Our Compassion and Justice Team invites you to make plans now for Rise Against Hunger. This beloved FBC event will take place on Sunday, September 13, following worship in Fellowship Hall. Sign up here.
Join Pastor Julie and Lilia Abron for an evening screening of the Emmy-nominated PBS documentary The Girl in the Yellow Scarf.
In 1968, Carol Jenkins — a 21-year-old Black woman — was stabbed to death on the main street of Martinsville, Indiana while selling encyclopedias. The case went unsolved for more than three decades, until an investigative reporter's persistence prompted a stunning break. The documentary follows that journey from murder to reckoning, and asks what it looks like for a community to face its racist past and begin to heal.
From June 22–26, First Baptist youth (completed grades 6–12) are heading to Passport Camp at the University of Richmond! Through Passport Missions, our youth will dive into local mission work, worship, games, and all the good things that come with camp.
Young Adults will gather for a World Cup watch party on the National Mall! We'll meet at 4:30 PM near 7th Street & Madison Drive NW for a picnic — bring a blanket, grab something from the food trucks, and we'll settle in together before heading over. At 5:00 PM we'll walk to the FIFA Fan Zone, aiming to be inside by 5:15 to find a good spot before the crowds arrive.
The evening we have been pointing toward is almost here. On June 18 — Juneteenth Eve — First Baptist will gather for a gala dinner to officially launch our Reckoning and Renewing journey: a night of music, reflection, and commitment as we take an important step together.
The evening will include a jazz vespers service led by vocalist Ruth Naomi Floyd and her quartet — including Mark Prince, who many of you know as a son of First Baptist. Their music will carry our lament, our gratitude, and our prayers.
We will also hear from historian Kristofer Roberts, a scholar of race and religion in the American South, who has researched First Baptist's own slaveholding history. His reflections will be woven into the vespers service itself.
And this is only the beginning. The Reckoning and Renewing team will be on hand to invite you into a summer and fall reading journey — more on that soon.
We ask $15 per person (families, $45 maximum), but please come regardless of your ability to pay. Register now — you can sort out payment later, or skip it entirely. We just need your name so we can set a place for you.
Our First Sunday Potluck and Annual Congregational Meeting are this Sunday, June 7, immediately following worship.
First Sunday Potluck and Communion
More info coming soon!
First Baptist will host the second annual book fair for the DC Baptist Convention from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in the community space at the O Street entrance. More than a dozen authors participated in the first book fair in September 2025. The fair is free for authors and attendees. For more information, contact Christi Harlan at charlan757@gmail.com.
After Worship
If you have been finding your way to First Baptist in recent weeks or over the past few months, we'd love to have you stay a little longer — starting with lunch. Join us on Sunday, April 26, immediately following worship, for a Newcomer's Lunch where you can connect with other new faces, hear about First Baptist's history and mission, and explore the many ways to get involved in the life of our congregation. Lunch is provided, and all are welcome — whether you've been here a few weeks or this is your very first Sunday. RSVP to Pastor Eric at eric@firstbaptistdc.org.
6:30 pm
If you're in your 20s or 30s and looking for a community to explore faith, ask hard questions, and do life alongside others, our young adult community might be just what you're looking for. We gather for worship, fellowship, and formation throughout the year — and we'd love for you to find a home here. A great first step is our Sunday Night Fellowship on April 19 — a relaxed, informal gathering to meet the community and see what this community is all about. Sign up and see more details using the blue button below.
With joy and gratitude, Jesse Seales and Clayton Carmon invite the entire FBCDC congregation to celebrate their marriage this Saturday, April 18, at 6:45 pm in the FBC sanctuary.
Throughout Lent, twenty and thirty-somethings are gathering weekly in homes across the city for dinner, conversation, and community. Home groups meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and wrap up around 8:30 pm.
This January 1 marked Pastor Julie's 10th anniversary as Senior Pastor of First Baptist – making her our longest-tenured Senior Pastor in almost 35 years. This April, she will also celebrate her 40th anniversary of ordained ministry.
Join us on Sunday, February 1 at our monthly potluck as we celebrate these remarkable milestones and give thanks for Pastor Julie's transformative ministry among us.
You can read the full article celebrating Pastor Julie's decade of leadership at FBCDC. More details about the February 1 celebration will be shared soon!
The Season of Lent always begins with Ash Wednesday. On Wednesday, February 18, we will host an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. All are invited to this simple, 30-minute service as we enter the season of Lent together.
Begins Sunday, February 8
The Wonder Years class invites you to join them beginning Sunday, February 8, for a thoughtful exploration of Sarah Bessey's Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith. This book offers gentle guidance for those navigating seasons of spiritual change, doubt, and discovery—meeting us where we are with wisdom and grace.
Whether you're in a season of questioning, transition, or simply seeking deeper community, this discussion group provides a welcoming space to explore faith's evolving journey together. The class meets Sunday mornings at 10 am and is open to anyone interested in engaging with Bessey's work and connecting with others on similar paths.
No prior reading required to join—just bring your curiosity and willingness to explore.
Julia and the Youth Crew invite your youth to an 8-week Alpha Youth Course starting January 25th! Alpha is a UK-based program that explores fundamental questions of life and the Christian tradition, welcoming students from all backgrounds and faith experiences. During the Faith Formation hour on Sunday mornings (beginning at 9:45 AM with breakfast), students will dig into big topics like "Who is Jesus?", "Why would someone want a relationship with God?", and "What does real love look like?" This is a safe space for ALL questions, genuine curiosity, and authentic conversation. Alpha offers an opportunity to explore the building blocks of Christianity in a warm, welcoming environment built around hospitality and beloved community. Please pray for our students as they encounter Christ in new ways during this season of exploration. For more information, reach out to Julia at julia@firstbaptistdc.org.
February 13-16
Calling all young adults! Join us February 13-16 for a weekend away at Graves Mountain Lodge, nestled at the base of the Shenandoah Valley.
We'll gather for worship, small groups, and fellowship—with plenty of time built in for rest and play. It's the perfect mid-winter reset to reconnect with God, each other, and ourselves.
Cost is $165 per person or $275 per couple. If money is a problem, you don’t have a problem. Reach out to Pastor Eric for questions (eric@firstbaptistdc.org). Registration deadline is February 1, so don't wait! Sign up using the blue button below.
Iona Pilgrimage with Pastor Julie May 19-27, 2026
Join Pastor Julie on pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, Scotland, May 19-27, 2026, through the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.
Office Closed for MLK Holiday
The church office will be closed Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and will reopen on Tuesday, January 20.
Join Area Churches with Cuban-American Theologian and Author Kat Armas
Saturday, January 17
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Join Pastor Eric and friends from area DC churches on Saturday, January 17, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, to hear Cuban-American theologian, author, and speaker Kat Armas to discuss her newest book, Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World. Kat provides practical spiritual disciplines, community-building strategies, and theological frameworks that empower readers to resist empire's dehumanizing effects while cultivating spaces of authentic belonging and liberation.
There will be time to hear from the author, as well as question-and-response time. A book signing will be included in the planned programming, and books will be available for purchase, while supplies last. The event will be held at Washington Community Fellowship (907 Maryland Ave NE), and is co-hosted by Christ City Church, Washington Community Fellowship, and the Table Church.
The event is FREE but RSVPs are requested. Please use the blue button below if you plan to attend.
After weeks of waiting and wondering, the light breaks through. Not in the places power expected. Not with the fanfare empire demands. But in a stable, among shepherds, wrapped in vulnerability itself.
Join us for this sacred celebration of Christmas Eve as we gather around the manger and remember: the light that came into the world that night still rises. In every generation. In every dark season. In us.
The service includes Christmas carols, music from choir, organ, and brass, holy communion, and a Christmas Eve meditation from Pastor Julie. We conclude with the lighting of congregational candles.
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. Join us for Blue Christmas: A Service of Consolation. 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. Please consider inviting and accompanying someone you know who needs some comfort and hope this year.
Young adults, mark your calendars! Join us for Friendsmas following Candlelight Carols on Sunday, December 14 at 6:30 pm. Come celebrate the season with food, fellowship, and festive cheer. More details coming soon!
Capture the joy of the season with this beloved First Baptist tradition featuring organ, brass, and the First Baptist Church Chancel Choir. We will collect a love offering to benefit DC Central Kitchen, and will welcome Mike Curtin, CEO of DC Central Kitchen, as our honored guest. DC Central Kitchen uses food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities, training unemployed adults for culinary careers while providing healthy meals to those in need. After the service, enjoy hot beverages and cookies as we celebrate together. Invite your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to this special service of music and light.
Children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade will begin in all-church worship and then leave with Mr. Bailey during the Passing of the Peace for age-appropriate activities and faith formation designed just for them. This special time will help our younger members engage with worship in meaningful, joyful ways that speak to where they are in their faith journey. Parents can pick up their children in Children's Room #1 after worship concludes. Mark your calendars—the next children's worship gathering is Sunday, December 14. We can't wait to see your children there!
This Sunday, December 7, all are invited to gather after worship in Fellowship Hall for our monthly potluck lunch. This month’s lunch will be hosted by our Compassion and Justice Team. Bring a dish or two for others to enjoy, and plan to join together for this beloved time of food and fellowship. We will also celebrate December birthdays!
Youth, grades 6–12, are invited to a Christmas Party on December 7, 2025, from 12:00–2:00 PM in the Youth Room. We’ll have lunch, Christmas treats, cookie decorating, and a white elephant gift exchange. Bring something you already have and are ready to part with—the sillier, the better!
Enjoy food, friendship and fun at FBC’s annual Thanksgiving lunch after worship on November 23, catered by Bittersweet Catering. Cost is $15/person with a $40 family maximum. Consider purchasing an extra ticket so guests in worship that Sunday can enjoy a meal with the FBC family. RSVP below to reserve your place and purchase tickets.
In a year marked by war, division, and democracy under strain—not unlike the world into which Christ first came—we turn to those who first bore witness to the light. Isaiah saw it coming, John proclaimed its arrival, Mary carried it within her, and Joseph protected its fragile beginning. These ordinary people from the margins became light-bearers, tending flames of justice and joy until dawn broke. This Advent, their witness calls us to discover the light that's already rising, even when we can barely see.
Way Wednesdays are the mid-week gatherings for young adults in their 20s and 30s. We share dinner and explore faith through teaching, contemplative practices, and honest conversation.
You're invited to attend the Dupont Circle Citizens Association's November meeting, which will be held in our Sanctuary on Monday, November 17 at 7 pm. This month's keynote speaker is Mike Curtin, CEO of DC Central Kitchen, addressing the urgent issue of growing hunger and food insecurity in our city.
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, giving is the fuel that powers every congregational expression of hospitality, compassion, generosity and justice. First Baptist 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
Monday-Thursday 10 AM–4 PM
Friday-Saturday Closed
