Hope Springs Forth: Lent 2019

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Advent Event Calendar

Gratitude

The month of November is the time each year when we are reminded to think about that for which we are thankful.  Gratitude is a powerful thing, especially if we don’t limit it to one holiday a year!    We can start with our attitude.  If we begin the day thinking about those things, people,……

Upcoming Puerto Rico Missions Trip

Mission Trips create opportunities for the lives of all to be touched by God in many unexpected and life changing ways. As a church family, we are prayerfully considering a mission trip to Puerto Rico during the spring break period of 2019 in the last week of March. Our goal would be to serve, listen……

Join us as we begin our Fall programming! Enjoy pastries and fellowship as we introduce the new classes as well as a special Worship, led by pianist Mark Zeeman.

Be the Salt: a message from Pastor Shawn

Summer has been great!  We have done some fun, some challenging, and some meaningful things in worship with our series on Old Testament characters.  I have been stretched and challenged by the figures we’ve covered.  We have had some good studies—the book of Revelation and The Road to Character book study.  Our Junior Disciples have……

Victory of God

During the staff retreat up in Lake Arrowhead, the question arose: “if you could only preach one sermon for the rest of your life, what topic would your sermon focus upon?” Pastor Shawn had us guess and we all guessed (correctly!) “The kingdom of God.” This is a central theme of the New Testament, and……

Jesus, Swords, and the Abolition of Fear

“ And when I saw him, I collapsed to his feet like I was dead. And he placed his right hand upon me, saying: “Do not be afraid: I am the first and the last…”             –Revelation 1:17 When I was growing up, Christian media was at an all-time frenzy……

HOME: a message from Pastor Shawn

There is a song that pretty much every Hoosier knows.  The chorus goes like this: Back home again in Indiana And it seems that I can see The gleaming candlelight, still burning bright Through the sycamores for me The new-mowed hay sends all its fragrance Through the fields I used to roam When I dream……

Farewell Jared Sumners

For the past year and a half the middle and high schoolers of FBC have been led by our youth director, Jared Sumners. In this short time he has provided our youth with many opportunities to learn and grow in their faith. It is now that Jared has the opportunity to move on in his……

A Farewell Reception for Amanda Warner

On Sunday, July 12, following the worship service, join us for a farewell reception, wishing Amanda well as she leaves her staff position as communications administrator at First Baptist. A note from Amanda: I have truly been blessed this past year to work with and serve some of the kindest people here at The First Baptist……

David’s legacy lives on

Lynn West became a member of First Baptist in 1983. When her four-year-old son, David, passed away in 1995, Lynn wanted his legacy to live on. With help from FBCR, Lynn established a fund that would help other families in the community with special needs children, year after year. 1. Tell me a little about……

Toddlers take a social hour

The Toddler Play Group meets  Friday mornings at 10 a.m. in the church Nursery Our toddler Abe is a very active and curious little guy. I thought it sure would be nice to have a place where he could crawl around, be safe, clean and entertained. There aren’t many places for crawlers outside of one’s home.……

Skip the offering plate, give online

The First Baptist Church of Redlands is offering our members and friends a new way to support our ministry. Our new electronic donation program allows you to make contributions without having to lift a pen to write a check or reach into your wallet for cash. This new electronic donation program offers many benefits to……

A Bon Voyage Reception for Eric Goddard and family

On Sunday, June 28 following the worship service, join us for a Bon Voyage Reception to celebrate our music director’s 15 years at First Baptist before he and his family move out of California. A Note from Eric: As my family and I prepare to leave Redlands this month, I have been reflecting a lot……

Dental Team Gearing Up for Nicaragua Mission Trip

Twenty-five people will be leaving for LAX from our church Thursday, June 11 to catch a plane to Nicaragua. The other 25 will be flying in from elsewhere or on different flights. A Team of Dentists and Dental Students Making up this group are 10 dentists, two dental anesthesiologists, two pediatric dentists, one nurse, one dental……

Co-Ed Bible study coming this summer

From Sunday, July 12 through Sunday, August 30, immediately following the worship service, you’re invited to join a group in the Board Room for Bible study. The study will focus on the book “The Teaching of the 12: Believing and Practicing the Primitive Christianity of the Ancient Didache Community.” Books will be available at a cost……

Annual Church Picnic

You are invited to a picnic on Sunday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. Join us on June 14 for a BBQ, potluck, pie-baking contest, bounce house, water balloon toss, and lots of great fun and fellowship. The Diaconate will be selling hot dogs for $2, and hamburgers and veggie burgers for $3. The rest of……

30 Hour Famine: Fasting for Empathy

The 30 Hour Famine is something in which many youth groups throughout the nation participate. On the same weekend we were fasting, thousands of other students were also fasting. And while we were discussing poverty and hunger, youth groups across America were also thinking and praying about the poor and hungry. So, in the same……

What will the JDs learn this summer?

This summer, the Junior Disciples (kids in third to fifth grades) will learn the significance of being lifelong disciples of Jesus. They will participate in the church worship service and then be excused before the sermon where they will learn about a new topic each week.  Members of our congregation will be asked to share……

How a war veteran found hope

Following the footsteps of his military father, FBCR member Mike Warren enlisted in the Air Force just after receiving his high school diploma. A few years and two tours in the Vietnam War later, Mike returned to Riverside with no job prospects. Standing in long lines at temp agencies became an everyday occurrence until he……

Missions from the eyes of a 9-year-old

T.J. Herron may only be 9 years old, but that hasn’t stopped him from doing mission work. Every year, instead of asking for birthday or Christmas presents, he insists his friends and family help him raise money for his mission trips. He’s already been down to the island of Roatan off the coast of Honduras……

From Reverend Deena: “I’m ordained: Now what?”

Now that I’m ordained, what now? Whatever God calls and blesses me to do. I am still the same servant as I was on the Saturday evening before the cermony, serving together with all of you. Then I was ordained on Sunday. My role here at First Baptist remains the same: caring for our children, teaching……

Becoming Reverend Deena: Five Questions on Ordination

You’re invited! Deena’s Ordination Ceremony is Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary. 1. Why did you want to be ordained? I didn’t. Many of the retired pastors here at the church kept encouraging me, ‘Have you thought about ordination?’ I had been licensed by the church; and so licensing gave me authority……

The freedom of youth winter camp: A recap

Preparing to head up a mountain can be scary. After all, you can never be sure what you’re going to find once you’ve climbed a few thousand feet. How much colder will it be? Will the wildlife come out to play? Is there a special kind of tree into which I can plug my Xbox?……