LENT
Sunday Services: During the season of Lent, will have a more reflective tone with no choir processional and opening silence. Children’s story during Lent will focus on spiritual practices to try at home with your family. Ecumenical Morning Services: Will be held throughout the city from March 21-24, 2016 beginning at 7:30am; a light breakfast will follow each service. Everyone is welcome. Monday March 21 – All Saints Anglican Cathedral Tuesday, March 22 – First Baptist Church Halifax Wednesday, March 23 – St Mary’s Basilica Thursday, March 24 – St Andrew’s United Church The Sanctuary at FBC will be open for quiet reflection from 12 noon -1:00pm Monday - Thursday of Holy Week. A Deacon and a Minister will be present if you wish to speak to someone.
Entry into Jerusalem
The Last Supper
Tenebrae Service: Thursday, March 24.. 2016 - 7:00pm First Baptist Church Halifax. This service will include Holy Communion, readings, music and quiet reflection. The lights will become dimmer and dimmer throughout the service until we leave in darkness. This is a very reflective service.
Good Friday Service: A joint service with St. John’s United Church, St. Andrew’s United Church and The Presbyterian Church of St. David’s Friday, March 25th at 10:30am at St. John’s United (The Maritime Conservatory). The Crucifixion
Easter Sunrise Service: A joint service with The Presbyterian Church of St. David’s, Point Pleasant Park (Black Rock Beach). Sunday, March 27 at 6:55am (sunrise at 7:04am). Service will include singing, readings and a short meditation.
The Empty Tomb
Easter Worship Service: Sunday, March 27th at 10:30am. Holy Communion, singing, readings and an Easter message.
The Resurrection
March 6; Lent 4; Holy Communion Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Filled With Compassion – Rev. Jenny Csinos Music: Daley. March 13: Lent 5 Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8 Don’t Look Back – Arla Johnson Music: Chilcott, Handel March 20: Palm/Passion Sunday; Parent/Child Dedication Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-40 Shouting Stones vs. Military Might – Rev. Lynn Uzans Music: Songsters, Praetorius
The Visitation Ministry - a critical mission Many of us have benefited from the pastoral care offered by Rev. Nelson Metcalfe, our Minister of Visitation. Whether he is visiting shut-ins at home or care facilities, folks in the hospital, offering Communion, or simply fellowship, this Ministry has been a highlight of First Baptist’s Mission. It was only just over a year ago that we committed to a two year extension, when our congregation approved a funding formula of 50% from member contributions and 50% from the Special Gift Fund. Since then, First Baptist has made other appeals such as bringing a new refugee family to Halifax and our annual Mission fund. Our members have responded generously; however, the increasing call on support seems to have resulted in a reduction of individual congregation member financial support for our Visitation Ministry. Rev. Metcalfe has committed to this Ministry for 2015 and 2016, with the potential of a further 1 ½ year extension. At present, we are drawing on the Special Gift Fund for the first six months of 2016; however, that fund serves as a Reserve for extraordinary expenses and we would all benefit if our members’ giving could increase. Please add or increase your donation in the giving envelopes and clearly mark it “Visitation Ministry” or let Church Office know what your intentions and instructions are. Thank you. Joe O’Brien, Chair Visitation Committee
'He Lives' by Simon Dewey
JUST US! COFFEE People and the Planet Before Profits In an email today, I was told that this particular R2D2 replica travelled from a galaxy far, far away, landing at the Mic Mac Mall. The imagery of being called out of its comfort zone and on a mission, reminds us that we too are on a mission. Through an array of mixed vegetables, creamed corn, green beans, chick peas, spaghetti and tuna we are living this mission and fervently hope that the hidden message inside us will project out for all we do and all we meet. "The Faith Awakens" Interesting numbers about our R2D2 include (Thanks Judy Whalen): Total number of cans in display: 1,144 Total number of food servings in display: 2,910 Total number of calories in display: 187,490. A huge thank you to all those who helped put R2D2 together on Wednesday, and to all those who have donated to the project. We only need to raise about $450 more to cover the costs of all the cans. If you have not done so yet or you have contributed and would like to top up your donation, it’s not too late. Please mark donations with "Canstruction" and either send them in to the Church Office or place them on the offering plate on Sunday. The food used to build our exhibit, along with that used in all of the exhibits, is donated to Feed Nova Scotia along with monetary contributions over and above the cost of cans of food. Judy’s numbers above, speak volumes about the number of people our involvement in Canstruction “can” benefit.
To this . . . From this to. . .
To this . . .
"Visit our Facebook page for the link to vote for R2D2 for the "Peoples Choice Award."
To this . . .
To this . . .
and from a different angle
To this . . . The finished product plus a few (quite a few) meals!!
To support the Fair Trade partnership between producers, traders or buyers, and consumers, Community Outreach continues to sell Just Us! Coffee. Proceeds from the sale of coffee are used to buy food items for the Brunswick Street Breakfast Program (i.e., pancakes, sausages, eggs, hash browns, juice, fruit, and sandwiches). To quote Father Fronz Vander Hoff, a Dutch priest living in Mexico and the father of Fair Trade in Canada, “Fair Trade is important because it is a dignifying process of empowerment to break the cycle of poverty.” The people that started Just Us! called themselves by that name because they were a small group of friends who had very little in the way of business experience or resources, but believed they could do something for social justice. They wanted to be consistent with the standards set out for Fair Trade co-ops in the Third World:
Democratic Work for the common good Environmentally responsible Transparent Accountable to members Every year 10% of Just Us! profits are allocated to a Small Producers Fund, which is invested towards projects that contribute to the sustainable development of partner co-ops, their farmer-members and their communities in countries such as Mexico, Peru, Tanzania, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, East Timor, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Malawi. Some of these projects include health clinics, tuition for a nursing student, purchasing a tractor, and a co-op coffee processing and storage facility. When you purchase a bag of coffee, you are helping to promote a fair trade economy, which enables the world’s farmers to sell their products. Our regular coffee sells for $11.00 per bag and the decaf sells for $12.00 per bag. Buy a box (6 bags) of Fair Trade Coffee for your office! Thank you for your continued support of this Outreach project. Below is the Purpose of Just Us! People and the Planet before Profits ™ We are a worker co-operative that contributes to a sane world where peoples' needs and the wellbeing of our planet are put before greed. Building on our success, we continue to foster a more democratic workplace and supply chain, where everyone can participate and benefit. This is an important struggle that will take commitment on everyone’s part. Our efforts are focused on small-scale sustainable agriculture working towards healthy communities and a healthy world. Through our fair trade products and education, we promote awareness on development and trade issues, always looking for a way to be a vehicle for change.
Candid's from the. . . . Meet our Newest Member Ian Easter was born on August 8th, 1967 in Kelowna, BC and grew up attending First Baptist Church, Kelowna. In 1978, Ian’s parents John and Martha Easter, b e c a m e missionaries with Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) to Kodaikanal International School in Southern India. After graduation from high school in 1986, Ian returned to Canada and attended the Baptist Leadership Training School in Calgary, AB before completing a BA degree in Linguistics from Trinity Western University. In 1993, Ian became a missionary with CBM and began service in Istanbul, Turkey. In 1995, he returned home to complete his MDiv at Regent / Carey Theological College and was ordained to Gospel Ministry with the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada a year later. After a variety of pastoral and chaplain position in BC and The Hague, Netherlands, Ian eventually enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 2008 as a military chaplain in Petawawa, Ontario. In 2015 Capt Easter completed a Masters degree in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality from Saint Paul University, Ottawa and was posted to Victoria, BC where he began work as a clinical Mental Health Chaplain. Prior to completing his MA, Captain Easter transferred his membership to First Baptist Church, Halifax and his ordination credentials to CABF.
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Valentine Supper
...to the Buffet
...called by the MC
...everyone enjoyed the food, the great music and the camaraderie—thanks!
The FBC Senior Choir is presenting gifts of music for the Lenten season ranging from Renaissance anthems to Spirituals, as well as a focus on American and Canadian choral anthems. On February 14th we sang "Love Divine" by Ned Rorem, and in honour of African Heritage Month, the great Spiritual favorite, "Deep River". Ned Rorem was born in Richmond, Indiana, in 1923, and is one of America's most honored composers. In addition to a Pulitzer Prize, awarded in 1976, Rorem has been the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship (1951), a Guggenheim Fellowship (1957), and an award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters (1968). He is a threetime winner of the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award; in 1998 he was chosen Composer of the Year by Musical America. His sensitive setting of the familiar text "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" brings together craft with inspiration in a worshipful manner. The Senior Choir continued our Lenten musical journey on February 21st with "Prayer of St. Francis" by Halifax's Peter Togni, and Earth Song by Frank Ticheli: A cry for peace in a world torn by war, this poignant a cappella setting of an original text is filled with striking dynamic contrasts. "Sing, Be, Live, See... This dark stormy hour, the wind, it stirs. The scorched earth cries out in vain... But music and singing have been my refuge, and music and singing shall be my light… On February 28th, Breanna Miller brought excerpts from Fleming's, "The Confession Stone", coupled with the Senior Choir's singing of a new arrangement of the popular Spiritual "Precious Lord". On March 6th, a special treat will be the complete Mass setting of Canadian Eleanor Daley's "Missa Brevis", who brings us a lifetime of experience composing for choral and church music, as church choirmaster.
In the world of Google, TV on demand, and always being connected the idea of pausing and reflecting during the season of Lent seems to counter act what our culture is. And maybe, that's exactly what this season brings as a gift to us. Lent is modeled after Jesus' forty days in the desert. We read in the Gospels that with the exception of the temptations of the devil, Jesus was alone for the entire time.
take time on your own to pause. Do what is best for you to halt the everyday and focus on Christ. Allow yourself to be counter cultural and switch into airplane mode for an hour, go for a walk or read through some thought provoking material. We are entering the season of Easter, and when we do, may it be a renewed promise for you. A time that you can hear the story of Christ's ministry, death and resurrection in a new way. A story that breaks through the hustle and bustle of life and captures your Spirit. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, "Are you tired? Submitted by Rev. Jenny Csinos Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (The Message). We're about half way done this season, but it's not too late to pause. It's not too late to "learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Take time to attend the spiritual practices class on Monday evenings, try a spiritual practice offered during children's story, attend the reading of Coventry Cathedral’s Prayer of Reconciliation on Fridays at 12:15pm or The Temptation of Jesus by Satan
Take Sunday School Home! Our curriculum offers at home resources for continuous conversations of faith formation for the whole family. Check out the church website for each weeks take-home sheet. Lenten Spiritual Practices Class: This class, open to all ages, will run Monday's from 7-8 in the church parlour during the season of Lent. Each week will focus on a different prayer method or spiritual practice. You do not need to attend each class in order to participate. Please speak to Rev. Jenny Csinos for more information. March 7 - Prayer through art March 14 - Taize March 21 - Prayer through journaling Youth Baptism/Membership Class: During the month of April stay for lunch on Sunday's from 121:30pm. Classes will be held to prepare youth to join First Baptist Church Halifax either by Believer’s Baptism or by transfer from another Christian Church. The class will cover such questions as: What does it mean to be a Christian? Why do Baptists baptize the way they do? What is different about a Baptist Church? How can I continue to grow in my faith? What is the First Baptist Church Halifax story? The class is always open to and youth inquirers who have not made up their minds about joining the Church, but have lots of questions! For more information, contact Rev. Jenny Csinos.
Members and friends of First Baptist Church are invited to place Memorial Flowers in the church for Easter Sunday, honouring the lives of family members and friends. If you wish to make a donation please contact the church office before March 23rd.
Easter is one of the three special o f f e r i n g s we receive each year (Christmas and Thanksgiving being the other two) and our target for 2016 is $3,500. Many people ask, “What should I give?” The answer is highly personal and will be different for each person or family. What matters most is not the size of our gift, but what it represents in terms of our gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and the victory of life over sin and death that God gave to us and the world in the Resurrection of Jesus. Those of you who receive this newsletter electronically may make your Easter gift though your own offering envelope, marked "Easter" or by using the special Easter envelopes in the pews. Those who receive this newsletter in the mail, we have enclosed an Easter Offering envelope that we hope you will use as an additional offering sometime during the Easter season.
NO BAKE SALE! A Message from the FBC Auxiliary Dear Members & Friends, Spring can’t be too far away – it’s time again for our annual NO BAKE SALE. The poem to the right says it all! We are asking everyone in our congregation to kindly make a monetary donation to the Auxiliary equal to the cost of what one might incur to actually prepare a dish for an event at the church. That’s right. No cooking! No baking! There are great bakers in our congregation, and that includes the men as well, but with a sale like this we can all shine as “baker’s extraordinaire”. All proceeds of this “Bake Sale” will be used to support the many projects and ministries of our congregation. Every contribution makes a difference. Enclosed you will find a self-addressed envelope for your donation. Please note your Offering Envelope number if applicable. You may wish to mail your donation to the Church or you may place your donation envelope on the offering plate on Sunday. Thank-you for your contribution to this year’s NO BAKE SALE! Sincerely, Frank McGill, President, FBC Auxiliary
A bit of news we have today... A BAKELESS BAKE SALE is on the way. In these busy days, who wants to bake, a pie or cookies or even a cake. You’d be surprised if you counted the cost, of ingredients, heat, and the time you’ve lost. Baking for sales is extra work. Yet nobody really wants to shirk. So we’ve thought of a plan that’s really grand, and feel quite sure you’ll understand. In an envelope, if you like, please include the price... of a pie or cake or anything nice. Without fuss or bother, you’ve done your part. We hope you’ll give with a willing heart. Wishing success for our BAKELESS BAKE SALE, This is the end of our little tale.