.
Lectionary Passages:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 2:1-12
Luke 2:8-20
"To you is born this day…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!"
Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with First Baptist Church. Worship includes Christmas carols, the music of choir and organ, and a Christmas Day meditation from Pastor Julie.
The holidays are marked by celebrations, yet they are often stressful or sad for those experiencing grief of any kind, especially the death of loved ones in the last year. Let the music of the Chancel Choir, the comforting words of scripture and poetry, and words of hope from Pastor Julie bring peace to your tired soul. The service concludes with the lighting of candles in memory of people who have died, and/or in acknowledgment of other kinds of grief we carry.
Isaiah 12:2-6 | Luke 1:39-55
This week in worship we return to Mary's experience found in Luke 1:39-55. After receiving the news from the angel, she retreats to her cousin Elizabeth’s house. When Mary arrives, Elizabeth doesn’t just welcome her—she is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks a blessing upon Mary as her own child leaps and kicks within her womb. She sees how God is at work and names it out loud. In this moment of profound solidarity, Mary and Elizabeth see the divine in one another.
From generation to generation, we can see how God is at work in our relationships. The way we see the divine in each other impacts how we live and move in the world. When we view every human being as a child of God, we generate a different world.
Capture the joy of the season with a beloved First Baptist tradition featuring the First Baptist Chancel Choir, 6,000-pipe Austin organ, and brass and timpani. A love offering will be collected in support of Charlie’s Place, a local organization serving unhoused and underserved populations in the neighborhoods of Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights.
Matthew 1:18-25 | Isaiah 35:1-10
This week, we continue with the season of Advent and our theme “From Generation to Generation.” In worship, we will focus on the story of Joseph with scripture passages from Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 1:18-25.
As far as Joseph knows, his new wife has been unfaithful to him and broken their marriage contract. And yet, instead of punishment, he chooses not to publicly disgrace or humiliate her. This interruption in his life becomes a holy invitation when the angel comes to him in a dream and says, “Do not be afraid.” When he awakes, Joseph once again has the courage to choose a better way. He chooses to stay with Mary, to become an adoptive parent. He chooses peace over violence, grace over condemnation.
When have our ancestors also chosen a better way, and when have they not? Isaiah 35 is a vision of what happens when we choose a better way: the wilderness blooms, water breaks forth in the desert, eyes are opened, ears are unstopped, sorrow and sadness flee away. A highway shall appear and it will become a holy way.
We’re located at 16th and O Streets NW—in the heart of Washington, a mile north of the White House. We are part of the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle neighborhoods. Need more info? Call us or click below.
We look forward to greeting you in person. In the meantime, you can request prayer or ask a question by calling or sending an email.
At First Baptist DC, giving is the fuel that powers every congregational expression of hospitality, compassion, generosity and justice. FBC relies on the congregation for regular, sustainable financial support.
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
