First Baptist Voices - Winter/Spring 2013 by First Baptist Church Halifax

Where Faith Comes T o Life! The Newsletter of First Baptist Church Halifax

Vol. 25 No 1 March 2013

PATHS TO RENEWAL

ave you noticed? Winter is already looking old.

You will be amazed by the power of this story to renew your soul.

As I write this article I am looking out one of our upstairs windows at Oxford Street on a February afternoon. Instead of the pure white of a fresh snowfall, I am seeing patches of brown and green and the distinctively dingy colour of snow that has absorbed the detritus of passing traffic.

Renewal through worship. Liturgy, the ordered mix of spoken word, music, reflection and prayer, creates time within time where you can open your soul to the presence of God. Not every service, nor every part of a particular service, will necessarily inspire or move you; but, the more you are willing to enter into the rhythm of liturgy, setting aside the claims of ordinary time to be confronted by the extraordinary claims of God’s time (eternity), the greater will be the impact on your spirit. You will find yourself “surprised by God” in the words of a hymn, the quiet beauty of a motet, or the laughter of a child, and you will be renewed.

The scene is one crying out for renewal, for signs of new life, for resurrection. This is also the season of Lent when Christians face up to the signs of neglect and weariness in our spiritual lives, when we seek to reconnect with those resources of our faith that can being renewal and new life. Renewal and new life for nature will come as the spring sun begins to warm the frozen earth, causing the grey snow to melt, the sap to run once more in the trees, and the buried seeds of fall to come alive with green sprouts. Where can we find the warmth to coax our spiritual lives into life, growth and fruitfulness? Here are three possibilities: Renewal through narrative. A good story is able to take us on a journey of discovery and transformation, and there is no greater story than that of the life of Jesus. May I suggest that you pick up a contemporary version of Mark’s Gospel (e.g.; The Message) and read it from start to finish in one sitting. Let the power of his narrative take you from the early days of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee to the white hot atmosphere of his final days in Jerusalem. Hear his words and imagine yourself in the story.

Renewal through meditation. One of the oldest forms of Christian meditation is prayer based on the rhythm of our own breathing. You choose a simple prayer, like Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, or Jesus, Friend and Brother, fill me with your love, and you breathe it. As you take in a slow, deep breath you focus on the first words of the prayer, Jesus, Friend and Brother... Then, as you slowly breathe out you focus on your petition, fill me with your love. As your breathing continues, so too does your prayer, and slowly but surely you find yourself in sacred communion. Meditation can bring warmth to the coldest soul! Winter is looking old, but spring is on its way - thank God! May there be a springtime of renewal and new life in your soul, too! Rev. John E. Boyd Page

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR BAPTIST FREEDOMS RUSHTON LECTURE

r. David M. Jordan will give the annual Rushton Memorial Lecture for the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms on June 1 in Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University in Wolfville. A minister in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Jordan has studied, led groups, taught, and preached in more than thirty countries. He is the author of a new book, Subversive Words, and a member of the Board of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. David and his wife, Beth, live in Huntersville, North Carolina, with their three children. They enjoy music, sports, hiking, travel, and gardening. “In Subversive Words, David Jordan engages readers with fresh, hopeful, and witty interpretations of biblical stories. He challenges readers to ask questions and to expand beyond traditional interpretations; for example, he presents ample support for the equality of men and women in creation. This book is an impressive blend of thorough scholarship and practical application. I highly recommend Subversive Words to all who seek deeper understanding and experience of biblical Wisdom." - Jann Aldredge-Clanton, Ph.D., Baptist Minister

DO YOU LOVE TO SING?

heck out the fantastic Music Page on our website for information about the Senior Choir, Men’s Choir, Children’s Choirs and more!

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES

e are continuing the tradition of early morning Holy Week Services among South End Churches. The services begin at 7:30 a.m. followed by a continental style breakfast at 8 a.m. This is the schedule: Monday, March 25: Cathedral Church of All Saints Tuesday, March 26: Presbyterian Church of St. David Wednesday, March 27: Fort Massey United Church Thursday, March 28: St. Andrew’s United Church We will have our Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae Service at 7 p.m. on March 28 th and this year we will host the Good Friday Service, welcoming the 0congregations of St. Andrew’s and St. John’s United Churches and the Presbyterian Church of St. David at 10:30 a.m. on March 29th. We will begin Easter Sunday, March 31st, with a Sunrise Service in cooperation with the Presbyterian Church of St. David at 6:57 a.m. in Point Pleasant Park. The Easter Sunday Service of Baptism and Communion will begin at 10:30 a.m.

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INTERGENERATIONAL FAMILY FELLOWSHIP

he Inter-generational Family Fellowship meets on the first Saturday of the month, generally 5:30-8:00 p.m., at the homes of various members or occasionally at the church. The format consists of a potluck supper or cost-shared pizza, followed by an hour of adult discussion and prayer time, while the children are supervised in play or watch a child-friendly program in a separate room. New members of all ages are always welcome! For more information, contact Sandy Yip at <amyip@eastlink.ca>.

EASTER MEMORIAL FLOWERS

embers and friends of First Baptist Church are invited to place memorial flowers in the church for Easter Sunday, honoring the lives of family and friends. Easter Sunday is March 31st., so if you wish to make a donation, please contact the church office by Monday March 25th.

GARAGE SALE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013

ur annual Spring Garage Sale is gearing up again this year with great expectations, great fun, lots of good stuff no longer of use to you, but a wonderful bargain for a customer and profits going to FBC for a project not yet named this year. Last and should be first, great people who give us their time, happiness and all their energy for our cause. You will be working for food. Mid-morning coffee break, sweets and time for a chat with your co-workers. Lunch this year will be Sweet BBQ Baked Beans, rolls and sweets, maybe some of Joanneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous brownies will be served at 12:15 p.m. Please try to fit us in on Saturday morning, many hands make light work. Thank you, If you have any queries concerning sale, please call 429-2304. Louise Schurman

EASTER OFFERING t was sixty-three years ago on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1950, that the first service was held in our sanctuary at 1300 Oxford Street!

What a day of excitement that was and how blessed we are to be the inheritors of the faithfulness of those who worked so hard for that day to come. As each of us plan for our Easter Offering this year, may we receive our inspiration from them and determine to do our best to carry on the mission of the Church they loved so much.

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MASS FOR FOUR VOICES BY WILLIAM BYRD (1543-1623)

illiam Byrd was born in the county of Lincolnshire, England, and was a composer of music for both the Protestant and Catholic churches. For the Protestant church, he composed choral anthems in the Anglican style. For the Catholic church, he composed hymns and during his childhood, Byrd was probably one of the Child Choristers of the Chapel Royal in London, while the great Renaissance composer, Thomas Tallis was organist and choir director. In 1563, at age twenty, Byrd became Organist of the Lincoln Cathedral (his home town) and later became a Gentleman at the Chapel Royal. In 1575, Byrd became the organist at the Chapel Royal and worked along with his mentor Thomas Tallis in composing and publishing motets. Byrd is famous for writing extraordinary masses, vocal and solo songs, madrigals and chamber music. He was described as a man with natural gravity and piety. During his life he was considered the foremost composer of keyboard music in all of Europe. Byrd excelled in writing sacred, secular, vocal and instrumental music, and left a lasting impression on the musical world. In spite of the harrowing religious times under which he lived, in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and James I, Byrd remained faithful to his principles as a Catholic. In his last will and testament he "that he may live and dye a and perfect member of the Holy Catholike Churche withoute which I beleeve there is noe salvacon for me". In the month of March, FBC choir will be presenting Byrd's Mass for Four Voices as part of our Communion Liturgy. Byrd's Kyrie settings employ his well-known style: dense imitative polyphony. A special feature of the Agnus Dei employs techniques which Byrd had previously applied to the motets of Cantiones sacrae, music published by Tallis and Byrd in 1575, in which the final words dona nobis pacem ('grant us peace') are set to chains of anguished suspensions. This certainly reflects the troubled Catholic community of the 1590s. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Byrd) Byrd's 470 compositions gives him the reputation as one of the great masters of European Renaissance music. Perhaps his most impressive achievement as a composer was his ability to transform so many of the main musical forms of his day and stamp them with his own identity. Be sure to tune in to hear movements of his Mass for Four Voices, which our own FBC choir will present during Communion in the month of March. Lynette Wahlstrom, Music Director, FBC

GOING UP!

hanks to the generosity of many members of our congregation, including the Ladies' Auxiliary, and the dedicated work of Ken Margeson, Bryan Darrell, Alan North, Wayne McPhee and Clyde Evans, our new elevator is ready for action. Following the service on Sunday, February 24th, we had a brief ceremony and "official" first rides to the Assembly Room level for the Annual General Meeting.

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FORTY DAYS AND SIX

orty is a time-honored biblical number. One immediately thinks of the Israelites’ forty years of trial in the wilderness and of Jesus’ forty days of fasting and testing in the desert. It is not surprising, then, that when the tradition of observing a season of fasting in preparation for the celebration of Easter developed in the Christian church, it should be forty days long. But is Lent really forty days? A look at the calendar and a little arithmetic reveal that the days beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday number forty-six! How come? It’s because deep in its heart the church knew that Sunday— “Little Easter”—was not a day for fasting. It was a day for celebration, a feast day, not a fast day. It was the day of resurrection, a day for Eucharist (thanksgiving). So, punctuating the forty days of fasting and penitential self-examination were the six Sundays of Lent on which the redemptive resurrection truth was remembered and celebrated. For us, Lent may still be a season of penitence and self-examination, if not of fasting. In a world in which the human race seems bent on the destruction of creation and of itself, there is much to be penitent about. But lest we fall into despair about ourselves and our world, it is good to remember the resurrection truth. God’s redemptive purposes for humanity and for all of creation are not defeated. Even in the season of Lent there are six “Little Easters.” Rev. Nelson A. Metcalfe

PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE Deaths Lloyd Heighton—November 21, 2012 Brother of Jan Heighton Dr. Harold Grant—November 28, 2012 Brother of Joan McWuinn Margaret Lawlor—December 5, 2012 Sister-in-law of Noreen Lawlor Arthur Sterns—December 27, 2012 Brother of Bruce Sterns Michael Boyd—January 31, 2013 Son of Eric and the late Margaret Boyd Step-son of Mattie Boyd Brother of John, Anne, Barry, Jim, Carolyn and Florence Alexander Taylor—February 5, 2013 Son of Andrew and Paula Taylor Brother of Vanessa Taylor Peggy Ki Chan Yeung Ip—February 12, 2013 Mother of Alex Young Beryl Isnor—February 16, 2013 Step-mother of Rob Isnor

Births February 15, 2013 Blake Alexander MacFarlane Parents: Andrew and Leigh-ann MacFarlane Grandparents: Barrie and Karen MacFarlane February 20, 2013 Thomas Alan Goodall Parents: Stephanie and Graeme Goodall Grandparents: Alan and Laurie Cruess

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MEMBERSHIP CLASS MARCH 16; 9:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. Topics to be discussed include: Relating to God Growing in Faith The Meaning of Baptism Who are the Baptists All About First Baptist A Mission for All of Us The Baptism of new members will be during our Easter Sunday Service on March 31. Those already baptized and transferring their membership from other congregations could be received on Easter Sunday as well. If you wish to take the class, please contact Rev. John Boyd Phone 422-5203; Email srminister@eastlink.ca

WALK FOR MEMORIES

or many years First Baptist Church has supported the work and programs offered by the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia through its Spring Fundraiser and Awareness Event - “Walk for Memories”. In fact FBC is one of the top fundraisers for the walk. In the early years we were the only Church participating, but of late other Congregations have joined us. Last year the Halifax walk began and ended at Pier 21. A similar walk was held in Sydney with a record number of walkers at these locations a total of $150,000 raised province-wide. Many of us have been touched by this horrible disease so lets together help find a cure, join us on May 5, 2013 Walk in Memory Walk in Celebration Walk in Honour Of Someone Special (Further details will be announced in the bulletin)

MEN WITHOUT JACKETS

n December, we were invited to participate in an Advent Service at St. Benedict's Church along with several other choirs. We also participated in the final communion service at Victoria Hall before the facility is closed for good. And a busy month ended with our participation in the annual Carols by Candlelight service. At Valentine's, we sang a selection of love songs for our adoring fans. Our thanks to Lynette for giving so generously of her time to help us make music together. Remember, we call ourselves "Men Without Jackets" because God never said we needed to dress up to sing his praises. We will be participating in another Easter communion service with the ladies in their new residence at Caritas on March 17. That is always a highlight for them and us. We rehearse next on Saturday March 23 from 10:00 am until noon. For further information, contact our Director of Music, Lynette Wahlstrom. Men Without Jackets: Bryan Darrell, Mac Philips, Ian McKee, Jim Stanley, David Bourque, Alan Manchester, Erick Lee, Joe O’Brien, Brian Ashton, Ken Margeson, Nelson Metcalfe, David Dexter, Paul Henderson, John Dalton, David Gibson, Garnet Colwell, Tom Crowell, Alan North, Jeremy Dutcher, Tony Marshall, Kim Davison, Ed Tummers, Dahrl Whitney, Richard MacMichael, Allen Cruess. Guest organists, Patrick Salah, Shawn Whynot.

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CHILDREn’S PagE

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2013 COMMITTEE AND BOARD CHAIRS The following are the Chairs of the various committees and boards of First Baptist Church, as voted on at the Annual Business meeting, Sunday, February 24, 2013. Board of Deacons Board of Trustees Board of Management Secretary to the Brd of Mgmt Board of Christian Education Sunday School Superintendent Finance Committee Investment Committee Property Maintenance Music Committee Community Outreach Refugee Committee Tellers Committee Planned Giving Personnel Committee Nominating Committee Board of Ushers Flower Committee Visitation Committee Archivist Church Clerk Auxiliary President

Lee Nicholas-Pattillo Naomi Nonnekes David Gibson Jennifer Ferguson Janet Margeson Erick Lee Bill MacInnis Ian McKee Ken Margeson Frank McGill Gwendolyn MacLean Elinor Nicoll Ed Tummers (June-Oct.) Joan Fraser (July-March) Larry Doane Sheila Stanley Joe O’Brien Co-Chair Steven Dexter Co-Chair David Gibson Johanne McKee David Bourque Louise Schurman Louise Schurman Joanne Stonehouse

443-9784 402-1772 454-0503 402-6477 832-3093 423-1291 422-6238 477-3112 832-3093 457-2229 425-6959 445-5761 425-0894 455-7054 477-7761 852-4993 422-9859 222-2399 454-0503 477-3112 479-0708 429-2304 429-2304 435-4724

"Using gifts God has given us to do the work God is calling us to do!” Page

50 YEARS AGO: LOOKING BACK TO 1963 February 2013 : The Africville Project

he chief concern of the Social Service committee was Africville and the well-being of the people that reside there. The committee worked through the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church by contributing to the pastor’s salary so that he could minister to the Africville people and by assisting the congregation to employ the services of Mr. David Spriggs for the summer months. Mr. Spriggs was a theological student at Acadia who helped Mr. Coleman in many ways. His major contribution was to go directly into the Africville community and work with the people to help develop local leaders. He devoted much time to their problems and did much to help them understand the inevitability of re-development. He did much to strengthen the bond between the people of Africville and the Cornwallis Street congregation. Many of our own young people volunteered throughout the summer to help. The Senior High group organized a bowling party for the children of Africville. Mrs. Coleman of Cornwallis Street Baptist Church gave a talk to the Women’s Missionary Society about the needs of Coloured Children in Halifax. The Women’s Auxiliary donated money to the NS Home for Coloured Children and the Africville Social Services. The Social Service Committee sponsored a Christmas party in the Cornwallis Street church hall for the youngsters of Africville. Members of the Young Adult Group and CGIT did much of the planning and organizing of the games, entertainment, and food. After a delicious supper, and the singing of Christmas carols, Santa Claus arrived to distribute gifts. The party concluded with a short worship in the auditorium. Members of the Board of Deacons of the Africville Church and Cornwallis Street Church assisted. It was a joyous time and the radiance of the small faces testified to a wonderful occasion. Elsewhere in the world: In Alabama, in his inauguration speech as governor, George Wallace says: “In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, ...I say, segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” Dr. Martin Luther King is arrested in Birmingham, Alabama for parading without a permit. Governor Wallace of Alabama defies an order to integrate the University of Alabama. Troops are brought in to force him to allow two black students to enter; he blocks the door but then relents. President Kennedy denounces segregation as morally wrong. Field Director of NAACP in Mississippi shot dead in front of his own house by Ku Klux Klan. Dr. Martin Luther King delivers his famous “I have a dream” speech. Four young black girls are killed in the bombing of the 11 th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham., Alabama. Nelson Mandela of South Africa is charged with 222 acts of sabotage. Research by Ed Tummers Coming soon May 2013: New Directions for a growing congregation August 2013: Reaching Out November 2013: The Life of the Church

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GIVING THROUGH THE PREAUTHORIZED OFFERING PLAN

o you know that your weekly offering may be given through First Baptist’s preauthorized offering plan? (POP) This plan offers you a convenient way to give regularly and provides the church with a dependable and consistent flow of income to meet budget commitments throughout the year. When you enroll, you decide what you wish your annual donation to be and divide that amount by twelve (months). You can then simply authorize your bank to debit to your account the amount you wish to give on a monthly basis. This means that your annual giving will be reflected in twelve monthly gifts, and you will receive your tax receipt as usual at year end. When you are in attendance on Sunday, you may mark your regular envelope with “POP” or use the convenient POP cards in the pew which you can place on the collection plate. When you are unable to attend church, your gift will always be there. Preauthorized giving is confidential and you are free to adjust your level of giving at any time. Those who are already committed to giving through this Plan are pleased at how easy it is to participate and to support the work of the church in this way. Why not contact the Church Office (4225203) to find out how you may become part of preauthorized giving at First Baptist Church. Joan Fraser Pre-authorized Offering Plan

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PRAYER CIRCLE

id you know that First Baptist Church has a Prayer Circle? Would you be willing to join this group of folks who have committed themselves to helping others through intercessory prayer? No special training or talents are necessary - only a willingness to include others in your daily prayer life. Anyone can ask for prayers, either through our ministers or directly to the group leader, Deacon Pauline Allsop (492-1050 or 228-2985). All requests are held in strictest confidence. When a request for prayers is received, the leader contacts the members of the circle, and each member commits to hold in prayer the person(s) for whom prayers are requested. Our group is small, and we would welcome new members. Unlike Committees and other groups, there are no meetings to attend, and the only commitment is to pray for others. If this sounds like a call to

WHY 40 DAYS? Lent's duration is actually 46 days. However, as Sundays represent Christ's resurrection, they are not commonly counted in the tally between Ash Wednesday and the Easter vigil. The primary meaning of the fast is considered to be a way of identifying with the suffering of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels, and of acknowledging his death for the sins of humanity. The meaning of the season is further enriched by other biblical occurrences of the number 40 -- Moses and Elijah spent 40 days in the wilderness, in a similar manner to Christ, the Jewish people wandered for 40 years, as recorded in Exodus, and Jesus spent 40 hours in the tomb, prior to his resurrection.

Worship at First Baptist March to May—2013

March 3: Lent 3; Communion Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 Following Jesus: Repentance - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Byrd, Enns

April 7: Easter 2; Communion Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 150 Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31 Is Faith Possible Today? - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Gibbons, Shephard

March 10: Lent 4 Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Following Jesus: Grace - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Lang, Pergolesi

April 14 Easter 3 Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 30 Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Jesus Will Not Give Up On You - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Handel, Rutter

March 17: Lent 5 Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8 Following Jesus: Generosity - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Chilcott, Pergolesi

April 21: Easter 4 Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 The Lord Is My Shepherd - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Glick, Gabrieli

March 24: Palm/Passion Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-48 Following Jesus: Witness - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Callahan*, Vivaldi (Men Without Jackets*)

April 28: Easter 5 Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35 The Greatest Commandment - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Tomblings, Duruflé

Holy Week Ecumenical Services, 7:30 a.m. Monday: Cathedral Church of All Saints Tuesday: Presbyterian Church of Saint David Wednesday: Fort Massey United Church Thursday: St. Andrew’s United Church

May 5: Easter 6; Communion Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67 Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29 When Plans Go Awry - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Tallis, Rutter

March 28: Maundy Thursday; 7 p.m. Communion and Tenebrae Service Music: Were You There -arr. Ray (MWJ)

May 12: Easter 7 (Ascension) Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97 Revelation 22:12-21; John 17:20-26 Sermon: TBA Music: Rentz*, Archer (MWJ)

March 29: Good Friday Service; 10:30 a.m. Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12; Psalm 22 Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1 - 19:42 Joint Service at First Baptist Church Halifax (St. Andrew’s and St. John’s United, Presbyterian Church of St. David) Music: Combined Choirs, Manchester, Barber

May 19: Pentecost Sunday; Communion Genesis 11:1- 9 Psalm 104:24-, 35b Acts 2:1 - 21; John 14:8-17 Breaking the Sound Barrier- Rev. Nelson Metcalfe Music: Ives, Elgar

March 31: Easter; Baptism; Communion Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Luke 24:1-12 Made Alive in Christ - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Rathbone, Thompson, Byrd

May 26: Trinity Sunday Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8 Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Standing in Grace - Rev. John E. Boyd Music: Hildegard of Bingen, Rathbone

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HOW TO CONNECT? First Baptist Church Halifax 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax Nova Scotia, B3H 3Y8 Web Site: firstbaptisthalifax.org Telephone: (902) 422-5203 FAX: (902) 422-8665 General E-mail: fbaphfx@eastlink.ca Personal E-mail: srminister@eastlink.ca lynettewfbc@eastlink.ca na.metcalfe@ns.sympatico.ca https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistHalifax Blog: boydsblog-jeb.blogspot.net Twitter: @JEBhfx

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