March/April 2017

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Musical Reflection 10:30 am

Worship Service 10:45 am

Children & Youth Sunday School

11 am (except 1st Sundays)

Inside this issue:

First Baptist Church of Pawtucket

Herald

First Baptist Church of Pawtucket 91 Cottage Street Pawtucket, RI 02860

Phone: 401-725-7225

Email: fbcpawtri@verizon.net Web: www.fbcpawtucket.org Pastor: Rev. Linda Watkins

for each of us. We are all here for a reason and a purpose. We discover what it is through our relationship with the Lord. He also em-powers us to carry it out. Jesus also has a mission for the Church. He prov-ided great insight on that during His ministry on earth. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus explained that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. The second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. In addition, Jesus com- missioned His disciples to do three things after His resurrection: to go into the world and make other disciples, to baptize them

into the Church, and to teach the new believers what the original disci- ples had learned from Him. Lent is not only a time of sacred reflection, it is also a period of greater spiritual aware-ness and discovery. As we prayerfully journey to the Cross with Jesus this season, may we receive deeper revelation about His mission for us, individually and as His church. May our loving Lord empower us anew to do whatever He is calling us to do.

Lenten blessings & Happy Easter! Pastor Linda

The Lenten season began on March 1st, consecrating the 40 days leading up to Easter. It is a sacred time when many Christians draw closer to the Lord to reflect on His suffering and sacrificial death for our salvation. Toward that end, in the weeks ahead, let us intentionally make more room for Jesus in our hearts and our lives. May we consider His mis- sion on earth as well as the mission He calls us to individually and as the church. Jesus was on a mission. From His humble birth to His painful death on the Cross, Jesus’ 33 years of life on earth were lived with a clear purpose. His mission was to tell and teach others about the Kingdom of God, to heal and transform lives for God’s glory, and to give up His life so others could experience eternal life with God. Near the end of Jesus’ life, He could say to His heavenly Father, “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John17:4). The Lord has a mission

On a Mission with Jesus Celebrations 2

Ministry Matters 2

In the Spotlight 3

FBC Supper 3

Happenings 4

Joyful ‘toon 4

Just for Kids 4

Happy March Birthdays!

1 Susannah Michaud 11 Joshua Giglietti 15 Arlene Dube 17 Richard Bobola 17 Pat Rolfsema 17 Rob Dube 22 Steve Bobola 27 Jay Dufault 29 Eric Haselton

Happy April Birthdays!

1 Tim Fortin 2 Brenda Alvarez 6 Linda Moore 14 Jaden Walker-Aguilar 23 Natalie Danielson 25 Pastor Linda Watkins 25 Jane Gaudette 26 Melanie Giglietti

Happy Anniversary!

April 2 Joshua & Melanie Giglietti

Celebrations and Acknowledgments

Missions Throughout March our church will collect donations for the America For Christ Offering. The theme this year is “Cultivating Leaders, Equipping Disciples, and Healing Communities” for the cause of Christ, based on Luke 4:18-19. Let us give generously to this special offering in partnership with American Baptist Churches USA. Together may we impact our society in the U.S.

Ministry Matters

Page 2

Celebration! FBC recently received a $1,500 grant to support our Food Pantry ministry.

Thank you Thank you for your thought- fulness and all your prayers. The fruit basket was so beautiful and welcomed. I feel so blessed to be a part of FBC. The Alvarez/Baptistu Family Thank you for the lovely basket of flowers…and prayers…my knee is healing. May the Lord keep you this day and forever. In His love, Marilyn (Nobrega)

Thank you for your support. Your gift of $100 touches lives and provides

exceptional care, comfort and hope to individuals and families at a time when time matters most. Hope Hospice & Palliative Care

Thank you for the recent food donation to one of our clients…such organizations, like yours, …make a difference in people’s lives. The Providence Center

Thank you so much for sending your church bulletin notifying me of the flowers on your altar in memory of Mary Walsh. I really appreciate receiving this. She so loved the Baptist Church and was a Deacon for many years. Lucille Stewart

and Puerto Rico with the Gospel that transforms lives.

Christian Education Are you an active member of First Baptist Church of Pawtucket? Have you suc-cessfully completed your first year or term of college or vocational training and have a high school diploma? If you answered yes to these

questions, you are eligible to apply to our Dr. Thomas G. King Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund provides financial assistance for col-lege or vocational pursuits. Applications are due by the end of March. Interest-ed persons must complete an application form which can be secured from the church office or download- ed from FBC’s website at www.fbcpawtucket.org.

Brenda Alvarez

Richard Bobola

Page 3

FBC Supper Offers Great Food & Entertainment First Baptist Church will

host a Pot Roast Supper

on Saturday, March 25th,

6:30-9:00 pm in our Fellow-

ship Hall. Get ready for a

tasty hot meal and great

live entertainment.

Along with mouth

watering pot roast, the

menu will include hearty

mashed potatoes, a green

bean medley, salad, bread,

dessert and a beverage.

Lively entertainment

will be provided by our

own Denise Moffat and the

praise dancers of Iglesia de

Cristo Rio de Dios Church.

Enjoy food for the body and

soul at this special spring

event. Ticket prices are $7

for adults and $3 for youth

5-13 years old. Children

under 4 can attend the

Supper for free.

The event will also

include a raffle. Please

spread the word to your

family members and

friends. Proceeds from the

Supper will help support

our church’s Food Pantry.

J: I think it would be good if people can bring to church more people they know, like relatives and friends who

What town and state did you grow up in and where do you currently live? J: I grew up in Massachu-setts and now live in Pawtucket. I consider myself more of a Rhode Islander.

What kind of work or hobbies do you enjoy? J: I enjoy doing graphic design and using my artistic work for happy occasions. I started my business Creative Chica in 2006 and specialize in family memoirs as part of my publishing services. I also help publish autobi-ographies and poetry, and am currently working on a children’s book. I paint for weddings, and face paint

and do caricatures for birthday parties. Design-ing greeting cards is another part of my work. I have been designing for Bow Tie Greeting Cards for two

What might someone be surprised to know about you? J: I’ve been to Italy three times but never to Florida. That’s on my list. Do you have a favorite Bible Scripture? J: Matthew 6:21 - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” It aligns two important things: treasure and heart, which would be love. For more information about Jennifer’s business services, please email her at info@creativechica.com or

call 401-323-2452.

In this issue of the Herald we are very pleased to introduce First Baptist Church member Jennifer Rolfsema (J).

How long have you been a member of FBC? J: About 3 years.

How did you become involved with FBC? J: Driving by the church and noticing how the build- ing looked and messages on the Wayside Pulpit.

What do you like most about our church? Jwhere you can know everyone. I’ve been to other churches and it’s been harder to get to know the church community.

What do you think can be done to attract more people to FBC?

Jennifer Rolfsema

We envision a world in which all people

experience the love of God,

the power of

FBC Spring Breakfast Saturday, April 29, 8:00-10:30 am Come and enjoy this great event featuring good food, conversation and laughter. For ticket information,

please call our church office at 401-725-7225.

Just for Kids

Happenings

Paint Night Fundraiser for Camp Canonicus Friday, March 10, 6 pm Norwood Baptist Church (48 Budlong Ave., Warwick)

Join us for a fun evening of painting under the tutelage of a skilled artist to raise funds for significant improvements of the Rope Course at Canonicus in Exeter. The evening includes painting supplies, canvas, "mocktails" and your own creation to take home. Cost: $35.00 per person. All proceeds will provide wonderful experiences for this year's campers. To reserve a spot email Deb Guilmain at deb@abcori.org.

AB Women RI Community Mission Day Saturday, March 18, 9 am Ebenezer Baptist Church (475 Cranston St., Providence)

The opening will be followed by team breakout missions. Lunch provided by Ladies of Ebenezer. Please bring canned donations of protein such as tuna, peanut butter, and soups. Pre-register by March 12 at 401-348-9453.

Rogers & Hammerstein Concert on Sunday, March 26, 3 pm

First Baptist Church in America, Providence This concert is presented by the Baptist Peace-makers of RI and is the primary fundraiser for BPRI. Please plan to attend and support this important ministry. Refreshments will be avail-able after the show. The suggested donation is $10. Children and students can attend for free.

Providence Bruins Faith Night, Friday, April 7, 7:05 pm Dunkin’ Donuts Center

Bethany Baptist Church invites all American Baptists and friends to join them for this special P-Bruins game. Tickets $20 each. See flyer on the FBC bulletin board to learn more.

Good Friday Service at FBC Friday, April 14, 7:00 pm Please join us for a special service in

remembrance of Jesus’ Seven Last Words on the Cross. Preachers from several churches will share reflections. Let’s journey to the Cross with Jesus. FBC Spring Breakfast

Easter Sunrise Surprise