We have been deeply blessed by the contributions of Samson Mengsteab for more than 3 years. Samson's contributions have given each Sunday a special heart and each Christmas and Easter service a special sparkle.  

This past Sunday was Samson's last Sunday with us in his current role. He is looking forward to pursuing new opportunities, but will continue to join us periodically to play piano/keyboards. We celebrated him during Sunday's service and presented him with a gift from the church. It was a wonderful time of fellowship as so many people stayed after worship for laughter and conversation.

Moving forward, I am delighted that Christian Saint Louis will be taking on Samson's responsibilities. Christian is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and an established musician, arranger, and musical director in the Boston area.  Christian will not play the organ, as Samson did, and we will fill this role as needed while we search for a more permanent person who can also reignite a choir. Our former Music Director and dear friend Rachel Kurihara will join us Sunday, May 7 and Sunday, June 4 to celebrate communion in the Sanctuary with our treasured pipe organ.

Thank you to Samson, and thank you to everyone who will continue to contribute to our time together.

Warmly,
Sean
​Senior Minister

​“On that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. On that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my heritage.’” Isaiah 19:23-25.
 
Lawrence Wills, Professor of Biblical Studies, spoke at Episcopal Divinity School’s chapel on this fascinating scripture. “At a time when our nation is resounding with calls for exclusivity and for the correct theology, I’m struck,” Wills said, “by the variety of theologies, in this chapel and everywhere I look.” He went on to add, “What I suspect is that the variety of theologies is all around us, but the sameness also.”
 
A few years ago the Bible Gateway webpage listed the 100 most inquired-after passages from the Bible. Interestingly, a big number of those scriptures did not delve into dense theological doctrines. Rather, they were scriptures that drew from a common well of wisdom that helped people to get through their days. They included “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love God” and “I can do everything through God who gives me strength.” When Wills mentioned this in his sermon, I took it as a timely word that can encourage us as we initiate and participate in the just one hour, just one scripture small group initiative.
 
All of us are bound by a commonality: we get through life, one day at a time. Often, we need a deeper and higher power to help us get through the day. just one hour, just one scripture serves as a platform to know one another and God in our life journeys. In doing so, the hope is that we recognize our differences and our sameness as we strive to build a community of love, neighborliness, and a sense of wonder that we at First Baptist Church call Wide Eyed Christianity. Spend just one hour in your week, listen, speak as you please, and embrace a sense of wonder and appreciation for life. Come and see. Let’s build community together.
 
~John Boopalan
Director of Community Life
​Theologian in Residence

Palm Sunday - April 9
Holy Week will begin at First Baptist Church in Newton with a Palm Sunday service this Sunday, April 9, at 10:00 am. We will gather in the Chapel.

Maundy Thursday - April 13
​On Thursday, April 13, we will be observing Maundy Thursday in the Chapel with an intimate service including communion at 7:00 pm. We also invite you to join us before then at 6:00 pm for a soup and bread supper in Fellowship Hall. This is a wonderful time to gather together in reflection just as Jesus and his disciples did.

If you wish to contribute soup, bread, or something else (maybe drinks) please email John Boopalan (john@fbcnewton.org) or sign up at http://tiny.cc/lrc59x

Easter Sunday - April 16
Easter Sunday Worship will take place in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am on April 16. We will partake in communion together as we celebrate Christ's resurrection

Once worship concludes, you are invited to stay as children take part in an egg hunt around the church grounds.

You can still place an order for Easter blooms. The flowers will decorate the Sanctuary for Easter, then you are welcome to take your plant home or donate it to spread cheer to those in need. Submit your orders to Doug Shepard: dshep71@verizon.net

If you have any further questions about any of these dates, please contact us at info@fbcnewton.org

It’s Not a Typo

There is an intentional ambiguity embedded in the expression GODISNOWHERE. There are (at least) two ways of reading it. “God is now here” refers to the familiar concept found in Christianity - God’s omnipresence. God is near, close, even everywhere.

“God is nowhere” can be said to refer to the experience of God’s absence. A less familiar concept, but nonetheless as central to Christianity as God’s “immanence”. Jesus’ cry on the Cross, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” points to this ambiguity.

We cannot, in fact, experience the presence of God without also experiencing God’s absence.

To take this a step further, the expression functions as a critique of a kind of dualistic thinking which separates people into "us" and "them", theists and atheists. Both theists and atheists affirm and reject particular notions or concepts about "God". Early Christians, in fact, were considered "atheists" for their rejection of Roman gods (Justin Martyr). Theists and atheists may have more in common than is immediately obvious. Gods come in all shapes and sizes. Just read (or soon watch) Neil Gaiman's American Gods.

Nonetheless, the comments continue: yet another silly church sign gone wrong. Some are offended and wish it were removed and others dismiss it as simple minded carelessness.
One news outlet (ABC affiliate) reported knowing the church ("in Newtown") did not “intend” for it to read the way it does. I'm not sure how they discovered our intentions.

It’s not a typo .
(say it again with your best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice).

Is God now here?
Is God nowhere?

Well…yes, but how? In what way?

It’s not all good nor is it all bad.

“Why, then, ’tis none to you, for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Hamlet

First Baptist friends, we are in the midst of gathering, growing, and GOING!

The Compassion in Action committee has an exciting new project in the works. Some of you may have seen our notice at the Council Open House last month about a possible effort to help resettle refugees here in Newton. We're very happy to say that we've taken the first steps towards making that a reality.

What do we want to do?
As a congregation we want to join with other nearby faith communities to offer tangible, hands on assistance and support to a refugee family in distress, to help them reclaim their lives in safety and security, and resettle in their new community and neighborhood. Many refugee families have have lost family members and friends, material possessions, home and neighborhood, pets, and sometimes their faith. We want to help.

Our plan is to join other faith communities to provide this support under the guidance of the Refugee Immigration Ministry. Our own Isaac Seelam is the Congregational Coordinator with them, so we know it will be a good experience.

How did this come about?
We recently discovered that Temple Reyim (on Washington St. In Newton) is very interested in a multi-faith effort to assist asylum seeking refugee families resettled in Newton. They have partnered with Refugee Immigration Ministry and are forming a Newton “cluster" which is a group of congregations of various faiths to aid and support an asylum seeking family. Refugee Imigration Ministry provides a case worker to assist the “cluster” members to guide and support them in their efforts to help the family. First Baptist Church in Newton will be joining with Temple Reyim as the second member of the cluster.

What's next?  
The Compassion in Action Ministry group will be attending meetings in December to learn how to set up a cluster and prepare to be assigned a family in need. We hope to be assigned a family early in the new year. 

What can we do as individuals?
Ponder and pray, listen for the call to welcome the stranger, offer hope where there is despair, and alleviate distress of displaced families. Pray for these families, for Refugee Immigration Ministry, and for guidance on responding to this urgent need.

Consider participating in some way. There will be opportunities with varying levels of involvement and commitment. We don't yet know the specifIc needs, as this will depend on the family we are assigned. But some possibilities include:

• Help a new arrival learn how to ride the MBTA or go grocery shopping.
• Drive someone to a doctor appointment.
• Offer a cup of tea, friendship, and hospitality to someone who has lost so much.
• Contribute items needed to set up housekeeping in a new apartment.
• Offer your expertise: homework help, babysitting, gardening, home repair, budgeting, setting up a checking account, creating a resume, job hunting, taking a driving test and getting a driver's license, etc.
• English language tutoring.

The list is endless! Imagine you've lost everything, escaped to a country where you don't know anyone, and you don't know the language or the customs. What would you need and want? That's what we hope to provide.

Let Sean, Wendy or Eunice or any member of the Council know

• What you think of this idea.
• What your questions are (we have plenty ourselves!).
• If you are interested in helping - this could be one time only,  occasionally, or on an ongoing basis.

We're very excited about this opportunity to do something tangible and positive in this hurting world, and hope that you are as well. We will send more news as the situation unfolds. There are still so many questions, and we all have much to learn together and from each other.

Wendy and Eunice
Compassion in Action at First Baptist Church in Newton

What is Community Compass?

Community Compass offers an "orientation" (so to speak) to First Baptist Church. You can share your experiences thus far, ask questions about anything, and meet others who have been around for various lengths of time. It is an informal gathering for people who want to know more about our community. Exploring and getting comfortable in churches can be daunting, and this is aimed to be as helpful as possible in that process. Letting us know you’re coming is helpful, but not required.

We will meet in my office this Sunday, October 2, after worship at 11:30 AM. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Warmly, 

Sean Witty
Senior Minister