FIRST WORD
February 2018
Pastor’s pen “BLACK HISTORY”
It is more important than ever that we take the time to reflect on Black history. The progress African Americans have made in this nation is in danger, as well as the stability of democracy as we know it. We need to clearly look at our past to see where we are subject to go in the near future. The ugly faces of racism and white supremacy are not hiding anymore. What we see in the political and social horizon is a replay of pre- and post- Civil War conditions. Our civil rights and voting rights are thwarted by unnecessary and unfair restrictions. The leader of the federal government seems to be setting the stage for rule that is not under law. In other words, the germs that set the stage for dictatorial rule are spreading unabated. The Republican-controlled Congress has become infested and unable to check the growing power of the administration. These conditions are evident in the attacks on the FBI and the American justice system. The disregard for human rights and economic parody manifested in the passing of a tax bill—transferring huge wealth into the hands of the super wealthy—is hailed as a magnificent achievement. No longer are we a nation welcoming those longing for freedom and opportunity. The celebration of diversity has given way to a spirit of supremacy, division and suppression.
It is important that we remind ourselves and others of contributions to the world made by people of color. The Black Diaspora has excelled in every discipline in the human experience. The power of the human spirit has been demonstrated in the creative capacity of African Americans to achieve in the face of great opposition and suppression. Each Sunday in February—Black History Month—First Baptist will highlight some outstanding African Americans who contribute to the well-being of our nation. On Sunday, February 4, 2018, at 9:30 am, the Heritage Signature Chorale will be in concert during our Church School hour. This Chorale preserves the original choral music of the African American tradition. They are making plans to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York City. Our celebration will conclude on the fourth Sunday, February 25, 2018 at the 10:50 am Worship Service. The Reverend Dr. Yolanda Peirce, Dean of Howard University School of Divinity, will be our guest preacher. We are encouraging everyone to wear their African attire. Let’s continue to exercise our gifts and glorify the God we serve. We know He is the Source of our triumphs.
Sunday, February 4th 9:30 a.m.
The Heritage Signature Chorale (HSC) is committed to preserving at the highest possible level the performance tradition of African-American choral music, especially the Negro Spiritual; to elevating the African-American singer and composer in all musical genres; and to bringing a unique interpretation to the classical music of America, Europe, and other regions of the world. The Chorale provides a venue for showcasing artists, composers, and arrangers who share these commitments, thereby fostering community awareness of and appreciation for this important cultural legacy. Founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Stanley J. Thurston, HSC seeks to enhance opportunities for a new generation of listeners to understand and appreciate the historical legacy of symphonic choral music. Stanley J. Thurston is the founding Artistic Director of the Heritage Signature Chorale. He has appeared as conductor of choruses and orchestras in such venues as Carnegie Hall, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the U.S. Capitol, the Music Center at Strathmore, Carter Barron Amphitheater, DAR Constitution Hall, Arena Stage, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington National Cathedral, and Joseph Meyerhof Symphony Hall. In June of this year he will be awarded the 2016 Ovation Award for Outstanding Contributions to Choral Music. Mr. Thurston is a graduate of Morgan State University, where he was mentored by Dr. Nathan Carter, and also of the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, Colorado. In addition to his artistic leadership with HSC, he serves as Artistic Director of the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs, Artist-in-Residence at the Washington National Cathedral, and Director of Music at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. For many years Stanley was the minster of music here at First Baptist Church.
“Youth News, You Can Use” By Sister Kareema Robinson
ADVICE TO THE YOUNG Be true to your eyes, ears, thoughts and feelings; Listen to your heart, but yield to your best Judgment; Be kind and wise in spoken words, for surely your words will follow you; Be not afraid of risks, but be cautious of actions driven by emotion, confusion and false friends; Avoid jealousy of others’ achievements and possessions; Don’t live with an insatiable greed for more than you can appreciate or use; Don’t eat more than your hunger’s call or drink beyond your thirst’s needs; Listen to spirits that favor you and offend not those that oppose you; Absorb yourself in an activity worthy of your unique talent and develop as many common potentialities as you desire and can; Whatever you do, do it as well as you can; live comfortably with your conscience, and be at peace with your soul; Be courageous in life, while always respecting death’s luring and lurking; Rest when tired and think when you are uncertain; Be kind to the sacredness of life and respect the natural order of the universe; Follow no one or nothing except your own judgment and your own divine wish; Love and respect yourself and your family; Be all you can be by developing yourself; Do all you can do in helping others; and live a quality and meaningful life.
On Sunday, February 11, 2018, the Youth Ministry will celebrate Black History Month by lifting up the lives of people and events that have taken place in the last 25 years. These events and people will be part of the Black History that our youth will be able to discuss with their children and grandchildren. On Saturday, March 3, 2018, at 3:00 pm, some of our youth will perform in the play “Quest for Freedom,” written and produced by Sister Andrea Trent of Florida Avenue Baptist Church (FABC). The play will feature stories of historical figures such as Henry Garnet, Henry “Box” Brown, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Mary Church Terrell, Crispus Attucks, Cathay Williams, Kenneth and Mamie Clark, Shirley Chisolm, Thurgood Marshall and more. Please come out and support this
event which will also include youth from FABC. Plans are in the works for a day trip to the Bible Museum for our youth. Emails will be sent to parents after tickets have been secured. Attention All Youth: We want to celebrate and show support for all of your scholastic accomplishments, but you need to keep us informed. All honor roll students should make sure their youth leader or Sunday School teacher is kept abreast of your accomplishments.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SENIOR CENTER EVENTS By Deaconess Barbara Dryden Stanard, FBSC Outreach Specialist The First Baptist Church Senior Center is hosting two exciting events this month. The first is a Pre-Valentine Day Jazz Concert featuring the Charles “Rahmat” Woods Trio. This concert will take place on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 1:30 pm until 3:30 at First Baptist Church in Ida Clark Hall.
Pre-Valentine’s Day Jazz Concert Featuring the Charles “Rahmat” Woods Trio
Hosted by the First Baptist Church Senior Center Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Ida Clark Hall: I:30 to 3:30 pm Light Refreshments will be served The second event will be discussing caring for the “caregiver, wills, probate and right sizing your home”. There will be a wealth of information provided on these important topics. The date for this event is Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church in Ida Clark Hall. Our own Reverend Peggy Miller and Sister Johnnie Pendergrass from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church will be the guest speakers. Please come out to both events. You will be glad you did! (For more information, see flyer on next page.)
Part of the District’s Senior Network supported by the Office on Aging
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SENIOR CENTER PRESENTS
AN APPROACH TO LIVING WELL “THE FIRST IN A LINE OF SERIES OF UPCOMING EVENTS “ Topics include:
Care for the caregiver
Wills and Probate Right sizing your home
Guest Speakers:
Reverend Peggy Miller, Esq. and Sister Johnnie Pendergrass TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 AT 10:30 - 11:30 AM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, IDA CLARK HALL
Part of the District’s Senior Network supported by the Office on Aging
FEBRUARY 2018 EVENTS Sunday, February 4, 2018 (7:50 A.M. & 10:50 A.M.) Communion Sunday Brother Stanley J. Thurston and Heritage Signature Chorale (Black History Month – Singing during the Sunday School Hour) ****** Sunday, February 11, 2018 (10:50 A.M.)
Youth and Young Adult Sunday and Baby Blessing ****** Saturday, February 17, 2018 – (12 Noon - 3:00 P.M.) Women’s Ministry “Paint and Sip” ****** Sunday, February 18, 2018 (7:50 A.M. & 10:50 A.M.) Men’s Emphasis Sunday
****** Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – (10:00 A.M. – 12 Noon) “An Approach to Living Well” Sponsor by: First Baptist Church Senior Center ****** Sunday, February 25, 2018 (7:50 A.M. and 10:50 A.M.) Black History/Young Adult Sunday Dr. Yolanda Pierce, Dean of Howard University School of Divinity — 10:50 A.M. Service ****** Tuesday, February 27, 2018 (10:30 A.M. – 12 Noon) First Baptist Church Senior Center Black History Play First Baptist Church 712 Randolph Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20011 (202) 541-5000 ~ Fax: (202) 291-2565~Email: fchurch@1fbc.org