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Newsletter of the First Baptist Church in America October 2018, Volume 21, Issue 10

From the Pastor

Reaching Across the Aisle

Consider the meet and greet, what my Mama calls the shake and bake, and what our bulletin refers to as Greeting One Another, the time in the service when we all stand up and say hello. Some people love it, getting to move around and see who’s in church, shaking hands and sharing hugs. Others loathe it, tucked away inside their pew box.

Standing at the reading desk offers a wide vantage on the Meeting House. I love to watch people light up and lean in towards one another. I also see visitors and others unable for different reasons to come out of their pew, standing awkward-ly and isolated.

Given the layout of the room, it is easy to get stuck in an aisle. I often see some-one at the other end I’d like to reach, but with no passable route to do so. Some-times, a wave must suffice. I’ve often dreamt of a way I could alert a member in pew 84 that visitor was right behind them in 86.

During the greeting time at my grandparents’ Baptist church, they ask members to stand, notice who is still sitting, and to make a particular point to welcome them. Everyone is then invited to stand and greet one another.

What if, each week, for every person you greet that you know on Sunday morn, you also introduce yourself to at least two others that you don’t yet know? Each Sunday, our church hosts visitors from around the world and around the corner. Make it a point to meet a few of them, as well as passing the peace with the ones you already know and love.

See you in the aisles.

Peace,

Pastor Jamie

Rally Day, Sunday, September 9, 2018

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Pastor Jamie gives the children’s message.

Chef Rob Jarbadan cooks for the Rally Day picnic.

Everyone enjoys food, fellowship and watching the children’s activities.

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The biannual Yard Sale was held on Saturday, September 8th and after worship on Sunday,

September 9th.

Roger Williams Attic

Taken by surprise - again. On Sunday, September 23, Linda Bausserman found herself serving as a stand-in for a guest preach-er who was herself a replacement for the scheduled guest speaker who was to preach while Pastor Jamie was away at a conference. About a half hour before the morning service was to begin, Linda learned that the substitute for the substitute had lost her voice. However, the sermon arrived by e-mail, and Linda was able to edit and read the sermon. Having already prepared all the other elements of the service, it all came off seamlessly.

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Pastor Jamie greeted visitors after the worship service on the last Sunday in September.

Board of Missions

Opportunities to Give:

Give Food to PICAGive Food to PICAGive Food to PICAGive Food to PICA. Bring your nonperishable donations any Sunday and leave them in the

bins at the back of the church. They will be dedicated on the 4th Sunday of the month. (FYI,

PICA changed its name to Better Lives Rhode Island in the next few weeks.)

Provide Sweat EquityProvide Sweat EquityProvide Sweat EquityProvide Sweat Equity to the Good Samaritan Hospital in LaRomana, Dominican Republic. We

are participating in a mission trip, January 26 - February 2. The deadline to register is Octo-

ber 21st. See Susan Lepore for an application and more information. There are funds availa-

ble in the Mission budget to help with expenses.

Help Rebuild, Restore and Renew Puerto RicoHelp Rebuild, Restore and Renew Puerto RicoHelp Rebuild, Restore and Renew Puerto RicoHelp Rebuild, Restore and Renew Puerto Rico. American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island is

planning a trip to Puerto Rico to help with the hurricane recovery March 15- March 23. In-

formation and applications are available at the ABCORI website [abcori.org] or from Susan

Lepore. There are funds available in the Mission budget to help with expenses.

Give money to the World Mission OfferingGive money to the World Mission OfferingGive money to the World Mission OfferingGive money to the World Mission Offering. WMO is one of the 4 collections we take as part of

the American Baptist Churches USA. Our missionaries provide ministries that promote Health

and Wellness, Abolish Global Slavery and Economic and Community Development. Through

International Ministries we support 120 global servants, 900+ volunteers, 43 home staff and

240+ global partners. There will be envelopes in the pews beginning October 13.

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BROOKLINE CONSORT

QUIRKS & ODDITIES BENJAMIN BRITTEN REJOICE IN THE LAMB

WORLD PREMIERE OF

MARC HOFFEDITZ MISSA BREVIS BREVIS &

MUSIC OF WHITACRE, PÄRT , GJEILO, DELLO- JOIO AND NYSTEDT

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN AMERICA

75 N MAIN ST, PROVIDENCE, RI SUNDAY OCTOBER 14 3:00 PM

SUGGESTED DONATION: $20

The First Baptist Church in America Jamie Washam, Pastor 75 North Main Street Stephen Martorella, Minister of Music Providence, RI 02903 Holly Edwards, Administrative Assistant Phone: 401-454-3418 Anne Gagan, Bookkeeper E-Mail: fbcia1638@gmail.com Tony Zambarano, Sexton Web: www.fbcia.org Ivy Bermudez, Child Care Worker Haley Jamroz Baccaire, ASL Interpreter

2018 Sunday Calendar

Sun. October 07 10:00 AM Children’s Sunday School Sunday Forum: Traces of the Trade Part 1: a film about the DeWolf family’s involvement with the slave trade in RI 11:00 AM Worship: Rev. Leon Runner Worship Leader: Stan Lemons Greeters: Eva Adodoadji and Priscilla Steadman Ushers: Tom Shackleford and Richard Lepore 12:15 PM Tour Guide: Stan Lemons Sun. October 14 10:00 AM Children’s Sunday School Sunday Forum: Traces of the Trade Part 2 11:00 AM Worship: Jamie Washam Worship Leader: Richard Lepore Greeters: Colleen and Larry Whelpley and Barley Ushers: Betsy and Will Shealy 12:15 PM Tour Guide: Joanne Schneider Sun. October 21 10:00 AM Children’s Sunday School Sunday Forum: Slavery in RI Discussion Panel 11:00 AM Worship: Jamie Washam Worship Leader: TBA Greeters: Donna and Henry Campopiano Ushers: Jeanne Kolb and Barry Bainton 12:15 PM Tour Guide: Karen Marshall Sun. October 28 10:00 AM Children’s Sunday School Sunday Forum: Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America 11:00 AM Worship: Jamie Washam Worship Leader: Dianne Thyret Greeters: Betsy, Ella, Jason, Will, Andrew David Shealy Ushers: Mark Hall and Richard Aubin 12:15 PM Tour Guide: Richard Aubin

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