lent-easter 2012: first baptist voices
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Lent-Easter 2012 edition of First Baptist Voices, the quarterly newsletter for First Baptist Church Halifax, NS CanadaTRANSCRIPT
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The Newsletter of First Baptist Church Halifax Vol. 22 No. 1 February 2012
Where Faith Comes To Life!
N o doubt you are familiar with the old saying, The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The saying came to me as I was reflecting on the situation faced by the original members of our con-gregation when it was organized on September 30th, 1827, 185 years ago this fall. Surprisingly, there are a number of similarities with the situation faced by First Baptist today.
They had left their denominational home after lengthy efforts to resolve differences. The first six members of the Granville Street Baptist Church (our original name) had been active members of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the oldest Church in what would become Canada. Because of a dispute with the hierarchy of the Church of England over the ap-pointment of a new rector, these six, to be followed later by many others, had decided to leave their de-nomination to form a new congregation with a Bap-tist identity. Prior to making their decision, they had worked for three years to find another option, all to no avail.
Ironically, 185 years later we find ourselves separat-ing from the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches due to a dispute over congregational authority and freedom. Like our forbearers, we object to the un-warranted interference of denominational officials in the life of the congregation by proscribing certain doctrines and policies. Similarly, the process that led to such a difficult decision involved close to six years of intense efforts to resolve our differences with no success.
Their dispute involved the appointment of a rector. When Rev. Dr. Inglis resigned St. Paul’s to become Bishop of Nova Scotia, the congregation, following its understanding of the law of the day, decided to recommend the appointment of Dr. Twining. To their astonishment, they learned that Dr. Inglis had al-ready appointed Rev. John Willis, a choice ratified by the King. Apparently, the law allowing St. Paul’s to recommend their own choice for rector did not
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE...
apply should their previous rector be appointed Bish-op, as in this case. In spite of many efforts to change minds, the Bishop’s choice prevailed.
Although the dispute between First Baptist and the CABC is much broader than the choice of a rector (pastor), one aspect involves the insistence by Con-vention officials that their authority over a pastor’s ministry takes precedence over that of the congrega-tion. The specific issue is whether or not a pastor can conduct a same-sex marriage. First Baptist fol-lows a non-discrimination policy regarding sexual orientation and the Convention threatens to remove pastors from its list of accredited ministers should they officiate at one. This particular issue is ongoing.
They eventually found a new denominational home. At the time of its founding in 1827, the new Granville Street Baptist Church was not part of any organized denominational body even though it had specifically chosen a Baptist identity. As early as 1828 they suc-cessfully petitioned the Nova Scotia Baptist Associa-tion (one of the founding bodies of the CABC) for membership and became the champions of a new effort in education that led to the establishment of Acadia College in 1838.
First Baptist Church Halifax is actively pursuing posi-tive relationships with fellow progressive Baptists in the Atlantic Baptist Fellowship and the Alliance of Baptists. The Church continues to be an active member of the Halifax Region United Baptist Associ-ation, a membership first begun in 1827. Like our forebearers in 1827, we desire to be part of a vital and effective denominational body through which we can advance the local, regional, national and global mission of the Church.
As we celebrate our 185th Anniversary this year, let us find encouragement and inspiration in the exam-ple of those brave six who were baptized on Sep-tember 30th, 1827, beginning the adventure we con-tinue to live! - Rev. John E. Boyd
Page 2
ATLANTIC BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP
T he annual Friends Luncheon and Vincent Rush-
ton Memorial Lecture sponsored by the Atlantic
Baptist Fellowship (atlanticbaptistfellowship.ca) will
be held in the Manning Memorial Chapel on Satur-
day, June 2 at noon. The speakers will be Rex and
Rita Deverell.
Rex Deverell is a socially en-
gaged playwright born in To-
ronto, raised in Orillia, now liv-
ing in Halifax. After graduating
from McMaster University, he
was a pastor in rural Ontario
before writing for the theatre. A
prolific playwright, having pro-
duced nearly fifty dramatic
works - plays for children, mu-
sicals, political satires, historical documentaries, and
scripts for television and radio, he also holds the Ca-
nadian record for longest run as a playwright in resi-
dence, 1975-90, at the Globe Theatre in Regina. In
1978 he won the Canadian Authors Award for Boiler
Room Suite.
Rita Deverell is currently the holder of Nancy's
Chair in Women's Studies at
Mount St. Vincent University.
Her distinguished career has in-
cluded work as an academic,
broadcaster, television producer/
director, journalist, arts adminis-
trator and theatre artist. Rita was
the first woman to lead a journal-
ism program in Canada in her po-
sition as Director of the School of
Journalism at the University of Regina in the 1980s.
She recently completed her term as head of news and
current affairs at the Aboriginal People's Network
and was a founding member of Vision TV, the
world's first multi-faith and multicultural network.
Rita was recognized in 2005 with an Order of Cana-
da for her pioneering work in journalism, and has
authored several screenplays for which she also
served as producer and director.
The Luncheon is open to all interested people and
you can reserve a ticket by contacting Kim Sweet at
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
W e are continuing the tradition of early morn-
ing 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: Cathedral Church of All Saints
Tuesday: St. Andrew’s United Church
Wednesday: First Baptist Church Halifax
Thursday: Presbyterian Church of St. David
We will have our Maundy Thursday Communion
and Tenebrae Service at 7 p.m. on April 5th and this
year the Good Friday Service will be hosted by St.
John’s United Church at the Conservatory on
Chebucto Road. The congregations of First Baptist
Church, St. Andrew’s United Church, St. Matthew’s
United Church, and the Presbyterian Church of St.
David will gather there at 10:30 a.m. on April 6th.
Easter Sunday will begin with a Sunrise Service at
6:30 a.m. at Point Pleasant Park, jointly sponsored
by First Baptist and the Presbyterian Church of Saint
David. Our Easter Service of Baptism and Commun-
ion will begin at 10:30 a.m.
PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Deaths: Marion Scott, d. Jan. 24, 2012
Page 3
MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHRISTMAS
Easter is the time of year when all Christians cele-
brate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after he was
crucified on the cross. It is probably the most cele-
brated occasion in the Christian calendar. It is even
more important than Christmas itself.
Easter itself is the culmination of forty days in which
time Christians pray, fast and reflect. That time is
called Lent. The forty days are said to represent the
forty days that Jesus was out in the wilderness alone
and where he overcame many temptations of the
devil.
The week before Easter itself is the Holy Week.
Thursday is known as Maundy Thursday and is the
day Jesus had the last supper with his disciples then
Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified. As we all
know Easter Day is the day in which we celebrate
the resurrection of Jesus and should not be forgotten
when we celebrate Easter.
The Christian church was looking for a time to hold
a celebration for the resurrection of Christ and
changed the pagan celebration of Eostre into their
own celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. They
also changed the day on which the celebration took
place and decreed that the new date was after the
first Sunday after the full moon on or after the Ver-
nal Equinox. This also meant that the date changed
from year to year and is now celebrated between the
22nd March or in some cases as late as the 25th
April.
Many centuries before Jesus was resurrected from
the cross, civilizations celebrated the coming of
spring with grand festivals and rituals so it's no coin-
cidence the Christian church used this time to cele-
brate Jesus' life and death.
But where did the Easter celebration come from?
Well we are not quite sure but it's almost certain that
it is from one of these events:
The word "Easter" could be derived from the pagan
word Eostre who was the goddess of fertility and
birth. The pagans believed she returned to earth
each year around what we now call spring time and
bestowed light and warmth to the land. To mark the
coming of Eostre the pagans laid on huge celebra-
tions in her honor so as not to upset the goddess.
Another version is the Jewish Passover with some
people believing this Hebrew tradition was the basis
of Easter. The Jewish people celebrated around
Easter time to herald the freedom of the Israelites
from incarceration and slavery. This, along with the
resurrection of Christ which happened around the
same time as the Jewish Passover contributed to
many Jews considering the Passover and Easter be-
ing one.
It has become a much commercialized event too
with the integration of Easter eggs, chocolate and
the Easter bunny being at the forefront of the com-
mercialization. The original Easter bunny and eggs
originated from pagan times when they associated
them with the coming of spring and fertility. The
pagans would paint them with bright colors and
hang them in trees and bushes and also give them
out to family and friends. But it was the Germans
who carried on with the tradition, so much so that
around the 18th century the first chocolate Easter
eggs were created by them. Since then we have seen
an explosion of people giving chocolate around
Easter time but it should not be forgotten why East-
er is important for another reason.
No matter how or why we celebrate Easter there is
one thing that all Christian's must never forget. We
should never forget the reason why the world over
people celebrate Easter, and that is the resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
For that very fact Easter is an important date in the
Christian calendar and possibly more important than
Christmas itself.
May you experience a victorious Easter!
Rev. Nelson A. Metcalfe
Page 4
UPCOMING MUSIC WITH FBC SR CHOIR
F BC Lenten services will feature one of Pergo-
lesi's most celebrated choral works, the “Stabat
Mater Dolorosa”. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710–
1736) originally wrote his Stabat Mater (1736) for
male soprano, male alto, string orchestra and basso
continuo. It was commissioned by the Confraternità
dei Cavalieri di San Luigi di Palazzo, a group Italian
gentlemen, for the annual Good Friday meditation in
honor of the Virgin Mary. Stabat Mater Dolorosa is
a 13th-century Catholic hymn to Mary. The text has
been attributed both to the Franciscan Jocapone da
Todi and to Innocent III. The Dolorosa hymn, one of
the most powerful and immediate of medieval po-
ems, meditates on the suffering of Mary, Jesus
Christ's mother, during his crucifixion. This Doloro-
sa text has been set to music by many composers,
with the most famous settings being those by Pale-
strina, Pergolesi, Haydn, Rossini, and Dvorak.
Our own FBC Senior Choir will present 4 of the 13
movements of Pergolesi's “Stabat Mater Dolorosa”
in our Lenten services on Mar. 18th and 25th. The
translations of the entire Latin text is as follows:
“At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to her Son to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed.
O how sad and sore distressed was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One.
Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold?
For the sins of His own nation,
She saw Jesus wracked with torment, All with scourges rent:
She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent.
O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:
Make me feel as thou hast felt; make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord. Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified: Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all my sins was slain, who for me in torments died.
Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live:
By the Cross with thee to stay, there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.
Virgin of all virgins blest!, Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine; Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine. Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned, in His very Blood away;
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die, in His awful Judgment Day.
Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, by Thy Mother my defense,
by Thy Cross my victory;
While my body here decays, may my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.”
Translation by Edward Caswall
Lyra Catholica (1849)
Lynette Wahlstrom
Director of Music
Page 5
50 YEARS AGO: LOOKING BACK TO 1962
THE AFRICVILLE PROJECT
T he Africville Project had been championed by
Jane Gill, Nancy Hagen, Catherine Isnor,
and Joan MacKinnon. The congregation decided
that this work was so important that they formed the
Social Service Committee to take responsibility.
L.T. Hancock chaired the first meeting of this new
committee.
The founding concept of the committee was to pro-
mote action, rather than to take action. Therefore, it
was agreed that their efforts would be best chan-
neled through Cornwallis Baptist Church. The So-
cial Services Committee would act as enablers, ra-
ther than doers. They worked tirelessly to build
awareness of the plight of Africville among respon-
sible authorities and agencies. They persuaded City
Recreation to establish a playground at Fort Need-
ham. Catherine Isnor and Nancy Hagen were
hired by the City Recreation department to run the
program. They convinced City Council to take ac-
tion to provide better housing. Two clothing drives
were organized. Also, clothing was donated to the
triplets born to Mr. and Mrs. Upshaw at Cornwal-
lis Baptist Church.
The congregation promoted opportunities for reli-
gious education and recreation at First Baptist
Church, YMCA and several other locations. The
Junior High class shared a meeting with students
from Africville. The Guides served meals at the Af-
ricville Church Day Camp. Reverend Charles
Coleman was called to lead Cornwallis and
Seaview Baptist Church. The committee helped the
Cornwallis congregation to organize and host a joint
Christmas party for over 100 children from the three
congregations. Supper was prepared by the Wom-
en’s Auxiliaries and served by the CGIT. Santa
Claus even made a surprise visit. The Africville
children were included in the Christmas program at
FBC.
Elsewhere in 1962, the UN condemned apartheid in
South Africa. In France, women were given the
right to vote. Walmart opened its first store. In the
Vatican, Pope John XXIII convened the Second
Vatican Council to discuss and settle various mat-
ters of church doctrine.
In future issues: May 2012: New Directions
August 2012: Reaching Out
November 2012: The Life of the Church
Research by Ed Tummers
MEN WITHOUT JACKETS
W e finished off the year with a busy advent
schedule. On a beautiful, sunny, Sunday af-
ternoon in December, the ladies of Victoria Hall
gathered for a special Christmas communion ser-
vice. When they arrived they were greeted by "Men
Without Jackets" singing hymns and carols of the
season. After the service, the men mingled with the
women, who were so grateful and appreciative for
the musical accompaniment to the service. Thanks
to Brandon Lange for his musical leadership. Spe-
cial thanks to two of our singers: Nelson Metcalfe
for organizing the event and leading the worship;
and special thanks to deacon, usher, server, singer
and scripture reader John Dalton. As one of the la-
dies commented after the service: "Thanks so much
for sharing this special Christmas time with us
again this year. Your singing makes such a differ-
ence."
With barely time to relax the Men Without Jackets
gathered again later that afternoon for the choir pho-
to, rehearsal and then the Annual Christmas by Can-
dlelight Carol Service. We sang a beautiful arrange-
ment of "O Little Town of Bethlehem". Our thanks
to Shawn Whynot, who offered again this year to
play the organ so that Lynette could direct. We al-
ways enjoy singing along with Shawn. And a warm
welcome to Tony Marshall who joined us after be-
ing recruited to sing the Duinker Magnifacat. Jere-
my Dutcher sang Schubert’s " Ave Maria" in his na-
tive Maliseet language and then followed that with a
beautiful duet with Natasha Sider. Readings by Ed
Tummers, John Dalton and Nelson Metcalfe
rounded out the men’s participation in the service.
Con’t on page 8
Page 6
EASTER OFFERING
E ach Year at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas
we challenge ourselves to make three special
offerings in addition to our usual offering for these
Sundays.
Although these offerings are not tied to any specific
part of our budget, they are a crucial part of our
strategy to meet the challenges of ministry and out-
reach.
The commitments we made at the Annual Meeting
on February 26th will challenge all of us to more sac-
rificial giving this year. What better time to start
than with our special Easter offering as we remem-
ber the outpouring of God’s love in the Resurrection
of Jesus.
This year's Easter Offering goal is $2500 and a spe-
cial envelope is included with your newsletter.
Wouldn't be wonderful to exceed this goal as we rise
to the challenge of the ministry and mission needs
we have committed ourselves to meet this year?
DATES TO WATCH FOR!
Sunday, April 22, 2012—12 noon
The Annual 55 + Chowder Luncheon
Sponsored by the Community Outreach
Committee
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Bridge Social
Sponsored by the Women`s Auxiliary
Saturday, May 19, 2011
9am—12 noon
Annual Plant Sale
Come one, come all!
YES, WE’RE STILL COLLECTING
SOUP LABELS
Barbershop Choruses in the Metro area are
still collecting Campbell’s Soup labels as one
of their charity projects. The labels are
trimmed, packaged and delivered to Land-
mark East (a school for those with learning
disabilities) in Wolfville. In turn, Campbell’s
provides the school with computers and other
equipment. A receptacle for your labels is
located just inside the entrance to the church
parlor. Thanks for your help.
Nelson Metcalfe for the Atlantic Swells Bar-
bershop Chorus.
ANNUAL YARD SALE
The Women’s Auxiliary will once
again hold a yard sale on Saturday,
April 28, 9am—12 pm.
All volunteers are welcome to help set
up and price through the week and to
assist the day of the sale. Please contact
Louise Schurman at 429-2304 or
[email protected]. There
is always a cup of coffee (and a muffin)
on and lunch at the end of the sale.
We also need things to sell so as you
clean out basements, attics and garag-
es consider donating items. You may
bring them to the church the week pri-
or to the sale. Please no TVs or com-
puters.
Page 7
Page 8
This is an Easter Egg Tree for you to colour. It’s also something you can make at home. Ask Mom or Dad for permission and help!
Page 9
What has been happening with the used postage stamps you have been donating Here is a letter sent to Ellen Layton that explains it all! Thank you Ellen—good job!
Page 10
LENT 101
By Rev. Penny Ford, Pastor of a small UMC Church in
Carrolton, Alabama. From Upperroom.org.
Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians
focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to
grow closer to God.
Con`t from page 5
After the service, we were all invited to a choir
Christmas party at the home of Alan and Laurie
Cruess.
This was one of those rare years when Christmas is
celebrated on Sunday and we hold morning worship
services. More than a dozen of us "Good Christian
Men Rejoiced" together in the "Little Town of Beth-
lehem", most of us sporting our special Santa neck-
ties.
Valentine’s Dinner at the church is always a high-
light for us and for the ladies. This year we joined
together with Nelson Metcalfe and the barbershop
quartet "Crosswind" for some our our favourite love
songs.
Remember, we call ourselves "Men Without Jack-
ets" because God never said we needed to dress up
to sing his praises. We rehearse normally the last
Saturday of each month at 10 am. Join us. For fur-
ther information, contact our Director of Music,
Lynette Wahlstrom.
Men Without Jackets: Luke Morrison, Bryan Dar-
rell, David Morse, 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, Rex
Deverell, Tom Crowell, Alan North, Tony Marshall,
Jeremy Dutcher, Gordon Taylor, Kim Davison, Ed
Tummers, Dahrl Whitney, Richard MacMichael.
Guest Conductor: Brandon Lange. Guest organists,
Patrick Salah, Shawn Whynot.
When is Lent? It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays
because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Basically, it's
about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time). Mardi
Gras is the day before Lent, which begins with Ash
Wednesday. This year it's from March 9- April 24
(Easter) 2011.
Mardi Gras? What does that have to do with JESUS?? Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday". It refers to the day
before Lent starts. Since Lent always starts on a Wednes-
day, the day before is always a Tuesday, and it's called
"Fat" or "Great" because it's associated with great food
and parties.
In earlier times, people used Lent as a time of fasting and
repentance. Since they didn't want to be tempted by
sweets, meat and other distractions in the house, they
cleaned out their cabinets. They used up all the sugar and
yeast in sweet breads before the Lent season started, and
fixed meals with all the meat available. It was a great
feast! Through the years Mardi Gras has evolved (in
some places) into a pretty wild party with little to do with
preparing for the Lenten season of repentance and sim-
plicity. Oh well. But Christians still know it's origin, and
hang onto the true Spirit of the season.
So the real beginning of Lent is Ash Wednesday? Yes. Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, usually
begins with a service where we recognize our mortality,
repent of our sins, and return to our loving God. We rec-
ognize life as a precious gift from God, and re-turn our
lives towards Jesus Christ. We may make resolutions and
commit to change our lives over the next forty days so
that we might be more like Christ. In an Ash Wednesday
service, usually a minister or priest marks the sign of the
cross on a person's forehead with ashes.
Why ashes? In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mor-
tality and repentance. Mortality, because when we die,
our bodies eventually decompose and we become dust/
dirt/ash/whatever. Repentance, because long ago, when
people felt remorse for something they did, they would
put ashes on their head and wear "sackcloth" (scratchy
clothing) to remind them that sin is pretty uncomfortable
and leads to a sort of death of the spirit. This was their
way of confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness.
Con’t on page 9
Page 11
Lent 101—con’t from page 8
Where do the ashes come from? On what we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode a donkey
into Jerusalem while people waved palms and cheered
him on. Less then a week later, Jesus was killed. The
palms that were waved in joy became ashes of sorrow.
We get ashes for Ash Wednesday by saving the palms
from Palm Sunday, burning them, and mixing them with
a little water (like tears) or oil. It's symbolic.
What do Christians do with ashes? At an Ash Wednesday service, folks are invited to come
forward to receive the ashes. The minister will make a
small cross on your forehead by smudging the ashes.
While the ashes remind us of our mortality and sin, the
cross reminds us of Jesus' resurrection (life after death)
and forgiveness. It's a powerful, non-verbal way that we
can experience God's forgiveness and renewal as we re-
turn to Jesus.
So what is LENT? At Jesus' baptism the sky split open, the Spirit of God,
which looked like a dove, descended and landed on Jesus,
and a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, My Be-
loved, with whom I am pleased." Afterward, as told in
Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was sent into the wilderness by the
Spirit. Where he fasted and prayed for 40 days. During
his time there he was tempted by Satan and found clarity
and strength to resist temptation. Afterwards, he was
ready to begin his ministry.
(Speculation)
Maybe Jesus needed some time with God to sort through
the major changes happening in his life. Maybe needed to
get away from family, friends and the familiar routine in
order to see God (and himself) more clearly. Perhaps he
wanted some intentional time with God as he searched for
direction and answers like you. Like Jesus, we may need
to take some serious time to pray and listen for God.
Why " DO" Lent? How do I start? Are you searching for something more? Tired of running
in circles, but not really living life with direction, purpose
or passion? It's pretty easy to get caught up in the drama
of classes, relationships, family, and work. Our lives are
filled with distractions that take us away from living a life
with Christ. We try to fill the emptiness inside us with
mindless TV, meaningless chatter, stimulants, alcohol,
too many activities or other irrelevant stuff. We run away
from life and from God.
Lent is a great time to "repent" -- to return to God and re-
focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. It's a 40 day
trial run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change
your heart. You might try one of these practices for Lent:
FASTING: Some people have been known to go without
food for days. But that's not the only way to fast. You can
fast by cutting out some of the things in your life that dis-
tract you from God. Some Christians use the whole 40
days to fast from candy, TV, soft drinks, cigarettes or
meat as a way to purify their bodies and lives. You might
skip one meal a day and use that time to pray instead. Or
you can give up some activity like worry or reality TV to
spend time outside enjoying God’s creation. What do you
need to let go of or "fast" from in order to focus on God?
What clutters your calendar and life? How can you sim-
plify your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do?
SERVICE: Some Christians take something on for
Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer once
a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in
your community. You can commit to help a different
stranger, co-worker or friend everyday of Lent. Serving
others is one way we serve God.
PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intention-
al prayer. You can pray while you walk, create music or
art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening.
All can be ways of becoming more in tune with God.
Christians from many different traditions celebrate Lent.
How will you use the time to grow closer to God?
Top Ten List: THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE
LENTEN SEASON
10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Guitar Hero, tex-
ting, tweeting, e-mail and all things electronic for one day
every week. (or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to read &
pray.
9. Start a prayer rhythm. Say a prayer every time you
brush your teeth, hear an ambulance, or check your e-
mail. Before you text someone, pray for them.
8. Read one chapter in the Bible each day. (Matthew is
a good book to start with. Psalms, too.)
7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe
even yourself.)
Con’t on page 10
Page 12
2012 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 26, 2012.
Board of Deacons Lee Nicholas-Pattillo 443-9784
Board of Trustees Naomi Mensink 402-1772
Board of Management Joe O`Brien 422-9859
Board of Christian Education Paul Henderson (to June) 835-7952
Cynthia Thomson (July on) 422-5534
Sunday School Superintendent Erick Lee 423-1291
Finance Committee Bill MacInnis 422-6238
Investment Committee Ian McKee 477-3112
Property Maintenance Bryan Darrell 422-7884
Music Committee Laurie Cruess 423-8466
Community Outreach Gwendolyn MacLean 425-6959
Refugee Committee Elinor Nicoll 445-5761
Tellers Committee Co-Chair Bill Ferguson 456-5619
Co-Chair Frank McGill 457-2229
Planned Giving Larry Doane 477-7761
Nominating Committee David Morse 820-2312
Board of Ushers Co-Chair Steven Dexter 222-2399
Co-Chair David Gibson 454-0503
Flower Committee Johanne McKee 477-3112
Visitation Committee David Bourque 479-0708
Archivist Louise Schurman 429-2304
Church Clerk Louise Schurman 429-2304
Auxiliary President Joanne Stonehouse 435-4724
Lent 101—con’t from page 9
6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Give the money you save to help folks in Haiti or others in crisis.
5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer.
4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how many people have
helped you along the way.
3. Be kind to someone each day.
2. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work.
1. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry or a
Habitat for Humanity project.
Page 13
March 4: Lent 2 Genesis 17:1-7,15-16; Ps.22:23-31
Rom. 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38
Are You Crazy, God? - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Children’s Choirs, Copland, Rutter
March 11: Lent 3 Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
Why Was Jesus Angry? - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Tallis, Byrd
March 18: Lent 4 Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21
Look and Live! - Rev. Renée Clark
Music: Pergolesi
March 25: Lent 5 Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12
Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
Bigots Need Not Apply - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Pergolesi
April 1: Palm/Passion Sunday; Communion Mark 11:1-11; Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 (selected verses)
The Heart of the Story - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Gibbons, Handel, Fauré
Holy Week Services; 7:30 a.m. April 2: Cathedral Church of All Saints
April 3: St. Andrew’s United Church
April 4: First Baptist Church Halifax
April 5: Presbyterian Church of St. David
April 5: Maundy Thursday; 7 p.m. Communion and Tenebrae Service
Music: Fleming, Soloist—Breanna Miller
April 6: Good Friday, 10:30 a.m. Joint Service with First Baptist, St. Andrew's United, and
Presbyterian Church of St. David at St. John's United
Music: Combined Choir
April 8: Easter Sunrise Service, 6:42 a.m.
Joint Service with Presbyterian Church of St. David
Location: Point Pleasant Park, Black Rock Beach area
April 8: Easter Sunday; Baptism and Communion
Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Mark 16:1-8
Why Death Doesn’t Win - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Vaughan-Williams, (five Mystical songs), soloists,
choir and trombone quartet
April 15: Easter 2
Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31
Heart and Soul - Rev. Renee Clark
Music: Thompson, Roberts
April 22: Easter 3
Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48
The Trajectory of Peace - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Stabback
April 29: Easter 4 Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
Boldness from God - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Hatch
May 6: Easter 5; Communion Acts 8:26-40 ; Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21 ; John 15:1-8
Where Do You Live? - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Daley (Missa Brevis)
May 13: Easter 6; Mothers’ Day Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
Friends of God's Choosing - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Duruflé, Rorem
May 20: Easter 7; Ascension Sunday
Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47
Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
The Up and Coming Christ - Rev. Nelson Metcalfe
Music: Bach, Bissell
May 27: Pentecost Sunday; Communion Ezekiel 37:1-14 ; Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
A Celebration of Spirit - Rev. John E. Boyd
Music: Tallis
Worship at First Baptist March 2012—May 2012
Page 14
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