Notes from PASTOR PCHRIS ASTOR CHRIS
2026 CHURCH THEME
REIMAGINE: GOD’S PEOPLE. GOD’S PROMISE.
By God’s grace, this year we will celebrate 180 years of faithful ministry. Our theme calls us to see our identity and future through God’s unchanging character and unfolding purpose.
Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” In a changing world, Christ remains constant. The same Jesus who sustained this church in 1846 sustains us now. Our hope is not rooted in nostalgia for the past or fear of the future, but in the unchanging Lord of the Church. Yet Isaiah 43:19 declares, “Behold, I will do a new thing.” The God who does not change in His nature is always at work in fresh, redemptive ways. The “new thing” is not a departure from His promise; it is the unfolding of it. To reimagine is not to reinvent the Gospel, but to realign ourselves with God’s eternal promise and discern how to embody it faithfully in this season.
Reimagining God’s People
For 180 years, this church has been a testimony to God’s sustaining grace. We honor that legacy by not only remembering it, but also building upon it. God’s people are not defined by buildings or ministries, but by a covenant relationship with Him. We are a redeemed community, called out of darkness into light, sent not merely as members, but as missionaries and ambassadors of Christ.
As beneficiaries of 180 years of promise, we are also stewards of responsibility. The faith of those before us must be expressed in us with renewed clarity, courage, and compassion.
Reimagining God’s Promise
From Abraham to the early church, from 1846 until now, God has been faithful. His promise is more than survival; it is transformational, forming a people who reflect His glory and extend His Kingdom.
Hebrews anchors us in Christ’s constancy. Isaiah awakens us to God’s new work. Together, they assure us that the future is secure because the Promise-Maker is faithful. Our story is not finished. The same God who sustained 180 years will empower the years ahead with fresh vision and greater fruitfulness.
Living It Out: Connect. Grow. Serve.
Connect. We pursue covenant community; deep fellowship with Christ and authentic unity with one another, modeling reconciliation and love.
Grow. We commit to spiritual maturity through discipleship, holiness, and theological depth, being transformed into Christ’s likeness across generations.
Serve. We continue our 180-year legacy of impact by meeting present needs with eternal perspective, participating in God’s redemptive work.
As we journey in 2026, we stand on 180 years of faithfulness, anchored in an unchanging Savior, and awakened to a God who is doing a new thing.
REIMAGINE: God’s People. God’s Promise.
The same Christ. A renewed vision. An unfolding promise. A church ready for what God will do next.
InChrist’sLove, Pastor Chris InChrist’sLove, Pastor Chris
Sermons from PASTOR PCHRIS ASTOR CHRIS
Sermons from PASTOR PCHRIS ASTOR CHRIS
CelebratingOurHeritage
DidYouKnow?
features
features
Dr. John Alexander Madison and Mrs. Marcy Madison
Dr. John Alexander Madison and Mrs. Marcy Madison
On Thursday July 26, 2007, our church and our community lost Dr. John Alexander Madison.
Born July 10, 1925, in St. Louis, John grew up in the city’s historic Ville neighborhood. He attended Marshall Elementary and Sumner High School. At age 18, John completed his military registration. He served during the Korean War.
John graduated from Sumner High School in January of 1945 and was very active in student government and he was elected Senior Class President by his high school class. He was also active in theater and the arts. John attended Stowe Teacher’s College where he was an active member of the Dramatic Club and is where he became a member of the Beta Nu Chapter of KappaAlphaPsiFraternity,Inc.
Meanwhile on 5916 Minnesota Ave, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Charleston, Marsulite Charleston, was growing into the beautiful woman who would become John Madison’s wife. “Marcy” graduated from Sumner High School in 1947 and was at the top of the first graduating class of the A.B. School of Practical Nursing in 1948. In 1951, she and John were engaged and married. Theyweremarried56years.
After marriage, John and Marcy remained active members of Antioch Baptist Church. Marcy attended Homer G. Phillips School of Nursing and then Harris Stowe College. She graduated from Forest Park Community College with her RN in 1970. Her career lasted 43years.
WhileJohnworkedasamailhandlerforthePostalService,hecontinuedto advance his education by earning his law degree from the segregated Lincoln University Law School in St. Louis. Afterwards he taught science, math,andhistoryfor35yearsinseveralelementaryschoolsintheSt.Louis Public School system. He also served as a Coordinator for the Career Opportunities Program (COP) that opened opportunities to increase the numberofminorityteachersfortheSt.LouisPublicSchools,retiringin1990. JohnandMarcywerefaithfulmembersofAntiochBaptistChurchandlater they joined the First Baptist Church of Chesterfield, participating on variouschurchcommittees.Johnservedaschurchhistorian.
In addition to being a great part of First Baptist Church of Chesterfield’s history, John was notably the great grandson of Dred Scott, an enslaved African American man who sued for his freedom in a landmark 1857 Supreme Court case, Dred Scott v. Sandford. Listed to the left is thereportingofafamousperformancegivenin 1958 by John where he portrayed his great grandfather, shown below, in a reenactment of theDredScotttrial.
Click the YouTube link to the left to view John Madison’s interview that begins at 1:15 minutes after launching the video.
John and Marcy are pictured as proud parents of Lynne, John, Marcy, and Michael and grandson Michael. They enjoyed being grandparents of9andgreat-grandparentsof3.
The Did You Know? articles are provided each month by the FBCC History and Legacy Committee
Olive oil rich in heart healthy fats serves as the primary source of added fat, replacing butter and other oils. Animal proteins are enjoyed in moderation, with fish and seafood as the main sources, complemented by smaller amounts of poultry, eggs, and dairy. Just as important is limiting added sugars, which can fuel inflammation, weight gain, and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Natural sweetness from whole fruit is the preferred choice, offering fiber, antioxidants, and a gentler impact on blood sugar levels.
Recipe Recipe
Sheet-PanSalmonwithBroccoli |EatingWell
Ingredients
12tablespoonsextra-virgin oliveoil
2tablespoonslemonjuice
2largeclovesgarlic,grated ½teaspoonsalt
⅛teaspoongroundpepper
1largeheadbroccoli,cutinto
¼poundscenter-cutsalmon
Choppedfreshparsleyand/or fillet,cutinto4portions chivesforgarnish(optional)
*Disclaimer: Many people want reliable information on various diets. Always consult your health care provider before adopting a new nutritional plan florets(about12ounces)
Recipe Recipe
Instructions
Step1.Preheatovento425°F.Linea largerimmedbakingsheetwithfoil, coatwithcookingspray.
Step2.Whisk2tablespoonsoil,2 tablespoonslemonjuice,the gratedgarlic,½teaspoonsaltand ⅛teaspoonpepperinalargebowl. Remove2tablespoonsofthe mixtureintoasmallbowl.
Step3.Addbroccolifloretstothe largebowl;tosstocoatwiththe lemonmixture.Transfertothe preparedbakingsheet;roastfor5 minutes.Movethebroccolitoone
sideandplacethe4salmon portionsontheotherside.Spoon thereservedlemonmixtureonto thesalmon.Roastuntilthe broccoliistenderandthesalmon isjustcookedthrough,7to9 minutes.Garnishwithparsley and/orchives,ifdesired.
Note:Pleasefeelfreetomodifyingredientsifneeded
FBCCCrosswordPuzzle
Answers on page 30.
FebruaryCelebrations
RecurringHappenings
When:Every1st Sundayat9:45a.m.
GatherYour Elements:grape juice,juices,crackers, orbreads
When:EveryThursday from12:00-12:30p.m.
ConferenceCallLine: 1(877)873-8018
AccessCode:3270406
NoonDayBible Study WednesdayNight BibleStudy
When:Every WednesdayatNoon intheFellowshipHall
Facilitator:Deacon JimWilson
When:Every Wednesdayat6:45p.m.
Classesforallages includingchildren, youth,andadults.
Dinnerbeginsat5:30 p.m.
When:EverySundayat 8:00a.m.
In-person:Church OfficeConference Room
ConferenceCallLine: 1(877)873-8018
AccessCode:3270406
YoungAdult BibleStudy
When:Monthly (SaturdayatNoon)
ContacttheChurch Officeforthedates.
In-person:Classroom #15offtheFellowship Hall.
Joinin-personorvia Zoom
IfjoiningameetingviaZoom,besuretoremainon muteunlessspeaking.IfjoiningtheConferenceLine, press*6tomuteandunmute.
FaithHappenings
FaithHappenings
FaithHappenings
FaithHappenings
Who’sMyDeacon&Minister?
Intimesofneed,yourDeaconisyourfirstpointofcontactforprayer,illness, distressedsituations,hospitalization,surgery,ordeathofalovedone.
UsethefirstletterofyourlastnameinordertofindyourassignedDeacon andMinister.
IfyouareunabletoconnectwithyourprimaryassignedDeacon,please contactyourback-upDeacon.
FBCCCrosswordPuzzle
Answers Answers
Our Vision
To move “Forward in Faith” emulating the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, ministering to all people, exalting the Savior, equipping and supporting the members for Ministry, and evangelizing the lost, while continuing to share our rich Christian and cultural heritage.
Our Mission
To advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in accordance with Matthew 28:18-20, through preaching of the Gospel, consistent Christian living, personal evangelism, missionary endeavor, Christian education, and the public worship of God.
Christopher L. Rogers, Sr. Senior Pastor Mark Watson, Sr. Deacon Chairman
Co-Leads
